Lafayette

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e British to lay down their arms and give themselves up as prisoners of war without the usual courtesies. The ceremony of surrender was particularly galling. Forbidden by their conquerors to play a British or a Hessian air, they marched to the joyous melody of "Yankee Doodle," their colors cased, and their hearts rebellious. The battle of Camden was another defeat for the Americans. On that disastrous day fell the companion of Lafayette's first voyage, the Baron de Kalb, who died

rmined to reduce that state, to cut off the southern army from its base, and thus to control the approaches to the heart of the country. Accordingly, in January, 1781, he se

o fight. On the other hand, General Washington chose a leader for the defense who was so well beloved by his men, and who was himself filled with so fiery an enthusiasm for the cause, that this alone would have be

h whom he intensely longed to be when the great climax came. However, he obeyed orders with perfect alacrity and planned for a swift march in order to intercept any efforts on the part of Arnold to obtain access to the various

this campaign the young Lafayette was the most notable leader. It was on the 6th of April, 1781, that Genera

en who had been willing to take their lives in their hands and follow their young leader on the hazardous expedition into Canada. Althoug

ement. They saw that they were not going toward the grand final attack; they were not used to the blind ob

hat would tax all a soldier's powers, and in which there would be abundant dangers and difficulties. The enemy, he said, was far superior to them in numbers, thoroughly despised them, and was determined to conquer them. He

n wrote to Washington: "Our men are in high spirits. Their honor was in

to Lafayette. When Lafayette learned that the letter which was brought in was from the traitor, he returned it unopened, sending a verbal message stating that with Benedict Arnold he would hold no communication whatever. Later he sent a formal letter to the offic

old's mind dwelt on this aspect of his sad situation from the fact that he once quizzed a captured American to find out what the Americans would do with him if they took him prisoner. The soldier audaciously replied that they would "cut off the leg that had been

eteran British commander with years of service behind him, was now taken up with more spirit than ever before. It was the crisis of the Revolution. If the Continental army could only hold out a little longer, it might be possible, by adroit advance and diplomatic retreat, to avoid unequal battles until the foe was worn out

ibility of his position, and the dangers of his own over-enthusiastic spirit. The British command of the adjacent waters, the superiority of their cavalry, and the great disproportion in the forces of the two armies, gave the enemy such advantages that Lafayette dared not venture to engage the British. The British generals thoroughly understood what they called La

upplies that had been concentrated there. In the battle at Green Spring his bravery led him once more to plunge in

yette was frequently requested to keep at a greater distance

the American force was larger than it actually was; he also believed that he could break down the loyalty of the inhabitants of Pennsylvania and of Virginia. In both these points he was dire

special messenger express to Paris to bear one more urgent appeal for help. Washingto

ves in Paris. At the moment Laurens's father was being held a prisoner by the British in the Tower of London-a fact that no doubt quickened the zeal of the son. At all events, he was successful in h

ward Yorktown, a method of procedure that now became, as the British reports described it, the "constant and good policy o

lace two rivers enter the bay, the York and the James, and upon a conspicuous b

command the channel, and he established outworks to impede the approach of the enemy. Lafayette saw all this and rejoiced, for he believed that Cornwallis was at last where he most desired to have him-in a place where he would be open to attack, and with some hope of s

de Saint Simon, field marshal in the French army, debarked a large re?nforcement of French troops; and on the 4th of September Lafayette moved nearer to Yorktown and took a

e of the whole enterprise, and Lafayette's happiness was complete when, on the 1