Lafayette: The Boy General

John P. Kaminski

The fourth chapbook in the series is Lafayette: The Boy General. Lafayette fell in love with the concept of a young and free America. He came to the United States at the age of 19 and was given the honorary rank of major general in the Continental Army. Through hard work, courage, and persistence he obtained a command and became one of Washington’s most trusted generals. Lafayette led all the American forces in Virginia six months prior to the Battle of Yorktown-a battle he was important in winning.

Well-connected in France, Lafayette served as an invaluable American advocate in France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany both during and after the war. Through his efforts in these countries, alliances and commercial ties were forged and strengthened. He led the movement for political reform in France, but soon the radical forces in the French Revolution proved too much for Lafayette to handle. Forced to flee his country, he was captured and imprisoned for five years by the Germans and Austrians. He was released during a temporary truce in 1797. Lafayette’s visit to the United States in 1825-1826 as the “Nation’s guest” stirred patriotic feelings in America. He died in 1834.

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