Lafayette Arrives in the Colonies
This is the fourth in a series of biweekly articles leading up to the bicentennial celebration.
By Frank and Gloria Womble
By Frank and Gloria Womble
On April 26, 1777, Lafayette departed France on La Victoire heading to the New World. Although seasick and bored during much of the two-month journey, he managed to learn some English while en route. The ship's captain had planned to stop in the West Indies to sell his cargo, but Lafayette was so fearful of arrest that he bought the cargo to avoid docking at the islands. He finally landed on North Island near Georgetown, South Carolina on June 13, 1777.
Lafayette stayed in South Carolina for two weeks as the guest Major Benjamin Huger, a wealthy landowner, before heading to Philadelphia where he presented himself at the Second Continental Congress. The Congress, overwhelmed with French officers who did not speak English and lacked military experience, initially rejected Lafayette’s request to join the Continental Army. In response, Lafayette offered to serve without pay. His membership in the Masons and his family connections, as well as a letter signed by Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, worked in his favor and swayed Congress. The 19-year-old Lafayette was commissioned a major general on July 31, 1777, despite having only limited military training and no combat experience. On that day, George Washington and Lafayette first met at City Tavern in Philadelphia. Washington asked Lafayette to “join his military family.” The childless Washington and the fatherless Lafayette bonded almost immediately, beginning a close and lifelong friendship.
Washington was impressed by the young man's enthusiasm and was inclined to think well of a fellow Mason; Lafayette was simply awed by Washington. When Washington took Lafayette to view his military camp, he expressed embarrassment at its state and that of the troops. Lafayette responded: "I am here to learn, not to teach.” He joined Washington's staff as an aide-de-camp, although there was some confusion regarding his status because the Congress regarded his commission as honorary. Lafayette, however, considered himself a full-fledged general officer who would be given command of American soldiers when Washington deemed him ready.
Lafayette's first taste of combat was at the Battle of Brandywine near Chadd’s Ford, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1777. After the British outflanked the Americans, Washington sent Lafayette to join General John Sullivan. Upon his arrival, Lafayette went with the Third Pennsylvania Brigade under Brigadier General Thomas Conway and attempted to rally the unit. The British and Hessian forces continued to advance, and Lafayette was shot in the leg. During the American retreat, Lafayette rallied the troops, allowing a more orderly pullback, before being treated for his wound. In a letter to Congress after the battle, Washington cited him for "bravery and military ardour" and recommended him for the command of a division.
The American Friends of Lafayette is partnering with Suffolk 250 and the Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour with events in Suffolk in 2025: A memorabilia exhibit from January 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts; Lafayette’s arrival on February 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center/Riddick’s Folly; a banquet on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront; and a reception on February 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.
Frank and Gloria Womble are life members of the American Friends of Lafayette. Frank is a retired Army lieutenant colonel.
Gloria is the America250 chair of Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in Suffolk.
Lafayette stayed in South Carolina for two weeks as the guest Major Benjamin Huger, a wealthy landowner, before heading to Philadelphia where he presented himself at the Second Continental Congress. The Congress, overwhelmed with French officers who did not speak English and lacked military experience, initially rejected Lafayette’s request to join the Continental Army. In response, Lafayette offered to serve without pay. His membership in the Masons and his family connections, as well as a letter signed by Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, worked in his favor and swayed Congress. The 19-year-old Lafayette was commissioned a major general on July 31, 1777, despite having only limited military training and no combat experience. On that day, George Washington and Lafayette first met at City Tavern in Philadelphia. Washington asked Lafayette to “join his military family.” The childless Washington and the fatherless Lafayette bonded almost immediately, beginning a close and lifelong friendship.
Washington was impressed by the young man's enthusiasm and was inclined to think well of a fellow Mason; Lafayette was simply awed by Washington. When Washington took Lafayette to view his military camp, he expressed embarrassment at its state and that of the troops. Lafayette responded: "I am here to learn, not to teach.” He joined Washington's staff as an aide-de-camp, although there was some confusion regarding his status because the Congress regarded his commission as honorary. Lafayette, however, considered himself a full-fledged general officer who would be given command of American soldiers when Washington deemed him ready.
Lafayette's first taste of combat was at the Battle of Brandywine near Chadd’s Ford, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1777. After the British outflanked the Americans, Washington sent Lafayette to join General John Sullivan. Upon his arrival, Lafayette went with the Third Pennsylvania Brigade under Brigadier General Thomas Conway and attempted to rally the unit. The British and Hessian forces continued to advance, and Lafayette was shot in the leg. During the American retreat, Lafayette rallied the troops, allowing a more orderly pullback, before being treated for his wound. In a letter to Congress after the battle, Washington cited him for "bravery and military ardour" and recommended him for the command of a division.
The American Friends of Lafayette is partnering with Suffolk 250 and the Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour with events in Suffolk in 2025: A memorabilia exhibit from January 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts; Lafayette’s arrival on February 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center/Riddick’s Folly; a banquet on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront; and a reception on February 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.
Frank and Gloria Womble are life members of the American Friends of Lafayette. Frank is a retired Army lieutenant colonel.
Gloria is the America250 chair of Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in Suffolk.
The Young LafayetteThe Young Lafayette
This is the third in a series of biweekly articles leading up to the bicentennial celebration.
By Frank and Gloria Womble
By Frank and Gloria Womble
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, was a French aristocrat, Freemason, and military officer. He was born into an ancient, wealthy land-owning family in Chavaniac in the province of Auvergne in south-central France in 1757.
In 1768, Lafayette went to Paris at age 11 to live with his mother and great-grandfather at the comte's apartments in Luxembourg Palace. He was sent to school at the Collège du Plessis, part of the University of Paris, and was enrolled in a program to train future Musketeers. When Lafayette's mother and grandfather died within a few days of each other in 1770, Lafayette became one of the wealthiest men in France.
In May 1771, aged 13, Lafayette was commissioned a sous-lieutenant (second lieutenant) in the Mousquetaires du Roi, or "Black Musketeers,” King Louis XV's personal horse guard. His duties were largely ceremonial and included marching in military parades and presenting himself to King Louis.
Lafayette was engaged at age 14 to the 12-year-old Marie Adrienne Françoise. This marriage was arranged by Adrienne’s father, who had five daughters that needed suitable and preferably wealthy husbands. The marriage was opposed by her mother, who thought the couple (especially her daughter) was far too young. The compromise solution was not to mention marriage for two years, allowing Lafayette and Adrienne the chance to meet and get to know each other. It worked; the two fell in love and were happily married from the time of their marriage in 1774 until her death in 1807.
Lafayette was at annual training with his regiment in Metz in 1775 when he met General Charles-Francois, duc de Broglie, commander of the Army of the East. While there, de Broglie invited Lafayette and his friends to dinner along with the Duke of Gloucester, brother of King George III. Gloucester expressed sympathy for the American colonists’ struggle for independence and openly criticized his brother. In his memoires, Lafayette claimed he was won over immediately. “Such a glorious cause had never before rallied the attention of mankind. I gave my heart to the Americans and thought of nothing else but raising my banner and adding my color to theirs.”
Lafayette saw the opportunity for glory and adventure, plus a way to avenge France’s defeat by the British in the Seven Years’ War and his own father’s death by a British cannonball at the Battle of Minden when he was less than two years old. He was inspired by his exposure to Enlightenment philosophy, which emphasized individual liberty and religious tolerance as opposed to absolute monarchy and the power of religious authorities. Membership in the Freemasons, who promoted the ideals of the Enlightenment, certainly reinforced Lafayette’s idealism.
Lafayette defied a written decree from King Louis forbidding French officers from serving in America that mentioned him by name, and ignored his father-in-law’s orders to the same effect. He purchased and outfitted a ship, Victoire (Victory) with his own money, neglected to inform his pregnant young wife he was planning to leave France, successfully evaded the French authorities who were trying to stop him, and set sail for South Carolina in April 1777.
The American Friends of Lafayette is partnering with Suffolk 250 and the Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour with events in Suffolk in 2025: A memorabilia exhibit from January 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts; Lafayette’s arrival on February 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center/Riddick’s Folly; a banquet on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront; and a reception on February 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.
In 1768, Lafayette went to Paris at age 11 to live with his mother and great-grandfather at the comte's apartments in Luxembourg Palace. He was sent to school at the Collège du Plessis, part of the University of Paris, and was enrolled in a program to train future Musketeers. When Lafayette's mother and grandfather died within a few days of each other in 1770, Lafayette became one of the wealthiest men in France.
In May 1771, aged 13, Lafayette was commissioned a sous-lieutenant (second lieutenant) in the Mousquetaires du Roi, or "Black Musketeers,” King Louis XV's personal horse guard. His duties were largely ceremonial and included marching in military parades and presenting himself to King Louis.
Lafayette was engaged at age 14 to the 12-year-old Marie Adrienne Françoise. This marriage was arranged by Adrienne’s father, who had five daughters that needed suitable and preferably wealthy husbands. The marriage was opposed by her mother, who thought the couple (especially her daughter) was far too young. The compromise solution was not to mention marriage for two years, allowing Lafayette and Adrienne the chance to meet and get to know each other. It worked; the two fell in love and were happily married from the time of their marriage in 1774 until her death in 1807.
Lafayette was at annual training with his regiment in Metz in 1775 when he met General Charles-Francois, duc de Broglie, commander of the Army of the East. While there, de Broglie invited Lafayette and his friends to dinner along with the Duke of Gloucester, brother of King George III. Gloucester expressed sympathy for the American colonists’ struggle for independence and openly criticized his brother. In his memoires, Lafayette claimed he was won over immediately. “Such a glorious cause had never before rallied the attention of mankind. I gave my heart to the Americans and thought of nothing else but raising my banner and adding my color to theirs.”
Lafayette saw the opportunity for glory and adventure, plus a way to avenge France’s defeat by the British in the Seven Years’ War and his own father’s death by a British cannonball at the Battle of Minden when he was less than two years old. He was inspired by his exposure to Enlightenment philosophy, which emphasized individual liberty and religious tolerance as opposed to absolute monarchy and the power of religious authorities. Membership in the Freemasons, who promoted the ideals of the Enlightenment, certainly reinforced Lafayette’s idealism.
Lafayette defied a written decree from King Louis forbidding French officers from serving in America that mentioned him by name, and ignored his father-in-law’s orders to the same effect. He purchased and outfitted a ship, Victoire (Victory) with his own money, neglected to inform his pregnant young wife he was planning to leave France, successfully evaded the French authorities who were trying to stop him, and set sail for South Carolina in April 1777.
The American Friends of Lafayette is partnering with Suffolk 250 and the Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour with events in Suffolk in 2025: A memorabilia exhibit from January 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts; Lafayette’s arrival on February 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center/Riddick’s Folly; a banquet on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront; and a reception on February 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.
Lafayette Day in Virginia
This is the second in a series of bi-weekly articles leading up to the bicentennial celebration.
By Frank and Gloria Womble
By Frank and Gloria Womble
General Lafayette, the close friend of George Washington and hero of the American Revolution, received many accolades after his major contributions to winning the Revolutionary War and founding our nation. One of the more significant is his designation as an honorary citizen of the United States.
On December 28, 1784, the Maryland General Assembly passed a resolution stating that Lafayette and his male heirs "forever shall be ... natural born Citizens" of the state. This made him a natural-born citizen of the United States under the Articles of Confederation and as defined in Section 1, Article Two of the United States Constitution. Other colonies soon followed, including Virginia in 1785. Lafayette boasted in 1792 that he had become an American citizen before the French Revolution created the concept of French citizenship.
The U. S. State Department, however, determined in 1935 that these measures did not result in Lafayette becoming a United States citizen following the ratification of the U. S. Constitution in 1789. That changed in 2002 when Lafayette became the sixth foreign national to be given honorary American citizenship by Congress. To date, he is one of only eight individuals thus honored. In 2015, Virginia officially honored Lafayette with a state resolution designating March 14 every year as Lafayette Day. This date is celebrated annually by the American Friends of Lafayette with ceremonies in the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond.
The Virginia state resolution recounts several significant events during Lafayette’s activities in Virginia during the American Revolution. It begins with Lafayette’s arrival at Yorktown on March 14, 1781 to being a campaign in Virginia. The resolution notes that Lafayette’s forces were both outnumbered and poorly supplied, forcing Lafayette to use a strategy of limited engagement. He also pledged his own money to provide shoes and clothing for his soldiers.
The resolution recounts that Lafayette was “instrumental in convincing Louis XVI, King of France, to support the American colonies, directly contributing to the victory at Yorktown.” Lafayette returned to the United States on April 28, 1780, after this successful diplomatic mission aboard the French frigate Hermione. An exact replica of Hermione would arrive at Yorktown on June 7, 2015. In light of this impending event, the resolution encouraged
“all Virginians, especially its students reflect on and learn from Lafayette's example of heroism, courage, and commitment to freedom and democracy.”
The resolution concludes by proclaiming that “Lafayette loved America so much that he was buried in Paris under soil from Boston's Bunker Hill, and for his accomplishments in the service to both France and the United States, he is known as The Hero of Two Worlds.” Six panels explaining the importance of Lafayette to our nation’s history are on display at the Suffolk Visitor Center through March 15.
Suffolk will commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s return with several events in 2025:
A Farewell Tour memorabilia exhibit from January 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts; a ceremony to welcome Lafayette’s arrival on February 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center; a banquet on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront; and a reception on February 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.
On December 28, 1784, the Maryland General Assembly passed a resolution stating that Lafayette and his male heirs "forever shall be ... natural born Citizens" of the state. This made him a natural-born citizen of the United States under the Articles of Confederation and as defined in Section 1, Article Two of the United States Constitution. Other colonies soon followed, including Virginia in 1785. Lafayette boasted in 1792 that he had become an American citizen before the French Revolution created the concept of French citizenship.
The U. S. State Department, however, determined in 1935 that these measures did not result in Lafayette becoming a United States citizen following the ratification of the U. S. Constitution in 1789. That changed in 2002 when Lafayette became the sixth foreign national to be given honorary American citizenship by Congress. To date, he is one of only eight individuals thus honored. In 2015, Virginia officially honored Lafayette with a state resolution designating March 14 every year as Lafayette Day. This date is celebrated annually by the American Friends of Lafayette with ceremonies in the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond.
The Virginia state resolution recounts several significant events during Lafayette’s activities in Virginia during the American Revolution. It begins with Lafayette’s arrival at Yorktown on March 14, 1781 to being a campaign in Virginia. The resolution notes that Lafayette’s forces were both outnumbered and poorly supplied, forcing Lafayette to use a strategy of limited engagement. He also pledged his own money to provide shoes and clothing for his soldiers.
The resolution recounts that Lafayette was “instrumental in convincing Louis XVI, King of France, to support the American colonies, directly contributing to the victory at Yorktown.” Lafayette returned to the United States on April 28, 1780, after this successful diplomatic mission aboard the French frigate Hermione. An exact replica of Hermione would arrive at Yorktown on June 7, 2015. In light of this impending event, the resolution encouraged
“all Virginians, especially its students reflect on and learn from Lafayette's example of heroism, courage, and commitment to freedom and democracy.”
The resolution concludes by proclaiming that “Lafayette loved America so much that he was buried in Paris under soil from Boston's Bunker Hill, and for his accomplishments in the service to both France and the United States, he is known as The Hero of Two Worlds.” Six panels explaining the importance of Lafayette to our nation’s history are on display at the Suffolk Visitor Center through March 15.
Suffolk will commemorate the bicentennial of Lafayette’s return with several events in 2025:
A Farewell Tour memorabilia exhibit from January 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts; a ceremony to welcome Lafayette’s arrival on February 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center; a banquet on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront; and a reception on February 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.
Lafayette Returns
First in a series of articles
By Frank and Gloria Womble
The American Friends of Lafayette (AFL) has announced the upcoming Bicentennial celebration of Major General Lafayette’s triumphant Farewell Tour to America. In a letter dated February 24, 1824, President James Monroe (himself a veteran) and Congress invited Lafayette to visit the “adopted country of your early youth, which has always preserved the most grateful recollection of your important services.” AFL was formed in 1932 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania by a small group of scholars and collectors. Today, the organization has more than 800 members across the nation. It strives to educate the public about the life and legacy of Lafayette, not only as a hero of the American Revolution, but also as a relentless human rights activist.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, AFL will commemorate the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s return to America as the “Guest of the Nation.” August 16, 2024 kicks off the beginning of this monumental occasion. More than 200 events will trace Lafayette’s footsteps on his 13-month, 6,000-mile tour of America during 1824 and 1825.
Lafayette’s return visit came at a difficult time in U. S. history. In 1824, the United States was in the throes of a very contentious Presidential election. Our country was divided and in turmoil. There were few living veterans from the Revolutionary War, and the “Spirit of ’76” that carried them through the war had faded as the nation expanded westward. President James Monroe was inspired to invite the last living American Major General from the Revolutionary War to return to help celebrate the nation’s upcoming 50th anniversary and reignite patriotism. Upon his return to the United States, Lafayette was welcomed with unprecedented universal affection and gratitude. What began as a simple plan to visit the major cities turned into a triumphal tour of all 24 states when the Southern and Western states clamored for a visit from Lafayette as well.
There will be commemorations in large cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Savannah as well as in the multitude of small towns that still maintain oral and written histories of the day America’s favorite fighting Frenchman visited. AFL’s goal is to educate the public about the critical roles of both Lafayette and France in our war for independence. Six large panels are on display at the Suffolk Visitor Center through mid-March that describe Lafayette’s significant contributions to our nation’s history.
One hundred ninety-nine years ago this week, Suffolk was the first overnight stop on Lafayette’s tour of the Southern and Western states. AFL is partnering with the Suffolk 250 Committee and the Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to commemorate the Bicentennial. Here in Suffolk, Lafayette’s return will be celebrated by several events in 2025: A Farewell Tour memorabilia exhibit from January 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts, with an opening night reception; a ceremony to welcome Lafayette’s arrival on February 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center; a banquet on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront; and a reception on February 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.
Frank and Gloria Womble are life members of the American Friends of Lafayette. Frank is a retired Army lieutenant colonel. Gloria is the America 250 chair of Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in Suffolk.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, AFL will commemorate the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s return to America as the “Guest of the Nation.” August 16, 2024 kicks off the beginning of this monumental occasion. More than 200 events will trace Lafayette’s footsteps on his 13-month, 6,000-mile tour of America during 1824 and 1825.
Lafayette’s return visit came at a difficult time in U. S. history. In 1824, the United States was in the throes of a very contentious Presidential election. Our country was divided and in turmoil. There were few living veterans from the Revolutionary War, and the “Spirit of ’76” that carried them through the war had faded as the nation expanded westward. President James Monroe was inspired to invite the last living American Major General from the Revolutionary War to return to help celebrate the nation’s upcoming 50th anniversary and reignite patriotism. Upon his return to the United States, Lafayette was welcomed with unprecedented universal affection and gratitude. What began as a simple plan to visit the major cities turned into a triumphal tour of all 24 states when the Southern and Western states clamored for a visit from Lafayette as well.
There will be commemorations in large cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, St. Louis, New Orleans, and Savannah as well as in the multitude of small towns that still maintain oral and written histories of the day America’s favorite fighting Frenchman visited. AFL’s goal is to educate the public about the critical roles of both Lafayette and France in our war for independence. Six large panels are on display at the Suffolk Visitor Center through mid-March that describe Lafayette’s significant contributions to our nation’s history.
One hundred ninety-nine years ago this week, Suffolk was the first overnight stop on Lafayette’s tour of the Southern and Western states. AFL is partnering with the Suffolk 250 Committee and the Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, to commemorate the Bicentennial. Here in Suffolk, Lafayette’s return will be celebrated by several events in 2025: A Farewell Tour memorabilia exhibit from January 23 to March 1 at the Suffolk Center for the Cultural Arts, with an opening night reception; a ceremony to welcome Lafayette’s arrival on February 23 at the Suffolk Visitor Center; a banquet on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront; and a reception on February 26 at the Washington Smith Ordinary in Historic Somerton.
Frank and Gloria Womble are life members of the American Friends of Lafayette. Frank is a retired Army lieutenant colonel. Gloria is the America 250 chair of Constantia Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, in Suffolk.