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LAFAY ETTE
By Bernard Vincent McMahon
"The story of America's French friend as Lafayette might have told it" , Cop00ghted
PART THREE
General Washington insisted Congress appoint me as a major general, which it
did on July 31, 1777. Washington's officers protested but he assured them my
commission was an honorary one. Except for De Kaib who was appointed to
Washington's staff, the rest of the French officers were paid off and sent home. De
Kalb earned his position and held it by merit.
On July 1, 1777 Adrienne gave birth to a second daughter, she christened
Anastasie. I dined often with General Washington making friends with Colonel
Alexander Hamilton and Colonel Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery. Washington
treated me as his son and I referred to him as my father.
My first action in the war was in the Battle of Brandywine Sept 1777 here
English Major General Howe was thwarted from taking Philadelphia. After the
battle Congress received a letter from Franklin requesting, on the advice of the
Grench government that I should be denied an army commission, but now I was
wounded veteran and they tabled his letter. I had suffered a flesh wound in the leg
while rallying my men. This exploit made me a hero in France.
I returned to the army in time to endure the hell of the terrible winter 1777-
1778 at Valley Forge. After that experience I was definitely one of the boys. The
soldiers wrote home telling their folks that a rich young French nobleman was
sharing their ordeal. When I was opportuned by fellow officers to bark out orders
to the men I said, "No. I am here to learn and not to teach."
Napoleon was astounded at my ability to get involved in one mess after another
Now I got mixed up in the General Gates and Colonel Conway "Cabal" to oust
Washington in favor of Gates. Luckily for me Washington considered me an
immature young man still wet behind the ears. After the war American officers
organized the Society of the Cincinnati after Cincinnatus Lucius Quinctius B.C.
519-439, the Roman general who left his farm to save Rome and I was asked to
screen the French officers eligible to join the society and 1 submitted Conway's
name (who had been wounded by General Calwallder in a duel over Washington
and afterwards resigned his American army commission) on the membership list,
causing great resentment but I guess I never grew up.
After the Battle of Saratoga in which the English were soundly defeated my
country declared war on Britain in February 1778 and signed a Treaty of Alliance
with the American colonies. The same month on the sixth when I heard the news
I raced over to Washington's headquarters and kissed him French fashion on both
cheeks.
When French General Rochambeau's army landed at Newport, Rhode Island I
was on hand to greet him. The natives hid in their houses afraid (English
propaganda reported that our men would rape their women). But When they
discovered our men had gold coins the Rhode Islanders quickly learned French.
In May 1778 Sir Henry Clinton succeeded Sir William Howe as British General
in Chief in America and they were planning to evacuate Philadelphia. They
should have renamed the American Revolutionary War. the Bladder Mouth War.
Everyone had spies, both official and unofficial, so both sides knew immediately
what was happening. General Washington sent for me. When I reached
headquarters he had beads of nervous perspiration on his forehead while his staff
officers stood with looks of deep apprehension on their faces. "What is wrong," I
asked the general, "Have you surrendered to the English? "No," he said, "In lieu
of your country's great contribution to our cause I am giving you command of a
division. "Hurrah" I shouted, "When do I start?" He put his head on his arm and
groaned, "Immediately."
My orders were to march towards Philadelphia and reconnoiter the area
between the Delaware and the Schuylkill rivers and obtain intelligence of Clinton's
movements. Clinton was aware of my expedition, its purpose, the number of my
troops, etc. I will capture "The boy," he said, "And you General Grant (No
relation to Ulysses Simpson), take your eight thousand men and bag him. To his
secretary: "Send out invitations to a party and I will exhibit him to the ladies."
Grant attacked me in what is called "The Battle of Barren Hill" on May 20,
1778, They pushed my division alongside the Schuykill River and it looked to me
that I was going to be exhibited at CIInton's party. A man named Matson showed
us an unknown ford across the deep river which we crossed, saving my division.
When General Grant arrived at Clinton's cocktail party, the latter yelled,
"Where is the Marquis de Lafayette?" 1 need more time," Grant said lamely.
Clinton beilered, "What do you want, all summer?" He moved his army out of the
Here is another letter he wrote to me on Septemoer 25, 1778: "The ardent zeal
which you have displayed during the whole course of the campaign to the east
ward and your endeavours to cherish harmony among the officers of the allied
powers...deserves and now receive, my particular and warmest thanks..."
About to leave for home, I was showered by gifts and testimonials from the
Colonies and Congress, a sword encrusted with diamonds was ordered for me in
Paris by Benjamin Franklin and my trip to Boston turned into a triumphal tour. My
plans to recapture Canada for France. much to my disappointment, was put on
the backburner at the insistance of General Washington. After a year and a half 1
was sailing home on the American frigate L'Alliance bearing 36 guns, departing
on January II, 1779.
The crew consisted of the scum of Boston docks, jailbirds, and deserters from
English ships. They plotted a mutiny to seize the ship and sail it into an English
port to sell as a prize ship, and turn me over to the English government as a
prisoner of war. Fortunately an American sailor revealed their dastardly plans and
they were all put in irons. We arrived Breast on the sixth of February. a fast
voyage for those days. I was given an artillery salute, bands played, speeches
were given praising me, and then they arrested me. My jail was my father-in-law's
house and I was locked up with my wife and children. Jealous people whispered
the Duc d'Ayen confined me to keep me away from my mistress, Aglae
d'Hunolstein, who was parked outside in her carriage amidst the crowds cheering
me.
His majesty summoned me to Versailles where I related my adventures to the
court with great gusto and not without a little embroidery, after all I wasn't the first.
Ulysess started it all. I was now the rage of Paris and many parties and balls were
given In my honor. I had to turn down many invitations because of affairs of state
and the Comtesse d' Hunolstein who again entered my life. and bed. Some of my
projects were the liberation of Canada and Ireland but I was informed the invasion
of England was the top priority.
In May 1779 1 bought command of one of the king's dragoons (regiments) for
eighty thousand francs and as the result 1 was promoted to Lt. Colonel in the
regular army. I was with my regiment only a short time before being sent to Le
Havree. I wrote Vergennes, Secretary of State: "My imagination often advances
into the enemy's country at the head of the advance guard...The thought of
seeing England humiliated and crushed makes me tremble with joy...Judge if [
ought not to be impatient to know if 1 am destined to be the first to arrive on that
coast and to plant our flag in the midst of that insolent nation."
Adrinne was with me the whole summer, and again pregnant, and on the
following Christmas Eve gave birth to a boy, joyously I wrote General Washington
that I named him George Washington Lafayette.
The mercurial enthusiasm of my countrymen for the war dropped down to
zero. The invasion of England was kaput..The three of us, Vergennes, Franklin
and myself, had been planning a military expedition to America. Naturally I
thought they would select me as its commander but the old mossback Generals
chose the Comte de Rochambeau as the leader.
Years later I was shown a letter from Rochambeau to Vergennes: "On my
arrival (Newport, Rhode Island July 10, 1780) I found letters from the Marquis de
Lafayette awaiting me; they are too voluminous for copies to be sent, and they
contain a mass of excited and rather incoherent proposals.'" This, my friends, is
how old officers stab young heroes in the back. Cedant Ar'ma To'qae.
CONTINUED
THE PONCHATOULA TIMES, JULY 25, 1985,PAGE TWELVE
prostrations. The battle produced a traitor on the American side. Senior General
Arthur Lee (No relation to Robert E. Lee) who was cashiered by a court martial
after the battle. His orders to retreat nearly lost the war
came racing forward. The general was never greater in the war then during this
action. His presence stopped the retreat. His dispositions (of troops) brought
about a victory...His commanding presence as he sat on his horse, his calm
cour.a.ge enlivened by his animation produced by the d!sappointment (General
Lee's order to retreat) gave him an air very proper to great enthusiasm...
night as we both lay on the battlefield General Washington suggested I return to
France, as the 1778 military campaign was now finished. He offered me a leave
and I accepted.
The war had turned against the English and they sent a peace commission
headed by a Tory, Lord Carlisle. This ass made a speech to Congress professing
his astonishment "That Americans would blindly profess toward a power (France)
that has ever shown itself an enemy to all civil and religious liberty." I immediately
challenged that English prig to a duel. The American newspaper editors assailed
me on this challenge and. as I never saw any of these puffs at Valley Forge, I blew
up. General Washington on Sept. First 1778 wrote me soothingly: "In a free and
republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude. Every
man will speak as he thinks, or more properly, without thinking, and consequently
will judge the effects without attending the causes...Let me beseech you
therefore, my good sir, to afford a healing hand to the wound which unintentionally
has been made."
This uneducated man is rightfully called the father of his country.
I
Lester Felder backs United Way
Staff Report
Ponchatoula's Lester Felder hosted a
pooiside party Saturday at his home to
kick off the Ponchatoula end of the
., United Way drive.
.Feider and Mrs. Jeanne Zaleski,
president of the Chamber of Commerce,
represent Ponchatoula on the newly
, reconstituted board operating the
known charity.
Albany's Alex Berry was on hand to
explain the many types of services
provided through United Way, a
presentation which included a film.
Felder promised guests, many d_
whom are already active in Ponc aa otaa
service clubs, a fun time raising funds.
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city in June 1778 and Washington broke camp at Valley Forge to block Clinton's ...
inconclusive results. Most of the casualties on both sides resulted from heat
"t(0
I was a witness to this near-debacle and wrote in my diary: "Then Washington t t Rr
t racil,£ forwar, t. rh general was nev r gre,t, • in the tr ther during this
r. His presen(e ,to r ped the retzeat. His ds, sitons (,f troops)brought :00nrinatield
.t a vc'ory...His :or] manding prltsen'e as , sal on }'ts horse, his calm --i.----- .J--------- t l ! k
,:le ealvened W his animation p'oduced b!, t,e "!saPl: ),ntment (General Or
; :)rd, r o retre,,t) ga,_ him an air ver prop,;r o great e ,thusia,m..." That h e man
.,s w t :oth ins o, th ) battlefield (3en, ral W,,sl ing:on SL ]geste, i i return pon ... I[
c..lcce])t.d.a tae 177, n,ilita T campaign was now fni .he([. He )ffered me a lea hangs it up fnr a - >"
., d b Tory. 1.ol d C rlisle. This iss n ade a sleec n to ( ongres professi
,,onis rnent 'T a, Ar .ericans wou d blindly p'o ss towar l a ,p.ov,er (Fran, years u
a,se, e' shown itself,,, enemy to,,l' ci, il and re tgio,s lib, ty.'l immediat, after 36 rig
e agec t nat En lisl= pr g to a duel. Fhe meri :a, n, wspa] ,er edit ors assail /
b ner 1 " 'rthisc`aleng'ad`sIneversaan`,ofthspufsat\\;aleyF:)rge|b`CaudeK.EkinsJr.'fSpringf.ed' Jill ican Sl ,eC k overnrr Wash,r gtm as h,! ' ert. tl ,ink ( 3u n, or Sept. cannot more F,rst " pr n!stra per 177 " n y,Wr°t" the witl ,o' v(' .t ice e tb" ooth,, inking of th, " g]y: and multil ude. "' c lnsequer a free Ev, a personnel company, a recently retired as assistant vice predent- 36-year Ofcareer South with Central, the concluding telephone 0 t " " " ] - " i / t
jt=dge lhe eff, ct.. w thout attencing the ca ;es...Let me b seech y Elkins. a 1948 graduate of Vanderbilt
,,en nlade. |"re' 'n"g°'°d"ir' t°' ]°rd a health' had t° tie w°'md w 'ich unntenti°n' University' began his career with thetelephone company in 1949 as a aoi..vg / , / I I
i; un, d acated nan is "ightfully call, :d the lathe.r, .f hi ; cour try. student engineer in New Orleans.
-- 1; r-" ...................... . --1 " In 1965' he was divisi°n plant 11 thousands smashed manager into of when telephones New Hurricane Orleans. out-of-service leaving Betsy :: .q / " '
[ 80% I '°"°" 00iiii i m i ii
[ l- "One of my most memorable
experiences while working for the tele-
phone company was in 1965 when I i p--ob,tlllli, " !Mg A'-R"
Elkins recalls. We worked non-stop for .......... . , ' .
78 straight hours to restore telephone
service. Over 700 telephone employees
I Process & Print help repair telephone faciliti,es damaged 1 video Club -
I with ms coupon by the high wind and water. '
I
, Tou....-.. From 110. 126, 35rnm or , After holding management positions I l ¥I00S, Disc, VHS Machines for | lvlllBIlli lIKe,
| ,Ik,/;4'1" J=,g jAJt Dis€Color Print Rim. I in various locations throughout the
• Irql.=7¢laS|.cl,ll.s2.l l'¢t,r .AI 7., I company, Elkins was named general- II | rent. • r'-/-------_,ft/---r--- - " " .; /
....-,,-.--, S'''''''''"'' I SummerShoe-upSpec,alp
I " Umltlro, per coupon J 1979 and was appointed general ....
|, ,,s ------,, J m anager-distributionin1979. Falcon and The Snowman ' 836%,._:.2, ,,_,..._,
• ....... - ............. "-j My most rewarding experience while - -- . - :.aua=,u,, _r,__ u,,,=,= v=
[ 80% OYY " I working in the telecommunications field Electric Boogloo Breaking elasgej.er6_weckgessioni_.
was the four-year period between 1978and 1982 when my department was I [ Two i New Session Besins.[ul 15tl'
]IL]LLtI__ I responsible for rebuilding the telephone | [ Protocol | ;M0n, Wed. 6:00 pm Co-Ed00 "
Jl ,lWtth,l..Ools j facilities in the New Orleans area,' | I .... , ][it Toe$. Thurs. Morn:lO:OO.aOies
[; 6=1011=7. (R8.( re, $ 50)1500) ]B01wWOW $1JII8518.60 ]i telephoneaccessEikins said" "When this was c°mpleted' ito theCuSt°mersmost advancedin this telephonearea had 6 " :'" :,: 386-6318 386-804-1' ,
[ l 1!,4 r.g. $ t t 150) NOW $8,8 I equipment in the United States." ' . . .._. ....
I l lO. 126, kmm and dlac ooIor print flint ; Elkins was appointed assistant vice //.= ...,
I[Xlqltrdt 7, uo lmut rltheoupon. a-iY rm. __.--Z..." Ii president-networkvice president-personnelin 1983forandLouisianaassistant I " Ur00ayride D .u nu:':n.
I
....... '-- ...... in 1984.
H--O D AMM N SQUARE00 He and his wife, Lorene selected
Springfield as their retirement home II -Availab,e ' "
.. '6 . Eikins enjoys fishingon" the Ticl;daw
i
River and in Lake Maurepas with his
(JllnEntrmtce NerTex(IsShlteOp4h:) three children, Mrs. Janice Lynn i for Reunions, Recept=ons, Club00Dances - -
Keene, Baton Rouge; Mrs. Deborah J +or burther ,nformotion colli 386-497t;]
OPEN MON.- SAT. Sue Dyer, Covington, and Claude I.
$ a.m, - 9 p.m. Eikins Ill, Alexandria, and seven grand-
children. -- " " " ' IIII " ,! " "