He who is boldest where cannons thunder We need but look, and we see them standing My lord has buckles at toe and knee; The vows are given, the service is over; There's the clank of a sword as it swings aside, Like the last grand note of a song that is ended The race of our hero has not descended— Great souls give deeds to the world, not sons. What were they all?-it is he, no other, Yes, one other; we see beside him The love-crowned queen of his manly heart, The one sweet clause in life's sad story Is love. Ah, my lord, and my lady, I know You found it better than all your glory Could you speak through space, you would tell me so ! ELLA WHEELER WILCOX. FRENCH OFFICERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. In every crisis of the world's history, when the time was ripe for action, Providence has furnished men often entirely unknown, but fitted by Nature to be leaders in the fight. The poor, friendless, young monk in his cell at Erfurth, struggling against the abuses of Catholicism, was to reconstruct society and establish Protestantism in the powerful empire of Charles the Fifth. Savonarola, by his fearless denunciations overthrowing the Medici and restoring the republic. Kossuth, defender of the Magyars, thundering his anathemas against oppression and fighting for the cause which lay so near his heart. Washington, from his rural life in Virginia, called to conduct a war against a tried and thoroughly equipped army under England's most skillful generals. And the aid that was to be given America was to come from France through the sacrifices and appeals of a son of one of her most noble families. Though the common enmity with England made her most sympathetic with the Colonists, it did not make her an ally in a cause which seemed almost hopeless and where no military honors were promised. In the province of Auvergne, in the Chateau of Chavaniac, the Marquis de Lafayette was born in 1758. There was nothing in the inherited prejudices of his race, nothing in the classical student's life he passed in a college in Paris, nothing in the allurements of the brilliant society at the French court, where his high rank made him the recipient of many royal favors, to instil an interest in the fight for liberty that was being made in the far off land of America. He was a page of Marie Antoinette at the age of fifteen, and a member of the bodyguard of the King. He married at sixteen the Countess de Noailles, who belonged to the oldest aristocracy of France. With all the fascinations of the gay and witty court of Louis the Sixteenth, with all the prospects for personal preferment his rank and talents offered him, being the last scion of a noble family, with the tender ties of a most congenial union to be severed, his inate love of liberty led him to sacrifice all these interests in the cause of oppressed humanity. Knowing the opposition he would meet with from his family and the government, he secretly made preparations to sail for America. He purchased and furnished a vessel at his own expense and embarked for the land of his adoption in May, 1777. Mr. Deane, one of the American commissioners, had petitioned Congress to give Lafayette the rank of major general on account of his noble birth and the sacrifices he had already made for America. But as many foreigners who had joined the army had been mere adventurers Congress received him coldly and the request was not granted. Though deeply hurt he wrote a note asking that he be allowed to serve at his own expense and as a volunteer. Then his true character became known and he was given the rank of major general, though at first it was only an honorary title. He early won the friendship of Washington, which was a most ardent one on both sides, and which was severed only by death. In the battle of Brandywine, which occurred soon after his arrival, by his daring bravery he won the right to command. Wounded and surrounded by a shower of bullets, he endeavored to rally the weakened forces and prevent a retreat, and escaped death as by a miracle. His military tactics were shown at the battle of Monmouth, and his judgment was so great it is said he never made a mistake. He was with Washington at Valley Forge and endured with heroism the sufferings of that memorable winter. The following summer a French fleet under the command of Count d'Estaing arrived. This nobleman was born in Auvergne in 1729, and died in Paris in 1794. At the age of sixteen he entered the Mousquetaires. He afterwards joined the navy and was made vice-admiral. He was sent to America with a fleet of twelve ships in April, 1778, and coöperated with General John Sullivan in the expulsion of the British from Rhode Island. He assisted the Americans in the West Indies and the South. After the victory at Yorktown he returned to France and was given command of the French and Spanish fleets and made a grandee of Spain. For his friendship to Marie Antoinette he was brought to trial by the Revolutionary authorities, and asked for mercy in view of his naval and military services. When he realized he was to be put to death in spite of his en treaties, he said, "Send my head to the English, they will you well for it." pay Shortly after his arrival the treachery of Arnold occurred and it was only by the merest chance his plan to wreck the army did not succeed. Fate is the result of moments and the outcome of a single event. It is said if it had not rained the night before the battle of Waterloo the Allies would have been defeated and Napoleon have mapped out a new continent for Europe. If accident had not thrown Major André into the hands of some American peasants West Point would have been sold and the plans of our army known to the British. Reports at this time reached Lafayette that the French ministry were meditating an attack on England and feeling that his presence was now required in France he requested leave of absence, which was granted, and he sailed for France in January, 1779. Congress ordered the American minister at the Court of Versailles to have a sword made for him of the most elaborate workmanship. It bore representations of the battles of Gloucester and Monmouth, the retreat of Rhode Island and Barren Hill. The sword was presented by a grandson of Benjamin Franklin. After a year in France, during which his efforts in behalf of America were untiring, finding that the expedition against England had been abandoned, he prepared to return with the assurance from the King and ministry that six vessels and six thousand troops should be sent to America. In April, 1780, he reached Boston and was received with great rejoicing. A few months later the French fleet arrived under the command of the Count de Rochambeau, the Marquis de Chastellux and the Chevalier de Ternay. Count de Rochambeau was born in 1725, and received his education in a Jesuit college. He served with distinction in the French Army in Bavaria and Bohemia and succeeded his father as governor of Vendome. For services in battle he was appointed brigadier general. He landed in Rhode Island with six thousand men and united with Washington, who was now at the head of both armies. His son, who had been sent to Paris for aid, returned with three thousand men, under Count de Grasse. This officer had served with distinction in the Seven Years' War, and was appointed lieutenant general of the troops sent to the assistance of America. The Marquis de Chastellux had also fought in the Seven Years' War, and served in America under Rochambeau as major general. After the war he gained quite a literary reputation by his account of his voyage to America, his description of the country and the events and actors in the war. Washington and Rochambeau, Lafayette and St. Simon, planned the Virginia campaign, which resulted in the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. The names of Washington and Lafayette, Rochambeau and De Grasse, were heard in every land. Washington said, "Victory has twined a double garland around the banners of France and England." The highest testimonials were paid the French officers by Congress and they were recommended to the favor of the King. The cannon that had been taken from the British was presented to Rochambeau. On it was engraved Louis the Sixteenth his escutcheon and a suitable inscription. created him a Knight of St. Esprit, and appointed him governor of Picardy and Artois. He also presented him with two water color paintings representing the capture of Yorktown. Lafayette returned to the land of his birth in 1782. He was received with the greatest enthusiasm ; even sovereigns showed him special honor. Amidst this adulation he was not unmindful of American interests and the treaty between Great Britain and the United States was hastened by his efforts. It was signed at Paris January 20, 1783, by Mr. David Hartly and by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay. In response to an urgent invitation from Washington Lafayette visited America in 1784. His journey from New York to Philadelphia and Baltimore was a succession of triumphs. His visit to Boston occurred on the anniversary of the surrender of Cornwallis. When Congress tendered a farewell to their illustrious guest, to the greeting of Mr. Jay, Lafayette replied: "May this immense temple of freedom ever stand a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, and a sanctuary for the rights of mankind. And may these happy United States attain that complete splendor and prosperity which will illusstrate the blessings of their government, and for ages to come |