When he arrived in the colonies, he was surprised there were Tories. He thought all Americans were lovers of liberty, as he.
Sept. 11, 1777, Battle of Brandywine Lafayette was wounded in his calf while fighting with Gen. John Sullivan, but kept fighting. Dr. John Cochran bandaged his wound and treated per Washington’s direction, as his son. Dr. Cochran’s farm is east of St. Johnsville. Dr. Cochran moved to the Mohawk Valley in Central New York after the war.
Patricia Stock, author
His relative had fought with Joan of Arc-his motto was “Cur non” meaning why not? He put it in the family crest.
Met with several Indigenous groups at Johnstown, was adopted as Kayeheania a term of a great warrior of the past. Those indigenous groups signed a treaty with Americans that few obeyed. Lafayette in May 1778 got about 50 Oneida warriors to join him. He ordered a fort to be built at Cherry Valley. It was not finished before the massacre. He also ordered a scattering of small posts to be built to guard the frontier in the Mohawk Valley.
There are 10 Fayetteville’s, 11 towns, 14 counties and numerous streets, hotels, schools, and many children in 1825 named for him.
His use of light infantry changed the outcome of the war and the kind of fighting done in Europe. He imported red and black plumes to deck out the men in his light division.
Washington and Lafayette were at West Point when they found out Arnold had betrayed the cause. Lafayette was part of the court martial condemning Andre (Major John) Lafayette “truly suffered in condemning him.”
In 1825, he visited Col. Peter Gansevoort’s widow and son in Albany and John Adams in Quincy. This was on the Farewell Tour of America on which President James Monroe asked him to be our guest.
At West Point a plaque states: “See the Conquering Hero Comes.” Referring to Lafayette.
He took home an entire trunk of American soil to cover his grave in France.
Congress voted to give him $200,000 and an entire township of public land.
At his death (May 20, 1834) US flags were flown at half-mast and a day of national mourning was declared.
The second time he went back to France he spent 5 years in prison. His family joined him.
He sent George Washinton a large key to the Bastille. It hangs in a Mt. Vernon Hall.
