# AC449 - 8/1/1977, USA, 200th Ann. George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette Inspect Fortifications at Red Bank NJ
Lafayette Arrives In America
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette was born in Chavaniac, in Haute Loire, France. His father died on the battlefield when Lafayette was two years old. His mother and grandmother died when he was 13. The young orphan inherited a great fortune.
Lafayette arrived near Charleston, South Carolina, on June 13, 1777. At the time, many other French officers were offering their services to the Continental Congress. But many of them couldn’t speak English or didn’t have significant military experience. At first, the Continental Congress was unimpressed with Lafayette, who spoke little English. But, when he agreed to serve without pay, the cash-poor Continental Congress appointed him a major general. He ended up paying over $200,000 of his own money during the war for his staff’s salaries, uniforms, and other expenses.
Lafayette’s victory at Gloucester earned him the command of a division. He served at Valley Forge during part of the terrible winter of 1777-78. Lafayette also fought at the battles of Barren Hill and Monmouth, and during the campaign to capture Rhode Island.
Lafayette Arrives In America
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette was born in Chavaniac, in Haute Loire, France. His father died on the battlefield when Lafayette was two years old. His mother and grandmother died when he was 13. The young orphan inherited a great fortune.
Lafayette arrived near Charleston, South Carolina, on June 13, 1777. At the time, many other French officers were offering their services to the Continental Congress. But many of them couldn’t speak English or didn’t have significant military experience. At first, the Continental Congress was unimpressed with Lafayette, who spoke little English. But, when he agreed to serve without pay, the cash-poor Continental Congress appointed him a major general. He ended up paying over $200,000 of his own money during the war for his staff’s salaries, uniforms, and other expenses.
Lafayette’s victory at Gloucester earned him the command of a division. He served at Valley Forge during part of the terrible winter of 1777-78. Lafayette also fought at the battles of Barren Hill and Monmouth, and during the campaign to capture Rhode Island.