A complete history of the Marquis de Lafayette, major-general in the American army in the war of the revolution. Embracing an account of his tour through the United States, to the time of his departure, September, 1825. By an officer in the late army.

1 10 HISTORY OF THE
replied, that " if he was as great as he would be thought,
he would do well to force him to fight." Such were precisely the relative situations of the Marquis de Lafayette and the enemy. The former gained every thing
by avoiding a general action, which would inevitably
have resulted in his total destruction, while the latter
found himself incessantly harassed, his power to destroy
restricted, and his progress retarded and endangered by
the rapid movements, indefatigable vigilance, and masterly military skill of General Lafayette.
As soon as the retreat of Lord Cornwallis was ascertained,
General Lafayette put his army in motion, and followed
with undiminished circumspection, taking care to keep
the command of the upper country, and to avoid a
general engagement. He held his main body between
twenty and thirty miles in the rear of the foe, and
explored his front and flanks with his cavalry and
riflemen. On the fifteenth of June, the British general
reached Westham, without making a single effort to
strike his following enemy, and on the subsequent day,
entered Richmond, where he halted. General Lafayette
took a strong position on Allen's creek, in the county
of Goochland, twenty-two miles from Lord Cornwallis
After a few days, the latter resumed his march, and
entered Williamsburg on the twenty-fifth of June.
On the eighteenth of June, while in his camp above Richmond, the Marquis de Lafayette was joined by Baron Steu.
ben with his corps of levies, amounting to between five and
six hundred. His army was now increased to four thousand
men, of whom two thousand one hundred were regulars;
but only one thousand five hundred were veteran troops
Still, however, Cornwallis was superior in number by a third,
and his army was composed entirely of veterans furnished with
a powerful and well mounted cavalry, who had spread terror;
as well as desolation through the country, and had greatly
intimidated the militia.