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.

58 HISTORY OF THE
Virginia, who commanded the light infantry, and in the
commencement of the action, under the immediate orders
of General Lafayette: hence, he enjoyed a favourable
opportunity of observing and appreciating his conduct.*
The following extract from the " Historical Anecdotes of
the Reign of Louis XVI," affords an epitome of the humanity and gallantry of the Marquis. During the Americau War, a General officer in the service of the United
States, advanced, with a score of men, under the English
batteries, to reconnoitre their position. His aid-de-camp,
struck by a ball, fell at his side. The officers and orderly
dragoons fled precipitately. The General, though under the
fire of the cannon, approached the wounded man to see
whether he had any signs of life remaining, or whether any
assistance could be afforded him. Finding the wound had
been mortal, he turned his eyes away with emotion, and
slowly rejoined the group, which had got out of the reach of
the pieces. This instance of courage and humanity took
place at the battle of Monmouth. General Clinton, who
commanded the English troops, knew that the Marquis De
Lafayette generally rode a'white horse; and it was upon
a white horse that the general officer, who retired so slowly,
was mounted. Clinton commanded the gunners not to fire.
This noble forbearance probably saved General Lafayette's
life, for it was he himself. At that time he was but twentytwo years of age.
Not long after the battle of Monmouth, General Lafayette was again selected for active service, and on the
twenty-first of July, was detached with two brigades, to
* For accounts of the battle of Monmouth, &c. vide Marshall's Washington, vol. iii, chap. 8.-Andrews' Amer. War, vol. iii, p. 112.-H. Lee's
Memoirs, vol. i, p. 58.-Johnson's Life of Greene, vol. i, p. 103.-Botta's
War Independ. vol. ii, book x.-Ramsay's Revolution, p. 379-381.-Stedman's American War, vol. ii, ch. 22.-Mem. Histor. sur Lafayette, p. 6.