The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

APPENDIX.] MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE. 455
made happy by his success with Congress, his joy was redoubled
by this flattering proof of friendship and regard on the part of the
Commander-in-chief. His horses and equipage were immediately
sent to camp, and ever afterwards, even when he had the command
of a division, he kept up his intimacy at head-quarters, and enjoyed
all the advantages of a member of the General's family. The day
after the dinner, Washington inspected the fortifications in the
Delaware River, and invited Lafayette to accompany him.
Being now in the army, he continued with it as a volunteer,
though without any command, till the battle of the Brandywine. He
there engaged in the hottest part of the action, exposed himself
to danger, and exhibited a conspicuous example of coolness and
courage. While the troops were retreating in disorder, he dismounted, entered the ranks, and endeavoured to rally them. As
he was performing this service a musket-ball passed through his
leg; but the wound did not retard his efforts, till his aid told
him, that the blood was running from his boot, and then he mounted
his horse. He met a surgeon in the rear, who put a slight bandage
around his leg, and he rode to Chester. The soldiers, in the mean
time, wvere retreating in a hurried and straggling manner; and,
regardless of himself, his first precaution was to place a guard near
the bridge, at the entrance of the village, with orders to stop all
the retreating soldiers at that place. His wound was then dressed,
and the next morning he was taken to Philadelphia. The followin-g letter to his wife was written the day after the action.
a Philadelphia, 12 September, 1777.
" I write you a few words, my dear love, by some French officers,
who came over with me, but who, not receiving any appointment
in the army, are about returning to France. I begin by telling you,
that I am well, because I must end by telling you that we fought
yesterday in good earnest, and that we were not the stronger party.
The Americans, after a long and brave resistance, were at last
routed. As I was attempting to rally them, the English honored
me with a musket-ball, which wounded me slightly in the leg; but
this is nothing; the ball touched neither bone nor artery, and I
shall escape without further inconvenience, than having to keep
my bed for some time, a thing which puts me much out of humor. I hope you will not be alarmed; indeed this is a reason
why you should be less so than before, since it keeps me from
the field for some time as I intend to take good care of myself:
be very sure of it.