For our 18th century studies we read two Jean Fritz’s biographies: Why Not Lafayette? and Traitor: The Case of Benedict Arnold.
Following is a brief review of their histories from the books, and then what we learned while in Colonial Williamsburg, of the Virginia story.
While the Lafayette book reads romantically, the other reads as a cold case investigation.
Both books answered my questions, resulting from history textbooks and our 2004 grand tour of Virginia:
- Why was Lafayette impelled to help us with our revolution?
- How did Lafayette become George Washington’s adopted son?
- Why did Benedict Arnold become a traitor?
Benedict Arnold
At odds with the world from childhood, Benedict Arnold fought every obstacle in his path.
While disobeying orders, Arnold led the Continental Army to victory at the Battle of Saratoga. Yet he never gained the honor he sought.
Always short-tempered, Arnold didn’t make friends.
Switching allegiances, Arnold’s arrogance irritated everyone.
Lafayette
More honorably, the Marquis reached out to others in friendship while compelled by the idea of liberty for the common man.
On his own estate Lafayette worked to improve the quality of life of the serfs, stuck in the Medieval system of servitude.
Excited about America’s quest for liberty, Lafayette, only 19 years old, sailed across the ocean to join the fight for liberty.
Why Not?
Only after promising to pay his own way, Lafayette gained a commission from the Continental Congress as a major general.
Assigned at his request as aide-de-camp to General Washington, Lafayette met his hero with firm loyalty.
Quickly bonding as a father and son, Washington invited Lafayette to join his military family of young officers: John Laurens, Alexander Hamilton, Tench Tilghman, and Henry Knox.
Despite his youth, Lafayette quickly gained Washington’s trust where others failed, like General Lee who abandoned the charge at the Battle of Monmouth.
Nevertheless, he was often called “the boy” by those who couldn’t look past his youth to see his value.
Ever the mediator and encourager, Lafayette also provided clothing for his men.
Benedict Arnold and Lafayette in Virginia
Sent to Virginia to destroy military supplies and to prevent Virginians from sending aid to American General Greene fighting in the Carolinas against Cornwallis, Arnold arrived in December 1780.
In January 1781, Arnold burned Richmond, the capital of Virginia, then overwintered in Portsmouth.
Ordered to capture the traitor Benedict Arnold for a hanging, Lafayette headed for Virginia, with 1200 dragoons following him.
Arriving in Virginia in March, Lafayette pined to return to New York.
In April 1781, Benedict Arnold overtook Williamsburg, reenacted by Colonial Williamsburg on our recent vacation.
In late May 1781, British General Cornwallis arrived in Virginia with 7500 men from the Southern campaign.
Ordered to return to New York in June 1781, Arnold warned Cornwallis not to get stuck in Yorktown.
Cornwallis ignores Benedict Arnold while playing cat and mouse with Lafayette
Lafayette’s force now numbered 4500 with the addition of the Virginia militia, including the arrival of General Mad Anthony Wayne’s and General von Steuben’s troops.
Although outnumbered, Lafayette’s troops tenaciously skirmished, hounded, and dodged Cornwallis throughout Virginia for weeks.
Lafayette wrote Washington that he was “devilishly busy getting himself licked.” (Why Not Lafayette, p28)
Cornwallis gloated: The boy cannot escape me. (Why Not Lafayette, p28)
Receiving orders to find a deep seaport to flee Virginia by boat, (and ignoring Arnold’s advice) Cornwallis led his troops to Yorktown on a small neck, surrounded on three sides by: the James River, York River, and Hampton Roads which opens into the Chesapeake in August 1781.
Meanwhile the French navy defeated the British at the Battle of the Capes, fought at the mouth of the Chesapeake to the Atlantic on September 5, 1781.
Gaining control of the area, the French blockaded the British from entry and escape.
With Lafayette’s troops blockading the only land route to Yorktown, Cornwallis locked his troops into a corner.
Awaiting arrival of Generals Washington and Rochambeau with the Continental and French troops, Lafayette realized he would be part of the victory against the British.
On September 28, 1781, Washington and Lafayette joyfully reunited in Williamsburg, where the French and American troops prepared for the upcoming siege in Yorktown.
Soon the siege began…and ended.
On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis, general of the mighty British army, surrendered to a new nation.
Legacy
In the end, both Arnold and Lafayette achieved enduring fame.
Benedict Arnold earned animosity.
Lafayette won friendship with America, becoming an honorary citizen.
