Lafayette, Hero of the American Revolution

"Born of wealthy aristocracy in France, Lafayette seemed like an unlikely candidate for honor in a republican revolution. Lafayette's father, a soldier, died in battle when his son was only tow. Young Lafayette read widely, especially military books, and he too became an officer in the French army. When he was eighteen, Lafayette attended a dinner where the American War for Independence was discussed . For some reason the American cause fired his imagination. When an American Representative came to France in 1776 seeking officers for the Continental army, Lafayette enthusiastically volunteered...When General Washington learned of that he was receiving a nineteen-year-old major general in his command, he was cool to the idea. On meeting the young officer, however, Washington's doubts melted. Lafayette was gracious, humble, and eager bother to learn and to serve. A strong affection grew between the American commander and the young French nobleman. For Washington Lafayette became the son he had never had. For Lafayette, Washington became the father he had never known. Lafayette served bravely with the Continental army. On his education as a soldier he wrote, "I read, I study, I examine, I listen, I think, and out of all that I try to form an idea into which I put as much common sense as I can." Despite his studious nature, Lafayette was no armchair soldier; he was always in the thick of the fighting. He was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, and a small force under his command constantly harassed Cornwallis and the British in Virginia. At Yorktown, he led an attack on a major British fortification. When he returned to France after the war, Lafayette left behind him a large group of veterans who had been impressed with the young man's unflagging cheerfulness and unquestioned courage."
Excerpt from "United States History" BJU press.