Rome Free Academy - De O Wain Sta Yearbook (Rome, NY)

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Tae Sentor ANNUAL. 17 D. A. R. Prize Essay. This essay was written by Mildred Cov- entry, ‘04, and received first prize, a ten dollar gold piece, in the annual competi- tion of High School students held by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Lafayette. On the sixth of September, 1757, to Marie Louise, daughter of the Marquis de la Riviere, and Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette, a child, destined to become a hero on two was historical continents, born. Passing over the early childhood of the young marquis, we find him at the age of eleven attending the College of Louis-le-Grand at Paris. Two years later he inherited a very large fortune through the death of his mother and grandfather. Soon after he received a lieutenant’s com- mission in the royal musketeers, a body maintained for the protection of the king. This was due mainly to the influence of Queen Marie Leczinska, in whose train he had served as a page. At the age of seventeen he was married to Anastasia Adrienne, daughter of the Duke d’Ayen, afterward Duke de Noailles, a powerful and wealthy French nobleman. Lafayette first heard of the Declaration of Independence while attending a dinner Duke of present, and from whom he obtained his at which the Gloucester was information. This was in 1776 while act- ing as the captain of artillery in a regi- ment stationed at Metz. Inspired by that love of liberty, which characterized his whole life, he resolved to give up his pleasant home, his young wife whom he dearly loved, his fortune, his prospects, brilliant though they were—yes, even life itself if necessary, fora land which he had never seen, a people whom he had never met, a country, which if conquered, as every one had reason to expect, would be held powerless in the firm grasp of the deadly en emy of France. Where in all the annals of history can we find another sacrifice so strange, so unselfish, so noble ? Some men have given up their homes, some their wives, some their fortunes, but not without hopes of honor, of wealth or of None of He was freedom for their native land. these things influenced Lafayette. moved by that sympathy alone which a great and liberty-loving soul must always feel for the weak and the oppressed; a sympathy which caused him to brave the displeasures not only of his family but of his king, and avoiding the officers sent to detain him, to embark for America April 26, 1777, in a vessel built at his own ex- pense. He arrived at Georgetown, South Caro- lina, on the 14th of June. panied by the Baron de Kalb and eleven officers. A riding brought him to Philadelphia, where He was accom- other month of horseback Congress was in session. At first he was received rather coldly, but the offer of a young and wealthy Frenchman to serve as a volunteer without pay in a foreign army was a matter not to be overlooked, and he was finally appointed major general. This being merely an honorary title, he served on Washington’s staff in the office of vol- unteer aide. This resulted in a firm and lasting friendship between the two men. Lafayette first comes into prominence at the battle of Brandywine, where he dis- played great bravery, and was wounded so seriously as to incapacitate him for service for two months. He was finally nursed back to life and health by the gentle Moravians of Bethlehem. We next find him at Gloucester Point, where with a handful of men he defeated a large force o f Hessians.

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16 THI early summer of Two years later, in the 1758, Fort Stanwix was built by Brigadier General John Stanwix at the cost f sixty thousand pounds sterling. It wasas juare structure and was built on the most ap- proved scientific principles military engine ring of that time It was made of timber and earth, with four bastions and was surrounded by a ditch After the French and Indian war it was of little decay was suffered to go to Colonel 1k possession and it was known use and In 1776 it was repaired Dayt n toc for a short time as Fort Schuyler, which fact has caused some confusion in subse- quent history. In 1777 St. Leger with a force of Eng- lish regulars and tories and also Indians whom he had hired, besieged the fort. A General Herkimer, sent to force under raise the siege, fell into an ambuscade. The battle of Oriskany was the result. While this battle was in progress, Colonel Willett, the commander of Fort Stanw ix, made a sortie from the fort, attacked the tories and immediately after the Indian All the camp equipage, clothing, blankets and stores had fled with his troops, as did the other officers. camp. Both were captured. were taken. Sir John Johnson In his tent were found many papers and documents which were of value to the Americans. The captured spoils were so great that several old army wagons made three different trips in transferring every- thing to the fort. After the battle Colonel Willett and his men were anxious to celebrate the victory. They had received information concerning the had adopted by Congress June 14, 1777. the design of flag, which been They at once went through the fort i n search of the old the ec vlc Ts Among clothing was found cloth of blue. somewhat skilled in the use of the needle, material. red, white and Next a soldier was found who was SENIOR ANNI tars ted [It wasthen hoisted from uthwestern basti Below it d five British banners taken in battle place This flag, the first United States flag hav he stars and stripes, floated proudly the breeze above the banners of the de “| foe, thus showing on the first day of its existence that liberty and justice, upheld by brave and fearless hearts, will conquer the worst enemies. The siege continued, but the American spirit of freedom was strong in these sol- diers who fought in this fort. They suf- fered greatly yet they would not surren Surrender ? No! Never. No mat ter if they were sure to meet death, To day as we read its story we find that this fort der. was never surrendered during its entire existence. At last this siege by St Leger was raised, August 25 of the same year. After the cl ose of the revolutionary war there was no further use for the fort. As late as 1785 there were but five houses at Thus the old fort was again allowed to go this “carrying place.” to ruin but this Now not a time never to be rebuilt, ves- tige of it remains, although several rusty firearms have been taken from the earth in that vicinity. In honor of the patriots who first fought the that reminded of under stars and stripes and future generations may be the works of their forefathers, the site has been marked by cannon. On these can- non are tablets showing the plan of the fort and giving important dates in its dis- Now as we hear the us think of the within its walls for tinguished history. name “Fort Stanwix’’ let noble deeds enacted the cause of liberty we so much enjoy; let the and let up profit by the example of the us reverence name for these reasons brave soldiers who first fought for our flag and our country

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18 Tue Senior In 1778 Lafayette, thinking, perhaps, that he asked native could do most good in France, leave of Congress to return to his land. His petition was granted, but he was taken ill with a fever which delayed his journey for over two months, and not until the 12th of February, 1779, did he finally arrive at Paris, where he was obliged to remain in confinement for a week to propitiate the king. How much influence he may have had in securing for the United States the assistance of France, it is impossible to determine, but it is cer- tain that whatever power he may have had was exerted in that direction. In 1780 Lafayette returned to America, and sought Washington in his headquar- ters at Tappan, where he received the command of a corps of two thousand light infantry. It is not necessary to touch on all his praiseworthy exploits in the course of the war, but one point which illustrates the nobility of his character must not be overlooked. When Arnold was carrying on a cruel and brutal warfare in Virginia, His men were chiefly of New England birth Lafayette was sent to check him. and feared the southern climate, yet when their beloved leader, appealing to their honor, offered to discharge any who were unwilling to remain, not one would leave him. At allegiance by borrowing ten thousand dol- Baltimore he rewarded their Jars to furnish them with suitable summer garments. In 1784, the Americans having secured their independence and his services being no longer required, Lafayette again set sail for home. The next year he spent Fi r a few years his life was a rather unevent- abroad traveling through Germany. ful one, and then, we find him plung ed in the dark tion. and disastrous French revolu- At the outbreak of the revolution he was commander of the National Guards. ANNUAL. [It has been said that at this time he the Mirabeau their cordial co operation might have con- was most man in all powerful France, the that most able man, and ferred lasting benefits on their country. Mirabeau, however, was as unscrupulous as he was able, and with such a person Lafayette could never work in unison. It is well perhaps to mention here that some historians blame him for his part in that Let no the French revolution, but I leave matter for the French to decide. true American ever cast a shadow over the fair name of Lafayette; and let it be said that if he erred, it was but on the side of liberty for a people who were not prepared to receive it. In the vear 1791 Lafayette resigned his command and went into retirement, but he had hardly become accustomed to the life, when he was called to With fifty thousand men quiet home lead an army. he was sent to the French frontier. Two officers, both distinguished in the seven- years’ war, were given a command equal to his own and also sent to the frontier. They were discouraged with the undis- ciplined, demoralized troops, but he took a different view of the case, and under his was finally Mean- Biron and Dillon, with careful training his army brought to some degree of order. while, Generals separate divisions, had come in contact with the Austrians and both divisions had suffered a humiliating and crushing defeat. While occurring on the border, the Jacobins had the began the Reign of Terror, a period of these disastrous events were secured control in Paris, and now such madness, rapacity and cruelty that it The Jacobins knew Lafayette to be one of their has never had a parallel in history. worst enemies and sought to win him over to their side, but they sought in vain. The army turned against him, and realiz- ing that his life was in danger he at-