Historedia
Person

Marquis de Lafayette

Events
3
Episodes
8
Years
1776–1780

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Marquis de Lafayette, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Lafayette Lands in South Carolina

    1776–1777

    Role: French officer landing to volunteer for the Continental Army

    1. December 7, 1776 · Paris negotiationsEnlistment by Silas Deane

      After negotiations between American agents and the French court, Silas Deane enlisted Lafayette as a major general on December 7, 1776.

    2. March 25 – April 26, 1777 · Pauillac, on the GirondeVoyage Aboard the Victoire

      Lafayette joined the Victoire, which sailed from Pauillac on the Gironde and departed for America on April 26, 1777.

    3. June 13, 1777 · North Island, near Georgetown, South CarolinaLanding Near Georgetown

      Lafayette landed on North Island near Georgetown, South Carolina, on June 13, 1777, arriving to serve the American cause.

    4. July 31, 1777 · Continental CongressCongressional Commission

      After Lafayette offered to serve without pay, Congress commissioned him a major general on July 31, 1777.

  2. Lafayette's Attempt to Join the American Army

    1776–1777

    Role: French officer enlisted as a major general in the American cause

    1. December 7, 1776 · site of Deane's enlistment of Lafayette (not specified in sources)Silas Deane enlists Lafayette as a major general

      On December 7, 1776, American agent Silas Deane enlisted the nineteen-year-old Lafayette as a major general, though he initially received no American troops to command.

    2. July 31, 1777 · site of Congress's commission (not specified in sources)Congressional commission after arrival in America

      After Lafayette offered to serve without pay, Congress commissioned him a major general on July 31, 1777, formalizing the rank Deane had granted.

  3. Lafayette Embarks on Hermione

    1780

    Role: Passenger and bearer of news of French support; major general returning to the Continental Army

    1. March 1780 · Port of Rochefort, FranceDeparture from Rochefort aboard the Hermione

      Lafayette sailed from Rochefort in March 1780 on the frigate Hermione, carrying word of French support secured for the American war effort.

    2. April 27, 1780 · Boston, MassachusettsArrival in Boston

      The Hermione reached Boston on April 27, 1780, delivering Lafayette with news that a large French force would aid the Americans.

Sources

  1. Marquis de Lafayette Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-28