tried to make them present as good an
appearance as possible. The Marquis de Chastellux, who visited his
camp on the Ramapo River, has left a delightful description of this
visit in which he spoke of the fine appearance of the troops as their
young commander had drawn them up on a height near his own station.
Here, said Chastellux, Lafayette received his guest with more pride
than if he had been entertaining at his estates in Auvergne. "Happy
his country," said Chastellux, "if she employs his services; happier
still if she has no use for them!"

It was during this autumn that Benedict Arnold made what Lafayette
called that "horrid compact with the enemy"--an event that amazed and
distressed him beyond any words. Lafayette was with Washington when
the plot was discovered. He was also a member of the board to try the
British spy, Andre. His attitude toward Andre was very different from
that toward Benedict Arnold. Andre, he said, conducted himself in a
manner so frank, so noble, and so delicate, that he could not help
feeling infinite sorrow for him.

The winter of 1780-81 was the darkest period of the war. But it was to
be followed by a happier season, one in which Lafayette was at last to
have as large a share of action as his heart could wish.

CHAPTER X

LAFAYETTE IN VIRGINIA

The British still held the city of New York. General Washington's army
sat in their impregnable camps on the Hudson and along the Delaware,
where he could reach out a hand to New England on the east, and to
Philadelphia on the south, at the same time threatening now and then
the stronghold of the British. Meantime an active campaign was being
carried on in the states south of Virginia. At the battle of
Charleston the brave General Lincoln and his gallant army were
compelled by the British to lay down their arms and give themselves up
as prisoners of war without the usual courtesies. The ceremony of
surrender was particularly galling. Forbidden by their conquerors to
play a British or a Hessian air, they marched to the joyous melody of
"Yankee Doodle," their colors cased, and their hearts rebellious. The
battle of Camden was another defeat for the Americans. On that
disastrous day fell the companion of Lafayette's first voyage, the
Baron de Kalb, who died bravely after receiving no less than eleven
wounds. Sir Henry Clinton, the British commander in the south, thought
that defeats like these would finish the question for that part