Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People, Site

Location

1 Plains Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA

Lat/Long

43.058682, -70.783428

Grant Recipient

The Lafayette Trail, Inc.

Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), was a French nobleman and captain in the French Dragoons. In April 1777, Lafayette sailed on the Victoire, a ship built with his personal funds, for North America to serve as a military leader in the American Revolution, despite a royal decree prohibiting French officers from serving. Shortly after his arrival, the Continental Congress commissioned him as a major general serving under George Washington.  Wounded during the Battle of Brandywine, Lafayette managed to organize a successful Patriot retreat. Early in 1779, he returned to France to negotiate an increase in support from the French government, securing thousands of French troops to fight for the American cause. As one of three division commanders, Lafayette played a pivotal role in the 1781 Battle of Yorktown. He succeeded in containing Lord Cornwallis’s men, allowing time for additional French and American forces to arrive and lay siege to the British troops, forcing Cornwallis to surrender and ensuring American victory.

Following the Revolutionary War, General Lafayette visited Portsmouth, New Hampshire, during his tour of the United States. He arrived from Salem, Massachusetts, late in the evening on Saturday, October 30, 1784. Because his arrival was unexpected, local citizens announced his presence by ringing town bells and cheering.

Lafayette remained in Portsmouth until the morning of Monday, November 1, 1784. Due to the short notice and the brevity of the visit, residents expressed regret regarding their limited ability to provide formal entertainment. However, the town honored him with multiple 13-cannon salutes, continued bell ringing, and a display of colors. At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Lafayette departed for the south, escorted as far as Greenland by a group of local gentlemen.