Program

Lafayette Trail

Subject

Event, People

Location

42 Co Rd 1, Perdue Hill, AL 36470, USA

Lat/Long

31.516605227546, -87.496746099981

Grant Recipient

The Lafayette Trail, Inc.

When America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies were pulled into a conflict with one of the world’s most formidable powers, Great Britain. The colonies’ actions against Great Britain inspired a young French aristocrat and military officer, Marquis de Lafayette, to depart his native France to fight in the American Revolution. Lafayette served as a commander with the Continental Army throughout the war and helped secure French support for the American cause. This support played an integral part in securing American victory during the war.

Celebrated as a hero in the U.S. and France, Lafayette eventually returned to his home country. In 1824 Marquis de Lafayette was invited to visit the United States for the first time in 41 years. As an American hero and one of the only surviving commanders from the Revolution, Lafayette’s visit to the U.S. was highly anticipated and met with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement. Lafayette’s Tour extended from 1824 to 1825. During this time he visited Washington D.C., as well as major cities and small communities across 24 states.

On April 6, 1825, General Lafayette arrived in Claiborne following travel by steamboat where he was received and addressed by town representative, James Dellet. The French writer and diplomat accompanying Lafayette on his tour, Auguste Levasseur, wrote the following in his 1829 book Lafayette in America:

From Cahawba we went down the river to Claiborne, a small fort on the bank of the Alabama river. Being detained by the solicitations of the inhabitants, the General spent a few hours there, among the most affecting expressions of kindness. Mr. Dellet, who had been appointed by the citizens to express their feelings, acquitted himself with a degree of elegance which it astonished me…

Links

• The Lafayette Trail