"The moment I heard of America I loved her; the moment I knew she was fighting for freedom I burnt with a desire of bleeding for her; and the moment I shall be able to serve her, at any time, or in any part of the world, will be the happiest of my life."

At the time the Marquis was about 19 years old. He wanted passionately to help and be a member of the American Army. So, with the recommendation of Silas Deane, then serving as an Envoy to France, to grant Lafayette a commission in the "Army of the United States," Layfayette set out to find the American Army.

Lafayette met General Washington at a dinner in Philadelphia. He and the General must have immediately struck it off, for on July 31 Lafayette was appointed by Congress a Major-General in the Army of the United States.

We are told of a conversation that took place later in the camp between the two Generals soon after Lafayette's arrival, which met with great satisfaction among our soldiers. "It is somewhat embarrassing to us to show ourselves to an officer who has just come from the army of France," to which the Frenchman replied, "I am here to learn, and not to teach." This was his attitude throughout the war.