Baldwin County GaArchives History .....History of Baldwin Co. - LaFayette's Visit 1925 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 5, 2004, 5:21 pm General LaFayette's Visit to Milledgeville MRS. JEANNETE HARVEY CONE Marquis de LaFayette, or Knight of Liberty, as he was called, at a very early age, became interested in the oppressed Americans, who were struggling for independence against such vast numbers, defying the most powerful nation on the globe. His sympathy was put into action twice by coming to the aid of the American army, in what he, as a born lover of liberty, considered a just cause. Some historians say that to LaFayette's courage, America, in a large measure, owes her ultimate success. His third visit to America, when he came as the "Nation's Guest" is the visit we are to consider in this paper. From the time of his arrival at New York, (August 1824), to the time of his departure, (Sept. 1825), he was received everywhere with the warmest enthusiasm, and honored with the most distinguished attentions. He visited nearly all of the larger cities and many of the small ones. While on his tour through the Southern States, several towns in Georgia were honored by his presence. Milledgeville was one of the number. He came to that town from Augusta. Georgia people far and near were eager to see him, and came in large companies. A military company was formed in Twiggs County styled the "LaFayette Volunteers," of which John G. Slappy was ------------------------ p. 43 Captain. This company, in uniform, with drum and fife and a beautifully painted white silk flag, took up the line of march for Milledgeville, where they expected to meet the distinguished guest. They had as their special charge their much venerated Revolutionary soldiers, Fathers William Duffel, John Shine and Charles Raley. These men were carried in a conveyance provided for them, for the ocassion. When they reached a hill near Fishing Creek, within sight of Milledgeville, they heard the roar of cannon which they knew to be the announcement of General LaFayette's arrival. Wishing to get a glimpse of the Nation's guest they marched into town and halted opposite the Government House where he was being entertained. It is said that twelve little girls, one of whom became Mr. Robert McComb's grandmother, scattered flowers in his pathway as he entered the Government House. "Captain Slappy went in and was introduced to the General. He was accompanied by the Revolutionary soldiers who were introduced in their turn. When LaFayette saw Father Duffel he cordially embraced him, exclaiming, 'I remember you! I remember you well! you were one of my body guards and helped to carry me from the field when I was wounded at Brandy-wine.' When the touching meeting was over the company returned to the camp after first conducting the aged soldiers to the boarding-house of Solomon Betton, where they, and the officers were lodging. "The next day the great review and reception took place. All was life and motion. Before the appointed hour some eight or ten Military Companies from Wilkinson, Hancock, Jones, and other counties, were to be seen marching to the Review-Grounds. The Marshals of the .day, John S. Thomas, and R. H. L. Buckhanan, and one or two others, mounted on elegant horses, with sword and sash and rosettes gracing their persons, ------------------------ p. 44 were seen dashing in all directions making known the order of the day. "The several companies took the positions assigned them under the chief command of Major-General Daniel Newnan. The line was formed two deep and extended for several hundred yards. As the cannon of the arsenal began to thunder an elegant Barouche, drawn by four fine horses, was seen advancing up the line carrying Gov. Troup with LaFayette by his side. LaFayette's appearance made a strong impression upon the assembly. "He is described as a handsome man, of commanding figure and pleasing features. His hair a deep red, and eyes a clear hazel. His forehead, though receding, was fine. His mouth and chin, delicately formed exhibited beauty rather than strength. His manners were frank and graceful. He was formed both by nature and education to be the ornament of a count. "The Major-General, and other officers entitled to the privilege presented swords in salutation of the Nation's Guest. It is recorded that he wore a beaming smile as he sat in the Barouche with his hat off, bowing as he passed the different companies and as the standards waved salute. "After the review, dinner was announced. On the Capitol Square, two tables, each about one hundred yards long, with cross tables of fifty feet at ends, were loaded witfy barbecue, roast beef, bread, and other edibles. At the upper end, in the center General LaFayette was placed with Gov. Troup on one side, and Col. Seaborn Jones, who was master of ceremonies, on the other. "Gov. Troup's staff, consisting of Col. Henry G. Lamar, Col. Sam'l A. Bailey, Col. Yelverton P. King, Col. John W. A. Sanford, and others were at the same end of the table. The band of music was placed just inside the enclosure formed by the tables. It played whenever Col. Jones waved his hand as a signal. ------------------------ p. 45 Among the distinguished guests were George Washington LaFayette, son of the General, and Col. Levasseur, his private secretary; also many public characters known in Georgia history. "When the appetites had been satisfied with meats, the wine was brought in, and glasses distributed over the table. Col. Jones said, 'Fill your glasses for a toast from Gen. LaFayette.' All obeyed like good soldiers, and the Apostle of Liberty and bosom friend of Washington rose to his feet, and in broken English, which all heard with delight, gave: The Georgia Volunteers.' 'The Worthy Sons of our Revolutionary Brethern.' Cheer after cheer resounded. The music struck, 'Hail to the Chief.' The cannon augmented the loud rejoicing, and soon all was quiet again. " 'Prepare for a toast from Gov. Troup,' was the next order. With solemn and distinct enuniciation the Chief Magistrate cried, 'A Union of all Hearts to Honor the Nation's Guest, a Union of All Heads for our Country's good.' Again the air was rent with cheers. The band played a National March, and the cannon fairly jarred the square. Toast followed toast in quick succession until dinner was over. "Before the Military Companies left the Square they formed in line, and General LaFayette, supported by the strong arm of Gov. Troup, walked down the line and shook the hand of all officers, as well as privates. "Preparations had been made for a grand Military Ball to be given that night in the Capitol. Many invitations had been issued. The Representative and Senate Chambers were stripped of their furniture and formed into dancing saloons. In the gallery of each hall was a full band of music. The soldiers wearing epaulettes, swords, and sashes, made a brilliant appearance. The ladies were becomingly dressed and skimmed through the dance like fairies. "In the midst of the entertainment Captain Slappy, of the LaFayette volunteers remembered that the ----------------- p. 46 Committee of arrangements had expressed a desire to have the flag of the Company to add to the splendor of the occasion. He dispatched the orderly of the ball-room to head-quarters with the polite request that the first lieutenant send the flag to him. "The message was delivered to the lieutenant, who instead of intrusting it to the orderly said that he would take it himself. Arriving at the door, he attempted to pass in when he was stopped by the doorkeeper and his ticket demanded. He had none, so the captain had to come and procure its admission by his hands. The lieutenant got in, however, by paying ten dollars, the price of a ticket. "The flag was unique in appearance. It was pure white and of ample dimensions. On one side an eagle was painted. In its talons was an olive branch, and in its beak a scroll upon which was inscribed, 'The Nation's Guest,' below this, 'Welcome LaFayette.' On the reverse side was a pile of cannon balls guarded by a rattle snake in coil with uplifted head, flaming eyes, and darting tongue. The word 'Liberty' appeared in blazing characters above the snake. With such protection all knew that Liberty was safe. To make it doubly sure, the name of the company was painted below the cannon balls and serpent, 'LaFayette Volunteers, Twiggs county, 1825.' The flag was the center of interest, admired by all." The ball lasted into the small hours of the night and surpassed in splendor anything that had taken place in Milledgeville. The next morning, the distinguished guest with his companions bade farewell to his friends who had entertained him so royally, and moved onward to Macon, the next city to be honored by his presence. There, and everywhere he went, LaFayette received dmonstrations of gratitude and admiration. NOTE:—Much of this information concerning LaFayette's visit to Milledgeville was obtained from the "Life of William Crocker," by Stephen F. Miller. His account is so vivid that his exact language is given in many places. Additional Comments: From: Part I HISTORY of BALDWIN COUNTY GEORGIA BY MRS. ANNA MARIA GREEN COOK ILLUSTRATED ANDERSON. S. C. Keys-Hearn Printing Co. -1925— File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/baldwin/history/other/gms234historyo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 9.8 Kb