America Untold:
Forgotten heroes, Forgotten Stories
Scarlet Ingstad
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Welcome back to "Revolutionary Voices!" For the September installment of this series, I introduce you to the man who became the first African-American double-agent, and whose intelligence directly affected the outcome of the final, decisive battle of the American Revolution: James Armistead Lafayette Joining the Fight James Armistead was born into slavery around 1760 and lived in New Kent, Virginia on a plantation owned by a man named William Armistead. William was involved in the Revolution through his work in managing the military supplies for the state of Virginia beginning in 1775. When the capital of Virginia transitioned from Williamsburg to Richmond in 1780, William moved his family and his enslaved persons (including James) to the new capital to continue his work for the Continental Army. In 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette was passing through James' region of Virginia during the southern campaign of the Revolution. Lafayette had a reputation for being a radical abolitionist as well as a successful commander under General George Washington. James requested permission from William to join the war under the service of Lafayette. William agreed, likely because it would bring him and his family honor to have one of their enslaved persons serve under the respected commander of the allied French forces. What motivated James to serve under Lafayette was unclear. It is likely that he believed if he served in the war, he would receive his freedom when it was over. Both the British and the Patriot forces promised freedom to enslaved persons who fought on their respective sides. It could also have been specifically because of Lafayette's reputation as an abolitionist and advocate for equality for all persons, regardless of their race, gender, or nationality. Either way, James believed serving in the war would result in freedom not only for the colonists, but also for himself. Infiltrating Enemy Lines James did not take up arms in the American Revolution. Instead, he infiltrated the British lines through espionage. Lafayette desperately needed information on the enemy to stop the losses his forces were incurring, primarily due to General Cornwallis and Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Lafayette's spies were continuously outed by the British and subsequently killed. These failed missions caused Lafayette to fear for the ultimate outcome of the war. The historical record around James' life contains quite a few gaps. During this time, James and Lafayette likely had a discussion about James going undercover as a spy. They agreed that James, as an enslaved man, would likely draw less attention than Lafayette's other spies. James posed as a runaway slave and quickly managed to infiltrate enemy lines--ironically through the infamous traitor Benedict Arnold's camp. He began his work by completing basic tasks expected of enslaved persons, casually placing himself where he could overhear the British commanders' discussions and plans. As his espionage efforts continued, a new and unexpected opportunity soon presented itself. Becoming a Double-Agent James possessed extensive knowledge of the Virginia terrain, having grown up and worked as a slave in the region his entire life. Cornwallis and Arnold saw an opportunity in James' knowledge of the Virginia region. He was sent out on foraging expeditions for the troops, spending a lot of time away from camp. This made it easier for James to pass information to nearby Patriot spies, who would then relay the information to Lafayette. In an unexpected twist of irony, Cornwallis also began trying to use James as a spy against Lafayette. Like the Frenchman, Cornwallis realized using an enslaved person as a spy could prove to be fruitful. One can only imagine Lafayette's reaction when James informed him of Cornwallis' plot. Now James and Lafayette had an opportunity to not only gather information on the enemy, but also to start their own misinformation campaign. James' work as a double-agent made traveling between the two camps easier. Both sides believed he was conducting espionage for them, making his presence in both camps less-suspicious. But that did not mean the mission was without its dangers. If James got caught by the British, it would likely mean a brutal death. While James supplied Lafayette with information, he also fed Cornwallis the misinformation Lafayette devised. James' most important work during the Revolution occurred in the summer of 1781. He wrote a letter to Lafayette, which contained detailed information about Cornwallis' movement from Portsmouth to Yorktown, and the arrival of 10,000 British troops to the region. This intelligence, alongside his previous reports on the condition of Yorktown and placement of soldiers and reinforcements, told Lafayette all he needed to know. Yorktown would be where the Americans made their last major stand against the British. Lafayette sent the information to Washington, and the two commanders began planning a blockade by both land and sea around Yorktown. This siege would destroy Cornwallis' forces, and force the British to surrender to Washington on October 19, 1781. The Long Journey to Freedom The war officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, but for James Armistead, freedom was a long-time coming. To James' dismay, espionage work was not covered by the Virginia law in 1783, which stated that enslaved men who "have faithfully served agreeable to the terms of their enlistment, and have thereby of course contributed towards the establishment of American liberty and independence, should enjoy the blessings of freedom as a reward for their toils and labours." James began petitioning the Virginia legislature for his freedom, but was continuously ignored. When Lafayette, who had returned to France after the Battle of Yorktown, heard of James' plight, he immediately provided personal testimony. Virginia officials took notice after receiving Lafayette's letter, which stated: "This is to certify that the Bearer has done essential services to me while I had the honour to command in this State. His Intelligence from the ennemy's [sic] camp were industriously collected and most faithfully delivered." As a result of James' petitions and Lafayette's testimony, James was emancipated in 1787, four years after the conclusion of the Revolution, and six years after his service as a spy. In honor of the man who who helped him achieve his own freedom, James changed his name to James Armistead Lafayette. He moved nine miles south of New Kent, Virginia where he lived the rest of his life in relative peace. He became a husband, father, and farmer, and received forty dollars a year from the Virginia legislature for his service to liberate a nation that, for many years, was unwilling to grant him his own freedom. Reunion In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette embarked on a return journey to America. He toured the United States, eager to see the nation he helped set free from tyranny. By now, most of Lafayette's friends and fellow soldiers had died, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Laurens. But there was one friend who still lived. As the story goes, when Lafayette rode through Richmond in a massive parade, he saw a familiar face in the crowd. He halted the procession, dismounted from his horse, and worked his way through the crowd until he reached James. Without hesitating, the two embraced each other with great joy. It had been over forty years since they last saw each other, but neither forgot the sacrifices they made to not only achieve freedom for America, but for James Armistead Lafayette himself. James died as a free man in Virginia in 1832. Without his service, the Americans may never have won the Battle of Yorktown--or the Revolutionary War. James is an American hero--and a Revolutionary Voice worthy of being heard, remembered, and honored. Sources:
American Battlefield Trust. "James Armistead Lafayette." Rev War: Biography. www.battlefields.org. Marquis de Lafayette, Memoirs of General Lafayette, 1825. "Lafayette's Testimonial to James Armistead Lafayette," 1784. www.mountvernon.org. "James Armistead Lafayette." www.colonialwilliamsburg.org. Thad Morgan, "How an Enslaved Man-Turned-Spy Helped Secure Victory at the Battle of Yorktown," History, February 4, 2019. www.history.com. Ruth Quinn, "James Armistead Lafayette (1760-1832)," U.S. Army, February 21, 2014. www.army.mil. Want to Learn More? Books: The Indispensable Spy: The Story of James Armistead, by Scarlet Ingstad, illustrated by Zsofia "Zowie" Papp. A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, a Revolutionary War Double-Agent, by Anne Rockwell (Children's book). The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered, by Laura Aurrichio Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution, by Mike Duncan Other: - The Lafayette Trail: a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing historical markers, commemorating Lafayette's return-tour of America, and preserving his legacy. - Liberty's Kids: Television show for children, specifically Episode 135: James Armistead. - Colonial Williamsburg's Stephen Seals, historical interpreter and program development manager who portrays James. You can also view his YouTube program here! - Yorktown Battlefield and American Revolution Museum: explore the land where James conducted his espionage work, and take a walk through the museum to learn more about James and other lesser-known figures of the Revolution Preview of October's Article Did you know that America's first ally was not a foreign nation, but a Native American tribe? Tune in next month to learn about The Oneida Nation and a brave Native American woman known as Two Kettles Together! Last Month's Article: Miss the first installment of Revolutionary Voices? No worries! Catch up here to learn about the man who created the Culper Spy Ring: Benjamin Tallmadge!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Scarlet Ingstad
I am an independent author and historian seeking to uplift the stories of the lesser-known heroes and heroines of the American Revolution, alongside modern-day heroes and heroines who have served in the U.S. military and continue their service through their historical work. Archives
March 2022
Categories |