James Armistead, a black American spy during the Revolutionary War.
James Armistead, who was born in 1759 into slavery, was most known for being a black spy during the Revolutionary War and helping the American patriots achieve victory. At the age of 21, Armistead volunteered to be a spy and was sent by General Lafayette to provide false information on American movements to the British. Armistead's willingness to work soon won over British General Cornwallis, and Armistead soon gained privilege to British battle plans.Armistead sent messages daily by courier to General Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman who joined George Washington's army during the war. Armistead gave Lafayette advance warning of British troop movements and helped Lafayette navigate through British-controlled territories. Eventually, Armistead's work also led to Cornwallis' capture.
Lafayette commended Armistead for his dangerous work as a spy and wrote the General Assembly of Virginia on Armistead's behalf, requesting the slave's freedom. The Assembly agreed and paid Armistead's owner for his emancipation. As a mark of gratitude, Armistead changed his name to James Armistead Lafayette. He later died in 1830.
Information has been compiled from Americanrevwar.homestead.com.
Erik Li. <p>Erik Li was born on Jan. 10, 1988, and spent the first half-year of his life in the USA before moving to Germany for the next two years of his life. Interestingly enough, he remembers none of this (he was much too young – i.e. … More »
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