Baron de Kalb
Upon his arrival in America, Baron de Kalb, a native of Germany, was commissioned a major-general in the Continental Army and placed in command of the Maryland division. He readily gained the esteem and confidence of all who made his acquaintance. The Baron was a man of strong common sense-great experience-a close observer of men and things-an admirable disciplinarian-and a brave and prudent officer. With a robust frame and iron constitution, he could endure the proverbial fatigues and privations of the American Army. He was remarkably abstemious-mainly living on bread and water. His industry and zeal for the glorious cause he had espoused were worthy of all praise. He was up early and late and spent all his leisure from official duty writing in some retired place. Unfortunately, his writings were lost.The Battle of Camden, South Carolina
The brilliant career of this noble patriot soldier was closed at the battle of Camden, where he commanded the right wing of the American army composed of regulars. The left wing was composed of militia who fled at the sight of the red coats advancing with fixed bayonets-as terrified as young horses at a locomotive. Not so with the right wing. Although contending against overwhelming numbers, they stood their ground and fought like tigers. In his last desperate attempt to seize victory, the Baron fell helpless with eleven wounds. One of his aids, Chevalier de Buysson threw himself over the fallen hero and received the bayonets meant for the Baron in his own body-exclaiming " Save the Baron de Kalb " The British officers interfered but spared him from instant death, making him their prisoner. He was treated kindly by his captors and survived for a short time. In his last moments, the Baron dictated a letter to General Smallwood, who succeeded him in command of his division. He expressed his ardent affection for his officers and men-lauded their bravery, which had forced admiration from their enemies-and urged them to persevere in the glorious cause of freedom until triumphant victory should perch upon their manly brows. He then invoked a benediction on his beloved division-and reached out his trembling hand to Colonel de Buysson. Some years later, General Washington visited his grave. He contemplated it momentarily and remarked: " So there lies the brave De Kalb-the generous stranger who came from a distant land to fight our battles and water the tree of our liberty with his blood. Would to God he had lived to share its fruits."In 1780, Congress caused a monument to be erected to his memory in Annapolis, Maryland, with the following inscription: " Sacred to the memory of the BARON DE KALB, Knight of the royal order of Military Merit, Brigadier of the armies of France, and Major General In the service of the United States of America. Having served with honor and reputation For three years, He gave a last and glorious proof of his attachment to the liberties of mankind And the cause of America in action near Camden in the State of South Carolina. On the 16th of August 1780, leading the troops of the Maryland and Delaware lines Against superior numbers And animating them by his examples To deeds of valor, He was pierced with many wounds And on the nineteenth following expired In the 48th year of his age. The Congress Of the United States of America, In gratitude to his zeal, services, and merit, Have erected this monument."