#Silas Deane

[nordleuchten]

Lafayette visited London!? Please tell me more!

Dear @my-deer-friend,

here you go!

In early 1777, La Fayette was already showing much more enthusiasm for the American cause than his father-in-law, the Duc d’Ayen, liked. The Duc’s brother, Emmanuel Marie Louis, marquis de Noailles, had just taken up his post as French ambassador to the British court and the Duc seized this opportunity to send his son-in-law over. He hoped seeing London in person would tamper his enthusiasm (we all know that it did not.) La Fayette travelled with the Prince de Poix.

The group travelled from Calais and initially planed to cross the channel on February 21, 1777 but bad weather made them change their plans and so they arrived on February 24, 1777 in London. La Fayette wrote Adrienne the following day (February 25):

We have arrived in London, dear heart, but not without difficulty. The time we spent at Calais was very boring, but we finally got here yesterday. I write to you from the home of the Marquis de Noailles, who received us very warmly. We have as yet seen only a few men this morning. We have just dined with our ambassador, and we are about to leave for the opera; then we are invited to a supper. At the ball tonight we shall see all the ladies. I still think Paris is preferable to London, even though we have been received very agreeably here. I am very impatient to see all the young women, and the famous Duchess of Devonshire. We make our entry into society this evening. I very much hope that the prince will conduct himself well. He claims that I am always afraid that he will say something stupid.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, p. 28-31.

Although La Fayette sounded a bit skeptical of London, his opinion soon changed. He wrote his wife Adrienne on February 28, 1777:

For once, dear heart, I am just like these gentlemen. London is a delightful city, I am overwhelmed with kindnesses, and I only have time for pleasure here. All the men are polite and obliging. To us, all the women are pretty, and good company. Amusements are more lively than in Paris. We dance all night, and, perhaps because my dancing is more on a par with everyone else's, I like the ball here, for there are some fine figures in my new country. The Marquis de Noailles is charming, and very attentive to us. He is highly esteemed in London, and maintains his station very well. It is true that I am inclined to see everything in the best light. I am already almost as much a part of London society as I am of that of Paris. (…) I have a thousand things to do this evening, concluding with a ball, for we never retire here before five A.M.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, p. 28-31.

He wrote again to Adrienne on March 1, 1777:

The diversions of London maintain a rapid pace, and even I, who am not accustomed to a secluded life, am amazed at their liveliness. To leave the dinner table at seven-thirty and have supper between two and three A.M. at first struck me as a very bad practice. I am enjoying myself very much here. There are some truly charming women and some men who are very friendly and full of kindness for us. When you can draw the women from their precious gatherings, and the men from their clubs, to bring them into company [one or two illegible words], they are very agreeable.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, p. 28-31.

La Fayette wrote one last time to Adrienne from London on March 7, 1777:

I look forward to hearing more today; no matter how great the bustle of London, I am always thinking impatiently about post days, and I am elated when they arrive. We dance, we dine, we always stay up very late, and our activities have been related to scarcely anything but society. Today, however, I took a walk with M. de La Rochette (whom I can never leave) to the port of London and several notable places in this city. Tomorrow or the day after we are going to Portsmouth, armed with an ample supply of introductions, which will enable us to see everything. They continue to overwhelm us with kindness in this country, and nowhere in the world could we be treated more pleasantly. M. de Poix is the great arbiter of fashion and creates hair styles for all these ladies, but these ladies only. We are eagerly awaiting our friend Etienne, who is traveling slowly with the Duke of Dorset. However, we hope to have some news of him eventually. The English are convinced that there will be war, or rather they predict it. In truth, one need not be terribly shrewd to see that it will come, at least after a time. Here, however, I do not let on that I am convinced of it. Today I dine with a man whom I have met only when he was running about town with Mile Grandi, and whom I was astonished to see again here in possession of a wife and a house, which is beautiful if not fine, whereas it is said that his wife is neither of those. All in all, I am annoyed to be obliged to go there and my ill humor about it is even greater as I am compelled to take leave of you. It is five-fifteen here, the time when people begin to ask if their carriage has arrived. I am going to hurry the prince, who is always on horseback and extremely busy buying horses.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, p. 28-31.

Here is where things took a turn. La Fayette did not went on to visit Portsmouth for two reasons. First, he British fleet, ready to sail to America, was anchoring in Portsmouth and although La Fayette was rather open (or at least as open as he could be) about his admiration for America, he still found it as a breach of confidence for him to visit the British fleet. Second, he was informed that his own ship, La Victoire, was ready to sail and he therefor hastened back to France.

He arrived in Paris either on March 13 or 14 and upon arriving learned that there were still preparations underway. Instead of returning home to his in-laws, he stayed in an inn in Chaillot. He left for Bordeaux with the Baron de Kalb on the evening of March 16, 1777, not before sending one last letter to his father-in-law. La Fayette had begun writing the letter while still in London on March 9, 1777:

You will be astonished, my dear Papa, by what I am about to tell you; it has been more painful than I can say not to have consulted you. My respect, my affection, and my confidence in you must assure you of that. But I had given my word, and you would not have respected me if I had gone back on it, whereas the step that I am taking will, I hope, give you a favorable opinion, at least of my good intentions. I have found a unique opportunity to distinguish myself, and to learn my profession. I am a general officer in the army of the United States of America. My zeal for their cause and my sincerity have won their confidence. On my side, I have done everything I could for them, and their interests will always be more dear to me than my own. In short, my dear Papa, at this very moment I am in London, awaiting news from my friends. As soon as I receive it, I shall leave here and, without stopping in Paris, board a ship that I have equipped, and which belongs to me.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, p. 28-31.

By the time La Fayette arrived in London, his plan to join the American army had already been set in motion. He had purchased La Victoire in early February of 1777 and signed his agreement with Silas Deane on December 7, 1776.

La Fayette met a number of interesting people while in London. He mentioned the Duchess of Devonshire in his letter, what he did not mentioned however, is the fact that he also met the King, George III. Most memorable is perhaps his meeting with General Henry Clinton – the men he would face off in battle only a few months later. Clinton and La Fayette were attending the same performance at the opera and had a very brief conversation in the foyer.

And that concludes La Fayette’s eventful stay in London.

I hope you have/had a fantastic day!

[dogearedheart]

My mother and I becoming each other, her bruises and scars passed down, family heirlooms that will take me decades to stop wearing.

[to the daughter who secretly longs for her mother’s affection, lynne shayko || the raid, supernatural || who we are, supernatural || mother and daughter, hayan charara || all hell breaks loose, supernatural || in the beginning, supernatural || excerpts from days where my whole world is my bed, coffin heart? bury me, fatima aamer bilal || sacred heart, giovanni gasparro || our lady of tears, luciacv || twenty, silas denver melvin || pilot, supernatural || how to wear your mothers lipstick, warsan shire || sharp objects, gillian flynn || the last day of pompeii, karl brjullov || immaculate heart of mary || from “poplar street,” published in poetry, chen chen || no rest for the wicked, supernatural || unkown || something wicked, supernatural || the dark side of the moon, supernatural || on earth we are briefly gorgeous, ocean vuong || from i am not a person that can be loved for a very long time, fatima aamer bilal || painted tongue, tyler byas]

[asoftepiloguemylove]

OUR LOVE STORY COULD BE KINDA GORY // DEVOTION THAT DESTROYS YOU

Sean Glatch "Caffeine Pt. 1," 4:41 // "Dolce," Hannibal (2013-2015) dir. Vincenzo Natali // Richard Siken Editors Pages: The Long and Short of It // Silas Denver Melvin "Let Dead Dogs Lie," Grit // "The Number of the Beast Is 666," Hannibal (2013-2015) dir. Guillermo Navarro // James Bay // Ethel Cain Western Nights // Supernatural (2005-2020) cr. Eric Kripke // Phoebe Bridgers Scott Street

[bendrownedbodypillow]

[ilostmyshoe28]

𝗦𝗮𝗺: You’re kind of evil, no offense

𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝘆: None taken

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗻: So we’re just trying to figure out how we can trust that one of your last acts will be to bring my best friend back

𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝘆: Did you want me to pinky swear?

[thickskll]

⸺ * | closed starter for ⎯⎯ @rennisaturate ⸺ * | continued from here

both arthur and silas sagged in relief when amethyst spoke, the days in her absence were spent lamenting over the sound of her voice and figuring out how to earn their way back in her good books. when she addressed silas, arthur kept his head bowed but gave the other man a side glance - silently praying he would use this as an opportunity to listen rather than digging them both into a deeper hole. her raised voice demonstrated just how far they had pushed her, and arthur's gaze lifted from the floor to her face. silas opened his mouth, starting to speak and it was like arthur had a sixth sense for when he was about to shoot himself in the foot - so he gave him a hard stare, willing silas to swallow whatever he was about to say and re-think his words. when amethyst invited them in, arthur grabbed silas by the elbow and yanked him indoors. "remember forward not backwards" he whispered a reminder to silas.

the telling-off from amethyst followed by the hard look from arthur was enough for silas to dial back on his prepared response and think of something that would push the conversation forward rather than propel them back to where they were. the fallout was his fault but, as usual, arthur had been lumped in with him. silas loved them both and felt a strong desire to protect them, even from their own family - and he had admittedly taken it a step too far with amethyst's father, and he still didn't regret it. crossing the threshold into her home was ample enough time for him to amend his apology, nodding at arthur's reminder. "ame, you and arthur are two of the most important people in my life and i'd literally do anything for you..." he started off, a good start confirmed by arthur's encouraging nod. "...I'm sorry i crossed a line with your dad...and there are things that i don't understand or agree with when it comes to you and him but i swear i won't overstep again unless you ask me to"

[star-girl-05]

Request are open : HERE

Masterlist

ao3: Star_Girl05

wattpad: star-girl-05

Minors BEWARE 

Some post may contain dark themes (They will be marked) 

Fandoms I’ll Write for: 

I write fanfiction for basically any show I watch and I have no life so I’m always watching something. So feel free to ask for Fandoms  not listed below  

(More to be added)

American Horror 

TVD 

The Originals 

Harry Potter

Criminal Minds

Supernatural 

Outer Banks 

Maze Runner 

Doctor Who 

Stranger Things 

House 

Teen Wolf 

Rick and Morty

Sherlock (BBC)

Slashers

Hannibal (NBC)

[ghmvsings]

ships pt 2 

ophelia x dante // holt x acacia // tennessee x julian // ridge x anissa // ridge x enaya // winnie x dean // battle x dean // battle x dahlia // winnie x dahlia // brat pack // ford x tempest // mercer x henley // baby x zack // three arm sally // cormac & blake // wyatt & sila // denver & rosalie // sage & eden // juniper & caspian // bose & john // iris & john // trista & bose & yaz & john // mathias & francesca // ezra & jasika // isaac & selma // iris & bose & david & yaz

[nordleuchten]

24 Days of La Fayette: December 20th – Louis-Saint-Ange, chevalier Morel de La Colombe

Although it is not any longer December, we are going to finish this series – just a month or two delayed. :-)

Louis-Saint-Ange, chevalier Morel de La Colombe is one of La Fayette’s more prominent aide-de-camps and he was also one of his initial fours aide-de-camps (the other ones being Brice, Virgny and Gimat, all three of them were already covered in posts) and a passenger on La Victoire. Among all of La Fayette’s other aide-de-camps and travel companions, La Colombe had the most interesting motivation. He was not seeking glory, fame or fortune, he was not put at La Fayette’s side by chance or French or American agents. In short, he had no ulterior motives beside being with La Fayette. This is also evident in the agreement between the French adventures and Silas Deane.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, p. 18.

As we can see, La Colombe only ever desired to be made a Lieutenant, a, comparatively speaking, low rank. La Colombe was born in 1755 in the Auvergne, the same region that La Fayette hailed form and his family could easily rival those of La Fayette’s in terms of influence and means in the area. He was the son of Jean-Claude de La Colombe. The two families were closely connected and La Fayette and La Colombe were friends. In fact, La Fayette considered him the worthiest of his companions and called him his “best friend”. Despite his moderate demands, Congress was not very forthcoming with La Colomb’s commission – nor with that of anyone else, as we all know, even La Fayette had to fight for his commission and even more so for his commission to be taken seriously.

La Colombe was most likely in the group that travelled by water to Charleston and from there to Philadelphia. For the first months after his arrival, very little mind was paid to La Colombe’s case from official side. La Fayette wrote on September 25, 1777 to Henry Laurens:

The bearer of my letter [La Colombe] is a genteleman who came with me upon my assurance that he would be employed. He is of a very good birth, and a sensible young man. He wants only a commission of lieutenant, and General Canaouay is desirous of having him in his brigade. As Congress did not comprehend him in sending back the others I hope that he will be received in our service. Will you be so good to speack about it when you') find some occasions?

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, pp. 110-112.

The Marquis continued to petition Laurens on La Colombe’s behalf and he also wrote to George Washington on October 14, 1777:

among the officers who came on board of my ship, this whom Congress did pay the less regard to, is the very same whom I recommended as the most able and respectable man and my best friend—he was coming only for me (…)

“To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 14 October 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 11, 19 August 1777 – 25 October 1777, ed. Philander D. Chase and Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2001, pp. 505–508.] (02/10/2023)

It was around that time that finally some movement in La Colombe’s case could be observed. On September 10, 1777, Congress recognized his rank as a Lieutenant (and his work he had done for La Fayette since his arrival) by paying him 243 Continental Dollar as his pay as a Lieutenant from December 1, 1776 until September 1, 1777. On November 15, 1777 he was commissioned an aide-de-camp to La Fayette with the rank of Captain. La Fayette himself wrote a note of thanks to Henry Laurens on November 29, 1777:

All the letters I receive from frenchmen are full of theyr gratefulness for your own particular kindness towards them. Will you be so good as to accept my thanks for them and for myself, and to join here my sincere ones on account of the appointement of Mr. de Ia Colombe?

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 1, December 7, 1776–March 30, 1778, Cornell University Press, 1977, pp. 160-161.

The next months passed relatively uneventful and La Colombe dutifully continued his service. There was only one more interesting episode during this time when La Colombe was send to negotiate with the Natives. La Fayette wrote to Charles Lee in June 1778:

Mr. de Fai'lly, de La Colombe See. are now going with Gal. MgKintosh, where theyr presence among the indians is of a great Service, but they’ll come again and we must provide for them or such others as may come from France

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 2, April 10, 1778–March 20, 1780, Cornell University Press, 1978, pp. 62-64.

Shortly before La Fayette returned to France for the first time, La Colombe desired to be made a Major and La Fayette was eager to lend a helping hand. He wrote to the President of Congress on January 9, 1779:

May I beg leave to Reccommend Mr. de La Colombe who desires to sollicit the commission of Major.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 2, April 10, 1778–March 20, 1780, Cornell University Press, 1978, pp. 220-222.

At first, La Colombe’s prospects seemed very good, the Committee for Foreign Applications was in favour of his promotion but he eventually failed to gain the nine votes in the Continental Congress required. Very interesting in this context are two letters between Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, whom, as President of Congress, La Fayette had previously petitioned. Jay wrote on September 18, 1779:

The Board of War are charged with Chevalier de Colombes affair, and will probably report in his favor; for my own Part I have ever been averse to giving Brevets except in very particular Cases; it cheapens us.

“To Alexander Hamilton from John Jay, 18 September 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 182–183.] (02/10/2023)

Hamilton replied on September 29, 1779:

I shall not be sorry if Colombe fails in his application. My sentiments correspond with yours on the operation of brevets; but we began wrong and the transition must be gradual.

“From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, [29 September 1779],” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 189–192.] (02/10/2023)

In the meantime, La Fayette had returned to France and believed that several of his aides, La Colombe among them, would follow shortly after. He wrote to the Comte de Vergennes on May 23, 1779:

Any day I expect three Americans and a Frenchman who would be of the greatest use to us, and I enclose their names so that M. de Sartine may send word to all the ports to urge them, upon their arrival, to come and see me at Saintes.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 2, April 10, 1778–March 20, 1780, Cornell University Press, 1978, pp. 268-269.

When the party did not arrive for several more weeks, La Fayette started to assume the worst. He wrote to George Washington on June 12, 1779:

I don't know what is Become of Cle[l]. Nevill and the Cher, de La Colombe. I beg you would make some inquiries for them, and do any thing in your power for theyr speedy exchange in case they have been taken.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 2, April 10, 1778–March 20, 1780, Cornell University Press, 1978, pp. 276-281.

In the end, the matter was not quite that dramatic and as it turned out, La Colombe and the others had never intended to immediately follow La Fayette. La Colombe in fact was transferred to the staff of the Baron de Kalb and served him as an aide-de-camp for some time. He eventually left Boston for France on November 15, 1779 onboard the French Frigate La Sensible, the same ship that also carried John Adams and John Quincy Adams. La Colombe and John Qunicy Adams would indeed meet again later in life. On July 8, 1794, John Quincy Adams wrote to his mother Abigail Admas:

I have likewise seen a Mr: Colomb, an aid to Mr De la Fayette; who went to Europe in 1779 with us on board the Sensible. “tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis.” Mr: Colomb and I sat and conversed very sociably together for half an hour before either of us discovered that we had been formerly acquainted, and fellow passengers.

“John Quincy Adams to Abigail Adams, 8 July 1794,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Adams Papers, Adams Family Correspondence, vol. 10, January 1794 – June 1795, ed. Margaret A. Hogan, C. James Taylor, Sara Martin, Hobson Woodward, Sara B. Sikes, Gregg L. Lint, and Sara Georgini. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2011, p. 207.] (02/10/2023)

But back to the topic at hand. Washington wrote to La Fayette on September 30, 1779:

You enquire after Monsr. de la Colombe, & Colo. Neville; the first (who has been with Baron de Kalb) left this a few days ago as I have already observed for Phila., in expectation of a passage with Monsr. Gerard.

Idzerda Stanley J. et al., editors, Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution: Selected Letters and Papers, 1776–1790, Volume 2, April 10, 1778–March 20, 1780, Cornell University Press, 1978, pp. 313-319.

De Kalb wrote on October 15, 1779 to John Adams:

The Chevr. de la Colombe having been in Marquess de la Fayette’s family while he Staid in our army, and a Supernumerary aid de Camp to me this Campaign, But his father desiring him to come home, I request the Favour of you to admit as a Passenger into the Same Frigate you are to Sail in.

“To John Adams from Johann Kalb, 15 October 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 8, March 1779 – February 1780, ed. Gregg L. Lint, Robert J. Taylor, Richard Alan Reyerson, Celeste Walker, and Joanna M. Revelas. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989, pp. 202–203.] (02/10/2023)

While in France, La Colombe transferred back to the French Forces under General Rochambeau. In the spring of 1780 and with the help of La Fayette, La Colombe was made a Captain in the King’s Dragoons. He returned to America in early September of 1780 onboard the Alliance and participated in the battle at Yorktown. After Yorktown, he returned to France with La Fayette where he retired from the King’s Dragoons in 1783.

By March 9, 1784, La Fayette included La Colombe’s name in an enclosed list of “Names of the American officers wearing now in France the badge of the society of the Cincinnati” in a letter to George Washington.

After the onset of the French Revolution, he again entered the military and became the colonel of an infantry regiment in 1791 before he once more took up working as La Fayette’s aide-de-camp in 1792. La Fayette’s wife Adrienne wrote on January 14, 1790:

The Chr de la Colombe who has had the honour of serving under your orders, and whose patriotism and sentiments for Mr De la Fayette have rendered eminent services to our cause as well in his province as in the parisien Army, in which he is Aid-Major, having known that I had the honour of writing to you wishes that I offer to you his best respects.

“To George Washington from the Marquise de Lafayette, 14 January 1790,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 4, 8 September 1789 – 15 January 1790, ed. Dorothy Twohig. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1993, pp. 571–574.] (02/10/2023)

When La Fayette tried to leave France for America during the French Revolution, La Colombe was by his side and arrested along with him. While La Fayette would have to endure imprisonment for several years, La Colombe quickly regained his freedom. William Short wrote to Thomas Jefferson on October 19, 1792:

M. de la Colombe, aide de camp to the Marquis de la fayette, and stopped with him, has made his escape from the citadel of Antwerp—he wrote to me from Rotterdam to know whether he would be safe in this country—I did not suppose he would be if demanded by the Austrian government and gave him that opinion—he proceeded in consequence without delay to England.

“To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 19 October 1792,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 24, 1 June–31 December 1792, ed. John Catanzariti. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1990, pp. 502–504.] (02/10/2023)

I have seen some editors mention that La Colombe was imprisoned with La Fayette in Olmütz but that can hardly be, given the timing of events. There was a considerable back and forth between Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Pinckney (U.S. minister at London) and Edmund Randolph (Secretary of State) about some possible funds for La Colombe and the practicability of him coming to America. He eventually settled in Philadelphia in 1794 where he became a member of the Philadelphia mercantile firm of La Colombe Cadignan & Company, located at 97 South Water Street.

Once safe in America, La Colome started writing letters to garner support and practical aide for La Fayette.

Edmund Randolph wrote to George Washington on May 15, 1794:

If I do not mistake the hints from Mr Lacolombe, these letters are submitted to you, in order to interest you in making, or causing to be made, a demand of M. La Fayette, as a citizen of the United States. I presume, however, that the step, which you have already taken, will be found to be a satisfactory tribute of personal affection, and, altho’ not more than public duty warranted, yet as much, as actual circumstances will permit.

“To George Washington from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1794,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 16, 1 May–30 September 1794, ed. David R. Hoth and Carol S. Ebel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2011, pp. 76–77.] (02/10/2023)

Several of the letters mentioned in the excerpt above were in fact addressed to La Colombe. When La Fayette’s son Georges came to America in the company of Felix Frestel, he likely stayed some time with La Colombe in Philadelphia – in any case, the two of them met. On November 21, 1797 La Colombe wrote to Washington, after having stayed at Mount Vernon in October of the same year:

I take the liberty of presenting you with a short abstract of a letter that may afford you a proof that the man for whose wellfare you have allways had the warmest interest in, General De Lafayette has at last obtained his liberty—as is ascertained by an official note from his Imperial Majesty’s minister, M. ⟨Biro⟩ resident at Hambourg, to a friend of mine Mr Masson formerly his aid du Camp.

“Hambourg 19th Septemr—I have the honor to let you know Sir, that I have received at this moment the official note—an order has been sent from Vienna to Olmutz to set at liberty instantly M. De Lafayette & the other Prisoners.” Several other letters that I have received from Hambourg, and from a particular Correspondent at Olmutz leave me no reason of doubt on this subject—I’m also particularly inform’d that the General & the other gentlemen that were in confinement with him were on the road to Dre[s]den and in all probability would arrive there about the 18th Septemr last, and from thence they were to proceed to Hambourg

“To George Washington from Louis La Colombe, 21 November 1797,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series, vol. 1, 4 March 1797 – 30 December 1797, ed. W. W. Abbot. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1998, pp. 479–480.] (02/10/2023)

After helping with the travelling arrangements of Georges, he wrote January 5, 1798:

I have had news of all my Esteem’d friends who were confined in the austrian Bastilles. (…) I am happy sir, to have the honor of forwarding to you the enclosed letter from our mutual Friend Genl De Lafayette whose greatest happiness I’m well assured, was to avail himself the pleasure to write you on the first moment of enjoying his liberty—I took the liberty of sending him a Copy of your letter to me of 3d Decr last, It will be pleasing to him as it may afford a renewed proof of the Paternal sentiments you have for him (…)

“To George Washington from Louis La Colombe, 5 January 1798,” Founders Online, National Archives, [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Retirement Series, vol. 2, 2 January 1798 – 15 September 1798, ed. W. W. Abbot. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1998, p. 4.] (02/10/2023)

La Colombe died in America around 1800, the exact date is unknown. With the exception of one short trip, he had never returned to France, nor did he ever see La Fayette again.

[dogearedheart]

If you'd been a dog, they would've drowned you at birth.

[putting the dog to sleep, the antlers || dream a little dream of me, supernatural || so, what's wrong?, ruth stone || death dog, @/mxmorggo || unknown || I am a dog. I have blood all over my teeth, uhode || angel of hope and calendars, anne sexton || unknown || borzoi, @/mxmorggo || grit, silas denver melvin || how to be a dog, andrew kane || unknown || knives out, radiohead]

[thickskll]

being an early riser, arthur was the first to wake up. since embarking on his career, he had gone from a chronic alarm snoozer to an actual morning person. still, he was mindful that silas and amethyst were still fast asleep. he stared idly out the window, admiring the sunrise and feeling at peace with the two sleeping bodies beside him. silas was the next to wake up, which was not surprising to arthur since it's usually a 50/50 chance between silas and amethyst. the other man yawned and stretched until his joints clicked loudly, arthur reached over amethyst and ruffled his hair. "hey you," arthur whispered with a warm smile which silas returned, his eyes still hazy with sleep no matter how much he rubbed at them.

to say that silas was a sentimental person would be putting it extremely mildly. he never would have imagined waking up to not one but two people he was deeply in love with, and who loved him back. "the way the sun is shining into the back of your head...you look like the sun baby in the teletubbies" silas remarked as he gazed up at the other man with adoration. arthur huffed out a laugh and shook his head, and silas propped himself up on his elbow, taking amethyst's hand and playing with her fingers. touching each other was a habit that neither arthur nor silas was able to break, as one held amethyst's hand, the other played with her hair. the two men quietly spoke about their plans for the day, flirted and shared a few chaste kisses.

she shivered lightly and frowned in her sleep at the loss of warmth when silas pulled away, and snuggled herself into the replacement of arthur's body as he lifted her out of her chair, one hand resting on his chest. she was floating in and out of consciousness, not quite aware anymore, the feeling of being carried odd in a way, yet comforting. as arthur laid her down she blinked a moment in her haze of sleep to watch him lay down beside her, shifting to get a little more comfortable, but was not entirely until she felt silas's body land on the other side her. it was the calmest she ever slept, when she was lying between them. no tossing and turning and shifting in her sleep like she used to, trying to find just the perfect position. she simply relaxed with them on either side of her and was gone to the world.

falling asleep was easy, but waking up?? the first sunlight that reached her face made her twitch, but otherwise she didn't budge. didn't want to anyway. the day could wait a few more hours so far as she was concerned.

[lizzaneia-elizalde]

ME FIRST!

CAN YOU DO YANDERE JOCK PLEASE!

Yandere! Jock x Honor student! gn! reader

YEY A MOTIVATION TO WRITE!

As my first request... I'm going to put voice claims as like a celebration!

Yan! Jock (Damon): Marshall Lee from Adventure Time (Donald Glover)

Yan! Sugar daddy (Rowan Silas): Howl from Howl's Moving Castle (Christian Bale)

Yan! Butler (Zero): Baizhu from Genshin Impact in JP (Yusa Koji)

Yan! Theater actor (Ignatius): Tamaki from Ouran Highschool Host Club (Vic Mignogna)

Yan! Dragon (Vincent): Lilac Cookie from Cookie Run Kingdom (Behzad Dabu)

Yan! Artist (Arlen): Sal Fischer from Sally Face

((Just the voice claims, the charas involved are not really related to the Yans. BUT FOR THE LIFE OF ME I CAN'T FIND A PERFECT FIT FOR ROWAN GRRRRRRRR also Zero being in Japanese... Well, I actually did a Beware the Villainess voice headcannons before, and I used Baizhu JP as Nine's voice. Since Zero's inspired by him, then... Yeah.))

TW: Blood, gore, violence against a dead body.

He's a bit... Dumb.

That's what his friends would say when you ask about Damon.

He's dumb, yet sweet, kind, and insanely athletic.

People call him your typical himbo.

Rumors had it that he's completely a mama's boy, someone who doesn't know the difference between their, they're, and there, a man who has just one braincell that ticks around his head like the dvd logo bouncing around the screen and only get used on sports.

Ah yes, sports. The only thing he's extremely smart at.

Other than being street smart, he's body smart also. That's why he's being passed around by sports team in his University and also being gatekept by the clubs.

The baseball club needs a batter? On it. The basketball club had their ace sick? Don't worry, the mvp is here. The badminton team needs a pair for the doubles? Sure, just make sure to let him bring his own racket. Fencing club lacks one person for a complete sparring session? Uh, he hasn't tried fencing yet, but he will still master it immediately.

So because everything in his peanut brain gets squeezed onto sports, his academics isn't really the best...

Yet, his athlete scholarship made him stay afloat in the University. Plus he's the adorable kind of dumb, so everyone loved him.

If you try to tell him that he's a himbo, he would take it as an offense and would yell at you with the biggest pout and puppy dog eyes that he's not a himbo!

Oh, sweet summer child he is.

Everyone liked to watch this big, buff puppy play around with a smile on his face.

But not the Dean of his college. I mean, he's an athlete scholar, that's for sure, but he's still in Education! He needs to do better in his studies if he wants to be a teacher in the future!

And no! Damon cannot just cluelessly tilt his head to the side!

While Damon pouted, the dean called for you.

You're the candidate magna cum laude in your batch. Smart as you are, you buried your nose in books and notes as you studied to become a teacher, but lacked the confidence and charisma to be an effective one.

So the Dean thought this would be the perfect synergy. Damon's personality would rub on you, while your braincells will rub on his.

It was perfect.

And while you stood there with your eyes downcast, Damon's eyes widened as he stared at you.

It was love at first sight.

"Damon for the last time, it's School Based Management! Not Shoe Base Management! How did you even twist it to that?"

"Hehe, sorry y/n..."

*You sighed and crossed out the number.*

"5/50. How did your score got lower than the last time?! And it's a repeat test too!"

Rowan pouted and fiddled with his fingers. His eyes downcast as he appeared vulnerable.

"I'm sorry y/n.... I will do my best next time..."

*You sighed once more, knowing you can't deny this man.*

"Alright alright. Let's just study again."

You and Damon are in the library now, studying for the upcoming retake that Damon needs to take. But despite being here in the library for two hours, he still hasn't improved at all!

You stood up and glanced around, trying to see more books to use for studying. One preferably understandable for ding dongs like him.

Maybe a children's picture book of CPE 102 was needed for this guy.

You were harsh yet also patient with Damon, something he really likes. If he had a tail right now, it would wag rapidly to the point he'll break a bone in it.

All his thoughts is filled with you and you. The back of his notebook is scribbled with your name and his encased in a heart, crude drawings of you and him holding hands, or a silly children's game where he does a compatibility test using both of your names.

Neverminded that the test always ends up at "enemies" or "strangers", no no no... He won't accept it.

So these tests had large scribble marks all over him as words filled with rage about how the tests are lies are inked there.

And while Damon swung his feet while scribbling your and his future children's (yes, plural) names, he suddenly wondered where you are.

He got off his seat and walked around until he found you.

"Y/n--!"

He stopped dead in his tracks.

He felt shivers run down his spine.

There you where, smiling and bantering with an another man. Amicably talking to each other like you were the best of pals.

Damon recognized him from your class records (don't question why he knew your class records, he swears he's just doing research). Jupiter was his name, oddly enough. He's also a candidate magna cum laude and your study buddy. He's naturally gifted in academics and so does in his looks.

So when Damon saw how your eyes sparkled while talking to that guy...

He felt his façade crack.

Jupiter ran quickly across the lit yet empty rugby field in his University. Everyone was out for the school day since it was already 10pm.

How did Jupiter end up running away frantically with his clothes sticking on his body due to sweat?

It would be because of a masked man chasing him, power walking towards him with a metal baseball bat in hand. Jupiter can't see his face, but knew he's absolutely huge.

Jupiter ran as quickly as he can, but his body can't keep up. His legs weakened and his knee started to hurt as he heaved quickly. His vision swimming as he tried to run across and away from the man.

He's academic for god's sake! Physical activities are his mortal enemy!

As he cursed his hatred away, Jupiter tripped on a rock and rolled forward. His knee also finally gave up and is now hurting a lot.

Jupiter tried to scream for help, but all he could do is bite his lip as he held his poor knee.

Not until the man got close and clubbed him on that knee, making Jupiter scream in agony.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

That night, Jupiter's scream echoed throughout the empty rugby field and the sound of a hard object hitting a body. Then,

SQUELCH!

CRACK!

Then silence.

The masked man looked at the bloodied mess and chuckled. His small giggle turning into a full blown laughter as he tried to suppress it.

Damon grabbed a sharpie from his back pocket and scribbled on Jupiter's mangled body. His back, which is still somehow smooth, now contained your nickname and Damon's.

He's doing the compatibility test again.

"Soulmates! Oh my god!" Damon screamed in happiness. "Finally! Oh this is great! I shouldn't have doubted the test!"

Damon danced around Jupiter's body like he's not dead. Then, he kicked Jupiter's body. And kicked it. And kicked it. And kicked it more.

"Tch. You think you can smile at my soulmate like that? Think again buckaroo." Damon whispered, dropping his himbo jock persona.

This man had a sharp, intelligent look in his eyes. One that does not hold innocent curiosity, only a morbid bloodthirst.

This was the real Damon.

"Fuck. This dumb himbo persona is fucking me up. All I could do is put all my frustrations on sports." Damon spat out and kicked Jupiter's body towards his expensive truck. "I'm sick and tired of being labeled like that."

Then, he remembered your face. How he caught you staring at him with fondness as he acted dumb and cute.

He shivered.

"Maybe I'll continue to do this persona. Fuck. If only my parents would leave me be after that incident, then I won't have to do this."

Once Damon placed Jupiter's body on his truck, he started to clean the field with ease.

This wasn't his first kill after all.

He's always been twisted since he's a kid. But was forced to hide it due to his parents finding out he killed his cat with his own two hands with a smile on his face.

A trip to rehab, and he adopted this persona.

He slammed his truck close and drove away, humming and thanking that the University security cameras are broken.

He would kill more if necessary.

He's not afraid to dirty his hands. If ever, he loved it.

He looked at a picture of you and him in his dashboard. The picture was you smiling widely to the camera with a blushing Damon on the side, a test paper raised. It had full marks.

He kissed his finger and placed that finger on your lips.

"My soulmate~"

[bigmammallama5]

Hi! I have a super specific question that I think you’ll be somewhat equipped to answer… I’m planning to DM a dnd oneshot set in the Carmilla/Silas University world. And want to use the main series cast as NPCs (the idea being my group would be solving the mystery of the 1st season and interacting with the weird campus - eventually leading into a battle with the angler fish god). But I’m struggling to assign more dnd-adjacent races/classes to the characters and was wondering if you had any opinions? You are the only person I can think of that has/had an interest in both worlds! Apologies that this is so random!

OMG this is such a fun idea!!! I was thinking about the series just the other day and how it’ll be 10 years old this fall. Maybe I’ll draw something for it if I have the brain. But ANYWAYS I was poking around lists of race/class for DND, not necessarily basic 5e and I thought these could be fun:

Laura- Fighter, halfling, give her a giant enchanted spatula

Carmilla- Rogue, tabaxi or shifter (tabaxis have a range of cat-like human to humanoid cat to intelligent cat)

Danny- Ranger, classic elf or air genasi or aasimar

Kirsch- Fighter or Barbarian, classic goliath or leonin

LaFontaine- Gunslinger or artificer, dwarf or githzerai

Perry- Cleric, eladrin or classic human if you dont want a mess of different races

Will- Rogue, tabaxi or changeling

The Dean- An aberration or goddess of chaos possessing a High Cleric in Perry’s temple, either an eladrin, high elf, or elemental type humanoid

Then for our notable mentions/supporting cast:

JP- artificer, changeling or shifter (you hear a bubble pop and a 2GB USB clatters to the ground)

Table Dancing Natalie- Bard, kobold or gnome

Betty, SJ, Elsie- GM’s choice, they were sacrificial lambs

[thickskll]

⸺ * | closed starter for ⎯⎯ @dcgtown ⸺ * | based on this plot.

"Uh...really? I don't...remember it that way" Silas waffles through his words. The conversation has taken a turn from him attempting to flirt with Gus, to suddenly being reminded exactly just how much of an asshole he was during his school years.

[aerospectrum]

he stirs his spoon around till the blue ice cream creates little peaks that melt back into themselves, raising a brow he glances upwards at the man when he speaks. a squint follows once he has another spoonful of the sugar crash waiting to happen in his mouth. “what’s wrong with having this in public? humans frequently eat ice cream treats and consume fruit juices, this is by all human standards, acceptable… i think”

he looks at his spoon and pushes his lips forward in concerned thought; the blue stain slowly creeping over his lips. He's not really listening to Silas the more he begins to question if the snack choice is low profile enough. “who died and made you the spokesperson for what can and cannot go together anyway?” he raises both brows with a shrug.

“According to the color scale I have a great palette, blue and orange happen to be complimentary colors; however the question of tastebuds does pull to focus the reality that most human food tastes overwhelmingly of molecules… so many molecules. And not all of those molecules go together well. PB&J as a human is a meal- no, a feast fit for kings of old, but as an angel… it’s on par with having my wings barbecued and force fed back to me. It’s a sizeable disappointment, I really liked those sandwiches.” He’s lost on a tangent for the moment once the sugar rush seeps in and takes full control of his system. “People pair vanilla with root beer all the time; why is my combination any less worthy of consumption?” He asks, absentmindedly flipping his spoon forward, splattering blue specks across Silas’ face and shirt. He makes a guilty grimace and lowers the spoon, "Oops." he laughs innocently. "In my defense... is this normal?"

there is a rather distinct look of disgust on silas' face as he watches the angel consume the mix of cotton candy ice cream and orange juice. it's immediately evident he has been spending far too much time with dean if this is what is currently passing as an acceptable diet. releasing a sigh, silas shakes his head. "i'm not even sure where to begin with you right now," he grumbles. deans diet and the type of snark that sounds distinctly like sam. dear lord.

"please tell me the winchesters aren't allowing you to consume food like this while you're out in public. we're meant to be keeping a low profile and this is the exact opposite." a diet of a five year old was what it was. "that and these two foods do not go together in the slightest. do you even have a proper palette? or taste buds?"

[pub-lius]

Why don't you have any detailed posts about Steuben smh do better

AW FUCK NO MY REPUTATION!! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BE THE GAY HISTORY PERSON IF I DONT HAVE A DETAILED POST ABOUT STEUBEN!!!! i have to fix this...

Early Life

Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand Baron de Steuben was born on September 17, 1730 in Prussia. He joined the Prussian army at the age of 17, so he got a real early start.

Note: I've written his name here as "Baron de Steuben", as this name is from a French record, however he is typically referred to as "Baron von Steuben", as "von" is the translation of "de" from French to Prussian, and they both mean "of" in English. I just wanted to clarify that for the sake of my own linguistically correct sanity

Steuben began his service in the French and Indian War (or Seven Years War if you're a dirty European) as a second lieutenant, and was then wounded at the Battle of Prague, a Prussian victory. Then, he joined General Johann von Mayer's adjutant and principle staff officer in a special detached corps.

Then, he was promoted to first lieutenant and wounded AGAIN at the Battle of Kunersdorf, which was a Russian and Austrian victory. He was then transferred to general headquarters as a staff officer in the position of deputy quartermaster (this is important!!).

He was taken prisoner when Major General von Knoblock surrendered at Treptow, and was released after a year in 1762. He was promoted to captain and then became an aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great, which is as metal as it gets. He joined the King's class on the art of war, where he learned even more super cool military leadership skills.

Life Between Wars

Steuben met St. Germain in Hamburg (a notoriously great place to meet people). If you aren't in the know like I clearly am, St. Germain would eventually be the French Minister of War during the American Revolution. They'd meet again in France when Steuben was serving as Grand Marshall to the Prince of Hollenzollern-Hechingen, and if that sounds made up to you, it's because you don't even know him like I do.

Steuben continued looking for military work, but those European assholes (the British, French, and Austrians) rejected my man for no good reason (probably because he was gay or something). It was during his stay in France where he heard of the rowdy Americans across the pond.

St. Germain introduced Baron von Steuben to Silas fucking Deane and Benjamin "Slim Shady" Franklin, but they weren't able to promise Steuben anything but some regurgitated American propaganda, since, by this time, they were already getting yelled at by Congress and Washington for allowing too many incompetent Frenchmen into the Continental Army. They told him that the only way he could assist in the American fight for independence would be to go to America and present himself as a volunteer to Congress (like Lafayette ended up having to do).

This obviously pissed off Steuben since he was actually experienced trying to get a job, because its not fun being an overqualified, unemployed gay man in 18th century Europe. But still, he settled for being a volunteer, and set out for America, his passage being paid for by the French government.

WHAT THE FUCK IS A KILOMETERRRRRRR

Steuben traveled to America with his Italian greyhound, Azor, and his two assistants, Louis de Pontiere (ADC) and Pierre Ettienne Duponceau (military secretary). They arrived in New Hampshire on December 1, 1777. They were almost arrested upon arrival because Steuben had a blond moment and mistakenly dressed them in red uniforms instead of blue. They traveled through Boston to York, Pennyslvania, arriving on February 5, 1778.

In Steuben's letter of recommendation, Franklin mistranslated Steuben's rank to "His Excellency, Lieutenant General von Steuben, Apostle of Frederick the Great", which made him seem way more distinguished than he was. As a result, he was presented a much higher rank by Congress.

Steuben was ordered to report to Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge, where he arrived on February 23, 1778, and was described by a soldier as "a perfect personification of Mars."

Steuben's good first impression also had an effect on Washington, who appointed him temporary Inspector General, and it was in this position that he had his largest impact on American history, and changed the course of the war

Why Every Army Should Have Gay People, An Essay by Publius

Baron von Steuben began his transformation of the Continental Army by writing training drills, overriding the regional trainings of the state militias into a unified and universal regimen. There was a significant language barrier, however, as Steuben originally wrote the drills in French, which were then translated into English by Duponceau, John Laurens, and Alexander Hamilton. Then, they were given to the brigade inspectors, who made the copies which were then copied to be delivered to each officer. There was definitely a more efficient way to do this, but you know. It was also Valley Forge.

General Washington's Life Guard and some men from each state (totalling around 120 men) were used as a model to show the rest of the army how they were supposed to go through the drills. As they trained and demonstrated the drills, Steuben was writing new ones, only a few days ahead, which is a massive time crunch. This was done intentionally to make the drills as simple as he could, so the training of the army was dispersed in a rapid, orderly fashion. This man was a genius, I can't emphasize it enough.

The officers in the British army, which was the standard for Americans in many respects, would allow the sergeants to drill the men, but Steuben said fuck that, I'm gonna do it myself. This made many American officers uncomfortable because the men developed a bond with him because of how talented he was (and the fact that he was funny and used profanity in multiple languages), and along with the fact that Steuben's office seemingly had no limitations, this caused them to complain to the big boss, Washington. To make them feel better, Washington issued orders on June 15, 1778 to govern the Inspector General's office until further word from Congress.

The reformed Continental Army showed off their swag on May 6, 1778 when they celebrated the news of the Franco-American Alliance, which impressed soldiers, officers, and civilians. More happy news came when Steuben was given his commission from the Congress as Inspector General, with the rank of Major General.

It was at the Battle of Monmouth when the new training of the Continental Army was able to take what would have been a losing battle for the Americans to a technical draw. Steuben was actually almost killed/taken prisoner (depending on the mood of the British) during this battle because he was wearing so many metals of honor that he glimmered in the sunlight, and was spotted by the British. He was fine, though.

General von Steuben went to Philadelphia in the winter of 1778-79 to write his book of regulations, referred to as The Blue Book. Lieutenant Colonel Francois de Fleury, a volunteer, assisted in writing it. It was with the assistance of ~Benjamin Walker~ and Duponceau that the blue book was translated into English, which is why we know Walker as being important! And the fact that he and Steuben totally boned! Anyway, Captain Pierre Charles L'Enfant was illustrated it, and the book was used all the way until 1814.

After the war

General von Steuben rejoined the Continental Army in April of 1779 to serve through the end of the war. He was an instructor and supply officer for General Nathanael Greene's southern army from the beginning of the southern campaign until Yorktown. Steuben commanded one of three divisions in the Continentals at Yorktown. He assisted in demobilizing the army in 1783, and resigned his commission in 1784, which is actually the latest I've heard of a Continental General resigning his commission!

Steuben continuously petitioned Congress for financial compensation for mesothelioma (not really) and fuck ass Congress only gave him a part of what he was owed, which was pretty typical. But! New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia all gave him land grants, which he sold portions off to have enough money to live. So, he retired from NYC to his land holdings to live the remainder of his life.

Oh, and fun fact, Steuben was present at one of the riots in New York that Alexander Hamilton tried to stop, and they both had bricks thrown at them. It might have been the Cadaver Riots, but I could be wrong since I didn't feel like double checking.

Steuben never married, and instead lived with Benjamin Walker for a long period of time. He died on his 16,000 acre farm tract in the Mohawk Valley of New York on November 28, 1794.

Homosexuality

The source I used for this does not mention his homosexuality at all, but I'm going to, because the last thing you'll ever see me do is pretend like gay people didn't exist or are "unprofessional" to talk about in history.

If you say that Alexander Hamilton was gay, you have to say Steuben was, and vice versa. Rumors of homosexuality followed Steuben from Europe all the way to America, and play a large role in why he relocated many times, and never seemed to have a permanent home until the end of his life. This was a form of unofficial exile that many queer people faced in times where their existence was illegal. As soon as your name was associated with possible homosexuality, you couldn't get comfortable anywhere.

But von Steuben wasn't brought down by this, and you've gotta respect that. He threw elaborate parties starting almost as soon as he arrived at the Continental Army. If you're new to the amrev community here, this is what we mean by "flaming shot/pantless parties", because they had shots of liquor that they would light on fire, and in order to get in, at least part of your breeches had to have been missing. While straight men did attend these parties, the subtext in discussions about them seem to imply that they were also a gathering place for queer men.

These parties continued, and some familiar faces were there, such as Duponceau, Walker Hamilton, Laurens, and, later on, Charles Adams. However, I'm not going to speculate on who was fucking who, though it has been largely accepted by historians that General von Steuben and Benjamin Walker were lovers, and I personally think there is substantial evidence to support this when you align their personal correspondence with the close proximity they maintained throughout their lives.

General von Steuben is a figure that is very important to many queer people as a conspicuous queer man in history who had an undeniable impact on the course of American history. Portrayals of Steuben in media typically disregard this, however more and more biographers are discussing his homosexuality and the significance it plays in queer history. So, I'll end this post by saying this: Steuben is just as significant in American history as he is in Queer history, and it is irresponsible to pretend like he isn't.

Source:

National Park Service- Valley Forge

British Battles.com- Battle of Kunersdorf

George Washington's Indispensable Men by Arthur S. Lefkowitz

John Laurens and the American Revolution by Gregory D. Massey

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

Anyway, thank you for giving me an excuse to talk about Steuben lol. I didn't previously know much about his life before the American Revolution, so I was very happy to learn. I actually bought a biography about him not long ago, The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army by Paul Lockhart, but I haven't read it yet. If anyone has, pls let me know if it's good or not. After Massey and Chernow, I'm practically on my hands and knees begging for a male author to treat queer history seriously. Anyway, thank you for the ask! I'm going to go watch the george washington mini series for steuben content