by Suzanne Hadley

Sam dropped behind a fallen log and crammed half a corn cake into his mouth. He was thankful to have any breakfast — even if it was dry and mealy. The farmers in the countryside surrounding Yorktown, Virginia, refused to sell meat and grain to the small band of patriot soldiers, making food scarce for them.

Marquis de Lafayette, the French general, had kept his army in this spot for a month. They had to hold Cornwallis and his British troops in Yorktown until larger French and American forces could block the escape by land and sea.

As Sam licked the last crumbs from his fingers, a great commotion arose near the hitching posts. A tall, black man strode into camp. Sam had never seen the man before, but he recognized his name and knew his reputation.

“Armistead!” a surprised officer exclaimed. “Is all well?”

“Yes,” the young man answered, his jaw firm, “I must speak with General Lafayette.”

The crowd of soldiers parted, and the officer ushered Armistead toward the general’s tent.

Sam jumped to his feet, one thought on his mind: I must speak with Armistead for news of my father!

High Calling

Sam remembered the day two months ago when a messenger had ridden through Elk Creek, Virginia, entreating any willing and able men to join the patriot cause. A small American force planned to march toward Richmond in pursuit of General Cornwallis’ much larger army.

“Lafayette needs soldiers, Son,” Joseph Reed had said after the evening meal.

“But Father,” Sam protested, “what about Mama and Nathan?”

“I’ve already talked it over with your mother,” he said. “We have plenty of food and supplies to last through the winter. Summer’s upon us; nuts and berries are plentiful.”

Sam felt anger well up inside. Father shouldn’t have to go, he thought. Independence has nothing to do with us.

The war had been raging for six years. Other than the occasional stir in town, the Revolution hadn’t touched Sam and his family. They were free blacks, but Sam didn’t feel free. Many of their neighbors, who owned slaves, treated them differently.

“Son, it’s your choice,” Joseph continued, “but I’d be glad to have you along. I hear the militia needs strong boys of quick mind.”

Sam sighed. He knew there was no hope of convincing his father to stay. At least if he went, he could watch out for him.

Secret Agent

Now as Sam lingered near Lafayette’s tent, he realized how foolish it had been to think he could protect his father.

Joseph had been captured in the battle at Green Spring only a month after joining Lafayette’s army. Perhaps he’d already been shipped to the West Indies — the usual punishment for black men captured by the British.

“There’s trouble afoot!” The words of a private interrupted Sam’s thoughts. “Armistead wouldn’t normally risk coming in daylight.”

James Armistead was a slave whose master had allowed him to join Lafayette’s force. The British promised freedom to slaves who enlisted in its army, so no one suspected Armistead as a spy when he went to Cornwallis’ camp and offered his services.

Almost daily, Armistead sent word of Cornwallis’ plans to Lafayette. The reports came by messengers, never in person.

“What are you doing?” An officer gripped Sam’s arm.

“I . . . I need to speak with Master Armistead,” Sam stammered.

“You’ll do no such thing,” the officer snapped. “Armistead has important business — “

“What’s this?” a calm voice broke in.

“Armistead,” the officer said, turning to the man, “this boy would impose to speak with you.”

“What do you have to say?” Armistead asked.

Sam looked into Armistead’s eyes. “Sir,” he blurted. “Did you see any American prisoners? My father was taken to Cornwallis’ camp but a month ago.”

“I do not remember such a man,” he said. “If you wish to check for yourself, I need a messenger.”

Spy Games

That night Armistead and Sam set out for Cornwallis’ camp.

“How was your father captured, Lad?” Armistead asked after they had walked several miles.

“He was in the front at the battle of Green Spring,” Sam said, looking down. “When General Wayne ordered a retreat, it was too late.”

“He’s a brave man, then,” Armistead said. “Not everyone would willingly go to the front.”

Sam looked up. Even in the moonlight, he could see the fire in Armistead’s eyes. “Not everyone would be a spy,” he said. “Why do you risk your life, Master Armistead?”

“For freedom.”

“But you’re not free.” The words came out before Sam could stop them.

Armistead was silent. “Someday I will be, Lad.”

“Has Lafayette promised to give you your freedom?”

“No, but I believe in the Declaration of Independence, which says ‘all men are created equal.’ In time everyone will believe it.”

He paused, helping Sam over a fence. “Right now we must work together. The future of freedom — her very survival — is in our hands.”

Freedom’s Fire

When they entered the British camp, Armistead placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder.

“Do not wander far,” he said. “I will return within the hour.”

Sam had received careful instructions. If anyone asked, he was to tell them he was Armistead’s errand boy.

Sam wandered through the camp. Earthen forts and deep trenches surrounded the area. Cornwallis is preparing for an attack from the Americans, Sam thought.

He passed a large cooking fire and scanned the dimly lit area, searching for a glimpse of American prisoners.

“Boy!”

Sam froze. He turned to face a greasy-haired redcoat.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Bring us more wood for the fire,” he said, motioning toward a woodpile. “And be quick about it.”

As Sam stooped down, grabbing pieces of wood from what used to be patriot houses, a faint whistle met his ears.

I know that tune! Sam thought.

Sam squinted into the darkness. In the flickering light, he could make out a broad-shouldered figure chained just beyond the woodpile. Father!

“Hurry, Boy!” the redcoat demanded. “My grandmother could make quicker work of it than you.”

Other soldiers laughed.

“Yes, Sir!” Sam filled his arms with wood. The whistling grew stronger as Sam stood with his load. Words from the patriot song marched through his head: Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, by uniting we stand, by dividing we fall, in so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed . . . not as slaves but as freemen.

He understood his father’s message. Defending America was a privilege. They fought for all Americans to be free.

Sam tossed the splintered wood into the fire and hurried away from the British soldiers. Armistead would soon need him to deliver an important message. Sam glanced one last time in the direction of the woodpile.

“We will succeed, Father,” Sam whispered, “as free men.”

On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown after a five-day bombardment in the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.

James Armistead faithfully served Lafayette. The French general wrote a letter of recommendation for his former spy, which Armistead used to petition the Virginia House of Delegates for his freedom. Armistead requested that his master receive fair compensation for his loss, which was granted, and James was freed in 1787. From that time forward, Armistead went by the name of James Lafayette.

	Q: What do you get when an antelope and a caribou collide? A: A cantaloupe. Jacy and Joe C., 8 and 6, North Carolina Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe