Forgotten Heroes
The Story of an Spy who Helped win the Revolution
Rediscovering the forgotten hero: How James Armistead Lafayette, an enslaved African American, played a vital but overlooked role in the American Revolution.
James Armistead was conceived in slavery around 1760, James Armistead lived the majority of his life on a plantation in New Kent, Virginia. During the Revolution, James received permission from his master William Armistead, to join the Marquis de Lafayette’s French troops. Here, the army came to the conclusion to put James in the role of a spy, acting as a runaway slave to gain access to General Cornwallis’s command center. Due to the fact Armistead was from Native Virginia with extensive knowledge of the terrain, the British army received him without thinking he was a spy. As a result, he achieved what no other spy could: direct access to the British War Department.
After the successful infiltration to the British Intelligence site, Armistead floated freely between British and American camps. As a double agent, he gave important information to Lafayette and misleading intel to the enemy. Unaware of his true intentions, the British assigned Armistead to work under the famous defector, Benedict Arnold. By helping Arnold maneuver his troops through Virginia, Armistead gained significant awareness of the British army movements.
His best moments as a spy happened in 1781, during a significant moment in the American Revolution- the Battle of Yorktown. The spy informed Lafayette and George Washington about approaching the Redcoats, which permitted the generals to devise a blockade disrupting enemy progress. This success resulted in the final major victory for the colonists when Lord Cornwallis surrendered on October 17, 1781.
At the end of the war, James Armistead came back to life as a slave, despite the fact that Americans rejoiced in their freedom. The Act of 1783, which freed all slave-soldiers who fought for the Revolution, did not apply to him since he was a spy.
Armistead thereupon started the process of requesting that Congress defend his freedom. The Marquis de Lafayette, an old colleague in war, helped Armistead after he had failed for a number of years. When Lafayette found out that Armistead was still a slave, he submitted a letter to Congress on his behalf. In 1787, Armistead was granted his manumission.
Armistead relocated to his own 40-acre property in Virginia, lived off his yearly pension fee, married, had a family, and spent the remainder of his life as a free man. As a thank you and a testimony to the relationship between the former slave and the French general, Armistead added Lafayette to his name.
When the two met again in 1824 during Lafayette's major tour of the United States, the general selected James from a crowd and gave him a warm embrace.
In 1832, James Armistead Lafayette passed away, leaving behind a powerful legacy of resilience, service, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom. As a spy for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, he played a pivotal role in securing American independence, most notably by providing crucial intelligence that contributed to the victory at the Battle of Yorktown. His efforts exemplified the profound impact of Black patriots in shaping the nation's history, challenging narratives that often sidelined their contributions.
The hardships and victories of African Americans in the battle for freedom are exemplified by James's life. The combination of international alliances and individual acts of bravery that characterized the Revolution was highlighted by his final release, which was accomplished with the assistance of the Marquis de Lafayette. James represented a connection created through the pursuit of a shared goal—freedom—by using Lafayette's name.
His legacy is important because it reminds us that the fight for independence was a collective effort, enriched by the sacrifices of individuals from diverse backgrounds. James Armistead Lafayette's story continues to inspire discussions about equity, the contributions of marginalized communities, and the ongoing journey toward fulfilling the promises of liberty and justice for all.