President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the United States, his adopted country. Lafayette’s tour of all 24 states in 1824 and 1825 drew large crowds and sparked a renewal of patriotism. During the American Revolution, Lafayette’s intense advocacy of the American cause had convinced French King Louis XVI to send troops and ships, which proved crucial to the American victory at Yorktown.
After leaving Wheeling, West Virginia, the first stop in Pennsylvania was West Alexander. Robert Humphrey, a resident and founder of the town, and the first person to greet Lafayette, supposedly had borne the wounded Lafayette from the battlefield at Brandywine and stayed with him until a physician arrived. After sharing refreshments and meeting local veterans, Lafayette continued his journey along the National Road (Rt. 40) towards Washington, Pennsylvania.
Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War Animated Map. For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.