He was 20 years old, wounded, and desperate to prove himself. When the Marquis de Lafayette spotted a column of elite Hessian soldiers, he didn't hesitate. The resulting skirmish would change his life—and the course of the American Revolution—forever. Join us for the story of Gloucester, the battle that launched a hero. In this episode of History Distilled, we dive into the Skirmish of Gloucester, the battle that ignited the rise of the Marquis de Lafayette. We'll break down the strategic situation in November 1777 and detail the key actions and decisions that allowed Lafayette to turn a simple reconnaissance mission into a victory that echoed all the way to the halls of Congress and the royal court of France.
