James Armistead was born into slavery around 1760 on a plantation in New Kent, Virginia, where he spent much of his early life bound to the harsh realities of enslavement. His life took a dramatic turn during the American Revolution when his master, William Armistead, permitted him to join the French Allied units under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette. Recognizing his potential, the army deployed Armistead as a spy, leveraging his status as an enslaved man to pose as a runaway slave. This role allowed him to infiltrate General Cornwallis’s British headquarters without arousing suspicion. As a native Virginian with an intimate knowledge of the local terrain, Armistead moved seamlessly through enemy lines, his familiarity with the land making him an invaluable asset to the Patriot cause.
Operating as a double agent, Armistead navigated a dangerous path, shuttling between British and American camps. He provided Lafayette with precise and critical intelligence about British plans while feeding misleading information to the enemy, who remained unaware of his true loyalties. His credibility with the British grew to the point that they entrusted him to serve under Benedict Arnold, the infamous American turncoat. By assisting Arnold in maneuvering British troops through Virginia, Armistead gained unparalleled insight into the Redcoats’ strategies and movements, which he relayed back to the American forces.
In 1781, as the Revolution reached a pivotal moment, Armistead’s contributions proved instrumental during the lead-up to the Battle of Yorktown. He delivered vital intelligence to Lafayette and General George Washington about the arrival of British reinforcements. This information enabled the American and French forces to devise a strategic blockade that disrupted British advancements, setting the stage for the decisive victory at Yorktown. When Lord Cornwallis surrendered on October 17, 1781, it marked the final major triumph for the colonists, securing their path to independence. Armistead’s covert efforts had played a crucial role in this turning point, though his contributions remained largely unrecognized at the time.
Despite the victory and the wave of celebration that swept through the newly independent United States, Armistead’s life as an enslaved man persisted. Unlike many slave-soldiers who fought in the Revolution and were freed under the Act of 1783, Armistead’s role as a spy did not qualify him for emancipation. Returning to the plantation, he faced the same chains of slavery he had known before the war. Undeterred, he began a determined effort to secure his freedom by petitioning Congress. For years, his appeals went unanswered, reflecting the systemic barriers that even a war hero faced in a society built on slavery.
Hope came in the form of an old ally, the Marquis de Lafayette, who learned of Armistead’s continued enslavement. Deeply moved by his comrade’s plight, Lafayette penned a heartfelt letter to Congress, advocating for Armistead’s freedom. The letter, backed by Lafayette’s prestige, proved decisive. In 1787, Armistead was finally granted his manumission, earning the right to live as a free man after serving the nation for years.
With his freedom secured, Armistead settled on a 40-acre farm in Virginia, where he built a new life. He married, raised a family, and sustained himself with an annual pension earned through his wartime service. In a gesture of deep gratitude, he adopted the surname Lafayette, honoring the bond he shared with the French general who had championed his cause. Their connection endured, and in 1824, during Lafayette’s celebrated tour of the United States, the two men reunited. Spotting Armistead in a crowd, Lafayette warmly embraced him, a poignant moment that underscored their mutual respect and shared history.
James Armistead Lafayette lived out his days as a free man, passing away in 1832. His life, marked by courage, sacrifice, and resilience, stands as a testament to the countless unsung heroes whose contributions shaped the course of American independence, even as they fought for their own liberation in a nation still grappling with its contradictions.