* The corner stone was laid by La Fayette in 1825. It is upon the green, in front of the Presbyterian church, on De Kalb Street. The large base, forming two steps, is of granite; the whole monument is about fifteen feet in height. Upon the four sides of the monument are the following inscriptions: South side, fronting the street.—"Here lies the remains of Baron Dr Kalb, a German by birth, but in principle a citizen of the world." North side.—a In gratitude for his zeal and services, the citizens of Camden have erected this monument." East side.—"His love of Liberty induced him to leave the Old World to aid the citizens of the New in their struggle for Independence. His distinguished talents and many virtues weighed with Congress to appoint him major general, in their De Kalb's Monument. Revolutionary army." West side.—"He was second in command in the battle fought near Camden, on the sixteenth of August, 1780, between the British and Americans; and there nobly fell, covered with wounds, while gallantly performing deeds of valor in rallying the friends and opposing the enemies of his adopted country." The death of De Kalb was a great public loss. Congress, on the fourteenth of October, 1780, ordered a monument to be erected to his memory in the city of Annapolis, in Maryland, ** with an appropriate inscription, but, like kindred resolves, the order was never obeyed.
* This appointment was made without consulting the commander-in-ehief. He intended to recommend General Greene.
* Alluding to this fact, an anonymous poet wrote:
"But where, O where's the hallowed sod
Beneath whose verd the hero's ashes sleep?
Is this the cold, neglected, moldering clod?
Or that the grave at which I ought to weep?
Yet, soldier, thy illustrious name is known,
Thy fame supported, and thy worth confess'd;
That peerless virtue which in danger shone,
Is shining still, where thou art laid in rest.
Why rises not some massy pillar high,
To grace a name that fought for Freedom's prize?
Or why, at least, some rudely-etch'd stone nigh.
To show the spot where matchless valor lies?
And though no monumental script is seen.
Thy worth to publish, and thy deeds proclaim,
Each son of Freedom, passing near this green,
Shall hail De Kalb, and venerate his name."
* In the inscription ordered by Congress (Journal, vi., 147) to be placed upon De Kalb's monument, it is said that he was "in the forty-eighth year of his age." General Henry Lee, who knew him well, says in his Memoirs, page 425, "Although nearer seventy than sixty years of age, such had been the temperance of his life, that he not only enjoyed to the last day the finest health, but his countenance still retained the bloom of youth; which circumstance very probably led to the error committed by those who drew up the inscription on the monument to be erected by Congress." Lee speaks of him as "possessing a stout frame, moderate mental powers "sober, drinking water only; abstemious to excess, and exceedingly industrious." The pay of De Kalb was considerably in arrears at the time of his death. Within a few years, some of his immediate descendants have petitioned the American Congress for the payment of these arrearages, principal and interest. Both Houses have had reports in favor of the petitioners, but the money yet (1852) remains unpaid. Among the petitioners are five of De Kalb's great grandchildren, who, by the loss of both parents, are cast upon the support and protection of an aunt, a grand-daughter of the baron. They are residing about thirty miles from Paris.
Gates in chief Command.—De Kalb's Monument and Inscription.—Tardiness of Justice.
Charleston had been captured, General Lincoln was a prisoner on parole, and De Kalb became the commander-in-chief at the South. Although Congress reposed confidence in the skill of De Kalb, it was thought proper to send an officer better known to the people for past services, and on the thirteenth of June,1780 General Gates was appointed to the command. * He was then at his estate in Virginia, a few miles from Shepherdstown, and the glory of Saratoga was not yet dimmed.
