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| painted by Charles Willson Peale |
Frederich Kapp was the leading biographer on de Kalb and documented much of de Kalb's life, despite there was missing information from when Johann was 16 to 20. But there is documents of Johann's involvement in the War of the Austrian Succession as well as the Seven Years War.
In the fall of 1763, de Kalb met the "Beautiful, Sprightly, and Accomplished" Anna Elisabeth Emilie van Robais, youngest daughter of Piere van Robais, a Parisian Financier and Owner of the Textile Manufacturer in Abbeville, France. On April 10th, 1764, Johann and Anna Elisabeth were married in Paris.
Johann de Kalb joined the Marquis de Lafayette and sailed to the Colonies in hopes to participate in this fight for liberty.
On the morning of August 16th, 1780, de Kalb valiantly led the Maryland and Delaware Regiments against the British led by General Lord Cornwallis and Lord Rawdon. Despite the stinging defeat, the Maryland and Delaware were heroic and fought valiantly long with their General. Unfortunately, de Kalb was mortally wounded on the battlefield, garnering 11 wounds by musket round, bayonet, and saber. One August 19th, 1780, de Kalb succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
His remains lay in eternal rest in the hallowed grounds of the Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden, South Carolina, USA.
My interest in Johann de Kalb began in April 2002 when I attended a Symposium in Camden, South Carolina devoted to Banatre Tarleton. I had never heard about de Kalb before that trip, but during my Camden visit, the Baron captured my attention and interest rather boldly. Since then, I have been a fervent researcher and adamant admirer of the Baron. He is my favorite 18th c and Revolutionary War figure, with George Washington a very close 2nd favorite.
You can read all about Johann de Kalb from these fine books:
The Life of John Kalb, Major-General in the Revolutionary Army by Friedrich Kapp , available online. Or you can also order a reprint book available now on Amazon or any fine bookstore
De Kalb, One of the Revolutionary War's Bravest Generals by John H. Beakes jr from Heritage Books