Discovering the Invisible Hero: Information About James Armistead

Discovering the Invisible Hero: Information About James Armistead

James Armistead is an unsung hero of the American Revolution. Armistead was born into slavery in Virginia in 1748. However, he was able to gain his freedom by acting as a spy for the American forces during the Revolutionary War. Armistead served as a double agent, gathering intelligence from the British forces and passing it on to the American side.

The Early Life of James Armistead

Little is known about the early life of James Armistead. He was born to William Armistead, a white overseer, and an enslaved woman. It is believed that Armistead was taught to read and write at a young age, which was unusual for a slave at the time. It is also believed that Armistead was trained as a blacksmith and a servant before the onset of the American Revolution.

James Armistead and the American Revolution

During the Revolutionary War, James Armistead was able to gain the trust of the British forces and acted as a spy. He would pose as a runaway slave and provide information to the British army. But Armistead’s real allegiance was to the American forces. He used his position as a spy to gather intelligence and pass it back to the Continental Army.

Armistead’s work was instrumental in the success of the siege of Yorktown. He was able to provide the American generals with information about the British forces’ plans and movements, which allowed them to plan the attack that would ultimately lead to victory.

Armistead’s Legacy

After the war, James Armistead returned to his former master’s plantation. However, he was granted his freedom for his contributions to the American cause. He changed his last name to Lafayette in honor of Marquis de Lafayette, one of the generals he had served under during the war.

Armistead’s legacy lives on today. He is recognized as a hero of the American Revolution and is celebrated for his courage and contributions to the cause of freedom. Armistead’s story is an important one, as it reminds us that even those who are marginalized and invisible can play a critical role in shaping history.