LAURENS, JOHN, 1753-82; son of Henry, having been liberally educated in Eng land, returned to his home in South Carolina, and in 1777 entered the patriot army, being appointed aide to gen: Washington. In this position many of the duties of a vIte secretary fell to his lot, and his familiarity with foreign languages enabled him to be of great service in conducting the necessary correspondence constantly occurring with European officers in the service. His military career was distinguished by daunt less bravery, and his conduct at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Coosawhatchie, and during the siege of Charleston, was highly commended. Early in 1781 lie was sent by Washington on a special mission of appeal to the king of France for aid to the • colonies, and succeeded in accomplishing his purpose. At Yorktown it fell to his duty to receive the sword of the commander, Oct. 19, 1781. During the remainder of the lie was with gen. Greene, and having exposed himself during a skirmish on the Combahee river, met with his death, his loss being lamented as among the most serious of the revolution. It is on record that Washington felt keenly the death of one Ivy had
been a valuable Confidential assistant and a faithful and self-sacrificing friend to him during the many exigencies and dangers of the war. At the battle of Monmouth his intrepidity relieved Washington from imminent peril. He challenged gen. Charles Lee and wounded him in the duel which followed, the cause of his action being a disre spectful reference to Washington on the part of Lee, in the course of his attempt to explain his misconduct at Monmouth. The army correspondence of Laurens was pri vately printed in 1867 among the publications of the Bradford club (N. Y.). When it is remembered that Laurens was only 29 years of age at his death, it will be recognized that his career was in the highest degree honorable, patriotic, and unselfish.