Baron Johann de Kalb, 1721 - 1780
Revolutionary War Hero
Baron Johann de Kalb was a distinguished German soldier who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was a friend and mentor of the Marquis de Lafayette.De Kalb served at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78 and was assigned to lead a division of Maryland and Delaware troops during the southern campaign. At the Battle of Camden, South Carolina on August 16, 1780, his horse was shot from under him and he was shot and bayoneted by British troops. He died three days later, declaring: "...I die the death I always prayed for; the death of a soldier fighting for the rights of man."
In October 1780, the Continental Congress passed a resolution calling for a monument to de Kalb to be built in Annapolis, in honor of his leadership and service with the Maryland Line. Although the Maryland General Assembly passed a similar resolution in 1817, it was not until 1886 that Ephraim Keyser's statue was erected here.
Painting
Baron Johann de Kalb
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827)
from life, 1781-1782
Independence National Historic Park
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 38° 58.713′ N, 76° 29.474′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker is on State Circle. Marker is on the South side of the State House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Annapolis MD 21401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Maryland State House (here, next to this marker); Sacred to the Memory of Baron de Kalb (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Maryland State House (within shouting distance of this marker); Matthew Alexander Henson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Government House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dred Scott, 1799 - 1858 (within shouting distance of this marker); General Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); Roger Brooke Taney, 1777 - 1864 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.
Also see . . . Johann de Kalb - Wikipedia. (Submitted on July 26, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 622 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
