He was in the forty-eighth year of his age, most of his life, with the exception of the last three years spent in the American Revolution, he had passed in the armies of France, having entered at the early age of sixteen years. In the resolution of Congress we find the following inscription, which was intended to have graced the monument of this gallant officer: Sacred to the memory of the BARON DE KALB, Knight of the royal order of Military Merit, Brigadier of the armies of France, and Major General In the service of the United States of America; Having served with honor and reputation For three years, He gave a last and glorious proof of his Attachment to the liberties of mankind And the cause of America, In the action near Camden, in the state of S. Carolina, On the 16th of August, 1780; Where, leading on the troops of the Maryland and Delaware lines, Against superior numbers, And animating them by his example To deeds of valor, He was pierced with many wounds, And on the nineteenth following, expired, In the 48th year of his age. THE CONGRESS Of the United States of America, In gratitude to his zeal, services and merit, Have erected this monument. No man surpassed this gentleman in simplicity and condescension, which gave to his deportment a cast of amiability extremely ingratiating, at the same time exciting confidence and esteem. General Washington, many years after, on a visit to Camden, inquired for the grave of De Kalb. After looking on it a while with a countenance expressive of deep feeling, he breathed a deep sigh, and exclaimed, “so there lies the brave De Kalb, the generous stranger, who came from a distant land to fight our battles, and to water with his blood the tree of our liberty. Would to God he had lived to share its fruits!”