Lafayette did receive a commission as major general even though Washington believed the appointment was only honorary and didn’t involve commanding American forces. Lafayette was initially resented by Washington’s generals. Those officers had fought alongside Washington for more than a year. The young Frenchman, who didn’t speak English well and had never taken part in a battle, suddenly outranked them. On the morning of September 11, 1777, Lafayette was an unknown and untrusted volunteer member of Washington’s staff, with no combat experience. By the end of the day, Lafayette was emerging as
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