Kalb, Johann (Ger. yō`hän kälp), 1721–80, American general in the Revolution, known generally as Baron de Kalb, b. Hüttendorf, Germany. He assumed his title for military reasons and as Jean de Kalb served France in the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War. He again served France in 1768 as a secret agent in the English colonies in America. Silas Deane Deane, Silas, 1737–89, political leader and diplomat in the American Revolution, b. Groton, Conn. A lawyer and merchant at Wethersfield, Conn., he was elected (1772) to the state assembly and became a leader in the revolutionary cause.
..... Click the link for more information. offered (1776) commissions to Kalb, Lafayette, and other European soldiers of fortune, which the Continental Congress at first refused to honor. Finally Kalb was made general and was with Washington at Valley Forge. In 1780 he was made second in command to Horatio Gates in the Carolina campaign Carolina campaign, 1780–81, of the American Revolution. After Sir Henry Clinton had captured Charleston , he returned to New York, leaving a British force under Cornwallis to subordinate the Carolinas to British control.
..... Click the link for more information. , and he died (Aug. 19, 1780) from wounds received in the battle of Camden.

Bibliography

See A. E. Zucker, General de Kalb, Lafayette's Mentor (1966).

Kalb, Johann

(born June 29, 1721, Hüttendorf, near Erlangen—died Aug. 19, 1780, Camden, S.C., U.S.) German army officer who fought in the American Revolution. He served in a German regiment of the French infantry from 1743. In 1768 the French sent him on a secret mission to the American colonies to determine their attitude toward Britain. In 1776 he obtained a commission in the Continental Army. He reached Philadelphia in July 1777 and was eventually appointed a major general by the Continental Congress. He became a strong admirer of Gen. George Washington and served with him at Valley Forge. In 1780 he joined Gen. Horatio Gates at Camden, S.C., in an abortive attack on British forces. After Gates was driven from the field, Kalb fought on and was mortally wounded.

Kalb, Johann (Baron de) (1721–80) soldier of fortune; born in Hüttendorf, Germany. Of peasant ancestry, Kalb became a French infantry lieutenant by age 22. Styling himself "Jean de Kalb" or "Baron de Kalb," after serving with distinction in the Seven Years War his search for glory led him on a secret mission to America for the French government (1768). He returned to America with his friend the Marquis de Lafayette (1777) and served under him before wintering as a revolutionary major general under Gen. George Washington at Valley Forge (1777–78). While serving under Gen. Horatio Gates in South Carolina, he was mortally wounded near Camden in a battle against Cornwallis' troops.