Laurens, John definition of Laurens, John in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Laurens, John, 1754–82, American Revolutionary soldier, b. Charleston, S.C.; son of Henry Laurens. In 1777 he joined George Washington's staff as a volunteer aide-de-camp, fought at Brandywine and in subsequent battles, and was promoted (1779) to lieutenant colonel in recognition of his bravery and ability. The intemperate criticism of Washington by Charles Lee Lee, Charles, 1731–82, American Revolutionary army officer, b. Cheshire, England. He first came to America to serve in the French and Indian War and took part in General Braddock's disastrous campaign (1755), in the unsuccessful campaign against Ticonderoga
..... Click the link for more information. caused Laurens to challenge Lee and fight an inconclusive duel. Going to the South, Laurens was captured (1780) when the British took Charleston, but was soon exchanged. In 1781 he was sent on a special and successful mission to France to procure money, arms, and supplies. He showed conspicuous gallantry in the Yorktown campaign and drew up the terms for the surrender of General Cornwallis. He accompanied Nathanael Greene on a mopping-up campaign in the Carolinas and was killed in a minor skirmish.

Bibliography

See his Army Correspondence, 1777–78 (1867, repr. 1969); biography by D. D. Wallace (1915, repr. 1967).