![California Standard 5.6.2 Describe the contributions of France and other nations and of individuals to the out-come of the Revolution (e.g., Benjamin Franklin's negotiations with the French, the French navy, the Treaty of Paris, The Netherlands, [MORE]](../../assets/standards/562.gif)
James Armistead was born a slave. He grew up on a plantation in Virginia. When the Revolutionary War began, Armistead wanted to help the Patriots. He heard that General Lafayette needed spies. Armistead was given permission to volunteer.
Armistead needed to gain the trust of British general, Cornwallis. He told the British he had escaped from slavery. Armistead tricked General Cornwallis into hiring him as a servant. Cornwallis then asked Armistead to spy on the Patriots for him. But Armistead gave Cornwallis false information. He reported the British army's plans to Lafayette. Armistead told Americans about Cornwallis's plans at Yorktown. He gave Cornwallis false information about the Battle of Yorktown. He reported that a large Patriot force was about to join the battle. Cornwallis said that the American army was too large for his army to fight.
After the war, Lafayette helped Armistead gain his freedom. The general also praised Armistead in a letter to Virginia leaders. Later, Armistead called himself Lafayette to honor the general.
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