Kalb, Johann [Baron De]
Kalb, Johann [Baron De] (1721–1780), Revolutionary War general.Johann Kalb grew up a peasant's son in the Bavarian town of Hüttendorf. Despite humble origins, he became a military officer, a French Army veteran with service under maréchal de Saxe, and a protégé of the militarily influential Broglie family. He first traveled to North America in 1768 to assess the growing Anglo‐American split, and with the outbreak of war returned to seek a command in the Continental army.
Kalb's skill and credentials, coupled with the Marquis de Lafayette's influence and devotion to the Revolution's principles, overcame Congress's suspicion of foreign adventurers and earned a major general's commission. Despite the appointment, Kalb found battle elusive. Congress made him second in command for a proposed invasion of Canada in 1778, then canceled the operation. Washington...
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