When most Americans think of the Revolutionary War, names like George Washington or the Marquis de Lafayette come to mind. Yet hidden in history is James Armistead Lafayette, an enslaved man whose intelligence work as a spy played a decisive role in securing victory at Yorktown and shaping the future of the United States. Born into slavery in Virginia around 1748, James Armistead could never have expected to shape the fate of a new nation. In 1781 he gained permission from his enslaver to serve the Continental Army and was recruited by Lafayette for espionage. His enslaved status provided a perfect cover, allowing him to move freely through British camps without arousing suspicion and giving him access that few others could obtain. Armistead infiltrated the forces of General Cornwallis, posing as a loyal servant. Trusted by British officers, he overheard strategy, supply problems, and troop movements. He memorized these details and secretly passed them to Lafayette. At the same time, he acted as a double agent, feeding false information back to the British. His reports proved critical during the Battle of Yorktown, giving Washington and Lafayette the intelligence to plan a decisive siege. Cornwallis’ surrender effectively ended major fighting in the Revolution and changed the course of world history. Yet Armistead’s heroism did not bring immediate freedom. He returned to slavery after the war and had to petition for years before the Virginia legislature emancipated him in 1787, with Lafayette’s support. Out of gratitude, he took Lafayette’s name and lived as a free farmer in Virginia, raising a family and occasionally receiving recognition for his wartime service. Today, historians recognize James Armistead Lafayette as one of the most effective spies of the Revolutionary War. His courage highlights both the contradictions of America’s founding and the indispensable role of those long overlooked in its struggle for independence. #AmericanHistory #UnsungHero #US