Readers of southwestern Pennsylvania newspapers received regular reports on the progress of the Marquis de Lafayette as he traveled up the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys toward Pittsburgh in the spring of 1825.

The hero of both the American and French revolutions, accompanied by his son, George Washington Lafayette, undertook a 13-month visit to the United States between August 1824 and September 1825.

His journey covered more than 3,000 miles and included stops in all 24 states that were then part of the union. He was no longer a young man, celebrating both his 67th and 68th birthdays during his national tour.

"The Nation's Guest arrived at Wheeling on Tuesday last (May 24, 1825) and at Washington (Pa.) on Wednesday," according to the May 27, 1825, edition of The Pittsburgh Gazette and Manufacturing & Mercantile Advertiser. "At each of these places he was received with the usual demonstrations of respect and gratitude." The "demonstrations" included parades, dinners, public receptions and balls.

Traveling by stagecoach, horseback, canal barge and steamboat, Lafayette's party faced delays and dangers. The same edition of The Pittsburgh Gazette that reported on Lafayette's approach to the city reprinted a story from the Washington Reporter about a May 8 accident involving the general and his traveling companions.

As Pittsburgh prepares for its 250th birthday next November, the Post-Gazette will publish stories every other Sunday drawn from contemporary accounts in the region's newspapers and periodicals. The stories will offer snapshots at critical -- and sometimes comical -- junctures over the past two-and-a-half centuries.

Additional coverage of Pittsburgh birthday.

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"The steam boat Mechanic ... bound to Louisville, accidentally ran upon a large snag, which pierced her forecastle, wounding a man materially (and) shocking the vessel and the passengers in an alarming manner.

"The boat began to sink and all grew into confusion, but the cool and collected conduct of Capt. Hall, and his crew, enabled them to save all the persons on board from drowning. The 'Nation's Guest,' the esteemed Lafayette, was put on board (a) yawl, and taken to shore."

The boat sank, taking all of Lafayette's baggage with it, including a carriage presented to him years earlier by George Washington.

"The above (story) we collected from a gentleman who was on board the steam boat Mechanic at the time she met with the perilous accident," the newspaper reported.

By May 29, Lafayette was just outside Pittsburgh at Braddock's Field. His party spent the night "at the hospitable mansion of George Wallace, Esq," according to the June 3 edition of The Pittsburgh Gazette. The next morning, he traveled the last few miles into Pittsburgh in a carriage pulled by four white horses.

"The progress of the General through the city to his lodgings was marked with abundant manifestations of the hearty welcome with which he was received. The streets, through which he passed, were filled to overflowing, as also were the doors, windows and every place where a view could be obtained. Every countenance beamed with pleasure and every eye sparkled with delight. It was the grateful homage of a free people, flowing from the heart, towards the early, distinguished and unwearied champion of freedom."

Other events during Lafayette's two-day visit to Pittsburgh included dinners and a ball.

"But a scene not less interesting than any which had preceded it took place on Tuesday morning," the newspaper reported. "The children of the city, headed by their respective teachers, were arranged along Wood Street in front of the general's lodgings. The general saluted them in passing along the lane ... and he appeared greatly pleased at this testimony of affection."

Lafayette also had a chance to meet with old military comrades. "Perhaps the most interesting incident attending the General's visit to our city, was the introduction to him, at Darlington's Hotel, of the Revolutionary veterans, who, with Captain Peterson, had occupied the three carriages next to his during the procession ... Old Alexander Gray and Galbreath Wilson seem to grow young again."

"The latter asked the General if he remembered the young man who assisted him over the fence, immediately after he had received the wound in his leg at the battle of Brandywine, which caused his lameness. The General instantly recognized in Wilson the gallant young soldier who had performed that service. The old soldiers dined with the General at Darlington's on Monday and at Ramsay's on Tuesday."