Kalb, kahlp, JOHANN, Baron de (1721-1780), a German-American soldier, born in Bavaria. He entered the French army in 1743 and received several promotions, becoming lieutenant general in 1761. Some years later he was a secret emissary of the French government in America and returned to France with a report favorable to the American cause. In 1777 he was persuaded by American representatives in Europe to join Lafayette's expedition, and upon arrival in America he was made a major general. He served with credit throughout the war, was second in command to General Gates in the South and commanded the American forces at Camden In this engagement he received eleven wounds, from which he died a few days later.