diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/67745-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/67745-0.txt | 1707 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 1707 deletions
diff --git a/old/67745-0.txt b/old/67745-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 1b06170..0000000 --- a/old/67745-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1707 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Yorktown: Climax of the Revolution, by -Charles E. Hatch - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Yorktown: Climax of the Revolution - -Editors: Charles E. Hatch - Thomas M. Pitkin - -Release Date: March 31, 2022 [eBook #67745] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Stephen Hutcheson, Craig Kirkwood, and the Online - Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YORKTOWN: CLIMAX OF THE -REVOLUTION *** - - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Text enclosed by underscores is in italics. - -Additional Transcriber’s Notes are at the end. - - * * * * * - -Yorktown - -[Illustration] - -_CLIMAX of the_ REVOLUTION - -NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - -_Source Book Series_ - -NUMBER ONE - - * * * * * - -The National Park System, of which this Colonial National Historical -Park is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and -historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and inspiration -of its people. - -[Illustration] - -THIS BOOK printed at the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. -Copies may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, -_Washington, D. C._ - -PRICE 20 CENTS - - - - -Yorktown _CLIMAX_ OF THE REVOLUTION - - - _EDITED by_ CHARLES E. HATCH, JR. - _and_ THOMAS M. PITKIN - - [Illustration] - - _WASHINGTON, D. C., 1941 (REPRINT 1956)_ - - * * * * * - - UNITED STATES - DEPARTMENT OF THE - INTERIOR - - Fred A. Seaton, _Secretary_ - - [Illustration] - - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - CONRAD L. WIRTH, _Director_ - - - - -_CONTENTS_ - - - Page - - 1. CORNWALLIS GOES TO YORKTOWN 1 - - 2. THE FRENCH FLEET BLOCKADES THE CHESAPEAKE 1 - - 3. THE ALLIES ASSEMBLE AT WILLIAMSBURG 3 - - 4. THE BRITISH POSITION 5 - - 5. THE SIEGE BEGINS 8 - - 6. THE FIRST PARALLEL 9 - - 7. THE BOMBARDMENT 10 - - 8. STORMING THE REDOUBTS 11 - - 9. THE BRITISH COUNTERATTACK 14 - - 10. CORNWALLIS TRIES TO ESCAPE 15 - - 11. CORNWALLIS DECIDES TO SURRENDER 17 - - 12. THE PARLEY 18 - - 13. THE SURRENDER 18 - - 14. “THE PLAY IS OVER” 22 - - 15. WASHINGTON CONGRATULATES THE ARMY 22 - - 16. THE MEANING OF YORKTOWN 24 - - BIBLIOGRAPHY 25 - - - - -_ILLUSTRATIONS_ - - - THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS’S ARMY Frontispiece - - PLAN OF THE SIEGE OF YORK TOWN IN VIRGINIA 6 - - THE STORMING OF REDOUBT NUMBER TEN 12 - - THE LAST DAY OF THE SIEGE 16 - - THE MOORE HOUSE 19 - - CORNWALLIS’S PAROLE 21 - - * * * * * - -_THIS BOOKLET relates to the Yorktown portion of Colonial National -Historical Park, Jamestown-Yorktown, Virginia, which commemorates -significant phases of American history from the first settlement at -Jamestown until the winning of American independence at Yorktown. Other -areas under National Park Service administration commemorating the -Revolutionary period of American history are:_ - - George Washington Birthplace National Monument, - Washington’s Birthplace, Westmoreland County, Virginia. - Washington Monument National Memorial, Washington, D. C. - Statue of Liberty National Monument, Liberty Island, New York, N. Y. - Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pa. - Federal Hall National Memorial, New York, N. Y.[1] - Saratoga National Historical Park, Stillwater, N. Y. - Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, N. J. - Kings Mountain National Military Park, York, S. C. - Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Greensboro, N. C. - Moores Creek National Military Park, Cowie, N. C. - Cowpens National Battlefield Site, Gaffney, S. C. - - -FOOTNOTE: - -[1] Operated by the Federal Hall Memorial Associates cooperating with -the National Park Service. - - - - -_INTRODUCTION_ - - -The story of the last great act in the drama of American independence -has been told many times, but never more vividly than in the words of -the actors themselves. This book is an attempt to portray the crowning -campaign of the American Revolution in the language of participants. -Cornwallis, commander of the British forces, and Tarleton, his -dashing cavalry leader, have been called upon to describe scenes and -events inside Yorktown, during the campaign which culminated in the -surrender of Cornwallis’s army and was followed by the abandonment of -British efforts to reduce the revolting American colonies to their -old allegiance. Washington, “Mad” Anthony Wayne, Surgeon Thacher -of the Continental Line, the young and chivalrous Count William de -Deux-Ponts, and others recount for us American and French operations -around Yorktown, for the most part in words penned while the events -themselves were transpiring. Lafayette writes exultantly, on the heels -of the surrender, that “the play is over,” and Washington congratulates -the army on its success. Here is the story of the siege of Yorktown -recorded by those who were a part of it. - -Here also are estimates of the significance of the surrender by a -contemporary American statesman who was in position to view its -immediate effects on the watching European world, by an American -President who saw Yorktown against the background of a century’s -independent national development, and by the commission which prepared -the sesquicentennial celebration of the event in 1931. There has been -added only sufficient new narrative to fill the obvious gaps in the -accounts of contemporaries. - - CHARLES E. HATCH, JR. - THOMAS M. PITKIN. - - _Colonial National Historical Park, - Yorktown, Virginia, - January 23, 1941._ - - * * * * * - -[Illustration: _THE SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS’S ARMY_] - -_Reproduced from a picture made shortly after the American Revolution -by the painter Van Blarenburghe, based on an action sketch by Captain -Louis Alexandre Berthier, of Rochambeau’s army. It depicts the British -army marching out of Yorktown between the French and American troops to -surrender its arms and flags._ - - - - -1. CORNWALLIS GOES TO YORKTOWN - - -In the spring of 1781, the seventh year of the struggle for American -independence, Lord Cornwallis, commanding a British Army, marched from -North Carolina into Virginia, in an attempt to conquer the State and -restore it to allegiance to Great Britain. The Marquis de Lafayette, -sent to Virginia with a small American force, was unable to meet him in -open battle but did his best to hamper the movements of the British. -In midsummer Cornwallis received orders from Sir Henry Clinton, his -superior in New York, to fortify a base in the lower Chesapeake for the -use of the British fleet. - - Sir, I was honoured with your letter of the 12th of July, by the - Solebay, in which you mention a desire of having a harbour secured - in the Chesapeak for line of battle ships. I immediately ordered the - engineers to examine Old Point Comfort, and went thither myself with - the captains of the navy on this station. You will receive a copy - of the engineer’s report, with a sketch of the peninsula, and the - opinion of the officers of the navy relative to the occupying and - fortifying of that post. - - The Commander-in-chief having signified to me in his letter of the - 11th instant, that he thought a secure harbour for line of battle - ships of so much importance in the Chesapeak, that he wished me to - possess one, even if it should occupy all the force at present in - Virginia; and, as it is our unanimous opinion, that Point Comfort - will not answer the purpose, I shall immediately sieze and fortify - the posts of York and Gloucester, and shall be happy at all times - to concur in any measures which may promote the convenience and - advantage of his Majesty’s navy. - - LORD CORNWALLIS TO ADMIRAL GRAVES, JULY 26, 1781. - - - - -2. THE FRENCH FLEET BLOCKADES THE CHESAPEAKE - - -Cornwallis moved his whole army to Yorktown, on the York River, in -August and began leisurely fortifying that position and Gloucester -Point opposite. Meanwhile the French West Indies fleet, under Comte de -Grasse, evaded its British opponent and moved north to cooperate with -the French and American land forces under Washington and Rochambeau. De -Grasse sailed for the mouth of Chesapeake Bay to blockade Cornwallis -by sea, while the allied armies prepared to leave the Hudson River, -where they had been threatening Clinton, and close in by land. Lt. Col. -Banastre Tarleton, Cornwallis’s cavalry leader, watched the gathering -of hostile forces. - - Near the end of August, the Guadaloupe of twenty-eight guns, - left York town, to proceed to New York with dispatches from Earl - Cornwallis, and from Captain Symonds of the Charon, who commanded - his Majesty’s ships in the Chesapeak. At this period, the sea - officers imagined that the British fleet from the West Indies would - be discovered off the capes by the frigate, and the land officers - expected that a considerable body of troops would soon arrive from - New York to strengthen the King’s forces for solid operations in - Virginia, and likewise to garrison the works which were constructing - for the advantage and protection of both army and navy. These - suppositions, which were well grounded, diffused among the royalists - general satisfaction: but their prospects of glory were suddenly - obscured. On the 30th, the French fleet, of twenty-eight sail - of the line, from the West Indies, under orders of the Count de - Grasse, entered the Chesapeak. The advanced guard of his squadron, - consisting of the Glorieux, a coppered seventy-four, and the - Diligente and Aigrette frigates, met the Guadaloupe near the capes, - who, not understanding their signals, kept aloof, and afterwards by - swiftness, made good her retreat to York town; whilst the Loyalist, - a bad twenty-gun ship, who was stationed in the bay, after a gallant - struggle in the mouth of the channel, fell into the possession of the - French. - - The Count de Grasse, without loss of time, blocked up York river with - three large ships and some frigates, and moored the principal part - of the fleet in Lynhaven bay. Upon his arrival within the capes, he - dispatched information of that event to General Washington in the - Jerseys, and to the Marquis de la Fayette, who was encamped near - the Chickahomany. The disembarkation of the troops brought in the - line-of-battle ships from the West Indies immediately took place, and - the continental army in Virginia advanced to the Green springs on the - 3d of September, to form a junction with the Count de St. Simon. The - Marquis de la Fayette soon after moved the French and Americans to - Williamsburgh. - - In the mean time Earl Cornwallis practised various means to send - intelligence to New York of the situation and force of the French - fleet. Patroles of the legion cavalry were continually detached - to the shores of James and York rivers, and daily reported to his - lordship every occurrence worthy of attention: They informed him of - the movement of the boats with troops towards the Chickahomany, and - of the different manoeuvres of the Count de Grasse. On the 5th, the - French ships were observed to make repeated signals, and it was soon - discovered that an English squadron was approaching. Notwithstanding - the absence of a number of officers and seamen employed in the - disembarkation of St. Simon’s brigade, and of another detachment - engaged in procuring water, the French fleet got under way, and stood - out of the capes. - - This state of hope was interrupted by the arrival of Count de - Barras’s division in the Chesapeak from Rhode Island. Intelligence - soon after reached York town, that Count de Grasse had repulsed the - British fleet, and was returning to the bay. Before this period - accounts were brought to Earl Cornwallis that General Washington, - with a large body of continentals, and Count Rochambeau, with the - French army, were preparing to form a junction with LaFayette, by - descending in transports from the head of Elk river in Maryland, - under the convoy of the French ships. In this situation, blocked - up by sea, and exposed to a powerful combination on shore, Earl - Cornwallis turned his attention towards the corps already arrived at - Williamsburgh. - - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TARLETON, - _A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781_. - - - - -3. THE ALLIES ASSEMBLE AT WILLIAMSBURG - - -Williamsburg, at the heart of the Virginia Peninsula, commanded the -landward approach to Yorktown. Here, during September, the allied -armies gathered, Washington and Rochambeau hastening down from the -north to join the troops of Lafayette and St. Simon. Richard Butler, -then a colonel of the Pennsylvania Line, serving with Lafayette, kept -daily record of the scene. - - _Sept. 8th._--Received orders to march for Williamsburgh to join the - allied army; arrived at our ground at 11 o’clock, had some difficulty - in getting our baggage as we had to let the allied army have our - wagons to bring on their whole train and camp, therefore had to lay - in bough huts, on very dusty ground, for this day and night; the - French army, the Pennsylvania and light-troops made a very elegant - appearance in passing through the city. - - _Sept. 9th._--Obtained our baggage, pitched our camp. Lay by without - any accounts of the enemy stirring on the eighth, the British fleet - passed Cape Henry and came into the bay, and were gallantly engaged - by the French, who drove them to sea, and pursued them, but leaving - six ships of the line for the security of the bay. The Baron de - Steuben arrived in camp with his suite. - - _Aug._ [_sic._] _11th._--Accounts by a Frigate that the French were - left in full pursuit of the British, who were flying before them, and - that in about six hours sailing they must come up with eighteen sail - of victuallers which the British intend for Lord Cornwallis’ relief - and support, which they had abandoned in their flight. Still no flour - or meal, and the beef supplied is very bad, in short there is yet no - exertions made to supply the troops who have been supplied with only - three days’ bread out of seven, and not the least likelihood of being - better supplied. - - _Sept. 12th._--Several cannon heard down the river; no account from - the fleet. This day Governor Nelson sent Mr. Nichols to give me an - order to retain a mill, and to impress corn carriages, boats, or any - thing to facilitate the collecting of provisions; sent off Lieutenant - Collier with a party for this purpose. - - _Sept. 13th._--An account of the Commander-in-Chief having arrived at - his own seat at last. He has not been within his own door for seven - years, indeed not since he was first a member of Congress in the year - 1775, all which time he has been a most faithful patriot and servant - of his country, from the citizen he was a councellor, then a General, - and in reality the Father of the people, he has nobly shared in all - their misfortunes, shewing the utmost fortitude and regularity of - conduct; indeed the able statesman has appeared in all his actions. - Some malign shafts have been shot at him by a small insignificant - tribe whose falsely and ill directed arrows always reverted to their - own bow and wounded themselves. - - _Sept. 14th._--The Marquis Lafayette still continues ill of the ague. - Yesterday the Marquis de St. Simon, and a number of his officers, - paid a visit to our line, and the Baron Steuben and our good friend - Gen. Wayne, whose wound and gout still continue ill. About 3 o’clock - an express arrived, announcing the approach of our great and good - Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Washington, and the Count de Rochambeau, the - commander of the allied armies of France, now joining. At 4, P. M., - the guns fired a royal salute as the General approached the camp, - on which the two armies turned out on their battalion parades;--his - Excellency and the Count De Rochambeau, with their suites, attended - by the Marquis de Lafayette, Maj. Gen. and commander of the American, - and Maj. Gen. Marquis de St. Simon, commander of the allied army - (lately arrived), and all their suites, visited the allied army - first, and then the American army, and were saluted according to - custom; these ceremonies finished, the whole of the officers of the - French army attended at the Marquis de St. Simon’s quarters and - were introduced to the _Illustrious Hero_. The field officers of - the American army all attended to bid him and the other Generals - welcome. These ceremonies over, an elegant supper was served up.... - To add to the happiness of the event and evening, an elegant band - of music played an introductive part of a French Opera, signifying - the happiness of the family when blessed with the presence of their - father, and their great dependance upon him. About 10 o’clock the - company rose up, and after mutual congratulations and the greatest - expression of joy, they separated. - - _Sept. 15th._--An officer arrived from Count de Grasse’s fleet, - with certain account of the arrival of his and Count de Barras’ - fleet, from Rhode Island, with the French troops on board, and heavy - artillery and large mortars, also of the capture of the _famous_ - Iris frigate, and the Richmond frigate, which with the Romulus of 44 - guns, are sent to Baltimore, and head of Elk, to bring down all our - troops and apparatus for a siege; the storm seems to thicken fast - about Lord Cornwallis, whose people desert fast, which is a certain - symptom of despondency in all armies. This day, his Excellency, - the Commander-in-Chief, dined with the Marquis de Lafayette, - also Marquis de St. Simon, Baron de Steuben, Count de Rochambeau, - Dumas, and Desandroins, a number of American and French officers of - distinction, and passed the afternoon in the greatest happiness and - harmony. Several officers of the Navy, among whom is the captain of - the Experiment of 40 guns. - - _Sept. 16th._--His Excellency Gen. Washington, Counts de Rochambeau, - de Chastelleux, and a great number of Generals and other officers - dined with Baron de Steuben; we spent the afternoon in great harmony - and retired. - - _Sept. 17 to 27._--Has been spent in debarking the troops and - trains from the shipping the whole being arrived, the troops having - taken their proper stations and every thing arranged, and the - Commander-in-Chief and principal officers returned from on board - the Ville de Paris where the Generals have been fixing a plan of - cooperation with the Admiral, orders were issued for the whole army - to move at 5 o’clock. - - GENERAL RICHARD BUTLER’S JOURNAL. - - - - -4. THE BRITISH POSITION - - -Meanwhile Cornwallis had not been idle. The unexpected appearance of -the French fleet in the bay, its repulse of the British fleet, and the -gathering of his enemies at Williamsburg had spurred him to renewed -exertions in preparing the defenses of Yorktown. His outer line was -extensive but well chosen. His inner line, close about the town, was -less advantageous. - - At this period, the labour which had been bestowed on the outward - position at York town, had improved its natural advantages, and - rendered it in every respect convenient for the King’s troops. The - right rested on a swamp which cover the right of the town: A large - redoubt was constructed beyond it, close to the river road from - Williamsburgh, and completed with fraizing and abbatis. The Charon, - Guadaloupe, and other armed vessels, were moored opposite to the - swamp; and the town batteries commanded at the roads and causeways - which approached it. On the right, at the head of the morass, two - redoubts were placed, one on each side, of the main Williamsburgh - road. The center was protected by a thin wood, whose front was cut - down, with the branches facing outwards. A field work, mounted with - cannon, was erected on the left of the center, to command the Hampton - road. A deep ravine, and a creek, which increased till it reached - York river, covered the left. Trees were felled, fleches were thrown - up, and batteries were constructed, at the points which were deemed - most vulnerable. The distance between the heads of the swamp and - creek, which embraced the flanks of the town, did not exceed half - a mile. The face of the country, in front of this line, was cut - near the center by a morass, and, excepting this break, the ground - was plain and open for near two thousand yards. An excellent field - artillery was placed to the greatest advantage by Captain Rochefort, - who commanded in that department.... - - The works erected for the protection of York town, consisted, on the - right, of redoubts and batteries, with a line of stockade in the - rear, which supported a high parapet of earth. The redoubts were - furnished with fraizing and abbatis. A marshy ravine lay in front of - the right, over which was placed a large redoubt, with a good ditch, - fraizing, and abbatis: The morass extended along the center, which - was defended by a line of stockade, and by batteries that looked upon - all the avenues to the swamp: On the left of the center, was a horn - work, with a ditch, a row of fraize, and an abbatis: Some embrazures - for cannon were at present open in this work. The left was fortified - by redoubts, communications of earth, and batteries, which were - all furnished with fraizing, but without stockade or abbatis. Two - redoubts were advanced before the left, which were small, and not so - well finished as that in front of the right. The ground in front of - the left was in some parts on a level with the works, in others cut - by ravines, and altogether very convenient for the besiegers. The - space within the works was exceedingly narrow, not large enough for - retrenchments, and, except under the cliff, exposed to enfilade. - - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TARLETON, - _A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781_. - - - - -5. THE SIEGE BEGINS - - -French and American troops having assembled in overwhelming force, from -points as far distant as Rhode Island and the West Indies, Washington -assumed command of the whole and moved on Yorktown. - - I have not leisure to give a particular account of our proceedings, - it must suffice only to inform you, that, after assembling all the - Troops at _Williamsburg_, and making the necessary Arrangements, the - Allied Army moved on the Morning of the 28th Sept. and took post in - the neighbourhood of York that night. The Enemy gave us no annoyance - on the March; a body of Horse that was paraded in front of their - Works retired upon our firing a few shot among them. The 29th. was - spent in reconnoitring, and taking a position as near the advanced - Works as could be done without placing the Encampments directly in - the range of the Enemy’s shot; some skirmishing happened between our - Riffle men and the Yagers, in which the former had the advantage. At - night, the Enemy abandoned all their Out Posts (some of which were - very advantageous) and retired to the Town. Yesterday Morning we - occupied the same ground and last night made some lodgments at a - short distance from the Lines. The Horses and Teams are beginning to - arrive from the Northward, the heavy Artillery will be brought up as - soon as possible and the Seige pushed with vigor; as I have no Idea - that Lord Cornwallis will surrender so respectable a force, as he has - under his command, unless he is compelled by dire necessity. - - WASHINGTON TO MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH, OCTOBER 1, 1781. - - - - -6. THE FIRST PARALLEL - - -The siege operations of the eighteenth century were conducted according -to a set pattern. When the most advantageous ground had been chosen and -marked, the besiegers began digging a line of entrenchments facing the -besieged position at a distance of from 800 to 1,000 yards, convenient -range for the artillery of that day. This line of entrenchments, in -which batteries were erected, was known as the “first parallel.” In -planning the siege of Yorktown, the allied engineers chose for the -first parallel a line from the head of a deep ravine, which half -encircled the town on the left, to the York River on the right. Its -opening was delayed for several days pending the arrival of heavy -artillery. - - The reconnoissance completed, the artillery disembarked, and the - necessary supplies arranged, the establishment of the first parallel - was begun. - - The strength and reputation of the Garrison were the reason for the - decision to establish it at the usual distance, and to fortify it - by redoubts against sorties. The advanced works on the enemy’s left - made it necessary even to increase the distance of the right of the - attacks from the body of the place. The lay of the ground determined - its outline; the right resting on the steep bank of the river, on the - left of the great ravine. - - In the night of the 6th to 7th, the first parallel was opened, and - the construction of the redoubts necessary for safety began. This - work was only interrupted by the batteries, the fire of which was - turned upon the new redoubts from the beginning of their construction. - - The same night an end of a parallel with a flying sap was opened to - support a battery which served the double purpose of disturbing the - advanced redoubt on the right of the besieged and of driving off the - ships of war which might have taken the left of the great attack in - reverse. - - This work, information of which was given by a deserter, was greatly - troubled by the batteries of the besieged, and the attention which - they paid to it diverted their attention from the opening of the - great attack. - - _October 7th._--At daybreak the guard batteries entered the parallel. - From the 7th to 8th the perfectionment of the first parallel and the - redoubts was continued, and the construction of the batteries begun. - The nature of the ground on the left decided their establishment - behind the parallel, and one was placed on its left flank beyond the - ravine. - - _October 8th._--At noon the parallel and the battery at the left - attack were completed. - - From the 8th to the 9th the perfectionment of the parallel, and of - the redoubts and batteries was continued, and communications opened - in their rear. - - _October 9th._--The construction of a battery of mortars was begun in - part of the parallel. - - In the afternoon the batteries began their fire, and subdued that of - the enemy. - - The fire of that on the left compelled the frigate and the other - vessels of war to withdraw. - - From the 9th to the 10th the perfecting of the works was continued, - and palisades were set in the ditches of the redoubts. - - On the left attempts were made to set fire to the abattis of the - redoubt. - - ENGINEERS’ JOURNAL OF THE SIEGE OF YORK. - - * * * * * - -[Illustration: _Plan of the SIEGE of_ YORK TOWN in Virginia.] - -_This map of the siege of Yorktown appeared in the London edition of -Tarleton’s_ Campaigns, _1787. The cartographer has not been identified, -but was probably with the British Army during the siege. The British -and allied entrenchments are clearly shown, with the allied encampments -in rear of the latter._ - - - - -7. THE BOMBARDMENT - - -Some of the allied batteries were ready to fire by the afternoon of -October 9. All movements and activities up to this time had been merely -preliminary. The siege of Yorktown now settled into deadly earnest, -with a heavy and continuous bombardment of the British position. -Additional batteries took up the chorus on the following morning. -Surgeon Thacher, of the American Army, in the intervals of caring for -the wounded, watched the terrible spectacle. - - From the 10th to the 15th, a tremendous and incessant firing from the - American and French batteries is kept up, and the enemy return the - fire, but with little effect. A red hot shell from the French battery - set fire to the Charon, a British 44 gun ship, and two or three - smaller vessels at anchor in the river, which were consumed in the - night. From the bank of the river, I had a fine view of this splendid - conflagration. The ships were enwrapped in a torrent of fire, which - spreading with vivid brightness among the combustible rigging, and - running with amazing rapidity to the tops of the several masts, while - all around was thunder and lightning from our numerous cannon and - mortars, and in the darkness of night, presented one of the most - sublime and magnificent spectacles which can be imagined. Some of our - shells, overreaching the town, are seen to fall into the river, and - bursting, throw up columns of water like the spouting of the monsters - of the deep. We have now made further approaches to the town, by - throwing up a second parallel line, and batteries within about three - hundred yards; this was effected in the night, and at daylight the - enemy were roused to the greatest exertions, the engines of war have - raged with redoubled fury and destruction on both sides, no cessation - day or night. The French had two officers wounded, and fifteen - men killed or wounded, and among the Americans, two or three were - wounded. I assisted in amputating a man’s thigh. The siege is daily - becoming more and more formidable and alarming, and his Lordship - must view his situation as extremely critical, if not desperate. - - Being in the trenches every other night and day, I have a fine - opportunity of witnessing the sublime and stupendous scene which - is continually exhibiting. The bomb shells from the besiegers and - the besieged are incessantly crossing each others’ path in the - air. They are clearly visible in the form of a black ball in the - day, but in the night, they appear like fiery meteors with blazing - tails, most beautifully brilliant, ascending majestically from the - mortar to a certain altitude, and gradually descending to the spot - where they are destined to execute their work of destruction. It is - astonishing with what accuracy an experienced gunner will make his - calculations, that a shell shall fall within a few feet of a given - point, and burst at the precise time, though at a great distance. - When a shell falls, it whirls round, burrows, and excavates the earth - to a considerable extent, and bursting, makes dreadful havoc around. - I have more than once witnessed fragments of the mangled bodies and - limbs of the British soldiers thrown into the air by the bursting of - our shells, and by one from the enemy, Captain White, of the seventh - Massachusetts regiment, and one soldier were killed, and another - wounded near where I was standing. About twelve or fourteen men have - been killed or wounded within twenty-four hours; I attended at the - hospital, amputated a man’s arm, and assisted in dressing a number of - wounds. - - JAMES THACHER, - _A Military Journal during the American Revolutionary War_. - - - - -8. STORMING THE REDOUBTS - - -Under cover of the fire of their heavy guns, the allies moved forward -on the night of October 11 to a second parallel, halfway to the main -British line. At the right, nearest the river, the completion of this -entrenchment was delayed by the fire of two advanced redoubts held by -the British. It was determined to storm them. Early on the evening of -October 14 French troops prepared to attack one of the redoubts, while -picked American units from Lafayette’s Light Infantry assaulted the -other. Count William de Deux-Ponts led the French attack, while Lt. -Col. Alexander Hamilton was at the head of the American column. - - * * * * * - -[Illustration: _THE STORMING OF REDOUBT NUMBER TEN_] - -_This is a reproduction of the painting made about 1840 by Louis Eugene -Lami, the original of which is in the old Senate Chamber of the Capitol -in Richmond, Va. It shows the detachment of Lafayette’s Light Infantry -swarming into the British redoubt. Bitter hand-to-hand fighting is -going on, the Americans using only the bayonet._ - - -THE FRENCH ATTACK - - The six shells were fired at last; and I advanced in the greatest - silence; at a hundred and twenty or thirty paces, we were discovered; - and the Hessian soldier who was stationed as a sentinel on the - parapet, cried out “Werda?” (Who comes there?) to which we did not - reply, but hastened our steps. The enemy opened fire the instant - after the “Werda.” We lost not a moment in reaching the abatis, which - being strong and well preserved, at about twenty-five paces from the - redoubt, cost us many men, and stopped us for some minutes, but was - cleared away with brave determination; we threw ourselves into the - ditch at once, and each one sought to break through the fraises, and - to mount the parapet. - - We reached there at first in small numbers, and I gave the order to - fire; the enemy kept up a sharp fire, and charged us at the point - of the bayonet; but no one was driven back. The carpenters, who had - worked hard on their part, had made some breaches in the palisades, - which helped the main body of the troops in mounting. The parapet was - becoming manned visibly. Our fire was increasing, and making terrible - havoc among the enemy, who had placed themselves behind a kind of - intrenchment of barrels, where they were well massed, and where all - our shots told. We succeeded at the moment when I wished to give the - order to leap into the redoubt and charge upon the enemy with the - bayonet; then they laid down their arms, and we leaped in with more - tranquillity and less risk. I shouted immediately the cry of _Vive le - Roi_, which was repeated by all the grenadiers and chasseurs who were - in good condition, by all the troops in the trenches, and to which - the enemy replied by a general discharge of artillery and musketry. I - never saw a sight more beautiful or more majestic. I did not stop to - look at it: I had to give attention to the wounded, and directions to - be observed towards the prisoners. - - At the same time, the Baron de Viomesnil came to give me orders to - be prepared for a vigorous defence, as it would be important for - the enemy to attempt to retake this work. An active enemy would not - have failed, and the Baron de Viomesnil judged the English general - by himself. I made my dispositions to the best of my ability; the - enemy showered bullets upon us. I did not doubt that the idea of the - Baron de Viomesnil would be fulfilled. Finally, when all was over, a - sentinel charged with observing the movements without, called me, and - said that some of the enemy were appearing. I raised my head above - the parapet, and at the same time a ball, which ricochetted in the - parapet, and passed very near my head, covered my face with sand and - gravel. I suffered much, and was obliged to leave the place, and to - be conducted to the ambulance. - - COUNT WILLIAM DE DEUX-PONTS, - _My Campaigns in America_. - - -THE AMERICAN ATTACK - - SIR, - - I have the honour to render you an account of the corps under my - command, in your attack of last night upon the redoubt of the enemy’s - lines. - - Agreeable to your orders, we advanced in two columns with unloaded - arms, the right composed of Lieutenant-colonel Gimat’s battalion and - my own, commanded by Major Fish. The left of a detachment commanded - by Lieutenant-colonel Laurens, destined to take the enemy of reverse, - and intercept their retreat. The column on the right hand was - preceded by a van guard of twenty men, led by Lieutenant Mansfield; - and a detachment of sappers and miners, commanded by Captain - Gilliland, for the purpose of removing obstructions. - - The redoubt was commanded by Major Campbell, with a detachment of - British and German troops, and was completely in a state of defence. - - The rapidity and immediate success of the assault, are the best - comment on the behaviour of the troops. Lieutenant-colonel Laurens - distinguished himself by an exact and vigourous execution of his - part of the plan, by entering the enemy’s work with his corps among - the foremost, and making prisoner of the commanding officer of the - redoubt. Lieutenant-colonel Gimat’s battalion, which formed the van - of the right attack, and which fell under my immediate observation, - encouraged by the decisive and animated example of their leader, - advanced with an order and resolution superior to every obstacle. - They were well seconded by Major Fish, with the battalion under his - command, who, when the front of the column reached the abbatis, - unlocking his corps to the left, as he had been directed, advanced - with such celerity, as to arrive in time to participate in the - assault. - - Lieutenant Mansfield deserves particular commendation, for the - coolness, firmness, and punctuality, with which he conducted the - van guard, Captain Olney who commanded the first platoon of Gimat’s - battalion, is entitled to peculiar applause. He led his platoon - into the work with exemplary intrepidity, and received two bayonet - wounds. Captain Gilliland, with the detachment of sappers and miners, - acquitted themselves in a manner that did them great honour. - - I do but justice to the several corps when I have the pleasure to - assure you, there was not an officer nor soldier whose behaviour if - it could be particularized, would not have a claim to the warmest - approbation. As it would have been attended with delay and loss to - wait for the removal of the abbatis and pallisades, the ardour of the - troops was indulged in passing over them. - - There was a happy coincidence of movements. The redoubt was in the - same moment inveloped and carried on every part. The enemy are - entitled to the acknowledgment of an honourable defence. - - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HAMILTON’S REPORT TO LAFAYETTE. - - - - -9. THE BRITISH COUNTERATTACK - - -The completion of the second parallel, including the captured redoubts, -would bring the allied artillery at some points to within 300 yards of -the main British line, a close and deadly range. To delay the work, -Cornwallis launched a counterattack. - - The batteries were opened and fired with great success, which - silenced the chief of the enemy’s batteries; many of their men were - killed, and the whole of the garrison thrown into confusion. About 12 - o’clock at night, Maj. Abercrombie, of the British, with a party of - the Light Infantry and Guards, made a sally, and passing between two - small redoubts that were unfinished, and where (by the parties being - moved in another post to work,) the line was weak, got possession - of the trench; thence they pushed rapidly to a French battery, and - spiked the guns and drove out the people, having killed four or five: - Thence to the covert way or communication leading from the first - to the second parallel, where they halted. They then discovered a - battery commanded by Capt. Savage, of the Americans and challenged, - What troops? The answer was French--on which the order of the British - Commandant was “Push on, my brave boys, and skin the b----rs.” This - was heard by Count de Noailles, who had the command of a covering - party, which he ordered to advance, and was guided by the Huzza of - the British. He ordered grenadiers to “charge bayonet and rush on,” - which they did with great spirit crying “_Vive Le Roy_”, and to use - the British phrase skivered eight of the Guards and Infantry, and - took twelve prisoners, and drove them quite off. The British spiked - Savage’s three guns with the points of bayonets, but our smiths and - artillery men soon cleared all the guns, and in six hours chastised - the enemy for their temerity with the same pieces. Our loss was very - trifling, though the British really executed the sortie with secrecy - and spirit. - - GENERAL RICHARD BUTLER’S JOURNAL. - - - - -10. CORNWALLIS TRIES TO ESCAPE - - -Finding his enemies closing in for the kill, Cornwallis determined on a -desperate measure. This was to transport his army across the river to -Gloucester, break through the allied troops guarding that point, and -march overland to New York. - - A few hours cannonade from the new batteries upon York town, - where the fraizings were already destroyed, the guns dismounted, - many breaches effected, and the shells nearly expended, would be - productive either of a capitulation, or an assault. A retreat by - Gloucester was the only expedient that now presented itself to - avert the mortification of a surrender, or the destruction of a - storm. Though this plan appeared less practicable than when first - proposed, and was adopted at this crisis, as the last resource, it - yet afforded some hopes of success. In the evening, Earl Cornwallis - sent Lord Chewton to Gloucester, with explicit directions for - Lieutenant-colonel Tarleton to prepare some artillery and other - requisites from his garrison to accompany the British troops - with which his lordship designed to attack Brigadier de Choisy - before daybreak, and afterwards retreat through the country. The - guards of cavalry and infantry at Tarleton’s post were immediately - augmented, and many officers were advanced as sentries, to prevent - any intelligence being conveyed to the enemy. All the commanding - officers of regiments were afterwards acquainted with the intended - project, that their corps might be completely assembled and equipped. - The spare horses of the garrison were ordered to parade for the - benefit of the infantry, and the necessary artillery and waggons were - prepared. - - A number of sailors and soldiers were dispatched with boats from - Gloucester, to assist the troops in passing the river. Earl - Cornwallis sent off the first embarkation before eleven o’clock that - night, consisting of the light infantry, great part of the brigade - of guards, and the 23d regiment, and purposed himself to pass with - the second, when he had finished a letter to General Washington, - calculated to excite the humanity of that officer towards the sick, - the wounded, and the detachment that would be left to capitulate. - Much of the small craft had been damaged during the siege; yet it was - computed, that three trips would be sufficient to convey over all - the troops that were necessary for the expedition. The whole of the - first division arrived before midnight, and part of the second had - embarked, when a squall, attended with rain, scattered the boats, - and impeded their return to Gloucester. About two o’clock in the - morning the weather began to moderate, when orders were brought to - the commanding officers of the corps that had passed, to re-cross - the water. As the boats were all on the York side the river, in - order to bring over the troops, it required some time to row them - to Gloucester, to carry back the infantry of the first embarkation; - but soon after daybreak they returned under the fire of the enemy’s - batteries to Earl Cornwallis, at Yorktown. Thus expired the last hope - of the British army. - - LIEUTENANT-COLONEL TARLETON, - _A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781_. - - * * * * * - -[Illustration: _THE LAST DAY OF THE SIEGE_] - -_Reproduced from a picture by Van Blarenberghe, based on an action -sketch. The foreground shows allied staff officers in consultation -over a map. Nearby, French troops are moving up to the front. In the -background the batteries of the second parallel are in full play -against Yorktown._ - - - - -11. CORNWALLIS DECIDES TO SURRENDER - - -With the failure of the attempt to escape, and the opening of the -batteries in the advanced allied line, the position of the British -Army, as Cornwallis realized, became hopeless. - - Our works in the mean time were going to ruin, and not having been - able to strengthen them by abbatis, nor in any other manner but by a - slight fraizing which the enemy’s artillery were demolishing wherever - they fired, my opinion entirely coincided with that of the engineer - and principal officers of the army, that they were in many places - assailable in the forenoon, and that by the continuance of the same - fire for a few hours longer, they would be in such a state as to - render it desperate with our numbers to attempt to maintain them. We - at that time could not fire a single gun, only one eight-inch and - little more than an hundred cohorn shells remained; a diversion by - the French ships of war that lay at the mouth of York-river, was to - be expected. Our numbers had been diminished by the enemy’s fire, but - particularly by sickness, and the strength and spirits of those in - the works were much exhausted by the fatigue of constant watching and - unremitting duty. Under all these circumstances, I thought it would - have been wanton and inhuman to the last degree to sacrifice the - lives of this small body of gallant soldiers, who had ever behaved - with so much fidelity and courage, by exposing them to an assault, - which from the numbers and precautions of the enemy could not fail to - succeed. I therefore proposed to capitulate.... - - EARL CORNWALLIS TO SIR HENRY CLINTON, OCTOBER 20, 1781. - - - - -12. THE PARLEY - - -“Mad” Anthony Wayne, brigadier-general of the Pennsylvania Line, has -recorded for us the preliminaries of the surrender. - - _17th._--The enemy beat the chamade at 10 o’clock, A. M. - - Cornwallis now “sent out a flag, proposing a cessation of hostilities - for twenty-four hours, ... and that commissioners might be appointed - to meet at Mr. Moore’s house, to settle the terms upon which - the garrisons of York and Gloucester should surrender. General - Washington would only grant a cessation for _two hours_; previously - to the expiration of which, his lordship, by another flag, sent - the following terms, viz: The troops to be prisoners of war; - the British to be sent to Great Britain, and not to act against - America, France, or their allies, until exchanged; the Hessians - to Germany, on the same conditions; and that all operations cease - until the commissioners should determine the details. To this his - excellency returned for answer: That hostilities should cease, and - no alterations in the works, or any new movement of the troops, take - place, until he sent terms in writing; which he did on the 18th, at - nine o’clock, A. M., allowing the enemy two hours to determine. They - again requested more time; and the general granted them until one - o’clock, when they acceded to the heads of the imposed terms, and - nominated Colonel Dundas and Major Ross, on their part, to meet with - Colonel Laurens and Viscount de Noailles on ours, to reduce them - to form, which was completed by nine o’clock at night; and, on the - 19th, at one o’clock, P. M., the capitulation was ratified and signed - by the commander of each army, when the enemy received a guard of - Pennsylvania and Maryland troops in one of their principal works, and - one of French troops in another. - - H. N. MOORE, - _Life of Gen. Anthony Wayne_. - - * * * * * - -[Illustration: _THE SURRENDER HOUSE, COMMONLY CALLED THE MOORE HOUSE_] - -_The sketch of which this is a reproduction was made about 1843 by -Henry Howe, for his_ Historical Collections of Virginia. _It is a -rear view of the house. The room in which the allied and British -commissioners met to discuss the terms of surrender is at the lower -left. In the sketch the window of this “Surrender Room” is half hidden -by the chimney._ - - - - -13. THE SURRENDER - - -The terms settled, the victorious allies prepared to receive the -surrender of the British Army, while Cornwallis’s men made ready for -the humiliating ordeal with which they were faced. - - _19th._--This is to us a most glorious day, but to the English, one - of bitter chagrin and disappointment. Preparations are now making to - receive as captives, that vindictive, haughty commander, and that - victorious army, who by their robberies and murders have so long been - a scourge to our brethren of the southern states. Being on horseback, - I anticipate a full share of satisfaction in viewing the various - movements in the interesting scene. - - The stipulated terms of capitulation are similar to those granted to - General Lincoln at Charleston the last year. The captive troops are - to march out with shouldered arms, colors cased, and drums beating a - British or German march, and to ground their arms at a place assigned - for the purpose. The officers are allowed their side arms and private - property, and the generals and such officers as desire it, are to - go on parole to England or New York. The marines and seamen of the - king’s ships are prisoners of war to the navy of France, and the - land forces to the United States. All military and artillery stores - to be delivered up unimpaired. The royal prisoners to be sent into - the interior of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, in regiments, - to have rations allowed them equal to the American soldiers, and to - have their officers near them. Lord Cornwallis to man and despatch - the Bonetta sloop of war with despatches to Sir Henry Clinton at New - York without being searched, the vessel to be returned and the hands - accounted for. - - At about twelve o’clock, the combined army was arranged and drawn - up in two lines extending more than a mile in length. The Americans - were drawn up in a line on the right side of the road, and the French - occupied the left. At the head of the former the great American - commander, mounted on his noble courser, took his station, attended - by his aids. At the head of the latter was posted the excellent Count - Rochambeau and his suite. The French troops, in complete uniform, - displayed a martial and noble appearance, their band of music, - of which the timbrel formed a part, is a delightful novelty, and - produced while marching to the ground, a most enchanting effect. The - Americans though not all in uniform nor their dress so neat, yet - exhibited an erect soldierly air, and every countenance beamed with - satisfaction and joy. The concourse of spectators from the country - was prodigious, in point of numbers probably equal to the military, - but universal silence and order prevailed. - - It was about two o’clock when the captive army advanced through the - line formed for their reception. Every eye was prepared to gaze on - Lord Cornwallis, the object of peculiar interest and solicitude; but - he disappointed our anxious expectations; pretending indisposition, - he made General O’Harra his substitute as the leader of his army. - This officer was followed by the conquered troops in a slow and - solemn step, with shouldered arms, colors cased and drums beating - a British march. Having arrived at the head of the line, General - O’Harra, elegantly mounted, advanced to his Excellency the Commander - in Chief, taking off his hat, and apologized for the non-appearance - of Earl Cornwallis. With his usual dignity and politeness his - Excellency pointed to Major General Lincoln for directions, by whom - the British army was conducted into a spacious field, where it was - intended they should ground their arms. - - The royal troops, while marching through the line formed by the - allied army, exhibited a decent and neat appearance, as respects - arms and clothing, for their commander opened his store and directed - every soldier to be furnished with a new suit complete, prior to the - capitulation. But in their line of march we remarked a disorderly - and unsoldierly conduct, their step was irregular, and their ranks - frequently broken. But it was in the field when they came to the last - act of the drama, that the spirit and pride of the British soldier - was put to the severest test, here their mortification could not be - concealed. Some of the platoon officers appeared to be exceedingly - chagrined when giving the word “_ground arms_,” and I am a witness - that they performed this duty in a very unofficerlike manner, and - that many of the soldiers manifested a _sullen temper_, throwing - their arms on the pile with violence, as if determined to render them - useless. This irregularity, however, was checked by the authority - of General Lincoln. After having grounded their arms and divested - themselves of their accoutrements, the captive troops were conducted - back to Yorktown and guarded by our troops till they could be removed - to the place of their destination. The British troops that were - stationed at Gloucester surrendered at the same time, and in the same - manner to the command of the French general de Choise. - - JAMES THACHER, - _A Military Journal during the American Revolutionary War._ - - * * * * * - -[Illustration: _CORNWALLIS’S PAROLE_] - -_Following the surrender, Cornwallis, as a prisoner of war, gave his -parole not to engage in further hostilities against the United States, -or its allies, until exchanged and was permitted to go to New York. The -original document is in the Virginia State Library._ - - - - -14. “THE PLAY IS OVER” - - -Lafayette, exulting in the victory which he had helped to create, wrote -in the first flush of enthusiasm to high officials in France. - - The play is over, Monsieur le Comte, the fifth act has just come to - an end. I was somewhat disturbed during the former acts, but my heart - rejoices exceedingly at this last, and I have no less pleasure in - congratulating you upon the happy ending of our campaign.... I am - happy that our Virginia campaign has ended so well, and my respect - for the talents of Lord Cornwallis gives his capture an additional - value to my mind. After this attempt, what English general will - undertake the conquest of America? Their manoeuvres in the southern - country have not been more successful than those at the North, and - now the experience of General Burgoyne has been repeated. - - LAFAYETTE TO M. DE MAUREPAS AND M. DE VERGENNES, OCTOBER 20, 1781. - - - - -15. WASHINGTON CONGRATULATES THE ARMY - - -Washington, more reserved than his young friend and subordinate, -nevertheless felt deeply the triumph which had come after long years of -defeat and bitterness and hope deferred. With his pride in the victory -was mingled gratitude to the brave allies and the officers and men of -his own army who had made it possible. - - The General congratulates the Army upon the glorious event of - yesterday. - - The generous proofs which his most Christian Majesty has given of his - attachment to the Cause of America must force conviction on the minds - of the most deceived among the Enemy: relatively to the decisive - good consequences of the Alliance and inspire every citizen of these - States with sentiments of the most unalterable Gratitude. - - His Fleet the most numerous and powerful that ever appeared in these - seas commanded by an Admiral whose Fortune and Talents ensure great - Events. - - An Army of the most admirable composition both in officers and men - are the Pledges of his friendship to the United States and their - cooperation has secured us the present signal success. - - The General upon this occasion entreats his Excellency Count de - Rochambeau to accept his most grateful acknowledgments for his - Counsels and assistance at all times. He presents his warmest thanks - to the Generals Baron Viomenil, Chevalier Chastellux, Marquis de St. - Simond and Count Viomenil and to Brigadier General de Choissy (who - had a separate command) for the illustrious manner in which they have - advanced the interest of the common cause. - - He requests that Count de Rochambeau will be pleased to communicate - to the Army under his immediate command the high sense he entertains - of the distinguished merits of the officers and soldiers of every - corps and that he will present in his name to the regiments of - Gattinois and Deuxponts the Two Pieces of Brass Ordnance captured - by them; as a testimony of their Gallantry in storming the Enemy’s - Redoubt on the Night of the 14th. instant, when officers and men so - universally vied with each other in the exercise of every soldierly - virtue. - - The General’s Thanks to each individual of Merit would comprehend the - whole Army. But He thinks himself bound however by Affection Duty and - Gratitude to express his obligations to Major Generals Lincoln, de La - Fayette and Steuben for the dispositions in the Trenches. - - To General Du Portail and Colonel Carney for the Vigor and Knowledge - which were conspicuous in their Conduct of the Attacks, and to - General Knox and Colonel D’Aberville for their great care and - attention and fatigue in bringing forward the Artillery and Stores - and for their judicious and spirited management of them in the - Parallels. - - He requests the Gentlemen above mentioned to communicate his thanks - to the officers and soldiers of their respective commands. - - Ingratitude which the General hopes never to be guilty of would be - conspicuous in him was he to omit thanking in the warmest terms His - Excellency Governor Nelson for the Aid he has derived from him and - from the Militia under his Command to whose Activity Emulation and - Courage much Applause is due; the Greatness of the Acquisition will - be an ample Compensation for the Hardships and Hazards which they - encountered with so much patriotism and firmness. - - In order to diffuse the general Joy through every Breast the General - orders that those men belonging to the Army who may now be in - confinement shall be pardoned released and join their respective - corps. - - Divine Service is to be performed tomorrow in the several Brigades or - Divisions. - - The Commander in Chief earnestly recommends that the troops not on - duty should universally attend with that seriousness of Deportment - and gratitude of Heart which the recognition of such reiterated and - astonishing interpositions of Providence demand of us. - - WASHINGTON’S GENERAL ORDER, OCTOBER 20, 1781. - - - - -16. THE MEANING OF YORKTOWN - - -The surrender of Cornwallis was immediately recognized as bringing -within sight the end of the Revolution and the independence of the -United States. - - Your predictions regarding the fate of Lord Cornwallis have, thank - God, been verified. It is a glorious, joyful, and important event. - Britain feels the force of that stroke and other nations begin to - doubt less of the continuance of our independence. Further successes - must prepare the way for peace, and I hope that victory will - stimulate instead of relaxing our exertions. - - JOHN JAY TO ELBRIDGE GERRY, MADRID, JANUARY 9, 1782. - -The news of Yorktown brought the defeat of Lord North’s war ministry in -England. Negotiations ending in a treaty of peace, with recognition of -the independence of the United States, soon followed. The succeeding -century brought out in stronger relief the significance of this -decisive victory in the struggle for American self-government. - - Upon this soil one hundred years ago our forefathers brought to a - successful issue their heroic struggle for independence. Here and - then was established, and as we trust made secure upon this continent - for ages yet to come, that principle of government which is the very - fiber of our system--the sovereignty of the people. - - PRESIDENT CHESTER A. ARTHUR, YORKTOWN, OCTOBER 19, 1881. - -With the approach of the 150th anniversary of the Yorktown victory, -there was renewed realization of the meaning of the event and of the -debt which the people of the United States owed to the men who, by -that victory, made the Declaration of Independence a living thing. The -National Government and local organizations in 1931 cooperated in -impressive commemorative services, and the battlefield of Yorktown was -dedicated as a national shrine to be maintained for the people by the -National Park Service. - - While the events commemorated in other national parks are well worth - the expense to the Government in commemorating them, and they all - recall to the minds of the citizens important events in our history, - as well as the heroism and devotion of our soldiers, they are at best - only events, although important ones, in our history, while Yorktown - marks the consummation of our national independence. Other battles - of the Revolutionary War led up to this one battle, while battles of - other wars since then were only struggles for our rights, or for the - preservation of the Government, whose existence was decided on the - field at Yorktown. It was at the bridge at Concord, Massachusetts, on - April 19, 1775, where the embattled farmers stood and fired the shot - heard around the world. It was on the field at Yorktown, Virginia, on - October 19, 1781, that it was finally decided after six and one-half - years of heroic struggle that shot had not been fired in vain. From - that date the freedom of our country was secure and has never again - been in danger. The treaty of peace acknowledging our independence - two years later was but a natural and inevitable sequence to the - surrender of our opponent’s finest army and ablest general. - - REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR’S YORKTOWN COMMISSION. - - - - -BIBLIOGRAPHY - - -Bland, Schuyler Otis, _The Yorktown Sesquicentennial; Proceedings of -the United States Yorktown Sesquicentennial Commission_ (Washington, -1932). - -General Richard Butler’s Journal of the Siege of Yorktown, _Historical -Magazine_, vol. VIII (New York, 1864). - -Deux-Ponts, Count William de, _My Campaigns in America: A Journal kept -by Count William de Deux-Ponts, 1780-81_. Translated by Samuel Abbott -Green (Boston, 1868). - -Fitzpatrick, John C., editor, _The Writings of George Washington_, vol. -23 (Washington, 1937). - -Lieutenant-colonel Hamilton’s report to Major-general the Marquis De La -Fayette, with a return, _The Remembrancer; or, Impartial Repository of -Public Events_ (London, 1782). - -Journal of the Siege of York in Virginia (Engineers), _Magazine of -American History with Notes and Queries_, vol. IV (New York, 1880). - -Johnston, Henry P., editor, _The Correspondence and Public Papers of -John Jay_, vol. II (New York, 1891). - -Moore, H. N., _Life and Services of Gen. Anthony Wayne_ (Philadelphia, -1859). - -_Report of the Commission Created in Accordance with a Joint Resolution -of Congress, Approved March 3, 1881, Providing for the Erection of -a Monument at Yorktown, Va., Commemorative of the Surrender of Lord -Cornwallis_ (Washington, 1883). - -Stevens, Benjamin Franklin, editor, _Clinton-Cornwallis Controversy_, -vol. II (London, 1888). - -Tarleton, Lieutenant-Colonel, _A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and -1781, in the Southern Provinces of North America_ (Dublin, 1787). - -Thacher, James, M. D., _A Military Journal during the American -Revolutionary War, from 1775 to 1783_ (Boston, 1827). - -Tower, Charlemagne, Jr., _The Marquis de La Fayette in the American -Revolution_, vol. II (Philadelphia, 1895). - -U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1956 O-406522 - - * * * * * - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Illustrations have been moved to paragraph breaks near where they are -mentioned. - -Variations in spelling and punctuation were retained as they appear in -the original publication, except that obvious typographical errors have -been corrected in the main text, but not in the quoted material. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YORKTOWN: CLIMAX OF THE -REVOLUTION *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |