The Pennsylvania packet, or, The general advertiser — Lancaster, Pa.;Philadelphia, Pa., 1781-12-06 00:00:00, page 2

From the New-York Royal Gazette, of Novemberl
24, 1781.
S I R,•
T '" directed to fend yen the inclofed letter from
lieutenant general earl Cornwallis, to his excellen
cy the commander in chief, which you are desired
to pub iih io your next gaz tte. lam your obedient
fer/aut, OL. DELANCEY, adjutant general.
Nov. 25, 1/61.
Mr, James .Rivington, printer, &c.
York-Town in Virginia Oftob. the 20th, 1781.
S I R,
TIIAVE the mortification to inform your excellency
that I have bsen forced to give up the polls of
York and Gluucefter, aad.-to surrender the troops un
der my command, by capitulation on the nineteeth
infi. as prisoners of war, to the combined forces of
America and F**ocr.
I never saw this post in any favourable light. Rut
when J found I was to be attacked in it in so unprepar
ed a slate, by so powerful an army and artillery, no
thing but the hopes of relief would have induced me
to attempt its defence, for I would either have attempt
ed to escape to New York, by rapid marc es from the
Gloutefier fide, immediately on the arrival of general
^ Washington's troops at Williamfburgh, or I would not
withflandirg the disparity of numbers, have attacked
them in the open held, where it might have been just
po/Tible that for tune would have favoured the gallantry
of the handful of brave troops under my command.
Eut being assured by your excellency's, letters, that
every possible means would be tried by the navy and
army to relieve us, I cou'd not think myfelf at liberty
to enter on either of those desperate attempts. There
fore, after remaining two days in a strong position in
front of this place, in hopes of being attacked, observ
ing that the enemy had taken measures which could
not fail of turning my left flank in a short time, and
receiving on the second evening your letter of the 24th
of September, informing that the relief wou'd fail about
'the fifth of f'ftober, T withdrew within the works on
the 2gt' of September, hoping, by the labour and firm
icefs of the soldiers, to protra& the defence until you
could arrive. Every thing was to be expected from the
spirit of the troops, but every disadvantage attended
their labour, as the works were to be continued under
the enemy's fire, and our flock of entrenching tools,
which did not exceed four hundred when we began to
work in the latter end of August, was now much dimi
tifhed.
Theenemy broke ground on the 13th, and confirua
cd on that night, and the two following days and nights,
two redoubts, which, with some works that had belong
ed to our outward pofiti m, occupied a gorge between
two creeks or ravines, which come from the river on
each fide of town. On the night of the sixth of Octo
ber, they made their firft parallel, extending from its
right on the river to a deep ravine on the left, nearly
opposite to the center of this place, and embracing our
whole left, at the distance of fix hundred yard'. Hav
ing perfefeed this parallel, their batteries opened on the
evening of the ninth against our left, and other batte
ries fired at the fame time against a redoubt advanced
over the creek upon our left, and defended by about
one hundred and twenty men of the 23d regiment, and
marines, who maintained that post with uncommon
gallantry. The fire continued irfeeffant from heavy
cannon, and from mortars and howitzers, throwing
Shells from eight to sixteen inches, until our guns on
the left were silenced, our works much damaged, and
our loss of men considerable. On the night of the ele
venth, they began their second parallel about three
hundred yards nearer to us. The troops being much
weakened by sickness, as well as by the fire of the be
fitgers, and observing that the enemy had not only se
cured their flanks, but proceeded in every refped with
regularity and caution, I could not venture so large
forties as to hope from them any considerable effe&.
But otherwise I did every thing in my power to inter
rupt their work, by opening new embrazures for guns,
and keeping a constant fire with all the howitzers and
small mortars that we could man.
On the evening of the fourteenth, they assaulted and
carried two redoubts, that had been adv meed about 300
yards for the purpose of delaying their approaches,
and covering our left flank, and during the night in
cluded them in their second parallel, on which they con
tinued to work with the utmost exertion. Being per
feßly sensible that our works could not flaud many
hours after the opening of the batteries of that paral
lel, we not only continued a conflaot fire with all our
mortars, and every gun that could be brought to bear
upon it, but a little before day-break, in the morning
of the Sixteenth I ordered a sortie of about 350 men,
under the direction of lieutenant colonel Abercrombie,
to attack two batteries which appeared to be in the
greatest forwardness, and spike the guns; a detachment
of the guards, with the eightieth company of grena
diers, under the command of lieutenant colonel Lake,
attacked the one; and one of light infantry, under the
command of major Armstrong, attacked the other.
They both succeeded, by forcing the redoubts that co
vered them, spiking eleven guns, and killingor wound
ing about 100 of the French troops, who had the guard
of that part of the trenches, and with little loss on our
fide. This action, though extremely honorable to the
officers and Didiers who executed it, proved of little
pubic advantage, for the cannon having been spiked
in a hurry, were soon rendered fit for service again, and
before dark the whole parallel and batteries appeared to
be nearly complete.
At this time we knew that there was no part of the
whole front attacked in which we could shew a single
gun, and our Shells were nearly expended. I had there
fore only to choose between preparing to surrender
next day, or endeavouring to get off with the greatest
part of the troops. I determined to attempt the latter,
defleaing that though it fliould prove unfuccefsful in its
obje&, it might at Teafl delay the enemy in the prvffr
cation of farther enterprises. Sixteen large boats were 1
prepared, and upon other pretexts were ordered to be in 1
readings to receive troops precisely at ten o'clock,
With these I hoped to pass the infantry during the
night, abandoning our baggage, and leaving a detach
ment to capitulate for the town's people and the sick
and wounded, on which fubjeß a letter was ready to
be delivered to general Washington. After making my
arrangements with the utmost fecrecy,the lig' t infantry,
greeted part of the guards and the 23d regiment, em
barked at the hour appointed. Most of them landed
at Gloucefler; but at the critical moment, the weather,
from being moderate and calm, changed to a most vi
olent florin of wind and rain, and drove all the boats,
some of which had troops on board, down the river.
It was soon evident that the intended passage was im
prafticable. And the absence f the boats rendered it
equally impoflible to bring back the troops that had
patted, which I had ordered about two o'clock in the
morning.
In this situation, with my little force divided, the
enemy's batteries opened at day break. The passage
between thi place and Gloucefler was much exposed,
but the boats having now returned, they were ordered
to bring back the troops that had paued during the
ngt, and they joined us in the forenoon without much
loss. Our works in the mean time were going to ruin,
and not having been able to firengthen them by abbat
tis, ner in any other manner than by a flight frazing,
which t e enemy's artillery were dtmolilhing wherever
they fired, my opinion intirely coincided with that of
the engineer and the principal officers of the army, that
they were in many places very available in the fore
noon, and that by a continuance of the fame fire for
a few hours longer, they would be in such a state
as to render it desperate with our numbers to maintain
them. We at that time could not fire a Augie gun;
only one 8 inch and little more than 100 cohorns remain
ed ; a "iverfion by the French ships of war, that lay at
the mouth of York river, was to be expelled ; 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 exhaufled by the fa
tigue of constant watching and unremitting duty.
Under all these circumstances, I thought it wanton
and inhuman to the last degree to facrifice the lives of
this small body of gallant soldiers, who have ever be
haved with so much fide ity and courage, by exposing
them to an assault, which, from the numbers and pre
cautions of the enemy, could not fail to succeed. I
therefore proposed to capitulate. And I have the ho
nour to enclose to your excellency the copy of the cor
respondence between general Washington and me on
that fubjeft, and the terms of capitulation agreed up.
on. 1 sincerely lament that better could not be obtain
ed. But I have neglected nothing to alleviate the mil
fortunes and distress of both officers and soldiers. The
men are well clothed, and provided with necessaries;
and I trust will be regularly supplied by the means of
the officers that are permitted to remain with them.
The treatment in general, that we have received from
the enemy since our i'urrender, has been perfectly good
and proper. But the kindrefs and attention that has
been Ihewn to us by the French officers in particular,
their delicate sensibility of our Situation, their generous
and pressing offers of money, both public and private,
to any amount, has really gone beyond what I can pos
sibly describe. And will, I hope, make an impression
on the bread of every British officer, whenever the for
tune of war should put any of them into our power.
Although the event has been so unfortunate, the pa
tience of the soldiers in bearing the greatest fatigues,
and their firmnefs and intrepidity, under a persevering
fire of shot and shells, that I believe has not often been
exceeded, deserved the highed commendation and praise.
A fuccefsful defence however, in our situation, was
perhaps impossible, for the place could only be reck
oned an intrenched camp, fubjeft in most places to en
filade, and the ground in general so disadvantageous,
that nothing but the necessity of fortifying it as a post
to proved the navy, could have induced any person
to ere& works upon it. Our force diminished daily by
sickness and other losses, and was reduced u hen we
offered to capitulate, and on this fide,to little more than
3,200 rank and file, fit tor duty, including officers
servants and artificers ; and at Gloucefler, bout 600,
including cavalry. The enemy's army confined of up
wards of 8000 French, nearly as many continentals,,
and 5000 militia. They brought an immense train of
heavy art illery, most amply furnifhed with ammunition,
and perfectly well manned.
The coniiant and universal cheerfulnefs and spirit of
the officers in all hardship and danger, deserve my
warmed acknowledgments. And I have been particu
larly indebted to brigadier general O'Hara, and to
lieutenant colonel Abercrombie, the former command
ing on the right and the latter on the left, for their at
tention and exertion on every occasion. The detach
ment of the 23d regiment and marines in the redoubt
on the right, commanded by captain Abthorpe ; and
the subsequent detachments, commanded by lieutenant
colonel Johndon, deserve particular attention. Cap.
tain Rochfort, who commanded the artillery, and in
deed every officer and soldier of that diftingudhed corps,
and lieutenant Sutherland, the commanding engineer,
have merited in every refpea my highed approbation.
And I cannot fufficiently acknowledge my obligations
to captain Symmonds, who commanded his majesty's
ships, and to the other officers and seamen of the na
vy, for their zealous and active co operation.
I transmit returns of our killed and wounded. The
loss of the seamen and town's people was likewise con
siderable.
I trust that your excellency will please to haflen the
return of the Bonetta, after landing her passengers, in
compliance with the articles of capitulation.
Lieutenant colonel Abercrombie will have the ho
nour to deliver this dispatch, and is well qualified to
explain to your excel ency every particular relative to
our part and present fit nation.
I have the honour to be, with great
refpe£t, fir, your most obedient and
most humble servant.
(Signed) CORNWALLIS.
ANNAPOLIS, November 24.
hN Friday last our illustrious and beloved com
" mander in chief left this city, attended by innu
merable prayers for his health, fafety, and happiness.
When the citizens received the pleasing intimation of
his excellency's intentions to honour them with his
presence, all business ceased, and every consideration
gave way to their impatience to behold their benefac
tor, and the deliverer of his country. On his appear
ance in the streets, people of every rank and every age
eagerly pressed forward to feed their eyes with gazing
on the man, to whom, under providence, and the ge
nerous aid of our great and good ally, they owed their
present security, and their hopes of future liberty
and peace: the courteous affability with which he
returned their salutes, lighted up ineffable joy in
every countenance, and diffufed the most animated
gratitude through every breast.
You would have thought the very windows spoke,
So many greedy looks of young and old'
1 hrough casements darted heir desiring eyes
Upon his visage ; and that all the walls,
With painted imagery, had said at once,
God save thee, WASHINGTON.
The general's arrival was announced by the difebarge
of cannon, and he was accompanied to his excellency
t e governor's, by the honed acclamations of the whigs ;
a few tories, to expiate their crimes, and fhuffle off the
opprobrium of their chara&ers, feebly joined in ap
plauding the man, whose late successes had annihilated
their hopes, and whose conduct is a satire on their
principles. The president of the senate, speaker of the
house of delegates, members of the general assembly
and council, and many refpedable citizens haflened
to offer their tribute of affeftion, which was richly re
paid by the engaging franknefs and affedionate polite
ness of the reception. The evening was spent at the
governor's elegant and hospitable board with feftive
joy, enlivened by good humour, wit and beauty.
On the next day the general was so obliging as to
partake of a public dinner directed by the legislature,
as a mark of their refpeft, and to render the participa
tion of his company as universal as possible. In the
evening the city was beautifully illuminated, and an
assembly prepared for the ladies, to afford them an op
portunity of beholding their friend, and thanking their
protedor with their smiles. His excellency, to grati
fy the wishes of the fair, crowned the entertainment
with his presence, and with graceful dignity and fami
liar ease so framed his looks, his gestures, and his
words, that every heart o'erdowed with gratitude and
love, and every tongue grew wonton in his praise.
When he retired from the assembly, this was the uni
veral language:
Unrival'd and unmatch'd shall be his fame,
And his own laurels shade his envied name.
The following are the vote of thanks of the general
assembly, the address of the citizens of Annapolis, and
his excellency's answers.
VOTE of THANKS.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY joyfully embrace
the opportunity which your welcome arrival in this
city affords them, of testifying to your excellency in
person, their high sense of your signal services, and of
,shewing you every mark of esteem and refpea. Dic
tated by the purest public spirit, your long and flea
dy perseverance, and anxious unremitted vigilance,
under the preflure of surrounding difficulties to save
your country from the tyranny and oppression of a
powerful nation, exhibit to the world a character of
moll exalted virtue, and fill the minds of all America
with gratitude and veneration.
Strength of judgment, united with genius full of re
sources, and singularly diftinguilhed by a conflant se
renity, and presence of mind, in the midst of dangers
and distress, inrtantly difeerned, and seized the decisive
moments of enterprise, planned the passage of the De
laware ina wintry and tempestuous night, the conse
quential surprise and capture of the Hessians at Tren
ton, speedily followed by that maderly movement,
which extricated undisciplined levies from an imminent
and unequal conflict wuh veteran troops, eluded the
vigilance of an active commander, turned retreat into
victory at Prince town, checked the enemy's rapid ca
reer, raised the drooping spirits of your country, and in
spired your soldiers with confidence in their general and
themselves.
Your military talents, eminent as they are, form not
the most admired part of your character: your invio
late regard to the civil authority manifefled on all occa
sions, and in fituatioas, the most trying, claims the
warm ft acknowledgments of the guardians of the
rights and liberties of the people.
Your great example has diffufed its influence
throughout the dates, your watchful care and attenti
on have been extended in every quarter, and the hap
py etheßs are viewed with equal admiration and plea
sure in.all our military operations, conduced by brave
and virtuous officers, and executed by undaunted
troops, patient and persevering under accumulated
hardships and dih r efs
Accep, fir, the sincerest thanks of the legislature on be
half of this state for your eminent services; with warm
and graceful hearts th^y entertain the highefi sense of
the great obligations you have laid upon them, obliga
tions which cannot cease and can only be attempted
to be difeharged by endeavouring to preserve the memo
ry of those actions by which they were created.
While we pay this just tribute to your excel'ency's
diftinguilhed merit, we feel a peculiar pleasure in ac
knowledging the powerful assistance afforded us by our
generous ally, the signal proofs of ikill and bravery
exhibited by his officers and soldiers, and their strict
discipline and exemplary behaviour in their march
through this state.
We have the greatest fatisfaßiou in congratulating
you on the late most glorious fnccef. of the ali@d army
under your immediate command ; an event which it:-
fleets the highef ihonour upon your excellency, acld°
luftre to the allied arms, and affords a rational ground
of belief that under the favour of divine providence, t