Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-14
sEIeEs OF :yonk s9r gsS wa .ls


resides in Baltimore. Being persuaded that ma
ny OF your readers, may be as much entertained
and gratihed as was myself, in reading the live
~ and circumstantial details of his eloquent pen.
send you an extract embracing the whole ne
Rod of the seige and surrender.
In mentioning Mr.. Ghu,din, with whom I
have been long and intimately acquainted; and
calling to mind his genius, talents and splendid
literary attainments cannot but regret that
Richmond should have lost SO experienced and
able an Instructor of our Youth. II is but inst
however to admit, that our CITY may now boast
OF several excellent Teachers in the classical
departments. One of these, better known To
me than the rest, may, without partialitv, be said
to merit, in still higher degree than his yener-
able correspondent could have been sensible of.
the sanction of the distinguished name that ac-
companies his advertisement
A SUBSCRIBER.
siege Of Hork-Surrender Of Co,n,ca,iis, SC.
Extracted from L. II. Girardin's sContinuation
Of Burk's History of virginia."l
ADVANCE AGAINST YORK.
SON the 28th (Sept. 178l) the allied army
marched in columns, from Williamsburg to-
wards York. In thegencraLorders which Wash
ineton issued on this occasion, he strongly re-
commended to his troops, in case they should be
encountered on their march, to use their bayo-
net, as their best and most efficient weapon, and
mus TO cure the vanity of the British troops, who
proudly boasted decided superiority ia fiat
close and trying combat. Butn opposition was
met with. About noon the heads of the columns
reached their respective station. The French
corps, consisting of about 1000, extending from
The banks of the river 10 Beaverdam Creek, be-
gan the investment. Tire grenadiers aud chas-
seurs, commanded by Baron de ViomeniI, form
ed the van guard Nothing material happened
on this day; after driving in some piquets and
cavalry of the enemy, the troops encarnped for
the night. The next day, the American army
completed the investment by occupying the
space between the east side of Beayertlam
Creek. and the river below the town. Corn
wallis placing much reliance OH the strength of
his dcfences, the effects of desperate vaIor, and
the fortunate chances Of war, wished 10 be at
tackled, but Washington was too consummate a
General to commit to the hazards of an assault,
what he had 1t In his power 10 secure by regular
approaches
On the evening Of the 28th, Lord CORVALLIS
received an express from Sir Henry Clinton.
Tie was informed that, in a council held on the
24th, 1t had been determined to embark 5000
troops on board the Kings ships, for his relief
With the addition of the reinforcement lust
brought by Admiral Digby, the fleet was stated
TO consist of 26 sail of the line, three of which
were three-deckers. The 9th of October was
einphaticaliy mentioned as the time fixed upon
for its sailing. Not doubling the faithful per-
torrnance of this promise, CORVALLIS turned his
attention TO every measure calculated to iuvi-
gorate and prolOpg resistance. He abandoned
his fortified camp In the night, and Withdrew his
troops within the immediate dcfenccs of the
town. The next morning, the allied army took
possession of the works thus rclinqushed BY the
British. In ascertainng the extent and sitna-
ton of these works, the brave Lieutenant CO.
lionel Scammell, of the Massachusetts line,
found an honorable but Iancnted death. In a
rencontre with party of British dragons, he
was MORALLY wounded, and soon after expired
The cavalry of tie legion commanded by the
Duke DE LauZun, had marched into GIouces-
ter county, with a body of 200 militia, under
Brgader General Weldon. The infantry be-
longing to that legion debarhed on the 23d, md
with the Duke himself proceeded to the sam
point; aad on the day of the investment of York,
the whole legion was reunited. To this corps
were added select battalioli, headed by Lieu
tenant Colonel Mercer, aud about 900 French
marines, under General DE Choisy, who now
took the command of the whole force on the
Gloucester side, amounting TO nearly 5000 eff
fectIves. On the Sd OF October, DE Choisy, in
tending closely to invest the British post, adj
vanced towards its trout. Early in The morning
OF the same day, Dundas, reinforced the evening
before. by Tarleton with his legion, issued into
the country for the purpose of ioraging. From
these simultaneous movements, a sharp skirmish
resulted between the British legion, and the
French cavalry, gallantly supported by Mer-
GERS corps. In his orders of the 4th General
Washington, justly bestowed great applause on
Lauzuns horse, and MERGERS infantry, tue only
portion of the allied force engaged in that con-
hct. The British lost Lieutenant and eleven
privatcs. Three French hussars were killed
and Ia wounded, among whom three officers
De Choisy remained in possession of the grounds
a rigorous blockade was established, and main
tained 10 the end Of the siege.
The heavy ordnance intended for the operate
ons against York, was landed on James river, at
the distance of six miles from the American
lines. This circumstance unayoidabl, DELAYED
the beginning Of the siege. On the night of the
9th of October, the first parallel was conmenc-
ed, within 600 yards of the British defences.
Such was the silence observed by the working
rant OF what was going on, until the return Of
day. The trenches were then in such forward
ness as nearly to cover the besiegers: the fire
from the British batteries, though quick and
well directed, was attended with nconsiderabIe
effect. An officer and 20 men were its only vic
tins. They mostly belonged TO the corps of the
Marquis De st. Simon, stationed on the left. Be
fore the evening of the 9th, several redoubts and
batteries were completed, aud opened on the
slender works of the enemy, fire which they
were i'll calculated TO sustain. In few days
many of their guns were slenccd, and most of
their defences ruined. The shells and hot balls
Of the besiegers reached even tue slips In the
harbor. Tie Cbaron of ID guns, and three
large transports, were set fire and entirely