American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-10-29
THE NATIONS GUEST.
LA FAYETTE AT YORKTOWN.


celebration.
The morning of the Nineteenth Of October, the
anniversary Of the memorable surrender oil Corn
wallis, dawned on the assembled multitude at York
with the highest anticpations of enjoyment and the
most exalted emotions OF netional pride filling every
lbosom-the plans OF York again pteseSted the
spectacle of The tented field and at an early hour
the note OF preparation was heard from every camp
while the harbor of York was seen covered with
boats conveying the thousands OF citizens, who had
arrived the preceding day and night TO the shores
IconsecTaed by the glorious event which sealed our
Independence The vessels in the hatbor and the
various steam boats with their flags and sreameIs
gave additional effect to the scene, viewed from the
Iheights-the steam boats United States aud Vir.
Iginla exhibiting flags with appropriate mo,tos of
WELCOME to him who had so conspcuously sh0ne in
the conflict. Patriotic strains OF music hoa,ed
Through the air, and the accamatlons OF mytiads Of
freemen echoed from The opposite shores OF Glou-
lcester, the Joyous shouts OF gratitude and welcome.
On reaching the beach and arriving at the summit
ol the bluff, the veneraed Tent OF Washington in
front of the qsarleis TO which The General had been
conducted his arrival the day before, caught the
EYE and attracted the moving masses all eager to
behold as near as possible the WAREHOUSE whic
had protected, under merciu Providence the head
OF our Washington from the p lings OF the storm
during the petllous times OF the Revolution. 10
the tent, at 9 O'Clock, The General and suite repair
ed, and during two hours recehtd the visits OF the
ladies' and strangers from The Surrounding country,
Leaving this point lor the re,lyw ground, the eye
was struck with the excellent arrangements Of the
COMMITTEE. Alter passing yaet number Of booth,
and temporary buildings erected inr the accommuca
ton OF those visiting York, thr field presented d
classic and splendid TRlCMPHAL ARCH on al
Point OF Rock, being the very spot on which once
stood The Redonbt galIanlly storned by the Ameri
can forces under the command OF La Fayc!'e duiineI
The siege. On each side were designs tmbl-ma;e
OF the vaor OF those engaged, and on which the
names OF Lsuiens and Hamilton were conspicuous
while that OF la FAYETl +, on the irieze oil
the ARCH surrounded by thirteen stars representing
the then thirteen States Of The Ccniederacy, wasI
surmouniedby an eagle holding in It's beak wreath
me honor able distinction conferred upon the bIaves
aud best Of men by free and grateful people. Thus
was marked the Rcdoubt which Washington con
signed to The gallanty of La fayette and wEch he
so successfully wresled from the British aims all
the greatest personal risk.
The other RedoLbt, which also at the same time
10 the united French aud AnlrrcanI
forces, was marked by an Obellsk, surmouutrd byI
asces and batt aye. The storming OF this point
was entrusted by Washington To The French troupsl
under Iomlnel, whose name was conspicuous on
he east sde-Wh.le those OF Dupont, Dumas and
distance OK about halt mile from Tins pnirt anolher
)beisk had been erected by the committee, to com I
nemoIate the very spot where The sword of the
3rltish Earl Cofnwalis was surrendered. The de
gns on tins Obelisk ~ete appropriate and well ex
cu,ed. On the east side ~as the inscription Of
WAsHlNGToN- Firt in Uar, First IN Peucei
.tl F,St in the Heats ofhis Coaairympa." lie.
leaih this, Gu the side, under wreath appear
q the name OF MELON bile Fame, reclining on
he portraits Of Washington and La Fayeite, wash
nscribing a tablet the ever memorable "l9fhl,
October l18l.' On the opposite side Of the O3e 4
isk was the figure Of Peace with the olive branc b
md cornucopi.e-and wreath beneath which was
he name OF 81. Simon. On the south side the
lame oil DE Grasse was inscribed, with embematic i
levlces-and Oh the north the name OF Ro-l,
;hambcau, with design showing the struggle whichlj
lad so happily resulted in closing the further eHu
non OF blood. The Obelisk was surmcun.ed Hkel
he others, with the iasces and battle axe.
Between the parts Of the field thus described were
he camps OF the different volunteer military corps
md troops Of cavalry, arranged in the most beaut |.
I'll and imposing order, and with strict regard toI
military usage. On every part Of the ground we're
Q be found balls. shells and fragments OF bombs,I
he interesting evidences OF The ador and peril with
which the capture OF York was characterized. Ii
THE REVIEW. I
AT twelve O'Clock toe GeneraPs arrival on the
round was announced by signal Under the Arch
Major General Taylor and staff had already assem- c
led-and the military were drawn up in line, con
isng Of Artillery, Infantry, Riaemen and Cavalry
Y about hundred yards from the line, Cen. I.Alt
'AYErrE aIghted from his splendid barouche, and {
ccomranitd by the Governor of Virginia and the $
Inlet Jnsiice of United States, the Secretary oft
Var, &c. &c. proceeded to the Arch, where he wa.
ecelyed by General Taylor, who welcomed him in {
o address OF some length and great eloquence, 10
Which the General made suitable reply. Is
Alter this ceremony the line passed the General Il
'eylng him the highest military honors. The mu {
ic was very fine, beng from the bands attached to
he regular as well as the volunteer service. Tneli
General then passed The column nm foo, a,l -. |,