Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-11-10
SIS From the Naiioasi Istsli'geoccr.
THE SURRENDER OF YORKTOWN.

From the Naiicnsi isisligeoccr.
THE SURRENDER OF YORKTOWN.
ocrorsR ~, 1881.
~ ON "fhe Gusts Reroiieciien and Pirate
Memoirs Of me LIFE and Character II
WASHINGTON.
The campaign Of 1881 was considerably
advanced, without any decided advantages
20 the combined armies, when the Chcv alicf
DE Bsnas, the Commander Of the French ma
val forces at Rhode Island. announced to
General Washington that the Coun, dc GIasse
would sail from the West Indies, with pow
erlul fleet and three thousand troops, on tho
ID Of August, and might be expected in tho
Chesapeake about the Is, ofSep,embcr. Up
on The receipt OF this agreeable intelligence,
the allies lost no time in preparing for the in
vesture Of New York; the Americans approach
ing gradually toward the city, while the French
marched from Newport, the two armies form
ing junction at Dobb's ferry on the Hudson.
Large bodies Of troops were moved toward
Staten Island, the first object Of attack, extern
sive magazines were collecting, ovens build
ing, and every thing indicating that the feet
alone was wanting 10 commence the siege In
earnest, when, in the midst Of these demon
STATIONS, the combined armies suddenly de-
camped, and, masking New York, proceeded
in full march for the South. The reasons
that induced Washington thus 20 change the
scene Of his operations were, some OF them,
governed by circumstances beyond his con-
troll, especially as regarded the cooperation uf
the French naval forces. The Count do Crasse
preferred the Chesapeake to the Bay Of New
York, as being better suited TO his large YES
sells, while the Admiral, being limited in his
remaining in the American waters to a GER
tain and an early day, could most conven-
ien,ly render his assistance In the South
This, together with other imposing considcra-
tons induced the American general, while con-
tinuing TO threaten Sir Henry Clinton, TO strike
at CORVALLIS at Virginia.
Sir Henry Clinton, aware that a powerful
fleet was destined for tho American coast, and
presuming that, upon its arrival, combined
attack would be made on New York. ordered
Earl CORVALLIS, then pursuing his victorious
career in Virginia, to fall down upon the tide.
water, and, after selecting a spot where he
could conveniently embark part Of his troops
to reinforce his Commander chief, 10 en-
trench the remainder, and await further orders
But the sudden and unexpected march Of the
combined armies TO the South eatirely chang
ed the aspect Of military affairs. II was now
the Earl, and not Sir Henry, that required re-
Inducements, and Sir Henry again writing to
his Lordship, babe him strengthen his position
at Yorktown, promising him the immediate aid
Of both land and naval forces.
Meantime, Washington had written letter
to the Marquis de Lafayette, which he caused
to be intercepted. In the letter he remarked
that he was pleased with the probability that
Earl CORVALLIS would foriify either at Ports
mouth or Old Point Comfort, for, were he TO
fix upon Yorktown, from its great capabilities
,f Haf bo rptrbt in tbav nlu nd
unframed, until superior British feet would
relieve him with strong feinforcements, or EN-.
bark him altogether.
This fated letter quoted the apprchensions
of the British Commander -in-chief rs TO the
danger Of his Lieutenant, and produced those
delays in the operations Of Sir Henry that
tended materially 10 the success of the Allies
and the surrender of Yorktown.
The fleet of the Count de Grasse, consist
ing Of 20 sail of the line and due proportion
Of frigates containing three thousand veteran
troops, under the Marquis de 81. Simon, an
chored in the Chesapeake on the 30th OF Aug.
The frigates were Immediately empl Dyed in
conveying the troops up the James River,
where they were landed, and reinforced the
army Of Lafayette, who then commanded in
Virginia. An instance Of virtue and magma.
nimiiy that occurred at this period Of our mar.
alive adorns the fame and memory Of Lafay-
ette.
Upon the arrival Of the French land and ma.
val forces in our waters, the commanders said
to Lafayette: Now. Marquis, now is your time
a wreath Of never fading laurels is within youi
grasp! Fame bids you seize II. With ths
veteran regiments of ST. Simon, and your owr
coniinentals. you have FIVE thousand; TO ihess
add thousand marines, and thousand sen
men, 10 be landed from the fleet, making seven
thousand good soldiers, which, with your
militia, give you an aggregate exceeding ter
thousand men. With these storm the enemyis
works while they are yet In an unfinished
state, and before the arrival Of the combined
armies you will end the war, and acquire m
,, immortal renown. Believe NE my dear sir
said the good Lafayette during his late triumph
| in America, this was the most tempting propo
sal 10 young General OF ~, and who was
not unambitious Of fame by honest means, but
insUperable reasons forbade me from listening
10 the proposal for a single moment Our be-
loved General had entrusted 10 me a command
far above my deserts, my age. or experienced
10 war From the time Of my first landing in
America, up to the campaign Of 81, had en-
joyed the attachment, nay parental regards OF
the maichless Chief Could then dare 10
attempt 10 pluck a leaf from laurel that WA
soon TO bind his honored brow--the well earn.
ed reward OF long years Of tolls, soKieties, and
battles And lastly, could ] have been as
sured Of success in my attack, from the known
courage and Discipline Of the foe, that success
must have been attended by a vast efiusion
OF mum an blood.
The comma Dder in-clief, accompanied by
the Count de Roeismbezu, arrived al Viii.
ismsbofgh. the besd-9uarisn Of Lafayette, on
the 18th Of September The General stieDd-