Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-21
ANNIVERSARY OF THE SURRENDER OF GENERAL
CORVALLIS AT YORKTOWN.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE SURRENDER OF GENERAL
CORVALLIS AT YORKTOWN.
The recurrence Of this memorable day, and its
celebration by the volunteer companies of this city,
impart interest to every incident connected with
the brilliant close of the Revolutionary War. The
following article, copied from the Boston Column
bian Sentinel Of September, 1870, must be read
with more than ordinary RELISH for the reason that
it adds new lustre to the name of the great Chief
tain whose prudence and sagacity never failed him
in the darkest hour of the eventfu struggle which
secured our independence:
FROM THE COLUMBIAN SENTINEL OF SEPTEMBER, 1890.
1t has been controyerted whether the capture of
Gen. CORVALLIS was the result of plan precon-
certed between Gen. WASHINGTON and Count DE
GRAssE; or rather whether the arrival of the
Count in the Chesapeake was predetermined and
expected by Gen. WASHINGTON, and consequently
all the preparations to attack New York mere
fnesse to deceive the enemy; or whether the real
intention was against New York, and the siege of
Yorktown planned upon the unexpected arrival of
the French feet in the bay. The following letter
will set the matter in its true light:
MoUNr VERNON july 81, 1888.
Sir duly received your letter Of the l4th instant
and can only you briefly and generally from
mory that combined operation Of the land and naval
forces Of France and America for the pre-
concerted the year before that the point Of attack
not absolutely agreed because could not be fore
known where the enemy would be most susceptible Of
mpression and because we having the command Of the
water with sufficient of conveyance, could trans
port ourselves to any spot with the greatest celebrity
that it determined by nearly twelve months be-
forehand at all hazards to give out and it to be
believed by the highest military well civil officers
that New York the destined place of attack for
the important purpose Of inducing the Eastern and
idde States to make greater exertions in furnish
ing specific supplies than they otherwise would have
DONE well for the interesting purpose Of rendering
the enemy less prepared elsewhere that by these MEANS
and these alone artillery, boats stores and provisions
were in seasonable preparation to with the utmost
rapdity to any part of the continents for the difficulty
consisted more in providing than knowing how to apply
the military apparatus; that before the arrival Of the
Count de Grasse it the fixed determination to strike
the enemy in the most vulnerable quarter, to
success with moral certainty as affairs then in
the most ruinous train Imaginable that New York was
thought to be beyond effort and consequently that
the only hesitation that remained between attack
upon the British army in Virginia and that in Charleston
and finally thct by the Intervention of several
ncatonr, and incidents which be detailed
in letter, the hostile post in Virginia. from being
proronal and strongly expected became the defare and
certain object Of the campaign.
only add that it never was in contemplation to attack
New York. unless the garrison should first have been
far degarnshed to carry the southern operations
to render our success in the siege of that place nf
ibe as any future military ever be made; for
Irepeat it, and dwell upon it again. splendid adj
vantage whether upon larger smaller scale al
most immaterial, essentially necessary to revive
the expiring hopes and angud exerons of the country
at the crisis in question: that would have con-
sented to embark in any enterprise Wherein from the
most rational plan and calculations tho favor
able issue should not have appeared my view ray
of light The failure Of attempt against the posts
the enemy could in other possible situation during
the war; have been SO fatal to cause.
That much trouble taken and fnesse used to mis-
guide and bewder Sir Henry Clinton to the real
object, by fictitious communications well by making
deceptive provision Of ovens, forage and boats In his
neighborhood, is certain Nor less pains taken to
deceive army for had always conceived where
thsimposon does not completely take place home it
would never sufficiently succeed $broad.
Your desire Of obtaining truth is very audable. wish
had more leisure to crafty it, as equally solicit
tous the undisguised verify should be known. Many
circumstances will unavoidaby be msconceived and mis-
represented Notwithstanding most of the papers which
may properly be deemed official preserved, yet the
knowledge Of nnumerable things Of delicate and
secret nature 10 confined to the pershabe remembrance
Of some few Of the present generation.
With esteem, am, sir, your most obedient humble
servant, G. WASHINGTON b
Because it would be easy for the Count de Grasse,
in good time before his departure from the West indies
to give notice by at what place he could