The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1862-05-22
Yo,ktow n in the REVOLUTION.

On the 2lsl and oath of August, 1881,
Lafayette wrote from his camp at the
fork Of York river to Washington at
Philadelphia. On the 22l Lord Corn
wallis, comfortably secure, wrote from
Yorktown to Sir Henry Clinton at New
York, offering to spare him ten or twelve
hundred men. Washington instructed
Layfnyette to prevent any escape up the
peninsula which CORVALLIS might at.
tempt when the French feet pndor Do
Grassc arrived. Accordingly troops were
soni TO the south Of James River, and Gene
raj Wages was ready to cross Il al Yves,
toyop.s Isafaysasa7 a7aaaises .ieaJ,
to move to Williamsburg aud join the
forces which might bo landed from tho
French feet.
On the 9Th Of September, Washington
left for the scene Of operations and heard
on the way, of the arrival off tho Capes
on Tho 28th Of August, oil the Frnch feet
of twenty eight ships Of the line. He
Immediately wrote Do GraSso that the
van Of the two armies would drop down
the Chesapeake 10 cooperate with him
and Layfayetto. De Gasse Immediately
closed the mouth Of the York River and
landed $500 men. At the same time
James River was full of AIMED vessels to
cover the transportation Of our troops and
Wayne crossed CORVALLIS saw that
his escape WAS cut oG--strengthened his
worko, and sent 10 Sir Henry Clinton for
aid.
De Trasse and French General beg.
ged Llyfoyetle to storm Yorktown and
Glouster. The young ,biof humane ms
honorable, preferred to awaitthc coming
OF the combined forces to secure more
boodlcss, il Ices brilliant victory. De.
Grnssc, expecting the fleet Of De BsrrOs
from Rode Island, and hearing of the
English loctunder Graves. olTtho Ospes.
sailed out with many Of his ships and a.
mused Graves for a few days, during
which Dc Buras slipped in, Do Grasse
followed him, aud Graves, outwilted, re-
turned to New York.
Meanwhile Washington had reached
Williamsburg, and sent to hasten the ar.
rival Of the French troops. while he beg
ged General Lincoln to press forward TO
junction. These troops were coming
down the Chesapeake. On the 29d Of
September, Washington heard OF the ar
riysi a!Et asIstiasla aBigsg. ..&qw ..XqFkl
with troops and six ships. De Grnsso
was afraid OF the combined fleets and pro-
posed to leave few vessels in the James
and York riyers,whilo he put to sen to en-.
gage the English with the rest. Wash
ington saw tif the feet wsai, Corn,
wallis had chance oil suCcoT; If it re.
NAMED he must surrender; and he on
treated Do Grnsso to remain. The Court
was persuaded, and by tho 95lh of Sep.
tember tho American and French troops
were encamped near Williamsburg, and
ready. The enemy was moinlyat York
town, but also held Gloustet Point, oppo-
site. On tho 26th our troops we're drawn
out twelve thousand strong In the Ovo-
ming, CORVALLIS heard from Clinton that
a feet of twepty.three ships with 5000
troops would sail for liisroliOf on tho 9th
OF October. In tho night Of the 9th ho
his out works Our men sOia-
cd them in the morning. On tho 2sth
of Senlembor our army marched from
Williamsburg, and, driving in the Hrit.
ish pickcts and patrols, onoamped within
two milos Of Yorktown, On tho lat' OF
October our limos completely invontoa
tho place while Do Gross6's ldot hold
ibe mouth or Tho nprt IN thG bvoning