The New York herald., 1862-04-12
Interesting Details Of the In
vestment Of the Town by the
Americans and French
in October, 1871.
The Surrender of Lord Corn
wallis to Gen. Washington.
The Final Blow OF the RevO.
luton OF 1776,
&C.. &c.. Go.

luton OF 1776,
&sv &C.. Sc.
(From the New York Monthly Military Repostoryof lT96
Soon after the arrival OF Lord CORVALLIS at Williams
bure hs received dispatches from New York. in which
Sir Henry Clinton made requsion OF part OF the troops
under his command in Virginia. directing that they
should be New York without delay. and inform
ing Lord CORVALLIS the time Of tho danger
which the royal army in that city exposed from
combined attack which expected from the French
and Americans But understand the proper connsc.
,;on Of the great events followed It necessary
t.ks retrospect OF the which produced
them.
dawn OF prosperity had begun to appear in South
Carolina under auspices OF General Greene. yet
affairs of America in general seemed at ths time to be in
unous state and che contest on tho point Of ceasng
ou the part the Congress for want Of
maintain it. Some enterprise Of Importance
ce,sary to aresh the energy OF the people and
restore the declining state OF their affairs The Congress
had been disappointed in their expectations OF the
oneraon of French fleet army for three years sue
essvely but after the fa of Charleston in May
1850 statement OF their distresses to the
Court of France. A subsidy of six millions OF vres
VIVA granted and the King became their security for
m;,liops more borrowed for their in the United Ne
tharlsuds At the same time naval co operation
promised and a conjunct expedition against their
mon foes projected
IN the month Of March. 1881, N. do Crate sailed from
Rrest with twenty Ave sail OF the ne several thousand
land forces and large convoy amounting to more than
two hundred ships A small part Of this force des-
tined for the Fast indies. but NJ do Giraffe, with the
greater part sailed for Martinique The British Admras
Hood aud Drake detached to intercept the French
fba for, of 4. CraN
and eight ships OF tho line and of fifty guns, which
were previously at Martinique and St. Domingo,
Effected The British feet the West In.
d,s had been weakened by the departure OF squadron
for the OF the ships, which employed In
carrying England the booty that had been taken at ST.
Estatus and by the combustion OF the French fleets
in The West Indies they had decided superiority. ~
de Giraffe the beginning of August sailed with large
CONVOY destined for Europe and after seeing out Of
danger he directed his for the Chesapeake, and
arrived there the Goth Of the same month NJ de Bar
r,. sppojned tho command OF the French feet then
in Rhode Island had arrived Boston in the month OF
Nav with dispatches for Count do Rochambesu On the
Dist Of NAY conference took place at weahers6eld 10
between the American and French generals
At this interview il agreed between them carry
into execution the attempt against New York which they
had msdtacd the preceding year. If their forces, when
should be found equal to the enterprise butt
in all events their determination, upon the ar
rival OF tho Count de Crate TO strike blow
other OF the British posts where most rea
sonabiy 10 bo expected. Letters were addressed 3
General Washington the executive officers OF the New
England States requiring them to l up the bataions
composing his army, and TO have six thousand two
hundred militia in readiness 10 march whenever he
should cali for them. The letters written by General
Washington Congress, after his interview with the
Frspeh generals fell into the hands Of Sir Henry Clinton
md IN consequence Of the information they contained
which alarmed hun for the safety Of New York lac made
rsouiston OF part OF the troops under Lord Cornwss
| command in Virginia.
gt the situation of Lord Cornwsls noar the Capes OF
virginia the arrival OF reinforcement Of three thou.
sand German troops from Europe TO New York, the
,ureror strength OF that garrison the bsckwardness OF
tho States filing up their baaions and embodying
their militia and the intelligence from Count dc
Giraffe that his destination fxod TO the Chesapeake
produced total change OF the plan OF the campaign.
General Washington had assembled his army at Peegs-
kill. and marching from thence TO White Plains was
there onsd the 9th OF July by the Count de Rocham
! beau with the French troops from Rhode Island.
ON the 24tb OF August, tue allied American and French
ARMIES instead or proceeding on their original project
se,iust New York directed their march towards vir-
| gnia The appearance OF an intention to attack New
York had nevertheless, been kept up; and while this
| csceptop played Oh, tue army crossed the North
river aud proceeded on ihoir march uninterrupted
Lord Corn wallis having reee we'd orders ss has already
been mentioned to send part OF his troops TO New York
he Immediately prepared to comply with Sir Henry Cn-
ton requsou and as after the embarkaton OF those
oops he was Of opinion that the force which remained
would not be sufficient 10 enable him TO remain at vii.
ssburr he resolved TO pass James river and retire 10
Portsmouth Accordingly on the 4th or July tho British
army marched from Williamsburg and encsnped on q
MAC. of ground that covered ford into the island Of
| J,mastowp In this encampment the British army 70
| rna,n.s whilst on the 9th and oh their bat horses
and bsye.se were passed the river. The MARQUIS dc
| Iaf,ve,ts thinking that the main body OF the British
army had already crossed tho river, advanced by forced
marches TO strike blow al the guard. On the 9th
| of Juv towards sunset, Lafayette, with about nno
hundred continsntsls six hundred militia aud some
tIlsrv passed q morsss and formed in front Of the
British enesmpment. The British Immediately advanced
| being composed Of militia only we're quickly put 10
flight but the left the British opposed by the
Pennsylvania line and party OF Continentas, with two
pioces OF cannon Ou that side the action while tssed
was sharp and bloody. The Americans however, after
severe contest we're last obliged TO gvo way aud
treat across the The British horse ready
10 pursue but the darkness of the night prevented all
! further operations.
The British army. having passed James river, pro.