The Placer herald., 1862-04-26
THE PLACER HERALD
AUBURN, APRIL 26, 1862.
HISTORIC GROUND.

n1SIUklC GROUND.
The interest now attached to the two mighty
armies now engaged in death dealing blows on
the peninsula between the York and James rivers,
is heightened by the many historic memories con-
nectel with the locality No spot in America is
80 famed for romance and glory. Here the first
European colony was planted in the United
States and was fought the last battle for Apesir
can independence. Two hundred and fifty years
ago-in the reign Of the imperial Ehsabeth-
Admiral Newport, in stress of weather, was driv-
en- by accident into the Chesapeake, and was SO
charmed with the country about, tha. he landed
his adventurers on the banks of James river,
where they hid the foundation of the village Of
jamestown. Among these colonists was the fa
pous Captain S1ai ith and from this settlement the
Captain s,llied forth in quest of provisions
wherewith to succor the famshed little colony.
and in this adv enture was enacted his rescue by
the Indian girl Pocahontas. How this devoted
girl, the daughter of mighty chief. beirended
the white men in their lonely exile, how she vis
ted England, the story of her attachment to Sir
Walter Raleigh. and her sorrowful death, are oil
told in history. The village of jamestown is the
only tangible proof left uuburied of those brave
times.
on the opposite side of the peninsula is York
town, on the banks of York river, 1t was here
that Lord CORVALLIS, one of the best generals of
his day and accomplished gentlemen of Lis time,
after some brilliant movements in the the south
and in Virginia, finally entrenched himself in
1881. He had beseged and captured Charleston,
South Carolina. Debated Gates at Camden, fought
with success Green at Guiford, overrun Virginia.
but to find himself in the end unable to bold the
country or to leave it-at least by sea- In this
dilemma, he coiled his army down in and aboAt
the fourishing seaport of Yorktown. entrenched
himself. and awaited reinforcements by sea. from
Sir Henry Clinton ut New York. He was in the
tolls of tbs sagacous Washington, and before aid
could reach him, be and his army were captives.
The French feet blocked up York river below,
whilst the combined French and American forces
envroned the town-day after day his outworks
were stormed anil takcn-closer and more close
the lines of decentralization were drawn-the
seige cannon were under the walls, shot and shell
fell thick and fast within the ERglish lines, and
famine g,4nt form added TO the terrors OF the
beleaguered host. CORVALLIS Ecsolved upon a
desperate move to save his army, being no hess
than to cross the river and to cut his way over
land to New York. In the dead Of night he crossed
about one-balf bis forces TO the northern bank of
York river, when fpfious storm arose prevent
ing the passage of the remainder. He next en-
deavored to rccross those that had landed but
morning broke and revealed his movements 70 the
patriot army, who piled shot and she'll upon the
enemy more vigorously than ever. That day he
proposed cessation of arms, which was followed
by his surrender. 1t was bright October noon
when the red coats marched out between the two
lines of beseigers-the French on side, and
the Americans on the other, to deliver up their
arms A vast concourse Of country people came
70 see the sight, for some three days was consun,-
ed in negotiating over the surrender. How we'll
the French were dressed, and how we'll the Eng
lisn looked, with their band of music, "a great
novelty to the Americans. says the historian. and
how shabby and miserable was the appearance of
the Americans is all set down in story. Such was
Yorktown in 1881. What it is to be, with the
contending forces now before it, in this year of
our Lord, n few days no doubt will reveal to us.