The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-11-07
News from America in November, 1881.
THE SURRENDER OF CORVALLIS, IN
EUROPE.
Manhattan Monthly |

One of the most thrilling memories of the
revolutionary era was the reception in
Europe in November, 1881, of the news of
the surrender of CORVALLIS.
The great event had taken place on the
10Th of October. On that day the British
army surrendered to Washington at York
town, and the British feet to De Grasse.
The British garrison, with colors cased and
lapidated works. The French and Ameri.
can armies, with Rochambeau and Wash
ington splendidly mounted, respectively at
their head, were drawn up on opposite sides
of the road. The fields were covered with
thousands of spectators who bad heard of
the victory, and were crazy to see the hu-
initiation of the force that had been q terror.
The se crowds gazed breathless a. the scene.
Not a sound broke the orderly silence save
the measured tread of the captured British
and the mournful music of their bands.
CORVALLIS was so mortified at his situation
that he feigned illness, and was permitted
to remain in his quarters. General OF
brought the sword of his chief to Washing
ton, who, in turn, directed the British
officer to give it to General Lincoln, who
had been appointed by Washington to re-
ceive the submission of the royal army, in
the same manner CORVALLIS had imposed
on the Americans on the capture of Charles
ton, eighteen months previously, where
Lincoln had commanded. Lincoln received
the sword of Corn wallis, and returDed it to
O'Hara. Twenty eight British captains
then advanced and surrendered the twenty
eight flags of the army. They were received
by Ensign Wilson, young soldier of
eighteen years, who was appointed to that
proud duty. The whole army then laid
down their arms, and the American supre-
macy was complete. The results of the
victory were over seven thousand men,
with their arms, seventy-fve brass, and
one hundred and sixty iron cannon, twenty
eight standards, with all the ammunition
and stores, and the entire shipping. The
surrender took place on a Saturday and
Washington ordered divine service in every
brigade of his army GU the next day.
The glorious news flew like lightning
over the land. Washington despatched
Colonel Tighman to the Congress in Phila-
delphia. The excited aid dashed at gall
lop into the city ar midnight. He went
direct for the residence of Mexican, then
President of Congress. laundering at the
door, as though he would knock it in, he
aroused the President, shouting, "Cornwal-
lis is taken!'' The watchmen caught the
words, AID passed them over the sleeping
city and when they called the hour at
"one O'Clock, ;" they added, "and CORVALLIS
is taken!" Windows were flung up, and
the startled inhabitants listened with eager
anxiety. Presently the streets were filled,
and shout on shout rolled with tumultuous
joy through the midnight air. The old
bell Imam at the state-house was aroused,
and the bell that had heralded the Declar-
ton of Independence five years previous,
still proclaimed "Liberty throughout all
the land to all the inhabitants thereof"
The booming of cannon broke the dawn,
and the thunder of guns, and shouts of joy
and tears of thanksgiving, welcomed the
tidipgs over the land.
The news was sent by French frigate
to Europe, and as if the waves and winds
were eager to spread it to civilization, the
uQaaa1 raQchQN Franco in niUhtAan 6aVR
Elkanah Watson, in his Diary, chronicles
its reception. He had passed the evening
with Benjamin Franklin at Passy, specula-
ting on the situation of affairs in America
1--WE feared" he says, "that the British
feet might intercept De Barras at the capes
of Virginia, and thus retrieve it's superiori-
ty over De erase, attack and overwhelm
him, and landing their army, defeat and
break up the com bination of Washington.
The philosophy and self possession even Of
Franklin seemed almost to abandon him.
The vibrations of hope and fear occupied
a deep conviction of a successful Issue to
the operations of Washington. l left him
at night in the company of DR.. Bancroft, an
American, residing in London, but an
ardent Wing, and returned to Paris in deep
dependency, signing over the mlserles of
our bleeding country.
Sat dawn the next morning, l was
aroused by laundering rap at my door. 1t
brought me circular from DR.. Franklin,
struck off by a machine somewhat similar
to the copying machines of the present
day and with what unspeakable thankful
ness and thrilling interest I read it's con-
tents :"
1t was a note addressed to his Excellency,
DR.. Franklin, from the Count de Vergen-
mes, dated at Varsailles, 10Th November,
1871, eleven o'clock at night, stating that
the writer could not better express his
gratitude for news often communicated to
him by DR.. Franklin, than by informing
him of the arrival of the Due de Lausun
that evening, with tue news that the COM
bined armies of France and America had
compelled CORVALLIS to surrender!
"The next day" continues Elkanah
Watson, 81 waited on DR.. Franklin, in
common with many American and French
gentlemen, to offer our mutual congratula-
lions. He appeared in an ecstasy of JOY,
observing, There is no parallel In history
of two entire armies being captured from
the enemy in any one war; The delight
and rejoicing of all classes of the people
D.. I'D Co.