Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1879-10-08
The Yorktown Centenary.

The surrender of CORVALLIS at Yorktown
practically ended the war for American in
dependence, and as there was no event in
that war which had a greater influence
upon the destines of this people, so there
was none more dramatic in its nature, or
more significant of the methods by which
American independence was won. Curl
ously enough the campaign which ended at
Yorktown illustrated every phase Of the
conflict, and its history is a sort of epitome
Of the story of the Revolution.
The British under Provost gained foot
hold at Savanna, as they did everywhere
during the Revolution, by regular methods,
overcoming the irregular American opposi-
ton without difficulty. When they adj
vanced northward, however, the irregular
opposition under Lincoln gave them greater
trouble at Pocotaligo, and on Johns and
James Islands, and for time they were
baffled at Charlestown. When Clinton
substituted siege for disultory warfare, as
he could, the American opposition was again
ineffective, as it always was in such crcum-
stances, and Charlestown and Georgetown
fell into the enemy's hands.
The advance of the British inland next
encountered American opposition Of
momentat Camden. There Gates made the
great mistake of the Revolution. AFRO
gantly neglecting the lesson which every
event Of the war had taught, he led his
army of volunteers as if it had been ar
army OF regular troops, giving the British
the regular battle in which they were
always superior to the Americans. lie wa:
beaten utterly, and his army was broker
and dispersed.
Then came Nathaniel Greene of Rhod,
Island-after Washington the ablest ant
wisest commander in the patriot army
charged with the task of opposing the vic
| torious British, without an army, withou
money, provisions, officers or men. Cath
ering together the farmers and such troop
as were within reach, Greene so directed
his march as to encourage the people anC
draw volunteers to his standard, while re
cruiting the health Of his men and collect
ing supplies. Greene was grand master @
| the tactics which Won American liberty
He understood the conditions of the con
flct and adapted his measures to them
His mind was too large for conventionalisn
lie knew that in pitched battles the Englis
| must always have an advantage, and that
campaign of pitched battles must resul
dlsasterously to the American cause. Ii
fought something like regular battles, it
true, bat he chose his own times and place
for doing so, and fought with the unde
standing that he would probably be beate
making his arrangements for wrestin
advantage from defeat. Deliberately he s,
out to win campaign while losing tn
the battles of which it consisted. II
fought and retired, and fought again,
manWuvering as as to keep his enemy col
stantly upon strain and constantly baffleC
lie nowhere risked the campaign upon
battle, but took care to retire from 10
action with strength for marching an
fighting again. In this way, while he coul
not defeat the British, he made it impos:
BILE for them to crush him. Meanwhile |
was OBTAINING them in the wilderness of Il
Carolinas, entangled them in a net fro
which escape grew constantly more an
r more difficult, wearing them out vii
> marches and countermarches, while h
partisans, under Marion and Sumter, we
; picking to pieces the British line of COZ
I munication and worrying the spirit out of II
British army by constant harassing.
p Finally CORVALLIS, despairing of oppc
. tunity to crush Greene, resumed his marc
, northward, only to fall into the trap whit
had been prepared for him, during Il
i. time that Greene had gained by detainil
f him, and Greene was left free to reconou
. the Carolinas.
How CORVALLIS marched northward an
. was entrapped between the Americi
{ Army and the French feet, for the a
/. proach of which Greene had secured tim
e is story known to every schoolboy, al
v there is certainly no story in our histo
4 worthier to be remembered.
i There is reason to be glad, therefore, til
~ arrangements are making for the prop
!. celebration of the centennial anniversary
a the Yorktown surrender, which will occ
q on the 18th day of october, 1881. Welea
i that Governor Hoyt of Pennsylvania al
n Governor Holiday of Virginia have agre
RI to invite the Governors of the other Origin
!. states to meeting in Carpenters Ha
!. Philadelphia, on the 18th of this month
d the 18th being Sunday-there to make
y engagements for a celebration two YET
"a hence. The scheme contemplates a ga
80 eSng OF army and naval Representative
~ civil and military delegates from all t
- states in the Union, a great gathering
q the people, and fitting representation
a the French navy which played so imp
&c tant part in the historical event TO
N celebrated. Distinguished French ma
. officers, it is understood, have express
Il their purpose to participate in the celeb
>; ton, and it is confidently believed IL
le French squadron will be sent hither
q the purpose.
10 The scheme is well conceived, and
le objects will, without doubt, command
I'd earnest sympathies of all patriotic peoI
N The invitation of the thirteen governc
To when it shall be sent out, will meet W
ca the heartiest reception everywhere. I
n celebration will commemorate at once
IN principal event of the Revolution, and [
IN genius and the courage and great-hear
n. patience which made the Revolution S
81 cessful.