The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-21
The Historic Spot In Its Ancient
and Modern Aspect.
INTERESTING LOCALITIES and TRADITIONS
Sketch of the Battle that Re-
suited in independence.
OUR FRENCH ALLIES AND BRITISH ENEMIES.


On man of tho United States as large blanket
o postage stamp laid down ON the Virginia peninsula
might be made TO cover the localities of James
town, williamsburg aud Yorktown. At the first was
the earliest permanent settlement OF the Engnsh IN
America. Four miles northward of 1t is the ancient
town which the capital of the Old Dominion
for long time prior to the Revolution. Twelve
miles beyond We come to Yorktown, where Corn
wallis laid down his arms and 'the rebels" enjoyed
the ecstasy of feeling that liberty was sealed unto
them. These three spots. precious in memo
ries Of the past have but little lot with the busy,
bustling world of to-day. Great cities are arked
on the map in places which were UNEMPLOYED wilder
nesscs when they in their maturity Railroads
have penetrated mountains and crossed the con-
tnent, but the whistle OF the locomotive
has never disturbed the quiet of their fields or
streets The telegraph encirces the world. but the
click Of telegraphic instrument has never brok en
their repose aroused their people to sympathy
with the hurrying crowds. Theirs ID the green old
age or honor and peace. Their best days gone,
but they can look without envy upon the blooming
beauties of this later generation. At jamestown
One Wondering tower overgrown with ivy shows
xnd to t hs .ourss Vision far WITHDRAWN
Stands like sentry at the gates OF dawn
There is but one dwelling house the island.
An Englishman-a Londoner, indeed-has come to
replant the gardens and till the fields laid out by his
people 270 years ago. At williamsburg which was
the seat of viceroyay the centre of colonial fashion,
and the cradle of Revolution there sign of
grandeur, but the contrary. The State Lunatc Asy
lum located there gives it its chief Importance;
for old william and Mary College has bitter days.
and life seems now nearly, if not quite, extinct
Yorktown never did attain the size of Williamsburg
jamestown. In the Revolutionary War it had
about sixty houses. Now it cannot count many
more than fourth of the number. but it seems of
late to have frightened up some, and, with its
court House, two three taverns, stores and
wharves, is not to be regarded lfeless
corpse Not by any means. The spirit of
patriotic enterprise least survives and the cele-
bration to take place here the 3d. preliminary to
the centennial October 49, 1881. enlists the vgor
exertons and iiveliest sympathy of it's people.
who are proud of the history which belongs their
venerable town. and will welcome with open arms
all strangers who come to join them in their pre-
paratory jubilee.
YORKTOWN PENINSULA.
The Virginia peninsula is low and narrow strip
Of land lying bowen tho James and York rivers
and terminating at Old Point Comfort. Fortress
Monroe is it's eastern limit. Yorktown the
northern and jamestown Island on the southern.
with Williamsburg, may say, between the last two
From Old Point to Yorktown, the crow flies, is
twenty mies-by road twenty-five or twenty-six. To
West Point--where the Pamunkey and Mattapony
join and form the York-twenty- eight thirty
miles. West Point is connected with Richmond by
rail and telegraph, and is now assuming consider
able Importance as a port Great quantities OF
cotton and other Southern products. brought from
the Carolinas and Georgia by the Piedmont Air line.
carried through Richmond to West Point. and
thence shipped to New York. Boston Philadelphia and
Baltimore. The steamers to and from the last
named city stop at Yorktown (orGloucester Point
to any great extent in the worlds commerce. it
moving past her every day the fair bosom of the
York. which is wide. deep and remarkably straight
stream from West Point. where it is formed. to
bay. some forty miles. where it empties itself
Yorktown, the county seat of York, is high
bluff of concrete stone marl covered with sandy
SOIL the south side Of the York aud about eleven
miles from its mouth. The ground is level, and is
embraced upon each side by deep ravines, which
almost meet in the The site Is
the highest below Richmond. on either the
York James river, it is said. The
town occupies so and is surrounded by
plain of about 10000 The main street is
about one-quarter of mile in length and the popu-
lation 200 200. Below the towL the river widens
into large body OF water. resembling bay.
below Fort Hamilton; Clew's Point. corresponding
to Sandy Hook and the Gloucester shore.
opposite, taking the place Of Coney Island. The
land the two sides embraces the bay in circular
form until the sides approach each other lat York
town and Gloucester Point within mle then the
river wdens to about two and half or three miles.
and is almost straight line up to West Point. twen
ty-eight or thirty miles distant.
YoKxTowN's FAME.
Up to 1871 Yorktown was unknown to fame. 1t
had pleasant society enjoyed considerable trade.
mercal relations and 10y the help of its grand har
Dor become large city. The Inhabitants had no
idea what was in store tor them.
Tho poet Trumbull tells of the quick shifting
scene and the quiet country town turned into u
camp the streets into scenes OF bloodshed and hard
ship
Again to fair virgina's coast
turned, aud viewed :he British hos.
Her shores aud join the Atlantic
There famed CORVALLIS towering rose.
And scorncd, secure bis distant foes;
Ard bid the royal standard blaze.
Behold the Gallie sails ascend
with fav'ring breezes steer their way
Lol Washington from northern shores
4 aG many many . rsso" wheels his ferss
Desconds IN terror to the tight.
CORVALLIS cooPED.
In ISL CORVALLIS. after victorious campaign in
tho Carolinas, ravaging Virginia, when he
suddenly recalled TO the sea coast by an order from
Sir Henry Clinton. who. being apprehens that the
Americans aud French medtated attaSk on
New York. and fearing that he was not In sum.
cient force to resist them, had directed
CORVALLIS TO embark 5000 OF lis troops to join
his garrison at New York. That General, intent
Oh obeying tho mandate, marched with his troops
10 Portsmouth. where he received orders TO retain
his troops. clinton. having received % reinforce
nent OF J,DvO from quartcfs DeiieNcu th"t
he could dispense with further aid, and ordered
CORVALLIS 10 remain In Virginia. but TO keep near
the coast. CORVALLIS accordingly sent his eng-
neers to view FIRST Old Point where Fortress Monroe
now Isl aud then Yorktown. The latter was Sc
looted tho most elig bile Tor offensive aud defcn-
sivc operations.
part ut CORVALLIS army accordingly proceeded
up thn York River In transports and boats ana TOOK
possession OF Yorktown and Gloucester Point on the
lst OF september. On the 20th the evacuation Oh
Portsmouth completed.
CORVALLIS constructed a line OF WORKS completely
around Yorktown and also extended line OF In
trcnchments the peninsula in the rear of Glou-
cestef. All this time Lafayette was within few
miles OF Corn wallis but dared not strike "a blow.
Instead OF attacking New York, Ms expected,
Washington. having secured the corporation OK
tho French heet with admirable strategy slipped
away from the vc.nity OF New York. The French
Meet biockaded the mouth OF York River and landed
nr 1 M 10 rntnl nd