Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-19
YORKTOWN.
story Of Witness Who Was a
The Surrender of Lord Corn
wallis One Hundred Years
Ago To-day.
Pit~tsbursPost.l

Pittsbure Post.l
The annexed extracts are from the
printed diary of Ebenezer Denny,
Ensign in Captain Samuel Montgom,
ery's company of Buffers regiment Of
the Pennsylvania line in General
Wayne's CORPS. They left York in
this State May 10, 1881, and made a
function with Lafayette juno is, IN
the vicinity of Richmond, and saw
considerable service in the peninsula
harassing the British army. We
quote from the diary: :,
July 7th-The army marched and
crossed James river at Westover, the
seat of Colonel Bird, said to have been
once the most wealthy planter in the
State; the improvements superb; saw
nothing like them before. Kept at a
respectable distance from the enemy;
rather between them and the route to
| North Carolina. Some idea Of their
design to return to the southwark.
Report going of a French feet below.
This news confirmed; great joy; army
on the alert.
September 1st-Army encamped on
the bank of James river; part Of
French feet, with troops on board, in
view. Recrossed James river and
encamped at Williamsburg; army in
high spirits, reinforcement comingo on.
14th-General Washington arrived
our brigade was paraded to receive
him; he rode along the line-hesd-
quarters at Williamsburg.
15th-OGcers all pay their respects
to the commander in chief; so in a
body; those who are not personally
known, their names given by General
Hand and General Wayne. He stands
in the door, takes every man by the
hand-the officers all pass in, reeeiy-
ing his salute and shake. This is the
first time | had seen the General. We
have an elegant encampment close to
town, behind William and Mary Col
lege. This building occupied as an
hospital. Williamsburg a very hand
some place, not so populous as Rich
mond, but situate on evenly, pretty
ground; streets and lots spacious
does not appear to be a place Of much
business, rather the residence Of gen.
tlemen of fortune; formerly it was
the seat of government and Dunmore's
late residence. A neat public build
ing, called the Capitol. fronts the
principal street; upon the floor IS a
handsome marble statue Of William
Pitt.
The presence Of so many general
officers, aud Their arrival Of new corps,
seem to give additional life to every
thing; discipline the order Of the day.
In all directions troops seen exercising
and maneuvering. Baron Steuben,
our great military oracle. The guards
attend the grand parade at an carly
hour; Wherethe Baron is found wait
ing with one or two aids en- horseback.
These men are exercised and put
through various evolutiens and mill
tary experiments for two hours-many
officers and spectators present; e1csl-
lent school, this. At length the duty
OF the parade comes. The guards are
told Of; the officers take their posts,
wheel By p~latoons to the right; fine
corps Of music detailed for this duty.
which strikes up, the whole march Of,
saluting the Baron and the field officer
of the day, az they pass. PenusylEa-
MIA brigade almost old soldiers, and
well disciplined when compared With
those Of Maryland and Virgins. But
the troops from the eastward far su-
peTior to either.
25th-Joined BY the last Of the
troops from the eastward. French
encamped q few miles on the right;
busy in getting cannon and military
stores from on board the vessels.
2Sth-The whole army moved in
three divisions toward theeaemy, who
were strongly posted at York, shout
twelve miles distant Their pickcts
and light troops retire. We eaesmped
about three miles of-ehange ground
and take 4 position within one mile Of
York; rising ground covered with tall,
handsome pDes) ealled Pigeon Hill,
separates usfrom /. view Of the town.
Enemy keep possession Of Pigeon Hill
York o. a high, sandy plain, on a
deep naTigable river OF the same name.
American Ga the right; French on the
left. extending on both sides Of the
river; preparations for q siege. One
third Of the army On fatigue every
day, engaged in various duties, making
gabions, fascises, saueissons, etc. and
great e~xsrtions and labor 10 getting
on the heavy artillery. Strong cover.
ing parties, whole regiments) moved
from camp soon as dark, and lay all
night upon their arms between US and
the enemy. Our regiment, when on
their duty, were under cover, and Sc.
cured from the shot by Pigeon Hill:
now and then q heavy shot from the
enemys work reached our camp. Our
patrols, and those Of the British. met
occasionally in the dark, sometimes
few shots we're exebanged-wouid gen
orally retire. Colonel Scbamel. Ad.
%jutant General to the army, with two
or three attendants, on a party Of o5
servation, ventured rather close, they
we're seen aud intercepted by a fes
smart horsemeu from the British
Schamel forced his way through and
got back to camp, but received a
wound Of which be died next day. His
death was lamented and noticed by
the commander in chief 10 bis orders.
Possession taken Of Pigeon Hill and
temporary work erected. Generals
and engineers, in viewing and survey.
ing the ground, are always fred upon.
and sometimes pursued. Escorts and
covering parties, stationed at con.
v%enient distances, under cover Of wood.
rising ground, etc. afford support,
This business reminds me Of a play
among the boys called prison base.
At length, everything in readiness.
a division Of the army broke ground
on the night of the 9th of October,
and opened the first parallel about SIX
hundred yards from the works of the
enemy. Every exertion TO annoy our
men, who were necessarily Obliged to
DO exposed about the work; however.
the business went on, and on the 9th
our business and mortars began 10
NAV Tho caaua viamod Gron, IL.