Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-09-14
Yorktown.

Yorktown meshee, We must cross into the
camps of the Americans and their friends
the French. Washington, who, with q
wretchedly clothed and often but half-fed
army, had been sustaining the cause of the
Revolution through six long years, never
felt the embarrassment of his situation
more than in the early part of the year
l7sl. He could do little to assist the
South. and saw no flattering prospects OF
achieving anything decisive in the North.
The only ray Of hope that flashed through
The cl0uus was the probability that in the
course of the summer a large French fleet
would appear upon the American coast,
with whose assistance something might be
effected. But even here so many contingen-
cies were evolved that success still seemed
an aggrsvating uncertainty. a campaign.
nevertheless, was arranged. On the 23d
of Msy, Washington met Count de Ro-
chambeau, commanding the French allies
at Newport, in conference at Wethersfield,
Connecticut, where il was agreed that the
French should join the Americans on the
Hudson, and an attempt be made to capture
New York city. A request was sent later
20 the Count de Grasse, admiral of the ex-
pected feet IN the West Indies, to cooper
ate by entering the harbor. This was
Washington's plan, while it would seem
that Rocbambeau, although yielding TO
HIM, had mlsgivings in regard TO it. At
the same conference :he project of march
ing to Virginia was alluded to, but IT was
held that that State could be relieved quite
as effectuslly by attacking Clinton in the
North, and preventing him from sending
further re-lnforcements southwark. Still,
everything depended upon De Grasse.
Without him the year would probably
close with matters continuing an stdtu
quo with him a great blow might be
struck somewhere. and that someUhere
was now the problem. Although WASH
ingtor had committed himself at the Weth-
ersfield conference to an attack upon New
York, and expected the cooperation OF the
French admiral, We find, as the summer
advanced, and the situation in Virginia
changed by the retirement of CORVALLIS to
the sea-coast, that he recognized tie poss-
iblIity of change of plan on his own part,
and this before De Grasses final destination
and intentions were known. BY the I'd of
August he had informed La Fayette of the
contingency that might take him to VIr-
glnla, where they could unite in falling
upon CORVALLIS; and he had sounded Mr..
Robert Morris as to transportation from
Philadelphia, from which we are to infer,
as, indeed, ore of his letters authorizes
the inference-that even had DE Grasse
come to New York, Washington was ready
10 suggest his sailing back to the Chesa-
peake, while the army would move to the
same point. In other words, the march
upon Cornw wallis, perhaps the most splendid
episode of the war, was an alternative plan
already maturing in Washington's mind
before word came from De Grasse that,
for good reasons, he should not sail further
north thar Virginia
De Grasses announcement that he would
be in the Chesapeake about the first of
September, and that he expected to meet
the allied army there and not at New
York, dId not reach Washington until
August IA. At once the latter turned his
entire attention to the descent upon Corn
wallis. Demonstrations had been made
against New York in July with serious
intent, but now they were conducted as a
feInt. 1t was Of the greatest importance
that Clinton should not suspect the intend
ed march until Washington was well on
his way southwark. The plan remained a
profound secret with both the American
and French chiefs. The troops were put
on the move again toward the city, as if
for an attack, and when they turned about
and crossed the Hudson at Kings Ferry,
late In August, the feint was still kept up
on the Jersey side for a day or TWO, when
the entire force headed for the Chesapeake.
On the I'd of September the Amer
lean wing, two thousand strong
four thousand having been left to guard the
Hudson, under Heath-marched through
Philadelphia. followed the next day by the |
French contingent, which delighted Con- |
gress and the citizens with its inspiring |
music and brilliant appearance. Here the |
news was received that De Grasse had ar
rived in the Chesapeake with powerful |
fleet, and Washington pushed on with the |
lIvehest anticipatlons of success. The |
troops took the straight road TO the head Of |
the Elk and Baltimore, and, after short |
delay, embarked in the transports for the |
James. In spite of the fatigues of the
march, they were all in good spirits, with |
hardly a sick man among them, and SEEM
ed to realize the probably decisive results
of the movement they were engaged in.
a. We shall soon look in upon CORVALLIS as
stern as the grave, wrote an officer TO a
friend in the North, and he only reflected
he general expectation. From Baltimore,
Washington AID Rochambeau and their
suites rode rapidly overland, stopping at
Mount Vernon, on the 9th and 10th-tbe
,hief's first visit 10 his home for six years,
and or the l4th reached the camp of La
Fayette at Williamsburg, who had been
reinforced with ehree thousand French
roops, under ST. Simon, brought on by De
1rasse. When Clinton. at New York,
woke up to the fact that Washington had
given him the slip, he saw no other way
If meeting the danger to which Cornwallis
would be exposed. bnt by attempting to 60
o his relief by sea.
La Fayettes little army at Williams
'urg, the American part of which had been
lowering about and lodging CornwalIis
.ver since he ed the State-once, In
Iced, attacking him al Green Springs, near
JAMESTOWN, but without success-receiyed
Washington with unbounded enthusiasm. |
Z
As he approached the camps with Rocham- 1
eau, the troops turned out on their parades, {
salute of 2l guns was fired, and later In s
be aftern Oon the Marquis St. Simon gave
sumptuous entertainment, at which the s
hiefs and all The officers were present,
TO add to the happiness of the evening"
ays one Of the guests, IAN elegant band of b
luslc played an introduetive part of a
reich opera, signIfying the happiness of (
le family when blessed with the presence a
t their father, and their great dependence '
pom HIM. About ten O'Clock the company C
)se up, and after mutual congratulations v
nd the greatest expression of joy, they |,
,parated." In a few days the troops i
ON the northward arrived in transports
ON the head Of the Chesapeake, landing
sar Williamsburg by way of the James. v
I'd on the 9th of Septemberthec combined d
rec was ready to move upon Cornwallis tl
Yorktown below. The situation thus
esented was the great surprise of the
evolution. 1t appears as one of the few n
and relieving features In an otherwise "
tedious war, for here We o
we piece of strategy on Washington's D
IT which involved for the first time ex- P