Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-10-24

can division from the Hudson by forced
marches and by transports down the
Chesapeake, was accomplished in good
order; seven regiments of the French
troops and park of artillery ably com
manded we're ready to cooperate, and
bodies of militia, and regular soldiers on
detached service assembled near York
town to the number of sixteen thousand.
A buoyant and fraternal feeling animat-
ed the allied army as it moved forward
from Williamsburg on the 28th Of Sep
TENDER and commenced the investment
of Yorktown. From that day till the
18th of October, when CORVALLIS first
displayed from the battered parapets of
the town the white signal of surrender.
the operations of the besiegers proceeded
with consummate skill, energy and spir-
it. Two days were spent in arranging
the terms of surrender. The Iordly
CORVALLIS who. by the boldness and
success of his previous southern cam
paign had won from Greene the name of
the "modern Hannibal" was finally
compelled to swallow the harsh terms
the British had imposed upon Lincoln at
Charleston, and one hundred years ago
at noon to-day Yorktown changed hands.
At two o'clock the grand finale was en-
acted. The humbled British forces
marched out between an imposing array
of French and American troops drawn
up in parallel lines, and deposited their
arms in field designated for this pur-
pose. The joy, exultation and gratitude
of the Americans knew no bounds. The
event signifed the end of hardships, the
success of their cause. We who are IA
miliar with the transports Of joy thai
burst over the north when at Appomat
tox the end came in 1865, can measure
bly, realize the exultation and thanks
giving which swelled in the hearts o
the patriots century ago to-day.
These centennial days should lead al
readers back to the fountain-head of on
} national history. The story of the rev
5 dictionary struggle should be the grea
f American classic. The record of it
s hardships, its exhibition of unfalterin
e devotion to principle amid appallin
8 privations and misfortunes in an une
t quail struggle with the first militar
8 power on the globe should be familia
n knowledge to every American you'll
e We apprehend that the history of til
n revolution is not as generally read an
l. studied as it was. It is a matter
e doubt if our young men and maidens ;
" class are even measurably famili;
with the leading events, incidents ar
characters of that most memorable stru
gle. 1t is even possible that many
r. them know more of light unwholeson
If literature and of the latest fashions thu
. of Yorktown and antecedent event
- Revolutionary history is fruitful nu
IL sery of grand lessons in manliness al
t. womanliness and an endless source
g. salutary inspiration. Perusal and stu,
RI of the times and events amid which th
- nation had its birth Is wholesome C
- receive for the follies and frivolities
Is this fast unthinking age. These cente
i'd malls should send US all, old and youn
n back to Lexington, to Bunker Hill,
u Valley Forge. to Bennington, Sarato
. and Yorktown and teach US new lesso
d. in life, in the love of country and in
ITS high, intelligent. unselfsh devotion
he its welfare Watchmoa.