Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-15

burned. A witness of the confagration saws
that the ship was wreathed in fire from the
water-line to the main truck. The lurid light
illuminated the whole harbor, and brought out
in bold relief the imposing array made by the
French fleet. commanded by Admiral De erase
who blockaded the mouth of the river and
watched with eager vigilance for the coming of
the expected British feet bringing reinforce
ments to CORVALLIS.
AN EPISODE OF THE SIEGE.
Perhaps the most gallant and daring action Of
the whole siege was the capture of two British
redoubts near the river, forming the outmost
posts OF the strong chain of fortiications
thrown up by the British. The picked men of
the allied armies were chosen for this hazardous
enterprise. The American light infantry-than
whom Lafayette said there were no better
soldiers In the world-were assigned to the
task OF capturing the redOubt on the high bank
OF the river, while the other, a-quarter of q
mile away, was left to the French chasseurs and
grenadiers from the Galenois and Royal
Deuxponts. Deuxpont commanded the French
column OF 400 men, and Col. Alex. Hamilton
was at the head OF the American column equal
In numbers. 1t was night assault. The
redoubts were gallantly stermed and bravely
defended. The French column halted few
minutes to beat down an abatis, during which
they were exposed to q most destructive fire.
but with splendid courage and discipline they
works shouting give lie Roi" were
quickly in possession of the redoubts. The
Americans did no less bravely. Hamilton and his
gallant followers plunged through the abatis
and won the goal before the French had yet
charged into the redoubt which they had under
taken to capture. When Hamilton inside the
redoubt sent to inform the French leader Of his
success, and to inquire If he was in his. the
latter, it is related, replied: ''No, but will be
in five minutes" and kept his word. For that
chevalier of France, and Hamilton was knighted
III the hearts OF his cOuntrymen.
THE SURRENDER.
At 10 o'clock on the morning Of the 18th q
relocated drummer appeared upon the British
parapets and beat parley, which at once caused
cessation of hostilities. On the 18th the COM
missioners representing the two armies met at
the SpOttswOOd or Moore house, which was in
the rear of the American lines. On the 18th the
articles OF capitulation were signed by Corn
wallis Gin the trenches" and at 3 o'clock on
that day the British soldiers marched out of
Yorktown as prisoners of war with colors cased,
and grounded their arms, keeping solderly
step to the march ''The World Turned Upside
DOWN" the articles of surrender prescribing
that their drums should not beat an American
or French march. The scene at the surrender
Is, 1t is Claimed, very accurately portrayed in
TrumbulPs painting In the rotunda of the
Capitol In writing the story of York
town mention should be made Of the
operations on Gloucester Point, especially
as another gallant young Frenchman distin-
guished himself here for his zeal and daring
courage. Gen. Weldon, with 5000 raw militia
men, unused to steel and gunpowder, were here
posted to hold in check the British troopers
under the impetuous TarletOn. De Lauzun's
cavalry was sent across from Yorktown to REIN
force Weldon, to whom De Grasse also sent 500
French marines under the orders Of NJ. De
Choisy. De Choisy taking command Of the force
determined upon a reconnaissance to secure q
better position. Here occurred an interesting
episode Of battle, which is entirely French in
flavor.
DE LAUZUN AND TARLETON.
De Lauzun and his lancers led the advance
They are told by the Virginia dragons, who
have wholesome dread of Tarleton's troopers
that the English are near at hand and are coun-
SEIZED against approaching too near to them
Suddenly as they near fine mansion they espy
a handsome lady, and the dashing De Lauzun is
not slow to accost her with the gallantry of
phrase in which his countrymen excel. Thelady
has just been honored by visit from Tarleton,
and seems by the manner of her repartee to
regard him with interest. 'How long since
he has gomez" She will not say
but remarks instead that he would be only too
happy to shake the hand of the French duke
The conversation is hardly over before shots are
heard. The American scouts come flying back
with the cry that they have seen Tarleton. De
Larzun is up and away, encounters the British
leader, charges him without drawing rein, and
unhorses him. He attempts to carry him off, but
the British dragons rush between them and
rescue their leader. They have lost an officer
and about fifty men; the French but three hus-
sars. Tarleton has shaken the hand of the
French duke andisgravely wounded The sub
sequent exploits of the American and French
arms before Gloucester were in keeping with
the greater operations across the river.
PUBLIC REJOICING
The news of the surrender of CORVALLIS was
communicated to Congress in session in Phil
adelphia, on the 18th of October, Lieut. Col.
Tilghman, who bore the dispatches having ar
rived at midnight of the 24th. The following
day Congress voted to erect monument on the
field at Yorktown. At night the city was
When news reached France. Paris
was Illuminated and Ie Dams were sung.