The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-10-21
THE YORKTOWN CENTENNIAL.

The Revolutionary Centennial Anniver.
saries began at Concord and Lexington In
April, 1875. They end this week in the eel
ebration of the surrender OF CORVALLIS at
Yorktown, which event took place Oct. 10,
It'll, and ended the American Revolution.
The Continentals we're largely indebted for
their victories over the British to the valor-
orous French and German allies who came
to their aid in perilous days under Lafayette,
De Rochambeau, Baron Steuben, and Count
II may be questioned whether the sorely-
pressed Colonies could have won in the I'M
equal fight, and certainly II 1t had not been
for the twenty-six ships of war under De
wallis, and the 1000 Frenchmen under La
fayette, who fought and marched into the
works with Wash'ngton's Continentals, the
British would not have marched out Of the
Yorktown intrenchments and laid down
their arms that October day to the tune "The
World Turned Upside Down."
The six years struggle had severely
tried the resources of the Colonies. In July,
1881, Sir Henry Clinton's army was lying in
New York. Washington was at Dobbs'
Ferry, on the Hudson. The British COM
mander was haughty In his strength and po-
sition and was content 10 hold Washington
in check while CORVALLIS with 5000 men
ravaged the South and the colonies wore out
under the burdens of an exhaustive war.
Washington was In fact disheartened and I'M
determined what to do. DeRochambeau then
Joined him with the French forces from New
port, and an attack on New York was serious
ly contemplated. Then came tidings from
De Grasse of his presence with fleet in the
Chesapeake and that he could only remain
uutil the middle of October. 1t was resolved
at once TO move the army south and concen-
trate the forces against CORVALLIS. The
army was moved as rapidly as possible by
land and water. Clinton discovered the
movement and was much concerned for Corn
wallis. He created a diversion by sending
Benedict Arnold into Connecticut to ravage
that State, and proposed to CORVALLIS to
send him 1000 or 5000 troops. The latter
thought he could maintain his position until
Admiral Digby's fleet, then daily expected at
Sandy Hook, could bring the reinforcements
and retired within his works. General
Washington and his allies invested the works
September 2sth with 10000 men, Of whom
1000 were Frenchmen, while the feet of De
Grasse blockaded the James and York rivers
and shut off communication with Clinton.
On the 18th Of October his first line of works
were carried by storm, and on the 10th
the main works were carried. CORVALLIS
attempted at night to escape with part of his
command to Gloucester, and had sixteen
large boats prepared for that purpose. 1t
was his intention to dispense the troops at
Gloucester with Tarleton's cavalry, mount
his infantry, and fight his way to New York.
He had already crossed one regiment when
a storm arose and suspended the movement.
At daylight the American batteries opened
and there was nothing left but to surrender.
The land forces capitulated to Washington;
the marine forces TO De Grasse. The sur
render included 7,19s prisoners, 2T4 cannon,
5000 small arms, 457 horses, % regimental
colors, 2 frigates, and 20 transports. BY
DEATH wounds, and desertion CORVALLIS had
lost 552 men the French had 80 killed and
125 wounded, and the Americans q killed
and IS wounded. The news was communi-
Gated to Congress in Philadelphia October
oath. This ended the War of the Revolution.
1t is the commemoration Of this event
which has this week drawn as many people
to the squalld little Virginia village as were
there one hundred years ago. The Presi-
dent, the Senate, national guests, descend
---.- - 49, r.~.-~,. anu c-rrnau aires wne
participated, military and Masonic organiza-
tions, and thousands of people, have met
there 10 lay the corner stone of monument,
witness a great naval review, hear speeches
and acknowledge obligations to the descend
ants of those patriotic soldiers who in the
dark days of the young Republic cast their
fortunes with the freemen of the New World
and established It on firm and enduring
foundations. It was proper that this should
be done, and we'll that 1t was done under ma
tional auspices. 1t is but kindly recogni-
ton of great service, when foes were
strong and friends few, and IL is the better
that II marks the day when these United
States became power among the nations of
the earth.