Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-19

GOOu sized trench naQ Deen eXcaVaIeu.
From this time on the life Of the besieged
was not a pleasant one. The fire OF the be-
siegers was so well directed chat by the 18th
the British guns were nearly all silenced.
CORVALLIS had established his headquarters
in the fine mansion Of Mr.. Nelson, formerly
Secretary of Virginia, but he left 1t on the
10th, and the story goes that he sought ref
uge In what is still called "Cornwallis'
Cave" Lafayette's headquarters were off
the left of his line, and not far from the
road 70 Hampton.
The most heroic fighting of the siege was
seen on the night of October 14th. There
were two outer redoubts held by the British
near the river, and these 1t was decided to
take by storm. About four hundred men
were told off from Lafayette's division to
take one of these, and an equal number
from the French regiments Of Gatenois and
Deuxponts to take the other. 1t was bravely
done on both sides in less than half an hour,
and now the British position was practically
untenable. A sortie was made for the pur-
pose OF destroying some unfinished batteries,
but 1t failed Of its object, and CORVALLIS
realized his extreme danger. He tried on
the night OF the 10th to gain the opposite
side Of the river. but a storm which came on
at midnight frustrated his design.
AT last, at 10 O'Clock on the morning of
the 18th, red coated drummer sounded a
parley, and an officer who accompanied him
waved white handkerchief The officer
was met and blindfolded, and conducted to
the rear OF the American lines. His message
from Cornwallis was that hOstilities be sus-
pended for twenty-four hours, and commits
sioners appointed to arrange the terms OF
surrender. Washington's reply was, that
he would rather have the British command
er's proposals in writing first, and to secure
them agreed to cease firing for two hours.
Before the two hours had expired CornYal-
lis had Offered TO capitulate on condition
that his troops be sent back to England un-
der parole not to serve again during the war
against either France or America, unless
they were regularly exchanged. This
was rejected at once, and the messenger
sent back with Washington's ultimatum
that the British army be surrendered as
prisoners OF war on the same terms as the
Americans surrendered at Charleston, in
the previous year. Cornwallis scceded to
this, and the next day, the Is b, the com
missioners met TO formally ratify the terms
This meeting was held in the Moore House,
on the bank of the York river, a short
distance behind the American lines. The
articles OF surrender were fourteen In num-
Der, and were submitted to Cornwallis at
daylight, on the 195h, accompanied by a
note from Washington intimating that he
expected them to be signed before eleven
O'Clock, and that the troops would march
out and lay down their arms at two O'Clock
in the afternoon.
WashingtOn's request was complied with.
AT O'Clock sharp the army of Cornwallis
marched out. The march was along the
Hampton road, on the right of which thev
found the Americans drawn up in their buff
and blue uniforms, rather the worse for
wear, and on the left were the French in the
clean white affected by the armies Of the
Bourbon kings. The British had donned
their best scarlet. and their bands played an
old march called "The World Turned Up
side Down"
The next step was the grounding Of arms
by the surrendered troops. They marched
the entire length of the Frsnco-American
lines-about a mile-to field on the right,
where a squadron Of French hussars had
formed circle into which each regiment
marched and deposited their guns and ac-
coutrements. In silence they marched back
TO their own tents. In the same field Corn
wallis delivered up his sword TO Washing
ton, and American independence had been
achieved.
On the night Of October "a, 1871, Colonel
Tench Tilghman, of Maryland, Aide-de-
Camp to Genersl Washington, who was
selected as special courier, arrived at Phila-
delphta, where the Continental Congress
was in session, bearing the following dis
patch from the commander in chief:
"HEADQUARTERs NEAR YORK.
18th October, 17S1.
"SIR-I have the honor to inform Con-
gress that reduction Of the British army
under the command OF Lord Cornwallis is
most happily effected. The unremitting
ardour which actuated every officer and
soldier in the combined army, on this oc-
casioD, has principally led 10 this impor-
tant event, at an earlier period than nv
hopes had induced me to expect.
"The singular spirit of emulation which
the whole army, from the first com
mencement of our operations, has filed my
mind with the highest pleasure and salts
faction, and had given me the happiest
presages of success.
''On the 18th instant letter was received
from Lord COrnwallis, proposing a meeting
OF Commissioners to consult on terms for
the sure oder of the ports of York and
Gloucester. This letter (the first which had
passed between u.s. opened correspon-
dence, a copy of which l do myself the
honor to enclose. That correspondence was
followed by the defnitive capituation,
which was agreed to and signed on the 10Th,
copy of which is also herewith transmitted
and which hope will meet the appreciation
OF Congress.
81 should be wanting in the feelings of
gratitude did l not mention on this occa-
sion, with the warmest sense acknowledge
ments, the very cheerful and able assistance
which have received in the course of our
operations from His Excellency Count de
ROcbambeau, and all his officers Of every
rank in their respective capacities. Moth
ing ould equal this zeal Of our allies but
the emulsting spirit of the American Off
GERS, whose ardor would not suffer their
exertions to be exceeded.
"Ihe very uncommon degree Of duty and
fatigue which the nsture of the service re-
quired from the officers of engineers and
artillery of both armies oblige me particu-
lsTly to mention the obligations am under
to the commanding and other officers of
those corps.
81 wish it was 10 my power to express to
Congress how much feel myself indebted
to the Count de Grasss and the officers of
the feet under his command, for the distin-
guished aid and support which has been af-
forded by them, between whom and the
army the most happy concurrence of senti-
ments and views have subsisted, and from
whom every possible cooperation has been
experienced, which the most harmonious
intercourse could afford.
"Returns Of the prisoners, military stores,
ordnance, shipping aud other matters, l
shall do myself the honor to transmit to
Congress as soon as they can be collected by
the heads OF departments to which they be-
long.
"Colonel Lsurens and the Viscount de
Noailles, on the part Of the combined army,
were the gentlemen who acted as Commits
sioners for forming and settling the terms
of capitulation and surrender herewith
transmitted, to whom / am particularly
obliged for their readiness and attention ex-
hibited on the occasion.
"Colonel T1ghman, one of my aids-de-
camp, will have the honor to deliver these
dispatches to your Excellency; he will be
able to inform you OF every minute circum-
stance which is not particularly mentioned
in my letters; his merits, which are too well
known to need any observations at this time,
have gained my particular attention, and !
could wish that they may be honored by the
notice Of your Excellency and Congress.
"Your ExcellencY and Congress will be
pleased to accept nv congratulations on
this happy event, and believe me to be, with
the highest respect and esteem, sir, your
Excellency's most obedient humble ser
want, G.. WASHINGTON.
"Hls Excellency the President of Con-
gress.
"P. S.-Tho' am not possessed of the
particular returns, yet have reason to sup
pose that the number OF prisoners will be
between 5000 aud 5000, exclusive of sea
men and others"
The glad tidings spread quickly through
out the city, and great was the rejoicing
that followed.
Congress met the next day, and its Presi-
dent, Thomas Mexican, read the dispatches
from General Washington, and then the
members decided to march In a body to the
nearest church and return thanks to the
Almighty. After that, Edmund Randolph's
resolution for the building of the monument
was passed. The subsequent financial diff
culties of the new government led to the