The Republican journal., 1881-10-20
The Yorktown Celebration.

or some Time TO come the celebration
at orktown will attract 4 good deal OF
attention. \ short description of the place
and the historic battle fought there will
at This time be of interest
Yorktown is the capital Of York county
Va. 1t is Oh the right bank OF the York
river ten miles from its mouth, and is sc
miles from Richmond. The population is
about 700. The place is of course
chiefly noted for the siege which occurred
in 1881. On the LIST day of August of
that year, Lord CORVALLIS, acting under
orders from Sir Henry Clinton to secure
a strong and defensibie position in Viz
| ginia. established himself at York town.
| with his whole army of 5000 men, sup
| ported by several trigateS and smaller
| vessels which were anchored in York
river He fortified the place strongly with
redOubts and batteries and also fortified
Gloucester Point on the opposite side Of
the river. In the latter part of Septem-
Der the American and French forces eff
tected a junction with Lafayette at Will
Harrisburg, and whence under the COM
mand of Washington they marched to the
siege Of Yorktown. The whole besieging
force was about 10000 men, of whom T.
900 We're French, and the remainder Con-
tlnentals and militia. On the approach
of the American forces the British aban-
duned their outWorks. The siege was
continued until the 18th of October, when
CORVALLIS proposed to capitulate. He
surrendered on the 10Th his whole force,
consisting Of 1919 regular troops, $40
sailors and l06 guns. The total loss Of
the British during the siege was $50. This
was the decisive battle Of the Revolution,
and decided the fate Of this great country.
1t is we'll for us on the one hundredth an
niVersary of this battle to observe it with
betting ceremonies.
The official exercises are under the
charge of a Congressional Committee, of
which Senator Johnston of Virginia, is
chairman. The exercises take place Oct.
Is, -, 20, and 81. The first day the
President of the nited States and his
cabinet, the Congressional Committee
and other invited guests will be received
by the Governor OF Virginia. A part Of
the programme for the first day will be
the layingof the corner stone Of the York
town monument by the Grand Master of
Masons in Virginia, assisted by the Grand
Masters Of the thirteen original States.
The second day there will be an address
by the President of the United States
Grafton by Hon. Robert c. Winthrop, of
Massachusetts, and a centennial poem by
James Barron Hope of Virginia. The
third day there will be a grand military
parade and review by the President of
the United States of the troops and other
organizations present, under the com
mand Of Major General Winfield S. Han
cock. The fourth day there will be a
grand naval review by the President of
the United States and exercises Of the
fleet under command of Rear Admiral
WWman.
An immense crowd will be present to
witness the exercises. One hundred reg
ular troops, 10000 militia, 5000 Masons
and twenty five Governors Of States with
their statfs, are expected to be present.
! The site of the Centennial monument is a
projection of the bluff near the village,
and is conspicuous from the water for
long distance.
The monument will be an imposing af-
fair and will contain an inscription dedi-
eating the monument as a memorial of the
victory, an inscription representing a
succinct narrative of the siege, a treaty
of alliance with the King of France, and
the treaty of peace with King of England
The work Of erecting the monument is
under the supervision Of United States
Engineer William =. Craighll.
A pleasant part Of the anniversary will
be the visit Of the representatives of
France. 1t will be a pleasant task for
our government to extend the right hand
of welcome to the descendants of those
who did so much to assist us in establish
ing our liberties.