Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-09-23

oddly shaped and dressed spectators, with
eyes and mouth open, will listen to the
latest news, which is generally several days
old by the time they receive it, which pre-
sents rather an amusing and primitive pic
ture.
The Nelson house, of Revolutionary fame,
is the Oldest house standing and has been
purchased for the entertainment of distn-
guished guests by the Centennial Commits
sion. The old Revolutionary breast works
are in many places still plainly discernible,
and the oldest citizen is yet able to point
out the spot where Lafayette leaped over
when he made charge on the British
forces(?)
What is known as the Temple farm about
mile and a-half from the town proper, the
encampment Of all the troops is to be stu
ated On this farm stands the old Moore
house, where the terms of the surrender
were drawn and entered into. This farm
has lately been sold to the Commission
for fifteen thousand dollars. Yorktown is
memorable for two important events, the
siege of 1881 and 1862. On the LIST of August,
1881, Lord CORVALLIS, in obedience to orders
from Sir Henry Clinton to occupy some
strong defensible position, located himself
at this point with an army of 5000, sup
ported by several trigates, which were an
chored in the York river, and at once threw
up batteries extending completely around
the town. Near the close of September
Washington joined Lafayette at Williams
burg, whence, under the command Of Wash
ington, they MARCHED to the investment of
Yorktown, their forces amounting to 10000,
of whom 1000 were French. October the
9th and 18th attacks were made upon the
enemy with decided success to the Ameri-
can forces. On the 14th bold and sue
cessful attack was made, which resulted in
preventing CORVALLIS from receiving rein
forcements or escaping by sea. On the 10th
CORVALLIS attempted sortie and was de-
feated. The 18th c proposed to captulate,
and on the 10Th his whole army, consisting
of 7,247 regulars, $40 sailors and 106 guns,
surrendered to Gen. Washington-thus vir-
tually ended the struggle for independence
Lord George German, who was the first to
announce the news to Lord North upon
being asked how the premier took it, re-
piled "As he would have taken a ball in his
breast, for he opened his arms, exclaiming
wildly as he paced up down the apartment:
Oh God it is all over"
Lord CORVALLIS laid the blame Of his de-
feat on Sir Henry Clinton, who had not given
him the succor he had expected, and several
pamphlets were published between them, in
which Sir Henry blamed both the scheme
and its conduct. 1t was hard for the
proud spirit of CORVALLIS to bend, he had
been known as the scourge of the South,
the conqueror OF Gates, the pursuer of
Green and Lafayette, and could not with
out the keenest anguish face the event, and
Gen. O'llara, by his direction, led out the
troops and surrendered CORVALLIS sword
| to Lincoln.
The seige of Yorktown in 1862 was the
initial step in the Peninsular campaign, and
so recent are the events that it is not neces-
sary to make more than mention of it,
| The siege commenced on April 9TH of that
year. The 9th of May was fixed upon as
the day on which the fire was to be opened,
but two days before this Gen. Joseph E.
Johnson evacuated his works, carrying away
everything worth taking. His trains and
the mass Of his troops were well under the
way towards Richmond before their depar-
ture was known by the besiegers. Gen.
Johnson had under his command at this siege
| fifty-three thousand. Mcclellan, who was
opposed to him, one hundred and twelve
thousand.
1t is here proper to remark that the ar
engagements for the coming celebration are
upon the most extensive scale of anything
that ever transpired in this country 1t is
thought that at least one hundred thousand
people will be in attendance each day of the
Centennial. The two French regiments will
add much to the occasion. The three great
days will be the army navy, and the one on
which the different orders and societies will
assemble.
1t is not much more than an hours drive
from Yorktown to Williamsburg, one of the
Oldest places in the State, and which to this
day is still celebrated for its wealth and its
society. The college of William and Mary
established in 1893, is but short distance
from town. 1t was also here that the first
House of Burgesses met, and whilst making
inquiries in relation to the same an old gen
tleman handed usa copy of its first days
proceedings. Thinking it may be of in
terest to our readers we append the same.
AT General Assembly, begun and held
at the Capitol, the third day of August, in
the first year of the reign of our Sovereign
Lord George, by the grace of God of Great
Britain, France and Ireland King, Defend
or of the Faith, &c.-Annoq. Dni. 17l5
| PREsENT.-The Honorable Alexander
Spotswood, His Majesty's Lieutenant Gov
ernor Robert Carter, James Blair, Philip
Ludwell, John Smith, John Lewis, VIM.
Cooke, Nathaniel Harrison, Mann Page and
| Robert Porteus, Esqrs
William Cooke, Mann Page and Robert
Porteus, Esqrs., appointed by the Governors
commission to administer the oaths enioined
by law to the Burgesses returned to serve in
this Assembly, reported that they had ac-
cordingly administered the oaths to forty
nine members Of the House of Burgesses,
who are now met in their House.
| Ordered.
| That the Clerk OF the General Assembly
go to the House of Burgesses and command
their immediate attendance on the Governor
in the Council Chamber
The Burgesses attending, the Governor
spoke as follows:
Gentlemen The first step to be proceed
ed in towards the business for which you
are assembled is that you, Gentlemen of the
House of Burgesses, repair to your House
and make choice of a speaker
| A message from the House of Burgesses
to the Governor, by Mr.. Corbin and others,
that the Hous had made choice of a speaker,
and waited his IIonor's commands when to
present him.
Whereupon the Governor was pleased
to appoint tomorrow at II o'clock in the
Council Chamber.
And then the Council adjourned till to-
morrow morning, ten O'clock"