Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-07-27

the same point. In otner words, the
march upon CORVALLIS, perhaps the
most splendid episode of the war, was
an alternative plan already maturing in
Washington's MIND before word came
from De Grasse that for good reasons
he should not sail further north than
Virginia
| De Grasses announcement that he
would be in the Chesapeake about the
first of September, and that he expect
ed to meet the allied army there and
not at New York, did not reach Wash
ington until August IA. At once the
latter turned his entire attention to the
| descent upon CORVALLIS. Demonstra-
tions had been made against New ork
in July with a serious intent, but now
they were conducted as feint. 1t was
Of the greatest Importance that Clinton
should not suspect tie intended march
until Washington was well on his way
southwark. The plan remained pro-
found secret with both tho American
and French chiefs. The troops were
put on the move again toward the city
as if for an attack, and when they turn
ed about and crossed the Hudson at
Kings Ferry, late in August, the feint
was still kept up on the Jersey side for
a day or two, when the entire force
headed for the Chesapeake. On the
I'd of September the American wing,
two thousand strong-four thousand
having been left to guard the Hudson
,,uJo. Hath ,,orobad throunh Dkilo
delphia, followed the next day by the
French contingent, which delighted
Congress and the citizens with its in
spring music and brilliant appearance.
Here the news was received that De
Grasse had arrived in the Chesapeake
with powerful fleet. and Washington
pushed on with the livliest anticipa-
tions of success. The troops took the
straight road to the bead of the Elk
and Baltimore, and after short delay
embarked in transports for the James.
In spite of the fatigues of the march
they were all in good spirits, with
hardly sick man among them, and
seemed to realize the probably decisive
results of the movement they were en-
gagged in. "We shall soon look in
upon CORVALLIS as stern as the grave"
wrote on officer to friend in the
North, and be only reflected the gen.
eral expectation. From Baltimore,
Washington and Rochambeau and
their suites rode rapidly overland, stop
ping at Mount Vernon on the 9th and
lOth-the chiefs first visit to his home
for six years-and on the l4th reach
ed the camp of La Fayette at Williams
burg, who had been REINFORCED with
three thousand French troops under
st. Simon, brought on by De Grasse.
When Clinton, at New York, woke up
to the fact that Washington had given
him the slip, he saw no other way Of
meeting the danger to which Cornwall
lis would be exposed but by attempt
ing to go to his relief by sea.
La Fayette's little army at Williams
burg, the American part Of which had
been lowering about and lodging Corn
wallis ever since be entered the State
once, indeed. attacking him at Green
Springs, near jamestown, but without
success-received Washington with
unboundcd enthusiasm. As he ap-
preached the camps with Rochambeau.
the troops turned out on their parades,
a salute Of twenty-one guns was fired.
and later in the afternoon the Marquis
st. Simon gave sumptuous entertain
ment, at which the chiefs and all the
officers were present. "To add to the
happiness of the evening"" says one Of
the guests, ian elegant band OF music
played an introductive part Of French
opera. signifying the happiness Of the
family when blessed with the presence
Of their father, and their great depend
ence upon him About ten o'clock the
company rose up, and after mutual
congratulations and tie greatest ex-
preston Of joy, they separated" In
few days tho troops from the north
ward arrived In transports from the
head Of the Chesapeake, landing near
Williamsburg by way Of the James,
and on tho 9th Of September the COM
bined force was ready to move upon
CORVALLIS at Yorktown below. The
situation thus presented was the great
surprise Of the Revolution. Itsppears
as one of the few grand relieving feat
ures in an otherwise comparatively
tedious war, for here VIC have piece
of strategy on Washington's part
which involved for the first time extern
sivc and critical movements, and whose
details were carried out with singular
precision and success. Clinton IL quiet
ly left in the lurch Mt New York
Washington boldly marches four hun
dred miles away, and suddenly crush
cs his famous lieutenant ut point
where assistance can not reach him.
The position at Yorktown, on the
bank Of the York River, 30 formidable
In the late war, proved weak one as
CORVALLIS was situated. He threw
up works around tho place, and occu-
pied the high ground, nearly half
mile beyond, on the williamsburg
road, then known as Pigeon Quarter"
"a name still familiar TO old residents
OF the place. IL was here that Ma
gruder's Confederate Red and White
rcdoubts stood in 1862. CORVALLIS
had redoubts on the same sites, but
their guns pointed In nearly the oppo-
direction. The works around the town
were protected on the right by n deep
ravinc and on the left by tho head OF
Wormcley Creek, which act In from
tho river below. AT the mouth Of the
ravne on tho right, and across II.
strong work was thrown up. and gar
risoned by portion OF the Royal
Welsh Fusilecrs. The officer second
in command WAS Captain Thomas
Saumaurcz, who lived long enough to
be promoted TO the rank OF lieutenant
general in the British army on the day
OF Queen Victorias coronation. Two
other young captains--Charles Asgill,
~ the Guarda and Samuel Grnham OF