Connecticut western news., 1881-10-26
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
The Surrender of Cornwallis - A Notable Event One Hundred Years Ago.

The Surrender of Cornwallis - A
 Notable Event One Hundred | Years Ago.
 On the morning of the 17th of Octo- Der, the position of Gen. Cornwallis having become untenable, drummer was seen to mount the enemy's parapet. He beat barley, and immediately an officer, holding up white handkerchief, made his appearance outside the works, the drummer with him and still beating. The batteries ceased firing. An officer from the American lines ran out to meet the envoy, and tied the handkerchief over his eyes. The drummer was sent back, and the officer conducted to a house in the rear of the lines. It was an suspicious morning, for it was the anniversary of Burgoyne's capture. Cornwallis had proposed to surrender. On the 18th the firing was resumed. Several flags passed and repassed, but the noise of the cannonade was so great that the British drummer, in spite of his drumming, would not have been noticed but for his red coat. One Ameri- can soldier who was there said that the sound of the drum which he could then again hear was "the most delightful music-he had never heard drum equal to it."
 On the 18th inst. commissioners were appointed to adjust the etiquette of the equalization. Colonel Laurens and the Viscount de Noailles were named on the side of the allies, and Colonel Dundas and Major Ross, aide-de- camp to Lord Cornwaliis, on the part of the British. On the 18th the articles of equalization were signed. These were definitely those which Clinton had imposed upon Lincoln at Charleston, and the formal surrender of the garrison took place. The articles provided that "the land troops should remain prisoners of the United States; the naval to the naval army of His Most Christian Majesty" All artillery, guns, accoutrements, mili- tary chest and public stores to be given up to heads of departments appointed to receive them. Officers were allowed to retain their side arms. The general staff and other officers not retained to reside near their respective regiments were paroled.
 These articles having been agreed upon, the British garrison formally marched ont for surrender at 2 o'clock p. m. on the 18th inst. The ceremony has been again and again described. The British appeared in new uniforms, which had few days before been given out. Their colors were cased. Their musicians were not allowed to play 8 French or American tune. This was in retaliation of the same condition i'm posed upon Lincoln at Charleston the year before. There was good deal of discussion of this article, but Laurens was firm; and the British did march out to the old national tune of 'sThe World Turned Upside Down." Corvallis, it is we'll known. pleaded illness, and dep- uted O'Hara to give up his sword to Washington. The French and Ameri- can armies were drawn up on either side of the Hampton road. The fine appearance of the French troops attracted much attention by the bril- liancy of their white uniforms and of their white silk standards. The soldierly bearing of the American troops was much commended. But their real req son for pride was that Washington, Rochambeau, Lincoln, Lafayette, Steu- ben and Knox were there to command them. As O'Hara advanced, he offered the sword of Cornwallis to Washington, who declined to receive 1t, but referred O Hara to General Lincoln. That off Ger, after taking it, at once returned it to O'Hara. The British soldiers, when they grounded their arms, overcome by shame and rage, threw them down with such violence as occasionally to break them; but Steuben soon put a stop to that display of passion. Some of the German officers in the British service were moved to tears. One observer has recorded that there was much confusion and riot among the British during the day; that many of them were intoxicat- ed; that an American sentinel killed 8 British soldier with his bayonet.
 When our troops got into Yorktown, the spectacle presented was far from agreeable. The place was filthy; the handsome houses shattered. Of prison CTS, there were 7,247 of regular troops, with $40 marines. The British loss dur ing the siege seems small it only amounted to $50.
 On the next morning Washington, in his general orders, congratulated the troops on their success. He appointed divine service for the next day, rec- ommending the soldiers to attend "with that seriousness of department and gratitude of heart which the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing inter- positions of Providence demanded. Going to the Rear.
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