Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-08-03
Tho Surrender Of Yorktown.

At noon Of the 18th (October) we have
the first act of surrender. Yorktown
changed hands. Two redoubts on the lett
of the enemy's works were at that hour
taken possesSion Of by detachments from
ibe old allied army. Col. Richard Butler
commanded the American, and the mar
ouis of Laval the French party. each OF
one hundred men. At 2 o'clock we reach
the closing scene. The army OF Cornwall
lis marched out as prisoners OF war,
grounded their arms, and then marched
hack. Accounts agree in describing the
display and ceremony on the occasion as
unite imposing. The British appeared III
new uniforms, distributed among the'li a
few days before, and il only required tile
fiying of their standard to give their march
the effect of Il holiday parade. But tneir
colors were cased, and they were prohloIt-
ed from playing either French or Amerl-
can tune This was the return OF
compliment. piece of justifiabie as wen
as poetic retaliation on the part of Amerl-
cans for what the enemy were pleased 10
command when Gen. Lincoln was compel
led to surrender at Charleston the year
before. The matter came up ut the meet
ing Of the commissioners. ms IS a
harsh article said Ross TO Laurens.
(which article?" answered the latter.
The troops shall march out. with col
ors cased, and drums beating British or
German march"
Yes. sir" answered Laurens, with II
touch of sang frotd, "it is harsh article "
"rhen," said Ross. i" if that is your
opinion, why is it hereP"
Whel eupon Laurens. who had been
made prisoner at Charleston with Lin
coins army, proceeded TO remind Ross
that the Americans on that occasion had
made a brave defence. but were ungailant-
" refused any honors of surrender other
than to march out with colors cased and
drums not beating British or II German
march.
But" reinined Ross, "my Lord Corn
wallis did not command at Charleston"
There, sir" said Laurens, you eXlort
another observation. IL is not tho iudiVid
uai that is here considered lit is the nation.
This remains AN article OF cease to be Il
commissioner.
Nothing more was to be said; the article
stood, and the enemy marched out with
colors cased, while the tune they chose tC
follow was an old British march, with the
quite appropriate title OF i" The Worl'
Turned Upside Down.
As the prisoners moved out of their
works along the Hampton road, they
found the French and American armit
drawn up on either side of the way, The
Americans on their right, and extending
for more than mile toward the field 70
surrender. The French troops presented
II brilliant spectacle in their white uni.
forms. with pumed and decorated officer
at their head, and gorgeous standards o
white silk, embroidered with golden feWr
d US. floating along the line. The Ameri
cans were lie of an attraction in out
ward appearance, but hot the less eagerl,
eyed by their late antagonists.
Among the wir.worn continentals there
was variety of dress, poor at the best
distinguishing the men OF the differrn
lines; but 10 compensate for lack of show
there was Il soldIerly bearing aboGt them
which commanded attention.
Tue militia formed in their rear pre-
sented less martial sight, so far a
clothing and order were concerned. But
all these men were conquerors, and thei
very appearance bespoke the hardship
aud prlvations they and their states hat
Undergone to win in the struggle. At tn
head of the respective lines were tn
commanding generals, noblv mounted
Washington. Rochambeau, Lafayette, Lin
coin, S.euben, Knox and the rest. Leadin!
the British came Gen o Ilara. instead o
CORVALLIS The latter pleaded illness
but he sent his sword by O'Hara to b
given up to Washington. AS o Har
advanced 10 the chief, he was referred Il
Lincoln, who, upon receiving the swor,
as token of the enemy's submission
Immediately returned it to the British
general, whose troops then marched be
tween the two lines TO ii field on the right
where they grounded their arms -Henrd
Z. JOhnSOkal In Hlrner's Mnnnzine