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

\ but failing TO bring him to action, n
suddenly turned in a south-westerly
course to Elk Island, in the uppe
James, where he covered Simcoe's raiC
upon the magazines at Point of Fork
which Steuben was guarding with
about five hundred Virginia recruits
The troopers under Tarleton, whom
the State militia avoided as they woulC
$50 many wild beasts" rode at vii
over the country, and nearly succeeded
in capturing Governor Jefferson ant
the Assembly at Charlottesville. Mean
while La Fayette had been REINFORCED
by Wayne, near the Rapidan, with one
Thousand Pennsylvania Continentals
and following CORVALLIS, dexterously
managed to prevent the further destruc-
tion of stores, and also joined Steuben's
troops to his own. CORVALLIS then
retired TO Richmond, the Americans
watching him always, and about the
goth of June marched to Williamsburg
on the Peninsula-a move not caused
by inability on his part to hold his own
in the heart of the State, but evidently
to await further developments as to the
plan Of thoroughly subjugating it
Once more, however, he found his plans
thwarted. The dearly bought victory
at Guilford Court House crippled him
in North Carolina, and now the situa.
tion and demands of his chief at New
York cut off all hope of present success
in Virginia for upon his arrival at
Williamsburg he received orders from
Clinton to send him three thousand
men, and with the rest to establish q
defensive post on the coast as base
for future expeditions, and protection
for ships of war CORVALLIS could do
no less than obey, and marching to
Portsmouth, was proceeding to embark
the troops, when later instructions per-
mitted him to retgin them, and further
more directed him to fortify Old Point
Comfort in Hampton Roads as the ma
val station in view. But upon exam
ination, finding that the Point could
not be defended, CORVALLIS kept on to
Yorktown to establish the post there.
Thus, in the first week in August,
1881. after marching and fighting over
q line Of fifteen hundred miles since be
left Charleston. and sweeping all be-
fore him, this British general reached
the point from which he was not to
move again except as q prisoner OF war.
And here once more came up the ques-
tion of responsibility. CORVALLIS re-
ported after tie surrender that he had
never regarded Yorktown in favora-
BILE light; that he occupied it in compli-
ance with what he believed to be the
spirit of Clinton's orders, and because
he supposed that in an emergency he
could be relieved by Clinton and Bri-
tish feet. But Clinton replied that his
instructions to occupy Yorktown were
discretionary, and that he "never re-
ceivcd the least hint" from CORVALLIS
that the position was untenable until
after he capitulated. And on these
points, a. well as others, the two con-
tinued to differ years after the war,
each throwing the responsibility for
the bad selection of the site upon the
other. CORVALLIS, whose ambition
was TO conduct operations on a great
scale in the State, objected in toto to
posts, stations, and coast expeditions,
and wished to leave the State entirely
If he could not remain there In heavy
force. Clinton, who could not send
more troops to CORVALLIS at that crisis,
preferred to retain the posts for future
starting-points Whose policy was
the wisest, not looking ut the issue, is
n military problem. Both generals
had their friends and defenders.
But TO complete the chain OF incl
dents which finally entangled Corn
wallis in the fatal Yorktown meshes,
we must cross into the camps Of the
Americans and their friends the French.
Washington, who with wretchedly
clothed and often but half-fcd army
had been sustaining the cause Of the
Revolution through six anxious years,
never felt the embarrassment Of his sit
uation more than in the early part OF
tho year 1881. He could do little to
assist the south, and saw no hattering
prospects OF achieving anything deci-
sive in the north The only ray Of
hope that flashed through the clouds
was the probability that in tho course
Of tho summer large French feet
would appear upon the American
coast, with whose assistance something
might be effected But even here 40
many contingencies were involved that
success still seemed an aggrnvating un-
certainty A campaign, nevertheless,
was arranged On the 23d OF May,
Washington met Count do Rocham-
beau, commanding the French allies at
Newport, In conference at Wctbcrs-
field, Connecticut, where it was agreed
that the French should join the Amer
leans on the Hudson, and an attempt
be made To capture New York city.
A request was sent later TO the Count
do Grasse, admiral Of the expected feet
In the West Indies, TO cooperate by
entering the harbor. This was Wash
ington's plan, while It would seem that
Rochambcau, although yielding to him,
had misgivlngs Ia regard to II At
tho same conference tho project oi
marching to Virginia was alluded to,
but II was held that that State could
be relieved quite as effectually by at
tacking Clinton In the north. and pre-
venting him from sending further rc-
endorsements southwark. Still, every.
thing depended upon Dc Grasse. With
out him the year would probably close
with matters continuing in statu quo /;
with him great blow might bo struck
acme " here. and that some,Ohere was
now the problem, Although Washing
ton had committed himself ut the
Wethersfcld conference to an attack
upon New York. and expected the CO
operation OF the French admiral. we
find, az the summer advanced. and the
situation In Virginia changed by the
retirement OF CORVALLIS TO the sca.
.naat that ko ro.nupiynI th. pnaathilit u