The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-12
WHEN YORKTOWN FELL.
GIimpses of the Social Side of the Fa-
nous Siege.
New York Sun.

nous Siege.
New York Sun.
A brave officer of the revolution was
Lieut.. Col. Richard Butler, of Pennsylvania,
Who distinguished himself so early in the
war that even in 1777 he had won his rank.
He was In Morgan's rifle corps, and was
present at the siege of Yorktown and finally
was killed in action against the Indians in
some extracts from which, showing how the
United States settled with Great Britain
Years ago, may be inter esting now when
We have other things Of similar kind to
think about.
IN Wayne's brigade of Steubens division,
was at Cabin Point on the march to York.
town. Having led his men into camp at
art went down to the shore to learn if any
thing was to be seen of the French fleet.
They found the Experiment, forty guns,
anchor, ard forty boats, with near four
thousand men coming. I'D the bay. This
was on Sept. l. On the I'd the French landed,
a mortifying and surprising sight to two
British aagships that lay at this place." On
the 4th an unusual event occurred; the
troops were on the march to Williamsburg,
but a good dinner being got by Colonel
Finney and other inhabitants. the generals
and part Of the field officers dined together
at Colorel FInney's and other squads went
into other houses; the afternoon was speat
IN SO much happiness that it was too late
TO examine the ground much" The colonel
showed his native Irish canniness that even
ing, as this entry proves: 1T being likely
10 ram, ndQ G6uuSylNdIald LTOOpS pOSI6Q
in the college. which shelters them very
we'll" The Pennsylvania troops were his
on Sept. Il washington came to camp.
which then was at Yorktown. About 3
o'clock an express arrived announcing the
approach of our great and good COMMANDER o.
Count De Rochambeau, the commander of
the allied armies of France, now Joining.
At D. m. the guns fired a royal salute as
the general approached the camp, on which
the two armies turned out on the battalion
parades. His Excellency and the Count de
Rocnambeau, with their suites, attended
by the Marquis de Lafayette, major general
and commander of the American, and Major
General Marcus de st. Simon, commander
their suites, visited the allied army first,
and then the American army and were sa-
luted according to custom; these ceremonies 1.ss
French army attended at the Marquis de
st. Simon's quarters and were introduced to
lowed, Whereat ''the following great per-
sonages and officers supped together in the
utmost harmony and happiness. Colonei
Butler made note of the great personages,
but 1t isn't worth while to follow his note.
ITO add to the happiness of the event and
evening an elegant band of music played
an introductive part of French opera, sig
nifying the happiness of the FAMILY Wnen
blessed with the. presence of their father,
and their great dependence upon him.
About 10 O'Clock the company rose up, and
after mutual congratulations and the great
est expression Of joy they separated
gave a dinner, when the afternoon was
passed 'in the greatest happiness and har-
O Ssa5 9y the d Sna was y so he6
the officers to dinner ave spent
retired ret Perhaps the band knew only that
sintroductive part of a French opera" 1t
will be noticed that this dinner was har-
monious-which argues the presence of the
band-but not happy-which suggests that
its tunes or tune were getting too familiar.
Then the hard work began. From Sept.
a to q Colonel Butler made no notes in
his diary, being occupied in disembarking
the troops and trains from the shipping; on
Sept % the siege began. On Oct. ., "at 3
t4re Marquis De st. Simon opened with
great elegance, and were quickly followed.
The commander-in-chief paid the allies the
compliment of firing first" On Oct. IS 1.-The
enemy sent out an improper flag, which
was detained till the Marquis De Lafayette
sent one in to Lord CORVALLIS to inform
him Of the improperly of his conduct in
sending flag and firing at the same time.
His lordship sent an aid to our flag to
assure us he was sorry he had given an I'M
intended offense. and requested he would
point out the place for the reception of
flags in future. On the return of the re-
spectiye. flags hostilities commenced very
warmly"
on Oct. Il CORVALLIS asked for a suspen-
sion of hostilities for twenty-four hours;
then ne came down to four hours, and
Washington allowed him two hours, and on
the 18th Colonel Butler was ordered to take
possession of one OF the enemy's works and
the Marquis Laval, with one hundred
grenadiers of France" of another; but they
didn't go, the orders being eountermanddd
Then on Oct 19 the capitulation took plade
The American and French armies were
drawn up opposite to each other on the
road leading from York to the country
and at D. m. the British army marched
out to the great satisfaction of the whole
American army and all spectators their
number as follows: One lieutenant general
] brigadfer general, colonies, lieutenant
colonies, IL majors. 80 captains. 50 lieuten-
ants 80 enSignS, chaplainS, II GdjutantS
70 qUartermasters. 10 surgeons % mates 295
sergeanfs, 121 drummerS and fifers; rank and
lie ut for duty, S,293; sick present, 80 SER
SeantS "A drummers and fifers; rank and
file, la; total. 5.S21; 20 pieces brass ord
nance (this is the post of York only)'
Then came the clearing up of things Two
divisions OF the British were started off to
Winchester and Staunton on Oct. 20; more
or them, with HessianS, were sent away on
Oct. n. On Oct. % Lord CORVALLIS visited
the general officers in return for their visits
Colonel Tarlton was dismounted by a man
from the country, whose horse he had stolen
some time ago. On the next day various
officers started for France: Count Laval.
Niscount William Deux Points (brother to
Count Bernard DeuX Points, who commands
the elegant regiment Deux Ponts). and
Captain konteSquieu, with their attendants,
on board the Hermione frigate, with dupli-
Gates of the surrender of the army under
Lord CORVALLIS"
der. The dispatch of the duplicate articles
OF equalization TO the King of France is a
detail not often spoken of in connection.
with the closing days of the revolution; ii
Of the alliance between the United States
and the King. Perhaps those duplicates are
still in existence somewhere in France
probably. however. the French revolutionists
destroyed them.
HaId norww