The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-24
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but IL was not until September that he
was able 10 meet the French comman-
der in person at Hartford. IL was a
great relief to the heavily burdened gem
eral 10 meet such a man as Rochambeau
and yet even then as he turned back
with lightened heart and lifted hopes the
news OF Arnold's treason smote him on
his arrival at West Point.
The summer had gone and nothing had
been done. Then Rochambeau was un-
willing TO move without further reinforce
ments and Washington was struggling
desperately to wiring from a hesitating
congress and from reluctant states the
men. money and supplies absolutely es-
sential IL the great opportunity which
had now come was not TO pass away un-
used So the winter wore on and spring
came. and In May Washington and Ro-
chambeau were again In consultation.
Washington was determined to strike a
fatal blow somewhere. He considered
Florida and the scheme OF taking the
British under Rawdon I'm the rear; he
thought of Virginia, where CORVALLIS,
forced northward by Green's strategem,
was established with his army; long and
earnestly he looked at New York, the
chief seat OF British power. Rocham-
beau showed his military intelligence by
leaning strongly TO Virginia.
But the one vital condition was still
lacking Washington knew that he must
command the sea If only for a month at
the point where he was 20 deliver the de-
cisive blow. So the days slipped by, the
summer waned and then of sudden
the great condition sprang into life. De
Grasse. TO whom We owe a debt as great
as Rochambeau, appeared I'm the Chesa-
peake with his fleet. No longer was
there room for doubt CORVALLIS in Vir-
ginia was clearly now the quarry for the
allied forces.
GOLDEN MOMENT ARRIVED.
Time forbids me to tell the brilliant
story of that campaign; of the manner
I'm which De Barras was induced TO
bring his squadron from the North OF
the adroitness with which Clinton was
deceived in New York; of the skill and
rapidity with which the French and
American armies were hurried from New
York to the Chesapeake and thence to
Yorktown.
The great, the golden moment so longed
for by Washington when he could unite
both land and sea-power had at last
arrived. De Grasse was master OF the
bay. The English fleet was scattered
and divided. Clinton slumbered in New
York and CORVALLIS with some 5000
men was in Yorktown with the united
French and American armies drawn close
about him. Fast followed the siege,
nearer came the enclosing lines. Lauzun
dashed back Tarlton's cavalry at the
very beginning and every British sortie
from that moment was repulsed.
Day by day the parallels were pushed
forward and at last Washington declared
the advanced British redoubts practical.
for assault. The French. under Vio-
menil. the grenadiers of Gatinois, the
regim1at of Auvergne and Deux-Ponts
stormed on and here the most famous
of the French regiments recovered from
their king the proud motto "Auvergne
sans tache." The other redoubt was
assigned to the Americans under La
rseayette, led by Alexander Hamilton and
John Laurens. Both assaults. brilliaV&ly
delivered, were successful and the Amer
lean lines included the ground which
had been so gallantly won.
A desperate sortie under Colonel Gra-
ham completely repulsed vain attempt
TO escape by water and then all was
over. One the 18th of October Cornwall
lis surrendered and on the following day
the British filed out and laid down their
arms. passing between the ordered lines
OF the French drawn up under the lilies
and the ranks of the Americans stand
Ing beneath the 13 stars fixed on that day
In the armament of nations. The Ameri-
can revolution had been fought out and
the new people had won.
wASHINGToN's MIGHTY MIND.
Through all these events, through all
the months OF weary waiting. through the
weeks of rapid march and the hurrying
days of siege and battle there shine out
very brightly the fine qualities of the
French general. Nothing is more diff
cult than the management in war of al
lied forces. Here there was never jar.
Rochambeau was large minded enough to
understand the greatness of Washington,
TO realize the height of mind and the
power OF character which invested the
American leader with a dignity beyond
aught that royal birth or kingly title
could confer No small jealousies marred
their intercourse.
They wrought together for a common
cause and the long experience. the thor
ough training, the keen military intelli-
gense, the wisdom and honest purpose or
Rochambeau were all freely given 10 the
Americans and their commander. Honor
and gratitude then to Rochambeau tor
what he did for us and gratitude and
honor likewise to De Grasse and De Bar
ras for the sea power with which they up
held and sustained both Washington ana
Rochambeau.
But there Is something more In the
story than this; something OF deeper
meaning than the plans OF statesmen to
humble a successful foe and take tardy
revenge for past defeats; something
more profound than the grasping of a
young people at friendly hand to draw
them forth from the stormy waters of a,
desperate war for liberty Look again on
those men gathered under the white flag
I'm the mellow October sunlight.
The pride OF victory is In their hearts
far they have done well for France; they
have cruelty avenged the loss of Canada.
The world smiles upon them as the Brit
ish pass by and pile their arms. Happily
for them they cannot read the future.
They do not even grasp the meaning of
the war they have helped to bring to an
end. They cannot interpret
TINES DARK EVENTS.
Charging like causeless clouds across
the sky"
But their future Is our past and we
know their destinies. There Is Rocham-
beau himself chief figure among the
French. He will go home TO added honors.
he will take part presently In the move
ment for reform and will receive from a
new government marshals baton. Then
a torrent of blood flows. Others I'm his
rank will iy across the frontier, but he Is
made OF sterner stuff.
II. -