The Irish standard., 1902-11-08
BATTLE OF YORKTOWN.
The Surrender OF Corvallis, the
British Commander.


British Commander.
We have little conception of the diff
fculties that surrounded Washington
and his compatriots during the year
and half preceding the capture of
CORVALLIS. The resources of the coun-
try We're well-nigh exhausted; many
had been drawn to the battlefield and
there persisted, and so great number
still remained in the army that the
mechanical industries of the people
We're nearly ruined; villages were more
or less dilapidated, while innumerable
farms We're lying waste for the want
of cultivation, says the Irish World.
The influence of the war overshad-
owed the whole land, blighting its
progress, and interfering with the lives
of the people Continental money was
next to worthless, and that issued by
the separate states was even of less
cess of the struggle discouraged many
of the people, vet there was CLEAN of
sunshine in the hearts of the hopeful
few: their zeal never tagged, and their
intelligence prompted them to make
great personal sacrifices in the expecta-
ton of securing for their country lib
time.
The limited means of movement at
try to another cannot be fully appre-
ciated by the people of today, who
have so many facilities for easy and
rapid communication with each other.
Clinton had his main army in New
York City, in whose harbor was also
large and effective British fleet;
and other generals commanded troops
stationed still further south in the Car
olinas and Georgia.
These English armies We're all Access
sible by sea from New York, while
for the patriots the only way was by
land-a route long and tedious, with
bad roads. The advantage on the part
of the English to transport soldiers and
military stores, was in comparison al
We're supplied with the most approved
war material of the time, while the
army Of the patriots was as indiffer
emily accoutered as their opponents
were well armed and drilled. The war
vessels of the United States consisted
of only two frigates; the others had
been either captured or destroyed.
In the winter of 17SO-S1, and spring
of the latter year, the troops with
Washington were camped so as to
threaten New York City. In different
parts of the South We're stationed
troops under Lafayette. Greene, and
Baron Steuben. The disposition Of
troops in the northern division was
owing to the fact that the main portion
of the English army was located on
Staten Island and in New York City;
in the harbor was moored their fleet
the right arm of their power. Yet
they were confined closely to the city,
not daring even to make fomging raids
Very far into the country.
When CORVALLIS captured Charles
ton, S. c., May -. 1880. he Imagined
he had subdued the whole country.
But Sumter, Marion and others We're
continually harassing his foraging
parties whenever they ventrred out
from Iris main army. When Gates was
defeated at Camden August 1G, 1880,
CORVALLIS had better reason to sup
pose the conflict in that section vir-
tually ended. But in a few months
Greene appeared, and kept CORVALLIS
busy in warling off attacks, especially
in unexpected quarters.
Early in January, 1881, was fought
the Battle of Cowrens. in which Nor.
gan defeated Col Tarlcton, the noted
English cavalry officer. Then com.
menced the pursuit of Morgan by
Corvallis; but after n forced march
of two hundred miles, CORVALLIS was
forced to fall back, TO he in turn close.
ly followed by Greene. At length Il
conflict took place near Guilford Court
House, N. c., from which place Greene
fell back, after crippling his adver
sary so much that really the gain was
on his own side: while CORVALLIS
marched northward Both parties re
manned inactive till the Battle of Eu
taw Springs. September s, 1881.
Previous to this time the traitor
Benedict Arnold. had been maraudinc
for some months in Virginia, and q
plan had been laid to capture him
Washington sent Lafayette to aid ii
the enterprise. The French also sen,
a sixty-gun ship and two frigatcs tt
surprise the British vessels in thu
Chesapeake, but Arnold learned of thf
expedition, and withdrawing his yes
sells up the Elizabeth into shallow wa
ter, escaped. Lafayette was almos
disheartened at the failure of the ex
petition. and marching southwark, he
joined Steuben in Virginia, and tool
command of the forces there.
After the Battle of Guilford Cour
House, CORVALLIS fell back into Vir
ginia, and having Joined all the Eng
llSh forces together he resolved II