The Irish standard., 1902-11-08
militia, their force made so formidable
q show that CORVALLIS Thought It


finally down to Portsmouth. Here
CORVALLIS received instructions that
he must retain the Chesapeake Bay
and Virginia, and to choose some place
accessible and there fortify himself.
He chose Yorktown, and with an army
of 5000 effective men he began to
throw up strong entertainments, while
his ships of war We're moored in the
river.
Yorktown is village situated upon
the right bank of the York river, and
opposite to another smaller town, call
ed Gloucester. The latter is built up
on point of land, which projects into
the river from the left side, and which
considerably diminishes the breadth of
it's channel. The water is deep there
and capable of receiving the largest
ships Of war. On the right of York
town flows a marshy stream; in front
of the place, for the distance of a mile,
the ground is open and level.
CORVALLIS, by August %, succeeded
in entrenching himself on this ground,
in the strongest possible manner.
Lafayette, on his part, took such posi-.
ton as would enable him to watch the
movements of the British and, as far
as practicable, prevent their foraging
in the country. The admirable quail
tiles which he had displayed in the re-
sponsible station in which he had been
placed by Washington, called forth the
warmest encomiums from the COM
mander-in in chief.
The French Court, which had watch.
ed attentively the position and pro
gress of affairs in America, determin-
cd to send such naval force to the
United States as would give them a
superiority over the British, and enable
Washington to strike decisive blow
in behalf of his country. In accord.
ance with this design, Count de Grasse
set sail in March, 1881, from Brest,
with twenty-five ships of the line, sew
eral thousand land forces, and large
convoy, amounting to more than two
hundred ships.
Toward the close Of May, Washing
ton had held an interview with Ro-
chambeau, at which it was determined
to lay siege to New York. The French
troops marched from Rhode Island in
June, and early in the following month
Joined the American army. At the
same time, Washington marched his
army to commence the siege, but
learning that De Grassc would enter
the Chesapeake, Washington and Ro-
chambcau suddenly changed the plan
Of operation and determined upon the
Virginia campaign.
Now Washington and Rochambcau,
the two great comrades in arms, be-
gan that series of stra tcgical and tacti-
cal movements which has filled stu
dents of military science with admira-
ton ever since. CORVALLIS was dill
gently fortifying himself at. York and
Gloucester. Lafayette was in a posi-
tion on the James river to prevent his
escape into North Carolina, and the
combined armies of America and
France were Fastening southwark. De
Grasse detached some ships to block
up the entrance of York river The
rest of his fleet remained at the en-
trance of the bay.
The allied army, numbering about
1000, reached Williamsburg OH Sep
TENDER %, and three days later march
ed by difficult routes to Yorktown
The next day was spent in arranging
the plan Of attack. At the same time
that the combined army encampcd be
fore Yorktown, the French fleet an
chOred ut the mouth of the river, and
completely prevented the British from
escaping by water, as we'll as receiv
ing supplies for reinforcements in that
way. The legion of Lauzum, and {;
brigade under Gen. de Choisy, were
sent across the river to watch Glouces
ter Point, and to enclose the British
on that side.
On September 30 Yorktown was in
vested. The French troops formed thu
left wing, extending from the river
above the town to Il mOrass in front OF
it; the Americans composed the righ
wing, and occupied the ground be
tween the morass and the river below
the town. Till October 6, the besier
ing army was assiduously employed
in disembarking it's heavy artillery an(
military stores, and in conveying then
to camp from the landing place, IL
James river. a distance of six miles,
On the night Of the 9th, the first par
allcl was begun, six hundred yard.
from the British works. The nigh
was dark. rainy and well adapted fol
such service; and in the course of It
the bcsiegers did not lose man
Their operations seem not to have bee,
suspected by the besieged till daylight
disclosed them in the morning, whel
the trenches were so far advanced a
in good measure to cover the work
men from the fire of the garrison. B,
the afternoon of the 9th, the batterie
were completed, Notwithstanding tin
most strenuous opposition from the be
sieced.
CORVALLIS condition was now be