Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1911-06-30

XS8a8u overwhelming defeat of
|h Burgoyne at Saratoga or
any of the other engage
ments during that struggle
eQualed in results that Of the siege
and surrender of CORVALLIS at York
town.
The campaign that led to the defeat
OF the best of the British troops under
an able commander was one that was
worked out to the highest degree of
military sense. 1t contained all the
elements of drama, such as play
wright of high ability might conceive,
and it was carried out with daring
and skill that. as planned, could have
but one ending.
General Washington and Count de
Rochambeau met early in August at
Weathersville, Conn, and there they
talked over the plans for the future.
1t was almost determined to put the
French and American armies together
and make concentrated attack upon
the city of New York which was de-
Tended by Sir Henry Clinton, then
commander-in-chief of the British
forces in this country.
1t was intended that this attack
should be in the nature of a surprise
and, with this in view, the two arm
les were brought together at Dobb's
Ferry and every preparation made to
fall upon the upper part of Manhattan
fc1 1oc nut n
dispatches from the south apprising
the leaders of the American forces
that Lord CORVALLIS had been con-
Quoting very spirited campaign
against General Lafayette who. with
Baron Steuben and Anthony Wayne.
was directing the destinies of the
Continentals.
This news put different light upon
the situation, inasmuch as the planned
campaign upon New York was for the
very purpose of compelling Clinton to
order CORVALLIS from the south to
his support in holding Manhattan is
land. The plans carried exceedingly
well for 1t was evident that Clinton
heard of the contemplated move
against him and ordered CORVALLIS
to make preparations to move to him.
CORVALLIS therefore withdrew from
the south, camped first at Portsmouth
and later moved to Yorktown where
he lay. prepared to sail for New York.
At the same time as the news Of
Corvallis movements were reported
Nyoc t, fy,or f hot
Count de Grasse. with fleet of some
thirty ships, was sailing from the
West Indies, leaving San Domingo on
August 3, and was bound for the Ches-
apeake Bay.
Instantly the entire campaign was
changed to meet the new conditions
and while the demonstration" against
Clinton was not allowed to lax the
attack was not made. Instead instruc-
lions were hurriedly sent to Lafay-
cite to 'et in communication with de
Grasse and, with what troops the lat
ter could spare, to make every effort
to envelop CORVALLIS by land and
sea.
In the meantime the allied armies in
font of New York withdrew as quiet
ly as possible leaving behind only a
sufficient number to keep up the pre-
tense of investment and the troops
were hurried toward CORVALLIS.
September 9 saw Washington under
way and, accompanied by only Colonel
Humphrey, he rode 60 miles to Mount
Vernon, arriving there the same day.
Count de Rochambeau arrived at
Mount Vernon the following evening
and the plans for the campaign were
gone over.
Meanwhile CORVALLIS had received
tidings of the arrival Of the fleet Of
de Grasse, which reached Hampton
Roads about August 26, and also word
that the Continental army was bearing
down upon him. He was quickly
aroused from his dreams Of security
and he and his officers contemplated
a number of plans for getting away
but in each instance there were cir
cumstances that forbid making the at
tempt and he contented himself with
~riting to Clinton to send him aid.
Whether Clinton could not or would
not comply will probably never be
known, though after the war both Off