Arizona state miner., 1923-06-30

southern states, though the British re-
tanned control of Manhattan island.
CORVALLIS believed in 1881 that if
the South could be subjugated, espe-
c1ally Virginia, the war would be won.
Lafayette, with his army, was being
pushed nOrthward from the Carolinas
by the British. CORVALLIS finally made
his way into the peninsula between the
York and James rivers, where he es-
tablished base of supplies at York
town.
Lafayette was about twenty miles
away and in constant touch with
Washington, who was waiting infor-
nation regarding the French fleet.
Lafayette wanted to attack the enemy,
but Washington deemed such a move
ment premature
Washington finally effected a juno
tion with the forces of Lafayette. max
ing an army of 10000 men, while Corn
wallis had about 1900 bottled up on
the peninsula, his only hope being
from the assistance which might come
to him from the British navy. Vigor-
ONSAJ pressing IAlC OACSC, w
secured from CORVALLIS overtures for
surrender on October II, and ar
ticle. of surrender were finally agreed
upon. The artillery, guns, accoutre-
mentS and public stores of every de-
scription were to be delivered to the
victOrs, the officers to retain their side
arms and the soldiers to keep their
private property of every kind.
Promptly at noon on the day agreed
upon for the surrender, October 10.
the gates of the fort were opened and
detachment of American infantry
and French grenadiers entered and
took possession. Two hours later, at
2 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy
marched out, with colors fured.
Washington dispatched with all
haste his trusted adjutant, Col. Tench
Tilghman, to Philadelphia, where the
Continental congress was sitting. The
young soldier took the long trip on
horseback.
Soon the news was being proclaimed
throughout the city. The cry was
taken up, not only by the watch, but
by hundreds of citizens, rushing half
dressed from their beds into the street.
The bellman of the old statehouse was
hurried out from his home to announce
the tidings; lights were seen moving
in every house; the people were astir
as they had not been before since the
da- when the Declaration of Independ-
ence had been promulgated five years
before. The city was wild with 1oy.
Soon the cannon were booming.
Charles Thompson, secretary of con-
gress, in his rounds of the homes
where the members were living. found
his errand of notification useless. The
patriots were all in readiness for the
early morning session and eager to
hear the official dispatch from Wash
ingtOn.
A prayer of thanksgiving was Of
fered, several speeches made, and then
the congress adjourned to the Luther
an church where at 2 o'clock thanks
were given ito Almighty God for
crowning the armies of the United
States and it's ally with success"
Dispatch riders were sent out in
every direction, heralds of a new era.
the dawn of a democracy, whose in
fiuence was eventually to permeate
every path of the earth. Congress
voted the thanks of the nation and
appropriate hOnOrs to Washington.
ROchambeau, De Grasse, and a day
was appointed for general thanksgiv-
ing and prayer throughout the Union.
for Gods great favors to the struggling
patriots. Legislative bodies, executive
councils, city corporations, private
societies, churches and other organiza-
tions overwhelmed Washington with
congratulatory addresses; bonfires
were kindled on the mountain peaks.