Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-18
DEFEAT OF BRITISH
is RE-ENACTED ON
FIELD AT YORKTOWN
Continued From First Page)

tCOILulueQ from F1TSl RAGE
who described in some detail the naval
tactics of the French feet in support
ing the land raneuvers of Washington
and Rochambeau.
This afternoons pageant program.
divided between a field stage and the
battlefield itself. traced brilliantly a
series of the highlights of the yorktown
campaign, from its inception in the
minds of Washington. Rochambeau and
Admiral de Grasse up to the dramatic
moment when British officer appeared
on the British earthworks waving a
white flag in token of surrender.
Other Events on Stage.
The scenes given on the stage rep
resented events necessary to a clear
understanding of the campaign which
took place away from Yorktown. The
scenes which took place in the Viz
ginia peninsula and before the en-
the field by $500 troops.
The pageantry opened with the famous
conference between Washington and
Rocha rbeau at Weathersfield, Conn,
on May 81, 1881, when the idea Of a
joint campaign against the British was
born. The part of the leader of the
first American Army was taken by a
Junior officer in the Army of today
First Lieut.. Bovey M. Hall, Bath In
fantry-and other officers of the vari-
GUS branches of the service took other
leading military roles
From Weathersf1eld the action moved
to tavern on the shores of the Chesa-
peake early in July, while pilots were
being engaged for the French fleet in
the maneuvers which carried it into the
peaceful stretches of the York River.
AS the stage was cleared far off
across the field, through the brush and
woods could be seen the movement of a
column of Scarlet-coated British troops
re-enacting the maneuvers of CORVALLIS
which led to the important battle at
GreenSpring. across the peninsula on
the banks of the James. Here a charge
by Mad" Anthony Wayne. under COM
mand of Lafayette, STAYED off an Ameri-
can defeat and sent CORVALLIS into the
trap at Yorktown from which he
emerged only in utter defeat. The
close-order tactics of the armies Of $50
years ago. including the firing of VOL
leys by platoons, were wildly repro
duced by troops trained today in a type
OF battle tactics so utterly different as
to afford scarcely any ground for COM
parison.
BayOnet Charge Re-enacted.
Back on the stage. as the smoke of
the battle was driven off by stiff, chill
breeze, Washington, at his Headquarters
on the Hudson. received the welcome
word that De Grasse was under way
for the Chesapeake. The scene shifted
to show the unhappy effect of the same
news on Sir -2nry Clinton, British COM
mander In 44merica, during the last
days OF August. 1881. The final stage
scene. showing Washington and Ro-
chambeau on the flagship Of Admiral
de GraSse. off Yorktown, where the
final tactical arrangements were made.
yorktown. Here on the battlefield the
American and French forces were
shown at the crisis of the siege. when
the storming Of two redoubts at the
point Of the bayonet paved the way for
the final assault which resulted In Corn
wallis surrender.
Tomorrow's program will be devoted
to religious celebrations of the Sesoui-
centennial, with services at Yorktown
and out on the battlefield. At the
College of William and Mary, in
Williamsburg, luncheon will be given
in honor of Marshal Petain and other
european guests OF the United States.
There will be dedicated at the college
tablet in memory of the French
heroes who died at Williamsburg from
wounds received at the siege of York
town. Addresses will be made by
Marshal Petain and Gen. PerShing.
At Yorktown tomorrow afternoon
tablets will be unveiled in honor of
Thomas Nelson, jr. and Maj. William
Gooch, followed by military religious
services at the celebration area. The
days program will close with reunion
of some of those present at the York
town centennial celebration so years
ago.