Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-03
YORKTOWN shown
NECESSARY ATTACK
Washington'$ Letter Reveals
I Carefully Planned Strategic
4 Drive in Virginia.

Controversy as, to whether the re
enactment of the surrender of the Brit
ish army by Lord CORVALLIS at York.
town, Va. might offend. Great Britain
has brought to light letter written by
Gen. Washington explaining the true
significance and purpose of the engage
ment-to instill vigor In the waning
hopes Of the American people.
Washington outlined TO Noah Web
eter IN iT08. seven years after the YORK
town victory, The ob;ectives he sought
Ia that engagement Webster had
asked such an explanation in view OF
public controversy OF the time as 10
whether originally it had not been
planned to lay siege to British forces In
New York.
Washington paints a vivid picture OF
the cares that constantly harasseo nun
and of the strategy to which ne hao 10
resort against his own army ana MS
own countrymen, as well as against
British generals.
Washington's Letter.
That light-giving Washington letter,
written at Mount Vernon July ST. l7So,
follows, in part:
"To Noah Webster.
S"Sir: I duly received your letter OF
che 14th Of July and can only answer
ynu briefly and generally from memory:
that a combined operation OF the lano
and naval forces of France and America
for the year 1871 was preconcerted the
wear before; that the point at attack
was not absolutely agreed upon;
that 1t was determined by me (near!y
~ months beforehand at all hazards
60 give out and cause 1t to be Delleveo
by the highest military as well as civi!
ofdcers that New York was the destined
place of attack for the important pur-
pose Of inducing the Eastern and Mid
die States to make greater exertionS In
furnishing specific supplies than they
otherwise would have done, as well as
for the interesting purpose OF rendering
the enemy less prepared elsewhere;
that 1t was the fixed determine
ton to strike the enemy in the most
vulnerable quarter SO as to insure sue
cess with moral certainty, as our AFFAIRS
were then in the most ruinous train
IMAGINABLE; that New York was Thought
to be beyond our effort, and conse-
quently the only hesitation that re-
manned was between an attack upon
the British army in Virginia or that IN
Charleston; and, finally, after the IN
PREVENTION Of several communications,
ss the hostile post In Virginia
became the definitive and certain OBJ
tect of the campaign.
Advantage Was Essential.
"Some splendid advantage was
no essentially necessary to revive the
expiring hopes and 1anguid exertions OF
che country, at the crisis In question,
that I never would have consented to
embark in any enterprise, wherein from
the most rational plan and accurate
calculations, the favorable issue should
not have appeared as clear to my view
Is a ray of light.
THAT much trouble was taken and
nnesse used to misguide and bewilder
Sir Henry Clinton in regard to the
real object, by fictitious communities
tons as we'll as by making a deceptive
provision of ovens, forage and boats
In his neighborhood, Is certain. Nor
were less pains taken to deceive our
own army; for had always conceived,
when the imposition did not completely
take place at home, it could never SUI
Aciently succeed abroad. ="