Newspaper Page Text
THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION, OCTOBER 25, 1881
l
ON THE FIELD
WHERE LORD CORNWALLIS SUR
RENDERED.
???The Celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of
the Hattie of Torktown???An Interesting Sketch
of the Xvent???The Brilliant Programme
Enacted on the Grounds Yesterday.
.???jKfittl to The Constitution.
'Vobktoivs, Octolicr III.???Ono hundred
years sjgo this morning, American iinlcjien-
eienec was wtablialieij and tlie republic of the
fJnitcd States was born!
On the hill sides and slopes in front of me,
sis I write, just a round century ago, the nl-
Jlcd French and Americans rested on their
ttrins, while fl???Ilaru tendered to Washington
the sword of Cornwallis. Tlie exact sjsit on
which the lending events of that day, fateful
in ho man history, occurred, are pointed out
???with ammranee that carries conviction. The
Sines of fortifications and earthworks of the
revolution have been obliterated
8>y * the years, hut on every side
Xhe linos of a later and more dreadful wurure
visible. Hundreds of men who are here to
celebrate tin- centennial of our independence,
fought less than twenty years ago, Americans
against Americans, behind those very ritle
pits, and on tl??is sacred field where full hu
man liberty had its birth. It is testimony to
tin-renl union of American sentiment, and
the common regard for our common country,
that tlie heart of every spectator to-day turns
-gratefully to the yientory of 1781, and that
every eye is lifted above tiie scenes of
It is impossible in a newspaper sketch to
give even a synoptical history of Vorktoivn???
its siege, its strategics, and the surrender,
< >11 the 30tli of .September tlie investment of
<lse English army at Yorktown began. By
???sea and by land, coming together with thoox-
aictiie.ss of a machine tiie French and Ameri
can Sore'-, blocked in the fated army. Owing
fo the imperfect advantages a Horded
tiie armies in those days, it was tlie 5th of
October before the scigo was fairly established.
???On the Utii the eanmuiadingopened and some
few outlying Itritish redoubts were taken.
Two redoubts only 000 yards from the main
Jine of the Itritish were begun, anil Lord
Cornwallis seemed to understand for tlie first
<iine that there was real danger. A historian
isavs of the fighting after this:
The solemn business of the siege was now
<o begin. Outlie filii of October .Major Lilt-
<-olu and the Fomctcdc Yioincnil commanded
an I lie trenches, witli troops from their re
spective divisions to guard them. At three
o clock the Touraiue buttery opened tire, and
Jit taethe American lmtterv on the extreme
fight- In (lie latter Washington is said to
have applied the lirst match, and, according
???to some of the journals of the siege, tiie shot
which he fired did no insignificant damage.
' The Itritish were surprised, if not dismayed,
at the sudden vomiting
???of tlscm.
ji falsi!
>f flame on two sides
Wrapt in a pride which gave them
???nse of security they had reaiiilv be
lieved. on the statements of supposed loyalists,
that the allies were destitute of artillcfv. and
Morgan, the spy, whom LaFayette liud early
sentto tliem, had done ail tlrat he could to
???confirm that illusion. Tlie cannonade was
???continued during the night, and on the next
???day there was added to it tlie voice of every
hattery along tlie parallel, Governor Nelson
jiniiiiated the gunners witli his own zealous
spirit and set the army an example of tinscl-
-*i-li patriotism. Nosooner had tlie cannonading
begun on tin* American side than he entered
the trenches and carefully took aim at his
???own mansion, u conspieuoua mark among tlie
low roofs of Yorktown. To tlie gunners he
offered a guinea for every shot which hit it.
Soon it was pierced through and through, anil
t ???ornwallis prudently removed his flag anil
headquarters to a???iqiot nearer the intrench-
; nenls and lietterprotected. In the forenoon
the British tried to Ikinkthe French position
by sending transports up tlie York river and
funding a strong detachment west of the
Touraiue l??aucry. Tlie Comte de Viomenil
-ordered a strong tire to be directed against
them and compelled them to return to their
moorings under tlie Itritish works. About
aimu on the 10th a powerful French battery
was opened near the centre of the parallel
-ind proved so effective that the lire of the
Itritish soon begun to slacken. Tiie trenches
???each day were so tilled with idle lookers-on,
???fuseminted witli the spectacle of the siege,
???that measures had to Oo taken to exclude
In the evening the frigate Gtiadaloujio,
eitherutiempting to repeat, witli more suc
cess, the maneuver of tlie transports, or else
finding the French lire too severe, started up
the river, hut was forced not only to turn
ibout hut to abandon her former post. The
I rharon, which had not moved, was riddled
I with red-hot shot, and soon burst out into
I 'lames. The siege, already tine, became nuig-
I .???uiiieent. The night was dark, and every
I cinder from tlie conflagration he came an
| erratic star. There were moments of titful
I illumination which revealed the whole laml-
I 'cape, witli the frowning forti float ions and
I tlie beleaguered town, while the opposing
I forces seemed to gaze at each other spell-
1 bound and aghast. The aspect of all things
I was changed and made more dreadful, in
I ihe river every transport which was near the
J < ???baron was seen hurrying away. The shores
land the water contrasted strongly in tlie
I lurid sheen of the one and the sliarp-
I <y defined shadows of the other,
land from every portliole of the fatal
I "vessel vomited thiiucs and smoke. Atone
I (time her spars and cording were literally of
I (ire. and from hull to masthead she was com-
I plctely enveloped. On the left of the Anier-
I iean line and the right of the British, the
I firing ceased entirely, and there seemed a
I tacit truce while the conflagration lasted,
lx hells from the American right and center,
I however, were still discharged, and some of
j hciu. overreaching the town, could be fol-
| owed by the eye until they fell into tlie river.
1 Bursting with a great noise, they threw into
| tiie air immense columns of water, likened
bv an eye-w itness to "the spouting of mon-
of tlie deep.??? In tlu* strange light the
i-spray was of a thousand hues.
; | .On the following day tlie advance was made
an the same order as mnn Williamsburg. ex-
j*cept that some unimportant changes had oc
curred in the brigades. The new intrencli-
kuents w ere eoinpietcd and new batteries were
U'egun. General Lincoln and tlie Marquis de
I'Niint edmon were the ottioersof the day. The
lEnglish resumed their cannonade and killed
j>i.\ and wounded eleven of the French. On
Fhe extreme right of the allies, almost over-
???Jianging the river, were two redoubts, 300
[yards in advance of the main fortifications
ind commanding the new position of tlie allies
[by the right think. The second parallel could
lot lie eftective until they were captured, and
t was resolved to carry them by storm. This
tloriousduty*was equally divided between
jthe American and French armies. While the
pignal tor assault was impatiently awaited, a
Jt : ritie fire was eoneentrated on the walls of
jt i ???works, and its effect was closely watched.
[Washington and Roehamlicau stood in ex-
jp ????sl positions surrounded by their staffs. The
utaron de Viomenil, exasperated at the slow
kirogress of the cannonade, approached the
Inter and urged an immediate onslaught. The
???tiein\???a guns were responding, but feeblv.
J
h???iotnenir fancied that a breach had already
L. i n made The French commander-in-chief
ilid not share in this opinion, and, in a man
kier calculated to rebuke its inconsiderate ex
pression, exclaimed.
I ???You assert that tlie redoubt is already
pnmatted. 1 will go and see.???
Tlie order was given to cease firing, and
K-haniheuu, accompanied only by his son,
e Vicomte de Boetiantbeau, descends from
the battery intotlic ravine. Viomenil, whose
impetuosity is tiie cause of this imprudent
venture of his chief, is not accorded the priv
ilege of sharing it, and watches from a dis
tance. full of remorseful apprehension. The
two distinguished scours reached tlie foot of
the escarpment of the encmie's redoubt am!
mount it ill the view of both armies almost to
the parajiet, while the English, stricken witli
amazement and stupefaction, do not even at
tempt to punish their magnificent audacity.
The count and vicomte look about them, ex
change a few observations, and then, more
calmly, more slowly than they went, returned
to tlie'ir own lines. When they are once more
beside theBaron dc Viomenil, the commander
merely says to him, without a touch of bitter
ness or reproach:
???Tlie abatis and palisades are still in good
condition. In order to demolish the parapet
<>ur fire mast he redoubled. To-morrow we
shall see if tlie pear is ripe,???
The 14tli wax fixed upon by General Wash
ington as tlie day for tlie taking of the re
doubt. Tiie intervening time was without
incident in the cainp of tlie besiegers except
the killing and wounding of a few of the al
lies. The Marquis de La Fayette and tlie Vi
comte de Viomenil commanded in the
trenches, and tlie latest works were very near
completion. At night the cannonading on
tlie part of tlie allies became more ami more
deafening and tlie air was filled with shot and
shell. On the morrow the command of the
trenches fell to Baron Steuben jmd tlie Baron
de Viomenil, and the guard was drawn from
their re.-jicctivc corps. The storming parties,
each numbering about 400 men, were com-
tiosed of tlie light infantry of thcGatenaixand
Dcux-I???onts regiments and chosen battalions
from LaFayctt's division. The hitter were tiiose
commanded by Gimat and Hamilton and a part
of,tliatof Laurens. La Fayette, desiring to honor
particularly his aide-de-catup, wholiad joined
the army the same year as himself and to
whom he was greatly attached, had bestowed
on him the immediate command of the de
tachment. but Colonel Alexander Hamilton,
as field officcrof the day, entered a protest and
claimed it for himself. It was accorded him
by Washington, and Major Nicholas Fish, of
New York, led his battalion in his stead. This
was composed of three Connecticut, two New
York, and one New Hampshire company, two
of which had been taken from ScammcU???s
old corps. To Gamut's aattalion, as the oldest
light infantry in the service, was given the
place of honor, the first rank. A party of sap
pers and miners, under Captains Gilliland
and Kirkpatrick, was detailed to remove
whatever obstruction might prove to he in the
way of the assault. The remainder of the
light infantry division was drawn up as a re
serve. asccond one, composed of two battalions
of tlie Pennsylvania line, being placed in its
rear.
The grenadiers and chasseurs of tiie Gate-
nais and lteux-Ponts regiments had been, for
this occasion, formed into a single battalion
by tlie Baron do Viomenil, and its conduct
was confided by him to the Comte Guillaume
de Ueux-Ponts, a brave and enthusiastic
spirit and the second officer of the regiment
which Imre his name. It was a distinction
that had been eagerly desired, and tnc baron
deemed it enough simply to say to him, ???Je
compte sur vous.??? The Baron de l???Estrade,
of the Gatcnais regiment was to be his lieu
tenant.
The French were to attack the redoubt on
the left, the Americans the one nearest the
shore, and the signal fora simultaneous ad
vance was to he the firing of six shells. The
Touraiue regiment and the troops of De
Choisy before Gloucester were in the mean
time to attempt a diversion of the enemy???s
attention.
In the afternoon a last rcconnoissancc was
made. Viomenil, with the two lieutenant
colonels and two trusty sergeants, approached
the left redoubt, following carefully the route
to he traversed after nightfall.
llnchambeau at the same time entered the
trenches to address his chosen band. His
words were of that simple and familiar char
acter which find their way so quickly to tlie
heart of the F'rench soldier:
???To-night, my children, I have need of
your aid. You have not forgotten,I hope, that
we have served together in that brave regi
ment of Auvergne sans taehe, a surname
which it has ever well deserved????
???Promise that our old name, the Royal-
Auvergne.??? shouted the battalion, ???shall be
given hack to us, and we will die to the hist
man.???
Tlie promise was made. Rocliatnheau in
his memoirs says: ??????they kept their word,
charged like lions and lost a third of their
number.??? Tlie comte was a faithful witness
to their heroism, and the king with his own
liaml wrote upon the order for tlie restitution
of their name.??????Bon pour Royal-Auvergne.???
At the hour fixed upon, the signal was
heard l>y the soldiers of both the allied na
tions with bounding hearts. LaF'ayette on
the previous evening had been asked by M.
de Viomenil ???what could he hoped from the
American troops.??? His answer was spirited:
???We are, I confess, young soldiers; but in
this instance our tactic is to fire our musk
and go straight ahead with the bayonet.???
The more prudent part of this promise was
not kept. The Americans did not fire. At
dark, as soon as the six shells were seen ca
reering through the air. Hamilton led for
ward his column. Laurens witCi liis two
companies had been ordered to make a cir
cuit and attack tlie redoubt in the rear. A
forlorn hope of twenty men under Licuten
aut John Mansfield steadily kept the advance.
Not a vestige of irresolution, not a tremor
was observable in the ranks. The discipline
was superb and evere movement was made
with the precision of a parade. It did not
take long to cross the ravine and soon this
silent approach through the thick shadow:
was changed to a swift onset and tlie enforced
calm to t iie wildest excitement.
The soldiers, refusing to wait for the sappers
and miners to break down the abatis, climbed
up and over them and scrambled into tii
ditch without an instant???s delay. Captain
Stephen Olney, of Rhode Island, witli the
first company of the main column, followed
close after Mansfield, and, under the heavy
fire which tiie surprised enemy directed
against them, the parapets were sealed by each
division of the party at almost the same mo
ment, Laurens and Hamilton meeting in the
center of tiie works. Ten minutes had scarce
ly elapsed from the time the Americans left
the trenches before their task was accomplish
ed and all the British who had not escaped
had laid down their arms. Major Campbell,
who was in command, surrendered to Colonel
Laurens, whose two companies still bore in
bitter remembrance the wanton murder of
Scammell, their beloved chief. A captain of
a New Hanqishirc regiment rushed forward
and threatened the life of Campbell, and but
for the interposition of Hamilton, would
probably have killed him. Colonel Annand,
marquis de la Roucrie, afterward famous as a
cavalry officer, and three officers of his com
ntand,' distinguished thetnselvesas volunteers,
setting a magnificent example of impetuous
daring. Lieutenant Colonel Gimat, Major
Gibbs, Captains Olney. Hunt, Kirkpatrick
and Betts and nine soldiers were wounded.
Nine others were killed.
LaFayette in the exaltation of liis victory
gave a playful proof of it in the message wiiici
ne immediately sent to the Baron de Viomenil
who had questioned the mettle of his troops.
???Ask hint,??? said he to aide-de-camp. Colonel
Barber, ???if he has need of assistance. Tell him
I am in my redoubt and find out if he is yet
in his.??? On the way the messenger was
wounded, but he seriously fulfilled his mis
sion. The baron smiled, thanked the colonel
for his bravery and replied, "Tell the marquis
that I am not yet in mine, but will be in fiv
minutes.???
A new battery was unmasked in the second
parallel on the 15th and the line of intreiieh-
ntents was completed. The success of the
previous night had filled the French with too
absolute a confidence and the soldiers who
manned one of the redoubts at the center of
the second parallel were found to he entirely
off their guard when in tlie evening they were
spied upon by some hold scouts front the
British lines. Sentinels had been placed at
only rare intervals and the men of the
Agenais and Soissonna???s battalions, the former
of whom had shared the glory of tlie previous
night, did not even take tlie trouble to guard
tiie trenches, hut were gathered in groups,
where they recounted to each other the dra
matic an<i comic incidents of the assault.
When tired of this they lav down to slunibCT.
In Yorktown in the meantime, BOO picked men
were marshalled under Lieutenant-Colonel
Ambcrcombie, and at five o???clock in the
morning, when tlie dawn was gray, they sal
lied forth. Crossing the Intervening hollow
with stealthy rapidity they mounted the
epaulement liefore they could lie challenged
by the drowsy sentinels, and fell ttjion them,
d???estoc at de tulle. Those of the French who
were awakened were too bewildered to offer
immediate resistance, and the British succed-
ed in spiking the guns of the battery with
bayonets. They then attacked another on
the right, which was guarded by a Massachu
setts regiment. Major-General Lincoln and
General de Ciiastelleux were in charge of the
trenches, but neither of them learned
of _ _ the sortie until the mis
chief had been done. The Marquis de
Noailles, who commanded the reserves, heard
the Britisii shouts and immediately charged
at the head of his grenadiers, raising the cry
of ???Vive le roi!??? The assailants were quick
ly repulsed, and retired without any useful
advantage. The guns which, they had at
tempted to render unfit for service were un
spiked ami at the end of six hours ware'ngain
belching their destruction upon Yorktown.
The gallantry ??f the English won the praises
of tlieir enemies, and especially that of a
sergeant of the king???s guards, whose death
was so noble that he was buried in tlie para
pet of the battery that lie had stormed.
There were found also in the trench thirty-
seven wounded, twenty-one of whom were of
the allies.
Tlie siege was nearing its climax, and the
interest and excitement had. grown so great
among tlie allies that the eomniander-in-ehief
found it again necessary to repress the curios
ity of those not actually on duty at tiie front.
Tiie whole of the allied line was now mount
ed with mortars and cannon, each of which
was constantly working. Aim was taken at
every embrasure in the enemy???s fortifications,
and many of liis guns were silenced, while
the parapets in several places were almost en
tirely beaten down. The noise of tlie firing
so terrific that tlie whole peninsula
icemcd to tremble.
Lord Cornwallis had relinquished almost
his last hope of avoiding a capitulation. His
expected reinforcement, according to the
promise of Sir Henry Clinton, should have
sailed from New York about the 5th of Octo
ber and ought long before to have presented
tself outside the capes. Whether it had or
not lie did not know. hut there was good rea-
iti to suppose that it could not possibly effect
in entrance, as tlie French fleet still lay at an-
hor, barring the passage. He therefore re
lived upon a supreme effort to escape. The
greatest liaroc. liad been wrought in the
works and they were no longer tenable.
Many of the guns were shattered and dis
mounted anil no spot within the town was
secure from the marvellous firing of the
American artillerymen. Cornwallis??? own
description of his attempted flight will
uffice. ???I had to choose,??? lie says,
between preparing to surrender next
day or endeavoring to get off with
the greatest part of the troops, and I deter
mined to do tlie latter, reflecting that though
it should prove unsuccessful in its immediate
ihject, it might at least delay the enemy in
the prosecution of further enterprises. Six
teen large boats were prepared, and upon
other pretexts were ordered, to he in readiness
receive troops precisely at ten o???clock.
With these I hoped to pass the infantry dur
ing the night; abandoning our baggage and
leaving u detachment to capitulate for the
town???s people and the sick and wounded; on
which subject a letter was ready to he deliv
ered to General Washington. After making
my arrangements with the utmost secrecy,
the light infantry, the greatest part of tlie
guards and part of the Twenty-third reg
iment landed at Gloucester; hut at this
ritieal moment the weather, . from
being moderate and calm, changed to
a most violent storm of wind and rain, and
drove all tlie boats, some of which had troops
on board, down the river. It was soon evi
dent tiiat the intended passage was impracti
cable, and the absence of the boats rendered
it equally impossible to bring hack the troops
that had passed, which 1 had ordered about
two in tlie morning. In this situation, with
my little force divided, the enemy???s batteries
opened at daybreak; the passage between this
place and Gloucester was much exposed, hut
the boats having now returned they were or
dered to bring back the troops that had pass
ed during the night, and they joined us in the
forenoon without much loss.???
o???clock, and that the troops surrender their
arms at two in tlie afternoon. Cornwallis
obeyed. When the sun was at its meridian
the* allies took possession of Yorktown, an
American and French detachment???the one
led by Colonel Butler and the other hv the
Marquis de la Val???each occupying a re
doubt on the left of the works. Tlie surrend
er of tlie arms and standards was doubtless
one of tlie most imposing and affecting spec
tacles ever witnessed in warfare. The field
chosen for it is about a mile from York, on
tiie Hampton turnpike. It is a wide plain,
descending in long, sweeping undulations to
ward the York river. Tiie way thither was
lined by the allied troops, the French on the
left and the Americans on the right. The
former were gallantly arrayed,
their white uniforms, plumed hats and
gilded standards gleaming famously in the
anient snn. Tlie Americans presented a som
bre, though soldierly, appearance. Their
dress was not uniform and was much worn.
Their heads were proudly erect and every
eye beamed with gladness. Tlie French and
American colors were unfurled near the front
of the columns???the one the golden fleur de
lis on a white silk ground ami the. other the
simple hut beautiful stars and stripes. At
tlie head of each army was its cnnimander-in-
eliief, mounted upon a magnificent charger.
Surrounding each were liis staff and liis gene
ral officers. As tlie positions were being taken
tlie French hand discoursed its most inspirit
ing strains of martial melody. Washington
was magnanimously solicitous that liis fallen
foes should not he insulted, and requested
liis soldiers to refrain from cheering. Posteri
ty would give them sufficient applause.
???A vast concourse of citizens,??? says a his
torian, ???almost equaling in numbers the mili
tary, was assembled from the surrounding
country to participate in tlie joy of the event.
Universal silence prevailed as the vanquished
troops slowly marched out of their entrench
ments and passed between the combined
armies.??? They had on the previous day been
given new uniforms, and tlieir loi g files ap
peared in all tlieir scarlet splendor; hut, as
the Abbe Robin observes, ???ail tlieir finery
only served to humble them tlie more in
contrast with the miserable appearance of the
Americans.??? The eye-witnesses of tiie scene
dwell upon the lively expectation which was
felt by all the allies of seeing Lord Corn
wallis, whose name anil qualities had
inspired them with respect and admi
ration. They were keenly disappoint
ed, however, for he did not come,
being opportunely indisposed. General
O???Hara led his army and bore his sword. The
British moved in it disorderly manner and
did not attempt to hide thoirsuilen discontent.
The appropriate tune to which they chose to
march was ???The World Turned Upside
Down.??? Adjutant-General Duinarf directed
General O???Hara to the spot where General
Lincoln was stationed, whom Washington
had designated to receive the surrender. Tlie
latter???salute<l him and placed l.imself on liis
left. General O???Hara asked:
???Which is General Ruehambcau????
Dumas answered, ???On our left, at the head
of the French line.???
O???Hara then hastened before Rochambeau
and tendered him tlie humble sword. The
French commander, however, simply designa
ted to him General Washington, who sat upon
liis white steed immediately opposite, telling
him that as the French army was only aux
iliary to tlie American the formal honors of
the surrender belonged to tlie latter. O???Hara
approached Washington and was about to
draw the sword from its scabbard to present to
him. The latter made a negative sign and
exclaimed:
Never from so brave a hand!
In giving the order to lav down arms sonic
of the British subaltern officers and many of
Cornwallis??? plan, if he succeeded in cross
ing to Gloucester,'was to disperse the troops
of De Choisy with Taileton???s cavalry, mount
his infantry on horses captured from De Lnu-
zun???s legion or others that might he seized in
tlie neighborhood, anil by rapid inarching
;ain the forks of the Rappahannock and Po
tomac. Thence lie would force his. way
through Maryland, Pennsylvania and New
Jersey amt join Clinton at New York. It was
a desperate hope, and it the elements had not
been against him it is not probable that the
English general could have broken so
easily through the allied lines in the rear of
Gloucester. At .Ml events liis course could
probably have been delayed until Washing
ton could have sent reinforcements to De
Choisy.
In the allied camp the news of the attempted
flight found everybody in expectation of
being ordered forward toa general assault. In
every heart there was ardor for the combat
and impatience for tlie end. The English
themselves were tired of a resistance which
brought them no glory. Their hospitals were
full and their magazines were near empti
ness. At 10 o???clock on the 17th of October,
tiie anniversary of the surrender of Burgoyne
at Saratoga, a dnnnmereiad in scarlet climbed
upon a part of the parapet which still re
mained mtaet and commenced the beating of
a parley. Ilardiy an English gun was work
ing. hut the American cannonade was
still incessant, and drowned all other
und. But tiie drummer was seen,
if lie was not heard. and very
si Min there was a lull in the brazen tempest.
A blindfolded officer was led to tlie American
headquarters, and delivered to General Wash
ington a polite letter from Lord Cornwallis,
asking a suspension of arms for twenty-four
hours and the appointment of joint commis
sinners to settle upon terms of capitulation.
The earl???s expressions were not entirely clear
and Washington in reply demanded to have
written and explicit proposals as a basis of
treaty. Hostilities were resumed. At four
o???clock another flag of truce crossed tlie lines,
convoying an express prayer for terms of sur
render. Washington granted a susjiension of
arms. He appointed Colonel I .a Vi
rens as his repersentative, while the
Comte de Roeliambeau named the
Vicomte de Noailles and the Comte de
Grasse, the Commandant de Gruucliain. Lieu
tenant-Colonel Dundas and Major Ross were
sent by Cornwallis. The commissioners met
in a liouse owned by Mr. Moore, about one
mile southeast of the village, near the bank
of the river. One of the demands of tlie van
quished was that they should receive tlie
honors of war and be sent to England on tlieir
parole that they would not serve again during
the present war against either America or
France. Washington and the majority of liis
generals seemed inclined to deal witli them
as mildly as was consistent with public inter
est and were averse to imposing on them any
needless humiliation. But as tlie ques
tion was about to be determined LaFay
ette arnica red in the council and protested
warmly against such indulgence as was asked.
He revived the chagrin and vexation which
had been caused by Lincoln's surrender at
Charleston, when the American troops were
compelled to march out of their works with
colors rased and to tlie music of a British or
German tune. The logic of retaliation pre
vailed. and Cornwallis was obliged to accept
the articles of capitulation almost literally as
they were first dictated by Washington.
They were fourteen in number. On the
morning of the 19th Washington sent them
to the earl, accomjianied by a note in which
he requested that they be signed by eleven
the soldiers, in obeying it, betrayed their vex
ation of spirit. A few even shed tears, and
one bit his sword in silent rage.
At Gloucester a similar ceremony of surren
der was repeated, the garrison defiling before
Generals de Choisy and Wecdon.
The prisoners were 7,198. One thousand of
these, being sailors, were together with the
shipping in the harbor, surrended to the
French admiral. Two hundred and seventy-
four cannon, 7,320 muskets and 457 horses
were taken. The colors of 28 regiments were
delivered. By death, wounds and desertion
the enemy liad lost previous to the surrender
552 men; tlie French 5!) killed and 125
wounded; the Americans 27 killed and
wounded.
Immediately after tlie surrender three aides-
de-eamp in the name of Washington, of
Rochambeau and of LaFayette, presented
themselves at Cornwallis??? quarters to express
a polite solicitude regarding his health. On
the evening of the22d, he was invited to dine
witli the Comte de Rochambeau, but all the
delicate efforts of liis hosts could not dispel
liis melancholy. Similar attentions were
shown the other captive officers. The French
particularly were untiring in tlieir courtesies,
and won the esteem and gratitude of those
who hut lately had execrated them.
Thatcher describes the appearance of York
town three days after tlie signing of the ca
pitulation. ???I have this day,??? he says, ???vis
ited the town of York to witness' the de
structive effects of the siege. It contains
about sixty houses, some of which are ele
gant. (Many of them are greatly damaged
and some totally ruined, being sfiot through
in a thousand places and honeycombed,ready
to crumble to pieces. Rich furniture anil
books were scattered over the ground, and the
carcasses of men and horses, half covered
with earth, exhibited a scene of ruin and hor
ror beyond description. The cartli in many
places is thrown up in mounds by the force
of our shells, anil it is difficult to* point to a
pot where a man could have resorted for
safety.???
Such is the history of Yorktown, gleaned
from various sources, and synopsized briefly.
As unimportant ns the details may be in tlie
light of tlie tremendous war since fought on
American soil, it is doubtful if the records of
history furnish a parallel in far-reaching ini-
precious legacy which our fathers left to us, the
love of liberty prompted by the law of that historic
scene we here celebrate. Xo feat
ure is more prominent and none
more touching than the {nirticipution of our gallant
allies tram across the sea. It was their presence
which gave fresh and vigorous impulse to the
hopesof our countrymen, when well-uigh disheart
ened by a long series of disasters. It was their no
ble anu generous aid extended in the darkest oeriod
of the struggle which sjied the coming of our tri
umph and made the capitulation at Yorktown pos
sible a century ago. To their dc
seeudants and representatives who are
here present as honored guests of the nation, it is
my glad duty tooffer a cordial welcome. You have
a right to share with us the associations which
cluster about tlie day when your fathers fought side
liy side with our fathers in the cause which was
here crowned with success, and none of
the memories awakened by this anniver
sary are more grateful to us all
than the reflection that the national friendship
here so closely cemented have outlasted the mu fil
iations of a changeful century. God grant, my
countrymen, that they may ever remain unshaken,
and that ever henceforth with ourselves and with
all the nations of the earth may be at peace.
The president was not interrupted during
the delivery of his address, but there was
great enthusiasm at its close.
Marquis de Rocliembeau also made a grace
ful response in French, and Baron Steuben in
German. Tlie centennial ode was then sung,
after which Honorable Robert C. Wintrop, of
Massachusetts, delivered an oration, lie was
followed by James Barron Hope, of Virginia,
who read liis centennial jioem with fine effect.
At tlie conclusion of tlie cremonies of tlie
monument a reception was held
LaFayette hall to which the general
public was admitted. Secretary Blaine acted
as master of ceremonial and General Joe
Hawley, of Connecticut, introduced tlie peo
ple to the president. In the line were all the
governors of the states present, their stafisand
the widow of President Tyler. Secretary
Blaine at the celebration to-day read an order
from President Arthur directing that in
recognition of tlie friendly relations now
and for so long subsisting between the United
States and Great Britain, at tiie close of these
ceremonies the British flag shall bcsaluted by
the forces of the army and navy of the
United States now at Yorktown.
Randolph Disbrow, of Trenton, New Jersey,
had hotli arms blown off' by the preniatuijp
discharge of a cannon, while preparing to fire
a salute to Governor Ludlow.
Several dispatches received here to-day in
dicate that reports have gone abroad that
disorders, attended with bloodshed, have oc
curred here. Nothing of the kind has hap
pened.
Tlie feature of the day was of course Win-
throp???s speech. It was full of patriotic and
eloquent points anil was applauded heartily.
The scene on tlie stand was impressive
including as it did tlie president and
cabinet, the glittering French officers
and naval and military officers.
President Arthur???s reception was surpris
ingly warm, and the allusions to him were
cheered to the echo. He looked dull and
heavy on the stage, hut became affable and
bright at his reception and had a pleasant word
for almost every one who shook hands
with him. Blaine was the favorite figure
with the crowd, Arthur anil Lincoln dividing
honors for the second place, ltiaine was
strikingly sad, and sat witli drooped head du
ring the whole exercises., suggesting that his
mind was with the dead president rather than
with the crowd in front of him.
The seenein Yorktown bay isa brilliant one,
being filled with men of war, ships, sloops,
yachts and bouts. The collection of troops
is the largest seen in America since the war,
and the military and naval re
view set for to-morrow is looked for
with interest. There is the greatest scarcity
of food and water, both being sold for high
prices. The Excelsior, to which the surgeons
had been assigned was overcrowded, and the
governor???s staff' went into camp, while he
and friends went to Old Point Comfort for
the night. There is universal complaint, but
no remedy.
There is great interest felt here in tlie At
lanta exposition, and great crowds will attend
it. Governors Blackburn, of Kentucky,
Hoyt, of Pennsylvania, Jarvis, of North Car
olina, and Huygood, of South Carolina, will
certainly attend it. Governor Cornell, of
New York, is trying to
range so as to go, and hopes he can
PINKHAM???S VEGETABLE COMPOUND.
MBS. LYDIA E. PIHKH&H, OF LYHH, USS.,
do so. Governor Cullom, of Illinois, and
Farnhain cannot go.. General \V. T. Sher
man will certainly go. The other governors
have not yet bcenscen, but it is hoped several
will go. All express the greatest interest in
the exposition, and those who can possibly
go will do so. I shall he able to report to
morrow definitely, who may be expected.
II. W. G.
BRAMBLE.
portance andsigniticanee to the battlAlcscrib-
rres poll
ed, and tlie scenes of which your
dent overlooks at this hour. * ??
Cornwallis showed beastly taste surrender-
ig at such a place as Yorktown, when lie
had such a pleasant precedent as Burgoyns???s
surrender at Saratoga. At such a place as
this is one would have though he???d prefer
death to surrender. It is so bleak and inac
cessible that one hundred years find it less
than it was when lie laid down his arms.
But to-day???s scenes made even Yorktown an
interesting place.
At eleven o???clock this morning the French
and German delegates, escorted by Seeretary
Blaine, were received by President Arthur in
Lafayette hall and formally welcomed amid
much enthusiasm. After the exchange of
greetings the procession formed, headed
by President Arthur, with Sec
retary Hunt, followed by Secretary
Blaine with the foreign guests. G*enefal Sher
man and staff,General Hancock and staff, and
the distinguished visitors inrrehed to the
grand stand. Here Bishop Harris opened tlie
proceedings with prayer. After prayer and
singing the Poindexter centennial hymn.
Secretary Blaine introduced President Ar
thur who addressed the assembled multitude
in congratulation. He was followed by Max
Outrev, the French minister, in behalf of the
French delegation.
The following is President Arthur's speech:
Upon this soil one hundred years ago, our fore
fathers brought to a successful issue, their heroic
strugale for independence. Here and then was
established, and as we trust made secure upon this
continent for ages yet to come, that principle of
government which is the very flbre of our political
svstem???sovereignty of the people. The resentments
which attended, and for a time survived the
clash of anas, have long since ceased
to animate our hearts. It Is with uo feeling of ex
ultation over a defeated foe that today we summon
up a remembrance of those events which have made
holv the ground whereon we tread. Surely no such
unworthv sentiment could find harbor in our hearts
so profoundly thrilled with expression of sorrow
and sympathy which our national bereavemen*has
evolved from the people of England and their
august Sovereign, but it is alto
gether fitting that we - should gath
er here to refresh our souls with the content
plation of the unfaltering patriotism, the sturdy
zeal and the sublime faith which achieved the re
sults we now commemorate, for so, if we learn
aright the lesson of the hour, shall we lie ineited to
transmit to the generations which shall follow the
Tlie coni is reaped, the bare brown land
Is sleeping in the sunshine bland
Of late September;
Now after harvest toil and mirth
In restful calmness lies the earth,
Like good lives past their prime.
Ked tints of autumn touch tjie trees
That rustle in the freshening breeze.
And wave their branches strong:
From hillside meadows loud mid clear
Comes, clariou-like. a note of cheer,
The thrush???s thrilling song.
The busy wild bee llitteth by.
Where honeysuckle waves on high.
And late clematis grows: ,
A fair brown butterfly flees around
A bramble branch that on the ground
Its dainty tangle throws.
The lowly bramble, taking root
In common hedgerows, bearing fruit
For common hands to pull;
A boon to travelers on the road.
It shows its gracious purple head
With blossom beautiful.
White flowers like pearly-tinted snow.
Fair foliage red with autumn???s glow,
Ripe fruit on one fair spray;
Ah tne! my heart, wliat beauty lives
In lowliest things that nature gives
To blossom on our way.
Ah me! my heart, what beauty shows
In lowly lives that to their close
Bloom sweetly out of sight;
Sleek hearts that seek not worldly praise,
That find in life???s secluded ways
Dear love and deep delight.
Fair lives that have a humble root.
Sweet lives that hear a gracious fruit,
Yet keep their spring time flowers
Upon the bough where fruit hangs ripe,
And where the fading leaf is type
Of life???s decaying hours.
We meet them in our daily path
These humble souls, and each one hath
A beauty-of its own;
A beauty born of duty done,
Of silent victories durably won,
Of sorrow borne.alone.
And when the frosts of death fall chill
On these fair lives, that blossom still
Though summer time is past;
We, sighing, wish for quiet ways, i
Wherein, like t..eirs. our shortening days
Might blossom to the last.
Cincinati Irish Citizen.
Mr. Thomas Lewis, 02 Butler street, informs
us that for seven years lie was afflicted with
that dreadful malady, Sciatica, and being in
duced to try St. J ieohs Oil, found almost
immediate relief therefrom, and is now per
fectly cured.
Miss Frances E. Willard and other ladies
of the north and south have established an associa
tion the object oi which is to place an appropriate
>r * * '
picture of Mrs. Polk bv tlie side of the portrait of
her husband, President Polk, in the white house.
VEGETABLE COMBOUNB.
Is a Posit! re Care
Halt of the Capital la the Loalulana State Lottery,
After the last drawingof the Louisiana State
Lottery it was reported that Mr. John Con
ners, an engineeron the Louisville and Nash
ville road, had drawn half the capital prize -
$15,000. ???I understand, Mr. Conners,??? saida
reporter, ???that you held half of ticket No.
43,713, the capital prize in the Louisiana State
Lottery ? ??? ???Yes, sir. I did. On Wednesday
last, tlie 7tli instant, I bought three halt tick
ets of the agent here.??? ???Did you have any
trouble or delay in getting your money????
???Not a bit. On my return to Memphis I went
to the Bank of Commerce, which collected the
money for me. I got every cent of it.??? Mr.
Conners is a line specimen of the American
mechanic, broad-shouldered, well made and
intelligent. There is no doubt but that he
will put his winnings to good use. The next
drawing is on November 8.???Memphis Ava
lanche, September 20.
oet!8 d&wlw
for alt tho*o Fatnfbl Complaint* ani Wcntnc*??e??
bocuuimaa to our beat female population.
It win cure entirely the vrorst form of Female ???pm-
oil ovarian treuMee, Inflammation and Ulcera
tlon, Falling and Displacements, and the consequent
Spinal Weakness, and U particularly adapted to the
Charge of life.
It will dissolve end expel tnmors from the uterns la
an early stage of development. Tho tendency to can
cerous humors there is 'hccLed very *:>ccdUy fcy its use.
It removes faintness, flatulency, destroys all craving
for stimulants, and relieves weakness of the etomach.
It cures Bloating, Headaches, Kerrous Prostration,
General Debility. Sleeplessness, Depression and Indi
gestion.
Thr.t feeling of bearing down, causing pain, weight
ami bachacho, is always permanently cured by its use.
It will at oil times and under all circumstances act In
harmony with the laws that govern the female system.
For tho cure of Kidney Complaints of either sex this
Compound is unsurpassed.
LT1>IA E. PI XK IS Ail???S VEGETABLE COM
POUND is prepared at 223 and 233 Western Avenue,
Lynn, Moss. Price $1. Six bottles for $5. Sent by mail
in the form of pills, also in the form oMoxcnges, on
receipt of prico, $1 per box for cither. Mrs. Pinirham
freely answers all letters of inquiry. Send for pamph
let. Address os above. Mention this Paper.
No family should be without LYDIA E, PINK HAM???S
LIVER PILLS. They cure constipation, biliousness,
torpidity of the liver. 25 cents per box.
Sold by nil Druggists, -a
june2&???dly sun wed r &wly nxt rd mat
BROWN???S IRON BITTERS.
BROWN???S IRON BITTERS are
a certain cure for all diseases
requiring a complete tonic; espe
cially Indigestion, Dyspepsia, Inter
mittent Fevers, Want of Appetite,
Ijoss of Strength, Lack of Energy,
etc. Enriches the blood, strength
ens tho muscles, and gives new
life to the nerves. Acts like a
charm on the digestive organs,
removing all dyspeptic symptoms,
such as tasting the Ibod, Belching,
Heat in the Stomach, Heartburn,
etc. The only Ire- p reparation
that will not blacken the teeth or
give headache. Sold by all Drug
gists at $1.00 a bottle.
BROWN CHEMICAL CO. '
Baltimore, Md.
See that all Iron Bitters ate male by Baown Cimcu
Co. and have crossed red lines and trade mark on wrapper.
BEWARE OF IMITATIONS.
mau>4?????t*??ly nx tojor fol rd muff
TROPIC FRUIT LAXATIVE.
P.RESCKIBKD BY
Prepared froir
fcrutu
A Belicious and Se-
freslaiiug Fruit
Lozenge, "Wliicli
Serves tlie Purpose
of* Pills end Dis
agreeable Purgative
Medicines.
TROPIC-rnrrT LIXATIVE Is the best
meimration in th** world lor Constipation, Rlli-
dnsness, Hediehe, Pies, and all Kindred Com-
nUinis. It a'ts g*ni!y, effectively, and Is deli
cious io take. Clennsnur ??h*?? vystem tliorongbly.
It imparts vliror to mind and body, tuid dispels
Melancholy. Hypochm.rlr , 'i. Ac. <)(\e trial ron-
vincts. Packed in bronzed (In boxenonly.
PRICE 25 and 30 CTS. SOLD BY fill DRUGGISTS.
' feblO???d&wlv thar sat tues nx rd mat
IMPERISHABLE
PERFUME.
Murray & Lanman???s
FLORIDA WATER,
Best for TOILET. BATH,
and SICK ROOM.
marts???pams thur sat tues&w9m rd nex mat