Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

3 X 286

SERIES FIVE

LECTURE SEVENTEEN (Part 2)

The Revolutionary Era, 1764-1783

(Continued)

17. The Southern Campaign and the Establishment of Independence (Part 2)

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

CHAPTER XXXI.

1781.

CORNWALLIS SURRENDERS AT YORKTOWN.

-

Operations of Cornwallis - Lafayette in Virginia - Tarleton's attempt to capture Thomas Jefferson - Baron Steuben retreats before Simcoe - Wayne and Lafayette attack Cornwallis-The latter establishes headquarters at Yorktown- Reinforcements received from France- Interview between Washington and the French commanders - The former meditates attack upon New York - March toward the South begun - Allied armies besiege Yorktown - Arnold burns New London - Attack on British works at Yorktown The surrender - Lafayette's return to France - Border warfare.

[ocr errors]

Meanwhile Lord Cornwallis had gone to Petersburg, Virginia, supposing that Lord Rawdon would be able to check the advance of General Greene in Carolina. Upon his arrival at Petersburg, Cornwallis learned of the death of General Phillips and here also he received a reinforcement of 1,800 troops sent by Sir Henry Clinton. Cornwallis now thought himself strong enough not only to check the Americans, but also to decisively defeat them, and in a spirit of exultation wrote to the home government regarding Lafayette, Lafayette, saying that" the boy cannot escape me. At this time Lafayette's army consisted of but 1,200 Continentals and 2,000 militia. In order to dislodge Lafayette from his position at Richmond, Cornwallis proceeded from Petersburg to the James River, and on May 27 forced Lafayette to evacuate Richmond. Corn

[ocr errors]

Fiske, American Revolution, vol. ii., p. 270; Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., p. 320. Johnston, Yorktown Campaign, p. 55. Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, p. 599; and for details of the movements leading up to

wallis then marched through Han

over County and crossed the South Anne River, his movements being constantly watched by Lafayette, who awaited a favorable opportunity to strike a sharp blow on the British army. Cornwallis had planned to surprise Lafayette while on the same side of the James River as himself, but his plan was frustrated by an American spy who had been sent to the British camp by Lafayette. This spy was Charles Morgan, a Jersey soldier, who was sent to give Cornwallis false information as to the strength of Lafayette's army, and so successful was he in his mission that Cornwallis abandoned his plan. Morgan safely escaped from the British camp, taking a number of soldiers with him. For this service Morgan refused to receive any compensation.*

At this time Cornwallis received information that a number of the

this, see Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., pp. 308-320.

* Gordon, American Revolution, vol. iii., p. 207; Thacher, Military Jaurnal, pp. 290–291.

264

ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE JEFFERSON.

principal men of Virginia had assembled in convention at Charlotteville to regulate the affairs of the province, and that Steuben with a small detachment was lying at Point of Fork, situated at the junction of the James and Rivana rivers, where also was a magazine of arms and ammunition. Cornwallis thereupon determined to capture both the convention at Charlotteville and Steuben's detachment, delegating Tarleton to attempt the first exploit and Simcoe the latter. Both expeditions were in the main successful. Tarleton succeeded in capturing a number of deputies and confiscated a considerable quantity of munitions of war and provisions. But the chief person whom Cornwallis had desired to capture-Thomas Jefferson-had been warned of the approach of the British and had put himself out of their reach.* Before attempting to make his escape, however, he hid his papers, plate, and a large quantity of arms and ammunition.† Simcoe also succeeded in putting Baron Steuben to flight. The latter, supposing he was attacked by the entire British force, considered it best not to risk total annihilation, and hastily retreated.‡

Ford's ed. of Jefferson's Writings, vol. ii., pp. 392-395, 405-409, 422-423, vol. viii., pp. 363-374; Fiske, American Revolution, vol. ii., p. 271; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 342-343; Morse, Thomas Jefferson, pp. 64-67.

Parton, Life of Thomas Jefferson, pp. 250253; Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, pp. 600-601.

Carrington, pp. 601-602; Tower, Marquis de

When Tarleton and Simcoe returned from these expeditions, Cornwallis marched toward Richmond, June 17, and a short time after went to Williamsburg, the capital of the State.* His troops, however, were experiencing great difficulty in securing provisions for the army, as Lafayette's watchfulness rendered it impossible for the light troops to make expeditions into the country for supplies. Lafayette had now been joined by Baron Steuben, and had also received a reinforcement of Pennsylvania troops under General Wayne, which brought his army up to about 5,000 men. Thus he was in a position to watch the British movements and to cut off whatever parties of light troops were dispatched into the country for supplies.† At about the same time, Cornwallis was instructed by Sir Henry Clinton to send a portion of his troops to New York. Clinton had been advised of the approach of the allies in that section of the country, and anticipated that he would be attacked in overwhelming force. Because of the insufficiency of his force, he feared that New York, Staten Island, and Long Island would fall in rapid succession

LaFayette, vol. ii., pp. 330-334; Lossing, Field-
Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 258-260, 343.
Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol.
ii., p. 257.

On the various movements, see Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., p. 334 et seq.

Bancroft, vol.

V., pp. 510-511; Fisher,

Struggle for American Independence, vol. ii., pp. 465-466.

BATTLE NEAR GREENE SPRINGS.

before the onslaught of the enemy. In obedience to orders, therefore, Cornwallis early in June marched his troops toward the banks of the James River. Having passed this, it was his intention to go to Portsmouth for the purpose of there embarking the troops intended for New York. But Lafayette followed him so closely that he was compelled to halt on the left bank of the river, and to take up a strong position so as to check Lafayette's advance, and at the same time to allow his artillery, ammunition, baggage, etc., to pass to the other side. He therefore established

his camp along the river, with a pond covering his right, and his left and centre covered by swamps.' *

Meanwhile General Wayne with the American van-guard had approached very close to the British army. The latter sent spies among the Americans to inform them that the bulk of the royal army had already crossed the river, and that only a small rear-guard remained upon the left bank of the river, this rear-guard consisting of the British legion and some few detachments of infantry. It is evident that the American general was completely deceived by this misinformation, for a rapid movement was immediately

*Clinton's orders, however, were soon afterward countermanded, because the ministry at home thought Cornwallis had an excellent chance of recovering the South and did not wish to cripple him by withdrawing troops.

265

directed against the royal troops.* The Pennsylvania troops under General Wayne had passed the swamp, had attacked the left wing of the British, and in spite of the superiority of the enemy, had pushed them back some distance. But the English passed the pond, advanced against the left wing, consisting entirely of militia, and without difficulty dispersed it, then advancing to attack Wayne's left flank. At the same time they extended their own left behind the swamp and turned Wayne's right, and were in a fair way toward completely surrounding it. Lafayette, however, perceived this movement and ordered Wayne to fall back; but the latter, in executing this movement, was forced to leave two cannon in the possession of the British. In order to collect his scattered troops, Lafayette remained for some time at Greene Springs, while Cornwallis reentered his entrenchments. The approach of night prevented any pursuit of the Americans by the British.†

Before sunrise of the next morning, however, Cornwallis sent a body of cavalry upon the road taken by Lafayette with orders to

*See Lafayette's letter in Sparks, Correspondence of the Revolution, vol. iii., pp. 360–366.

Stillé, Wayne and the Pennsylvania Line, pp. 268-276; Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., pp. 357-369; Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, pp. 608-609; Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. ii., p. 466; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 259-262; Johnston, Yorktown Campaign, p. 60 et seq.; Lowell, Hessians in the Revolution, p. 275.

« AnteriorContinuar »