17. La Fayette followed and took post eight miles from the British. During the months of July and August, Washington, from his camp on the Hudson, looked wistfully to the South. Clinton was kept in alarm by false despatches, written for the purpose of falling into his hands. These intercepted messages indicated that the Americans would immediately besiege New York. When Clinton was informed that Washington was marching toward Virginia, he would not believe it. Washington pressed rapidly forward, and joined La Fayette at Williamsburg. On the 30th of August, a MILKS Deuxponts Washington Formeleys C Baron down their Arms. Va. Md. Penn. American Gen. Lincoln LightInfantry LaFayette Steuben Va.Militia Rhodeld. Gov.Nelson Sappers&Miners Gen. Clinton' Gen. Knox Adj.General French Kochambeau Artificers Magazine SIEGE OF YORKTOWN, OCTOBER, 171. French fleet, with four thousand troops on board, reached the Chesapeake and anchored in the mouth of York River. Cornwallis was blockaded by sea and land. 18. Count de Barras, who commanded the French flotilla at Newport, also arrived. On the 5th of September, Admiral Graves appeared in the bay, and a naval battle ensued, in which the British ships were roughly handled. On the 28th, the allied armies encamped around Yorktown. On the night of the 6th of October, the trenches were opened at the distance of six hundred yards from the British works. On the 11th, the allies drew their second parallel within three hundred yards of Cornwallis's redoubts. On the night of the 14th, the enemy's outer works were carried by storm. On the 16th the British made a sortic, but were repulsed. On the next day Cornwallis proposed a surrender; on the 18th, terms of capitulation were signed; and on the afternoon of the 19th, the whole British army, consisting of seven thousand two hundred and forty-seven English and Hessian soldiers laid down their arms and became prisoners of war. 19. On the evening of the 23d, the news was borne to Congress. On the morrow, the members went in concourse with the citizens to the Dutch Lutheran church and turned the afternoon into a thanksgiving. The note of rejoicing sounded throughout the land. In England the king and his ministers heard the tidings with rage; but the English people were secretly pleased. On the 20th of March, 1782, Lord North and his friends resigned their offices. A new ministry was formed, favorable to peace. The command of the British forces in the United States was transferred to Sir Guy Carleton, a man friendly to American interests. 20. In the summer of 1782, Richard Oswald was sent by Parliament to Paris, to confer with Franklin and Jay in regard to the terms of peace. John LORD CORNWALLIS. Adams and Henry Laurens also entered into the negotiations. On the 30th of November, preliminary articles of peace were signed; and in the following April, the terms were ratified by Congress. On the 3d of September, 1783, a final treaty was effected between all the nations that had been at war. 21. The terms of THE TREATY OF 1783 were these: A complete recognition of the independence of the United States; the cession by Great Britain of Florida to Spain; the surrender of the remaining territory east of the Mississippi to the United States; the free navigation of the Mississippi and the lakes; and the retention by Great Britain of Canada and Nova Scotia. 22. Early in August, Sir Guy Carleton received instructions to evacuate New York city. By the 25th of November, every thing was in readiness; the British army was embarked; the sails were spread; the ships stood out to sea; dwindled to white specks on the horizon; disappeared. The Briton was gone. After the struggles of an eight years' war the patriots had achieved their independence. 23. On the 4th of December, Washington assembled his officers and bade them a final adieu. When they were met, he spoke a few affectionate words to his comrades, who came forward, and with tears and sobs bade him farewell. Washington then departed to Annapolis, where Congress was in session. At Philadelphia he made a report of his expenses during the war. The account, in his own handwriting, embraced an expenditure of seventy-four thousand four hundred and eighty-five dollars-all correct to a cent. 24. The route of the chief to Annapolis was a continuous triumph. The people by thousands flocked to the roadsides to see him pass. On the 23d of December, Washington was introduced to Congress, and delivered an address full of wisdom and modesty. With great dignity he surrendered his commission as commanderin-chief of the army. General Mifflin, the president of Congress, responded in an eloquent manner, and then the hero retired to his home at Mount Vernon. RECAPITULATION. Desperate condition of the army.-The Pennsylvania and Jersey lines revolt.-Robert Morris secretary of finance.-Champe attempts to capture Arnold.-Arnold's expedition to Virginia.-Second plan to capture him.He becomes commander-in-chief in Virginia.--Is superseded.-Leads a band into Connecticut.--Captures Fort Griswold.-Greene advances into South Carolina.--Morgan at the Cowpens.--Cornwallis attempts to cut off his retreat.Greene takes command.-Crosses the Catawba.-Race for the Yadkin.-Greene wins it.-Race for the Dan.-Greene wins it.-Turns upon the enemy.-Lee disperses the tories.-Greene moves to Guilford.-An indecisive battle.-The British retreat to Wilmington.-Cornwallis goes to Virginia.-The Americans advance into South Carolina.-The battle of Hobkirk's Hill.-The siege of Ninety-Six.-Greene in the highlands.-Sumter, Lee, and Marion overrun the country.-Execution of Hayne.-The battle of Eutaw Springs.-The British retreat to Charleston.-The campaign in Virginia.-Cornwallis ravages the State.Is attacked by Wayne.-Proceeds to Yorktown.-The Army of the North comes down upon him.--The French fleet coöperates.-Yorktown is besieged.--And Cornwallis's army taken.-Rejoicings.-Fall of the king's party in Parliament.— Negotiations for peace.-A treaty is concluded.-Its terms.-Carleton supersedes Clinton.-Evacuation of New York.-Washington retires to private life. |