CHAPTER CI.

1781.

Washington-Cornwallis occupies Yorktown-Battle of Eutaw Springs-Henry Lee-Washington invests Yorktown-Capitulation.

IN the North, Washington retained a self-possessed mind. So the eagle from his mountain watch-tower looks down and surveys with serene eye the tempest and the storm forming beneath his feet. Re-enforced by the French troops under Rochambeau, and a fleet, he was concerting measures to expel Clinton from New York, believing that in this way he could give the enemy the more fatal blow, and afford the South the more effectual relief. But he resolved, in case he should find this design impracticable, to transfer the scene of war to the South. Cornwallis was advised by Sir Henry to select a post on the Chesapeake, convenient for wintering a fleet-either Yorktown or Old Point. Washington requested La Fayette to endeavor to prevent Cornwallis from marching to Charleston, and Wayne was, accordingly, despatched to the south side of the James to watch his movements.* Cornwallis having selected Yorktown, occupied it and Gloucester Point, on the opposite side of the York, and proceeded to fortify them.

Early in August, Washington received from the Count de Barras the information that the Count de Grasse might be expected shortly to reach the Chesapeake with a formidable fleet. Washington now determined to transfer the war to the South; but to deceive Clinton he made his arrangements secretly, and continued his apparent preparations against New York. Cornwallis concentrated the whole British force in Virginia at Yorktown and Gloucester Point by the twenty-second of August. The latter post was held by the 80th Regiment, the Hessian

* August 2d, 1781.

regiment of the Prince Hereditaire, and the Queen's Rangersthe whole under command of the brave and energetic Colonel Dundas, of the artillery. Tarleton, with his cavalry, afterwards passed over to Gloucester Point. La Fayette, in consequence of the movements of the enemy, broke up his camp on the Pamunkey, and drew nearer to Yorktown. Washington, having concerted with the French commanders a plan of operations, with the combined American and French forces, marched for Virginia, the army being put in motion on the nineteenth, and having completed the passage of the Hudson on the twenty-fifth. Sir Henry Clinton did not suspect that the movement was for the South until the third of September.

On the thirtieth of August, De Grasse, with twenty-eight ships of the line and several frigates, arrived from the West Indies, and entered the Chesapeake. At Cape Henry he found an officer despatched by La Fayette with intelligence of the situation of the two armies. On the following day his advanced ships blocked up the mouth of the York. While the French fleet lay at anchor just within the Chesapeake, a squadron was descried early in the morning of September the fifth, consisting of nineteen ships-ofthe-line, under Admiral Graves. De Grasse immediately formed his line and put to sea; and a partial engagement occurred. Several ships were damaged, but the result was indecisive. For some days the fleets continued within view of each other, after which De Grasse returned to his moorings within the capes. Here he found* De Barras with a squadron newly arrived from Rhode Island, bringing artillery and stores proper for carrying on a siege. Graves looking in at the capes found the French fleet too strong for him, and returned to New York. La Fayette made his headquarters at Williamsburg, twelve miles from Yorktown.

On the 8th of September, 1781, the battle of Eutaw Springs, in South Carolina, took place. The British army, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart, being encamped at that place, Greene marched at four o'clock in the morning, to attack the enemy, seven miles distant. Upon approaching them Greene formed his

*September tenth.

The second was

first line of militia under Marion and Pickens. composed of continental infantry and the North Carolina Brigade, commanded by General Sumner, on the right; the Virginians, under Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, in the centre; the Marylanders, under Colonel Williams, on the left. Lee's legion covered the right flank; South Carolinians, under Colonel Henderson, the left; and Washington's cavalry, with Kirkwood's infantry, formed the reserve. Captain Gaines, with two threepounders, was attached to the first line, and Captain Brown, with two sixes, to the second.

The

The British were drawn up across the road obliquely,—in a wood, on the heights near the Eutaw Springs, having their right flank on Eutaw Creek. The flanks were protected by infantry and cavalry; and a body of infantry was held in reserve. British advanced party was soon driven in. The militia, after maintaining themselves firmly for awhile, were compelled to retire before the advancing enemy, and their place was filled by Sumner's North Carolina Brigade, which, supported by Lee and Henderson on the flanks, went into action with great intrepidity. The British fell back to their first ground. Henderson was disabled by a wound. At Sumner's brigade giving way the British rushed forward in some disorder. Greene directed Williams and Campbell to charge with the bayonet, and Washington to bring up the reserve. Williams charged without firing a musket; but Campbell's regiment, chiefly new levies, returned the enemy's fire as they advanced. Lee now ordered Captain Rudolph, of the legion infantry, to turn the enemy's flank, and give them a raking fire. This being done, the British left was broken, and, driven off the field retreated through their tented camp toward Eutaw Creek, where was a brick house, into which a part of them threw themselves. The Americans pursuing closely, took three hundred prisoners and two pieces of cannon.

Washington charging the enemy's right with his cavalry suf fered a heavy loss. He himself had his horse killed, and was wounded and made prisoner. The enemy now rallied, and Greene, finding it impossible to dislodge them, retired. It was an extremely hard-fought battle. The loss of the Americans was five hundred and fifty-five, including sixty officers. One hundred and

thirty were killed. Seventeen officers were killed, and four mortally wounded. Among the slain was Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, who fell while leading the Virginia Brigade on to the charge. This excellent officer, on being told just before he expired, that the Americans were victorious, exclaimed, "Then I die contented." The loss of the British was six hundred and ninetythree, of whom eighty-five were killed on the field. Greene made five hundred prisoners. The combatants were about equal in number, and the question of victory was left undecided. Greene was, as a military leader, esteemed as second only to General Washington.

Henry Lee was born in Westmoreland, Virginia, on the 29th of January, 1756, being son of Colonel Henry Lee* and Mary Bland, of Jordans. Henry receiving his early education from a private tutor at home, afterwards pursued his studies at the College of New Jersey, under the presidency of Dr. Witherspoon, and graduated there in 1774, in his eighteenth year. While in college, Dr. Shippen predicted his future distinction. In 1776, when twenty years of age, on the nomination of Patrick Henry, he was appointed a captain in Colonel Bland's regiment of cavalry. In September of the following year the regiment joined the main army, where Lee, by his discipline, vigilance, and efficiency, soon won the confidence of Washington, who selected him and his company for a body-guard at the battle of Germantown. While Lee lay near the British lines, a numerous body of cavalry surprised him in his quarters, a stone house, where he had with him but ten men. Yet with these he made a gallant defence, and obliged the enemy to retreat, after having lost four men killed, together with several horses, and an officer with three privates wounded. Of his own party, besides the patrols and quartermaster-sergeant, who were made prisoners out of the house, he had but two wounded. Washington complimented Lee on his gallantry in this little affair, and congress shortly after promoted him to the rank of major with the command of an independent partisan corps of horse. July 19th, 1779, he surprised the British garrison at Paulus Hook, and was rewarded by con

* For many years a member of the house of burgesses.

gress with a gold medal. Early in 1780 Lee, now lieutenantcolonel, with his legion, consisting of cavalry and infantry, joined the army of the South, under General Greene. In his retreat before Cornwallis, Lee's legion formed part of the rear-guard of the American army. During the retreat, Lee charged successfully upon Tarleton's dragoons. After Greene had effected his escape, he detached Lee, with Pickens, to watch the movements of Cornwallis. Lee, with his legion, by a stratagem surprised four hundred armed loyalists under Colonel Pyle, of whom ninety were killed and many wounded.

At the battle of Guilford Lee's legion distinguished itself. When Cornwallis retired to Wilmington, it was by Lee's advice that Greene moved at once into South Carolina. Lee, detached with his legion, joined the militia under Marion. Several forts speedily surrendered. Lee now joined Pickens, for the purpose of attacking Fort Augusta, which was reduced. In the unfortunate assault upon Fort Ninety-Six, Lee was entirely successful in the part of the attack intrusted to his care. At the battle of the Eutaw Springs he bore a distinguished part; and General Greene declared that his services had been greater than those of any other man attached to the Southern army. As a partisan officer he was unsurpassed. He was a soldier, an orator, and a writer; and in his Memoirs has given a graphic picture of the war in the South. He was about five feet nine inches high, well proportioned, of an open, pleasant countenance, and of a dark complexion. His manners were frank and engaging, his disposition generous and hospitable. He was twice married: first to Matilda, daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee, by whom he had a son, Henry, and a daughter, Lucy; and afterwards to Ann, daughter of Charles Carter, of Shirley, by whom he had three sons, Charles Carter, Robert, and Smith, and two daughters, Ann and Mildred. General Henry Lee resided at Stratford. His statue is to be placed on the Richmond Monument. Among the officers of Lee's legion were Armstrong, Rudolph, Eggleston, and Carrington.

Washington, accompanied by Rochambeau and the Marquis De Chastellux, reaching Yorktown on the fourteenth of September, and repairing on board the Ville de Paris, the admiral's ship, arranged the plan of the siege. By the twenty-fifth, the combined