Washington's projects, upon the south, were skilfully concealed from the knowledge or Sir Henry Clinton, by a series of manoeuvres calculated to keep alive his apprehensions for New York. So dexterously were these executed, that the real design was not suspected until the allies had already approached the Delaware, and wet e there fore far beyond the reach of interruption. The whole French force, with more than two thousand of the continentals, marched upon this expedition, leaving the defence of the Hudson to General Heath. Sir Henry Clinton then used his utmost exertions to support Cornwallis, both by direct as sistance and diversions to the north. One of these latter operations produced the capture and destruc tion of New London by Benedict Arnold.
After an arrangement had been made for the transportation of the army downthe Chesapeake, Washington proceeded to Virginia with Rocham beau, Chastellux, Knox and Du Portal]. A personal interview was held with the Count de Grasse on board of the Ville de Paris, where the plan of the allies was fully adjusted. Shortly afterwards, every thing was nearly deranged by the news of reinforcements to the English fleet. The French admiral was excited by a chivalrous eager ness to present himself before the port of New York: but the influence of Washington fortunately, overcame this spirit of enterprise and induced him to continue his important co-operation. On the twenty-fifth of September, the last division of the army landed in James River, soon after which the siege of the British position was commenced in form. Including militia, the besiegers numbered about sixteen thousand men.
York is a small town on the southern side of a broad river of the same name, in which a ship of the line can lie in safety. On the north bank, op posite to the town, is Gloucester Point, a tong neck of land running far into the river and approaching within a mile of York. These positions were both fortified by the British: the communications being preserved by batteries and Several vessels of war. The works at Gloucester point were occupied by 6 or 700 men under Lieutenant Colonel Dundas, who was afterwards reinforced by Tarlton. The main British army lay encamped around York, under cover of outer redoubts and field works. The French general De Chois6 was detached with the legion of Lauzun and Weedon's brigade of militia to blockade Gloucester. At their first approach, a brisk action was engaged, in which the British were worsted and compelled to retire within their fortifications.
On the twenty-eighth, the allies advanced by different roads, to occupy the ground fixed upon. The British picquets and cavalry were driven in; and a further movement on the next day, induced Lord Cornwallis to abandon his outer lines. These
were occupied by the allies, who now completed the investment. On the night of the sixth of October, the trenches of the first parallel were commenced within six hundred yards of the works: several redoubts and batteries were completed by the 9th and 10th. The fire of the besiegers then became so heavy that seztreely a shot was returned, and the Charon, of 44 guns, with three large transports, was destroyed by shells and red-hot hails. The high spirit of emulation and esteem that existed between the allies, produced the most beneficial effects upon the activity of all operations. On the night of the eleventh, the distance of the belligerents was reduced one half by the commencement of the second parallel; but the fire of the besieged then became destructive from several newly opened embrasures, and particularly from two advanced redoubts. The fourteenth was marked by the simultaneous storm of these out-works—the one by the Americans under Lafayette—the other by the French troops under the Baron de Viomenil. Not a single shot was returned by the assailants: they advanced intrepidly under the enemy's fire, and entered the works at the point of the bayonet. Washington was particularly gratified with this exploit. In his private diary he observes; " the bravery exhibited by the attacking troops was emulous and praiseworthy. Few cases have ex hibited greater proofs of intrepidity, coolness and firmness, than were shown on this occasion." The redoubts were immediately included in the parallel, and the cannon turned on their former masters.
Lord Cornwallis now plainly saw that the fire of the new works would render his position untena ble. A sally was attempted for the purpose of destroying two batteries, but the troops were com pelled to return without achieving any result. The enterprising commander then formed the daring resolution of crossing the river at night with effee fives only—routing De Chois6 at Gloucester point— and then pushing by forced marches for Nev York. This movement was in full progress, when a storm dispersed the boats and returned the British general to his former desperate situation. On the morning of the seventeenth, the garrison beat a parley, and negotiations commenced for a capitu lation. On the nineteenth, the posts of Yorktown and Gloucester point surrendered to General Washington, with the garrisons, exceeding 7000 men, and all the military stores. The shipping and seamen were yielded to the Count de Grasse. The loss of the British during the siege was above five hundred; that of the allies about three hundred in killed and wounded.