CHAPTER XXXIV.

Capitulation of Yorktown-British troops lay down their arms-Generous sentiments-Cautions of Washington-Moderation in victory-Joy and gratitude of the nation-Death of Mr. John Parke Custis.

LORD CORNWALLIS, whom Lafayette had been harassing on every side, found himself, only a few days after this flying visit of Washington to his home, out-generalled and penned up in Yorktown, and hotly besieged by the combined forces; and on the 17th of October demanded a parley, and signified his determination to surrender the fortifications of Yorktown and Gloucester, one on each side of York River.

The terms sketched by Lord Cornwallis not meeting General Washington's views, the general in his turn proposed articles of capitulation, which were acceded to by the British general.

The articles of capitulation were signed on the 19th of October, and in the afternoon of that day the garrisons marched out and surrendered their arms.

The whole number of prisoners, exclusive of seamen, was somewhat over seven thousand men ; and the

British loss during the siege was between five and six hundred. The combined army employed in the siege consisted of about seven thousand American regular troops, upwards of five thousand French, and four thousand militia. The loss in killed and wounded was about three hundred.

The land forces surrendered to General Washington and became prisoners to Congress; but the seamen, ships and naval equipments, were assigned to the French admiral.

General Washington thus announces the capture to the President of Congress:

"HEAD-QUARTERS, NEAR YORK, 19th Oct. 1781.

66 'SIR,-I have the honor to inform Congress, that a reduction of the British army, under the command of Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effected. The unremitted ardor which actuated every officer and soldier in the combined army on this occasion, has principally led to this important event, at an earlier period than my most sanguine hopes had induced me to expect.

"The singular spirit of emulation, which animated the whole army from the first commencement of our operations, has filled my mind with the highest pleasure and satisfaction, and had given me the happiest presages of success.'

He also expresses, very warmly, his obligations to the French officers and his sense of the merits of his

own men.

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66 CORNWALLIS IS TAKEN!"

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Here was sunshine indeed. A success so great, so rapid and so unexpected cheered the land from one extremity to the other. The siege and surrender of Yorktown, shook the country like the loudest clap of thunder, herald of the storm's departure. All felt that brighter skies were preparing, and the universal joy did not wait the sanction of a deliberate treaty of peace. The great game of chess which had been so warily played with living men for pawns, was now nearly decided, if not closed by a final checkmate. Congress and the people felt as if the stunning blow had been given-as if the long agony was over. There was a touch of wildness in the national joy, showing how deep had been the previous despondency. Watchmen woke the citizens of Philadelphia at one o'clock in the morning, with the cry-"Cornwallis is taken!" Sober, puritan America was startled from her habitual coolness. The chief alone, on whom had fallen the heaviest stress of the long contest, was calm and serious. He felt that a great deal was yet to be done.

In the orders for the day is the following direction: "Divine service is to be performed to-morrow in the several brigades and divisions.

"The commander-in-chief earnestly recommends, that the troops not on duty should universally attend, with that seriousness of deportment and gratitude of heart, which the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing interpositions of Providence demands of us."

The thanks of Congress were presented to each of

the commanders and to all the other officers and soldiers. Counts de Grasse and de Rochambeau received each two pieces of the English cannon, and General Washington two stands of colors taken at Yorktown.

Colonel Tilghman, who bore the victorious news to Congress, was complimented with a fine horse and an elegant sword; and a marble column was ordered to be erected at Yorktown in commemoration of the surrender. Washington spared no thanks to his excellent friends the French, and even went on board the admiral's ship to pay his compliments, to present as a personal gift from himself a pair of very fine horses, and to concert measures for following up the victory effectually. In the latter object he was not successful, as the Count de Grasse had engagements which called him elsewhere.

Scarcely had the capitulation been signed, when Washington left Yorktown, summoned by express to the dying bed of his step-son, Mr. Custis, a young man of twenty-eight, the "Master Jackey" of Mount Vernon's early days. This gentleman, who had married Miss Nelly Calvert, had been seized with a fever, and lay at a friend's house at Eltham, where his afflicted wife and mother were watching over him, hourly expecting his dissolution when Washington arrived. This was one of those occasions upon which Washington is said to have exhibited an amount of affectonate feeling which some have considered him incapable of. He looked on the young man, Mrs. Washington's only son, called thus

1781.]

GRIEF AFTER JOY.

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early to leave a beloved wife and four infant children, and he wept like a woman, promising with all the emphasis of his strong nature to be henceforth a father to the little ones, which he truly was, ever after.

Perhaps Providence sent this home-grief to temper the joy of so unexpected a termination of the long, weary struggle.