recruits, led on by Washington, in conjunction with a French army, under Rochambeau, an officer of courage, experience, and ability, were making rapid advances. On the 28th of September, they left Williamsburg, and on the 6th of October, twelve thousand strong, they opened their trenches before Yorktown.

On the 9th, the American batteries began to play upon Yorktown, with twenty-four eighteen and ten inch mortars, which continued through the night. The next morning the French opened a destructive fire from their batteries, without intermission, for about eight hours; and on the succeeding night, a terrible fire was kept up from the whole line, without intermission, until morning. The horrors of this scene were greatly heightened by the conflagration of two British ships, set on fire by the shells of the allies and consumed in the night. The next morning, October 11th, the allies opened their second parallel, at the distance of two hundred yards, and another British ship was consumed by their shells. On the 14th, Washington ordered two battalions to advance to the second parallel, and begin a large battery in the centre and in advance. The enemy met this movement with an incessant fire from two redoubts, in advance of their works, as well as from their whole line, that continued through the night. Washington detached La Fayette in the morning, at the head of the American light infantry, supported by the Baron Viomenil from the line of the French, to advance and storm these redoubts, which had so annoyed them through the night. Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton commanded the van of the corps. The redoubt was promptly carried by La Fayette, at the point of the bayonet, but the captives were spared. The Marquis sent his aid, Major Barbour, through the whole line of the enemy's fire, to notify the Baron Viomenil of his success, and inquire where he was, to which the Baron replied, "I am not in my redoubt, but shall be in five minutes." In five minutes his redoubt was carried. On the morning of the 16th, Cornwallis detached Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie, at the head of four hundred men, upon a sortie, to destroy two batteries the allies had

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erected in the night. He succeeded, and spiked the cannon. The French suffered severely in the defence of these works; but the British gained no permanent advantage. On the afternoon of the same day, the allies opened their batteries, covered with about one hundred pieces of heavy cannon, and such was their destructive fire, that the British lines were soon demolished and silenced. Alarmed for his safety, Cornwallis now prepared to retire; his boats were collected, and a part of his army was embarked across to Gloucester Point, opposite to Yorktown, then under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton; but a violent storm suddenly arose, which defeated the plan, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the British could recover their boats.

Cornwallis now, seeing that all hope of succor or escape was vain, and that there was nothing left but submission, requested a parley, on the 18th, for twenty-four hours, and that commissioners might be appointed to arrange articles of capitulation. Washington consented, and commissioners were appointed accordingly. On the 19th the arti

to General Lincoln, at Charleston, just eighteen months before. Lincoln was then refused the honors of war, and on this occasion he was deputed to receive the sword of his lordship. Thus the mission of the Marquis La Fayette to France, in the winter of 1779-1780, was consummated by the fall of the hero of the south, at Yorktown. Cornwallis pressed hard for permission to embark the British and German troops to Europe, under suitable engagements not to serve during the war; also, that the tories might be protected; but both were refused. His lordship was, however, indulged with the permission that the Bonetta sloop of war might pass unsearched; and many of the most obnoxious tories escaped from the rage of their injured and insulted countrymen.

Seven thousand troops, with one thousand five hundred seamen, were taken prisoners with Cornwallis; together with one frigate of twenty-four guns, besides transports, (twenty of which had been sunk or otherwise destroyed,) seventy-five brass and sixty-nine iron ordnance, howitzers and mortars; also a military chest containing two thousand pounds sterling, which, trifling as it was, could not fail to be acceptable to the army. The ships were given to the French.

Washington closed this glorious scene at Yorktown by publishing to the army, both officers and soldiers, in general orders, the grateful effusions of his heart. He ordered the whole to be assembled in divisions and brigades, to attend to divine service, and render thanks to that God who had given them the victory. Congress received the letter of Washington on the 24th, announcing the capture of the British army, with the most cordial satisfaction, and immediately resolved to move in procession, at two o'clock, to the Lutheran church, and return thanks to Almighty God, for crowning with success the allied arms of America and France. Congress next resolved, that a proclamation be issued for the religious observance of the 13th of December, then next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, throughout the United States.

Thus joy, gratitude, and praise to God were united, and became universal, and swelled with transports every patri

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otic breast throughout United America. Congress resolved, on the 25th, "that thanks be presented General Washington, Count de Rochambeau, Count de Grasse, and the officers of the different corps, and the men under their command, for their services in the reduction of Lord Cornwallis." They next resolved, "that a marble column be erected at Yorktown, adorned with emblems commemorative of the alliance between the United States and his most Christian Majesty, and inscribed with a succinct account of the surrender of the British army;" and "that two stands of colors be presented to General Washington, and two pieces of ordnance be by him presented to Count de Rochambeau, as trophies of their illustrious victory; and that the Chevalier de la Luzerne be requested to inform his most Christian Majesty, that it was the wish of congress that Count de Grasse might be permitted to accept the same testimonials with the Count de Rochambeau.

Rochambeau, with his army, took up his winter quarters in Virginia; but the troops under the command of St. Simon were embarked for the West Indies, and the American troops returned to their former stations, excepting such cavalry and infantry as were necessary to the service of General Greene; these were sent forward in November, under the command of General St. Clair, to coöperate in the southern war. The French fleet sailed at the same time for the West Indies, and the operations of the season were generally closed. Washington retired to Philadelphia, to give repose to his mind, as well as to confer with congress upon the future exigencies of the nation.

Greene, in the mean time, continued posted on the high hills of Santee, and, after the capture of Cornwallis, a reinforcement from Washington's army was despatched to him under General Wayne. Strengthened by this force, he took up his march for Georgia. The British abandoned their posts as he advanced, and laid waste the country. The Creek Indians also made irruptions, and harassed the state, but Wayne defeated them, and put them to the rout. After many military manœuvres the British abandoned Georgia in July, and the Carolinas in December, 1782.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION.-Obstinacy of George III.-Effects of the surrender of Cornwallis-Opposition in parliament-Change of ministry -Sir Guy Carleton appointed to the command in America—Negotiations at Paris-Peace between the United States and Great BritainGeneral pacification in America and Europe-Treatment of American prisoners by the British-The Jersey prison-ship-Depreciation of the continental currency-Discontents of the army-Mutiny of the Pennsylvania line-Outrage committed upon congress—Decisive measures of Washington-The army disbanded-Washington resigns his commis

sion.

FROM the beginning of the revolutionary contest, George the Third had been most obstinate and uncompromising in his opposition to the Americans. Even the capture of Cornwallis did not bring him to reason, and, in his speech to parliament, he still urged hostile measures for putting down what he called the "spirit of rebellion." But the nation had at last begun to open its eyes to the monstrous folly of the American war. Army after army had laid down their arms before the victorious Americans. Millions upon millions of treasure had been wasted in vain efforts to bring them again under the British yoke, yet the attempt was now more desperate than ever. The embarrassments of trade and commerce, caused by the long war, were felt more and more severely every day, and the opposition in parliament grew so formidable, that Lord North's cabinet saw plainly their administration was approaching its end. At length the house of commons voted an address to the king, requesting him to put an immediate end to the war in America. Further resolves in parliament, condemning the conduct of the ministry, completed the overthrow of Lord North, and, on the 22d of March, 1782, he resigned his place of prime minister.