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"York county October ye 26th, 1696. I promise to give five pounds sterling towards
building the cott. house at Yorké Town, and twenty pounds sterl'g if within two years
they build a brick church att the same towne. As witness my hand ye day and year
above written.

"Hic jacet, spe certa resurgendi in Christi, Thomas Nelson, generosus, Filius Hugonis
et Sariæ Nelson de Penrith, in Comitatu Cumbriæ, natus 20mo die Februarii Anno
Domini 1677, vitæ bene gestæ finem implevit 7mo die Octobris 1745, ætatis suæ 68."

[Translation.]

"Here lies, in certain hope of a resurrection in Christ, Thomas Nelson, gentleman,
son of Hugo and Sarah Nelson, of Penrith, in the county of Cumberland: born February
20, A. D. 1677, died October 7, 1745, aged 68."

Here lies the body of the Hon. William Nelson, late president of his Majesty's council
in this Dominion, in whom the love of man and the love of God so restrained and enforced
each other, and so invigorated the mental powers in general, as not only to defend
him from the vices and follies of his age and country, but also to render it a matter of
difficult decision in what part of laudable conduct he most excelled; whether in the tender
and endearing accomplishments of domestic life, or in the more arduous duties of a
wider circuit; whether as a neighbor, gentleman, or a magistrate; whether in the graces
of hospitality, charity, or piety. Reader, if you feel the spirit of that exaited ardor
which aspires to the felicity of conscious virtue, animated by those stimulating and divine
admonitions, perform the task and expect the distinction of the righteous man.
Obit. 19th of Nov., Anno Domini 1772, ætatis 61.

Thomas Nelson, jun., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born at York,
Dec. 26, 1738. When in his fifteenth year, according to the prevailing fashion among
gentlemen of affluence at the south, he was sent to England to receive his education.
His first appearance in public life was in 1774, as a member of the House of Burgesses.
He was a member of the conventions of 1774 and 1775; and evinced such a boldness
and promptitude in opposing British aggression, as to alarm some of his personal friends,
particularly when he proposed the organization of a military force among the colonists.
In the military organization of Virginia he was appointed to the command of a regiment.
In September, 1775, he first took his seat in the general Congress, to which he
was reappointed the following year. In the summer of 1777, ill health compelled him
to resign his seat and return to Virginia. The state was at that time threatened with invasion,
and Mr. Nelson was appointed brigadier-general and commander-in-chief of all its
military forces. His popularity was unbounded, and his appointment gave universal satisfaction.
About this time a motion was made to sequester the debts due in this state to
English merchants. His inflexible and zealous opposition to the proposition in the legislature
redounded to his honor, and evinced the lofty integrity of his character. At
this period the American cause was threatened with annihilation, and Congress made an
appeal to the patriotism of the young men of property and standing. When the appeal
was published, Gen. Nelson embarked in the cause with his characteristic ardor. He
published an animating address, and succeeded in enlisting about seventy young Virginians
in a volunteer corps, and furnished a number of them with the means of defraying
their expenses, from his own purse. At the head of this Spartan band he marched
to the north; but a change of circumstances occurring, their services were not required.
In this enterprise Gen. Nelson expended large sums of money, which were never repaid.

Early in 1779, he was again a short time in Congress, but ill health again compelled
him to return to Virginia. In 1780, when the state undertook to borrow two millions of
dollars for the aid of Congress, Gen. Nelson opened a subscription. Calling on several
friends, they declared that they would not lend him a shilling on the security of the
commonwealth, but they would lend him all they could possibly raise; upon which he
added his own personal security to that of the state, and succeeded in raising a large proportion
of the sum required. By this and similar patriotic exertions, he suffered severe
pecuniary losses, but never relaxed his exertions. He had at the beginning anticipated
sufferings and sacrifices in effecting the independence of his country, and prepared
his mind to meet and sustain them. In 1781, when the storm of war burst upon Virginia,
Gen. Nelson was actively employed in effecting plans to oppose the enemy; and,
succeeding Mr. Jefferson as governor, he was compelled to unite in himself the two
offices of governor and commander of the military forces. By great exertions Gov. Nelson
kept his forces together until the capture of Cornwallis. To do this, he exerted his
personal influence, his official authority, and his private fortune, to the utmost extent.
After the surrender, Washington, in his account of it, made a very honorable acknowledgment
of the valuable services of Gov. Nelson, and the militia under his command,
during the siege, in securing its important issue.

In a month after, ill-health compelled Gov. Nelson to retire again to private life,
where malice and envy preferred base accusations against him for mal-administration
of his office. But he was most honorably exculpated by the legislature. He never
again entered public life. His time was passed in retirement at his plantation in Hanover,
and at York. His health gradually declining, he died in Hanover, Jan. 4th, 1789,
aged fifty years.

27th Sept.—We arrived at Yorktown yesterday from Jamestown, and have encamped
within one mile of the enemy's line of redoubts.

28th.—The French troops have arrived, and encamped on our left. Yorktown is situated
on the south bank of the river, about fifteen miles from its entrance into Chesapeake
Bay. In this little village, Lord Cornwallis, with about seven thousand troops, has taken
his station, and is endeavoring to fortify himself against the impending danger of our
combined operations. His communication by water is entirely cut off by the French
ships of war stationed at the mouth of the river, preventing both his escape and receiving
succor from Sir Henry Clinton at New York. The allied army is about twelve
thousand strong, exclusive of the militia under Gov. Nelson. The Americans form the
right, and the French the left wing of the combined forces, each extending to the borders
of the river, by which the besiegers form a half circle round the town. His Excellency
General Washington commands in person, and is assisted by Major-General Lincoln,
Baron Steuben, the Marquis de Lafayette, General Knox, &c. The French troops are
commanded by General the Count Rochambeau, a brave and experienced officer, having
under him a number of officers of distinguished character. Unbounded confidence is
reposed in our illustrious commanders, the spirit of emulation and military ardor universally
prevail, and we are sanguine in our expectations that a surrender of the royal army
must be his lordship's fate.

A cannonade commenced yesterday from the town, by which one man received a
wound, and I assisted in amputating his leg. 30th.—We were agreeably surprised this
morning, to find that the enemy had, during the preceding night, abandoned three or four
of their redoubts, and retired within the town, leaving a considerable extent of commanding
ground which might have cost us much labor and many lives to obtain by force.
Our light infantry and a party of French were ordered to advance and take possession
of the abandoned ground, and to serve as a covering party to our troops, who are employed
in throwing up breastworks. Considerable cannonading from the besieged in the
course of the day, and four militiamen were wounded by a single shot, one of whom
died soon after. An occurrence has just been announced which fills our hearts with
grief and sorrow. Col. Alexander Scammel being officer of the day, while reconnoitring
the ground which the enemy had abandoned, was surprised by a party of their horse,
and after having surrendered, they had the baseness to inflict a wound which we fear
will prove mortal; they have carried him into Yorktown.

October 1st and 2d.—Our troops have been engaged in throwing up two redoubts in
the night-time; on discovery, the enemy commenced a furious cannonade, but it does
not deter our men from going on vigorously with their work. Heavy cannon and mortars
are continually arriving, and the greatest preparations are made to prosecute the siege in
the most effectual manner.

3d and 4th.—A considerable cannonading from the enemy, one shot killed three men,
and mortally wounded another. While the Rev. Mr. Evans, our chaplain, was standing

near the commander-in-chief, a shot struck the ground so near as to cover his hat with
sand; being much agitated, he took off his hat and said, "See here, general." "Mr.
Evans," replied his Excellency, with his usual composure, "you had better carry that
home and show it to your wife and children." Two soldiers from the French, and one
from us, deserted to the enemy, and two British soldiers deserted to our camp the same
night. The enemy, from the want of forage, are killing off their horses in great numbers;
six or seven hundred of these valuable animals have been killed, and their carcasses are
almost continually floating down the river. The British are in possession of a place
called Gloucester, on the north side of the river, nearly opposite Yorktown; their force
consists of one British regiment, and Col. Tarleton's legion of horse and infantry. In
opposition to this force the French legion, under the command of the Duke de Luzerne,
and a detachment of French infantry and militia, are posted in that vicinity. Tarleton
is a bold and impetuous leader, and has spread terror through the Carolinas and Virginia
for some time past. In making a sally from Gloucester yesterday, they were attacked
by the French, and defeated, with the loss of the commanding officer of their infantry,
and about fifty men killed and wounded; among the latter is Tarleton himself. The duke
lost three men killed, and two officers and eleven men wounded. It is with much concern
we learn that Col. Scammel died at Williamsburg, of the wound which he received
a few days since, when he was taken prisoner; the wound was inflicted after he had
surrendered. At the request of Gen. Washington, Lord Cornwallis allowed him to be
carried to Williamsburg, where he died this day, universally lamented, as he was while
living universally respected and esteemed. The commander-in-chief was well apprized
of his merit, and bestowed on him marks of his friendly regard and confidence. For
some time he sustained the office of adjutant-general to our army, but preferring a more
active command and the post of danger, he was put at the head of a regiment of light
infantry for this enterprising campaign. The British have sent from Yorktown a large
number of negroes sick with the smallpox, probably for the purpose of communicating
the infection to our army; thus our inhuman enemies resort to every method in their
power, however barbarous or cruel, to injure and distress, and thus to gain an advantage
over their opposers.

7th.—A large detachment of the allied army, under command of Major-General Lincoln,
were ordered out last evening, for the purpose of opening intrenchments near the
enemy's lines. This business was conducted with great silence and secrecy, and we
were favored by Providence with a night of extreme darkness, and were not discovered
before daylight. The working party carried on their shoulders fascines and intrenching
tools, while a large part of the detachment was armed with the implements of death.
Horses, drawing cannon and ordnance, and wagons loaded with bags filled with sand
for constructing breastworks, followed in the rear. Thus arranged, every officer and
soldier knowing his particular station, orders were given to advance in perfect silence,
the distance about one mile. My station on this occasion was, with Dr. Munson, my
mate, in the rear of the troops, and as the music was not to be employed, about twenty
drummers and fifers were put under my charge to assist me in case of having wounded
men to attend. Our troops were indefatigable in their labors during the night, and before
daylight they had nearly completed the first parallel line of nearly two miles in extent,
besides laying a foundation for two redoubts, within about six hundred yards
of the enemy's lines. At daylight, the enemy having discovered our works, commenced
a severe cannonade; but our men being under cover received no injury. A
French soldier deserted to the enemy, after which there was a constant firing against the
French lines, and one officer was killed, and fifteen men were killed or wounded. In
the latter part of the night it rained severely, and being in the open field, cold, and uncomfortable,
I entered a small hut made of brush, which the enemy had abandoned;
soon after, a man came to the door, and seeing me standing in the centre, instantly drew
his sword, and put himself in an attitude to plunge it into me. I called out friend,
friend, and he as speedily to my great joy responded, "Ah, Monsieur, friend," and returning
his sword to its place he departed. I think he was a French soldier, and it is
doubtful whether he or myself was the most frightened.

8th. and 9th.—The duty of our troops has been for several days extremely severe;
our regiment labors in the trenches every other day and night, where I find it difficult
to avoid suffering by the cold, having no other covering than a single blanket in the open
field. We erected a battery last night in front of our first parallel, without any annoyance
from the enemy. Two or three of our batteries being now prepared to open on the
town, his Excellency Gen. Washington put the match to the first gun, and a furious discharge

of cannon and mortars immediately followed, and Earl Cornwallis has received
his first salutation.

From the 10th to the 15th, a tremendous and incessant firing from the American and
French batteries is kept up, and the enemy return the fire, but with little effect. A red
hot shell from the French battery set fire to the Charon, a British 44 gun ship, and two
or three smaller vessels at anchor in the river, which were consumed in the night. From
the bank of the river, I had a fine view of this splendid conflagration. The ships were
wrapped in a torrent of fire, which, spreading with vivid brightness among the combustible
rigging, and running with amazing rapidity to the tops of the several masts,
while all around was thunder and lightning from our numerous cannons and mortars, and
in the darkness of night, presented one of the most sublime and magnificent spectacles
which can be imagined. Some of our shells, overreaching the town, are seen to fall into
the river, and bursting, throw up columns of water like the spouting of the monsters
of the deep. We have now made further approaches to the town, by throwing up a
second parallel line, and batteries within about three hundred yards; this was effected in
the night, and at daylight the enemy were roused to the greatest exertions—the engines
of war have raged with redoubled fury and destruction on both sides, no cessation day
or night. The French had two officers wounded, and fifteen men killed or wounded, and
among the Americans two or three were wounded. I assisted in amputating a man's
thigh. The siege is daily becoming more and more formidable and alarming, and his
lordship must view his situation as extremely critical, if not desperate. Being in the
trenches every other night and day, I have a fine opportunity of witnessing the sublime
and stupendous scene which is continually exhibiting. The bomb-shells from the besiegers
and the besieged are incessantly crossing each other's path in the air. They are
clearly visible in the form of a black ball in the day, but in the night they appear like a
fiery meteor with a blazing tail, most beautifully brilliant, ascending majestically from
the mortar to a certain altitude, and gradually descending to the spot where they are
destined to execute their work of destruction. It is astonishing with what accuracy an
experienced gunner will make his calculations, that a shell shall fall within a few feet of
a given point, and burst at the precise time, though at a great distance. When a shell
falls, it whirls round, burrows, and excavates the earth to a considerable extent, and
bursting, makes dreadful havoc around. I have more than once witnessed fragments of
the mangled bodies and limbs of the British soldiers thrown into the air by the bursting
of our shells, and by one from the enemy, Capt. White, of the seventh Massachusetts regiment,
and one soldier were killed, and another wounded near where I was standing. About
twelve or fourteen men have been killed or wounded within twenty-four hours; I attended
at the hospital, amputated a man's arm, and assisted in dressing a number of
wounds. The enemy having two redoubts, about three hundred yards in front of their
principal works, which enfiladed our intrenchment and impeded our approaches, it was
resolved to take possession of them both by assault. The one on the left of the British
garrison, bordering on the banks of the river, was assigned to our brigade of light infantry,
under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette. The advanced corps was led on
by the intrepid Col. Hamilton, who had commanded a regiment of light infantry during
the campaign, and assisted by Col. Gimat. The assault commenced at eight o'clock in
the evening, and the assailants bravely entered the fort with the point of the bayonet
without firing a single gun. We suffered the loss of eight men killed, and about thirty
wounded, among whom Col. Gimat received a slight wound in his foot, and Major Gibbs,
of his Excellency's guard, and two other officers, were slightly wounded. Major Campbell,
who commanded in the fort, was wounded and taken prisoner, with about thirty
soldiers; the remainder made their escape. I was desired to visit the wounded in the
fort, even before the balls had ceased whistling about my ears, and saw a sergeant and
eight men dead in the ditch. A captain of our infantry, belonging to New Hampshire,
threatened to take the life of Major Campbell, to avenge the death of his favorite, Col.
Scammel, but Col. Hamilton interposed, and not a man was killed after he ceased to
resist. During the assault, the British kept up an incessant firing of cannon and musketry
from their whole line. His Excellency Gen. Washington, Generals Lincoln and
Knox, with their aids, having dismounted, were standing in an exposed situation waiting
the result. Col. Cobb, one of Gen. Washington's aids, solicitous for his safety, said to
his Excellency, "Sir, you are too much exposed here, had you not better step a little
back?" "Col. Cobb," replied his Excellency, "if you are afraid, you have liberty to
step back." The other redoubt, on the right of the British lines, was assaulted at the
same time, by a detachment of the French, commanded by the gallant Baron de Viominel.
Such was the ardor displayed by the assailants, that all resistance was soon overcome,

though at the expense of nearly one hundred men killed and wounded.[2] Of
the defenders of the redoubt, eighteen were killed, and one captain and two subaltern
officers and forty-two rank and file captured.[3] Our second parallel line was immediately
connected with the two redoubts now taken from the enemy, and some new batteries
were thrown up in front of our second parallel line, with a covert way, and angling
work approaching to less than three hundred yards of their principal forts. These will
soon be mantled with cannon and mortars, and when their horrid thundering commences,
it must convince his lordship that his post is not invincible, and that submission must
soon be his only alternative. Our artillerymen, by the exactness of their aim, make
every discharge take effect, so that many of the enemy's guns are entirely silenced, and
their works are almost in ruins.

16th.—A party of the enemy, consisting of about four hundred men, commanded by
Col. Abercrombie, about four in the morning, made a vigorous sortie against two unfinished
redoubts occupied by the French; they spiked up seven or eight pieces of cannon,
and killed several soldiers, but the French advanced and drove them from the redoubts,
leaving several killed and wounded. Our New England troops have now become very
sickly; the prevalent diseases are intermittent and remittent fevers, which are very prevalent
in this climate during the autumnal months.

17th.—The whole of our works are now mounted with cannon and mortars, not less
than one hundred pieces of heavy ordnance have been in continual operation during the
last twenty-four hours. The whole peninsula trembles under the incessant thunderings
of our infernal machines; we have levelled some of their works in ruins and silenced
their guns; they have almost ceased firing. We are so near as to have a distinct view
of the dreadful havoc and destruction of their works, and even see the men in their lines
torn to pieces by the bursting of our shells. But the scene is drawing to a close. Lord
Cornwallis, at length realizing the extreme hazard of his deplorable situation, and finding
it in vain any longer to resist, has this morning come to the humiliating expedient
of sending out a flag, requesting a cessation of hostilities for twenty-four hours, that
commissioners may be appointed to prepare and adjust the terms of capitulation. Two
or three flags passed in the course of the day, and Gen. Washington consented to a cessation
of hostilities for two hours only, that his lordship may suggest his proposals as a
basis for a treaty, which being in part accepted, a suspension of hostilities will be continued
till to-morrow.

18th.—It is now ascertained that Lord Cornwallis, to avoid the necessity of a surrender,
had determined on the bold attempt to make his escape in the night of the 16th,
with a part of his army, into the country. His plan was to leave sick and baggage behind,
and to cross with his effective force over to Gloucester Point, there to destroy the
French legion and other troops, and to mount his infantry on their horses and such others
as might be procured, and thus push their way to New York by land. A more preposterous
and desperate attempt can scarcely be imagined. Boats were secretly prepared,
arrangements made, and a large proportion of his troops actually embarked and
landed on Gloucester Point, when from a moderate and calm evening, a most violent
storm of wind and rain ensued. The boats with the remaining troops were all driven
down the river, and it was not till the next day that his troops could be returned to the
garrison at York. At an early hour this forenoon, Gen. Washington communicated to
Lord Cornwallis the general basis of the terms of capitulation, which he deemed admissible,

and allowed two hours for his reply. Commissioners were soon after appointed to
prepare the particular terms of agreement. The gentlemen appointed by Gen. Washington
are Col. Laurens, one of his aid-de-camps, and Viscount Noaille of the French
army. They have this day held an interview with the two British officers on the part
of Lord Cornwallis, the terms of capitulation are settled, and being confirmed by the
commanders of both armies, the royal troops are to march out to-morrow and surrender
their arms. It is a circumstance deserving of remark, that Col. Laurens, who is stipulating
for the surrender of a British nobleman, at the head of a royal army, is the son of
Mr. Henry Laurens, our ambassador to Holland, who being captured on his voyage, is
now in close confinement in the tower of London.

19th.—This is to us a most glorious day, but to the English one of bitter chagrin and
disappointment. Preparations are now making to receive as captives, that vindictive,
haughty commander, and that victorious army, who by their robberies and murders have
so long been a scourge to our brethren of the southern states. Being on horseback, I
anticipate a full share of satisfaction in viewing the various movements in the interesting
scene. The stipulated terms of capitulation are similar to those granted to Gen. Lincoln
at Charleston the last year. The captive troops are to march out with shouldered arms,
colors cased, and drums beating a British or German march, and to ground their arms
at a place assigned for the purpose. The officers are allowed their side-arms and private
property, and the generals and such officers as desire it, are to go on parole to England
or New York. The marines and seamen of the king's ships are prisoners of war to the
navy of France, and the land forces to the United States. All military and artillery
stores to be delivered up unimpaired. The royal prisoners to be sent into the interior of
Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, in regiments, to have rations allowed them equal
to the American soldiers, and to have their officers near them. Lord Cornwallis to man
and dispatch the Bonetta sloop of war with dispatches to Sir Henry Clinton at New
York, without being searched; the vessel to be returned, and the hands accounted for.
At about twelve o'clock, the combined army was arranged and drawn up in two lines
extending more than a mile in length. The Americans were drawn up in a line on the
right side of the road, and the French occupied the left. At the head of the former the
great American commander, mounted on his noble courser, took his station, attended by
his aids. At the head of the latter was posted the excellent Count Rochambeau and
his suite. The French troops, in complete uniform, displayed a martial and noble appearance;
their band of music, of which the timbrel formed a part, is a delightful novelty,
and produced, while marching to the ground, a most enchanting effect. The Americans,
though not all in uniform, nor their dress so neat, yet exhibited an erect soldierly
air, and every countenance beamed with satisfaction and joy. The concourse of spectators
from the country was prodigious, in point of numbers probably equal to the military;
but universal silence and order prevailed. It was about two o'clock when the captive
army advanced through the line formed for their reception. Every eye was prepared to
gaze on Lord Cornwallis, the object of peculiar interest and solicitude; but he disappointed
our anxious expectations; pretending indisposition, he made Gen. O'Hara his
substitute as the leader of his army. This officer was followed by the conquered troops
in a slow and solemn step, with shouldered arms, colors cased, and drums beating a
British march. Having arrived at the head of the line, Gen. O'Hara, elegantly
mounted, advanced to his Excellency the commander-in-chief, taking off his hat, and
apologized for the non-appearance of Earl Cornwallis. With his usual dignity and politeness,
his Excellency pointed to Major-General Lincoln for directions, by whom the
British army was conducted into a spacious field where it was intended they should
ground their arms. The royal troops, while marching through the line formed by the
allied army, exhibited a decent and neat appearance, as respects arms and clothing, for
their commander opened his store and directed every soldier to be furnished with a new
suit complete, prior to the capitulation. But in their line of march we remarked a disorderly
and unsoldierly conduct; their step was irregular, and their ranks frequently broken.
But it was in the field, when they came to the last act of the drama, that the
spirit and pride of the British soldier were put to the severest test—here their mortification
could not be concealed. Some of the platoon officers appeared to be exceedingly
chagrined when giving the word "ground arms," and I am witness that they performed
this duty in a very unofficer-like manner, and that many of the soldiers manifested a
sullen temper,[4] throwing their arms on the pile with violence, as if determined to render

them useless. This irregularity, however, was checked by the authority of Gen. Lincoln.
After having grounded their arms, and divested themselves of their accoutrements,
the captive troops were conducted back to Yorktown, and guarded by our troops
till they could be removed to the place of their destination. The British troops that were
stationed at Gloucester surrendered at the same time, and in the same manner, to the
command of the Duke de Luzerne. This must be a very interesting and gratifying
transaction to Gen. Lincoln, who having himself been obliged to surrender an army to
a haughty foe the last year, has now assigned him the pleasing duty of giving laws to
a conquered army in return, and of reflecting that the terms which were imposed on him
are adopted as a basis of the surrender in the present instance. It is a very gratifying
circumstance that every degree of harmony, confidence, and friendly intercourse subsisted
between the American and French troops during the campaign; no contest except
an emulous spirit to excel in exploits and enterprise against the common enemy, and a
desire to be celebrated in the annals of history for an ardent love of great and heroic
actions. We are not to be surprised that the pride of the British officers is humbled on
this occasion, as they have always entertained an exalted opinion of their own military
prowess, and affected to view the Americans as a contemptible, undisciplined rabble.
But there is no display of magnanimity when a great commander shrinks from the inevitable
misfortunes of war; and when it is considered that Lord Cornwallis has frequently
appeared in splendid triumph at the head of his army, by which he is almost
adored, we conceive it incumbent on him cheerfully to participate in their misfortunes
and degradations, however humiliating; but it is said he gives himself up entirely to
vexation and despair.

20th.—In the general orders of this day our commander-in-chief expresses his entire
approbation, and his warmest thanks to the French and American officers and soldiers
of all descriptions, for the brave and honorable part which they have acted during the
siege. He congratulates the combined army on the momentous event which closes the
campaign, and which crowns their heads with unfading laurels, and entitles them to the
applause and gratitude of their country. Among the general officers whom his Excellency
particularly noticed, for the important services which they rendered during the
siege, are Generals Lincoln, de Lafayette, Steuben, Knox, and Du Portail, his Excellency
Count Rochambeau, and several other distinguished French officers. To Gov. Nelson,
of Virginia, he returned his grateful and sincere acknowledgments for the essential succors
afforded by him and the militia under his command. The commander-in-chief,
wishing that every heart should participate in the joy of this memorable day, ordered
that all those who are under arrest or confinement should be immediately pardoned and
set at liberty, a circumstance which I believe has never before occurred in our army.
He closed by ordering that divine service shall be performed in the several brigades to-morrow,
and recommends that the troops attend with a serious deportment, and with
that sensibility of heart which the recollection of the surprising and particular interposition
of Providence in our favor claims.

22d.—Yesterday being Sunday, our brigade of infantry, and the York brigade were
drawn up in the field to attend divine service performed by Mr. Evans. After offering
to the Lord of hosts, the God of battles, our grateful homage for the preservation of our
lives through the dangers of the siege, and for the important event with which Divine
Providence has seen fit to crown our efforts, he preached an excellent and appropriate
sermon. Generals Lincoln and Clinton were present. In the design and execution of
this successful expedition, our commander-in-chief fairly outgeneralled Sir Henry Clinton,
and the whole movement was marked by consummate military address, which reduced
the royal general to a mortifying dilemma that no skill or enterprise could retrieve.
A siege of thirteen days, prosecuted with unexampled rapidity, has terminated in the
capture of one of the greatest generals of which the English can boast, and a veteran
and victorious army which has for several months past spread terror and desolation
throughout the southern states. The joy on this momentous occasion is universally diffused,
and the hope entertained that it will arrest the career of a cruel warfare, and
advance the establishment of American Independence. In the progress of the royal
army through the state of Virginia the preceding summer, they practised the most abominable
enormities, plundering negroes and horses from almost every plantation, and reducing
the country to ruin. Among the prodigious assemblage of spectators at the time of
surrender, were a number of planters searching for the property which had been thus
purloined from their estates. The famous Col Tarleton, mounted on a horse remarkable

for elegance and noble appearance, while riding in company with several French officers
with whom he was to dine, was met by a gentleman, who instantly recognised the animal
as his own property. Tarleton was stopped, and the horse peremptorily demanded;
observing a little hesitation, the British General O'Hara, who was present, said, "You
had better give him his horse, Tarleton," on which the colonel dismounted and delivered
the horse to the original proprietor; after which, being remounted on a very miserable
animal, he rejoined his company, and the French officers were greatly surprised that he
should be so humbly mounted. The British prisoners were all sent off yesterday, conducted
by a party of militia on their way to the interior of Virginia and Maryland. I
have this day visited the town of York, to witness the destructive effects of the siege.
It contains about sixty houses, some of them are elegant; many of them are greatly damaged,
and some totally ruined, being shot through in a thousand places, and honeycombed
ready to crumble to pieces. Rich furniture and books were scattered over the
ground, and the carcasses of men and horses half covered with earth, exhibited a scene
of ruin and horror beyond description. The earth in many places is thrown up into
mounds by the force of our shells, and it is difficult to point to a spot where a man could
have resorted for safety.

The loss on the part of the French during the siege, was fifty killed and one hundred
and twenty-seven wounded. Americans twenty-seven killed and seventy-three wounded,
officers included. Cornwallis' account of his loss during the siege is one hundred and
fifty-six, three hundred and twenty-six wounded, and seventy missing, probably deserted,
total five hundred and fifty-two. The whole number surrendered by capitulation,
seven thousand two hundred and forty-seven.[5] The amount of artillery and military
stores, provisions, &c., is very considerable; seventy-five brass and one hundred and
sixty-nine iron cannon, seven thousand seven hundred and ninety-four muskets; regimental
standards, German eighteen, British ten. From the military chest we received
two thousand one hundred and thirteen pounds six shillings sterling.

Col. Scammel was the highest officer in rank in the American army, killed at the
siege. He was shot after he had surrendered, by two Hessian horsemen, and was
buried at Williamsburg. The annexed lines, forming part of his epitaph, were written
by Col. Humphreys:

During the siege almost all the Americans had the fever and ague. The dews were
very heavy, and wet through the tents. The soldiers were divided into two divisions,
and on alternate nights slept in the trenches in the open air.

On the attack of the two advanced redoubts of the British, on the night of the 15th,
in a great measure depended the result of the siege. Washington, surrounded by a
group of officers, among whom was our informat, stood in the grand battery looking
through the embrasures, while the two divisions of the attacking party advanced to the
assault. Col. Alexander Hamilton led on the Americans, with empty muskets and fixed
bayonets. When he arrived at the right redoubt, which he was to attack, he made a
short but eloquent address, which was distinctly heard by the silent but deeply-interested
witnesses in the grand battery. "Did you ever hear such a speech?" remarked Lieut.
D. to Dr. M.; "with such a speech I could storm —." Shortly after, the French
officer arrived with his division before the other redoubt, when he was challenged by the
sentinel:

Sentinel.—"Who comes there?"

French officer.—"French."

Sentinel—mistakes it for "friend," and again demands, "Who comes there?"

French officer.—"French Grenadiers and Chasseurs, s-h-a-r-g-e! S-H-A-R-G-E!
S-H-A-R-G-E!"

The word "charge" was drawled out with so much deliberation, and with such imperfect
pronunciation, as to excite hearty laughter from the witnesses in the grand battery.
The clash of bayonets succeeded, and the next morning the trench was seen filled
five or six feet deep with the bodies of the gallant Frenchmen.

While the attack was progressing, a musket-ball rolled along a cannon, and fell at
the feet of Washington. Gen. Knox seized him by the arm, and exclaimed, "My dear
general, we can't spare you yet!" Washington replied, "It is a spent ball, and no harm
is done." When it was all over, and the redoubts in possession of the two parties, Washing
turned to Knox and said, "The work is done, and well done" and then exclaimed
to his servant, "William, hand me my horse."