the large and rapid rivers that flow into Roanoke and Albemarle Sounds, in less than a month he reached b. May 20. Petersburg, where he found the troops of General Philips, who had died a few days before his arrival. The defence of Virginia was at that time intrusted principally to the Marquis de Lafayette, who, with a force of only three thousand men, mostly inilitia, could de little more than watch the movements of the at a careful distance. enemy, 1. To whom fence of that time was the de Virginia at intrusted? course did adopt? said of 27. 2Unable to bring Lafayette to an engagement, 2. What Cornwallis overran the country in the vicinity of James Cornwallis River, and destroyed an immense quantity of public and private property. An expedition under Tarleton 3. What is penetrated to Charlottesville,‡ and succeeded in making Taon prisoners of several members of the Virginia House of expedition Delegates, and came near seizing the governor of the state, Thomas Jefferson. After taking possession of 4. Richmond and Williamsburg, Cornwallis was called to the seacoast by Sir Henry Clinton; who, apprehensive of an attack by the combined French and American forces, was anxious that Cornwallis should take a position from which he might reinforce the garrison of New York, if desirable. Why was called to the Cornivallis seacoast? 5.What oe curred during the march of 28. Proceeding from Williamsburg to Portsmouth, when on the point of crossing James River he was attacked by Lafayette, who had been erroneously in- Connallis formed that the main body had already crossed. Gen- c. July 6. eral Wayne, who led the advance, on seeing the whole British army drawn out against him, made a sudden charge with great impetuosity, and then hastily retreated with but little loss. Cornwallis, surprised a this bold maneuver, and perhaps suspecting an ambuscade, would not allow a pursuit. * Halifax, in N. Carolina, is situated on the W. bank of Roanoke River, at the heat of sloop navigation, about 150 miles N. from Wilmington. t Petersburg, Virginia, is on the S. bank of Appomattox River, twelve miles above Its entrance into James River. Charlottesville is about sixty-five miles N.W. from Richmond. It is the seat of the University of Virginia, an institution planned by Mr. Jefferson. The residence of Mr Jeffersonwas at Monticello, three miles S.E. from Charlottesville. a. From Aug. 1-22. 1. What were the next movements lis, and Anally con ent forces? 2. What plan had 1781. 29. After crossing James River he proceeded to Portsmouth; but not liking the situation for a permanent post, he soon evacuated the place, and concentrated his forces at Yorktown,* on the south side of of cereal York River, which he immediately commenced fortiwhere did he fying. Gloucester Point, on the opposite side of the river, was held by a small force under Colonel Tarleton. 30. In the mean time, General Washington had formed the plan of attacking Sir Henry Clinton; and Washington late in June, the French troops from Rhode Island, the mean under Count Rochambeau, marched to the vicinity of what move New York, for the purpose of aiding in the enterprise. made by the The intention was abandoned, however, in August, in consequence of large reinforcements having been re3. Why was ceived by Clinton,-the tardiness with which the conabandoned? tinental troops assembled, and the fairer prospect of success which was opened by the situation of Cornwallis. formed in time, and inent was French troops? the plan 4. What is said of the parture of sudden the combined armies? 31. A French fleet, commanded by the Count de Grasse, was expected soon to arrive in the Chesapeake; and Washington, having effectually deceived Clinton until the last moment, with the belief that New York was the point of attack, suddenly drew off the combined French and American army, and, after rapid Sept. 30. marches, on the 30th of September appeared before Yorktown. D. Aug. 28,30. 5. How was of Cornwal both by sea SIEGE OF YORKTOWN. 32. The Count de Grasse had previously entered the retreat the Chesapeake, and, by blocking up James and York lis cut off Rivers, had effectually cut off the escape of Cornwallis and by land? by sea; while a force of two thousand troops, under the Marquis St. Simon, landed from the fleet, and joined Lafayette, then at Williamsburg, with the design of effectually opposing the British, should they attempt to retreat upon the Southern States. A British fleet from New York, under Admiral Graves, made an attempt to relieve Cornwallis, and to intercept the French fleet bearing the heavy artillery and French But Camp Redt Morassy Artillery Head Quarters GLOUCESTER OWN Ist.Para ging Army *Yorktown, the capital of York County, Vir ginia, is on the S. side of York River, about reven See miles from its entrance into the Chesapeake. Map military stores, from Rhode Island. A partial action took places off the capes, but the French avoided a general battle, and neither party gained any decided advantage. The object of the British, however, was defeated. 33. After General Clinton had learned the destina tion of the army of Washington, hoping to draw off a part of his forces, he sent Arnold on a plundering ex- to Connec pedition against Connecticut. Landing at the mouth of the river Thames, Arnold proceeded in person b. Sept. 6. against Fort Trumbull, a short distance below New Arnold ac London,* which was evacuated on his approach. complishin New London was then burned, and public and private property to a large amount destroyed. 34. In the mean time a party had proceeded against Fort Griswold, on the east side of the river, which, after an obstinate resistance, was carried by assault. When Colonel Ledyard, the commander of the fort, surrendered his sword, it was immediately plunged into his bosom; and the carnage was continued until the greater part of the garrison was killed or wounded. This barbarous inroad did not serve the purpose of Clinton in checking the advance of Washington against Cornwallis. 35. In the siege of Yorktown the French were 5. posted in front, and on the right of the town, extending from the river above, to the morass in the centre, where they were met by the Americans, who extended to the Yorktown? river below. On the evening of the ninth of October, the batteries were opened against the town, at a distance of 600 yards; and so heavy was the fire, that many of the guns of the besieged were soon dismount- with what ed, and silenced, and the works in many places demolished. Shells and red hot balls reached the British ships in the harbor, several of which were burned. made on the "On the evening of the 11th the besiegers advanced to within three hundred yards of the British lines. *New London, in Connecticut, is situated on the W. bank of he River Thames, three miles from its entrance into Long Island Sound. Fort Trumbull is situated on a projecting point, about a mile below the city. Fort Griswold is situated opposite Fort CSOUND Trumbull, on an eminence in the town of Groton. (See Map.) 1781. Oct. 14. 1. What occurred on the 14th; what is the siege? attempt of 36. On the 14th, two redoubts, in advance and on the left of the besieged, were carried by assault; the one by an American, and the other by a French detachment. These were then included in the works of the and one besiegers. On the 16th, nearly a hundred pieces of heavy progress of ordnance were brought to bear on the British works, and with such effect that the walls and fortifications were beaten down, and almost every gun dismounted. 2. Of the 37. No longer entertaining any hopes of effectual We British resistance, on the evening of the same day Cornwallis La retreat attempted to retreat by way of Gloucester Point; hoping to be able to break through a French detachment posted in the rear of that place, and, by rapid 3. Of the marches, to reach New York in safety. Frustrated urrender of in this attempt by a violent storm, which dispersed his boats after one division had crossed the river, he was reduced to the necessity of a capitulation; and, on the 19th, the posts of Yorktown and Gloucester, containing more than seven thousand British soldiers, were surrendered to the army of Washington, and the shipping in the harbor to the fleet of De Grasse. Oct. 19. d. Oct. 24. curred five the surren b. Nov. 5. 5. What dis 38. *Five days after the fall of Yorktown, Sir Henry 4. What oc. Clinton appeareda at the mouth of the Chesapeake, days after with an armament of 7000 men; but learning that der? Cornwallis had already surrendered, he returned to New York. The 'victorious allies separated soon after the surrender. The Count de Grasse sailedb for position was the West Indies; Count Rochambeau cantoned his army, during the winter, in Virginia; and the main body of the Americans returned to its former position on the Hudson, while a strong detachment under General St. Clair was despatched to the South, to reinforce the army of General Greene. made of the allied for ces? 6. What was this import 39. 'By the victory over Cornwallis the whole counthe effect of try was, in effect, recovered to the Union-the British ani victory? power was reduced to merely defensive measures—and was confined principally to the cities of New York, Charleston, and Savannah. At the news of so important a victory, transports of exultation broke forth, 7. What re- and triumphal celebrations were held throughout the ligious ap Union. Washington set apart a particular day for did wash the performance of divine service in the army; recom pointment ington 7 mending that "all the troops should engage in it with 1781. serious deportment, and that sensibility of heart which make, and the surprising and particular interposition of Provi- recommend? dence in their favor claimed." what did he 1. What was done by con 40. 'Congress, on receiving the official intelligence, gress on this went in procession to the principal church in Phil- occasion? adelphia, "To return thanks to Almighty God for the signal success of the American arms," and appointed the 13th of December as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. CHAPTER VIII. CLOSE OF THE WAR, AND ADOP- GENERAL GREENE. 1. WHEN intelligence of the defeat and capture of Cornwallis reached London, the king and ministry evinced a determination still to continue the war for the reduction of the "rebellious colonies;" but, fortunately, the war had become almost universally unpopular with the British nation. From the 12th of December to the 4th of March, repeated motions were made in the House of Commons for terminating the war; and on this latter day the House resolved, that those who should advise the king to continue the war on the continent of North America, should be declared enemies of the sovereign and of the country. CEDNO.JP 4. What events, and what state followed the retirement of Lor North? 2. On the 20th of March the administration of Lord March 20. North was terminated, and the advocates of peace immediately came into power. Early in May, Sir Guy of things Carleton, who had been appointed to succeed Sir Henry Clinton in the command of all the British forces, arrived at New York, with instructions to promote the wishes of Great Britain for an accommodation with the United States. In accordance with these views, offensive war mostly ceased on the part of the British, and Washington made no attempts on the posts of the enemy. year 1782 consequently passed without furnishing any military operations of importance; although the hostile The |