262 CLOSE OF THE WAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, who received a mortal wound while leading the charge that determined the fate of the battle.* On October 29 Congress voted thanks to General to General Greene and the army under him, and presented to him a British standard and a gold medal.† The British now became SO alarmed that they burned their stores at Dorchester and evacuated the post at Monk's Corner. The Americans also left the scene of action and retired to the high hills of the Santee. While the British were lying at Monk's Corner, more than 80 prisoners were taken by the Americans within sight of the British encampment. The British seemed to have lost heart at the recent defeat and upon the slightest apprehension of danger displayed the same disposition to retreat as had been previously exhibited by the raw American militia. The battle of Eutaw Springs practically closed the war in South Caro ii., pp. 220-237; G. W. Greene, Life of Greene, vol. iii., p. 388; F. V. Greene, Life of Greene, pp. 269277; Tarleton, Campaigns, pp. 508-518; Lee's Memoirs, vol. ii., pp. 276–295. *Thacher, Military Journal, p. 291. Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 497-498. lina. At the beginning of the campaign, the British had been in force all over the State, but when the campaign closed they were proceeding only with the greatest caution, and scarcely dared venture more than twenty miles from Charleston. Naturally, a few incursions were made into the surrounding country and several skirmishes occurred, but none of any importance. Toward the end of November General Greene compelled the British to evacuate the post at Dorchester, and after a slight skirmish the British retired to the vicinity of Charleston. Greene posted his troops on both sides of the Ashley, and completely covered the country from the Cooper to the Edisto, confining the British to Charleston and the vicinity.* The British force in Georgia was concentrated at Savannah. During this campaign General Pickens conducted an expedition against the Cherokee Indians who had been instigated by the British to declare war against the Americans. Pickens was completely successful, and the Cherokees shortly afterward concluded peace. *F. V. Greene, Life of Greene, pp. 283-284; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 569-570. CORNWALLIS AND LAFAYETTE 263 CHAPTER XXXI. 1781. CORNWALLIS SURRENDERS AT YORKTOWN. Operations of Cornwallis-Lafayette in Virginia - Tarleton's attempt to capture Thomas Jefferson- Baron Steuben retreats before Simcoe - Wayne and Lafayette attack Cornwallis - The latter establishes headquarters at Yorktown-Reinforcements received from France- - Interview between Washington and the French commanders-The former meditates attack upon New York-March toward the South begun - Allied armies besiege Yorktown-Arnold burns New London - Attack on British works at Yorktown - The surrender - Lafayette's return to France - Border warfare. Meanwhile Lord Cornwallis had gone to Petersburg, Virginia, supposing that Lord Rawdon would be able to check the advance of General Greene in Carolina. Upon his arrival at Petersburg, Cornwallis learned of the death of General Phillips and here also he received a reinforcement of 1,800 troops sent by Sir Henry Clinton. Cornwallis now thought himself strong enough not only to check the Americans, but also to decisively defeat them, and in a spirit of exultation wrote to the home government regarding regarding Lafayette, saying that" the boy cannot escape wallis then marched through Han- At this time Cornwallis received information that a number of the this, see Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., pp. 308-320. *Gordon, American Revolution, vol. iii., p. 207; Thacher, Military Jaurnal, pp. 290–291. 264 ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE JEFFERSON. principal men of Virginia had assembled in convention at Charlotteville to regulate the affairs of the province, and that Steuben with a small detachment was lying at Point of Fork, situated at the junction of the James and Rivana rivers, where also was a magazine of arms and ammunition. Cornwallis thereupon determined to capture both the convention at Charlotteville and Steuben's detachment, delegating Tarleton to attempt the first exploit and Simcoe the latter. Both expeditions were in the main successful. Tarleton succeeded in capturing a number of deputies and confiscated a considerable quantity of munitions of war and provisions. But the chief person whom Cornwallis had desired to capture-Thomas Jefferson-had been warned of the approach of the British and had put himself out of their reach.* Before attempting to make his escape, however, he hid his papers, plate, and a large quantity of arms and ammunition.† Simcoe also succeeded in putting Baron Steuben to flight. The latter, supposing he was attacked by the entire British force, considered it best not to risk total annihilation, and hastily retreated.‡ Ford's ed. of Jefferson's Writings, vol. ii., pp. 392-395, 405-409, 422-423, vol. viii., pp. 363–374; Fiske, American Revolution, vol. ii., p. 271; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 342-343; Morse, Thomas Jefferson, pp. 64-67. Parton, Life of Thomas Jefferson, pp. 250253; Carrington, Battles of the Revolution, pp. 600-601. Carrington, pp. 601-602; Tower, Marquis de When Tarleton and Simcoe returned from these expeditions, Cornwallis marched toward Richmond, June 17, and a short time after went to Williamsburg, the capital of the State.* His troops, however, were experiencing great difficulty in securing provisions for the army, as Lafayette's watchfulness rendered it impossible for the light troops to make expeditions into the country for supplies. Lafayette had now been joined by Baron Steuben, and had also received a reinforcement of Pennsylvania troops under General Wayne, which brought his army up to about 5,000 men. Thus he was in a position to watch the British movements and to cut off whatever parties of light troops were dispatched into the country for supplies.† At about the same time, Cornwallis was instructed by Sir Henry Clinton to send a portion of his troops to New York. Clinton had been advised of the approach of the allies in that section of the country, and anticipated that he would be attacked in overwhelming force. Because of the insufficiency of his force, he feared that New York, Staten Island, and Long Island would fall in rapid succession LaFayette, vol. ii., pp. 330-334; Lossing, FieldBook of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 258-260, 343. Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., p. 257. On the various movements, see Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., p. 334 et seq. Bancroft, vol. V., pp. 510-511; Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. ii., pp. 465-466. BATTLE NEAR GREENE SPRINGS. before the onslaught of the enemy. In obedience to orders, therefore, Cornwallis early in June marched his troops toward the banks of the James River. Having passed this, it was his intention to go to Portsmouth for the purpose of there embarking the troops intended for New York. But Lafayette followed him so closely that he was compelled to halt on the left bank of the river, and to take up a strong position so as to check Lafayette's advance, and at the same time to allow his artillery, ammunition, baggage, etc., to pass to the other side. He therefore established his camp along the river, with a pond covering his right, and his left and centre covered by swamps.* Meanwhile General Wayne with the American van-guard had approached very close to the British army. The latter sent spies among the Americans to inform them that the bulk of the royal army had already crossed the river, and that only a small rear-guard remained upon the left bank of the river, this rear-guard consisting of the British legion and some few detachments of infantry. It is evident that the American general was completely deceived by this misinformation, for a rapid movement was immediately Clinton's orders, however, were soon afterward countermanded, because the ministry at home thought Cornwallis had an excellent chance of recovering the South and did not wish to cripple him by withdrawing troops. 265 directed against the royal troops.* The Pennsylvania troops under General Wayne had passed the swamp, had attacked the left wing of the British, and in spite of the the superiority of enemy, had pushed them back some distance. But the English passed the pond, advanced against the left wing, consisting entirely of militia, and without difficulty dispersed it, then advancing to attack Wayne's left flank. At the same time they extended their own left behind the swamp and turned Wayne's right, and were in a fair way toward completely surrounding it. Lafayette, however, perceived this movement and ordered Wayne to fall back; but the latter, in executing this movement, was forced to leave two cannon in the possession of the British. In order to collect his scattered troops, Lafayette remained for some time at Greene Springs, while Cornwallis reentered his entrenchments. The approach of night prevented any pursuit of the Americans by the British.† Before sunrise of the next morning, however, Cornwallis sent body of cavalry upon the road taken by Lafayette with orders to * See Lafayette's letter in Sparks, Correspondence of the Revolution, vol. iii., pp. 360-366. Stillé, Wayne and the Pennsylvania Line, pp. 268-276; Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., pp. 357-369; Carrington, Battles of the Revolu tion, pp. 608-609; Fisher, Struggle for American Independence, vol. ii., p. 466; Lossing, Field-Book of the Revolution, vol. ii., pp. 259-262; Johnston, Yorktown Campaign, p. 60 et seq.; Lowell, Hessians in the Revolution, p. 275. troops requested by Clinton, and accordingly, leaving Lafayette to his own designs, he hastened toward Portsmouth. Upon a careful examination of the place, he became convinced that the position was unsuitable to furthering the ulterior designs of Clinton; nevertheless, he pro *See Gordon, American Revolution, vol. iv., pp. 107, 118, 185 (ed. 1788); Tower, LaFayette, vol. ii., chap. xxvi.; Lee's Memoirs, vol. ii., pp. 222-230, 234; Tarleton, Campaigns, pp. 353–356, 400-403. Germans from Europe, and would not require any portion of Cornwallis' army. He also desired to open a passage by way of Hampton and the James River toward that fertile region of Virginia lying between the James and York rivers. After examination, Point Comfort was found to be unsuitable for an entrenched camp, and the British abandoned *Tower, Marquis de LaFayette, vol. ii., pp. 407-408. |