they retired. On the 29th, the American troops moved forward, and took their ground in front of the enemy's works on their left; there being no opposition, save a few scattered shot from a small work by Moor's Mill, and a battery on the left of Pigeon Quarter. There was a small fire all day from our riflemen and the enemy's Yagers. On the 30th in the morning we discovered that the enemy had evacuated all their exterior works, and withdrawn themselves to those near the town. By this means we are in possession of very advantageous grounds, which command their line of works in a very near advance. All the expedition, that our circumstances will admit, is using to bring up our heavy artillery and stores to open our batteries. This work I hope will be executed in a few days, when our fire will immediately commence.

The investment of the enemy is fully completed and drawn very near to their lines, saving the water communication above the town on York River. To complete that part, a request is gone to Count de Grasse, desiring him to push a ship or two above the town; which, if effected, will answer many very valuable purposes. The position of Count de Grasse is judiciously taken, the main fleet being disposed in Lynnhaven Bay, and detachments made to secure the rivers; and the determination of the Count seems to be fully to comply with our wishes in every necessary cooperation. I shall continue to keep Congress advised of such occurrences as are worthy the communication. I have the honor to be, &c. 22

VOL. VIII.

SIR,

TO COUNT DE GRASSE.

Before York, 1 October, 1781.

I should have had the honor of acknowledging sooner the note, which your Excellency transmitted by the Marquis de Lafayette, but an expectation of being able to accompany my answer with interesting intelligence induced me to defer it to the present moment. With regard to the station, which your Excellency has determined for the main fleet, the reasons, which you are pleased to communicate, prove that it unites all advantages, and inspire the greatest confidence in the accomplishment of its object.

I have only one proposition to submit on the subject of naval dispositions, and the objects of it are too essential not to be exposed in their fullest light. I mean the stationing two or three ships above the enemy's posts on York River. For the want of this only means of completing the investment of their works, the British remain masters of the navigation for twenty-five miles above them, and have, by their armed vessels, intercepted supplies of the greatest value on their way to our camp. The loss is redoubled, by diminishing our means and augmenting those of the enemy at a most critical time. We are even necessitated, for the protection of Williamsburg and the magazines in our rear, to leave a post of seven or eight hundred men in that quarter; a diminution of our force that in present circumstances we can but ill support. But, unless this detachment is made, the enemy might in the greatest security land above Queen's Creek to cover their left flank, and by a very short march effect the most destructive purposes; while the circuitous march which we, from the nature of the country, should be obliged

to make, would render it impossible to arrive in time. to prevent or punish them. We are besides reduced to the impossibility of concerting measures with the corps of troops at Gloucester, being obliged, in order to communicate with them, to make a circuit of near ninety miles, whereas in the other case it would be both easy and expeditious. But what is a still more decisive consideration is, that Lord Cornwallis has, by the York River, an outlet for his retreat, and that he may, by embracing a leading wind and tide and stealing a march, proceed unmolested to West Point, where, upon debarking his troops, he will have the Pamunky on one flank and the Mattapony on the other; and that finally he may, by mounting the greater part of his men, and by successive forced marches, push his way, with a compact, disciplined army, through a country whose population is too scattered to be collected for sudden opposition, and make it impossible for us to overtake him. Many people are of opinion, that Lord Cornwallis will embrace this as the only means of safety; and it is certain, that, unless the investment is completed as above mentioned, he will have it in his power either now or in a last extremity.

The present position of the fleet and army perfectly secures us against every enterprise on the part of the enemy in James River.

Upon the whole, I can assure your Excellency, that this seems to be the only point in which we are defective. The enemy have already abandoned all their exterior works, and withdrawn altogether to the body of the place, and given us great advantages for opening the trenches. The engineers have had a near and satisfactory view of the works, without interruption, and we have most to apprehend Lord Cornwallis's escape. For these reasons I earnestly entreat, that you will

be pleased to authorize and enjoin the commanding officer of the ships in York River, to concert measures with me for the purpose above mentioned. In this case an additional ship may be necessary to remain at the mouth of the river. The Experiment and two frigates, if your Excellency thinks proper, would be best calculated for the station above.

If, upon mature examination of the passage, it should appear too great a risk for the ships, I would at least solicit your Excellency, that the vessels may advance higher up the river, and take a more menacing position with respect to the enemy on our right. But I must confess, that I am so well satisfied by experience, of the little effect of land batteries on vessels passing them with a leading breeze, that, unless the two channels near York should be found impracticable by obstructions, I should have the greatest confidence in the success of this important service.

Your Excellency's approbation of this measure would supersede the necessity of a defence against fire-ships. But the nature of the river besides renders it physically impossible to form any obstructions of the kind proposed. I entreat your Excellency to accept the sentiments of respectful attachment, with which I have the honor to be, &c.*

*The attempt to pass up York River was declined by Count de Grasse, not because he thought the works at York and Gloucester would present serious obstacles, but because he believed his large vessels would not be secure in that station. The enemy had a great number of boats and small craft, and with these they could easily bring fire-ships in the night, from which his vessels would be exposed to imminent danger, confined in the narrow channel of a river; especially as he had not in his whole fleet a sufficient number of row-boats and light craft for defence in such a situation, even if they could all be transported up the river in safety. This objection he deemed insuperable, and the project was laid aside. It was revived again, however, a few days afterwards. The passage and the river above York were reconnoitred by a French officer, and, upon his representation, Count de Grasse agreed to send

SIR,

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Camp, before York, 6 October, 1781.

Since mine to your Excellency of the 1st instant, we have been employed in repairing the enemy's works upon Pigeon Hill, and in constructing a new intermediate redoubt. These will serve to give security to our troops in making their approaches. We have been assiduously employed in making fascines and gabions, and in transporting our heavy cannon, mortars, and stores from Trebell's Landing, on James River. In the last we made slow progress, until the arrival of the wagons and teams from the northward; but, it being the opinion of the engineers, that we now have a sufficient stock to commence operations, we shall this night open trenches. I take a very singular pleasure in congratulating Congress upon the very important and brilliant victory gained by General Greene on the 8th of September.* I am, &c.

TO EDWARD RUTLEDGE.

MY DEAR SIR,

Camp, before York, 6 October, 1781.

I am fully impressed with the justice and truth of every remark contained in your letter of the 12th ultimo, and you may be assured, were the means of carrying your wishes into effect under my control and direction, that they should be applied, as soon as cir

up some of his vessels, provided General Washington would furnish such a number of row-boats as would protect them from the fire-ships. This was about to be executed when Lord Cornwallis proposed terms of surrender.

At the battle of Eutaw Springs.