Exhibit Project
R & D Planning Page - Segment 7
| 7. Then the most detail on the actual crossing at Boyd's Ferry (the top of the
bell curve).
Summary: On the 13th, Greene, with the main army, crossed the Dan River at Irwin’s Ferry, thanks to the prior collection of boats by Lieut. Col. Edward Carrington, and a survey of the river made by Capt. John Smith of the Maryland line. Before sunset of the 14th, William’s passed over downriver at Irwin’s Ferry. Lee’s troops soon followed at the same location. ..... while the dragoons embarked in bateaux. Kirkwood (who was with Williams’ light detachment): "14th Crossed the Dan River at Ewings [Irwin’s] Ferry.....80 [miles]." The British proceeded without intermission to Boyd's ferry, where they found some works evacuated, which had been constructed to cover the retreat of the enemy, who six hours before had finished their passage, and were then encamped on the opposite bank. Evidently some of Greene’s also passed over at Boyd’s Ferry downriver, in order to speed the crossing of the whole army –- there being only so many boats at both locations. Irwin’s Ferry was about 3-4 miles west of Boyd’s Ferry, which in turn was about 2 miles west of where the Hyco River pours into the Dan. Irwin’s was also closer to Halifax, VA., to which town Greene headed after the crossing. Kirkwood, who was with Williams, gives the crossing as “Ewing’s,” i.e. Irwin’s. The presence of Carrington also confirms the crossing was actually Irwin’s. Lee’s memory then is apparently mistaken in speaking of the crossing of the light troops at Boyd’s, though it may very well be that some of William’s and Lee’s men did cross at that ferry as well. |
• A mural (Slide 5
) of the Boyd's Ferry site, if such is to be a part of the exhibit, should depict the correct units, the correct time of day, the correct uniforms/clothing worn, the correct weather conditions, the correct ferry site appearance, and the correct boat quantities and design. • Also did the horses swim across?
• Were any of the cannon at Boyd's Ferry or only at Irvin's Ferry?
7.1 Calendar & Record of the Revolutionary War in the South: 1780-1781 Page 189
13-14 February. On the 13th, Greene, with the main army, crossed the Dan River at Irwin’s Ferry, thanks to the prior collection of boats by Lieut. Col. Edward Carrington, and a survey of the river made by Capt. John Smith of the Maryland line. Cornwallis continued following hard on the heels of the Americans, occasionally coming into open sight of Lee and William’s light detachment. Before sunset of the 14th, William’s passed over downriver at Irwin’s Ferry. Lee’s troops soon followed at the same location. The last of them, after re-capturing some of horses who had fled at being forced to swim the river, themselves had crossed the Dan after 9 pm. Lieut. Col. Carrington, who had been personally superintending the crossings, and Lieut. Col. Lee, were among the very last to make the passage. When the van of Cornwallis’ army reached Irwin’s, six hours after the last group of Americans had made it across, Greene’s men cheered -- which the soldiers of O’Hara’s advance column were close enough to have heard. Cornwallis had earlier calculated that Greene would have had to cross at the fords up the river, and in an effort to trap him had maneuvered his force towards the west, not expecting that Greene would be able to cross at Irwin’s or Boyd’s in time to escape (to the east.) “Leslie” Orderly Book for the 14th: “It having been Signified to B Genl. O’Hara that Ld Cornwallis means to make a forward move in the Morng of Twenty Miles in a Rapid Manner in order totally to Effect the purposes of every late Execution it is wished Comdg Offrs. of Bttns. Will Signify the same to their respective Corps in order to Ascertain at four oClock to Morrow Morng. What Men will be Able to undertake the Same & what may be left behind.”
Kirkwood (who was with Williams’ light detachment): "14th Crossed the Dan River at Ewings [Irwin’s] Ferry.....80 [miles]."
Lee: “The British general was twenty-five miles from Guilford Court-House, and twenty below Dix’s [or Dixon’s] Ferry on the Dan, and nearer to the upper shallows or points of that river, which were supposed to be fordable, notwithstanding the late swell of water. Lieutenant-Colonel Carrington, quartermaster-general, suggested the propriety of passing at Irwin’s Ferry, seventy miles from Guilford Court-House, and twenty below Dix’s. Boyd’s Ferry was four miles below Irwin’s; and the boats might be easily brought down from Dix’s [to Irwin’s] to assist in transporting the army at these near and lower ferries. The plan of Lieutenant-Colonel Carrington was adopted, and that officer was charged with the requisite preparations. The route of retreat being determined, the place of crossing designated, and measures taken for the collection of boats….”
Tarleton: “Owing to an excellent disposition, which was attended with some fortunate contingencies, General Greene passed the whole army over the river Dan on the 14th, near Country-line creek, without their receiving any material detriment from the King's troops. Every measure of the Americans, during their march from the Catawba to Virginia, was judiciously designed and vigorously executed. The British proceeded without intermission to Boyd's ferry, where they found some works evacuated, which had been constructed to cover the retreat of the enemy, who six hours before had finished their passage, and were then encamped on the opposite bank.”
Evidently some of Greene’s also passed over at Boyd’s Ferry downriver, in order to speed the crossing of the whole army –- there being only so many boats at both locations. Irwin’s Ferry was about 3-4 miles west of Boyd’s Ferry, which in turn was about 2 miles west of where the Hyco River pours into the Dan. Irwin’s was also closer to Halifax, VA., to which town Greene headed after the crossing.
Kirkwood, who was with Williams, gives the crossing as “Ewing’s,” i.e. Irwin’s. The presence of Carrington also confirms the crossing was actually Irwin’s. Lee’s memory then is apparently mistaken in speaking of the crossing of the light troops at Boyd’s, though it may very well be that some of William’s and Lee’s men did cross at that ferry as well.
Cornwallis, in his letter to Germain of 17 March gives the date as the 15th. His arrival then would apparently then have been the early morning hours of the 15th.
Following Lee’s chronology, and being and what he describes as being just about the same time or prior to the formation of Williams’ light detachment, this move of the boats from Dix’s to Irwin’s would have taken place on the 9th or 10th. Including Dix’s, Irwin’s and Boyd’s, there were very few boats to be had on the Dan, hence it was relatively easy for Greene to have secured them. Johnson comments: "The boats were not actually collected at the point of transportation, for that also would have unmasked the General's designs; but they were secured at convenient distances, so as to admit of their being collected at a few hours warning." Carrington, as quoted in Lee’s The Campaign of 1781 in the Carolinas (and omitted in the 1869 Memoirs), stated: "(W)hen the retreat was determined on, it was predicated on the certain knowledge, that there was but one boat at Dixon's ferry, from which place, Cornwallis well prepared for rapid movement, was not much more distant than Greene, and that between there and Boyd's ferry inclusive, five more were to be found...There were then no other boats in the river, other than the wide and shallow flats at the ferries, which it was impossible to carry against the current."
• At three o'clock, when within fourteen miles of the river, Williams fled off toward Bord's Ferry, leaving Lee to maneuver in front of the enemy. Williams reached the shore before sunset, and at dark was landed upon the north side.Lee sent his infantry on in advance, and at twilight withdrew with his calvary, and galloped for the river. When he arrived, his infantry had just passed in boats with safety. The horses were turned into the stream, while the dragoons embarked in bateaux. At nine o'clock, Lieutenant-colonels Lee and Carrington (the quarter-master general), embarked in the last boat, and before midnight the wearied troops were in deep slumber in the bosom of Virginia.
- The Pictorial Field-Book of The Revolution, by Benson J. Lossing, 1850
| 8. Then less detail in describing action in the region between the crossing and
the recrossing of the Dan. (Slide 9 )
Summary: Greene was still on the Virginia side of the Dan where he had been chased by Cornwallis on 14 February. There he rested, resupplied and recruited his Army while the British retired to Hillsborough. 15-16 February. On the 15th, Cornwallis camped at Wiley’s House and rested his hard pushed troops. The Dan River began to fall, thus making possible crossing and pursuit by Cornwallis more easy. Cornwallis, however, continued on to Hillsborough. With a mind to raising and emboldening the loyalists. Pickens, with 700 men, at least half mounted, kept to the west of him, watching and harrying his flanks. Feb 15 Greene, at Irwin’s Ferry, made arrangements for setting up camp for his army at Halifax, Virginia with intention to fortify it, though this plan for fortification was never realized. Greene moved his army to In Halifax, his troops were soon fed and given moral support by the towns people, and militia volunteers came forward to join his army. Greene's first care was for the safety of his heavy baggage. He sent 345 Maryland and Delaware Continentals with it to Halifax Court House. They marched on February 15 and returned on the 17th. Kirkwood: "15th March'd and Crossed the Banisster (sic) River....7 [miles] 17th March'd and Recrossed....6 [miles] 20th Crossed the Dan River.....9 [miles].”" Seymour: "On the seventeenth our army marched and crossed the Banister River. Here we halted till the 20th, and marched for Hillsborough, which the enemy had taken possession of, there erecting the Royal Standard, where a vast number of the inhabitants joined them, taking the oath of allegiance, and many more they compelled to do the same, forcing them away from their wives and children." Feb 17 NG Writes to Joseph Clay of North Carolina "Our Army is on the North side of the Bannister River, encamped at Halifax Court House" (Crystal Hill) On February 18 he dispatched Lee's Legion and two companies of Marylanders under Captain Oldham, all under command of Pickens (who had by this time joined the army with a body of South Carolina militia) across the river again, with orders to approach Cornwallis as nearly as possible, cut off his foraging parties, annoy him generally, and suppress Tory uprisings. Lee "...(T)the Legion of Lee, strengthened by two companies of the veterans of Maryland, under Captain [Edward] Oldham, with the corps of South Carolina militia, under Brigadier Pickens, was ordered, in the morning of the 18th, to pass the Dan. This was readily performed." 18 February. In a letter to von Steuben, Greene directed that reinforcements from Virginia approach by way of Taylor's ferry on the Dan River. On the 17th, Steuben had written Greene informing him that lack of clothing would prevent him from sending the regiment of Virginia Continentals, under Lieut. Col. Richard Campbell, till at least the 25th, when, as it turns out, he did, they having by then received the necessary clothing shipment. 18 February. Some Wadkin County Virginia militia under Col William Moore were posted at Wadkin's ford on the Bannister river. 19 February. Having completed his mission of bringing militia home and delivering Cowpens prisoners to Pittsylvania Court House, Brig. Gen. Edward Stevens received orders to recruit Virginia militia. By the 21st to 23rd he had joined Greene, coming by way of Halifax, Virginia, having raised 1,000 men. Feb 20 NG Writes to Nath. Hunt, Esqr, Sheriff of the County of Halifax to take the Cowpen prisoners to Charlottlesville Greene had been sending out appeals for reinforcements. On the 22nd, after only a week's encampment, he had sufficient promises and reports of help on the way to recross the river into North Carolina. |
8.1 Calendar & Record of the Revolutionary War in the South: 1780-1781 Page 189
15 February. Greene, at Irwin’s Ferry, made arrangements for setting up camp for his army at Halifax, Virginia with intention to fortify it, though this plan for fortification was never realized. Greene moved his army to In Halifax, his troops were soon fed and given moral support by the towns people, and militia volunteers came forward to join his army. During their stay in there, about 1500 to 1800 local militia came out to defend the town, but most of these dissipated as the threat from Cornwallis diminished. Greene had previously ordered his baggage to Halifax, Va., and given "the necessary orders issued to the quarter-master's department, to make good the passage of Staunton river with the whole army, should such a movement become necessary."
Johnson: “Sending off, and guarding the many detachments of baggage, stores, prisoners, sick, &c., had necessarily drawn off a number of men on detached commands. The militia alone could not be depended upon for this service, as they came and went when they pleased. Hence a small guard of regulars became indispensable; and where an auxiliary militia force was called out, it was relieved at different stages, according to the necessity of circumstances. On the 17th of this month, there was no less than 345 of Maryland line thus employed; and, on that day, every man in camp fit for duty, is stated at, infantry, 1078 -- artillery, 64 –- cavalry, 176 --- legionary infantry, 112. The militia had all departed, with the exception only of the gallant little band under Pickens, who alone, in the worst of times, never abandoned the retreating army: but, at this time, they were detached under their leader, on the service which has been already noticed.”
8.2 Since the death of General Davidson on the Catawba, some weeks earlier,enough and the desertion of his brigade of North Carolina militia, Greene had been sending out appeals for reinforcements. On the 22nd, after only a week's encampment, he had sufficient promises and reports of help on the way to recross the river into North Carolina.
Presbyter-turned-partisan General Andrew Pickens, who had commanded the non-Virginia militias for Morgan at the Cowpens, now returned from South Carolina. He brought with him perhaps 300 back-country riflemen and patched-together cavalry, some of them from Georgia. Enroute he had picked up a somewhat greater number of Salisbury district militia from North Carolina. He also had a company of Catawba Indians. A band of his horsemen gobbled up one of Cornwallis' outposts at Hart's Mill, just outside Hillsborough, on the 23rd, and the following day he joined forces with Colonel 'Light Horse Harry' Lee's Legion: 140 regular cavalry and mounted infantry.
When the time came. Greene was still on the Virginia side of the Dan where he had been chased by Cornwallis on 14 February. There he rested, resupplied and recruited his Army while the British retired to Hillsborough, fifty miles south, for the same purposes. Since the death of General Davidson on the Catawba, some weeks earlier,enough and the desertion of his brigade of North Carolina militia, Greene had been sending out appeals for reinforcements. On the 22nd, after only a week's encampment, he had sufficient promises and reports of help on the way to recross the river into North Carolina.
From Many Were Sore Chased And Some Cut Down
Fighting Cornwallis with the Rockbridge Militia, by Odell McGuire, © Oct '95
8.3 Greene's strategy in plan and in execution had been masterly. He had saved his army and rejoiced the hearts of the patriots throughout America. So much he had done, and it was not little. But after all it was a retreat; though armies may be saved, campaigns are not often won by retreating. Behind him lay the south, still completely dominated by the enemy. He had dragged Cornwallis away from his base and worn down his army. He could turn on him now and destroy him - if only he had the expected recruits from Virginia. But they had not come - not a man had come to him. And most of his militia, their time expired, had left him.
Greene still hoped for reenforeements, expected them in fact. He knew that both North Carolina and Virginia were arousing their militia again, though they were being sent anywhere else than to him. Steuben, who had been enlisting Continentals in Virginia, and was supposed to be on way to him, had not yet come; he was days, maybe weeks, away. And now, right now, was the time for action. The Dan was falling rapidly; there were many fords near him. Cornwallis might cross and attack him in his weakness, or might slip away, and the chance he had worked for, to catch his enemy in a weakened condition, would be lost. When he got news of the withdrawal of the British, he knew the chance was lost. Now he must make new plans, and they must involve a return to North Carolina. They were soon made and soon in operations.
Greene's first care was for the safety of his heavy baggage. He sent 345 Maryland and Delaware Continentals with it to Halifax Court House. They marched on February 15 and returned on the 17th.
On February 18 he dispatched Lee's Legion and two companies of Marylanders under Captain Oldham, all under command of Pickens (who had by this time joined the army with a body of South Carolina militia) across the river again, with orders to approach Cornwallis as nearly as possible, cut off his foraging parties, annoy him generally, and suppress Tory uprisings.
The War of the Revolution, Ward, page 778
It (Peatonsburg) survived as a thriving village for many years after the county seats were moved. It was an important supply center during the colonial wars and the Revolution; a military prison was there, along with a canteen factory. Wagon trains went out from this point to supply the army of General Nathaniel Greene in his Southern Campaign of 1780. In its blacksmith shops horseshoes were made for the army.
History of Halifax County Courthouses, by Kenneth Cook
| 9. Then even less detail in the recrossing of the Dan and the actions enroute
back to Guilford Courthouse.
Summary: On Feb. 21 Greene rode alone with some aides to meet with Pickens and Lee at Pickens' camp, to plan operations. Greene gave instructions for them to prevent the loyalists from collecting, while assigning Pickens, at least formally, to command Lee's. He spent the night at Pickens’ camp, and then returned to his headquarters army at Halifax the next morning (the 22nd.) Greene, from Irwin’s Ferry, wrote to Brig. Gen. John Butler stating that the light troops had already re-crossed the Dan river (going southward), while the rest of the army would be doing the same as soon as possible. On 22 February (Lee gives the 23rd) Greene and the main army re-crossed the Dan River, with a view placing themselves in a better location to receive reinforcements and supplies from Virginia, and to keep Cornwallis from inciting the loyalists. Pyle's Massacre occurs Feb 23 Letter from General Greene to Joseph Reed, Adjutant General of the Continental Army. Camp near the Iron Works, March 18, 1781. "Our situation was desperate at the time we recrossed the Dan; our numbers were much inferior to the enemy, and we were without ammunition, provisions, or stores of any kind, the whole having retired over the Stanton River." |
9.1
20 February. Greene issued a commission to William Christian, Col. William Preston, Col. Arthur Campbell, Joseph Martin, of Virginia, and to Robert Sevier, Evan Shelby, Joseph Williams and Col. John Sevier of the far western North Carolina and Virginia counties to act as peace treaty negotiators with the Cherokee Indians.
20 February. His army having suffered great privation along the march, Cornwallis arrived at Hillsborough. Williams reported a few days later that he had formed no less than 7 companies of loyalists at Hillsborough, but these apparently dissipated with Greene's approach. As well, it has been claimed, Cornwallis’ own army had suffered from desertions in their trek beginning at Ramsour’s Mill.
21 February. Cornwallis hoisted the King’s standard at Hillsborough, sending out a call for loyal citizens and militia recruits. Although many inhabitants showed their support and enthusiasm, very few subsequently stayed with him as militia, particularly after occurrences like Pyle’s defeat on the 25th.
21 February. Greene, from Irwin’s Ferry, wrote to Brig. Gen. John Butler stating that the light troops had already re-crossed the Dan river (going southward), while the rest of the army would be doing the same as soon as possible. Also, several hundred Virginia militia under Brig. Gen. Stevens, had rendezvoused with Greene's army this same day.
21 February. Pickens, who was "10 from Hillsborough," requested ammunition of Greene. He had with him at this time 300 horse and 600 infantry.
21 February. Col. Charles Lynch wrote Greene, saying that the Bedford County, Virginia militia would be with him in two days to join Greene. Lynch requested instructions where to rendezvous. Greene, on the 21st replied, telling him he wanted Lynch to take six days provisions with him, and link up with Gen. Robert Lawson, who was marching from Prince Edward County.
21 February. Greene rode alone with some aides to meet with Pickens and Lee at Pickens' camp, to plan operations. Greene gave instructions for them to prevent the loyalists from collecting, while assigning Pickens, at least formally, to command Lee's. He spent the night at Pickens’ camp, and then returned to his headquarters army at Halifax the next morning (the 22nd.)
21 February (also given as 22 February). [siege] Thompson’s Plantation, also Belleville (Calhoun County, S.C.) Having abandoned his attack on Granby, Sumter laid siege to the stockade at Thompson's Plantation at Belleville, a couple miles southeast of Motte's. He attempted to take the stockade by assault, and setting fire to it, but the defenders, under Lt. Charles McPherson of the 1st Battalion Delancey’s Regt., held their own and were able to put out the fire. Toward the close of day, Sumter left a force watching the stockade and moved with his main body to Manigault's Ferry, where he collected boats in the area.
22 February. “Leslie” Orderly Book: “It is with great concern that Lord Cornwallis hears every day reports of Soldiers being taken by the Enemy, in consequence of their straggling out of Camp in search of Whiskey; He Strictly Enjoins all Officers & Non Commission’d Officers Comdg. the Out Posts and Picqts. Of the Army to do their utmost to prevent any Soldier from passing them.”
22 February (Lee gives the 23rd). Greene and the main army re-crossed the Dan River, with a view placing themselves in a better location to receive reinforcements and supplies from Virginia, and to keep Cornwallis from inciting the loyalists.
22 February. Lee and Pickens, while hovering around Cornwallis at Hillsborough, watched for British foraging parties, while constantly changing their location to avoid surprise.
24 February. News of Greene's re-crossing the Dan River reached Cornwallis, and he sent orders to Tarleton to immediately join him at Hillsborough.
24 February. Col. Robert Munford, of the Mecklenburg County, VA. militia, wrote Greene saying he was at Taylor’s Ferry on the Roanoke River with 2 battalions of Va. militia from Lunenberg, Mecklenburg, and Brunswick counties was at Taylor's ferry. Though his troops were indifferently armed, he expected to join Greene shortly.
Calendar & Record of the Revolutionary War in the South: 1780-1781 Page 193
9.2 Pyle's Massacre Feb 23, 1781
Dr. John Pyle, Sr., a native of Chatham County, responded to Cornwallis's appeal. Pyle had been a leader of the Regulator movement. There is no record of his presence at the Battle of Alamance - but after the battle Governor William Tryon requisitioned six wagon loads of flour from Pyle and other residents of Cane Creek community.1 In 1775 Pyle received a royal commission and led a company of loyal backcountry militia at Moore's Creek Bridge. Along with his son, John Pyle, Jr., he was captured by the patriots and imprisoned at Halifax. The Pyle's and other prisoners whose presence in North Carolina endangered the Revolutionary movement were sent by the Provincial Congress to Virginia or Philadelphia. While being transported north the Pyle's escaped and returned to Chatham County.2 On December 13, 1776, Pyle appeared before the provincial Congress, took an oath of loyalty to the state, and - upon giving bond - was permitted to remain in the state3.
The proximity of Cornwallis's army rekindled Pyle's Loyalist sentiments. In January and February of 1781 he raised three or four hundred loyalists between Haw and Deep rivers and sent Cornwallis a request for an escort to Hillsborough. Cornwallis detached Tarleton with his cavalry and a small body of infantry with instructions to rendezvous with Pyle at a plantation a few miles from Hillsborough.4
Greene had not left North Carolina uncontested. His elite cavalry commanded by Henry Lee and militia commanded by Brigadier-General Andrew Pickens (the latter comprised primarily of North Carolinians) has recrossed the Dan to harass the enemy. On February 23 Pickens and Lee joined forces and moved toward the Haw fields area, having learned that the British sympathizers there were preparing to send supplies to Cornwallis. By scouts and informants they learned of Tarleton's movement and his object - rendezvous with Pyle's forces.5
The forces of Lee and Pickens were smaller than a combination of the British and loyalists. The patriot commanders planned to prevent a junction between Tarleton and Pyle. Their chief object was Tarleton's dragoons and regulars, the loss of which would be a severe blow to Cornwallis's army.
On the afternoon of the twenty-fourth Lee and Pickens were hastening west along the "Great Road" from Hillsborough. At noon they had captured two British staff officers; their interrogation revealed that Tarleton was a few miles ahead. He planned to camp at a plantation only six miles from the spot where the British offices were captured at noon6.
The sun was low in the February sky when Lee's Legion at the head of the American forces met two of Pyle's men. The loyalists tragically mistook Lee's Legion, clad in short green jackets and plumed helmets, for Tarleton's dragoons who wore similar attire. Lee made most of the deception and upon engaging the loyalists in conversation found that Pyle, who was in the road just ahead, had sent them forward to locate Tarleton's camp.7 Lee finding the loyalists completely deceived - even mistaking him for Tarleton - sent one of them back to Pyle.
Within minutes Lee's Legion - their swords drawn in salute - were trotting along the line of loyalists who had obligingly moved off the narrow road. Lee passed along the line at the head of his column till "At length he reached Colonel Pyle, when the customary civilities were promptly interchanged."9 As Lee grasped Pyle's hand the sounds of battle at the end of the column prevented further theatrics.
There are two varying accounts of how the fighting began. Most early historians follow the account given by Lee in his Memoirs published in 1812. According to Lee's published account he planned to make known to Pyle "his real character as soon as he should confront him, with a solemn assurance of his and his associates perfect exemption from injury, and with the choice of returning to their homes, or of taking a more generous part by uniting with the defenders of their common country against the common foe." Pickens' militia were to remain concealed until Lee's cavalry were sure of their advantage over the deceived Tories.
Firing commenced, according to Lee, when some of the loyalists discovered Pickens' militia and opened fire on Lee's rear guard of mounted North Carolina militia. Captain Joseph Eggleston, a continental officer assigned to the rear guard, responded by leading the attack on the Tories.
A second account pieced together from Lee's report to Greene the following day and the account of Captain Joseph Graham written after 1820 is accepted by most historians today. Lee reported to Greene that he and Pickens hoped to bypass the loyalists and surprise Tarleton, the more important objective, encamped two or three miles beyond.10 If Lee did in fact intend to bypass the Tories, the suddenness of the encounter prevented his informing his officers of the scheme. The local mounted militia at the rear of Lee's Legion, recognizing the strips of red cloth on the hats of Pyle's men as the badge of loyalists, alerted their commander, Captain Eggleston. Eggleston, like the continental troopers in front of him, was new to the South and unfamiliar with local Whig and Tory badges. He immediately questioned one of the other group. "Who do you belong to?" When the man answered "To King George," Eggleston struck him on the head with his sabre.12 The Militiamen quickly joined their leader in the attack. The terrified loyalists, certain that they were victims of a horrible mistake, repeatedly identified themselves as friends of His Majesty - but to no avail. In ten minutes the battle was over and the surviving loyalists had fled.
Rather than pursue the survivors, Lee and Pickens reformed their troops and pressed on towards Tarleton's camp. The Americans encamped that evening with their advance sentinels in sight of the British forces. The patriot commanders decided to postpone battle until morning because it was dark when they arrived and their men were tired from the long march and the encounter with Pyle. By morning it was too late. During the night an express from Cornwallis arrived at Tarleton's camp ordering his immediate return to the main army. Greene had recrossed the Dan and Cornwallis, tormented by visions of another Cowpens, was taking no chances. During the night Tarleton broke camp and eluded the American forces who pursued him in the early morning hours to the banks of the Haw River - too close to the main British army for an American attack.
Casualty figures document the identification of Pyle's defeat as a "massacre," Lee and Pickens suffered only one casualty - a horse. Captain Joseph Graham, a North Carolina militia officer with Lee, reported that his men counted ninety-three dead on the battlefield the next morning. He saw evidence of more being carried away by their friends. Certainly many more were wounded. According to local legend, John Pyle, who was badly wounded in the battle, crawled into a nearby pond where he concealed himself until he could be rescued by his friends.14 After recovering from his wounds Pyle and his son surrendered to the local militia. Later they were pardoned as a result of Pyle's care for wounded patriots.15
The British were quick to denounce the American massacre of Pyle's loyal militia. Cornwallis, in a letter to Lord George Germain, reported that most of Pyle's force were "inhumanly butchered, when begging for quarters, without making the least resistance."16 In the History attributed to Charles Stedman, Cornwallis's civilian commissary, the author repeats the charge that the Americans refused quarter to Pyle's men. "Humanity shudders," the author wrote, "at the recital of o foul a massacre."17
Tarleton in his memoirs wrote of the "inhuman barbarity" of the patriots when the loyalists "supplicated for mercy."18
In his Memoirs Lee felt compelled "to repel the unfounded stigma attached to the officer and Corp engaged with Col Pyle."19 Lee stated that the loyalists attacked first. Captain Joseph Graham, who commanded mounted cavalry at the rear of the column where the fighting began, provided the account of Captain Eggleston's attack on Pyle's men. Historians have accepted Graham's account. Probably Lee was correct in stating that "less than ninety could not have been spared from the close condition of the dragoons and the necessity of crushing resistance instantly."20 The suddenness of the attack, the chaos which prevailed along the long narrow column, and the loyalists' loaded weapons left the Legion little choice. An orderly surrender was impossible.
While later writers were somewhat critical of Lee, his action was applauded at the time. The patriots were embittered by the carnage and horrors of what had been a civil war in the South. They had been incensed by Tarleton's massacre of Abraham Buford's continentals at Waxhaws in northern South Carolina. (Tarleton's corps, composed of American loyalists, had ignored Buford's white flag and his men's please for quarter.) Whigs openly spoke of granting "Tarleton's quarters" to fellow Americans who joined the British.
In 1781 the war was still a contest for the support of the local population. Pyle's defeat, although only a large skirmish, had far-reaching implications. Cornwallis was depending upon the enlistment of a large number of loyalists.
In weeks prior to the battle of Guilford Courthouse, he looked in vain for recruits. Pyle's defeat and Tarleton's mistaken slaughter of a smaller party of loyalists a few days later were the death-blows to active loyalist allegiance in the piedmont.
9.3 For understanding the action which follows, it is usefulto realize that Lee's troopers were dressed in green uniforms, similar to those worn by Colonel Banastre Tarleton's British cavalry serving under Cornwallis. Also, natives of the area just west of Haw River were mostly Loyalist, and many of them were Germans who spoke and understood English only with difficulty. Pickens and Lee learned on 25 February that the much detested Tarleton was detached from the main British army, foraging fifteen or twenty miles west of Hillsborough. They set out to catch him. Pickens reported the outcome of their efforts in a letter to General Greene:
Camp Rippey's .[Dickey's] Feb 26th 1781
Sir
....we had intelligence of Tarleton's proceeding towards Butler's on Haw River. We immediately pursued but found they had crossed and marched for Major ONeals, seven Miles from it, whither, after the utmost dispatch in crossing, we likewise followed. So very little was the expectation of an American party, the Inhabitants seemed prodigously rejoiced, imagining we were a fresh party of British. We found them chiefly in arms and prepared to join Tarlton that Evening. Never was there a more glorious opportunity of cutting off a detachment than this, when pushing on with the utmost hope and our Men in the highest spirits, our sanguine expectations were blasted by our falling in with a body of from two to three hundred Tories, under command of Colonel Piles, under the same deception they suffered Colonel Lee's Horse to pass equal with their front. Our Men were in some measure under the same mistake, but soon found out, and nigh one hundred were killed and the greatest part of the others wounded, unfortunately the Dragoons got seperated from us and our Militia could not be kept from firing. This brought Night on us and as it could not be supposed but in that time Tarlton must have been apprized of it, Colonel Lee and myself determined to retire to some plantation and attack them by day break.... [efforts to catch Tarleton failed] .....We were joined by Colonel .[William]. Preston .[of Montgomery County, VA, a 'rifle county']. about three hours previous to our march yesterday, with about three hundred. Major's.[Joseph]. Winston and .[John]. Armstrong have about one hundred each. Colonel .[William]. Moore from Caswell joined me on Saturday with one hundred more.....Colonel Paisly .[John Peasley]. of Guildford.....came in with a few Men.... This Affair.....has knocked up Toryism altogether in this part.....
I am sir yr very hble servt.......ANDw PICKENS
Other than Preston's, all reinforcements mentioned in the report are North Carolinians. The shifting makeup of Pickens' body of North Carolina and Virginia riflemen is a matter of some importance to this history as it would finally come to be commanded by Colonel William Campbell and would fight alongside the Augusta and Rockbridge militias on the day of the main battle at Guilford Court House.
'Pyle's Massacre', so called, was a disaster for the British cause, the worst since the Cowpens. The Tories were marching to join Tarleton. Ninety of them were slaughtered outright, and over a hundred more fell wounded. Some tried to surrender with phrases like 'Ich ergebe mich', to uncomprehending, battle-happy Catawbas and crackers; others protesting in the fading light, 'we are the King's men', to Lee's looming swordsmen on great war horses, thinking they were cut down by the King's dragoons. What's more, rumors of the event, both accurate and fantastic, rushed through the area and just about ruined local enthusiam for enlistment in Cornwallis' army. As Pickens reported, Toryism, as a factor in the campaign, was 'knocked up altogether'. The patriots, according to Lee, lost but a single horse, shot by a little band of Tories that tried to fight back.
Otho Williams' Light Infantry was detached from Greene's main army and sent south to harass the British. He and his regiments of Maryland and Virginia continentals were joined enroute by Colonel Hugh Crocket and 160 mounted riflemen and, a few days later, by Major Thomas Rowland with 200 more, all from Botetourt County, Virginia. (For the uninitiated: 'Botetourt' is pronounced 'body-tot'.) When juncture was made with Pickens around the first of March, the Botetourts were placed under Colonel William Preston, enlarging his corps of riflemen from the Valley of Virginia to well over 600. Cornwallis, meanwhile, decided, on February 26th to abandon Hillsborough and march westward across the Haw and up Alamance Creek. There he hoped to find better forage and provisioning and to afford better protection for such Loyalists as remained in the region. Paralleling his movements, Greene marched west with his headquarters to High Rock Ford on the Haw, twelve miles north of the British camp. From there he sent word to Williams to 'partially attack' Cornwallis 'on the march'.
In this general situation and with these problematic orders, Colonel Williams, on March 2nd, put south across Alamance Creek Lee's Legion, Joseph Graham's company of mounted Salisbury riflemen, and Rowland's Botetourt rifle battalion, now on foot. The continental foot regiments, Preston's main body, and Pickens' militia followed in reserve. Now, reaching a tangle of thick woods thinly laced by meandering horse trails, Lee and the advance left the reserve lying on their guns and moved forward, 'with great circumspection', unable to learn anything from locals who spoke only German. But Tarleton's legion, reinforced by 200 redcoat infantry, were finally met and there was a sharp fight. Graham's North Carolinians refused to dismount and take their place with the other riflemen. Nor could Lee's cavalry do much in the thickets, but his Legion infantry and the Botetourts quickly formed and returned fire. The losses after fifteen minutes were about twenty or thirty on each side. At this point Otho Williams, instead of bringing up his much superior reserve, 'order'd a gradual retreat which was well enough effected considering the irregularity of our order.'
And Tarleton wrote: ...The gallantry of the British troops, after a short conflict, dislodged and dispersed a corps of eight hundred men...The loss of the Americans was confined principally to the back woodsmen; the continentals retreated early, and did not wait the charge of the British dragoons, who were much impeded in their advance by a thick wood and high rails....Though the continentals suffered little in this affair, numbers of the riflemen were killed and wounded; and being abandoned by their cavalry, the rest were totally dispersed....
Tarleton means Lee's Legion infantry when he speaks of continentals. Also he exaggerates the number of Americans in the woods; he faced only Rowland's 200 and, at the beginning, Lee's Legion. That the riflemen didn't take part in the ordered retreat and that the Legion was pulled out, leaving them behind, could not have been gathered from Williams' report to his commanding General. But Nathanael Greene, not altogether without guile himself, was too shrewd a commander to let the equivocal phrase, 'considering the irregularity of our order', slip past without finding out exactly what was meant. The General, incidentally, during this hectic positional campaigning, had a raging case of pinkeye.
Pickens, who had been itching to catch up with Tarleton in just such isolation (the main British Army was three miles away), would certainly not have retreated had he been in command. He had encouraged the advance in the first place, which Lee had opposed. Also, catching Tarleton detached is probably what Greene had in mind when he gave orders to 'partially attack' the British. As it passed, however, the Botetourts had to leave their dead and some wounded behind, hit for the bushes where horses couldn't follow, and bushwhack on back to the Alamance.
This action was followed on March 6th by another Light Infantry engagement at Weitzel's Mill on Reedy Fork, five or six miles south of Greene's headquarters. Cornwallis, before daylight, suddenly marched his whole army through a dripping fog directly for Greene at High Rock Ford. On this occasion Williams: ...found it absolutely necessary... to leave Colonel Preston with his Valley riflemen as a covering party on the south side of Reedy Fork. He and Lee then crossed to the north bank with the rest of the Light Corps, which now included Colonel William Campbell's sixty rifleman from southwest Virginia, who had joined them the day before. There they waited to see what happened to Preston.
According to Tarleton, Preston's men defended a hill south of the creek. Cornwallis, in order to overcome their steady opposition, was forced to form and commit a reinforced brigade under Colonel James Webster, about half of all his infantry. Once it advanced with bayonets fixed, the outnumbered riflemen were soon forced to run. Only a company sized remnant regathered on the north bank. By Tarleton's accounting they left behind one hundred dead, wounded and taken, as against thirty fallen British. American accounts reverse these numbers. My guess: possibly forty on the British side; fifty on the American.
As the riflemen fled, Williams started his continentals marching north, leaving Lee, Campbell, and Preston's survivors on the north bank to cover. After briefly disputing Webster's passage of the creek, the rear guard leapfrogged ahead of him in small units, forcing him to stay deployed and slowing his march. Lee lost two dead and three wounded. Greene's main army, headquarters and wagon trains, meanwhile, fled northeastward across the upper Haw.
Light Horse Harry Lee, in later years, recalled that on Reedy Fork he had posted twenty five of Campbell's sharpshooters in an old log schoolhouse with chinking gone. These men could split an apple held on the point of a ramrod by a comrade 150 yards away. They were to fire on 'particular objects'. An important looking officer, later found to be Colonel Webster, was spotted on a fat horse, making slow progress in deep water. All the marksmen had a shot at him, seriatim, some reloading for a second try, all seeing, not believing, as horse and rider passed the stream unhurt.
Many Were Sore Chased And Some Cut Down
Fighting Cornwallis with the Rockbridge Militia by Odell McGuire, © Oct '95 - On the Washington & Lee University Web Site
9.4
24 February. News of Greene's re-crossing the Dan River reached Cornwallis, and he sent orders to Tarleton to immediately join him at Hillsborough.
24 February. Brig. Gen. Peter Muhlenberg, at Suffolk, VA., wrote to Greene stating he (Muhlenberg) had with him 2,000 Virginia militia, but only 300 of these were armed with bayonets. He also had two brass six pounders. About this time, both Muhlenberg and von Steuben had intended to come and bring substantial reinforcements to Greene, but events in Virginia thwarted both their intentions.
24 February. Lawson wrote Greene saying he would have militia collected and leaving from Prince Edward Court House on February 26. Lack of arms prevented many more militia from turning out as did.
24 February. Col. Robert Munford, of the Mecklenburg County, VA. militia, wrote Greene saying he was at Taylor’s Ferry on the Roanoke River with 2 battalions of Va. militia from Lunenberg, Mecklenburg, and Brunswick counties was at Taylor's ferry. Though his troops were indifferently armed, he expected to join Greene shortly.
Calendar & Record of the Revolutionary War in the South: 1780-1781 Page 194
| 10. Then even less detail in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. (Slide 11 )
Summary: Finally on March 15, 1781, at Guilford Court House in North Carolina, on ground he had himself chosen, Greene halted and gave battle. By this time he had collected 1,500 Continentals and 3,000 militia to the 1,900 Regulars the British could muster. The British held the field after a hard-fought battle, but suffered casualties of about one-fourth of the force engaged. It was, like Bunker Hill, a Pyrrhic victory. Guilford Court House stood, a solitary building, near the northern boundary, in North Carolina. The natural advantages of its surroundings furnished a strong position to oppose the approach of the royal troops. It was accordingly chosen by Greene, who, knowing the greater numerical strength of his own army, the nature of the enemy's troops, as well as the eagerness of Cornwallis, anticipated a front-to-front engagement, It was the grand hope of his Lordship to crush the Americans in a single battle; but he had been skillfully evaded until now, so it was with auspicious readiness that he advanced to attack them. Stedman, the historian, present with the British on the field, gave a glimpse of his chief's hopes when he wrote: "If Cornwallis had had the troops Tarleton lost at the Cowpens, it is not extravagant to suppose that the American Colonies might have been reunited to the empire of Great Britain." Cornwallis was obliged to fight two hundred miles from his base of supplies, therefore, if the day went against him, he would be exceedingly unlucky; while a victory, unless of the decisive kind of that over Gates, would avail him very little in a territory where the loyalists would be timid and the patriots hostile. Greene, on the other hand, had practically all to gain; and, save a bad beating, nothing to fear. In other words, his Lordship had been out-generaled in being attracted too far in an unsuccessful pursuit. His ranks depleted and his supplies exhausted, Cornwallis withdrew to Wilmington on the coast, and then decided to move northward to join the British forces General Clinton had sent to Virginia. |
Need to summarize this article: The Battle of Guilford Court House, by Francis Kieron, published in The Journal of American History, Volume VII, 1913
Letter from General Greene to General Morgan reporting the events at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
CAMP NEAR THE IRON WORKS
10 MILES FROM GUILFORD C. H., March 20th, 1781
Dear Sir:
Since we crossed the Dan, we have made many maneuvers and had much skirmishing. I have not time to give you the particulars. Until the 11th, our force was inferior to the enemy's, which obliged us to act cautiously. But forming a junction with a body of North Carolina and Virginia militia, and Col. Campbell coming up with a detachment of eighteen months men from Virginia, I determined to give the enemy battle. It was fought a little west of Guilford C. H. We were drawn up in three lines; North Carolina militia in front; the Virginia militia formed the second line, and the Continental troops the third. Col. Washington with the dragoons of the first and third regiments, a detachment of eighty light infantry, and two hundred riflemen under Col. Lynch, formed a covering party for the security of our right flank. Lieut. Col. Lee and his legion, and about two hundred and fifty riflemen under the famous Col. Campbell, formed a covering party for our left. The battle begun about twelve o'clock, and lasted about two hours. The conflict was bloody and severe, and had the North Carolina militia done their duty, victory would have been certain and early. But they deserted the most advantageous post I ever saw, and without scarcely firing a gun. The Virginia militia behaved with great gallantry, and the fate of the day was long and doubtful. But finally we were obliged to give up the ground; and as our artillery horses were killed before the retreat began, we were obliged to leave our artillery on the ground.
The enemy's loss is very great, not less than between six hundred and seven hundred men; and perhaps more. Our less is much less, though considerable. The greater part fell upon the regular troops. Weretreated in good order three miles, and there halted and collected all our stragglers; after which we retired about ten miles from the place of action, where we have remained ever since. The enemy are now retiring from us, and have left us one hundred and seventy or eighty of their wounded. They are moving towards Bell's Mill. We shall follow them immediately, with the determination for another touch. The enemy bad many officers killed and wounded. Among the latter, Gen. Moria is said to be mortally wounded.
The bearer of this, one of Lee's legion, waits upon you to get the colors taken at the Cowpens, to convey them to Congress, there to be deposited as a lasting monument of your gallantry and good fortune.
Marquis do Lafayette Is coming to Virginia, with a detachment of light infantry from the Northern army. Arnold must fall. I have not time to be more particular. God bless you with better health.
With esteem, I am, &C
N. GREENE.
| 11. Then even less detail in the remaining actions in the Carolinas between Guilford and Yorktown.
Summary: Although this battle was a tactical success for the British, the Americans nevertheless gained a decisive strategic advantage, for the enemy, being too much shattered to continue the contest, retired to Wilmington, from which point he moved into Virginia to effect a junction with the forces of General Phillips. Greene immediately turned his face southward, leaving Cornwallis to proceed unmolested into Virginia. Greene's reasons for this move were given to Washington in a letter on 29 March, as follows : "I am determined to carry the war immediately into South Carolina. The enemy will be obliged to follow us, or give up the posts in that state." Cornwallis wrote General Phillips, in part: "The fate of it was long doubtful. We had not a regiment or corps that did not at some time give way." In short, four days after the sanguinary contest, leaving many of his own wounded and all of the Americans under a flag, he began his retrograde march; while, seven months from that day, a war lasting that number of years practically ceased, and the liberty of the people of the United States of North America was conclusively wrought out, "in the trenches before Yorktown, in Virginia." |
• Although this battle was a tactical success for the British, the Americans nevertheless gained a decisive strategic advantage, for the enemy, being too much shattered to continue the contest, retired to Wilmington, from which point he moved into Virginia to effect a junction with the forces of General Phillips. Greene immediately turned his face southward, leaving Cornwallis to proceed unmolested into Virginia. Greene's reasons for this move were given to Washington in a letter on 29 March, as follows : "I am determined to carry the war immediately into South Carolina. The enemy will be obliged to follow us, or give up the posts in that state."
• In a speech before the Society of the Cincinnati, Alexander Hamilton said that Greene's qualifications for statesmanship were not less remarkable than his military ability, which was of the highest order. His series of campaigns from December, 1780, to September, 1781, will bear comparison with the best work of Turenne or Wellington. What he might have done on a greater scale and with more ample resources, it is, of course, impossible to say; but the intellectual qualities that he showed were precisely those that have won distinction for the foremost strategists of modern times. It would be difficult to praise too highly the superb maneuvering that drew Cornwallis 200 miles from his base, forced a battle on him at Guilford under such circumstances that victory proved hardly less fatal to him than defeat, and thus turned him off into Virginia, leaving Greene's hands free to drive Rawdon from Camden and re-conquer South Carolina.
• - Letter from General Cornwallis to Major-General Phillips, commander of a British Army detachment in Virginia.
DEAR PHILLIPS, Camp near Wilmington, April 10, 1781.
I have had a most difficult and dangerous campaign, and was obliged to fight a battle 200 miles from any communication, against an enemy seven times my number. The fate of it was long doubt. We had not a regiment or corps that did not at some time give way; it ended however happily, in our completely routing the enemy and taking their cannon. The idea of our friends rising in any number and to any purpose totally failed, as I expected, and here I am, getting rid of my wounded and refitting my troops at Wilmington. I last night heard of the naval action, and your arrival in the Chesapeake. Now, my dear friend, what is our plan? Without one we cannot succeed, and I assure you that I am quite tired of marching about the country in quest of adventures. If we mean an offensive war in America, we must abandon New York, and bring our whole force into Virginia; we then have a stake to fight for, and a successful battle may gives us America. If our plan is defensive, mixed with desultory expeditions, let us quit the Carolinas (which cannot be held defensively while Virginia can be so easily armed against us) and stick to our salt pork at New York, sending now and then a detachment to steal tobacco, &c.
• - Letter from General Cornwallis to Lord George Germain, the British Secretary of State for American Colonies.
MY LORD, Wilmington, April 18, 1781.
".....If therefore it should appear to be the interest of Great Britain to maintain what she already possesses, and to push the war in the Southern provinces, I take the liberty of giving it as my opinion, that a serious attempt upon Virginia would be the most solid plan, because successful operations might not only be attended with importantconsequences there, but would tend to the security of South Carolina, and ultimately to the submission of North Carolina. The great reinforcements sent by Virginia to General Greene, whilst General Arnold was in the Chesapeake, are convincing proofs that small expeditions do not frighten that powerful province.
I have the honor, &c.
Cornwallis
| 12. Then even less detail in the Yorktown surrender. (Slide 12 ) |
Reference: The Battle of Yorktown 1781
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| The Americans storming the redoubts on 14th October 1781 during the Battle of Yorktown |
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| The British Army marching out to surrender at the end of the Battle of Yorktown |
Cornwallis surrenders to Washington
Yorktown, Virginia founded in 1691, was a busy 18th-century tobacco port but the town is best remembered as the site of the Battle of Yorktown, which effectively ended the Revolutionary War. Nine 18th-century buildings survived the 1781 Battle of Yorktown and can still be seen. In the late summer of 1781 when George Washington and Rochambeau heard of Lord Cornwallis' encampment in Yorktown they raced southward from New York to link up with the French fleet under Admiral Comte de Grasse in Chesapeake Bay. Washington arrived just in time to bottle-up the British, who were anticipating reinforcements that never came from either General Henry Clinton or the British fleet.
Off shore, the French fleet effectively blocked aid from Cornwallis while Washington made life unbearable for the British troops with three weeks of shelling. Thomas Nelson a signer of the Declaration of Independence was also engaged in the final siege of Yorktown. Nelson being a true patriot, urged General Washington to fire on his own home, the Nelson House, where Cornwallis had his headquarters.
Lord Cornwallis' finally surrendered on October 19, 1781 and this ended the disastrous British southern campaign. The loyalist and Patriot forces in the south had fought a series of savage fights that left both sides bloodied. These engagements sent Cornwallis limping into Yorktown in late summer trailed by a force led by the Marquis de Lafayette a French Ally. Cornwallis attempted to surrender over 8,000 men to the French through his second-in-command, Charles O'Hara. French General Comte de Rochambeau, however, directed O'Hara to George Washington, who steered the British officer to his own second in command, Major General Benjamin Lincoln. .The surrender occurred while the British band played The World Turned Upside Down, a tune that underscored the strange turn of events. This battle effectively ended the Revolutionary War with Great Britain.
Settled between his Excellency General WASHINGTON, Commander in Chief of the combined Forces of America and France; his Excellency the Count de ROCHAMBEAU, Lieut. General of the armies of the King of France, Great Cross of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, commanding the auxiliary Troops of His Most Christian Majesty in America; and his Excellency the Count de GRASSE, Lieut. General of the naval Armies of His Most Christian Majesty, Commander of the Order of St. Louis, commanding in chief the naval Army of France in the Chesapeake, on the one Part
AND
The Right Hon. Earl CORNWALLIS, Lieut. General of his Britannic Majesty Forces, commanding the Garrisons of York and Gloucester; and THOMAS SYMONDS, Esq; commanding his Britannic Majesty naval Forces in York river in Virginia, on the other part.
ARTICLE I. The garrisons of York and Gloucester, including the officers and seamen of his Britannic Majesty ships, as well as other mariners, to surrender themselves prisoners of war to the combined forces of America and France. The land troops to remain prisoners to the United States: The navy to the naval army of his Most Christian Majesty. Granted.
ART. II. The artillery, arms, accoutrements, military chest, and public stores, of every denomination, shall be delivered unimpaired, to the heads of departments, appointed to receive them. Granted.
ARTICLE III. At 12 o’clock this day the two redoubts on the let flank of York to be delivered, the one to a detachment of American Infantry, the other to a detachment of French Grenadiers --- The garrison of York will match out to a place to be appointed, in front of the posts, at two precisely, with shouldered arms, colors cased and drums beating a British or German march --- they are then to ground their arms and return to their encampment, where they will remain until they are dispatched to the place of their destination --- Two works on the Gloucester side, will be delivered at one to detachments of French and American troops appointed to possess them --- The garrison will march out at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the cavalry with their swords drawn, trumpets sounding, and the infantry in the manner prescribed for the garrison of York --- They are likewise to return to their encampment until they can be finally marched off. Granted.
ARTICLE IV. Officers are to retain their side arms --- both officers and soldiers to keep their private property of every kind, and no part of their baggage or papers to be at any time subject to search or inspection --- The baggage and papers of officers and soldiers taken during the siege to be likewise preserved for them --- It is understood that any property obviously belonging to the inhabitants of these States, in the possession of the garrison, shall be subject to be reclaimed. Granted.
ARTICLE V. The soldiers to be kept in Virginia, Maryland or Pennsylvania, and as much by regiments as possible, and supplied with the same rations of provisions as are allowed to soldiers in the service of America: A field officer from each nation, viz. British, Anspach and Hessian, and other officers on parole, in proportion of one to fifty men, to be allowed to reside near their respective regiments, to visit them frequently and be witnesses of their treatment --- and that these officers may receive and deliver clothing and other necessaries for them, for which passports are to be granted when applied for. Granted.
ARTICLE VI. The General --- Staff and other officers, not employed as mentioned in the above article, and who chose it, to be permitted to go on parole to Europe, to New York, or to any other American maritime ports at present in the possession of the British forces, at their own option; and proper vessels to be granted by the Count de Grasse, to carry them, under flags of truce, to New York within ten days from this date, if possible, and they to reside in a district to be agreed upon hereafter, till they embark. The officers of the civil department of the army and navy to be included in this article. Passports to go by land to be granted to those to whom vessels cannot be furnished. Granted.
ARTICLE VII. Officers to be allowed to keep soldiers as servants, according to the common practice of the army --- Servants, not soldiers, are not t be considered as prisoners, and are to be allowed to attend their masters. --- Granted.
ART. VIII. The Bonetta sloop of war to be equipped and navigated by its present Captain and crew, and left entirely at the disposal of Lord Cornwallis, from the hour that the capitulation is signed, to receive an Aid de Camp to carry dispatches to Sir Henry Clinton, and such soldiers as he may think proper to send to New York, to be permitted to said without examination, when his dispatches are ready. --- His Lordship engaging on his part, that the ship shall be delivered to the order of the Count de Grasse, if she escapes the dangers of the seas --- that she shall not carry off any public stores --- any part of the crew that may be deficient on her return and the soldiers, passengers, to be accounted for on her delivery. Granted. ART. IX. The traders are to preserve their property, and to be allowed three months to dispose of or remove them --- and those traders are to be considered as prisoners of war.
ANSWER. The traders will be allowed to dispose of their effects --- the allied army having the right of pre-emption. The traders to be considered as prisoners of war on parole.
ARTICLE X. Natives or inhabitants of different parts of this country, at present in York and Gloucester, are not to be punished on account of having joined the British army.
ANSWER This article cannot be assented to, being altogether of civil resort.
ARTICLE XI. Proper hospitals to be furnished for the sick and wounded - they are to be attended by their own surgeons on parole, and they are to be furnished with medicines and stores from the American hospitals.
ANSWER The hospital stores now in York and Gloucester shall be delivered for the use of the British sick and wounded. Passports will be granted for procuring them further supplies from New York, as occasion may require, and proper hospitals will be furnished for the reception of the sick and wounded of the two garrisons.
ARTICLE XII. Wagons to be furnished to carry the baggage of the offices attending the soldiers, and the surgeons when traveling on account of the sick, attending the hospitals, at the public expense.
ANSWER They will be furnished if possible.
ARTICLE XIII. The shipping and boats in the two harbors, with all their stores, guns, tackling and apparel shall be delivered up in their present state to an officer of the navy appointed to take possession of them, previously unloading the private property, part of which had been on board for security during the siege. Granted.
ARTICLE XIV. No article of the capitulation to be infringed, on pretext of reprisal, and if there be any doubtful expressions in it, they are to be interpreted according to the common meaning and acceptation of the words. Granted.
Done at York, in Virginia, this 19th day of October, 1781.
CORNWALLIS,
THOMAS SYMONDS
From The Battle of Yorktown, October 19,1781, the Stan Klos Virtual War Museum
| 13. Then even less detail in the war's end and the history following it. |
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