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462 HISTORY OF MARYLAND.
honor of opening the first parallel. By the 9th it was completed, and the
batteries opened on the enemy with a cannonade which was continued, almost
incessantly, for several days. On the 11th, the second parallel was opened
by the division of Baron Steuben, and on the 14th, the Americans and French
stormed two redoubts. On the 16th, the enemy made a sortie, but were
driven back; and on the 17th, Cornwallis, who could neither hold the post
nor escape, proposed to surrender, which was carried into effect on the 19th.
By the articles of surrender, Cornwallis gave up seven thousand two hundred
and forty-seven regular troops, besides eight hundred and forty sailors. One
hundred and six guns were taken, of which seventy-five were brass. The
land forces and stores were assigned to the Americans, the ships and marines
to the French. Cornwallis remaining in his tent, General O'Hara marched
the British army past the allied armies and stacked
their guns. A full share of the honor of this glorious achievement is justly due to Maryland. While
her troops, under Gist, were doing their part and
maintaining the honor of their State in the field and
in the trenches of Yorktown, her executive and State
government, zealously sustained by the patriotic
people, were exerting themselves to the utmost to
furnish the necessary supplies to the combined
armies, to maintain the siege. Washington, in the
midst of his arduous duties and manifold anxieties,
count de grasse. took time to thank Governor Lee for the noble efforts
he was making to sustain the cause. In a letter of the 12th of October (only
one week before the surrender) Washington writes: " Give me leave to
return you my sincerest thanks for your exertions on the present occasion.
The supplies granted by the State are so liberal, that they remove any apprehension of want."
On Saturday, October 20th, an express boat arrived at Annapolis with a
letter from the Count de Grasse to Governor Lee, of which the following is a
translation:
"La Ville de Paris, Oct. 19th, 1781.
" Sir :—I have the honor to thank your Excellency for the intelligence which you
have been pleased to communicate. I have just desired General Washington to send me
back my troops, of which, probably, he will no longer stand in need, as Lord Cornwallis
has surrendered, which, perhaps, you will not have heard before this reaches you. As soon
as they are embarked I shall quit the bay of Chesapeake, and I will endeavor still to contri •
bute to the welfare of the United States, in stopping, if I can, Sir Henry Clinton.
" I have the honor to be, with the most respectful attachment, your Excellency's most
obedient humble servant. « jje G-RASSE."
This great and important intelligence, wherever announced, was immediately hailed by the joyful acclamations of the people and the firing of cannon.
Healths were drunk, and every breast swelled with joy. On the Monday following, Baltimore and Annapolis were illuminated, and the public rejoicings
| Title | History of Maryland - 2 |
| Creator | Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas) |
| Publisher | J. B. Piet |
| Place of Publication | Baltimore |
| Date | 1879 |
| Language | eng |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Title | 00000505 |
| Type | Books/Pamphlets |
| Transcript | 462 HISTORY OF MARYLAND. honor of opening the first parallel. By the 9th it was completed, and the batteries opened on the enemy with a cannonade which was continued, almost incessantly, for several days. On the 11th, the second parallel was opened by the division of Baron Steuben, and on the 14th, the Americans and French stormed two redoubts. On the 16th, the enemy made a sortie, but were driven back; and on the 17th, Cornwallis, who could neither hold the post nor escape, proposed to surrender, which was carried into effect on the 19th. By the articles of surrender, Cornwallis gave up seven thousand two hundred and forty-seven regular troops, besides eight hundred and forty sailors. One hundred and six guns were taken, of which seventy-five were brass. The land forces and stores were assigned to the Americans, the ships and marines to the French. Cornwallis remaining in his tent, General O'Hara marched the British army past the allied armies and stacked their guns. A full share of the honor of this glorious achievement is justly due to Maryland. While her troops, under Gist, were doing their part and maintaining the honor of their State in the field and in the trenches of Yorktown, her executive and State government, zealously sustained by the patriotic people, were exerting themselves to the utmost to furnish the necessary supplies to the combined armies, to maintain the siege. Washington, in the midst of his arduous duties and manifold anxieties, count de grasse. took time to thank Governor Lee for the noble efforts he was making to sustain the cause. In a letter of the 12th of October (only one week before the surrender) Washington writes: " Give me leave to return you my sincerest thanks for your exertions on the present occasion. The supplies granted by the State are so liberal, that they remove any apprehension of want." On Saturday, October 20th, an express boat arrived at Annapolis with a letter from the Count de Grasse to Governor Lee, of which the following is a translation: "La Ville de Paris, Oct. 19th, 1781. " Sir :—I have the honor to thank your Excellency for the intelligence which you have been pleased to communicate. I have just desired General Washington to send me back my troops, of which, probably, he will no longer stand in need, as Lord Cornwallis has surrendered, which, perhaps, you will not have heard before this reaches you. As soon as they are embarked I shall quit the bay of Chesapeake, and I will endeavor still to contri • bute to the welfare of the United States, in stopping, if I can, Sir Henry Clinton. " I have the honor to be, with the most respectful attachment, your Excellency's most obedient humble servant. « jje G-RASSE." This great and important intelligence, wherever announced, was immediately hailed by the joyful acclamations of the people and the firing of cannon. Healths were drunk, and every breast swelled with joy. On the Monday following, Baltimore and Annapolis were illuminated, and the public rejoicings |
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