American Aurora
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Sunday, August 19, 1781. Today, French General the Comte de Rochambeau leads his French army south from New York toward Virginia.1284
Friday, August 24, 1781. Today, the French fleet at Newport, Rhode Island, now commanded by French Admiral the Comte de Barras (French Admiral de Ternay died in December), sets sail for the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia with eight ships of the line, four frigates, and eighteen transports. This fleet carries critical siege artillery and other provisions for the armies of General Rochambeau and Washington which are now marching from New York to Virginia.1285
Today, in Amsterdam, John Adams receives letters from Massachusetts congressional delegate James Lovell (June 21st) and Ben Franklin (August 16th), informing him that the French Foreign Minister and Ben Franklin have deprived him of his position as sole commissioner to make peace with Great Britain.1286
Saturday, August 25, 1781. Today, in Amsterdam, in composing an answer to Ben Franklin’s letter of August 16th, John Adams suffers a nervous collapse.1287 John Adams:
I found myself attacked by a fever, of which at first I made light, but which increased very gradually and slowly until it was found to be nervous fever of a very malignant kind, and so violent as to deprive me of almost all sensibility for four or five days and all those who cared anything about me of the hopes of my life …1288
I was seized with … a nervous Fever, of a dangerous kind, bordering upon putrid. It seized upon my head, in such a manner that for five or six days I was lost, and so insensible to the Operations of the Physicians and surgeons, as to have lost the memory of them … 1289
For the next six weeks, John Adams will be incommunicado.1290
Today, Tom Paine and John Laurens arrive in Boston Harbor aboard the frigate Résolu, bringing money and supplies from France. Tom Paine:
We arrived at Boston the twenty-fifth of August … De Grasse arrived with the French fleet in the Chesapeake at the same time, and was afterward joined by that of Barras, making thirty-one sail of the line. The money was transported in wagons from Boston to the bank at Philadelphia …1291
Monday, August 27, 1781. Today, not knowing that Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens and Tom Paine have arrived in Boston with money from France to pay Washington’s soldiers, George Washington writes Robert Morris, Superintendent of Finance for the Continental Congress:
I must entreat you, if possible, to procure one month’s pay in specie for the detachment which I have under my command. Part of those troops have … upon several occasions shown marks of great discontent. The service [down south in Virginia] they are going upon is disagreeable to the Northern Regiments; but I make no doubt that a douceur [bribe] of a little hard money would put them in proper temper. If the whole sum cannot be obtained, a part of it will be better than none, as it may be distributed in proportion to the respective wants and claims of the Men. The American detachment will assemble in this neighbour-hood today; the French Army to-morrow.1292
Monday, September 3, 1781. Today, on their march to Yorktown, Virginia, the French army parades, in dress-white uniforms, through the streets of Philadelphia to the sounds of a military band, the cheers of Americans, and the salutes of General Washington, their commander General Rochambeau, and the American Continental Congress. A French clergyman records the scene:
The arrival of the French army at Philadelphia was more like a triumph than simply a passing through the place; the troops made a halt about a quarter of a league from the city, and in an instant were dressed as elegantly as ever the soldiers of a garrison were on a day of review; they then marched through town, with military music playing before them, which is always particularly pleasing to the Americans; the streets were crowded with people, and the ladies appeared at the windows in their most brilliant attire. All Philadelphia was astonished to see people who had endured the fatigues of a long journey so ruddy and handsome, and even wondered that there could possibly be Frenchmen of so genteel an appearance.
The troops next marched in single file before the Congress and [before] M. Le Chevalier de la Luzerne, minister from the court of France …
The maneuvers of our troops raised the most flattering expectations in the minds of the spectators; and they did not hesitate to declare that such soldiers were invincible.1293
Frenchman Comte Guillaume de Deux-Ponts observes:
Congress was on the route, and we showed it the respect the King had ordered us to show, the thirteen members of the Congress taking off their thirteen hats at each salute of the flag … 1294
American Brigadier General Anthony Wayne:
The french troops are the finest & best body of men I ever beheld—their Officers and Gen’l & I will be answerable for their being soldiers; we have the highest Opinion of their Discipline & can not doubt their prowess.1295
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1781
The Pennsylvania Gazette
On Thursday last arrived in this city, their Excellencies GENERAL WASHINGTON and the COUNT DE ROCHAMBEAU, with their respective Suites. They were met and accompanied to town by his Excellency the President of the State [of Pennsylvania], the Financier-general, and many other Gentlemen of distinction. Every class of citizens seemed to vie with each other in shewing marks of respect to this ILLUSTRIOUS PAIR of Defenders of the Rights of Mankind.
Today, Superintendent of Finance for the Continental Congress Robert Morris writes in his diary:
The Commander in Chief having repeatedly urged, both by letter and in conversation, the necessity of advancing a month’s pay to the detachment of troops marching to the southward … and my funds and resources being at the time totally inadequate to make that advance, … I made application to the Count de Rochambeau …
General Washington was extremely desirous that the troops should receive their month’s pay, as great symptoms of discontent had appeared on their passing through this city without it …
Count de Rochambeau very readily agreed to supply at the head of the Elk twenty thousand hard dollars …1296
The French will pay George Washington’s army to fight at Yorktown!
Today, September 5th, at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay off Yorktown, Virginia, the largest and most significant naval battle of the American Revolution begins, as twenty-eight French ships-of-the-line from the West Indies, under French Admiral de Grasse, challenge nineteen British ships-of-the-line (and a fifty-gun British ship) from New York, commanded by British Rear Admiral Thomas Graves. A five-day engagement (the Battle of the Virginia Capes) ensues, in which the French navy is victorious, inflicting 336 casualties on the British force (at the cost of 220 French killed and wounded), damaging a seventy-four-gun British ship so badly that it has to be burned and abandoned, and causing British Rear Admiral Graves to retreat with his fleet to New York. This French victory means that the British will not be able to reinforce Cornwallis in Virginia and, even more important, that Cornwallis cannot escape by water from the Yorktown embankment on which the French and American armies now have him trapped.1297
Friday, September 7, 1781. British Commander in Chief Sir Henry Clinton knows he faces a calamity. Today, he writes British Colonial Secretary Lord George Germain:
The force of the enemy opposed to his lordship [Lord Cornwallis] will consist of the French troops arrived [from the West Indies] with De Grasse which are reported to be between three and four thousand; those [French troops under General Rochambeau] with Washington 4000; the rebel continentals about 4000; and in all probability a very numerous militia if they can arm them.
This my lord, is a very alarming report … Things appear to be coming fast to a crisis …1298
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1781
The Pennsylvania Gazette
NEW YORK, Sept 5. By accounts from the Chesapeake, dating the 31st ult. the arrival of the French fleet or squadrons, consisting of 28 sail, including frigates and inferior vessels, were arrived at Lyn-Haven Bay, in Virginia, from whence a 64–[gun ship of the line] and two frigates were dispatched up York River, and h
ad taken a position off York-Town.
PHILADELPHIA, September 12. By an express which arrived here last Wednesday evening …
Extract of letter from his Excellency General Washington to the President of Congress …
“With great pleasure to transmit to your Excellency … [an announcement of] the late arrival in the Chesapeake of Admiral de Grasse with 28 [French] ships of the line …” …
Note, the above fleet is exclusive of that [French fleet] under the command of Count Barras [which is arrived from Newport].
Upon the above news arriving in the city, the bells of Christ Church were rung, and joy appeared in every countenance. About seven o’clock a large body of citizens waited on the Minister of France to congratulate him upon this important intelligence. They gave him three cheers, and concluded with crying out “Long Live the King of France.”
Today, September 12th, British Commander in Chief Sir Henry Clinton writes British Colonial Secretary Lord George Germain:
Other matters of most serious moment now attract our attention—a French army of at least eight thousand men, a powerful fleet of the same nation cooperating with them—the continental army … —to these may be added a numerous and warlike militia. Your lordship knows that France … [has] made considerable loans and sent them supplies of all sorts. Nothing therefore is wanting but to prevail on those already enlisted to remain.
[I]n this situation of affairs your lordship must be sensible that … I may perhaps be unable to preserve our present possessions. For (as I have often had the honour of suggesting to your lordship) if the enemy retain only a few weeks superiority at sea, we shall certainly be beat …
Lord Cornwallis has good 6000 men with him … I had some intention of moving into Jersey … But the instant I knew of the French actually being there and that Washington had moved decidedly to meet them, I saw no way of relieving his lordship [Lord Cornwallis] but by joining him …1299
There are approximately 32,000 French soldiers and sailors at Yorktown,1300 four to six times the number of George Washington’s army, and more than twice, if not three times, the number of all Americans at Yorktown, including militia. Indeed, there are many more French soldiers on the ground than American Continentals. The entire blockading force at sea is French.1301
Sunday, September 16, 1781. Today, from Yorktown, British General Lord Cornwallis writes British Commander in Chief Sir Henry Clinton:
The enemy’s [French] fleet has returned. Two line of battleships and one frigate lie at the mouth of this river, and three or four line of battleships, several frigates, and transports went up the bay …
PS … [T]hey have thirty-six sail of the line. This place is in no state of defence. If you cannot relieve me very soon, you must be prepared to hear the worst.1302
By engaging British Admiral Thomas Graves’ fleet in the Battle of the Virginia Capes, the French fleet from the West Indies (under French Admiral de Grasse) has allowed the French fleet from Newport (under Count de Barras) to slip into the Delaware River with vital siege artillery and provisions for the allied armies.1303
Wednesday, September 26, 1781. Today, British Commander in Chief Sir Henry Clinton writes British Colonial Secretary Lord George Germain:
I have received a letter from the [British] Admiral [Graves in the Chesapeake] … to inform me that the enemy, being absolute masters of the navigation of the Chesapeake, there was little probability of getting into York River but by night and an infinite risk to any supplies sent by water, at the same time acquainting me that he had on the 5th a partial action with the French fleet of 24 sail of the line and that the two fleets had been in sight of each other ever since …
On the 17th I received another letter from the Admiral [Graves] … saying … that … he determined to shelter in New York …1304
Of French and American forces which encircle Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown, the naval part of this circle consists strictly of French warships (more than thirty) and sailors (nineteen thousand!).1305 America has no warships in this naval blockade.
Friday, October 12, 1781. The siege of Yorktown is begun. Today, George Washington writes the Continental Congress on its progress:
We … established our first parallel within 600 Yards of the enemy’s Works with the loss of only one Officer of the French artillery wounded and 16 privates killed and wounded, the greater part of which were of the French line …
The 9th at 3 O’Clock in the Afternoon, the French Battery on the left … opened—and at 5 O’Clock the American Battery on the right … opened also …
We were informed that our shells did considerable execution in the Town, and we could perceive that our shot … injured them much. The 10th, two French Batteries … opened, as did two more American Batteries … The fire now became so excessively heavy that the enemy withdrew their Cannon from their embrazures … In the evening, the Charon Frigate of 44 Guns was set on fire by a hot Ball from the French Battery on the left …
We last night advanced our second parallel within 300 yards of the enemy’s Works …
I cannot but acknowledge the infinite obligations I am under to His Excellency, the Count de Rochambeau … and indeed the Officers of every denomination in the French Army for the assistance which they afford me. The experience of many of those Gentlemen, in the business [of siege warfare] before us, is of the utmost advantage … [T]he greatest harmony prevails between the two Armies …1306
Orchestrating the siege at Yorktown is strictly a matter for the French. Washington has no experience in siege warfare. The French perfected the art.1307 Rochambeau has taken part in fourteen sieges.1308 General Lebigne, the Chevalier Du Portail, and other French officers and engineers take charge of siege operations.1309
Monday, October 15, 1781. Today, finally recovered from his nervous collapse, John Adams writes the Continental Congress:
I have received the new commission for peace [as part of a five-man commission] and the revocation of my [sole peace] commission and instructions of the 29th of September, 1779. To both of these measures of Congress, as to the commands of my sovereign, I shall pay the most exact attention …
[A]ccording to the best judgment I can form, it will not be worth while for Congress to be at the expense of continuing me in Europe with a view to my assistance at any conferences for peace, especially as Dr. Franklin has given me intimations that I can not depend upon him for my subsistence in the future …
In short, my prospects both for the public and for myself are so dull and the life I am likely to lead in Europe is likely to be so gloomy and melancholy and of so little use to the public, that I can not but wish it may suit with the view of Congress to recall me.1310
Tuesday, October 16, 1781. Today, George Washington reports to Congress on Yorktown fighting:
[H]aving deemed the two Redoubts [fortified emplacements] on the left of the enemy’s line sufficiently injured by our shot and shells to make them practicable, it was determined to carry them by assault on the evening of the 14th. The following disposition was accordingly made. The Work on the enemy’s extreme left to be attacked by the American Light Infantry under the command of the Marquis de La Fayette; the other by a detachment of the French Grenadiers and Chasseurs, commanded by Major-General, the Baron Vioménil … [W]e succeeded in both … Nothing could exceed the firmness and bravery of the Troops. They advanced under the fire of the Enemy without returning a shot, and effected the business with the Bayonet only … [A]ttacks on the part of the French and American Columns were Conducted …
The enemy last night made a sortie for the first time. They entered one of the French and one of the American Batteries … They were repulsed … The French had four officers and twelve privates killed and wounded, and we had one serjeant mortally wounded …1311
Two French soldiers die for each American death at Yorktown. Two French soldiers are wounded for each American wound at Yorktown. French casualties exceed 250.1312
A word about Lieutenant Colonel Alexand
er Hamilton at Yorktown … John Adams writes:
You inquire what passed between W.[ashington] and Hamilton at Yorktown? Washington had ordered, or was about to order, another officer to take command of the attack upon the redoubt. Hamilton flew into a violent passion and demanded the command of the party for himself and declared if he had it not, he would expose General Washington’s conduct in a pamphlet.1313
Hamilton’s scorn of Washington is no surprise to me. Those who trumpeted Washington in the highest strains at some times spoke of him at others in the strongest terms of contempt … Hamilton, Pickering, and many others have been known to indulge themselves in very contemptuous expressions … The history with which Hamilton threatened to destroy the character of Washington might diminish some of that enthusiastic exaggeration which represents him as the greatest general, the greatest legislator, and the most perfect character that ever lived …
I lose all patience when I think of a bastard brat of a Scotch pedlar [Hamilton] daring to threaten to undeceive the world in their judgment of Washington by writing an history of his battles and campaigns. 1314
Friday, October 19, 1781. Today, the British army of Lord Cornwallis surrenders, signaling the end of the American Revolution. The British army files out of the village of York between two lines of French and American soldiers, though the British clearly attribute their loss to the French rather than to the Americans. A French observer:
[T]hey would not raise their eyes to look upon their conquerors … The English officers, in coming out, had the honesty to salute even the lowest French officer, something that they would not do to Americans even of the first grade … In all the time that the British remained at York, one did not see them have any communication with the Americans, while they lived constantly with the French and sought constantly to give them proof of their esteem …1315