Yorktown. It has been active since its construction about 1697. The
present structure incorporated much of the original native marl walls.
This church was used for various military purposes in the two wars that
engulfed Yorktown, but parish organization has continued unbroken and
services are held regularly. In its churchyard lie the remains of
prominent men of Yorktown and of many others less well known. The church
is normally open every day.
[Illustration: _Richard Ambler’s storehouse is better known as the
“Customhouse” because he was a customs collector at Yorktown for
many years._]
G. _Medical Shop._ This reconstructed shop is across Main Street from
Swan Tavern.
H. _York County Courthouse._ This structure, the fifth such to stand on
Lot 24 in Yorktown, was completed in 1955. Although not a
reconstruction, it does capture some of the architectural flavor of the
time. It serves the town and county, as buildings on the lot have done
since 1697.
[Illustration: _The Sessions House._]
I. _Swan Tavern Group._ This group of reconstructed buildings, including
the tavern, kitchen, stable, smokehouse, and privy, all stand on
original foundations. One of the characteristics of colonial Yorktown
was the large number of its inns and taverns. The Swan, opened for
business in 1722, was the most noted of all.
J. “_Customhouse._” Directly across the street from the Digges House,
this structure appears to have been built prior to 1733 and to have
begun its history as Richard Ambler’s “large brick storehouse.” It has
been acquired and restored by the Comte de Grasse Chapter, Daughters of
the American Revolution, and now serves them as a chapter house. The
building, on occasion, is open to visitors.
K. _Edmund Smith House._ This brick residence is south of the Nelson
House and faces Nelson Street. It dates from about 1730.
L. _Ballard House._ Also located on Nelson Street, this cottage,
sometimes called “Pearl Hall,” presumably was built by John Ballard.
M. _Sessions House._ This house is the oldest building still standing in
Yorktown. It was built in the late 17th century, and is named for its
builder and first owner—Thomas Sessions.
Many of the houses mentioned here are private homes which are sometimes
open during Garden Week and other special occasions. These old homes add
charm to Yorktown and do much to preserve a quiet dignity along the
narrow, shaded streets far removed from the busy thoroughfares of a
20th-century town.
For those interested in geology, mention should be made of the famous
_Yorktown Cliffs_, particularly those in the area between Yorktown and
the Moore House. In the steep banks eroded by the river, extensive and
significant deposits of seashells are visible. These are of marine life
that existed in the Miocene Epoch of the Tertiary Period millions of
years ago.
_How to Reach Yorktown_
Yorktown is on U. S. 17 and is located 106 miles south of Fredericksburg
and 32 miles north of Norfolk, Va. The approach from the north is from
Gloucester Point by a bridge over the York River. U. S. 60 and State
Route 168 pass a few miles to the west and are connected with Yorktown
by State Route 238. The nearest rail terminal is 5 miles away at Lee
Hall. Buses of the Greyhound Lines connect with Yorktown, and special
sightseeing buses operate from Williamsburg.
[Illustration: _The Colonial Parkway with the York River on the
left._]
_Colonial Parkway_
The most interesting approach to Yorktown is from Williamsburg by car
over the Colonial Parkway. This highway, combining scenic beauty and
historical interest, is a part of Colonial National Historical Park and
connects Yorktown and Jamestown, two of the principal areas in the park,
by way of Williamsburg. From Yorktown it follows the high ground along
the south side of the York River for approximately 5 miles and then
turns inland to traverse forested countryside into
Williamsburg—Virginia’s 18th-century capital. The route then is south to
the James and along this river to Jamestown. Parking overlooks have been
provided at vantage points and markers carry informative messages about
history and locality. There is a picnic ground adjacent to the roadway
about midway between Yorktown and Williamsburg.
_About Your Visit_
The Yorktown Visitor Center is on the southeast edge of Yorktown.
Literature is available here, and attendants, on request, will outline
self-guided tours of the battlefield. The center is open daily except
Christmas Day.
The Moore House is open daily, except during the winter season, and
there is an attendant on duty to assist you. There is a nominal
admission charge which is waived for children under 12 years of age and
for groups of school children 18 years of age or under when accompanied
by adults assuming responsibility for their safety and orderly conduct.
No regularly scheduled guided tours of the battlefield are offered, but
arrangements for guide service, especially for educational groups, may
be made in advance. There is no charge for this service.
_Yorktown Day_ (October 19) is observed each year with a special program
and patriotic exercises.
In Yorktown there are several small restaurants, a number of tourist
homes, and two small hotels. There is a picnic area of limited capacity
along the river below the Yorktown Victory Monument, but trailer courts
and organized camping facilities are not available.
_Administration_
The Yorktown Battlefield is a part of Colonial National Historical Park,
which also includes the major part of Jamestown Island, together with
some of the adjacent area, the Colonial Parkway, and the Cape Henry
Memorial at Cape Henry, Va. The park was first established as a national
monument by Presidential proclamation in 1930 and given its present
designation by act of Congress in 1936.
The battlefield, except for areas in private ownership, is administered
by the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior. At
present, park holdings in the battlefield embrace about 4,175 acres.
Headquarters for the entire park are in Yorktown, and all communications
relating to the area should be addressed to the Superintendent, Colonial
National Historical Park, Yorktown, Va.
_Closely Related Areas_
Other areas in the South included in the National Park System connected
with the Revolutionary War are: Kings Mountain National Military Park,
S. C.; Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, N. C.; Cowpens
National Battlefield Site, S. C.; and Moores Creek National Military
Park, N. C.
Closely related to Yorktown and Jamestown, both geographically and
historically, is Williamsburg (Virginia)—a national shrine of
outstanding significance and interest. Much of the heart of the old
18th-century section of the city has been restored, or reconstructed,
including the palace of the royal governors and the capitol building.
Arts and craft shops have been developed, as well as an extensive
educational program, making it possible to observe and study many
aspects of life as it was in the 80-year period when Williamsburg was
the capital of Virginia after the removal of the seat of government from
Jamestown in 1699. The restoration of the town is being made possible
through the generosity of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and it is
administered by Colonial Williamsburg as a nonprofit, educational, and
inspirational shrine “That the Future May Learn from the Past.”
_Suggested Readings_
Doehla, Johann Conrad. “The Doehla Journal.” _William and Mary College
Historical Quarterly_, 2nd Series, Vol. 22, pp. 229-274.
Hatch Charles E., Jr. “The Moore House: A National Shrine.” _William
and Mary Historical Quarterly_, 2nd Series, Vol. 21, pp.
293-317. October 1941.
——, and Pitkin, Thomas M. _Yorktown, Climax of the Revolution._
National Park Service Source Book Series No. 1, Superintendent
of Documents, Washington, D. C. 1941.
Johnson Henry P. _The Yorktown Campaign and The Surrender of
Cornwallis, 1781._ Harper & Brothers, New York. 1881.
Landers, H. L. _The Virginia Campaign and the Blockade and Siege of
Yorktown, 1781._ Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.
C. 1931.
Willcox, William B. “The British Road to Yorktown: A Study in Divided
Command.” _American Historical Review_, Vol. 52, pp. 1-35.
October 1946.
_Appendix 1_
CORNWALLIS’ PAROLE[1]
Charles Earl Cornwallis Lieutenant General [of his Brita]nnick Majesty’s
Forces.________
Do acknowledge myself a Prisoner of War to the [United] States of
America, & having permission from His [Excellen]cy General Washington,
agreeable to Capitulation, to proceed to New York & Charlestown, or
either, & to Europe.
Do pledge my Faith & Word of Honor, that I will not do or say any thing
injurious to the said United States or Armies thereof, or their Allies,
untill duly exchanged; I do further promise that Whenever required, by
the Commander in Chief of the American Army, or the Commissary of
Prisoners for the same, I will repair to such place or places as they or
either of them may require.________
Given under my Hand at York Town 28th day of October 1781________
Cornwallis
_Appendix 2_
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION[2]
Articles of Capitulation settled between his Excellency General
Washington Comander in Chief of the combined Forces of America &
France—His Excellency The Count de Rochambeau Lieutenant General of the
Armies of the King of France—Great Cross of the Royal & Military Order
of St. Louis—Commanding the Auxiliary Troops of his most Christian
Majesty in America—And -His Excellency- the Count de Grasse Lieutenant
General of the Naval Armies of his Most Christian Majesty, Commander of
the Order of St. Louis, comand^g in Chief the Naval Army of France in
the Chesapeak—on the One Part—And His Excellency The Right Hon^ble Earl
Cornwallis Lieu. General of His Britannick Majesty’s Forces, Commanding
the Garrisons of York & Gloucester and Thomas Symonds Esq^r Commanding
his Britannick Majesty’s Naval forces in York River in Virginia on the
other part.
Article 1^st
The Garrisons of York & Gloucester including the Officers and Seamen of
his Britannic Majesty’s Ships as well as other Mariners, to surrender
themselves Prisoners of War to the Combined Forces of America &
France—The Land Troops to remain prisoners to the United States. The
Navy to the naval Army of his Most Christian Majesty—
Article - 1^st
Granted—
Article 2^nd
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—
Article 2^d
Granted.—
Article 3^d
At 12 ^oClock this Day the two Redoubts on the left 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 march out to a
place to be appointed in front of the posts at 2 ^oClock precisely, with
Shouldered Arms. Colours cased and Drums beating a British or German
March.—they are then to ground their Arms, & return to their Encampment,
where they will remain untill they are dispatched to the place of their
Destination.—Two Works on the Gloucester Side will be delivered at One
^oClock to Detachments of French & American Troops appointed to possess
them.—The Garrison will march out at three ^oClock in the Afternoon—The
Cavalry with their Swords drawn, Trumpets sound^g & the Infantry in the
Manner prescribed for the Garrison of York—they are likewise to return
to their Encampments untill they can be finally marched off.—
Article 3^d
Granted.—
Article 4^th
Officers are to retain their Side Arms—both Officers & 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 &
papers of officers & Soldiers taken during the Siege, to be likewise
preserved for them. It is understood that any Property obviously
belonging to -any of- the Inhabitants of these States, in the possession
of the Garrison, shall be subject to be reclaimed—
Article 4^th
Granted.—
Article 5^th
The Soldiers to be kept in Virginia, Maryland, or Pennsylvania, & as
much by Regiments as possible, and supplyed with the same Rations or
Provisions as are Allowed to Soldiers in the Service of America:—A field
officer from each Nation, viz—British, Anspach & Hessian, & other
Officers on parole, in the 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 there Officers may receive &
deliver Cloathing and other Necessaries for them for which passports are
to be granted when applied for
Article 5^th
Granted—
Article 6^th
The General, Staff & other Officers not employed as mentioned in the
above Article, & who choose it, to be permitted to go on parole to
-England- Europe, to N York, or to any other American maritime posts, at
present in possession of the British Forces, at their own Option, &
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,
& they to reside in a District to be agreed upon hereafter, untill they
embark—The Officers of the civil Departments of the Army & navy to be
included in this Article.—passports to go by Land, to be granted to
those, to whom Vessels cannot be furnished.—
Article 6^th
Granted.—
Article 7^th
Officers to be allowed to keep Soldiers as Servants according to the
common practice of the Service.—Servants not Soldiers are not to be
considered as prisoners & are to be allowed to attend their Masters.
Article 7^th
Granted
Article 8^th
The Bonetta Sloop of War to be equipped & navigated by its present
Captain and Crew & left entirely at the Disposal of L^d Cornwallis, from
the Hour that the Capitulation is signed, to receive an Aid de Camp to
carry Dispatches to Sir H^ry Clinton—and such Soldiers as he may think
proper to send to N York to be permitted to sail 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, & the
Soldiers passengers, to be accounted for on her Delivery—
Article 8^th
Granted—
Article 9^th
The Traders are to preserve their Property, & to be allowed three Months
to dispose of, or remove them—And those Traders are not to be considered
as prisoners of War—
Article 9^th
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 10^th
Natives or Inhabitants of different parts of this Country at present in
York or Gloucester are not to be punished on Acc^o of having joined the
British army—
Article 10^th
This Article cannot be assented to—being altogether of civil Resort—
Article 11^th
Proper Hospitals to be furnished for the Sick & Wounded—they are to be
attended by their own Surgeons on parole, and they are to be furnished
with Medicines & Stores from the American Hospitals—
Article 11^th
The Hospital Stores now in York and Gloucester shall be delivered for
the Use of the British Sick & wounded—Passports will be granted for
procuring them further Supplies from N York as Occasion may require—&
proper Hospitals will be furnished for the reception of the Sick &
wounded of the two Garrisons—
Article 12^th
Waggons to be furnished to carry the Baggage of the Officers attending
the Soldiers, and to Surgeons when travelling on Acc^o of the
Sick—attending the Hospitals at public Expense
Article 12^th
They will be furnished if possible—
Article 13^th
The Shipping & Boats in the two Harbours, with all their Stores, Guns,
Tackling, & 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.
Article 13^th
Granted.
Article 14^th
No Article of the Capitulation to be infringed on pretext of Reprisal, &
if there be any doubtful Expressions in it, they are to be interpreted,
according to the common Meaning & Acceptation of the Words.—
Article 14^th
Granted.—
Done at York in Virginia this 19^th day of October 1781
Cornwallis
Tho^s Symonds
[Done in the trenches before York Town in Virginia October 19 1781.
G. Washington
Le Comte de Rochambeau
Le Comte de Barras, en mon nom
& celui de Comte de Grasse]
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1961 OF—520228
Footnotes
[1]In the Virginia State Library.
[2]From the Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES
(Price lists of National Park Service publications may be obtained from
the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D.C.)
Antietam
Bandelier
Chalmette
Chickamauga and Chattanooga Battlefields
Custer Battlefield
Custis-Lee Mansion, the Robert E. Lee Memorial
Fort Laramie
Fort McHenry
Fort Necessity
Fort Pulaski
Fort Raleigh
Fort Sumter
George Washington Birthplace
Gettysburg
Guilford Courthouse
Hopewell Village
Independence
Jamestown, Virginia
Kings Mountain
The Lincoln Museum and the House Where Lincoln Died
Manassas (Bull Run)
Montezuma Castle
Morristown, a Military Capital of the Revolution
Ocmulgee
Petersburg Battlefields
Richmond Battlefields
Saratoga
Scotts Bluff
Shiloh
Statue of Liberty
Vanderbilt Mansion
Vicksburg
Wright Brothers
Yorktown
[Illustration: _Restored French Battery, showing siege guns in
position_]
Transcriber’s Notes
—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.
—Corrected a few palpable typos.
—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.
—In the text version only, text with a line through it, is delimited by
-hyphens-.
End of Project Gutenberg's Yorktown and the Siege of 1781, by Charles E. Hatch