DEFENCE OF YORK TOWN.--SENT WITH FIRE-SHIPS AGAINST FRENCH FLEET.--
FAILURE.--IN COMMAND OF BATTERY.--FIERCE ENGAGEMENTS.--COLONEL CARLYON A
PRISONER AND WOUNDED.--THE CHARON BLOWS UP.--DESPERATE CONDITION OF THE
TOWN.--DEATH OF MY OLD FOLLOWER.--ATTEMPT TO EVACUATE TOWN FRUSTRATED BY
A GALE.--I AM BADLY WOUNDED.--ARMY OF LORD CORNWALLIS CAPITULATES.--WAR
AT AN END.--PRISONERS KINDLY TREATED BY AMERICANS AND FRENCH.--MADELINE
BECOMES MY NURSE.--NEWS FROM ENGLAND.--SIR HURRICANE TEMPEST HAS LEFT ME
HIS HEIR.--I MARRY THE LITTLE REBEL.--FINIS.
I could not help feeling, in common with many other thoughtful officers,
that we were on the eve of great events. Each day, each hour confirmed
this opinion, and now we were startled if not confounded by the
undoubted information that General Washington had arrived with a
considerable body of troops from the north. He arrived on the 24th in
the Chesapeake, with, it was said, six thousand French and continental
troops, whom we had the mortification to see a frigate and a body of
transports go down to bring up, we no longer having the power to molest
them. Thus still further was the dark thunder-cloud augmented, about,
we believed, to break over our heads. Day and night, however, we
continued working at the batteries, and levelling houses, and clearing
all the ground round the lines of everything which might afford the
enemy shelter in their expected attack.
September 15th, 1781.--Two ships of the line and a frigate came up a
mile nearer the forts, and under cover of their guns foraging parties
went on shore, whom we were thus prevented from attacking.
16th.--Never did men work harder than we had been doing to strengthen a
position to enable us to hold out till the arrival of a fleet superior
to the French; and from news received our hopes again arose that it
might yet arrive before we were driven to extremities. Many persons
have been blaming Sir Henry Clinton for allowing General Washington to
pass by him, but the truth is, he did not expect that this would have
been done, but fully believed that he purposed rather to besiege New
York itself.
17th.--A ship of the line advanced from the shore and joined those off
Tous Marsh. Signals being made all day long between the French
Commodore and the Compte de Grasse. French frigates passing and
re-passing between their squadrons. Something evidently in the wind.
18th.--Our forces employed as usual in pulling down houses and throwing
up works.
19th.--All the women and children, the negroes and other non-combatants,
were sent out of the town to enable us to eke out our not-over-abundant
supply of provisions.
20th.--The soldiers engaged in throwing up works, the seamen in cutting
down trees and in forming stockades.
21st.--Heavy rain fell, greatly retarding the progress of the works. I
was not a little pleased to hear that an attempt was to be made to
destroy the French squadron at the mouth of the harbour, and that four
fire-ships were to be employed on that service. I immediately offered
to command one of them--an offer which was at once accepted.
Lieutenants Conway and Symonds were appointed to command two others, and
Mr Camel, a lieutenant of a privateer, had charge of the fourth. Our
wish was to be under the orders of Captain Palmer of the Vulcan, whose
experience and judgment we felt would insure success, but the commodore
decided on allowing each of us to trust to our own abilities and to act
according to circumstances. The vessels were patched-up schooners and
sloops, and fitted in so hurried a way that they were scarcely
manageable. The experiment was to have been made that night, but the
wind and weather proving unfavourable, Captain Palmer, with whom we
consulted, advised us to defer it till the following--
22nd.--The wind being about north-west, it was this evening considered
practicable to attack the advanced ships of the enemy, and we
accordingly made preparations for our hazardous expedition. The Vulcan
and four other vessels were to be employed in the service. I was of
course well acquainted with all the risks to be encountered. I knew
that I might either be blown up, or, if overtaken by the enemy, cut to
pieces without remorse, no quarter being given to people engaged in that
sort of work. During the first day after volunteering I had not time to
think much about the matter, but four-and-twenty hours spent in
comparative inaction enabled me to contemplate the consequences in their
true light, and though I felt as resolved and determined as ever, I knew
well that this might be the last day of my existence. I did not so much
dread the future, I own, as regret all I was leaving behind. I thought
over and over again of Madeline--of the happiness I had hoped to enjoy
with her--of the grief should I fall, my death would cause her. I
thought of my family and of the dear ones still surviving at home who
hoped to welcome me when war was over, but would hope in vain. I felt
very grave and sad, but not the less resolved or undaunted I may say,
and determined to do my duty. The time was approaching for our start.
I walked aft and stood looking over the taffrail away from the crew, and
there I offered up a deep, earnest prayer for protection for myself and
also for my people in the expedition in which we were engaged. Yes, I
prayed, and sincerely too, believing that I was praying aright as I
stood over all those terrific combustibles which were to bring havoc and
destruction among hundreds of our fellow-creatures not more guilty, not
more worthy of death than were I and my fellows. I will not stop to
moralise on that subject, yet I have often since thought that it is one
worthy of deep consideration. Of one thing only I was certain that, as
an officer in the Navy, I was doing my duty to my king and country in
endeavouring to destroy their enemies, and all the rest I left to the
guidance of Him who rules all things for the best. I now feel that
there is a purer law, a stricter rule which should prevail instead of
those which most men follow, but it would be out of place here to
discuss the subject.
The ships in the harbour gave out the hour of midnight. It was the
signal agreed on for starting. We made sail, cut our cables, and ran
down the river. The wind held fair, the night was dark, and there
appeared every probability that our undertaking would succeed. Nol
Grampus, Rockets, and four other men were with me to man the boat in
which we were to make our escape. Not a word was spoken. Every
arrangement had before been made. Having placed our vessels in a
position from which they could not fail to drift down on the enemy, we
were to set fire to them, and then, jumping into our boats, pull away
for our lives. There was not much fear of pursuit if the vessels hit
their marks, as we knew that the boats of the squadron would be engaged
in endeavouring to clear their ships of the burning craft. If, however,
through a change of wind, or any other circumstance, they should drift
clear of the ships, it was probable that the boats might come in chase
of us to take vengeance on our heads for the injury we had attempted to
inflict on them.
There lay the French squadron before us, no one on board dreaming of the
havoc and destruction about to be wrought among them. It was just two
o'clock in the morning. Our little flotilla of evil was slowly
approaching. Evidently no sufficient watch was kept ahead of the French
ships. Our success appeared certain. Suddenly a bright light burst
forth, revealing our vessels clearly to the enemy, and shedding a lurid
glare over their ships which lay sleeping on the calm water ahead. What
had happened? There, blazing away on the right of our line, was the
fire-ship commanded by Mr Camel, the lieutenant of the privateer. The
proceeding was as unaccountable as strange, and I at once suspected that
he had thus acted to betray us. I never have had cause to place much
confidence in privateer officers, though undoubtedly many brave men are
to be found among them. The instant the flames blazed up, the roll of
drums was heard on board the French ships beating to quarters. Then a
brisk fire from thirty to forty guns was opened on us, and the shot came
rattling thickly about our heads. The light had revealed to the
Frenchmen our fire-vessels, and they could not tell how many more might
be in the rear, so they hurriedly cut their cables, and, in the greatest
confusion, endeavoured to make sail to get out of our way. Mr Conway
next set fire to his vessel, Symonds following his example, and both
taking to their boats. I had still hopes of effecting my purpose, so I
stood on. I had not gone far before Grampus exclaimed from forward--
"There, sir; there are the French launches; they are after us!"
Such was the case.
"Haul up the boat, my lads!" I exclaimed. "Jump into her!"
As the men slipped over the side I set fire to the train, and, before I
had time to jump into the boat, the vessel was in a blaze from stem to
stern. The Vulcan was the last vessel fired. She was, at the time,
within her own length of a French twenty-four. What had become of her
gallant commander and crew I could not discover. The French launches
were after me. My people pulled away with all their might. It was,
indeed, a matter of life and death. The other boats were ahead, and I
hoped safe. Several bullets came whizzing past us. As I looked astern,
my satisfaction was great to see our fire-ships still blazing away, and
the Frenchmen drifting, as it appeared, towards the shore. As it
afterwards appeared, two of them did drive on shore, and I believe that,
had our ships had their guns on board, we might by prompt action have
run down and destroyed them before reinforcements could have come to
their aid. Happily for me the French launches were recalled to go to
the assistance of their ships, and, finding myself no longer pursued, I
lay on my oars to try and discover what had become of Captain Palmer.
To my great satisfaction, he soon made his appearance, having, at first,
wisely pulled across the stream, where he had not been observed. All
the boats assembling together, we returned considerably crestfallen and
dispirited to our tents. Whether it was treachery, cowardice, or want
of consideration induced the privateer's man to set fire to his vessel I
cannot say, but owing to him alone was the failure of our expedition to
be attributed.
23rd.--The French this morning got off their ships, and removed to a
more respectable distance from the garrison. Guard-boats were sent down
the river, and continued rowing all night. This duty pressed very
severely on the seamen of the fleet. The enemy began their march from
Williamsburg, and on this day attacked and drove in our pickets.
24th.--The seamen were directed to man the guns in the front, and they
were then to-day reviewed by Lord Cornwallis.
25th.--To-day the seamen were again inspected by Lord Cornwallis, and
went through the exercise of the great guns before him, when his
lordship expressed himself highly pleased with our conduct. At this
time, the first lieutenant of the Charon commanded a battery in the
centre of the lines of one twenty-four, two eighteens, and two twelves;
I had charge of a battery with three eighteenss and four sixes, in front
of the 17th Regiment to the right; Lieutenant Symonds, one of three
nines to the left of mine; Lieutenant Conway, of two nines, to the right
of all; Mr Conway, of two twelves, as flanking guns; the master of the
Fowey, of two nines, in front of the 43rd Regiment; while all the
batteries to the left were manned by seamen from the transports, under
the command of the agent. All the sea batteries were commanded by Mr
Robb, master of the Charon. Thus it will be seen that the Navy took a
very active part in the defence of the place.
26th.--The seamen's tents were to-day moved in front of the quarters of
the army, close to our batteries. This was done, as we were in
momentary expectation of being attacked by the enemy.
27th.--Our pickets were driven in, and the enemy advanced in order of
battle. The troops marched out to meet them, Lord Cornwallis being
resolved to give them battle; but they retired as we advanced, evidently
at that time not wishing to bring on the final struggle. Our army,
therefore, returned within the lines.
28th.--At noon the enemy appeared in front of our works, in force about
26,000. They extended the whole distance from the right to the left of
our lines, and a very formidable force they appeared. It was evident
that they wished, by their show of numbers, to strike terror into the
hearts of our men. They were mistaken, however, if such was their
object, for nothing could persuade our fellows that any one of
themselves was not equal to twenty Continentals or Frenchmen. It is
very well for the men to despise an enemy, and to feel sure that they
can thrash him; but officers, on the contrary, cannot have too much
respect for him, nor do too much to insure victory, or take too many
precautions to guard against surprise. A body of the enemy advancing to
reconnoitre in a ravine in front of my battery, I opened fire on them
till they rapidly dispersed.
29th.--Lord Cornwallis, having in vain, with his small army of 5000 men,
offered the enemy battle, and finding them intent on waiting their own
time to attack him on the left flank, moved this night with all the army
inside the works. He did not doubt but that, by acting on the
defensive, we should be able to hold out till the arrival of the long
and earnestly-expected fleet and army to relieve us. It is no
disparagement to the bravery of our little army to say that that succour
was most earnestly prayed for. A body of French horse and foot attacked
the German Legion, who had to retreat under the cover of a battery to
the left. I had again to open fire with my 18-pounders on a body of the
enemy who appeared in front of the works, but took to flight as the shot
went rattling in among them.
30th.--The enemy broke ground, and began to throw up redoubts, moving on
at the same time in three columns towards our centre. They quickly took
possession of two of our redoubts, which we had evacuated on withdrawing
into the town. At eleven o'clock they attacked the right and left of
the town with the intention evidently of storming the flanking redoubts.
A smart action ensued. Our men behaved magnificently, so did the
enemy; but after severe fighting for two hours they were repulsed, and
while our batteries played on them they were driven back in great
confusion into the woods behind the town.
1st October.--The Hessian Legion with other light troops made a sortie,
and while skirmishing in front of the town captured several of the
enemy. The Hessians returned into the town close to my battery. I
observed that they were carrying among them a person on a litter. At
first I thought that it was one of their own wounded people, but as they
came nearer his uniform showed me that he was an American officer. A
strong impulse induced me to hurry down to meet him, and I knew at all
events that very likely the Hessians would not understand him, and I was
anxious to render him assistance--a mark of my interest in the Americans
which I felt glad my duty would allow me to bestow. I started when I
got up to the litter, for though his features were convulsed with pain,
I recognised Colonel Carlyon. He had been shot through both his legs.
He knew me when I spoke to him. I explained who he was as well as I
could to one of the Hessian officers whom I knew, and entreated that he
might be carefully looked after. Just then O'Driscoll, who had come on
shore from the ship, arrived to pay me a visit, and volunteered to
accompany Colonel Carlyon to some house where he might be comfortably
lodged, and to get a surgeon to attend to his wounds. I explained to
the colonel what I had done. He pressed my hand warmly as if he
understood me, for he was in too much pain to speak, and I hurried back
to my battery.
The enemy were now night and day engaged in throwing up works, while our
batteries kept up a continual cannonade on the people labouring in them,
which impeded their operations somewhat. Notwithstanding this, from the
immense number of men employed, the works were raised with astonishing
rapidity. At night a negro was caught deserting to the enemy with a
note in his possession from one of the merchants in the town describing
the distressed state of the garrison. I have not spoken much of our
distress, but it was very great. Our supply of food was daily becoming
more scanty and bad, and it could scarcely be concealed that even our
ammunition was failing us. The treacherous merchant was at once taken
in custody, to be tried for his crime.
2nd October.--A constant and heavy cannonade kept up all day on the
enemy's working parties. They nearly completed their first parallel.
Our men occupied in throwing up works.
3rd.--Much as yesterday. The enemy bringing up their artillery.
4th.--A flag came in from the enemy; the cause I know not. Perhaps to
offer terms. We kept up as hot a fire as our want of ammunition would
allow. Each day I sent to inquire after Colonel Carlyon, but could not
leave my battery.
5th.--The French displayed five stand of colours on their works, while
the Americans displayed their new States' flag of the Stars and Stripes;
we eagerly looking for that relief which would enable us to sally out
from behind our works, beside which we stood fretting angrily, and drive
them away into the recesses of their woods and marshes.
6th and 7th.--The enemy mounting their heavy artillery on their first
parallel and supplying their batteries with ammunition. The garrison
throwing up traverses to defend the works.
8th.--The enemy attacked our pickets on the left at midnight, and drove
them inside the lines. Some time after this a body of them came to the
barricade and persuaded the officers that they were deserters. The
officers of the 43rd regiment, in a most unwary manner having got on the
works to show them the way in, were treacherously shot at and killed,
their murderers making their escape.
9th.--The enemy having completed their works and mounted their guns,
their batteries opened on the evening of this day with great vigour,
that on the right of eight 24-pounders, and that on the left of four
24-pounders and two eighteens. Day and night the cannonade continued
without intermission--we, as well as we could, keeping up a reply.
Several shot having struck the Charon and Guadaloupe, they were removed
farther down the river. It will be impossible to account for the killed
and wounded in each day's action. I may be able to say something about
it if I come out of the work alive. All I can now say is that the
slaughter is very great. Among the killed this day is the
commissary-general, who with several other officers lost their lives,
while sitting at dinner, by a shell which burst among them.
10th.--The enemy opened several fresh batteries to-day. One of them
commanded the Charon, on which they began to cannonade with red-hot
shot. I heard of her danger from Tom Rockets, who came hurrying into
the battery with a look of as much concern as if the town had been
taken.
"They're at her, sir!" he exclaimed. "They're blazing away like fury,
and I see'd smoke, when last I looked at her, coming up her
main-hatchway. Poor old barkie! I don't by no manner of means like the
look of things."
I could ill spare any of my people from the battery, but I despatched a
master's mate, with Grampus, Rockets, and a few other men, to render
what assistance they could. They, however, very soon returned.
"I know'd it would be so," exclaimed old Grampus, throwing down his hat
and almost blubbering outright. "The dear old barkie, there's an end on
her. I know'd she was to have ill-luck from the time we first came
inside them Capes of Virginia; but I didn't think, that I didn't, that
she'd have been blown to blazes by them infernal hot iron balls, which
to my mind ain't fit for Christians to make use on, that they ain't.
Well, there was we a-waiting for a boat to get aboard her, though I
didn't think there was much use, seeing she was in a blaze from stem to
stern. In a few minutes the flames licked and coiled themselves up
round the masts and spars till they reached the mast-heads, and then she
broke adrift from her moorings, and, not content with getting burnt
herself, what should she do but drive aboard a transport which she set
on fire, and then there the two were burning away together, without the
power of mortal man to stop them. The enemy were still commanding them,
while our old barkie, to show that she was game to the last, kept firing
away her own guns as long as one of them remained mounted, and then up
she went in a shower of sparks and flames, and wasn't long in burning to
the water's edge."
The master's mate told me that, notwithstanding the circumstances Nol
had described, he could scarcely restrain him and the other men from
shoving off to get aboard the frigate. The inconvenience we suffered,
the loss of our things, was not to be compared to our regret for the
destruction, (for her rate), of one of the finest ships in the Navy.
Scenes almost indescribable of distress and death, misery and suffering,
now crowd around us on every side.
This evening the enemy, having mounted more of his artillery, totally
silenced Number 5 battery commanded by the first lieutenant of the
Charon, the shot and shells having torn up his platforms and dismounted
his guns. He, with his men, was therefore obliged to quit it. At ten
o'clock at night the enemy under cover of their guns made a general
attack from the centre to the left, but were again repulsed. Twice I
witnessed the Hessians give way before the enemy in front of my works.
The cannonade continued all night with a warmth hitherto unsurpassed.
The slaughter in all parts of the town was very great. We were
occasionally employed in restoring the works which the enemy had knocked
down. Not a moment was there for rest; every man was employed either in
fighting or toiling with pickaxe or shovel. Many parts of the town were
set on fire, a lurid glare being cast over the whole scene, exposing to
sight the falling buildings, the brave garrison working their guns or
labouring in the trenches, the wounded carried off on litters, the dead
strewed about in every direction; the whole to my idea presenting a
picture more awful and terrific than any I had ever yet beheld; yet I
had seen, as may be remembered, in my day a good deal of hard fighting.
11th.--No words of mine can properly describe the dreadful condition to
which our small but brave garrison was reduced. The enemy this evening
began their second parallel by which they advanced three hundred yards
nearer to us. Their fire continued incessant from heavy artillery and
mortars, and we opened fresh embrasures to flank their works, keeping up
a constant fire from all the howitzers and small mortars were possessed.
Upwards of a thousand shells were thrown into the works this night, and
every spot alike became dangerous. To talk of the thundering of the
cannon, the cries of the wounded, and the shrieks and distressing
gestures of the inhabitants, whose dwellings were in flames, and knew
not where to seek for safety, will but give a faint picture of what was
taking place. Yet amidst all this havoc, destruction, and suffering,
the known scarcity of everything necessary to prolong the siege, no
murmuring was heard. Not a wish was expressed to give up the town while
the most distant hope remained of our being relieved. On the contrary,
our gallant little army, taking example from their chief, exhibited the
most undaunted resolution, and hourly gave proof of their attachment to
the noble general who had so often led them on to victory in the field.
One man there is, and one only, who may well tremble at the result.
Often do I think of him and what his fate will be if the place is taken
by assault. Yet, strange to say, he appears as cool and fearless as the
rest. On this night the enemy burnt several transports with red-hot
shot and sunk two others from a battery on the left. The inhabitants
who still remained in the town, and other non-combatants, were now
living in holes under the cliffs or along the shore by the river side.
Even there, however, they were not safe, the shot finding them out in
their places of refuge and destroying numbers of them. My great anxiety
was for Colonel Carlyon. He was recovering from his wounds, but I
dreaded lest a stray shot or shell might penetrate the hospital, and
that he might share the fate of so many of our own people. I sent him a
message whenever I had an opportunity, and received many kind
expressions from him in return.
12th.--At eight o'clock this morning the enemy sunk one of the
fire-ships from a fresh battery thrown up during the night. All day a
hot fire was kept up from it which almost completed the destruction of
the shipping intended for the defence of the town against an attack by
sea.
At nine o'clock the chief officer of artillery waited on the commodore
with a message from Lord Cornwallis, requesting that the lieutenants of
the navy with their men should move on from the right into the hornwork
on the left, which the crews of the transports had quitted in
consequence of the heavy fire to which it was exposed. It was every
instant expected that the enemy would storm the works. Hearing this, I
immediately volunteered to work this battery, and set off for it
accordingly, with a midshipman and thirty-six seamen, it being
understood that I was to be relieved in eight hours by the first
lieutenant. In fifty-two minutes after my arrival in the hornwork the
enemy silenced the three left guns by closing the embrasures, and
shortly afterwards they dismounted a twelve-pounder, knocked off the
muzzles of two eighteens, and for the last hour and a half of the time I
had undertaken to hold the post left me with one eighteen-pounder.
Although even a part of its muzzle also was shot away, I kept up a fire
with it, determining to hold out to the last. My poor fellows were
falling thick around me. Numbers had been wounded; scarcely one had
escaped; eight had been killed. Tom Rockets had received a bad injury
on one arm; still he worked away with the other, helping as best he
could to load and fire the gun. The midshipman, Nol Grampus, and I were
the only men in the battery uninjured. Old Nol stood as upright and
undaunted as ever. The gun had just been loaded; he held the match in
his hand; he was about to fire. At that instant I saw a shell pitching
into the battery. Our gun went off. Its roar seemed louder than
before. At the same instant there was the noise of the bursting of the
shell. I was covered with dust and smoke. It cleared away, but when I
looked out for Grampus, expecting to see him at the gun, he was gone. A
little way off lay a mangled form. I ran up. It was that of my old
faithful follower and friend. He knew me, but he was breathing out his
last.
"I knowed it would be so, Mr Hurry," he whispered, as I stooped down
over him. "When I saw the old barkie go I knowed that the days of many
on us was numbered. I'd have like to have seen the war ended, and you,
Mr Hurry, made happy. Bless you, my boy, bless you! You've always
showed your love for the old seaman. Well, it's all right. I don't
fear to die. He who rules up aloft knows what's best. He will have
mercy on a poor ignorant sailor who trusts on One who came on earth to
save him. That's my religion. You stick to that, boy! I can't see.
I'm cold, very cold."
I took my old friend's hand. He pressed it faintly. "Thank ye, thank
ye," I thought he said. His lips moved for a few moments, then suddenly
he fell back. A shudder passed through his frame, and he was gone. A
better or a braver seaman than Nol Grampus never died fighting for his
sovereign's cause.
I had to spring up and help work the gun, for another of my poor fellows
was just knocked over. I looked at my watch. It was the time my relief
should arrive, and time it was, for the midshipman and I were the only
two now remaining unhurt. Out of the thirty-six men who followed me
into the battery nine lay dead, eight more were breathing out their last
on the ground, and of the nineteen others most had lost either an arm or
a leg.
At last my brother-officer with some men appeared. He stood aghast, as
well he might, at the spectacle presented to him. As he was approaching
me a shell fell in the space between us, sending its fragments in every
direction. I felt that I was wounded, and, staggering back, I fell to
the ground. My brother-officer ran to lift me up. I found that I had
been struck on the right leg and received a severe contusion on the
head, but in a few minutes I was able to stand. The midshipman also was
wounded in the arm by the same shell, and he and I were the only two
people able to walk out of the battery. Of the others several died
before they were removed. I left it at a quarter-past six, and on my
way past the redoubt, where he had been the greater part of the time, I
received the thanks of my Lord Cornwallis for what he was pleased to
call my gallantry and determination.
13th.--Too clearly does it appear that a struggle in which we can
scarcely hope to be the victors is approaching. The besiegers have
greatly augmented the number of their guns and mortars in the works of
their second parallel, while our lines, it is evident, are becoming
every hour more and more defenceless. Even the most sanguine begin to
despair of the arrival of relief in time to save the garrison from a
surrender, although the commander-in-chief at New York sends us
assurance that he will come to our aid; but he has not started, and any
hour may seal our fate.
At five this evening, in spite of my wound, I again quitted my battery
on the right, having volunteered to command two eighteen-pounders on the
left. I kept up a constant fire with them all night on the enemy's
works. By the morning the battery was masked, and I and my people
returned to our own works.
14th.--Our works were now in every direction reduced almost to heaps of
ruins, and incapable of withstanding the tremendous fire poured into
them by the enemy's artillery, which, from want of ammunition, we had no
power of silencing. Considerable breaches were made in our strongest
batteries and redoubts; indeed, it was too evident that they were no
longer tenable. Early this morning the enemy sunk another fire-ship and
two transports; at seven in the evening they attempted to storm the
flanking redoubts to the right, but were repulsed with considerable
loss. We were all kept on the _qui vive_, for it was evident that they
had not done with us yet. This was proved at nine o'clock, when we were
warned that they were advancing against us with a force believed to be
not less than 17,000 men. From right to left they came on, with drums
beating and loud huzzas, and attempted to storm our works. We opened on
them with all our guns from one end of our works to the other. They
replied with their musketry, and it may well be supposed how terrific
appeared that blaze of fire extending throughout the whole length of
that wide-stretching line. It was a sight which, although many are the
battles I have seen, I shall never forget. Then there were the burning
houses, the bursting shells, the roar of the artillery, the rattle of
the musketry, the crashing of falling buildings, the blowing-up of
mines, the cries of the combatants, the shrieks of the wounded, the loud
clang of the martial bands, the wild huzzas of the stormers, the defiant
shouts of our gallant fellows,--all these must be thrown in, and yet
after all no adequate conception can be formed of that midnight scene of
slaughter and destruction. Our men fought fiercely and desperately;
soldiers and sailors vied with each other in their feats of gallantry.
Bravely they stood at the breaches in our crumbling works; the sick and
wounded rushed to the trenches. I heard a voice near me which I
recognised as that of Tom Rockets.
"I thought you had been in your bed, Tom," said I.
"So I was, sir," he answered; "but I couldn't stay there when this sort
of fun was going on, so as I'd yet one arm at liberty I thought as how
I'd come and use it alongside you, Mr Hurry; I knew you wasn't over
well to do either."
Tom had no jacket on, and his arm was bound up just as it had been when
he managed to make his escape from the hospital. Although in most
directions we drove the enemy back, they managed to carry two of our
flanking redoubts on the left, which had hitherto retarded their
approaches, when nearly all the poor fellows in them were, as is
generally the case when a post is taken by storm, put to the bayonet.
15th.--The enemy lost no time in throwing up a line of communication
between the two flanking redoubts, which they perfected before daylight.
The consequence of this to us was most disastrous, for they would now
rake the whole of our lines. Still we persevered and returned, though
it must be owned but feebly, the vigorous fire they kept up on us.
16th.--At half-past four in the morning, Lord Cornwallis directed a
sortie to be made in order to destroy or to spike the guns in one of the
enemy's batteries which was causing us most annoyance. The party
consisted of about a hundred and fifty men from the guards, the light
infantry and the 80th regiment. Never have I seen a more spirited or
dashing affair. Away they went, nor stopped till they had surmounted
the enemy's works, which were found to be occupied by French troops,
upwards of a hundred of whom were bayoneted. Eleven guns were spiked
and in five minutes they were back again within our lines with the loss
only of twelve killed and wounded. Scarcely anything took place in the
garrison with which the enemy were not made acquainted. The general,
therefore, never allowed any of his intentions to transpire till the
moment of execution. It was therefore without much surprise that I
heard at midnight that boats were in readiness to convey the troops over
to the Gloucester side, and that the seamen were to keep up as heavy a
fire as we could, to deceive the enemy. When the troops had passed over
we were to make a rush for the boats and get across to follow them as
best we could. What was then to be done we were left to divine. The
sick and wounded and prisoners, and our guns and stores, were of course
to be abandoned. Scarcely had I heard of the proposed plan before I
found that the embarkation had commenced. The night had been
threatening, and now a storm with wind and rain, thunder and lightning,
such as I had not often witnessed, commenced and increased in fury. It
made our work easier in deceiving the enemy, though our artillery seemed
but a mockery of the thunder of the skies. Our gallant seamen felt that
the safety of the army depended on their exertions, and in spite of the
showers of shot and shell falling among us all night, most nobly did
they stand to their guns. The time was approaching when I expected to
receive orders to call them off from the lines, that we might commence
our retreat. O'Driscoll was engaged in the embarkation of the troops.
He was to come when they had crossed, to assist me in managing the
retreat of the seamen. At length I heard his voice in my battery.
"All right," I exclaimed. "One shot more and we'll make a run for it."
"Not at all right," was his answer. "The plan has failed, and if the
enemy discover our condition we are done for. I came to stop you from
leaving your guns."
"What has happened?" I exclaimed.
"The larger part of the army were got across in safety when the gale
increased so much that I began to doubt the possibility of passing over
any more. Even the empty boats could scarcely make head against it. I
was going to represent this to the commodore, when I found that two of
the boats full of troops had drifted down the river before the gale. If
the poor fellows in them have escaped drowning, they will by daylight
fall into the hands of the enemy. This settled the question; the
further embarkation of the troops has been stopped, and now I must hurry
away to endeavour to get the main body back again before our manoeuvre
is discovered."
The troops remaining on the York side once more returned to the lines,
and the night passed away, as had many previous nights, both sides
keeping up a heavy cannonade with the addition of the fearful storm
which raged till long after the sun had risen on the scene of slaughter
and destruction.
The plan formed by our noble general was worthy of him, desperate as it
may appear, and would, I believe, have succeeded had not the elements
been against him. Sallying from the lines at Gloucester Point as soon
as all the army had crossed over, he intended to attack the camp of the
French cavalry, mount the infantry on their horses, and push on by rapid
marches towards the north, till he could form a junction with such
forces as Sir Henry Clinton might send out to his support. Part of the
navy and a small body of troops were to be left behind to arrange terms
for the inhabitants as well as for our poor wounded and sick men, who
could not be moved. The baggage also of course was to have been
abandoned. Had the plan succeeded, it would have been looked upon as
one of the most gallant exploits on record. Still many lives might have
been sacrificed and no adequate object obtained, so I doubt not that
events turned out for the best.
17th.--At length the storm began to abate, but great was our anxiety
lest the enemy should discover our situation and attack us. Happily
they did not come on, and by noon we were able to bring back that part
of the army which had crossed the river. Our generals held a council of
war, and it became known that the sad hour had arrived when we must sue
for terms with the enemy, or undergo all the dangers of an assault with
the certainty of being defeated at last. With feelings of sorrow and
regret we saw the flag of truce depart. We waited the result with
anxiety. Whatever were the terms proposed they were peremptorily
refused by the enemy, and our brave general determined to hold out for
one day more on the bare possibility of relief arriving from New York.
The fire accordingly re-commenced on both sides with greater fury than
before.
18th.--During the whole morning the fire from all the batteries
continued with unabated warmth, though one after the other our guns were
becoming useless. I continued working away at mine with gloomy
desperation. I was suffering from my wounds, from fatigue, and from
hunger too, for our provisions had almost failed us. I could have gone
on, however, as long as a man remained alive to help me work my guns.
At last a shot came through the embrasure at which was a gun I was on
the point of firing. Suddenly I felt my arm jerked up--the match
dropped from my nerveless arm, and I fell. At that moment the signal
was given to cease firing. Another flag of truce was going forth. I
felt that I was desperately wounded--I believed that my last hour had
come.
It was just then four o'clock. This was nearly the last shot fired
during that hateful and fratricidal war. Angels were rejoicing that
blood had ceased to flow, though proud British hearts were sad and
humbled at the thoughts of their defeat. That hour struck the knell of
England's supremacy in the West, and gave forth the first glad notes of
the establishment of American Independence. Directly afterwards the
cannonade from the side of the enemy ceased along the whole extent of
their line.
My men, when they saw me on the ground, lifted me up, and placed me on a
litter already deeply stained with blood. O'Driscoll arrived, and
sincere was the sorrow and commiseration he expressed when he saw me. I
inquired for Colonel Carlyon, and entreated that I might be conveyed to
where he was.
I felt a longing desire to see Madeline's father once more, and to send
by him, should he survive, my last message of love and devotion to her.
I thought that he would not hesitate about delivering them.
"I will inquire where your friend the colonel is," answered O'Driscoll.
"He was removed, I know, for the house where he lay was too much
battered to be longer tenable. I am uncertain to what quarters he has
been removed."
My heart sank within me when I heard these words, for I fully believed
that Colonel Carlyon had been killed, and that O'Driscoll was unwilling
to wound my feelings by the information. My men now moved on with me
through the town. I need not again describe the scenes I witnessed--the
dead scattered about, piles of ruins, houses battered and blackened, the
remnant of the inhabitants wandering about looking for their lost
friends, maimed and wounded soldiers and seamen--gaunt, pale and
starved--others still unhurt, looking angry and sullen at the thought of
our defeat. Officers were standing about in groups, greeting each other
with vexed and sorrowful looks. I was suffering too much physically to
feel deeply on the matter, but my sensations were of a very mixed
character, and I do not feel that it was derogatory to my character, as
a loyal subject of his Majesty, or as a British officer, to say that I
heartily prayed that the war might be over, even though the proposed
humiliating surrender might be the last great event connected with it.
After I had been conveyed through several ruined, half-burned streets,
my bearers at length stopped at a house where O'Driscoll told me he
believed Colonel Carlyon was to be found.
Such was the case. Though sitting up, he was unable to walk. The
expression of sorrow and commiseration which lit up his countenance, and
the kind words with which he greeted me, gave me the assurance that I
was regarded by him in the light I desired. It was some time before a
surgeon could attend me--so many more urgent cases demanding the care of
the medical men in every direction. In the meantime notice was brought
us that a cessation of arms had been agreed on, and which time was
afterwards increased till the following day.
Like a father or a fond brother did Colonel Carlyon tend me all that
night, refusing to lie down till my wounds had been dressed, and I had
sunk into the slumber I so much needed.
19th.--The day--painful, though scarcely to be called humiliating, to
the brave army which had so heroically endured that desperate if not
protracted siege--at length arrived. Lord Cornwallis, finding that our
enemies had resolved to grant us alone the terms which they had
previously offered--that we had not as yet experienced the effect of the
fire from the flanking redoubts, armed with numerous pieces of heavy
artillery ready to open on us--that our garrison was now reduced to
scarcely three thousand effective men, in want both of provisions and
ammunition--felt that the only course open to him, to prevent the
horrors of an assault, and to save the lives of the remainder of his
troops, was to accept them. Accordingly, at noon, the army surrendered
prisoners-of-war to the United States of America, while the navy became
prisoners by arrangement to the Compte de Grasse. At one o'clock a
regiment of American troops, followed by one of French, took possession
of the works, with drums beating and colours flying, when the British
flag was struck, and that of America displayed in its stead. At three
o'clock the British troops marched out, with drums beating and colours
cased, towards the enemy's lines. There in a wide field were drawn up
the armies of the allies, with the generals ready to receive them.
Proud and happy, indeed, must Washington and his brethren-in-arms have
felt at this, to them, glorious termination of the struggle.
Sullen and sad looked our men, I was told, as, with gestures of
impatience and vexation, they grounded their arms, and then marched back
into the town. At the same time the enemy took possession of all our
lines and works. My wounds, though severe, were not dangerous, and I
was able to take an interest in all that was going forward, and to
receive the visits of friends who came to inquire after me and to offer
me assistance. With regard to the condition of the garrison on the day
we surrendered, I can state positively that, on a correct muster, we
were unable to march out more than two thousand five hundred men. We
found, therefore, that we had lost, in killed and wounded, upwards of a
thousand, and from sickness four hundred and fifty. From this
calculation it will be seen that we had about a hundred and ten killed
and wounded every day after the enemy opened their batteries. The
remaining troops were at Gloucester, on the other side of the river, the
works of which they bravely defended to the last.
The ruinous condition of the town and works, which altogether did not
cover half a mile of ground in length and nothing like it in width, may
be conceived by the accounts I have already given. I may remark that
from one end to the other it was strewed with shot and shell, and had
truly the appearance of a ploughed field. I must not close my account
of the public events of this memorable period without speaking of the
civility and humanity the English prisoners received from the French--so
different to that which I experienced when I fell into their hands at
Saint Domingo. They showed evident compassion for our condition, and
not only rendered us every delicate attention in their power, but gave
the officers a captain's guard of grenadiers to guard them from the
insolence and abuse of the American soldiers, who showed, it was said,
much disposition to ill-treat and rob them. The excitement and the
great exertion made by all had hitherto kept at bay the attacks of
sickness from many who now began, their toils over, to succumb to them.
Intermittent fevers appeared, and few, I believe, escaped. Among those
who died was my gallant friend and brother-officer, Lieutenant Conway,
whose name I have before frequently mentioned. For my own part, I
received the greatest personal kindness both from Americans and French.
Those especially who had at any time received any attention from the
English seemed anxious on this occasion to exhibit their gratitude.
Among them I must particularly mention Monsieur Clenard who commanded
the Compte D'Artois, the French ship we and the Bienfaisant took off
Ireland. He now commanded one of the ships of war in the French fleet.
He showed the Charon's, in particular, every mark of esteem and
kindness. So did a French officer we took in the Peggy privateer, when
we went in search of the French fleet, and whom we had properly treated
when he was on board us. Such conduct reflects the highest honour on
the French, and authorises them to expect, should any of their people at
any time by the chances of war fall into our hands, the same kindness
and consideration.
The American officers were not backward in the same liberal and generous
conduct. I had on one occasion--I omitted to mention it--an opportunity
of showing a favour to the son of a Colonel Matthews in the American
army. Colonel Matthews immediately came and offered money, servants and
horses, and invited me to his house as soon as I could be moved. Mr
Jones also, a gentleman residing at Hampton, whose family I had met
there, sent the instant he heard we had been defeated to ascertain how
he could best serve me, and wrote to assure me that, should I decide to
remain on my parole in America, he would request General Washington to
allow me to reside at his house, and that money or anything he had was
at my service. Just at the same time I received a similar message from
Mrs Langton, whose house was not more than seven miles from York Town.
I need scarcely say that, grateful as I felt for all the other offers of
kindness I had received. I resolved, should I have the power, to accept
hers. The public events which took place on the days subsequent to the
surrender may not be considered of general interest. On the 20th the
French ships of war came up the harbour, and on the following day the
British troops were marched into the country, where they were to be
distributed, and kept as prisoners of war till the conclusion of peace.
The seamen still remained in the town. On the 21st, paroles of honour
were granted to the officers of the Navy, who were to go to Europe in
flags of truce with all the seamen and marines. Every exertion was made
to fit out the vessels remaining in the harbour for this purpose, but it
was not till the 2nd of November that they were ready to take their
departure. On the very day we capitulated, Sir Henry Clinton, with a
large fleet of line-of-battle ships and frigates, with seven thousand of
his best troops, set sail from New York. He did not appear off the
Capes of Virginia till the 24th, when, hearing what had occurred, he
returned to New York. It was not, however, till the 26th of January,
1782, that a treaty of peace was signed at Paris, the happy news of
which reached Philadelphia on the 23rd of March. But I am anticipating
events.
Colonel Carlyon was sufficiently recovered two days after the surrender
of York Town to be removed to Mrs Langton's, but several days elapsed
before I was able to follow him, when I obtained permission from the
commodore as well as from the Compte de Grasse, to remain in America
till my health was restored. I had an affectionate parting with
O'Driscoll and with my old follower, Tom Rockets, who were the bearers
of many messages from me to my family.
"Tell them, O'Driscoll," said I, "that though I am a loyal subject of
King George, I see no reason why I should not win the hand, as I believe
I have the heart, of a daughter of America."
"You're right, my dear boy," he answered. "You'll be doing the most
loyal thing in your power, for you'll be winning back a subject who
would otherwise be lost, and gaining many little subjects too, maybe,
old fellow," he added, with a poke in my wounded ribs which almost upset
me.
At length a litter was brought into my room, and I was carried in it on
men's shoulders to the house of my friends. What words of mine can do
justice to the generous kindness and the delicate attention with which I
was treated by all the family, and the marks of tender affection I
received from one who was there to welcome me? When I first looked up,
after I had been placed on the bed prepared for my wounded form,
Madeline stood by my side. My wounds healed. I rapidly recovered my
strength, and then the depressing feeling of my poverty, of my utter
inability to support a wife as I desired that Madeline should be
maintained, came over me. She ascertained the cause of my despondency.
"But papa can obtain employment for you," she remarked. "Why not, when
there is peace, leave the British Navy and enter that of the United
States? Surely it is equally honourable!"
Little did she know, when she said that, how, with all its faults, I
loved the glorious Navy of England: I perhaps scarcely knew myself, till
the sensations which the suggestion conjured up in my bosom told me.
Even the idea of quitting the sea and following some occupation on shore
had not the attraction for me which might have been supposed. Still I
had resolved to adopt the latter alternative if her father would bestow
her hand on me. He had been absent for some time, attending to public
affairs. At length he returned. I explained to him my position. I
thought he looked grave and sad as I went on speaking.
"I have been under a mistake," he observed. "I thought that you were in
the expectation of receiving a good property, and that you would have
the means of supporting my dear child. This war has ruined my estate,
and I am but little able to leave her anything. It will be better for
you both to part; I grieve that you should have again met."
These words pierced me to the heart, and overthrew all the bright
visions I had conjured up. They were so unlike, too, what I expected to
hear from him. I pressed my hands on my face and groaned. I dared not
meet Madeline. I thought that, too probably, he would prohibit me from
seeing her again. I sat the picture of despair. Just then a negro
servant entered the room, and gave a packet of letters to the colonel.
He handed me one with a black seal. Another blow. Some other member of
my family dead. It is too bitter. I cannot stand this. I'll go to sea
again, and hope that in mercy I may lose that life which has become too
burdensome to bear. Such thoughts, (wrong and impious I know they
were), passed through my mind as I kept the letter in my hand before
breaking the seal. I looked at the superscription. It was from my dear
sister Jane. I tore it open. The contents soon riveted my attention.
It was not long. One passage ran thus:--
"Some weeks ago, our old relation, Sir Hurricane Tempest, much to our
surprise, sent to ask one of us to go and nurse him, saying that he was,
he believed, on his death-bed, and beseeching us to have compassion on a
friendless, childless old man. The lot fell on me. I found him very
different to what I expected, and interested in all matters concerning
us. Do you remember, Hurry, rescuing an old gentleman from the mob in
London during the Lord George Gordon riots? That was Sir Hurricane
himself. He knew you; and when I told him about you, and that you had
fallen in love with an American lady, the daughter of a rebel, and that
you had no means of marrying her, he answered, `But he shall have the
means. I'll give them to him. I like his spirit. I like her. Her
friends have espoused the right side--the side of liberty. They were
not afraid to stand up boldly against tyranny and injustice. Tell him I
shall be happy to welcome the little rebel as my niece, if I live, and,
at all events, to know that her children will inherit my property.'
Soon after this our kind old uncle died, and he has left you, as far as
I can understand, fully three thousand a year."
How my heart bounded when I heard these words! I handed the letter to
Colonel Carlyon. He rose and took my hand.
"I had not intended to be very stern when, just now, I spoke to you," he
said, and I knew that he spoke the truth. "I wished to ascertain
whether your affection for my daughter was as great as I was assured it
is. I know that you are eager to give her, before she hears it from
others, the satisfactory information you have received. Go and tell
her."
I did. A few days subsequent to the news of peace being received, we
were married. After a tour in the States she accompanied me to England,
and my American bride won golden opinions from all the relatives and
friends to whom I had the happiness of introducing her. A dutiful and
affectionate wife she has always been to me, and I have had just cause
to be thankful that I married the Little Rebel.