The post at Gloucester Point was surrendered about the same time. The command of the British there had recently been assumed by Tarleton, Dundas being required to be present on the south side of the river. Tarleton, before the surrender, waited on General De Choisy, and made known to him the apprehensions which he entertained for his personal safety, in case he should fall into the hands of the American militia, and requested his protection. The danger was imaginary; and the general readily agreed to ensure his safety. Tarleton surrendered his force to the legion of the Duke De Lauzun and Mercer's corps, the residue of the allied detachment not even being present to witness the spectacle. The number of prisoners surrendered at the two posts was upwards of seven thousand, who, with the artillery, arms, military chest, and stores, were given up to Washington, the ships and seamen to Count De Grasse. The loss sustained by the garrison during the siege of eleven days amounted to five hundred and fifty-two, including six officers. The allied force amounted to sixteen thousand men, being, continentals five thousand five hundred, French seven thousand, militia three thousand five hundred. Loss in killed and wounded during the siege, about three hundred.
In the adjustment of the articles of capitulation, Cornwallis had insisted strenuously upon two points: first, that the prisoners of war should be allowed to return to Europe, upon condition of not serving against the United States or France, until exchanged; second, security for American citizens who had joined the British armies. Both were rejected; but the latter was virtually admitted, by permitting his lordship to send away the Bonetta with despatches to Sir Henry Clinton, free from search. In this way his lordship conveyed away the most obnoxious loyalists securely to New York; but Lord Cornwallis, in soliciting this favor, pledged himself that no officer should go in this way without Washington's consent. In his orders of the twentieth, the commander-in-chief congratulated the army on this glorious event, and declared that it was owing to the assistance of the French allies. He returned his profound acknowledgments to them, mentioning with special honor Count De Rochambeau, the Baron De Viomenil, the Chevalier De Chastellux, the Marquis De St. Simon, the Count De Viomenil, and General De Choisy. The gallant French troops shared in the applause bestowed on the whole army. Generals Lincoln, La Fayette, Steuben, and Knox, together with Colonels Carney, and D'Abbeville, received the highest praise. The services of the gallant and patriotic General Nelson, commander of the militia, were recognized with no less distinction. A general amnesty was granted; and all belonging to the army that were under arrest were pardoned and restored to the ranks, that they might participate in the universal joy. Washington concluded the order in these words: "Divine service shall be performed to-morrow in the different brigades and divisions. The commander-in-chief recommends to all the troops that are not upon duty to assist at it with a serious deportment and that sensibility of heart which the recollection of the surprising and particular interposition of Providence in our favor claims."
Sir Henry Clinton, with a fleet of twenty-five ships-of-the-line, two fifty gun-ships, and eight frigates, commanded by Admiral Digby, and having on board seven thousand chosen troops, appeared off the capes of Virginia on the twenty-fourth—they having sailed from Sandy Hook on the very day of the surrender. Sir Henry finding that he had arrived too late, set sail on the twenty-ninth, from the mouth of the Chesapeake, and returned to New York.
As the drama of the Revolution was opened in Virginia by Henry, so it was now virtually terminated here by Washington and his companions in arms. With this glorious event closes this history of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia.
FOOTNOTES:
[742:A] August 2d, 1781.
[743:A] September tenth.
[745:A] For many years a member of the house of burgesses.
[750:A] Lee's Memoirs, 370. Colonel Lee, despatched by Greene to the North on public business, happened to be present during the siege and at the surrender, and has given a graphic description of them.