But now, for the first time, the American army realized that it was destined southward, and that a triumphant entry into New York City was not to be the crowning reward for service so faithfully done. Dissatisfaction was openly and bluntly expressed. Even officers, long in arrears of pay, equally with the rank and file, bitterly complained. Rochambeau, quickly alive to the situation, promptly advanced twenty thousand dollars in gold for the men, upon the simple pledge of Robert Morris, of Philadelphia, that it should be refunded by the first of October.
Suddenly, Colonel Laurens, just from France, having landed at Boston on the twenty-fifth, only five days before, appeared at Washington’s quarters’ with report of the result of his mission to the French king. His ship brought clothing, ammunition, and half a million of dollars, as the first instalment of six million of livres ($1,111,111) generously furnished by Louis XVI., with the pledge of additional sums to follow. This welcome visitor further announced to the calmly attentive American Commander-in-Chief this message: “Dr. Franklin advised me that he had secured a loan of four million of livres ($740,740) to cover American drafts made before I could arrive in America; and Count de Vergennes agreed to guarantee a loan in Holland, for ten million livres ($1,851,851).”
If the heavens had opened and reverberating thunder had distinctly articulated: “American Independence is achieved!” the assurance of a Divine interposition would hardly have appeared more emphatic to the waiting faith of Washington, or have more thrillingly encouraged the weary but obedient soldiers of his command.
And still this American army, thus refreshed in spirit and joyous in the hope of speedy and final victory, had not been missed from New York by General, Sir Henry Clinton. Another fast-sailing frigate was speeding through the Narrows, past Sandy Hook, southward, once more to appeal to Lord Cornwallis to come to the rescue of imperiled, beleaguered New York.
On the second day of September, the American army made its third formal entry into Philadelphia, amid glad acclaims of welcome, and sharing with the people in the spirit of one great jubilee. At that very hour, another courier vessel, in chase of the former, left New York with a message for Cornwallis, which failed to reach him until the fifteenth. It was in cipher, and read as follows:
New York, Sept. 2, 1781.
Mr. Washington is moving an army to the southward, with an appearance of haste; and gives out that he expects the coöperation of a considerable French armament. Your Lordship, however, may be assured that if this should be the case, I shall endeavor to reënforce your command by all means within the compass of my power; or, make every possible diversion in your favor.
P.S.—Washington, it is said, was at Trenton, this day, and means to go in vessels to Christiana Creek, and from thence by Head of Elk, down Chesapeake Bay also.... Washington has about four thousand French, and two thousand Continentals, with him.
On the following day, the French army, having taken a day for cleaning arms, uniforms, and accoutrements, made a dress parade through the American capital. Every gorgeous trapping of their brilliant, sentimental outfit was proudly displayed before the wondering and delighted populace. Contemporary writers could not sufficiently describe the “magnificence of the parade, and the convulsions of joy that animated the entire population.” And yet, one eminent French officer, in describing the march of the American army on the previous day, said: “The plainly dressed American army lost no credit in the steadiness of their march and their fitness for battle.”
On the same day, Washington received despatches from Lafayette. One, dated August 21st, reported that “the British troops were fortifying Gloucester, across the river from Yorktown.” Others were as follows: “A small garrison remains at Portsmouth”; “I have written to the Governor, to collect six hundred militia upon Blackwater”; “I have written to General Gregory, near Portsmouth, that I am advised that the enemy intend to push a detachment into Carolina; to General Wayne, to move to the southward and to have a column ready to cross the James at Westover; and that my own army will soon assemble again upon the waters of the Chickahominy.” Reference has already been made to Washington’s receipt of Lafayette’s letter of August 8th, announcing the occupation of Yorktown by Cornwallis.