Oct. 13.—Last night we were employed in strengthening the line, and began a French battery and a redoubt. We lost several men this night, as the enemy by practice were enabled to throw their shells with great certainty. About noon this day our division relieved the trenches, and about 2 o’clock advanced to the second parallel. Capt. White and one private of Col. Wee’s regiment were this day killed by a horizontal shell. The militia suffered much this afternoon.
Oct. 14.—The enemy last night kept up a continual blaze from several pieces of cannon of nine royals and some howitzers. Early in the night the fire was chiefly directed against the French, who were just on our left, but about 10 o’clock our people [began] to erect a battery. They soon discovered us, and changed the direction of their fire. It happened to be our lot to lie in the trenches just in the rear of the battery exposed to all their fire; and now were I to recount all the narrow escapes I made that night it would almost be incredible. I cannot, however, but take notice of a remarkable and miraculous one indeed. About midnight the sentry called “A shell!” I jumped up immediately to watch the direction, but had no suspicion of its coming so near until it fell in the center of the trench, within less than two feet of me. I immediately flung myself on the banques among some arms, and although the explosion was very sudden and the trench as full of men as it could possibly contain, yet not a single man was killed and only two of my own company slightly wounded. I should not forget here that Capt. Hughes and Dr. Anderson, two intimate friends and very worthy officers, were sitting close by me at this time. We all counted it a most miraculous escape. Fatigue parties were still continued at work in the open face of day at the battery, although they suffered much. Ten men of Col. Barber’s regiment were killed and wounded in a very few minutes, five of whom belonged to Capt. Pry’s camp. Our division was relieved about 12 o’clock, and on our march home two of our men were wounded by the bursting of a shell. About 5 o’clock this day we were again ordered for the trenches.
Oct. 15.—I have just said we were ordered yesterday to the trenches. The French grenadiers were ordered out the same time, and all for the purpose of storming two redoubts on the enemy’s left. Our division arrived at the deposite of the [copy defective.—J.] a little before dark where every man was ordered to disencumber himself of his pack. The evening was pretty dark and favored the attack. The column advanced, Col. Guinot’s[10] regiment in front and ours in the rear. We had not got far before we were discovered, and now the enemy opened a fire of cannon, grape shot, shell and musketry upon us, but all to no effect. The column moved on undisturbed and took the redoubt by the bayonet without firing a single gun. The enemy made an obstinate defense (but what cannot brave men do when determined?). We had 7 men killed and 30 wounded. Among the latter were Col. Guinot, Maj. Barber and Capt. Olney. Fifteen men of the enemy were killed and wounded in the work, 20 were taken prisoners besides Maj. Campbell, who commanded, a captain and one ensign. The chief of the garrison made their escape during the storm by a covered way.
Captain Duncan’s diary, it will be observed, closes with the record of October 15. The failure to complete it for the remaining days of the siege is to be accounted for by the fact that he and his command were so actively employed in military operations that neither time nor opportunity to write was afforded him.
Fortunately, we are enabled to complete the record by referring to the “Military Journal of the Revolution,” written by Dr. James Thacher (born in Barnstable, Mass., Feb. 14, 1754, died in Plymouth, Mass., May 24, 1844), who as Surgeon’s Mate and Surgeon served in the Revolutionary War. As Surgeon of a Massachusetts regiment he was present at the siege of Yorktown. His diary very appropriately supplements Captain Duncan’s record. What follows is a condensation:
Oct. 16.—Early in the morning, Col. Abercrombie with about four hundred men, made an attack on two unfinished French redoubts, and succeeded in spiking seven or eight pieces of cannon. The French advanced and recaptured the redoubts.
Oct. 17.—From the American line of works at least a hundred pieces of heavy ordnance were playing upon the British lines, and doing great destruction. The whole peninsula trembled under the incessant thunderings of the immense field pieces. Great destruction was the result. The great havoc upon Cornwallis’s position was apparent to his besiegers, compelling him to ask for suspension of hostilities with a view to capitulation.
Oct. 18.—It was ascertained that Cornwallis attempted, on the night of the 16th, to escape by crossing to Gloucester Point with a portion of his command. A heavy storm prevented his execution of the plot, and with difficulty his men returned to their positions. On this day Washington communicated the terms of capitulation, and allowed two hours for their acceptance.
Oct. 19.—The surrender actually occurs. Gen. O’Hara, as the representative of Cornwallis, who seems to have recoiled from the humiliation of surrender, apologized to Washington for the non-appearance of his chief, and conducted the further operations of the capitulation. General Lincoln on the American side accepted the tokens of surrender.
Oct. 20.—In general orders Washington thanks officers and men, both French and American, for their services in the campaign.