CAMPAIGN OF 1781, IN VIRGINIA AND THE NORTHERN STATES.

on the 20th of May, he took command of all the British forces in Virginia. He felt confident of success, as the American army, commanded by the Marquis de Lafayette, was so much inferior to his own. Lafayette was posted at Richmond, with 1000 regulars, 2000 militia, and 60 dragoons. On the 24th of May, Cornwallis left Petersburg, crossed James River at Westover, and being joined by a body of troops

from New York, marched, at the head of upwards of 4000 troops, towards Richmond. But Lafayette evacuated that town on the 27th, retired to the back country, and inclined his march toward the north, so that he might easily form a junction with General Wayne, who, with 800 men, was hastening to reinforce him. Cornwallis rapidly pursued him as far as the upper part of Hanover county, but finding it impossible either to overtake him or prevent his junction with General Wayne, he at length altered his course, and turned his attention to more attainable objects.

In his progress, he destroyed much private property, as well as the public stores. Taking the horses from the stables of gentlemen, he formed an efficient cavalry, so that he could move considerable detachments with great rapidity. Tarleton, with a body of cavalry, was sent against Charlotteville, where the legislature was in session. He marched with speed, but the members of the legislature escaped to Staunton, beyond the Blue Ridges. The public stores at Charlotteville were destroyed. Colonel Simcoe, with about 500 men, was despatched to surprise Baron Steuben, who, with a small body of militia, was posted on the south side of the Fluvanna. Steuben, apprised of the approach of the British, retreated during the night about 30 miles from Point of Port.

Lafayette effected a junction with Wayne's detachment on the 7th of June, and immediately repassed the Rappahanock, and advanced against the British army. Cornwallis was now between the Americans and their public stores at Albemarle Court-house, on the south side of the Fluvanna. The possession of these stores was an object of importance to both armies,

and, early in June, the British commander directed his march towards the place where they were deposited. By a rapid and sudden movement, Lafayette appeared in its vicinity, passed the British army unobserved, and Cornwallis found him strongly posted in front of the magazines. The British commander, having been baffled in his movements, retreated, and entered Williamsburg on the 25th of June.

Lafayette followed him at a cautious distance. On the 19th, he was joined by Baron Steuben, with his detachment, which increased the American army to 4000 men, of whom 2000 were regular troops. A number of skirmishes took place between the light parties of the Americans and the rear guard of the British army, in which both parties suffered considerable loss. While the British remained at Williamsburg, the Americans occupied a strong encampment twenty miles from that place.

About the time the British reached Williamsburg, Cornwallis received intelligence from Sir Henry Clinton, setting forth that New York was threatened with a combined attack by the French and Americans, and requiring a detachment from the Virginia army, if it was not engaged in any important enterprise. As this requisition made it necessary for Cornwallis to select a good defensive station, he determined to retire to Portsmouth. Lafayette, conceiving this to be a favorable opportunity for acting on the offensive, advanced against the British army. General Wayne, relying on the intelligence that the main body of the enemy

had crossed the river, pushed forward, with 800 light troops, to harass their rear. Contrary to expectation, he found the whole British army drawn up to oppose him. In this perilous situation, he assumed a bold countenance, and attacked the enemy with great spirit. After a severe conflict, he fell back, and Cornwallis, suspecting an ambuscade, did not pursue. By this bold and skilful manoeuvre, Wayne escaped with little loss.

After crossing the James River, Cornwallis marched towards Portsmouth. The troops required by Clinton were embarked, but before they sailed the order was countermanded. Yorktown and Gloucester Point were selected as places to be fortified, to give protection to the British vessels of war. The British army proceeded up the York River in transports, and took possession of the two places; Yorktown, on the south, and Gloucester Point on the north side of the river. There the whole British force was concentrated on the 22d of August.

On the 30th of August, Count de Grasse, with a fleet of 28 sail-of-theline and several frigates, entered the Chesapeake; and about the same time, intelligence was received that the combined French and American armies were marching southward. Count de Grasse moored the principal part of his fleet near the mouth of the Chesapeake, and sent three large ships and several frigates to block up York River. Three thousand two hundred troops, under the Marquis de St. Simon, were disembarked, and

formed a junction with the American troops, under Lafayette. The whole force took post at Williamsburg.

Cornwallis intended to attack the combined armies, but was diverted from his purpose by letters from Sir Henry Clinton, informing him that he would do his utmost to reinforce the royal army in the Chesapeake, and that Admiral Digby was expected on the coast. The British commander resolved to maintain his posts, and this resolution was fatal. Admiral Graves attempted to relieve him; but his fleet was encountered by De Grasse, an indecisive action ensued, and Count de Barras, with eight line-of-battle-ships, arriving soon after, the French appeared so decidedly superior that Graves sailed away.

It is necessary for a clear understanding of the cause which led to the subsequent great events in Virginia, that we should glance at the previous state of affairs in the north and abroad. The fall of Charleston, in May, 1780, and the complete rout of the American southern army, in August following, together with the increasing inability of the Americans to carry on the war, gave a serious alarm to the friends of independence. In this low ebb of their affairs, a pathetic statement of their distresses was made to their illustrious ally, the king of France. To give greater efficacy to their solicitations, Congress appointed Lieutenant-colonel John