This morning the general beat at 6 o'clock. The troops in half an hour after marched to James River, where the French boats lay in order to cross our troops. We landed below James's Island, and lay by the greatest part of the day, near the church, within half a mile of where we had the action of the 6th of July last. In the evening we marched for the Green Springs, and there lay that night without tent or any other shelter. A very heavy rain the whole time of our march.
Took a walk to take a view of the French troops, who make a very fine, soldierly appearance, they being all very tall men; their uniform is white coats turned up with blue, their underclothes are white.
We left all our tents and baggage on the other side of the river. This day three seventy-fours and one frigate went up York river, to block up the British vessels.
The Count de Grasse sent a flag to Lord Cornwallis, desiring him on his peril not to destroy any of his vessels, stores, &c.—2 miles.
SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 12
