Our division man the
lines again. All is quiet. Articles of capitulation signed; detachments of
French and Americans take possession of British forts. Major Hamilton
commanded a battalion which took possession of a fort immediately opposite our
right and on the bank of York river. I carried the standard of our regiment on
this occasion. On entering the fort, Baron Steuben, who accompanied us, took
the standard from me and planted it himself. The British army parade and march
out with their colors furled; drums beat as if they did not care how. Grounded
their arms and returned to town. Much confusion and riot among the British
through the day; many of the soldiers were intoxicated; several attempts in
course of the night to break open stores; an American sentinel killed by a
British soldier with a bayonet; our patrols kept busy. Glad to be relieved from
this disagreeable station. Negroes lie about, sick and dying, in every stage of
the small pox. Never was in so filthy a place — some handsome houses, but prodigiously
shattered. Vast heaps of shot and shells lying about in every quarter, which
came from our works. The shells did not burst, as was expected. Returns of
British soldiers, prisoners six thousand, and seamen about one thousand. Lord
Cornwallis excused himself from marching out with the troops; they were
conducted by General O'Hara. Our loss said to be about three hundred; that of
the enemy said not more than five hundred and fifty. Fine supply of stores and
merchandise had; articles suitable for clothing were taken for the use of the
army. A portion furnished each officer to the amount of sixty dollars.
SOURCE: J. B.
Lippincott & Co., Publisher, The Record of the Court at Upland, in
Pennsylvania. 1676 to 1681. And a Military Journal Kept by Major E. Denny, 1781
to 1795, pp. 248-9
