The

there were only 3800 capable of bearing arms. The combined armies amounted to more than 16,000 men, of whom 4000 were militia. loss of the combined armies during the siege amounted to about 300 killed and wounded. The British loss in killed and wounded was 552 men. The French and American engineers and artillery received the highest applause, and brigadier-generals Du Portail and Knox were promoted to the rank of major-generals. Congress honored Washington, Rochambeau, De Grasse, and the officers of the different corps, and the men under them, with thanks for their services in securing the glorious triumph. A British fleet and an army of 7000 men, destined for the relief of Cornwallis, arrived off the Chesapeake on the 24th of October, but on receiving intelligence of his lordship's surrender, they returned to New York. A view of the surrender of Cornwallis, splendidly painted by Colonel Trumbull, adorns the rotunda of the Capitol at Washington.

Such was the fate of that general whose previous successes had led him to confidently anticipate the entire reduction of the Southern States by the force of his arms. The capture of his army, which had spread such desolation through Virginia and the Carolinas, occasioned transports of joy in the breasts of the people. The termination of the war was

thought to be at hand. Congress, on receiving the official account of the great event, resolved to go in procession to church and return thanks to God for the advantages they had gained. The news spread rapidly throughout the states, and all was exultation.

While the combined French and Americans were marching southward towards Yorktown, Sir Henry Clinton strove to divert their attention, by sending Arnold, with a sufficient military and naval force, on an expedition against New London.

Arnold passed from Long Island, and on the forenoon of the 6th of September landed his troops on both sides of the harbor; those on the New London side being under his own immediate orders, and those on the Groton side commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre. As the works at New London were very imperfect, no vigorous resistance was there made, and the place was taken possession of with little loss. But Fort Griswold, on the Groton side, was in a more finished state, and the small garrison made a desperate defence. The British entered the fort at the point of the bayonet; when, though opposition ceased, a murderous carnage ensued. Few Americans had fallen before the British entered the works, but 85 were killed, 60 wounded, most of them mortally, and the remainder, 70 in number, were made prisoners. The loss of the British was considerable. A great quantity of valuable property was destroyed, and the town much injured.

The capture of Cornwallis being considered as the termination of the

campaign, it became necessary to place the forces in winter-quarters. General St. Clair, with a Pennsylvania brigade, marched southward to reinforce General Greene. The greater part of the American army proceeded northward to the Hudson. Count Rochambeau, with the French forces, remained in Virginia. On the 27th the troops of St. Simon embarked to return to the West Indies; and early in November Count de Grasse sailed for that quarter. Washington proceeded to Philadelphia, and Lafayette returned to Europe.

While Washington was marching against Cornwwallis, the loyalists of North Carolina, under M'Neil and M'Dougall, took possession of Hillsborough and made a number of prisoners. M'Neil and some of his followers were killed in a rencontre with the friends of Congress. M'Dougall was pursued, but effected his escape, with the prisoners, to Wilmington.

Late in October, Major Ross, with 500 men, made an incursion into the Mohawk country. Colonel Willet, with an equal force, met him at Johnstown. An engagement ensued, and the British were compelled to retreat. Willet, with a party of picked men, pursued, and on the. morning of the 30th, overtook their rear on Canada Creek. He immediately attacked, killed a number of them, among whom was the notorious Walter Butler, and put the rest to flight. These desultory encounters closed the campaign.

EVENTS OF 1782, AND THE CONCLUSION OF A TREATY OF PEACE.

F the effects of the surrender at Yorktown were great in America, they were not less so in Europe. The government of Britain entertained the most sanguine hopes from the operations of the army in Virginia. The expense of the war was heavy, and the people murmured under the load. But they were encouraged to bear with patience, by the hope of being soon relieved, and reimbursed by the exclusive trade of the conquered provinces. It was

confidently anticipated that the campaign in Virginia would annihilate the power of Congress. The news of the surrender at Yorktown arrived, and struck the ministry and the people with dismay. Their towering hopes were crushed, and they were filled with apprehensions of greater disaster should the war continue. Public opinion was completely changed, and the further prosecution of the war was generally reprobated.

Parliament met on the 27th of November. In the king's speech, the disasters in America were not concealed, but urged as a further motive for a vigorous prosecution of the war. Addresses were moved in the usual form, and carried through both houses, after a violent opposition. About the same time, Mr. Henry Laurens, who had been detained a close prisoner in the Tower, was released. Though the ministry carried the

address by triumphant majorities, yet the popular feeling became stronger against the continuance of the war. The House of Commons began to waver, and, on the 27th of February, the opposition carried an address against the prolongation of the war in America.

During the winter, the states labored to prepare for another campaign; but, owing to the exhausted condition of the country and the indifference of the people, preparations went on slowly. Notwithstanding the brilliant success which had attended the American arms, the people were disinclined to vigorous exertion. The troops were few in number, and destitute of almost every necessary for active operations in the field. Fortunately, the people of Britain clamored so loudly, that it was found expedient to change the ministry. The new ministers were disposed to conciliation and peace.