de Grasse, Gen. Washington received intelligence that the count, with a fleet of from twenty-five to twenty-nine vessels of war, and about three thousand troops, would leave St. Domingo on the 13th of August, and proceed directly for the Chesapeake Bay. "Under these circumstances, (he wrote to Lafayette) whether the enemy remain in full force, or whether they have only a detachment left, you will immediately take such a position as will best enable you to prevent their sudden retreat through North Carolina, which I presume they will attempt the instant they perceive so forYou will hear further from me as soon as I have concerted plans and formed dispositions for sending re-enforcements from hence. In the mean time I have only to recommend a continuation of that prudence and good couduct which you have manifested through the whole of your campaign."

midable an armament.

This intelligence was highly gratifying to Lafayette. Under date of August 21st, he informs Gen. Washington that the enemy were very busy at Gloucester Neck, but had not commenced fortifying at York. He states the measures he had adopted, agreeably to General Washington's suggestions, to prevent the escape of the enemy, and facilitate a junction with the expected re-enforcements. And adds: "In the present state of affairs, my dear general, I hope you will come yourself to Virginia, and that, if the French army moves this way, I will have, at least, the satisfaction of beholding you myself at the head of the combined armies. In two days I will write again to your excellency, and keep you particularly and constantly informed, unless something is done at the very moment (and it will probably be difficult). Lord Cornwallis must be attacked with pretty great apparatus. But when a French fleet takes possession of the bay and rivers, and we form a land force superior to his, that army must sooner or later be forced to surrender, as we may get what re-enforcements we please. Adieu, my dear general: I heartily thank you for having ordered me to remain in Virginia: it is to your goodness that I am indebted for the most beautiful prospect which I may ever behold."

On the 29th, Lafayette wrote: "The enemy have evacuated their forts at Troy, Kemp's Landing, Great Bridge, and Portsmouth. Their vessels, with troops and

baggage, went round to York. Some cannon have been left spiked up at Portsmouth, but I have not yet received proper returns. I have got some intelligence by the way of this servant I have once mentioned. [See page 181.] A very sensible fellow was with him;"and from him, as well as deserters, I hear they begin fortifying at York. They are even working by a windmill, at which place I understand they will make a fort and battery for the defence of the river. I have no doubt that something will be done on the land side. The works at Gloucester are finished. They consist of some redoubts across Gloucester Creek, and a battery of eighteen pieces bounding the river."

The "very sensible fellow" here alluded to, is the hero of the following narrative, which we find in a note to Lafay ette's correspondence, and also in Spark's Writings of Washington:

"After the arrival of Lord Cornwallis at York, General Lafayette asked Colonel Barber for a faithful and an intelligent soldier, whom he could send as a spy into the English camp. Morgan, of the New Jersey line, was pointed out to him. The general sent for him, and proposed to him the difficult task of going over to the enemy as a de. serter, and enrolling himself in their army. Morgan answered, that he was ready to do every thing for his country and his general, but that to act the part of a spy was repugnant to all his feelings; he did not fear for his life, but for his name, which might be blotted with an eternal stain. He ended, however, by yielding, but on condition that in case of any misfortune, the general would make the truth known, and publish all the particulars of the case in the New Jersey papers. M. de Lafayette promised this should be done. Morgan then proceeded to the English camp. His mission was to give advice of the movements of the enemy, and deceive them as to the projects and resources of the Americans. He had not been long with the English, when Cornwallis sent for him, and questioned him, in the presence of Tarleton, upon the means General Lafayette might have of crossing south of James River. Morgan replied, according to his. private instructions, that he had a sufficient number of boats, on the first signal, to cross the river with his whole army. "In that case," said Cornwallis to Tarleton, "what I said to you cannot be done;" alluding, in all probability, to an intended march upon North Caroli na. After the arrival of the French fleet, M. de Lafayette, on his return from a reconnoitring party, found in his quarters six men dressed in the English uniform, and a Hessian dressed in green: Morgan was amongst them, bringing back five deserters and a prisoner; he no longer thought his services as a spy could be of any use to his country. The next day, the general offered him, as a recompense, the rank of sergeant. Morgan thanked him, but declined the offer, saying that he thought himself a good soldier, but was not certain of being a good

sergeant. Other offers were also refused. "What can I then do for you?" inquired the general. "I have only one favor to ask," replied Morgan. "During my absence my gun has been taken from me; 1 value it very much, and I should like to have it back again." Orders were given that the gun should be found and restored to him; this was the only thing he could be prevailed on to receive. Mr. Sparks, who published this anecdote, says "he heard it related, fifty years af ter. it had occurred, by General Lafayette, who still expressed great admiration for that soldier's noble feelings and disinterested conduct."

CHAPTER XIX.

Gen. Washington, with the combined armies, resolves to march to Virginia-Injunctions to Lafayette renewed and complied withCornwallis held in a position favorable to Lafayette's plans and wishes-The fleet of Count de Grasse arrives in the Chesapeake -Lafayette in command of the combined forces-Blockades Corn. wallis, by sea and land-Impatience of Count de Grasse and Gen. St. Simon-Urge Lafayette to attack Cornwallis-He refuses— Sacrifices ambition, and glory, to duty and discretion-A Brit. ish fleet appears off the Chesapeake-Count de Grasse sails-Meets and disperses them-Gen. Washington and Count Rochambeau arrive at Williamsburg-Interview with the French admiral-De. Grasse promises to co-operate-Changes his mind-Resolves to sail for the West Indies-Mission of Lafayette, to dissuade him from it-Its success-The French and American armies arrive--General Washington in command-Siege of Yorktown commenced--Gen. Rochambeau's account of it-Lafayette storms and carries a re. doubt-Capitulation and surrender--Lafayette's deportment--Vin. dicates the Americans-Offers to join Gen. Greene-Resolves to visit France-Takes leave of his brave corps-Complimentary resolves of Congress-Approbatory letters of Counts de Segur and de Vergennes-Farewell letters of Washington-Lafayette bids adieu to Washington and sails for France-His military services in America terminated-Their value--Estimate of the Virginia campaign-Gen. Lee's opinion-Testimony of Mr. Madison.

In the mean time, the movement so much desired by Lafayette, had been resolved upon. The advices from Count de Grasse, and the re-enforcement of the British army at New York by the arrival of three thousand Hessians, had induced Gen. Washington finally to abandon the plan of attacking New York, and to determine on repairing in person, with the whole of the French army, and as large a portion of the American army as could be spared, to the Chesapeake. He advised Lafayette, from King's Ferry,

21st August, that the troops destined for the southern quarter, were then in motion; that the American detachments were already on the west side of the Hudson; that he expected the French army to reach the ferry that day; and that their march would be continued with all the despatch that their circumstances would admit. "As it will be of great importance (he added) towards the success of our present enterprise, that the enemy, on the arrival of the fleet, should not have it in their power to effect their retreat, I cannot omit to repeat to you my most earnest wish that the land and naval forces, which you will have with you, may so combine their operations, that the British army may not be able to escape. The particular mode of doing this, I shall not, at this distance, attempt to dictate. Your own knowledge of the country, from your long continuance in it, and the various and extensive movements which you have made, have given you great opportunities for observation; of which I am persuaded your military genius and judgement will lead you to make the best improvement. You will, my dear marquis, keep me constantly advised of every important event respecting the enemy or yourself."

It would, perhaps, be sufficient to say, that these injunctions were fulfilled to the letter, To prevent the enemy's escape into North Carolina, Lafayette despatched troops to the south of James River, under pretence of dislodging the enemy from Portsmouth. With the same view he detained troops on the south of James River, under the pretence of detaching General Wayne, with the Pennsylvania troops, to the southern army, to re-enforce General Greene. He disclosed to no one his objects, and therefore they could not be betrayed to the enemy. It was at this period, and to aid in deceiving the enemy, that the pretended deserter, Morgan, mentioned in a preceding page, was sent to Lord Cornwallis' camp. By untiring efforts, by a series of the most skilful manoeuvring for months, Lafayette had driven his adversaries into a position the most favorable to his plan of a naval co-operation; and by persevering vigilance, skill and bravery, he held them to that position, after the danger had become apparent to them.

On the 1st of September, Lafayette had the satisfaction. of announcing to Gen. Washington the arrival of Count de Grasse's fleet. It consisted of twenty-eight ships of the

line, with several frigates and convoys; and a corps of three thousand troops under the Marquis St. Simon. Lafayette marched rapidly to Williamsburg, and effected a junction with the French troops on the 5th. He then crossed the river, united Wayne's corps to his own, and assembled, on the other side of the river, opposite to Glouces ter, a corps of militia. Lord Cornwallis thus found himself, as though by magic, suddenly blockaded by sea and land, with no chance of escape, except by a perilous effort. He, however, reconnoitred Lafayette's position at Williamsburg, with the design of attacking it. He found it well chosen, and its defences strong and judiciously arranged. There were five thousand French and American troops, a large corps of militia, and well-manned siege artillery. His lordship declined hazarding the attack. There was one point by which, Lafayette thought, the enemy might possibly escape. He might have crossed over to Gloucester, and ascended York River, the Count de Grasse not having complied with the request of Lafayette to send some vessels up York River, to defend that passage. But in that attempt Cornwallis must have abandoned his artillery, magazines, and invalids; and measures had been adopted to cut off his road in several places. He therefore abandoned all present idea of escape, and labored night and day to complete his defences.

With the arrival of the French fleet, and the union of his countrymen with his gallant band of American soldiers, Lafayette was highly elated. He wrote to Gen. Washington: "Thanks to you, my dear general, I am in a very charming situation, and find myself at the head of a beautiful body of troops; but am not so hasty as the Count de Grasse, and think that, having so sure a game to play, it would be madness, by the risk of an attack, to give any thing to chance." Indeed, the Count de Grasse, having so short a time to remain, was impatient of the least delay. Not finding, on his arrival, the combined armies of Gen. Washington and Count de Rochambeau, already on the ground, as he anticipated, and the prospects of their arrival being so distant, he was desirous that Lafayette should commence the attack with the French and American forces already under his command; offering for that purpose, not only the detach-ments which formed the garrisons of the ships, but as many