Memoirs of a Huguenot Family/Letter from Colonel William Fontaine
Letter from Colonel William (Morris) Fontaine, after the surrender at York.
Richmond, Oct. 26th, 1781.
Dear Sir:—Major Penn gives me an opportunity, the first I have met with since the glorious event, of congratulating you on the surrender of York, which I do with all imaginable cordiality. I had the happiness to see that British army, which so lately spread dismay and desolation through all our country, march forth on the 20th instant at three o'clock, through our whole army drawn up in two lines at about twenty yards distance, and return disrobed of all their terrors, so humbled and so struck at the appearance of our troops that their knees seemed to tremble, and you could not see a platoon that marched in any order. Such a noble figure did our army make, that I scarce know which drew my attention most. You could not have heard a whisper or seen the least motion throughout our whole line, but every countenance was erect, and expressed a serene cheerfulness. Cornwallis pretended to be ill, and imposed the mortifying duty of leading forth the captives on General O'Hara. Their own officers acknowledge them to be the flower of the British troops, yet I do not think they at all exceeded in appearance our own or the French. The latter, you may be assured, are very different from the ideas formerly inculcated in us, of a people living on frogs and coarse vegetables. Finer troops I never saw.
His Lordship's defence, I think, was rather feeble. His surrender was eight or ten days sooner than the most sanguine expected, though his force and resources were much greater than we conceived. He had at least a fortnight's provisions, and 1000 barrels of powder left, beside a magazine, that it is supposed was blown up with design during the negotiation for the surrender. The whole of the prisoners of war amount to 6,800, exclusive of sailors and marines, which, with the shipping, belong to the French, and the refugees, merchants and followers of the army. The shipping of every sort is about seventy sail, though a great many are sunk. Of brass ordnance we have taken eighty odd; of iron, 120; muskets, 7,313 fit for use, beside a great number in unopened boxes, and of odd arms; of horse, about 300 accoutred: there must be more horse accoutrements, but I have not seen a particular return from Gloucester, where the horse lay. The military chest amounts to only 800 guineas. Merchants' stores are subject to the pre-emption of our army at a reasonable price for such articles as suit them, the remainder they are allowed three months to effect the sale of, then are to give their parole and clear out. Tories are subject to be tried by our laws. The 20th of next month is appointed for that purpose. A small proportion of officers are to remain with the prisoners, the rest are to be paroled to New-York. A flag-ship is allowed Cornwallis to carry him to New-York; thence, I believe, he goes home. His flag-ship is not to be searched. The officers retain their side-arms and baggage, and the soldiers their knapsacks. They marched out with drums muffled, and colors furled and crossed. All property taken from inhabitants by the British is liable to be claimed by them. In consequence, Master Tarleton met with a most severe mortification the day before yesterday. The hero was prancing through the streets of York on a very fine, elegant horse, and was met by a spirited young fellow of the country, who stopped him, challenged the horse, and ordered him instantly to dismount. Tarleton halted and paused awhile through confusion, then told the lad if it was his horse, he supposed he must be given up, but insisted to ride him some distance out of town to dine with a French officer. This was more, however, than Mr. Giles was disposed to indulge him in, having been forced, when he and his horse were taken, to travel good part of a night on foot at the point of the bayonet; he therefore refused to trust him out of sight, and made him dismount in the midst of the street crowded with spectators. Many such instances have since happened on the road. The people who have been insulted, abused, nay, ruined by them, give them no quarter. I have not seen the articles of capitulation, but have given you the substance as well as I can recollect from such as have read them.
We are surely to have a garrison at York; whether French or American was not known when I left York, the day before yesterday. Some troops are to go to the southward. It is supposed the French fleet and most of their troops will go to the West Indies, though all is conjecture, and will probably remain so to all but the Count de Grasse and Gen. Washington. The General had been aboard the Admiral for some days past as I came away; something of consequence, I suspect, was projecting between them. The troops at Portsmouth are levelling to prevent the British taking post there. Nothing certain of a British fleet. They have lost, 'tis said, Bengal and Madras in the East Indies, by the powerful exertions of Hyder Ali in favor of the French.
Cornwallis, I am well assured, previous to his surrender, acknowledged to the Secretary, that the capture of his army would put an end to the war. The same sentiment was expressed to me by two of his officers, and, I learn from an intelligent inhabitant of York, generally prevailed among them.
That General Lesly, with all the crew, perished in the passage from Wilmington to Charles Town in the Blonde Frigate in ore est omnium.
I certainly embark for Europe the soonest a passage can be had, perhaps three or four weeks hence, though I believe I shall be forced to take the West Indies in the way, and probably may winter there. My love to my good sisters and families. My best respects to Mr. Armistead, and all my relations and friends in your country. Farewell ! farewell ! the good Doctor, Parson Cole, and all.
I have commissioned a gentleman to get Mr. Holmes a hat from York. Mrs. Walker has recovered her two negroes, and my mother her one. The French fleet and all our troops were under sailing and marching orders. If Major Halston is with you, let him know Mr. Burrows, from his State, has his servant that he wrote about.
I enclose two yards of ribbon for my sister Sarah, and two for sister Mary, or in her absence, little Bess—trophies from York. Had the stores been opened, I would have dealt more largely, though they are strictly guarded, and general orders against any thing being sold till the army is supplied. All health and happiness to you and yours, and all with you.
Your affectionate friend and servant,
W. Fontaine.