| Citation |
PEP.781.016
25 Oct 1781:11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23 (7/789)
Wednesday evening, Oct. 24 This morning Col. Tilghman, Aid
de Camp to his Excellency General Washington, arrived here
with dispatches for His Excellency the President of
Congress, containing the following Glorious Intelligence.
Headquarters, near York, October 19, 1781.
[Report of capitulation by Cornwallis at Yorktown]
[14 lines correspondence, Cornwallis to Washington proposing
cessation of hostilities, 20 lines correspondence,
Washington to Cornwallis, allowing two hours for
presentation of terms, 2 lines introducing correspondence,
Cornwallis to Washington, proposing surrender terms]
I have this moment been honored with your Excellency's
letter dated this day. The time limited for sending my
answer will not admit of entering into the detail of
articles. But the basis for my proposals will be, that the
garrisons of York & Gloucester shall be prisoners of war,
with the customary honors
. . . [23 more lines describing more terms]
[signed] Cornwallis.
. . . [20 lines correspondence, Washington to Cornwallis,
discussing proposals]
The same honors will be granted to the surrendering army, as
were granted to the garrison of Charlestown.
. . . [38 more lines discussing terms, 43 more lines of
correspondence, Cornwallis to Washington, proposing further
alterations of terms, 24 lines introducing "Articles of
Capitulation, " 16 lines describing Articles I and II]
Article III. At twelve o'clock this day the two redoubts on
the left flank of York to be delivered, the one to a
detachment of American infantry, the other to a detachment
of French grenadiers. The garrison of York will march out
to a place to be appointed in front of the post at two
o'clock precisely, with shouldered arms, colours cased, and
drums beating a British or German march. They are then to
ground their arms and return to their encampment, where they
will remain until they are dispatched to the place of their
destination, two works on the Gloucester side will be
delivered at 1 o'clock to detachments of French and American
troops appointed to possess them. The garrison will march
out at three o'clock in the afternoon, the cavalry with
their swords drawn, trumpets sounding and the infantry in
the manner prescribed for the garrison of York. They are
likewise to return to their encampment until they can be
finally marched off. Granted.
. . . [116 lines, Articles IV - XIV]
[signed] Cornwallis. Tho's Simmonds.
Published by order of Congress, Charles Thomson, Secretary.
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