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Written Expressly for Rapid Reference: Cornwallis

The militia retreated, but the Continentals only fell back to secure a better position. The British having mistaken this backward movement for a retreat, rushed on in confusion, when the Continentials turned, inflicted on them a crushing defeat. Cornwallis, on hearing the news, set out in pursuit, but Morgan had passed into Virginia, and the rise in the river Catawba prevented him from crossing in time to overtake the enemy.

1781. Gen. Greene on March 15, attacked the enemy at Guilford Court House. The Americans were forced to retire, but the British suffered so severely that they also retreated. On Sept. 8, at the battle of Eutaw Springs, the British were so crippled that they retired toward Charlestown. This battle brought the long-contested struggle in the South to a close.

1781. The traitor Arnold, on Jan. 4, having been despatched by Sir Henry Clinton, with an expedition into Virginia, landed at Westover, twenty-five miles below Richmond, with 1,600 men, and marched on the city. His brutality was marked by the burning of private as well as public property. Lafayette who was sent to check him, could make no effective resistance with his inadequate force. Cornwallis then, having come from the south, took Arnold's place, and keeping near the coast so as to be able to help Sir Henry Clinton, fortified himself at Yorktown, after having destroyed ten million dollars worth of property.

1781.-The French and American Armies entered Philadelphia, August 30.

1781. Surrender of Yorktown. The combined American and French forces agreed to attack Cornwallis in Yorktown. Washington deceived Clinton as to his plans, by a feint on New York, and was far southward with the continental army, before his object was discovered. On Sep. 28, the allied armies, twelve thousand strong, laid siege to Yorktown, assisted by the French fleet in the harbor. Cornwallis tried to escape, but finding every avenue cut off, surrendered, Oct. 19. Exclusive of seamen, the captive army numbered about seven thousand. Seventy-five brass, and sixty-nine iron cannons, with a great amount of military stores were taken by the allies; while one frigate, two ships of twenty guns, a number of transports and other vessels, with about 1,500 seamen, surrendered to Admiral de Grassse. Everybody felt that the war was now over, and that America was free. As the news sped along, men wept with delight, and the old door-keeper of Congress died, on hearing the news, in an access of joy.