CHAPTER XV

YORKTOWN

Cornwallis invades North Carolina (September, 1780) 255

Ferguson's expedition 255

Rising of the backwoodsmen 256, 257

Battle of King's Mountain (October 7, 1780) 258, 259

Effect of the blow 260

Reinforcements from the North; arrival of Daniel Morgan 261

Greene appointed to the chief command at the South 261

Greene's daring strategy; he threatens Cornwallis on both flanks 262-264

Cornwallis retorts by sending Tarleton against Morgan 265

Morgan's position at the Cowpens 265

Battle of the Cowpens (January 17, 1781); nearly the whole British force captured on the field 266

Brilliant movements of Morgan and Greene; they lead Cornwallis a chase across North Carolina 267-269

Further manoeuvres 270

Battle of Guilford (March 15) 270, 271

Retreat of Cornwallis 272

He abandons the Carolinas and marches into Virginia 273

Greene's master-stroke; he returns to South Carolina (April 6-18) 273

And, by taking Fort Watson, cuts Lord Rawdon's communications (April 23) 274

Rawdon defeats Greene at Hobkirk's Hill (April 25); but is none the less obliged to give up Camden in order to save his army (May 10) 275, 276

All the inland posts taken from the British (May-June) 276

Rawdon goes to England, leaving Stuart in command 277

Greene marches against Stuart (August 22) 277

Battle of Eutaw Springs (September 8) 278

Greene's superb generalship 278, 279

Lord Cornwallis arrives at Petersburg (May 20) 279, 280

His campaign against Lafayette 281-283

Cornwallis retreats to the coast, and occupies Yorktown 284, 285

Elements of the final catastrophe; arrival of the French fleet 286, 287

News from Grasse and Lafayette 288

Subtle and audacious scheme of Washington 289

He transfers his army to Virginia (August 19-September 18) 290-292

Movements of the fleets 293

Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown 294

Clinton's attempt at a counter-stroke; Arnold's proceedings at New London (September 6) 295, 296

Surrender of Cornwallis 297

Importance of the aid rendered by the French fleet and army 298, 299

Effect of the news in England 300, 301

Difficult position of Great Britain 302

Rodney's victory over Grasse (April 12, 1782) 303

Resignation of Lord North (March 20, 1782) 304

Defeat of the political schemes of George III. 305

The American Revolution was not a conflict between Englishmen and Americans, but between two antagonistic principles of government, each of which had its advocates and opponents in both countries; and Yorktown was an auspicious victory won by Washington for both countries 306-310

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION