5. THE SIEGE BEGINS

French and American troops having assembled in overwhelming force, from points as far distant as Rhode Island and the West Indies, Washington assumed command of the whole and moved on Yorktown.

I have not leisure to give a particular account of our proceedings, it must suffice only to inform you, that, after assembling all the Troops at Williamsburg, and making the necessary Arrangements, the Allied Army moved on the Morning of the 28th Sept. and took post in the neighbourhood of York that night. The Enemy gave us no annoyance on the March; a body of Horse that was paraded in front of their Works retired upon our firing a few shot among them. The 29th. was spent in reconnoitring, and taking a position as near the advanced Works as could be done without placing the Encampments directly in the range of the Enemy's shot; some skirmishing happened between our Riffle men and the Yagers, in which the former had the advantage. At night, the Enemy abandoned all their Out Posts (some of which were very advantageous) and retired to the Town. Yesterday Morning we occupied the same ground and last night made some lodgments at a short distance from the Lines. The Horses and Teams are beginning to arrive from the Northward, the heavy Artillery will be brought up as soon as possible and the Seige pushed with vigor; as I have no Idea that Lord Cornwallis will surrender so respectable a force, as he has under his command, unless he is compelled by dire necessity.

WASHINGTON TO MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH,
OCTOBER 1, 1781

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