her from their having executed the business upon which
they were sent in a hasty and imperfect manner, or from the
activity and industry of the enemy, the damage was repaired, and
the batteries completed before evening.

"One choice only remained. To carry the troops across to
Gloucester Point, and make one last effort to escape. Boats were
accordingly prepared, and at ten o'clock at night the army began
to embark. The first embarkation arrived in safety. The greater
part of the troops were already landed. At this critical moment
of hope and apprehension, of expectation and danger, the
weather, which had hitherto been moderate and calm, suddenly
changed; the sky was clouded, the wind rose and a violent storm
ensued. The boats with the remaining troops were borne down the
stream. To complete the anxiety and danger, the batteries of the
enemy were opened, the day dawned, and their efforts were
directed against the northern shore of the river. Nothing could
be hoped, but the escape of the boats, and the safety of the
troops. They were brought back without much loss, and every
thing was replaced in its former situation.

"Every thing now verged to the dreaded crisis. The fire of the
besiegers was heavy and unintermitted. The British could not
return a gun, and the shells, their last resource, were nearly
exhausted. They were themselves worn down with sickness and
continual watching. A few hours it appeared must infallibly
decide their fate. And if any thing were still wanting, the
French ships which had entered the mouth of the river, seemed
prepared to second the general assault on their side. In this
situation, lord Cornwallis, not less calm and humane, than he
was intrepid, chose not to sacrifice the lives of so many brave
men to a point of honour, but the same day proposed to general
Washington a cessation of twenty four hours, in order mutually
to adjust the terms of capitulation.

"The troops which surrendered in the posts of York and
Gloucester amounted to between five and six thousand men, but
there were not above three thousand eight hundred of these in a
capacity for actual service. They were all obliged to become
prisoners of war. Fifteen hundred seamen were included in the
capitulation. The commander, unable to obtain terms for the
loyal Americans, was oblige