ks and withdrew to those near the town. The
American light infantry and a considerable body of French troops were
ordered to take possession of these abandoned works, and serve as a
covering party for the troops while digging trenches and casting up
breastworks. Cannonading of the town and one or two sorties occurred
during the day.

"Colonel Alexander Scammel, officer of the day, while reconnoitering
near the Fusileer's redoubt, situated on the river bank at the mouth of
a stream on the extreme left, was surprised by two or three Hessian
horsemen. He surrendered; but they shot him and left him for dead.

"When the place was completely invested by the allied armies, their
lines extended in a semi-circle at a distance of nearly two miles from
the British works, each wing resting on the York river. The French
troops occupied the left, the Americans the right, while Count de Grasse
with his fleet remained in Lynn Haven bay to beat off any naval force
which might come to the aid of Cornwallis.

"On the extreme left of the besieging army were the West India regiments
under St. Simon. Next to them were the French light infantry regiments;
the French artillery and the quarters of the two chiefs occupied the
center. On the right, across a marsh, were the American artillery, under
General Knox; the Virginian, Maryland and Pennsylvania troops under
General Steuben; the New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey troops, with
sappers and miners, under General James Clinton; the light infantry
under Lafayette, and the Virginia militia under Governor Nelson. The
quarters of General Lincoln were on the banks of Wormeley's Creek on the
extreme right."

All this, as I have said, was told us by Morgan while he lay on the
floor of old Mary's cabin; but I dared not trust my memory to make an
attempt at repeating his words, therefore it is I have copied it from
the printed account, although by so doing have seemed to advance the
time by giving the position of the besieging army, for they did not
occupy the quarters as here set down until the following day.

Now we understood, else had we been thick-headed indeed, that York was
to be besieged to the end that none of my Lord Cornwallis's force might
escape, and how many days must pass before the proud Britisher would be
willing to surrender, no man could say.

These facts caused me no little anxiety of mind, and I saw plainly by
the expression on Pierre's face that he was deeply disturbed, a