s advancing were British,
he issued orders for them to put out to sea in line of battle, in order
to protect the squadron which he expected from Rhode Island. Graves gave
the signal for battle, and a warm engagement ensued, which was in favour
of the British. At night-fall, however, the two fleets separated without
any decisive issue on either side; and they remained within sight of
each other five days without renewing the engagement. At the end of
that period, on the 10th of September, de Grasse returned to his
old anchorage within the Capes, where he now found the Rhode Island
squadron. In the meantime Washington had put his forces in motion.
Leaving General Heath to defend the Hudson, he led his army down the
western side of that river, as though New York was still the point of
attack. This was fully expected by Sir Henry Clinton, and it was
not till Washington had passed the Delaware that his intention was
suspected. When he became aware of his real intentions--when he saw
that the efforts of the combined forces of the French and Americans
were directed against Lord Cornwallis, at York Town, he sought to recall
Washington to the north, by an expedition which he sent, under Arnold,
into Connecticut. Arnold took and reduced New London to ashes; but
Washington's attention was nevertheless not diverted by this terrible
blow, from his main design. He proceeded southward to the Elk River,
which falls into the Chesapeak, where transports from the French fleet
were waiting to receive his forces; and, having seen them embarked, he
and Rochambeau proceeded by land to join Lafayette at Williamsburg. A
council of war was immediately held on board Count de Grasse's ship,
wherein it was resolved that so soon as Washington's and Rochambeau's
forces arrived, their united efforts should be directed against York
Town. Lord Cornwallis, aware of his danger, as the hostile fleets and
armies were gathering thick around him, fortified his positions as well
as he could, hoping that he might be able to hold out till Sir Henry
Clinton could send him assistance. His hopes were the more bright
because the fleet at New York was about to be re-inforced by six ships
of the line, under Admiral Digby. It was on the 28th of September that
the combined army of French and Americans appeared in sight of York
Town; and at the same time the French fleet advanced to the mouth of
York River, so as to prevent Cornwallis from retreating or receiving
succours