October 17, 1781 - Flag of Truce

At dawn the bombardment of Yorktown resumed, now including batteries located in the lines the Americans had completed between Redoubts 9 and 10. This placed the cannon only 300 or so yards away from the nearest fortifications. From Richard Ketchum -

"The cannonade that began at daybreak was more devastating by far than anything before, and the Hessian soldier Johann Doehla thought it would never end. The enemy, he wrote, 'fired from all redoubts without stopping... One saw nothing but bombs and balls raining on our whole line.'"

Escape through Gloucester is now clearly cut off; about 3000 American and French troops are sealing off the tip of the peninsula, placing them nearly shoulder to shoulder in their fortifications.

Doehla continued -

"Also, this morning right after reveille General Cornwallis came into the horn work and observed the enemy and his works. As soon as he had gone back to his quarters, he immediately sent a flag of truce with a white standard over to the enemy."

Ketchum says Cornwallis wrote to General Clinton and informed him

"Under all these circumstances, I thought it would have been wanton and inhuman to the last degree to sacrifice the lives of this small body of gallant soldiers, who had ever behaved with such fidelity and courage, by exposing them to an assault, which from the numbers and precautions of the enemy could not fail to succeed. I therefore proposed to capitulate."

The letter read

"Sir, I propose a cessation of hostilities for twenty-four hours, and that two officers may be appointed by each side, to meet at Mr. Moore's house, to settle terms for surrender of the posts at York and Gloucester.
I have the honour to be, &c
Cornwallis"

Washington replied -

"I have had the Honor of receiving Your Lordship's Letter of this Date.

An Ardent Desire to spare the further Effusion of Blood, will readily incline me to listen to such Terms for the Surrender of your Posts and Garrisons at York and Gloucester, as are admissible.

I wish previous to the Meeting of Commissioners, that your Lordship's proposals in writing, may be sent to the American Lines: for which Purpose, a Suspension of Hostilities during two Hours from the Delivery of this Letter will be granted."

And late in the afternoon, Cornwallis sent another message -

"I have this moment been honoured with your Excellency's letter, dated this day.

The time limited for sending my answer will not admit of entering into the detail of articles; but the basis of my proposals will be, that the garrisons of York and Gloucester shall be prisoners of war, with the customary honours. And, for the conveniency of the individuals which I have the honour to command, that the British shall be sent to Britain, and the Germans to Germany, under engagement not to serve against France, America, or their allies, until released or regularly exchanged. That all arms and public stores shall be delivered up to you; but that the usual indulgence of side-arms to officers, and of retaining private property, shall be granted to officers and soldiers, and that the interest of several individuals, in civil capacities and connected with us, shall be attended to.

If your Excellency thinks that a continuance of the suspensions of hostilities will be necessary, to transmit your answer, I shall have no objection to the hour that you may propose. "