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The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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Earl Cornwallis reports from York-Town, Virginia, on October 13, 1781, that enemy forces captured his advanced redoubts, advancing their siege lines. He describes the critical situation, with defenses failing against artillery, anticipating an assault, and advises against risking the fleet and army to relieve them.
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Copy of a letter from Earl Cornwallis, to his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, dated York-Town, Virginia, October 13, 1781.
SIR,
LAST evening the enemy carried my two advanced redoubts on the left by storm, and during the night have included them in their second parallel, which they are at present busying in perfecting.
My situation now becomes very critical. We dare not show a gun to their old batteries, and I expect new ones will be opened to-morrow morning. Experience has shown that our fresh earthen works do not resist their powerful artillery, so that we shall soon be exposed to an assault in ruined works, in a bad position, and with weakened numbers.
The safety of the place is therefore of precarious. I cannot recommend that the fleet and army should run any risque in endeavouring to save us.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, &c. &c. (Signed) CORNWALLIS.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
York Town, Virginia
Event Date
October 13, 1781
Key Persons
Outcome
situation critical with weakened defenses exposed to imminent assault; no specific casualties reported.
Event Details
Enemy carried two advanced redoubts on the left by storm last evening and included them in their second parallel during the night, which they are perfecting. Cannot show guns to old batteries; new ones expected tomorrow. Earthen works do not resist powerful artillery, leading to ruined works in bad position with weakened numbers. Safety precarious; does not recommend risking fleet and army to save the place.