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Old Soldier's Story - The British Surrender at Yorktown: Excerpts from the Diary of Ens. Ebenezer Denny
Ebenezer Denny was a young Pennsylvanian who secured an appointment as an ensign - second lieutenant - in the 7th Pennsylvania Continental Line in August of 1780. The following spring the regiment was consolidated with the 4th Pennsylvania, in which Denny retained his rank.
Like many an educated American of his times, Denny kept a diary. Although not a faithful diarist - there are many gaps in the dates of his entries - Denny did record some of the more important events to which he was a witness. These included the arrival of George Washington and the Northern Army to reinforce the Marquis de Lafayette's army in Virginia, and the siege and surrender of Lord Cornwallis' British army at Yorktown, the subject of this excerpt.
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October 19, 1781 -- Our division man the lines again. All is quiet. Articles of capitulation signed; detachments of French and Americans take possession of British forts. Major [Alexander] Hamilton commanded a battalion which took possession of a fort immediately opposite our right and on the bank of York river. I carried the standard of our regiment on this occasion. On entering the fort, Baron Steuben, who accompanied us, took the standard from me and planted it himself. The British army parade and march out with their colors furled; drums beat as if they did not care how. Grounded their arms and returned to town. Much confusion and riot among the British through the day; many of the soldiers were intoxicated; several attempts in course of the night to break open stores; an American sentinel killed by a British soldier with a bayonet; our patrols kept busy. Glad to be relieved from this disagreeable station. Negroes lie about, sick and dying, in every stage of the small pox. Never was in so filthy a place-some handsome houses, but prodigiously
shattered. Vast heaps of shot and shells lying about in every quarter, which came from our works. The shells did not burst, as was expected. Returns of British soldiers, prisoners six thousand, and seamen about one thousand. Lord Cornwallis excused himself from marching out with the troops; they were
conducted by General O'Hara. Our loss said to be about three hundred; that of the enemy said not more than five hundred and fifty. Fine supply of stores and merchandise had; articles suitable for clothing were taken for the use of the army. A portion furnished [in prize] each officer to the amount of sixty dollars.
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