posted, the last of September. He was assisted by Major Generals Lincoln,
Steuben, Lafayette. Knox, &c. The French troops, who composed a part of the
army engaged in the capture of Cornwallis were under command of Count
Rochambeau, who had the character of an intelligent and brave officer. The
whole number of troops, both American and French, was estimated at twelve
thousand. To them, however, were occasionally added small detachments of
the militia from the vicinity. The British troops were computed to be about
seven thousand, and their commander had been strengthened in his situation
by fortifications, hoping to defend himself till he might receive succors
from New-York. The allied army was supported in this expedition by a large
French fleet which was in the Chesapeake. This afforded great confidence to
the Americans, for they had just then defeated the British fleet in those
waters, and thus effectually cut off all communication between Lord
Cornwallis and the British army in New-York.

The French admiral had been determined to proceed at this time, to a
station in the West Indies, agreeably to orders which he had received from
the King his master, some weeks before. He was requested to remain, and
co-operate in this expedition, by Count Rochambeau, and by Washington
himself; but they could not prevail with him to relinquish his proposed
departure for the West Indies; and it was only through the most zealous
and repeated solicitations of Lafayette, with a solemn promise that he
would justify the measure to the Court of France, that the admiral, Count
de Grasse, was induced to continue on the station, by which the capture
of the British army was greatly facilitated.

Under all these favourable circumstances, it is not unreasonable to
suppose, that the allied army cherished a strong confidence of success in
their enterprize. Washington had planned this expedition with great
intelligence and foresight; for he had been resolved to attempt some