Officers all pay their respects to the Commander-in-chief; go
in a body; those who are not personally known, their names given by
General Hand and General Wayne. He stands in the door, takes every
man by the hand-the officers all pass in, receiving his salute and shake.
This the first time l had seen the General. We have an elegant
encampment close to town, behind William and Mary College. This building
occupied as an hospital. Williamsburg a very handsome place, not so
populous as Richmond, but situate on evenly, pretty ground; streets
and lots spacious-does not appear to be a place of much business,
rather the residence of gentlemen of fortune; formerly it was the seat of
government and Dunmore's late residence. A neat public building,
called the capitol, fronts the principal street; upon the first floor is a
handsome marble statue of William Pitt.
The presence of so many general officers, and the arrival of new
corps, seem to give additional life to everything; discipline the order of
the day. In all directions troops seen exercising and manoeuvring. Baron
Steuben, our great military oracle. The guards attend the grand parade
at an early hour, where the Baron is always found waiting with one or
two aids on horseback. These men are exercised and put through
various evolutions and military experiments for two hours-many officers
and spectators present; excellent school, this. At length the duty of the
parade comes on. The guards are told off; officers take their posts, wheel
by platoons to the right; fine corps of music detailed for this duty, which
strikes up; the whole march off, saluting the Baron and field officer of
the day, as they pass. Pennsylvania brigade almost all old soldiers, and
well disciplined when compared with those of Maryland and Virginia.
But the troops from the eastward far superior to either.
The whole army moved in three divisions toward the enemy,
who were strongly posted at York, about twelve miles distant. Their
pickets and light troops retire. We encamped about three miles off-
change ground and take a position within one mile of York; rising
ground (covered with tall handsome pines) called Pigeon Hill, separates
us from a view of the town. Enemy keep possession of Pigeon Hill.
York on a high, sandy plain, on a deep navigable river of same name.
Americans on the right; French on the left, extending on both sides of
the river; preparations for a siege. One-third of the army on fatigue
every day, engaged in various duties, making gabions, fascines,
saucissons, &c., and great exertions and labor in getting on the heavy artillery.
Strong covering parties (whole regiments) moved from camp as soon as
dark, and lay all night upon their arms between us and the enemy. Our
regiment, when on this duty, were under cover, and secured from the
shot by Pigeon Hill; now and then a heavy shot from the enemy's works
reached our camp. Our patrols, and those of the British, met
occasionally in the dark, sometimes a few shot were exchanged-would
generally retire. Colonel Schamel, adjutant-general to the army, with two or
three attendants, on a party of observation, ventured rather close; they
were seen and intercepted by a few smart horsemen from the British.
Schamel forced his way through, and got back to camp, but received a
wound, of which he died next day. His death was lamented, and
noticed by the Commander-in-chief in his orders. Possession taken of
Pigeon Hill, and temporary work erected. Generals and engineers, in
viewing and surveying the ground, are always fired upon and
sometimes pursued. Escorts and covering parties stationed at convenient
distances under cover of wood, rising ground, &c., afford support. This
business reminds me of a play among the boys, called Prison-base.
At length, everything in readiness, a division of the army broke
ground on the night of the 6th of October, and opened the first parallel
about six hundred yards from the works of the enemy. Every exertion
to annoy our men, who were necessarily obliged to be exposed about
the works; however, the business went on, and on the 9th our cannon
and mortars began to play. The scene viewed from the camp now was
grand, particularly after dark-a number of shells from the works of
both parties passing high in the air, and descending in a curve, each
with a long train of fire, exhibited a brilliant spectacle. Troops in three
divisions manned the lines alternately. We were two nights in camp and
one in the lines; relieved about ten o'clock. Passed and repassed by a
covert way leading to the parallel.