From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 189
"About two o'clock the garrison sallied forth, and marched between the two columns (the Americans on one
side and the French on the other) with slow and solemn steps, colors cased, and drums beating a British
march. They were all well clad, having been furnished with new suits prior to the capitulation. They were led
by General O'Hara on horseback, who, riding up to General Washington, took off his hat and apologized for
the non-appearance of Lord Cornwallis, on account of indisposition. Washington received him with dignified
courtesy, but pointed to Major-General Lincoln as the officer who was to receive the submission of the
garrison. By him they were conducted into a field where they were to ground their arms. In passing through
the line formed by the allied army, their march was careless and irregular, and their aspect sullen. The order to
"ground arms" was given by their platoon officers with a tone of deep chagrin, and many of the soldiers threw
down their muskets with a violence sufficient to break them. This irregularity was checked by General
Lincoln; yet it was inexcusable in brave men in their unfortunate predicament. The ceremony over, they were
conducted back to Yorktown, to remain under guard until removed to their places of destination."
There were twenty-eight stand of colors to be delivered up. Twenty-eight British captains, each bearing a flag,
were drawn up in line. Opposite to them, twenty-eight American sergeants were placed to receive the colors.
At a given signal the colors were surrendered.
The next day Washington addressed his army in words of gratulation and tender regard. He issued the
following order, also, to the army:
"Divine service is to be performed to-morrow in the several brigades and divisions. The commander-in-chief
earnestly recommends that the troops not on duty shall universally attend, with that seriousness of deportment
and gratitude of heart which the recognition of such reiterated and astonishing interpositions of Providence
demand of us."
In the midst of this rejoicing, Washington received the sad intelligence that his step-son, John Parke Custis,
was lying at the point of death. Mr. Custis accompanied his mother, Mrs. Washington, to Cambridge, the first
winter of the Revolution, and became one of her husband's aides. He was taken sick after the army invested
Yorktown, and no hope of his recovery was entertained. He longed to live, however, to witness the surrender
of Cornwallis. On the day of the ceremony of capitulation, he was taken from his bed and conveyed to the
place, where he might behold the scene. The ceremony over, he was willing to be conveyed to Elthain, where
he was taken immediately. Within thirty hours thereafter, the message came to the general that Custis was in a
dying condition.
At midnight Washington, accompanied by a single officer and groom, started on horseback for Elthain. By
rapid riding he reached there in the morning twilight.
"Is there no hope?" he said to Dr. Craik, who met him at the door.
The doctor shook his head. Bursting into tears, Washington stepped into an adjoining room to indulge his
grief, requesting to be left alone. While bowed in sorrow there, Custis expired.
On entering the chamber of death, Washington lovingly embraced the weeping wife and mother, now a
widow, tears responding to tears, his deep sorrow showing how dearly he loved the departed one.
When he was able to control his grief, he turned to the group of sorrowing friends, and said:
"From this moment I adopt his two youngest children as my own."
His presence being demanded at Yorktown, without rest or refreshment he mounted a fresh horse, and
returned thither before his absence was known, except to some of his aides.