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(YORKTOWN, SIEGE OF.) Manuscript Document titled “Shots and Shells
Expended by the Allied Army, at the Siege of York in Virginia.” In an unknown hand.
1 page, 4to; moderate edge wear, short cello tape repair on verso, faint stain on right edge.
Np, [October 1781?]
[500/750]
Lists the number of each caliber used by the American and French artillery: 24, 18, 16, and
12-pound cannon shot, and 5
1
/
2
, 6, 8, and 10-pound howitzer and mortar shells. According to
this document, 9,690 cannon balls and 5,847 shells rained down on the British positions dur-
ing the siege until their surrender.
“LET GEN.WASHINGTON KNOW THEIR INTENTION WITHOUT LOSS OF TIME”
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(YORKTOWN, SIEGE OF.) [SEAWELL, JOSEPH?] Autograph Letter,
unsigned, to “Commanding Officer at Gloster C House” [Brigadier General George
Weedon], advising that he has observed the British making preparations for an escape
through Gloucester. 1 page, folio; wax seal remnant on recto obscuring two words, minor
edge wear grazing text, remnants of prior mounting on verso.
[Gloucester, VA?, circa 10 October 1781?]
[500/750]
This anonymous letter was apparently written during the last days of the Siege of Yorktown by
a civilian who had been making observations on the British across the river: “No doubt ‘ere
now you have been informed of the enemy’s intentions of evacuating York Town & taking their
rout thro’ Gloster. . . . This has been my opinion for 3 or 4 days past & by having a watchful
eye on their movements & intreagues it is reduced with me to a moral certainty that an attempt
of this kind is now premeditating. . . . Would it not be prudent to let Gen. Washington know
their intention without loss of time?” He seems to fear reprisals: “Nothing woud have induced
me to run the risque I now do in giving this intelligence but the welfare of my country & the
lives of my dear countrymen.”
The British did make an abortive attempt at a breakout much like the one anticipated here on
the night of Tuesday, 16 October. When it failed, they began negotiations for surrender the
following day. The letter is dated simply “Wednesday 3 oclock.” It could have been written on
10 October, or could have been misdated on Tuesday 16 October, or perhaps the informant
wrote on Wednesday 17 October and was unaware of the previous night’s attempt.
The docketing identifies this unsigned letter as “Intelligence from Mr. Seawell.” The likely
author would be Joseph Seawell (circa 1710-1786), proprietor of a tavern called Seawell’s
Ordinary where General Weedon had made his headquarters earlier in the siege. The building
still stands, and was in operation as a tavern until recently. See Fonzo, “Seawell’s Ordinary,”
in
The Family Tree Searcher
, December 2011.
E N D O F P A RT I
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