gton, asked pardon for his mistake, apologized
for the absence of Lord Cornwallis, and begged to know his further
pleasure. Washington courteously referred him to General Lincoln, who
had been compelled to surrender at Charleston, for his guidance.
Returning to the head of the column, it moved under the guidance of
Lincoln to the field selected for laying down the arms. The men
manifested their embittered feelings, and Colonel Abercrombie was
observed to hide his face when his men threw down their muskets.

The post at Gloucester Point was surrendered about the same time. The
command of the British there had recently been assumed by Tarleton,
Dundas being required to be present on the south side of the river.
Tarleton, before the surrender, waited on General De Choisy, and made
known to him the apprehensions which he entertained for his personal
safety, in case he should fall into the hands of the American militia,
and requested his protection. The danger was imaginary; and the general
readily agreed to ensure his safety. Tarleton surrendered his force to
the legion of the Duke De Lauzun and Mercer's corps, the residue of the
allied detachment not even being present to witness the spectacle. The
number of prisoners surrendered at the two posts was upwards of seven
thousand, who, with the artillery, arms, military chest, and stores,
were given up to Washington, the ships and seamen to Count De Grasse.
The loss sustained by the garrison during the siege of eleven days
amounted to five hundred and fifty-two, including six officers. The
allied force amounted to sixteen thousand men, being, continentals five
thousand five hundred, French seven thousand, militia three thousand
five hundred. Loss in killed and wounded during the siege, about three
hundred.

In the adjustment of the articles of capitulation, Cornwallis had
insisted strenuously upon two points: first, that the prisoners of war
should be allowed to return to Europe, upon condition of not serving
against the United States or France, until exchanged; second, security
for American citizens who had joined the British armies. Both were
rejected; but the latter was virtually admitted, by permitting his
lordship to send away the Bonetta with despatches to Sir Henry Clinton,
free from search. In this way his lordship conveyed away the most
obnoxious loyalists securely to New York; but Lord Cornwallis, in
soliciting this favor, pledged himself that no officer should go i