York

 ...relief soon reached them; none were lost.

From the diary of Ebenezer Denny, 1781

May 15, 1781

Provision for transporting baggage, etc., and other necessary preparation. Commenced our march for Virginia; the weather pleasant and roads tolerably good. Passed through Frederick Town (Maryland), where were some British prisoners quartered; they turned out to see us.

Next day reached the Potomac; here we were detained for want of craft-boats few and in bad condition. The artillery passed over first (a battalion of artillery accompanied the brigade). The second flat-boat had left the shore about forty yards, when the whole sunk. Several women were on board; but as hundreds of men were on the bank, relief soon reached them; none were lost-got all over. Proceeded a few miles and encamped. Struck our tents every morning before day.

About eight or nine o'clock, as we found water, a short halt was made, the water-call beat; parties, six or eight from each company, conducted by a non-commissioned officer, with canteens, fetched water. Seldom allowed to eat until twelve o'clock, when the arms were stacked, knapsacks taken off, and water sent for by parties as before. Officers of a company generally messed together, sometimes more; one of their servants carried cooked provisions for the day; no cooking until night. Not acquainted with the country on our route, but understood that we were marching much about-very circuitous-keeping off the Blue Ridge close on our right. This to avoid the enemy and secure our junction with the Marquis Lafayette.

Ebenezer Denny of Pennsylvania was a Major in the Continental Army. His journal offers one of the best eyewitness accounts of events that led to the capture of British General Cornwallis' army at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. This was the last major battle of the American Revolution.