Primary Sources of the American Revolution
Let's analyze some primary sources on the American Revolution. Choose at least one primary source document written between 1751–1775 and one written between 1776–1785 and answer these questions: Who authored the document? Were they in favor or opposed to the revolution? Was it written before or after the Declaration of Independence? Why is this important? What does the author argue? Do they support or oppose the revolution? Where do you see Enlightenment ideology? How do the ideas in the document compare to the ideas of Paine and Dulaney?
Ebenezer Denny 1781 describing the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown
Introduction
Ebenezer Denny of Pennsylvania was a major in the Continental Army. His journal offers perhaps the best eyewitness account of the capture of British General Cornwallis army at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, which was the last major battle of the war.
The American Revolution was won by patience, endurance, and a certain amount of luck. The British were too busy with other interests to long endure the pinpricks of the colonialists, and, as with the battle at Yorktown, help from the French always seemed to arrive (for the revolutionary army) at just the right time.
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.
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.