Waylaid     07/12/22

American Heritage RV Park, Williamsburg, Virginia

Some time later, Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.”  So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him.  When Jacob was told, “Your son Joseph has come to you,” Israel rallied his strength and sat up on the bed. ~ Genesis 48:1-2      I admit.  I read ahead.  And then I went in search of a condensed explanation as to why it was so important for Jacob to bless his sons.  I didn’t find one, other than the post below that I shared on Father’s Day.  The best I can do is give you my theory.  I believe it was prophecy.  Prophecy in Scripture is important for providing the proof we need to bolster our faith.  God knew future generations would need constant reminders of Him and what He’d accomplished (and continues to accomplish) and how Sovereign and Righteous He is.  He knew we’d need proof.  He knew those in Jesus’ generation would need it in order to see the Messiah.  Unfortunately, even with proof, many still refused to see.  Do you see Him? 

In case you missed it on Father’s Day, here’s a link to an article on the importance of the father’s blessing: https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-82-father-s-blessing-genesis-4922-28

The plan for today was a visit to Yorktown, the site of the final battle of the American Revolution.

We stopped at the Visitor Center first only to discover that there were no Ranger talks today.  ☹  So after we checked out the museum, and with map in hand, we ventured out on our own. 

The information below from nps.gov, will give you an idea of how important this battle at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay was:

“No land force can act decisively unless it is accompanied by maritime superiority” -General George Washington

“The Battle of Chesapeake Bay was one of the decisive battles of the world. Before it, the creation of the United States of America was possible; after it, it was certain.” —Michael Lewis, The History of the British Navy

“Few naval battles have decided more.” —Professor Randolph G Adams

“It deserves the name of ‘British Naval Waterloo of Cape Henry.'” —Emil Reich (European Historian)

On September 5, 1781, off the coast of Virginia, near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, one of the most critical naval battles in United States history took place. The “Battle of the Capes” only lasted two and a half hours and did not involve any Americans, but this battle was one of the decisive factors that assured the United States would win independence from Great Britain.

We decided a walk down the Main Street of town would be first, because that’s where the historic buildings are, plus the rest of the tour was an auto-tour.

As we were finishing up our look at the Victory Monument, we were approached by a woman who quickly identified herself as Linda.  Linda was quite outgoing and obviously very excited about something!  Her enthusiasm spilled over onto us (how could it not?), and we sorta kinda were faced with no choice but to stick around.

What was going on?

We learned today that this is the end point of the Trans Am Bike Race and three racers were about to emerge from the road beside us and make their way to the monument!  They’ve been racing since June 5^th!  Between talking with Linda, another woman named Liz (both avid ‘welcomers’ at the finish line), we learned a bit about what we were witnessing.  There was also a small video news crew there hired by the race sponsors. (I think)

Here’s what I found on the race website:

The eighth edition of the Trans Am Bike Race begins in Astoria Oregon on June 5th, 2022 at 6AM.

Riders from across the globe will partake in what is the longest self supported endurance road race in the United States.

These riders will brave all conditions as they venture out into 10 states, covering 4,300 miles with less equipment than the average commuter travels with.

Riders are fully self-supported and operate on their own. There is no outside assistance and the clock doesn’t stop until they reach the finish at the Yorktown Victory Monument in Virginia. Riders and riders alone are responsible for their room and board and can choose when and where they stop and for how long. While riders may be visited by friends, family, and “dotwatchers” along the way, they are not to be offered any support that is not equally available to the entire field.

We ended up being waylaid for about an hour, but it was sooo worth it!

Besides Linda and Liz, we also had the opportunity to meet and speak with Art, a geography teacher from New Zealand who took an unpaid leave of absence to join this race.  He finished in 35 days:23 hours: 57minutes in 23rd place. That’s an average of about 119 miles per day!  And remember, we’re talking mountains, desert, vehicle traffic and who knows what else.  We’re thrilled when we complete 20 miles on flatland and end up back home.  😊

We talked to Art about what the race is like – they sleep wherever they can, in places like libraries and post offices (can you imagine?), and he said he ate mostly gas station food.  Yuk!  I can’t imagine that was very healthy or energizing for his body after a month!  I mean, I saw the movie about the guy who ate McDonald’s for a month . . .

He was very happy to have completed the race and ready to return home to his family and job.  He said he’s going to try to get at least a few days’ pay by talking to the school about his journey as it pertains to the geography he encountered.  Good luck with that, Art!

From what I could tell, it seems as though around 50 begin the race, but I couldn’t tell how many finish, nor where they’re from.  However, as of this moment, there is still one biker in the race who’s now 1,500 miles in (eta October 1^st).  According to the ladies we met, he’s 80 years young from Hood River, Oregon and averaging 35.5 miles per day!!  There is no end time for the race; it’s whenever everyone finishes – and by finishing, I mean stops – at any point along the way.  The winner this year was Kraig Pauli of Portland, Oregon with a time of 17days:9hours:14 minutes.  That’s an average of roughly 250 miles PER DAY!!! 

The ones we cheered in were in a group of three – one of two women still in the race, and a deaf man, plus a very hairy guy 😊  (he had very long hair and a very long beard!  How could he not be sweltering??)

Time to get back on course, so to speak.  😊

This is the hometown of one of our founding fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Nelson, Jr.

Born:	December 26, 1738
Birthplace:	Yorktown, Virginia
Education:	Private, in England. Graduate of Cambridge. (Farmer)
Work:	Member of the House of Burgesses, 1774; Virginia provincial Convention, 1775; Officer and Commander of the Virginia Militia, 1775…; Delegate to the Continental Congress, 1775-77, 1779; Elected Governor of Virginia, 1781.
Died:	January 4, 1789

Thomas Nelson Jr. was born into the aristocratic society of Virginia in December of 1738. Like most of the southern Gentleman of his day, he gained a private education in England, culminating in a degree from Cambridge. He returned in 1761 and soon became involved in service to his colony and his country. Elected to the House of Burgesses in 1774, he was one of eighty nine who convened at the Raleigh tavern when that house was dissolved by the royal Governor. He was a member of the Virginia provincial convention in 1775, and there he undertook the creation of the Virginia Militia. He then assumed duty as its first Commander. Shortly thereafter he was elected to the Continental Congress. Nelson began suffering health problems in 1777 and thought best to retire to his native state. He resumed his military service, much to the benefit of both Virginia and his health. He was reelected to Congress in 1779 but his health again declined and he returned to Virginia several months later.

Once again he resumed service, as commanding General of the Lower Virginia Militia, at a time when British forces began aggressive campaigns against the southern colonies. In 1781, Thomas Jefferson declined reelection as Governor due to his inability to serve the needs of a state under siege. General Nelson succeeded Jefferson and served as both Civil Governor and Commander in chief of the Virginia Militia. Under his command Virginia, both civil and Military, became a force to contend with. Both the Continental Army and French forces utilized the skills of the Virginia units in the Siege of Yorktown in the autumn of 1781.

Finally overcome by illness in October of that year, General Nelson retired from public service. He died at one of his estates, in Hanover County, in 1789 at the age of 50.

We were so confused. We thought this was the signer of the Declaration of Independence, but it’s not. He’s a family member. But in my quest, I uncovered the following historical information at ypsva.org:

Secretary Thomas Nelson built his home in Yorktown around 1725 not far from the homes of his father, Scotch Tom Nelson, and his brother, William Nelson. He was known as “Secretary” Nelson because of his long service as secretary to the royal government’s Council. During the battle at Yorktown, Secretary Nelson would be one of the few civilians to witness the bombardment.

Townspeople began to leave the commercial hub as war loomed. Yorktown was sure to be a target, with its high bluff over a deep water harbor. Americans wanted to use it to protect shipping, provide an offensive base for raids into the Chesapeake Bay and guard the state capital only 15 miles west. And “Secretary” Nelson’s house was the highest point in town, visible from a mile away.

Things only got worse when the British arrived. Gen. Charles Earl Cornwallis ordered the remaining townspeople out by Aug. 22, 1781, to reduce the competition for food for his men, and he ordered buildings taken down to clear the lines of sight for his artillery in case he was attacked.

Secretary Nelson stayed in his home at the southeastern end of Yorktown — near where the Yorktown Victory Monument stands today. When Cornwallis came to town, he put his headquarters in Nelson’s home.

The French and American forces arrived and began their bombardment of the town on Oct. 9. Fiery cannonballs punctured the roof and walls of Nelson’s sturdy brick house. Windows shattered. One of Nelson’s slaves was killed while standing inside the living room.

The attack on Nelson’s house did so much damage so quickly that Cornwallis moved into a sunken grotto at the foot of Nelson’s garden.

Nelson’s nephew, Gov. Thomas Nelson Jr., became worried for his uncle’s safety and asked Washington for a cease-fire. Cornwallis agreed to one. At noon on Oct. 10, a white banner went up from the British position and firing ceased so two British soldiers could escort the 65-year-old Secretary Nelson and a slave across the battlefield. Nelson suffered from gout and hobbled to safety over his own land where he had hunted in younger days. His home would not survive the conflict.

In case you missed it above, Yorktown was not a battle. 

That was news to us!  Instead, it was a siege that lasted eight days.  Eight days of non-stop bombardment, both day and night from 1,700 (cannon fire and bombs) per day.  That averages out to more than one per minute!  Can you imagine?  It’s a wonder everyone within a five-mile radius didn’t become totally deaf and shaken to the core!  And where did they get all those shells from, anyway?

So why the seeming discrepancy of a three week siege versus an eight day one? It took some doing, but I finally figured it out! (a pat on the back would be appropriate here) Washington et al arrived on September 28th. The capitulation (official surrender ceremony) was on October 19th. Three weeks! The actual bombardment was from October 9th to October 17th, when Cornwallis surrendered. Eight days! The rest of the three weeks was spent digging trenches and getting artillery in place and drawing up the terms of surrender.

Implementing the Yorktown siege under British fire required knowledge and experience the American army did not have. The Comte de Rochambeau’s French engineers directed the organization and labor of the thousands of men the operation involved. (I forget where I copied this from ☹)

Washington may have been labeled the hero of the American Revolution, but there were those behind the scenes of the war who were just as important.  Men like Benjamin Franklin.  He began negotiating an alliance with France in 1775, and then traveled secretly to France in 1776, where the alliance – and offers to help with men, money and supplies – was sealed.  Without the French alliance, it’s doubtful we would be independent today.  And without Benjamin Franklin, there most likely would not have been a French alliance.  You can read more about Mr. Franklin at https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/history/franklin.html

Here’s some information I borrowed from history.com about the ending portion of the War itself.

When British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and his army surrendered to General George Washington’s American force and its French allies at the Battle of Yorktown on October 19, 1781, it was more than just military win. The outcome in Yorktown, Virginia marked the conclusion of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the start of a new nation’s independence. It also cemented Washington’s reputation as a great leader and eventual election as first president of the United States. 

“Washington’s fame grew to international proportions having wrested such an impossible victory,” according to the Washington Library, “interrupting his much desired Mount Vernon retirement with greater calls to public service.” 

In the summer of 1780, 5,500 French troops, with Comte de Rochambeau at the helm, landed in Newport, Rhode Island to aid the Americans. At the time, British forces were fighting on two fronts, with General Henry Clinton occupying New York City, and Cornwallis, who had already captured Charleston and Savannah, in South Carolina. 

“It was obvious that the Americans needed a big victory if they were to convince the peace conference in Europe that they had a right to demand independence for all thirteen colonies,” writes Thomas Fleming in his book, Yorktown.

With the Continental Army positioned in New York, Washington and Rochambeau teamed to plan a timed attack on Clinton with the arrival of more French forces. When they found the French fleet was instead sailing to the Chesapeake Bay, Washington concocted a new plan.

“He would fool Clinton into thinking the Continentals were planning to attack New York while instead sneaking away to the south to attack Cornwallis,” according to the Army Heritage Center Foundation. “Washington ordered the construction of large camps with huge brick bread ovens where Clinton could see them to create the illusion that the Continental Army was preparing for a long stay. Washington also prepared false papers discussing attack plans on Clinton, and let these papers fall into British hands.” 

Washington arrives in Yorktown

By mid-September 1781, Washington and Rochambeau arrived in Williamsburg, Virginia, 13 miles from the tobacco port of Yorktown, where Cornwallis’s men had built a defense of 10 small forts (a.k.a. redoubts) with artillery batteries and connecting trenches. In response, Cornwallis asked Clinton for aid, and the general promised him a fleet of 5,000 British soldiers would set sail from New York to Yorktown.

With a small force left in New York, about 2,500 Americans and 4,000 French soldiers—facing some 8,000 British troops—began digging their own trenches 800 yards from the Brits and started a nearly week-long artillery assault on the enemy on October 9.

“The heavy cannons pounded the British mercilessly, and by October 11 had knocked out most of the British guns,” the Army Heritage Center Foundation states. “Cornwallis received the unfortunate (for him) news that Clinton’s departure from New York had been delayed.”

A new parallel trench, 400 yards closer to the British lines, was ordered by Washington on October 11, but completing it would entail taking out the British redoubts No. 9 and No. 10.

The Role of Alexander Hamilton

The attack on redoubt No. 9 would be undertaken by French troops, while the No. 10 siege would be led by Colonel Alexander Hamilton. The Founding Father wasn’t the top pick of Major General Marquis de Lafayette for the job, but Hamilton, who wanted to improve his reputation by proving himself on the battlefield, talked Washington into it.

To speed up the siege of the two redoubts—French troops were to take redoubt No. 9, while Hamilton’s men were assigned No. 10—Washington ordered the use of bayonets, rather than “pounding them slowly into submission with cannon,” writes Ron Chernow in Alexander Hamilton.

“After nightfall on October 14, the allies fired several consecutive shells in the air that brilliantly illuminated the sky,” Chernow writes. At that point, Hamilton and his men rallied from their trenches and sprinted across a quarter-mile of field with fixed bayonets. “For the sake of silence, surprise, and soldierly pride, they had unloaded their guns to take the position with bayonets alone. Dodging heavy fire, they let out war whoops that startled their enemies. … The whole operation had consumed fewer than ten minutes.”

General Cornwallis Surrenders

Of his 400 infantrymen, Hamilton lost just nine in the attack, with some 30 wounded, while the 400 French-led troops lost 27 men, with 109 wounded, according to Fleming. Surrounded by enemy fire, and blocked from receiving aid by the French fleet that had arrived in Chesapeake Bay, Cornwallis was trapped.

The successful siege allowed the allies to complete the second parallel trench and “snuffed out the last remains of resistance among the British.” In a final effort on October 16, Cornwallis attempted a nighttime sea evacuation, but he was stopped by a storm.

On the morning of October 19, the British sent forward a red-coated drummer boy, followed by an officer waving a white handkerchief to the parapet. All guns fell silent—Cornwallis had surrendered.

The End of the Revolutionary War

Following the Battle at Yorktown and Cornwallis’s surrender—and the British down one-third of its force—the British Parliament, in March 1782, passed a resolution calling for the nation to end the war. “Oh God, it is all over!” Prime Minister Frederick North exclaimed upon hearing of the Yorktown surrender, writes Alan Taylor in American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804.

The British still had 30,000 men in North America, occupying the seaports of New York, Charles Town and Savannah,” according to Taylor. But the demoralizing loss at Yorktown diminished the British will to continue to fight the rebels. On September 3, 1783, the Revolutionary War came to an official end with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

As we toured the Park, we also came upon some things from the Civil War.  Kinda unexpected, but it really shouldn’t have been.  Both monumentally important wars were fought in this area.

Tomorrow, we leave this wonderfully historic area(s) we’ve been visiting for the past few weeks in search of a more relaxed existence on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.  I suspect God has a thing or two already planned for us.  😊