Surrender Field

“We waited two or three hours before the British made their appearance,” remembered Sgt. Joseph Plumb Martin, Corps of Sappers and Miners. “They were not always so dilatory, but they were compelled at last, by necessity, to appear, all armed, with bayonets fixed, drums beating, and faces lengthening; they were led by Gen. O’Harra [sic], with the American Gen. Lincoln on his right, the Americans and French beating a march as they passed out between them. It was a noble sight to us, and the more so, as it seemed to promise a speedy conclusion to the contest.” Gen. Charles O’Hara attempted to surrender his sword to Rochambeau, who referred him to Washington. Washington refused to accept the sword since it was not from Cornwallis, and in turn directed O’Hara to Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, who accepted it and then returned it.