The movement would expose to the caprice of fortune, an object of vast importance, which was now reduced almost to certainty.

The admiral was therefore entreated to preserve his station.
Fortunately, the wishes of the general prevailed, and the admiral consented to relinquish those plans of active enterprise which his thirst for military glory had suggested, and to maintain a station which the American general deemed so conducive to the interests of the allies.
[Sidenote: September 25.] On the 25th of September, the last division of the allied troops arrived in James River, and were disembarked at the landing near Williamsburg; soon after which, the preparations for the siege were completed.
[Sidenote: Yorktown invested.] York is a small village on the south side of the river which bears that name, where the long peninsula between the York and the James, is only eight miles wide.

In this broad and bold river, a ship of the line may ride in safety.

Its southern banks are high, and, on the opposite shore, is Gloucester Point, a piece of land projecting deep into the river, and narrowing it, at that place, to the space of one mile.

Both these posts were occupied by Lord Cornwallis.