Search Posts

Category: Yorktown

1781. General Cornwalis arrived in Petersburg in May of 1781. After receiving conflicting instructions, Cornwalis went to Yorktown and began preparing a naval base there. General Washington moved south and, together with French ground and naval forces, surrounded the British army, forcing its surrender and effectively ending the war.

Chaison, Jean Baptiste

Am searching for Jean Baptiste Chaison (b. 1745 in Halifax) who accompanied the Marquis de La Fayette to the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.
He fought with General George Washington in several battles, notably Brandywine, Germantown and under Nathaniel Greene at Eutaw Springs. Chaison was also present at Yorktown.

Any information will be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Linda Chesson

Hawk, James

James Hawk was a member of the Pennsylvania Militia enlisting in August 1777. James served in Colonel William Evans’ Fourth Battalion. He also was present at Germantown and Redbanks with the Pennsylvania Line. He re-enlisted with the Virginia Line under Major Morgan and was at the Battle of Yorktown. James moved to Fayette County PA in the early 1800’s and received a pension for his service in 1830.

SUBMITTER INFO:
James Horton
jch53@adelphia.net

Hanks, Epiphroditus

My ggggr-grandfather Epiphroditus Hanks participated in this battle as well as Bunker Hill and York Town. He was 2nd cousin once removed of Abraham Lincoln.

SUBMITTER INFO:
Tommy J Moore, Gordonville, TX
Relationship: My ggggr-grandfather

Agens (Ragen), James

James Agens, my great, great, great, great grandfather, fought at Brandywine in the 4th Maryland Regiment.  His name was James Agens, although he served in the 4th Maryland under the name James Ragan.  He was a colorful character.  Born around 1751, he was apprenticed to a weaver in Edinburgh, Scotland at a young age, ran away at 14 and either enlisted or was “pressed” into the British Army, was sent to Boston with his regiment at the start of the Revolution, deserted, and joined the Americans.  He seems to have been completely illiterate, and signed his 1818 and 1820 pension declarations with an “X”.  He indicated that he enlisted in the 4th Maryland as James Ragens (actually Ragan, as noted above) to avoid confusion with other men who had similar names.  He served December 17, 1776 – December 16, 1779 with the 4th, and later served with the 5th New York Regiment under his own name (also spelled Agin, Agins, Aggins, Agan, Aggans, and Agent at various times).  In addition to Brandywine, he served at Germantown, Monmouth, Stony Point, a battle near Fort Stanwix, and the Yorktown campaign.  He was wounded by a musket ball at Monmouth and a bayonet at Stony Point.

SUBMITTED BY:
Don Johnston
Daj2701@aol.com
Relationship: My great, great, great, great grandfather