[Battle of Yorktown]. The Pennsylvania Packet. Or, the General Advertiser. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; October 11, 1781. Printed by David C. Claypoole. Volume XI [11], number 793. Four pages of a bifolium, 9.5" x 15.75". Unpaginated and printed in three columns. Washington's men march for Yorktown, and one of the last major battles of the Revolutionary War. Among other Revolutionary news, including battle reports, troop movements, and supply updates, this newspaper notably contains an extract of a letter from William Heath, major-general in the Continental Army, to Thomas McKean, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, and, at this time, President of Congress. The letter announces one of the final marches of Washington's men, on their way to establish the Siege of Yorktown, the last major land battle of the Revolutionary War. This march and subsequent fight resulted in the surrender of British General Cornwallis and served as the catalyst for treaty negotiations between the United States and Great Britain. The letter reads, in part: "The American army and our allies formed the line of the battle this day; to morrow morning I expect we shall march to a position near York, to commence a siege. We make a brilliant appearance; as to numbers, I think, we are fifteen thousand strong, not including the Virginia Militia." A bright example of a colonial-era newspaper, featuring the first steps in a key turning point in the fight for American Independence. Condition: Chiefly split along integral fold. Small open tear in the bottom. Right corner of the paper, extending through both leaves and just affecting text (though not the content of the above letter). Some dampstaining. Light scattered foxing and soiling. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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