![The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Lieut. Col. Banastre Tarleton. Yours faithfully, Ban. Tarleton [signature].” New York Public Library Digital Collections.](https://www.thenmusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot-2025-12-03-at-11.46.45-AM.png)
Worried that the British army might escape across the York River to Gloucester Point, the Franco-American army dispatched some troops to to secure the location. The soldiers, led by Brig. Gen. Claude Gabriel de Choisy, confronted Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s British Legion on its return from a forging mission. Largely a clash of mounted soldiers, the four-hour fight christened the Battle of the Hook was the longest cavalry skirmish in the Revolutionary War. After Tarleton withdrew to Gloucester, the Franco-American force secured the rear of the British fortifications, blocking their escape route.
"The General Congratulates the Army upon the brilliant success of the Allied Troops near Gloucester--He requests the Duke de Lauzan to accept his particular thanks for the Judicious disposition and the decisive Vigour with which he charged the Enemy—and to communicate his Warmest Acknowledgements to the Gallant Officers and men by whom he was so admirably seconded—He feels peculiar satisfaction at the inconsiderable loss on our part, that no ill effects are to be apprehended from the Honorable Wounds which have been received in this affair--and that at so small an Expence, the Enemy amounting to six hundred Horse and foot were compleatly repulsed and Reconducted to their very lines. The Corps of the Allied Army were the Duke de Louzerns Legion and the Militia Granadiers of Mercer."
George Washington, General Orders, 4 October 1781www.founders.archives.gov