Accordingly, Washington determined to mass his troops in Virginia, unite the northern and southern armies, and, in conjunction with the French fleet, completely crush Cornwallis. It was necessary, however, that Clinton, in New York, should suspect nothing of this scheme, or else he, too, would join Cornwallis. The change of plan was carried out with great skill. Letters were written detailing imaginary movements, and these letters fell into the hands of the British general, who supposed that great preparations were making to attack him in New York. Meanwhile, a few troops only were left in camp at White Plains, while the rest of the army crossed the Hudson and moved rapidly to Virginia. It was not until the two armies were within reach of each other that Clinton learned what had really been going on. [Illustration: KNIFE-AND-FORK-CASE USED BY WASHINGTON.] Washington took this opportunity to make a flying visit to Mount Vernon. It was the first time he had been there since he left it to attend that meeting of the Continental Congress at which he had been chosen Commander-in-Chief. He had never lost sight of his home, however. Thither his thoughts often turned, and many a time, amid the anxieties and cares of his burdensome life, he looked with longing toward the quiet haven of Mount Vernon. He wrote weekly to the manager of his estate, and he gave him one general rule of conduct in this wise: “Let the hospitality of the house, with respect to the poor, be kept up. Let no one go away hungry. If any of this kind of people should be in want of corn, supply their necessities, provided it does not encourage them in idleness.” [Illustration: “PRESENTLY A BALL DID STRIKE THE CANNON, AND, ROLLING OFF, FELL AT WASHINGTON’S FEET.”] He staid but a couple of days at Mount Vernon, where he was joined by Count Rochambeau, and then he hastened to the headquarters of the army at Williamsburg. It was now the middle of September. Cornwallis was at Yorktown, and everything depended on the ability of the combined French and American forces to capture his army before he could be re-enforced by Clinton. The leading generals of the American army were there eagerly directing operations, and Washington was at the front superintending the works, for the men were fighting Cornwallis with the spade as well as with cannon. Washington put the match to the first gun that was fired. One who was in the army at the time relates an incident that came under his notice: “A considerable cannonading from the enemy; one shot killed three men, and mortally wounded another. While the Rev. Mr. Evans, our chaplain, was standing near the Commander-in-Chief, a shot struck the ground so near as to cover his hat with sand. Being much agitated, he took off his hat, and said, ‘See here, General!’ ‘Mr. Evans,’ replied his excellency, with his usual composure, ‘you’d better carry that home and show it to your wife and children.’”