History Brief: The Battle of Yorktown

Summary

In 1781, the Patriots faced dire circumstances, with Congress unable to fund the army and the British controlling most of the South. However, General Washington seized an opportunity at Yorktown, Virginia, where British Commander Cornwallis was trapped by American and French forces. With help from French troops and naval control, the Patriots relentlessly bombarded Cornwallis’ defenses, leading to his surrender on October 19. In a dramatic moment, British soldiers marched in defeat, while the Americans celebrated their victory with a symbolic performance of 'Yankee Doodle.' This pivotal moment marked the end of the major fighting in the Revolutionary War.

Takeaways

• 😀 In early 1781, the Patriots were struggling with a lack of resources, including money for soldiers and supplies.
• 😀 The British controlled most of the South, including key cities like Philadelphia and New York.
• 😀 Lord Cornwallis, the British commander, set up a base at Yorktown, Virginia, to maintain contact with the British naval fleet.
• 😀 Washington seized an opportunity to trap Cornwallis by ordering Lafayette to keep him occupied at Yorktown while the French forces advanced.
• 😀 Washington combined his forces with 4,000 French troops under Comte de Rochambeau and marched south.
• 😀 The French navy successfully seized control of the Chesapeake Bay, blocking Cornwallis' escape route.
• 😀 The British fleet sent to rescue Cornwallis was defeated, and Cornwallis found himself trapped by 16,000 American and French soldiers.
• 😀 Around-the-clock bombardments from the Patriots forced Cornwallis into a dire situation, with no means of escape.
• 😀 A daring night attack led by Alexander Hamilton and Rochambeau captured two key British forts, cutting off Cornwallis' last route of escape.
• 😀 On October 17, 1781, Cornwallis sent a letter proposing a ceasefire and terms of surrender, and the final surrender took place on October 19, 1781.
• 😀 British General Charles O'Hara, unable to face the Americans, surrendered on behalf of Cornwallis, with British troops laying down their weapons to the tune of 'The World Turned Upside Down.'
• 😀 Lafayette, upset by the British soldiers' disrespect towards the Americans, had the American band play 'Yankee Doodle' in response during the surrender ceremony.
• 😀 After the surrender, Lafayette wrote to France, signaling that the American victory had been secured, stating, 'The play sir, is over.'

Q & A

What was the situation for the Patriots in early 1781?

In early 1781, the Patriots were struggling as Congress had no money to pay soldiers or supply the army. The British controlled most of the South, along with Philadelphia and New York City.

Why did Lord Cornwallis set up a base at Yorktown, Virginia?

Lord Cornwallis set up a base at Yorktown, Virginia, to stay in contact with the British naval fleet. From there, he could be supplied by both land and sea and quickly dispatch troops anywhere.

How did Washington plan to trap Cornwallis's British army?

Washington planned to trap Cornwallis's army by ordering Lafayette to keep Cornwallis occupied at Yorktown while he combined his forces with 4,000 French troops under Comte de Rochambeau and marched south. The French navy also worked to control the Chesapeake Bay.

What happened when the British fleet sent to rescue Cornwallis arrived?

The British fleet sent to rescue Cornwallis was beaten back, and when the British tried to escape by land, they were forced back into their fortifications at Yorktown.

How did the Patriots manage to trap Cornwallis at Yorktown?

The Patriots, with 16,000 American and French soldiers, surrounded Cornwallis's forces. They continuously fired shells into the British fortifications, and in a daring night attack, Alexander Hamilton and Rochambeau captured two key British forts, cutting off Cornwallis's escape route.

What was Cornwallis's response to the Patriots' siege at Yorktown?

On October 17, 1781, Cornwallis proposed a cessation of hostilities for 24 hours to allow for negotiations, and he requested two officers from each side to settle the terms for the surrender of the posts at York and Gloucester.

How did the British signal their surrender at Yorktown?

A British drummer boy and a red-coated officer carrying a white handkerchief walked toward the Americans, signaling the end of the battle and the start of surrender negotiations.

What happened on October 19, 1781, at Yorktown?

On October 19, 1781, Washington signed the final surrender terms, and later that day, 8,000 British troops, led by General Charles O'Hara (who could not bring himself to surrender directly to the Americans), laid down their arms and surrendered.

What symbolic event occurred during the British surrender at Yorktown?

During the British surrender, a British band played 'The World Turned Upside Down' as the troops laid down their weapons. The Americans stood on one side of the road, with the French on the other, and Lafayette had the American band play 'Yankee Doodle' in response, symbolizing the shift in power.

How did Lafayette feel about the British soldiers' behavior during the surrender?

Lafayette was disgusted by the British soldiers' attempt to dishonor the Americans by facing the French instead. He ordered his band to play 'Yankee Doodle' to assert American pride and emphasize the changing power dynamics.