Battle+of+Yorktown

= . ............................................................. __"Victory at Last!"__ =

=General Information=

The Battle and [|Siege] of Yorktown took place on the Yorktown peninsula in Yorktown, [|Virginia] in September and October of 1781. This event was a crucial moment in the Revolutionary War, because it was at this point, that the British were forced to surrender, and lose the war. This battle was a definite victory to for the [|American Continental Army] and French Army. The Americans, led by [|George Washington], and the French, led by [|Comte de Rochambeau] managed to defeat General [|Lord Cornwallis], commander of the British Troops, by trapping his 9,000 British troops on the Yorktown Peninsula, and heavily Bombarding them for weeks. The siege of the 9,000 British troops resulted in the British soldiers lacking in food and supplies, The British could not receive any supplies or reinforcements, and not only were they blocked off on the land, but also the British Navy that was supposed to give support to the soldiers was forced to move, by the larger French Navy. The British were low on supplies and severely outnumbered with only 9,000 troops, against the Franco-American Force of over 20,000 Men, 52 Cannons, and 29 French War Ships. They had no choice but to surrender.The defeat of General Cornwallis troops at Yorktown led to the Treaty of Paris, finally ending the war.



__**Who**__

The soldiers evolved in this battle were the American Continental Army, led by George Washington, the French forces led by Comte de Rouchambeau, and the British/[|Hessian] forces led by British General Lord Cornwallis.

__**What**__

The French and Americans launched a joint operation in which they intended to trick the enemy into believing that Washington was marching his troops North to New York. But instead he was marching his men south towards Yorktown Virginia where British/Hessian forces were located. An August 19th the decision was made, and the march began Washington and Comte de Rochambeau started to plan their attack and siege. After receiving information that the British Troops had the support of the navy behind them, Comte de Rochambeau ordered his navy, the fleet under [|Admiral de Grasse], to come in and assist with the battle. The British underestimated how large the French Fleet was. The British fleet, under the control of [|Thomas Graves], was defeated by the French forces in the [|battle of the Chesapeake], and had no other choice to return north, leaving the British Soldiers stranded, and surrounded.

__**Where/**____**When**__

The battle took place in Yorktown Virginia, on the Yorktown Peninsula. It lasted for almost a month, due to the siege and lengthy marches. Early in the morning on September 28, Washington started to gather up his forces, and commanding them to surround the British position. After the surrender, the British soldiers were picked up by a large British fleet on the 24th of October.

__**Why**__ Comte de Rochambeau had almost 40 years of experience in the military, but he respected Washington decision. He informed Washington that a victory at Yorktown would be huge, even though Washington forces could have easily taken over [|New York], where the British soldiers would be outnumbered 1 to 3. Although Washington could have taken over part of [|Manhattan Island,] he listened to Rochambeau and started his attack on Yorktown.

__**How**__

Washington was smart in his decision to keep all non military in the [|13 Colonies] un aware of where he was headed. His march was top secret, and he was quite successful in tricking the British that he was marching North toward New York.

__**Other Facts:**__

General Cornwallis missed the Surrender ceremony, claiming "illness," and instead [|Brigadier] General [|Charles O'Hara] was the high ranking officer who was present at the Ceremony.

It is legend that the British drummers played the tune of "[|The World Turned Upside Down]" while their troops marched out to surrender.

After the British surrendered, General Washington sent [|Tench Tilghman] to [|Congress], to inform them of his huge victory. After a long journey, he arrived in Philadelphia with the news. Citizens of [|Philadelphia] celebrated for several days. Washington also moved his army to [|New Windsor, New York] where they remained stationed until 1783, when the Treaty was signed,

The American soldiers started to dig the first parallel at nightfall on October 6th, to prepare for the siege. The [|trench] was planned to be 2,000 yards long,and run from Yorktown to the York River.

Not only were British troops under siege on the Yorktown Peninsula, but across the [|York River] at [|Gloucester Point] the soldiers were also under heavy bombardment by French and American forces.

On Washingtons march to Virigina he was able to stop home at his home in [|Mount Vernon],

.............................................................. .media type="youtube" key="Y88pJCIaX_8" height="344" width="425"



__//**Questions**//__

Who were the Generals that were involved in this Battle?

What technique did the Franco-American forces use to overcome the British soldiers, without much bloodshed?

What document was created as a result of this Victory?