Yorktown Campaign > Siege of Yorktown

Siege of Yorktown

Background

The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown, was the decisive and final major battle of the American Revolutionary War. It took place from September 28 to October 19, 1781, in Yorktown, Virginia. The combined American and French forces, commanded by General George Washington and the French General Comte de Rochambeau, besieged the British army led by General Lord Charles Cornwallis. The successful siege led to the surrender of Cornwallis's army and ultimately to the end of the war.

Background:

1. Strategic Situation:

   • By 1781, the American Revolutionary War had been raging for six years, with battles occurring throughout the colonies. The British strategy focused on the Southern Campaign, aiming to rally Loyalist support and regain control of the southern states.
   • General Cornwallis had moved his troops to Yorktown, Virginia, to establish a fortified position and maintain a base for British naval operations.

2. French-American Alliance:

   • The alliance between the Americans and the French was crucial to the outcome of the war. French military and naval support provided the Americans with the necessary resources to challenge British dominance.
   • French Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse played a key role by controlling the Chesapeake Bay, preventing British reinforcements and supplies from reaching Cornwallis.

The Siege:

1. Initial Movements:

   • General Washington and General Rochambeau led a coordinated march from New York to Virginia, secretly planning to trap Cornwallis in Yorktown. This strategic deception kept the British in New York unaware of their true intentions.
   • The French fleet under Admiral de Grasse arrived in the Chesapeake Bay in late August 1781, establishing naval superiority and blocking British naval support.

2. Encirclement of Yorktown:

   • By September 28, American and French forces had completely surrounded Yorktown. The allied army numbered around 17,000 troops, significantly outnumbering Cornwallis's 8,000 troops.
   • The siege began with the construction of trenches and artillery positions, gradually tightening the noose around the British defenses.

3. Artillery Bombardment:

   • On October 9, the allies commenced a heavy artillery bombardment, targeting British fortifications and positions within Yorktown. The continuous bombardment weakened the British defenses and morale.
   • French engineers played a key role in constructing siege works, enabling the artillery to advance closer to British lines.

4. Assault on British Redoubts:

   • On October 14, American and French forces launched a night assault on two key British redoubts (fortified positions), Redoubt 9 and Redoubt 10. The successful capture of these redoubts allowed the allies to advance their siege lines further.
   • Alexander Hamilton, then a lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army, led the American assault on Redoubt 10, which became a legendary moment in the siege.

Surrender and Aftermath:

1. Cornwallis's Surrender:

   • Realizing the hopelessness of his situation, Cornwallis attempted a failed breakout by sea. With no possibility of reinforcement or resupply, he opened negotiations for surrender.
   • On October 19, 1781, General Cornwallis formally surrendered to General Washington and General Rochambeau. Over 7,000 British soldiers were taken prisoner.

2. Impact on the War:

   • The surrender at Yorktown effectively ended major military operations in the American Revolutionary War. It marked the collapse of British efforts to control the colonies and signaled the beginning of the end of British rule in America.
   • The victory at Yorktown boosted American morale and solidified French support for the American cause.

3. Treaty of Paris:

   • The Siege of Yorktown set the stage for peace negotiations. The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, officially recognizing the independence of the United States and ending the war.

Significance:

• The Siege of Yorktown was a pivotal event that demonstrated the effectiveness of the Franco-American alliance and the strategic acumen of General Washington.
• It underscored the importance of naval power in determining the outcome of the war, with the French fleet playing a crucial role in the victory.
• The successful siege established George Washington's reputation as a brilliant military leader and laid the foundation for the new nation's independence.

The Siege of Yorktown remains one of the most celebrated victories in American history, symbolizing the triumph of the American revolutionary cause and the birth of the United States as an independent nation.

Yorktown Campaign Battles

• Battle of Blandford
• Battle of Cape Henry
• Battle of Green Spring
• Battle of Spencer's Ordinary
• Battle of the Chesapeake
• Francisco's Fight
• Raid on Richmond
• Siege of Yorktown
• Skirmish at Waters Creek

Sources

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