The Siege of Yorktown: Conflict Leading to Compromise and U.S. Independence

By cgreen15
  • Lafayette's Order's

    Lafayette's Order's

    The Major General Marquis de Lafayette was ordered to take his Continental troops to Virginia. Marquis de Lafayette. National Park Service. 26, Feb. 2015.
  • Cornwallis enters Virginia

    Cornwallis enters Virginia

    British General Charles Cornwallis, Earl Cornwallis, and his army entered Virginia. Cornwallis believed that American resistance would fail if he defeated Virginia. Gainsborough, Thomas. Charles Earl Cornwallis. circa 1783. National Portrait Gallery.
  • Cornwallis Encamps at Yorktown

    Cornwallis Encamps at Yorktown

    Cornwallis and his army encamped at Yorktown and across the York River at Gloucester Point. Lafayette's spies overheard Cornwallis's plans to use the port as a base of supply and Lafayette relayed word to General George Washington in New York. Siege of Yorktown. 2014. Rick Britton. Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
  • French Admiral de Grasse sails to Chesapeake Bay

    French Admiral de Grasse sails to Chesapeake Bay

    Washington found out that French Admiral de Grasse was sailing for the Chesapeake Bay with a large battle fleet and army. Maurin, Antonio. François Joseph Paul, comte de Grasse. 1 Jan 1837.
  • Washington Moves South

    Washington Moves South

    Washington began to move the allied army south secretly. Rick Britton. Yorktown Campaign April-October 19, 1781. 2014 George Washington's Mount Vernon.
  • The French defeat the British at the Battle of the Capes

    The French defeat the British at the Battle of the Capes

    The French fleet under Admiral de Grasse defeated a British fleet
    under Admiral Thomas Graves in the Battle of the Capes, leaving the British army isolated and without a prospect of reinforcement at Yorktown. Zveg, V. Second Battle of the Virginia Capes. 1962. Hampton Roads Naval Museum.
  • The British Navy Withdraws

    The British Navy Withdraws

    The British navy withdrew from the Virginia coast. Trafalgar. Timetunnel.
  • Washington Arrives at Williamsburg

    Washington Arrives at Williamsburg

    Washington and French General Rochambeau arrived in Williamsburg. The Siege of Yorktown Begins. Revolutionary War and Beyond. 2008.
  • American and French Forces Storm British Defenses

    American and French Forces Storm British Defenses

    In the night, 400 French soldiers stormed British Redoubt No. 9 and 400 American soldiers under the command of Lafayette and Alexander Hamilton stormed Redoubt No. 10. Storming a Redoubt at Yorktown. 1840. Eugene-Louis Lami
  • Cornwallis Attempts to Escape Yorktown

    Cornwallis Attempts to Escape Yorktown

    Under heavy bombardment from the allied army, Cornwallis realized that reinforcements would not reach him in time. He decided to escape from Yorktown, but a sudden storm ruined
    evacuation attempts. A Plan of the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. 1781. Library of Congress.
  • Cornwallis Surrenders

    Cornwallis Surrenders

    British troops under Cornwallis surrendered to Washington’s combined American and French forces, effectively ending major military operations in the American Revolution. Baillie, James S. Surrender of Cornwallis. circa 1845. Gilder Lehrman Collection.
  • British Troops Were Sent to Prisoner of War Camps

    British Troops Were Sent to Prisoner of War Camps

    British troops were sent to Winchester, Virginia; Frederick, Maryland; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania for imprisonment. Yorktown Surrender Ceremony. 1781. Keith Rocco.
  • Cornwallis Signs a Parole

    Cornwallis Signs a Parole

    Cornwallis signed a parole agreeing to stop fighting the Americans. Washington, George, Charles Cornwallis, and Le Comte de Rochambeau. Articles of Capitulation at Yorktown. 1781.
  • News of Cornwallis' Defeat Reach London

    News of Cornwallis' Defeat Reach London

    Prime Minister Lord North exclaimed, "Oh God, it is all over" when news of the Yorktown defeat reached London. “Be It Remembered!” The Freemans Journal, 24 Oct. 1781.
  • The Colonies and Great Britain Sign the Treaty of Paris

    The Colonies and Great Britain Sign the Treaty of Paris

    By the terms of the Treaty of Paris, Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States. Congress ratified the treaty on January 14, 1784. Foner, Eric and Garraty, John A. Treaty of Paris. 1991.