1781
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The
Battle of Yorktown was the last big battle of the American Revolution. The
combined forces of the American Army and the French Army
came together and fought against the rest of the British
soldiers.
The American and French Armies decided to surround the city by land and cut off Cornwallis' escape route on the river. Then the army could defeat British forces. They stationed approximately 2500 men at the American forts near the city to fool the British into believing that Washington's entire force was still there. Then the rest of the French and American armies raced south to Virginia. On September 28, 1781, Washington and Rochambeau, along with Lafayette's troops and 3,000 men, arrived at Yorktown. In all, there were approximately 17,000 men marching into Cornwallis' camp. The stage was set for the final showdown in America's fight for independence. After much fighting, Cornwallis offered to surrender on October 17th. On the 19th of October, the papers were signed and he officially surrendered. This would be the final major battle of the American Revolution. Immediately after this battle, Lord North, the British Prime Minister, resigned. |
