T6+-+6.5B

T6 - 6.5B Darby McDowell, Veronica Guastella, Elise Altobelli (Battle at Yorktown)

The Battle That Ended it All. Once again, the British tried to take what is not theirs. This time they tried to invade Yorktown because Cornwallis needed reinforcements and wanted them by sea. The Chesapeake Bay was an ideal spot to receive these reinforcements. Washington communicated with other generals and created a plan to surround the British at Yorktown. Washington outnumbered Cornwallis and forced him to surrender by surrounding the British, and weakening their defenses. The American and French were successful because of careful planning and outstanding leadership from General George Washington.

General Cornwallis was said to have siege Yorktown and Gloucester. So, in retaliation, Washington began leading an attack on Cornwallis. Comte Rochambeau met with Washington and would later join de Grasse’s large fleet of 5,000. Thomas Graves fought the Battle of Capes while waiting for the huge American Army to encircle Yorktown. The Battle of Capes made Cornwallis unable to receive reinforcements. Rochambeau, Washington, and De Grasse met up with Lafayette by going down the Chesapeake Bay. Lafayette was sent to block Cornwallis’ escape. The army soon surrounded Yorktown, so Cornwallis called for reinforcements. Cornwallis, weakened by the capture of two main redoubts, was pressured into a last attempt attack. The attack was a failure, and with no sign of reinforcements so Cornwallis surrendered.

The main person involved was General George Washington, he orchestrated the attack on Yorktown on the Patriot side, and he personally fired the first shot of the battle. Lord Charles Cornwallis is a British general that seized Yorktown and Gloucester. Lieutenant General Rochambeau is a French General that agreed to fight with George Washington. Major General Henry Clinton was the person who was supposed to send relief to General Cornwallis immediately. Marquis de Lafayette is a Virginian American that blocked Cornwallis’ escape. Admiral Comte de Grasse is the Leader of the French Navy; he blocked the bay to prevent General Cornwallis from getting supplies. Sir Thomas Graves helped Admiral Comte by engaging the French. Comte de Chassey initially led the mixed Army across the York River when the first surrounded Yorktown. Colonel Alexander Hamilton captured the two main redoubts, 10 and 9. Colonel Robert Abercrombie led the final failed attack from the British, he didn’t break through the Patriots defenses but he did get some prisoners and spiked six guns.

October 17, 1781 approximately six years after the Revolutionary War started, America was ready to put an end to it. Washington and Rochambeau joined together and their troops made their way across the Hudson River and marched south to Yorktown. The French Fleet blocking the Chesapeake Bay prevented Cornwallis for reinforcements and food. This was a perfect set up, at about 10 p.m. the American and French troops attacked the British until they became overwhelmed. Two days later, October 19, 1781 Cornwallis surrendered.

This whole entire battle-and war, started going all the way back to the French and Indian War, Britain got themselves in so much debt they thought the only way to get themselves out of it was by taxing the colonist, who had no vote or say in all what they were paying for. This lead into The Revolutionary War. Battle after Battle, lives lost, and money disappearing, this war has truly had an effect on the colonies and Britain. These battles lead up to one, The Battle of Yorktown. This battle came to be after General Cornwallis moved to Yorktown, then to Chesapeake Bay, to build a defense fort. General George Washington ordered The French Navy to Blockade the Redcoats from escaping by water, and colonist attacked from the other side. This way they were not only attacking but starting a battle as well. Cornwallis men where unprepared for this surprise attack and had only two choices, die or surrender. They surrendered and the patriots came out with a victory. "Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the event which is in the hands of God."-George Washington

This Battle, and War, all really started when Britain Started to unfairly tax the colonies of America, to help pay off the debts of The French and Indian War. This led to the war that we are in today. Throughout these past six years, we have gone through many battles, some have come out with great victories, and others great defeat. General Cornwallis, a British commander, made an unauthorized move from New York, to Yorktown, Virginia. Sir Henry Clinton ordered Cornwallis to build a defense Fort at Chesapeake Bay. French ally, and spy Marquis de Lafayette, informed General George Washington the British location at Chesapeake Bay. Washington reported to be overwhelmed with such news, saw this as prime time to possibility launch the final surprise attack in the war, making it come to an end. Washington Quickly contacted Admiral de Grasse, the commander of the French Navy, to Come to Virginia, and block Chesapeake Bay by sea, making it impossible for the British to escape by sea and a smart move on the Patriots side. Washington then ordered Marquis de Lafayette to march French and American Troops to launch the surprise attack they had been planning. It was an epic success. The British where unprepared, shocked and outnumbered. There only choice was too surrender to the Patriots. “To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."-George Washington

Six and a half years into the war, the battle of Yorktown started, and came to an end. In the end, Cornwallis Fort failed to Defend Chesapeake Bay and Washington’s surprise attack was a success. The Patriots Fiercely Blockaded the British by land and sea, which made it impossible for the redcoats to escape. In this Battle the Patriots ultimately won, not only the battle, but the war. The rebels have won the revolution.