The Siege of Yorktown was a well-structured plan laid by the American President, George Washington.This plan was to defeat England who had been at war with the United States for more than six years. The French army sided with America to destroy the British troops who occupied North America, Charleston in South Carolina, and Savannah in Georgia.After the long-drawn wars with the British forces, the American troops became exhausted, with many starving to death and freezing in the winter of 1780 at Morristown and Valley Forge. General George Washington did not lose faith in his army and continued venturing newer plans to defeat the British troops. The French allies assisted the American troops by sending supplies, naval assistance, and French troops.Along with the French troops, the continental army had to take an immediate decision to gain independence from British forces. Under the leadership of Washington, the allied forces aimed for Yorkshire in Virginia, where General Charles Lord Cornwallis governed the British lines. Both the American and French troops marched to Yorkshire from New York City and received a French fleet that Comte de Grasse commanded. This was considered the most significant revolutionary war movement that completely surprised the British Government. Their plan to construct a siege in Yorktown compelled the British defenders to surrender, thereby marking the American victory from the British hands.If you liked reading this article, augment your knowledge with more historical events like the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Peterloo Massacre facts here on Kidadl.Siege Of Yorktown Historical EventsIn 1781, British rule was established in Yorktown under the generalship of Lord Cornwallis, who intended to establish British defenses accompanied by 9000 soldiers. As he waited for the Royal Navy under the commander General Clinton to arrive, the allied army seized this opportunity to attack the British forces in Yorktown.Washington’s fame grew as he constructed the master plan to fool Clinton into thinking that the Americans were gearing up a fight against him in New York City. Washington posted light infantry along with the huge brick bread ovens and camps visible to Clinton. He thought that the American soldiers were undergoing military operations for a significant battle here. Washington’s troops even passed false papers which contained the discussion of an attack on Clinton to the British troops.Setting up Clinton in their trap, Washington and the French armies started for the Yorktown campaign in mid-August and reached Williamsburg in September, just 13 mi (21 km) away from Yorktown.Cornwallis received orders from Clinton to stay in Yorktown and protect the British fleet in the Chesapeake Bay, which comprised the deep waters of the York River. The British army he led protected Gloucester Point and fortified their military forces in Yorktown.As planned, the French fleet entered the Chesapeake Bay along with 3000 French soldiers who waited for the arrival of Rochambeau and Washington in Williamsburg at the end of August. Soon a naval engagement between the British fleet and the French Navy took place on September 5, known as the Battle of Capes. As a result, the British Naval forces suffered from huge losses and were directed to retreat to New York by the British officers. This was when the French forces established a strong blockade in the lower Chesapeake, and according to the plan, about 17,600 soldiers of both America and France occupied Williamsburg against only 8300 British soldiers in Yorktown.Purpose Of Siege Of YorktownWith the extensive number of American and French soldiers who were ready for a major land battle, Cornwallis realized that the odds were against him. Therefore, he asked for Clinton’s help, who informed that he would soon sail with a British troop of 5000 men from New York to Yorktown on October 5.Cornwallis started to prepare his army for the last major battle. He constructed a line of defense comprising 10 British redoubts, which were small enclosed forts, around Yorktown. On September 28, the continental army and Washington moved to Yorktown from Williamsburg. Washington ordered his men to dig the trench, which was about 2400 ft (731.52 m) away from the British line of defense. Thus, the siege formation began in Yorktown, eventually leading to the British defeat.The purpose of this siege was of utmost importance for the American revolutionary war as the entire American and French artillery moved up to Yorktown through this siege, followed by continuous firing at the British. This led them to knock out the British guns and forces completely, thereby bewildering Cornwallis and other British officers.On October 11, another trench was built by the allied forces, which was just 1200 ft (365.76 m) away from the British camps. The French officers helped to strengthen the American lines by capturing more British redoubts. France primarily supported the American Revolution during this time, and many French soldiers lost their lives in this last major land battle of the Yorktown campaign.Who fought the Battle of Yorktown?The revolutionary war of Yorktown was fought between England and America. France was also into a long-drawn conflict with Great Britain, sided with America. This was the most consequential event of the American Revolution, and the Siege of Yorktown ascertained the British surrender to the United States.The Battle of Yorktown compelled Lord Cornwallis and his troops in southern colonies to attain desperate moves to secure their position against the continental army. The message of Clinton from New York further added to their despair. Clinton informed that the British fleet would take more time to reach Yorktown from New York. As a result, Cornwallis decided to attack the French army on October 16 but was soon defeated by the French cannons, which fired for about six hours straight.Results Of Siege Of YorktownThe American Revolution came to an end with the surrender of the British in the Siege of Yorktown. On October 19, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington, and the allied forces captured the British prisoners.On October 19, the army of Cornwallis marched out of Yorktown and laid down their arms on a field. The entire process of surrendering was spectacular as the British army marched out, forming two lines of allied soldiers with French on one side and Americans on the other side. Many researchers claim that during their surrender, the British band played ‘The World’s Turned Upside Down,’ an incident that became so famous that it is now a part of American folklore.However, just after their surrender, Clinton arrived with his fleet of 5000 soldiers. The entire London was in shock learning about the victory of the United States. New York cheered the victory of America. While the American army retreated to the Hudson River, the French army continued to stay in Williamsburg and Yorktown throughout that winter.As the Americans celebrated their victory, Great Britain underwent a lot of pressure due to their defeat. A new controversy befell England to determine who was to blame for their surrender in Yorktown. Countless public opinions surfaced in England. Clinton and Cornwallis were their topics of debate. British suffered huge expenses after this defeat, especially when it was already involved in extensive wars with several other countries, including West Indies, India, Ireland, and Gibraltar. Therefore, in 1782, the British Parliament passed the resolution that Great Britain would no longer engage in war with the United States. Provisional peace treaties were signed by the British officer and the American commissioner. The treaty of September 1783 acknowledged the freedom of America from the British clutches. The Siege of Yorktown ended British rule in America.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Siege Of Yorktown: The Role Of George Washington Vs. The British Army, then why not take a look at Why Do Woodpeckers Peck Wood? And How To Avoid Woodpecker’s Pecking, or Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails? Paw-fect Facts On Tail Chasing Revealed!.
The Siege of Yorktown was a well-structured plan laid by the American President, George Washington.
