Battle of Yorktown

The Battle of Yorktown, British General Charles Cornwallis's surrender to American troops

The Battle of Yorktown, also known as the Siege of Yorktown, was the final and victorious war in the American Revolution against the British in Yorktown, Virginia. It began on September 28 and ended on October 19, 1781. With the aid of the French, commanded by Marquis de Lafayette, the Americans gained a positive advantage and caused the British to surrender to the Continental Army, along with the French.

Hamilton vs History

• On August 19, the march to Yorktown led by George Washington and General Rochambeau began. 4,000 French and 3,000 American soldiers marched through Philadelphia from September 2 to 4, where the American soldiers announced they would not leave Maryland until they received one month's pay in coin, rather than in the worthless Continental paper currency.

 

"They only take British money, so sing a song of sixpence"

— Alexander Hamilton, "Stay Alive"

• General Rochambeau generously loaned Washington half of his supply of gold Spanish coins. This would be the last time the men would be paid.

 

"We rendezvous with Rochambeau, consolidate their gifts"

— George Washington, "Guns And Ships"

• On September 5, Washington learned of the arrival of de Grasse's fleet off the Virginia Capes. De Grasse debarked his French troops to join Lafayette, and then sent his empty transports to pick up the American troops.

 

"I go to France for more funds, I come back with more guns. And ships. And so the balance shifts."

— Marquis de Lafayette, "Guns And Ships"

• In August, British Admiral Sir Thomas Graves led a fleet from New York to attack de Grasse's fleet. Graves did not realize how large the French fleet was and the British fleet was defeated by de Grasse's fleet in the Chesapeake Bay on September 5, and forced to fall back to New York.

 

"Lafayette is there waiting, in Chesapeake Bay"

— Alexander Hamilton, "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)

• On October 9th, French and Americans guns were in place in Yorktown and by early evening they took the British by surprise and started tearing their defenses apart

 

"How did we know that this plan would work? We had a spy on the inside, that's right; Hercules Mulligan!"

— Alexander Hamilton, "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)

• On the 17th October, a drummer appeared, followed by an officer waving a white handkerchief.
  • In ''[[Hamilton (musical)|Hamilton]]'', [[Alexander Hamilton|Alexander]] narrates that it was after a week of fighting the British surrendered, while it was a few days longer in reality

 

"We lower our guns as he frantically waves a white handkerchief"

— Marquis de Lafayette, "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"

• The bombardment ceased, and the officer was blindfolded and led behind the French and American lines. Negotiations began tthe British and [[John Laurens|Lieutenant Colonel Laurens]] and Marquis de Noailles. To make sure that nothing fell apart between the French and Americans at the last minute, Washington ordered that the French be given an equal share in every step of the surrender process.

 

"We negotiate the terms of surrender. I see George Washington smile."

— Alexander Hamilton, "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"

• Cornwallis' British men were declared prisoners of war, promised good treatment in American camps, and officers were permitted to return home after taking their parole. At 2:00 pm the allied army entered the British positions, with the French on the left and the Americans on the right.

 

"We escort their men out of Yorktown, they stagger home single file"

— Alexander Hamilton, "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"

• The British soldiers marched out and laid down their arms in between the French and American armies, while many civilians watched.

 

"Tens of thousands of people flood the streets"

— Alexander Hamilton, "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)