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178128 September – 19 October 1781 · Yorktown

Siege of Yorktown

John Trumbull's painting of the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781
Archival image: John Trumbull. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

American troops under George Washington, with a French army and fleet, trapped Lord Cornwallis's British army at Yorktown. A French naval victory off the Chesapeake had cut off relief, and as the siege lines closed in Cornwallis surrendered about 8,000 men. Britain opened peace talks and recognised American independence in 1783.

Sites

  1. Site 1: Yorktown BattlefieldEarthworks, siege lines and Redoubts 9 and 10.Map ↗
  2. Site 2: Moore HouseHouse where the surrender terms were negotiated.Map ↗
  3. Site 3: Surrender FieldField where the British laid down their arms.Map ↗

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