This month in history: Siege of Yorktown

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AFB, S.D. --  Oct. 16, 1781, saw the end of the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War ; however, it took eight more years for a fledgling nation forged by sacrifices made by volunteers in uniform to ratify a constitution that promised democracy. 

During the summer of 1781, when British General Lord Cornwallis meant to rejoin General Sir Henry Clinton in New York. This would have combined two land armies under two talented British commanders, thus making the war effort even more difficult for the newly minted and militia-laden American Army. 

American scientist and diplomat Benjamin Franklin had successfully secured France as an ally during the last phases of the war. This was an enormous victory for the Americans as France had duly recognized America as a sovereign nation and lent its support. 

"In some respects, the Siege of Yorktown began not on the battlefield but in the cut-throat world of politics and diplomacy," said Mr. Ryan Warner, 28th Bomb Wing historian. "This was a different type of warfare in a different arena but still just as critical to the American war effort." 

By 1780, French land forces were in America and the French commander, the Comte de Rochambeau, met with General George Washington. 

"Rochambeau conferred with Washington and convinced him the American plan to assault New York could very well end in defeat," said Mr. Warner. "But Rochambeau brought news that the French fleet, commanded by Comte de Grasse was sailing to the Carribean in October. The two generals agreed to attempt to surround Lord Cornwallis in the strategically important port town of Yorktown, Virginia, by land and de Grasse could cut Cornwallis off by sea." 

While Admiral de Grasse sailed his way toward Yorktown Harbor, located on the Chesapeake Bay, Generals Washington and de Rochambeau would move to enclose General Cornwallis' forces by land. 

This plan was not a guaranteed success. First, de Grasse would have to defeat the pride of the British military, its mighty navy, before he could cut off Yorktown harbor. 

However, the British fleet arrived at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay before the French ships, they did not see any enemy vessels; therefore, they opted to sail north to New York to reinforce their fleet. 

"Rear Admiral Samuel Hood's choice to sail to New York has prompted some historian's to say the war may have been lost by the British more so than won by the Americans," Mr. Warner said. "If he would have stayed and either engaged the French fleet when they arrived or evacuated Cornwallis' forces, history might have seen a drastically different outcome." 

Instead, the French fleet arrived soon after, occupied the bay and subsequently forced the British into a naval engagement after the British ships returned from New York. This allowed the French, who held the strategic bay, to achieve a tactical victory. Cornwallis was subsequently cut off by sea and surrounded by American and French forces on land. 

General Washington, de Rochambeau and the Marquis de Lafayette laid siege to Cornwallis' forces in Yorktown. After several days of digging fortifications, according to a Web site dedicated to military history, General Washington himself fired the first shot of the siege. 

"Cornwallis and his forces slipped further and further into Yorktown leaving roughly 200 men garrisoned in Redoubts number nine and 10," said Mr. Warner. "Heavy daytime bombardments by the American and French forces softened the outposts enough for a frontal assault under the cover of nightfall. Founding Father Alexander Hamilton led one of these charges." 

After several days of fighting and failed attempts by the British to break through the American and French lines, Lord Cornwallis decided the situation was hopeless and asked for a cease-fire on Oct 16., 1781. The official surrender came a few days later. 

But this wasn't the end. 

"The war actually went on for two more years," said Mr. Warner. "But this was the last major land engagement. 

"However, it's very important to remember a few key points. Fighting in the American Revolution began in 1775, independence was declared in 1776, the fighting went on until 1783; but, it wasn't until 1789 that our nation formed a democratic government chartered by The Constitution. 

"The lesson here is building a democracy isn't a quick and easy process," he said. 

For more information concerning military history or Ellsworth specific history, contact Mr. Ryan Warner at (605) 385-6430. 

Editor's Note: This article is part of a monthly undertaking by public affairs and the wing historian to document important and noteworthy events in military history. If you have ideas or would like to contribute to this series, please call Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson at (605) 385-5056 or email steven.wilson2@acc.af.mil