The Battle of Yorktown
From October 09, 1781 to October 19, 1781, arguably the most important battle for the American Revolution took place in Yorktown, Virginia. During this 10 day battle, American forces decimated the British with strategic and relentless artillery fire virtually ending the Revolutionary War. This monumental battle was won from not only artillery fire, but also clever tactics. General George Washington and French commander Comte de Rochambeau out-smarted the British forces by exercising patience to gain the tactical advantage. These are the events that led to the American victory and ultimately America’s freedom from Great Britain.
Cornwallis chose Yorktown as a stronghold in order to gain superiority over the
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The British surrender at Yorktown was primarily caused by the siege of the battle field and an overwhelming show of force. Col Lamb’s artillery crews were far more disciplined and trained than that of Cornwallis, which caused over 300 casualties during the duration of this battle. Simple tactics such as utilizing the inclement weather and working through the night during limited visibility, allowed for his forces to dig trenches and fighting positions giving them the edge of the battle space. Meanwhile, British forces believed that the Americans were settling into their fortified positions in Williamsburg, when in reality, a barrage of artillery was about to reign down on them.
The American artillery consisted of field guns and heavy siege guns. The field guns were known for firing solid shot, grape shot, and canister ammunition, while the siege guns fired solid shot that successfully broke down fortifications and ripped the sails off the enemy ships that were trapped in the bay. The British fortified Yorktown with 10 fort batteries (called redoubts). 800 meters away, the allied forces dug in trenches and emplaced their field guns. The 244 British howitzers vastly outnumbered the American’s 131 howitzers, but due to the proficient crew drills of the cannon crew members, the Americans prevailed.
On October 9th the Battle of Yorktown began. By October 11th the allied forces (American colonies and French troops) had
On october 19, 1781 the British army surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia. Although the treaty had yet to be signed, American independence had been accomplished. The Patriots had pulled off the most improvable upset by defeating the most powerful military of the day. Although the British had more troops, were highly trained, had more supplies, and a strong navy, the Patriots prevailed. Under the leadership of George Washington along with technological advancements in weaponry, aid from foreign allies, new fighting techniques, coupled with medical innovations and an extensive spy ring, a new nation is born.
He had received warnings of the Patriot’s movements but his men were unprepared and exhausted for the attack. Rumors spread that they were drunk from Christmas celebrations, but are unconfirmed. As the Patriots approached town, Washington broke his men up into groups, flanking men were led by General Nathaniel Greene and General John Sullivan and men who fired cannons on Garrison were lead by Henry Knox. The Americans had an advantage because Rall tried but could not rally his men into forming a defensive perimeter. John Rall would later be shot from his horse and was wounded. The Hessians surrendered and the Patriots had a successful victory. In the end 22 were killed, 92 wounded, 918 captured and 400
Charles Cornwallis led several successful battles during the Revolutionary War, insuring British victories at New York, Brandywine and Camden. He surrendered at Yorktown- the final battle of the Revolutionary War.
While researching skirmishes and major battles throughout the Revolutionary War to find an artillery battle that exemplifies what we do as Field Artillery there was one battle that stuck out. There was no battle more glorious or more significant in shaping our great nation than the battle of Yorktown. Think of the Revolutionary War, visions of guerrilla-like hit-and-run tactics of the minute men causing confusion and exhaustion to the neat marching formations of Great Britain come to mind. Now consider the final battle of Yorktown; a small town on the Virginia peninsula flanked by the York and James River on either side. It seemed impossible that a small loosely organized and virtually un-armed
The observation and fields of fire favored the Franco-American forces. They were prepared to conduct reconnaissance on the British to gather intelligence that was useful in their attacks. They were able to destroy, neutralize, and suppress the enemy with effective artillery bombardments. The Franco-American troops were also able to occupy the abandoned redoubts, which helped establish fire superiority. The British were able to fire artillery in retaliation but fell short in accomplishing large amounts of damages. As the British crossed the river into Gloucester, they suffered a high number of casualties at the hands of the cannon batteries. At this point in the battle, Cornwallis did not have enough ammunition or supplies and
Washington fires the first shot with a mortar hitting a house with British soldiers eating starting the siege. Cornwallis had to rely on his ten forts called redoubts to defend Yorktown. General Washington knew he had to take out redoubts nine and ten in order to get close enough to attack Cornwallis. On one moonless night with Jupiter and Venus glowing brightly 400 French soldiers attacked redoubt nine while 400 (with one soldier thinking it was the signal to attack) American soldiers attacked redoubt ten. In an attempt to turn the tide Cornwallis sent the British army to attack the nearest allied troops in an attempt to spike (to take a spike usually made of iron pounded into the hole where the fuse in the cannon goes requiring the army to have to drill it out damaging the weapon) or fill the cannons with dirt rendering them useless until the cannons can be cleaned. The attack was doomed form the start, and the British were pushed back after a brief battle, and the allied army shortly repaired the cannons and put them back into the fight. After a few days of fighting the Cornwallis ran away to hide in Yorktown’s cave. Not really inspiring for the British army to have their general run and hide in a cave for that is very embarrassing for a
This battle had provided us with some knowledge of how we could use artillery to win battles in a short period of time, when correctly employed. Artillery was the most vital key factor in this battle because it helped to defend the American Colonies from the British forces and kept them pinned down or backed into a corner with no possible opportunity of egressing. The British reinforcements were unable to reach their counterparts in time as Lord Cornwallis had been waiting for them to hopefully
In June,thousands of colonists besieged the British Army in Boston.(James Kirby 2)British forces marched up Breed’s Hill on the Charlestown peninsula near Boston.(Brown 1)The night of June 16,one of the American army called Peter Brown was serving as a clerk or orderly sergeant.(Brown 2)The colonists had secretly built defenses in Charlestown.(McGill 1)
History is a great indication of how we can improve situations in the present for an even successful future. Learning from what has happened in the past can provide our current United States of America (US) Army with strategies that can enhance our ability to be successful during military mission battles. The Battle of Yorktown provides a great example of how working with other nations and being their allies can help us to overcome issues within our own units, batteries, and higher echelon. With further analysis of the Battle of Yorktown, it is also apparent that the strategic usage of artillery played a major role in its success and that its utilization was more than just about operating cannons and howitzers. The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown or better known as the Siege of Yorktown was the final battle in the American Revolution. The battle took place in Yorktown, Virginia in 1781. The battle lasted from September 28th 1781 and October 19th 1781. The American and French forces were lead by George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, and Comte de Grasse. The conflict was caused due to many events like the Boston Massacre and The Boston Tea Party but was reinforced by how the British were treating the people of America and raising their taxes.
The Battle of Yorktown took place during the war of independence of the United States of America from 28 September to 17 October 1781. The success of the Americans started back in 1778 when Benjamin Franklin succeeded to secure an alliance with the French that would bring money and extra-armed forces to defeat the British. It confronts the American insurgents led by General George Washington and their French allies led by the Comte de Rochambeau against 8000 British Soldiers led by Lord Cornwallis in Yorktown. The United Kingdom was conducting war around the world and in North America, which became an unbearable burden and difficult to provide supplies fast enough to keep the momentum of their troops going. After 21 days of combat, the Allied
One of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War took place on September 28, 1781, in Yorktown, Virginia. The Siege of Yorktown was the last battle in the war against Great Britain. Fought between General George Washington with French aid from General Comte de Rochambeau. With a fleet of over 17,000 French and Continental men against General Lord Charles Cornwallis and his 9,000 British men (The Battle of Yorktown).
One of the largest casualty producing battles in American history was the Battle of Gettysburg, and it was largely attributed to the artillery. Due to effective leadership, advanced tactics superior fires, the Union Army was able to influence the tide of the battle. The Artillery used during the Battle of Gettysburg was essential to the Union forces’ victory.
The Revolutionary War started in 1775. The American colonies have had enough of the British occupants and set their foot down in pursuit to freedom and independence. Each battle that happened during the Revolutionary War had its own significance and contributions to the independence of the colonies. Many brave men laid their lives in pursuit of the dream of independence from British control. One particular battle paved the way for that independence to become a reality. That battle is known as the Battle of Yorktown. The Battle of Yorktown took place in what we know today as Virginia. It was a decisive battle that turned the table during the Revolutionary War. The battle ultimately led to the liberty of the American Colonies from the
In August 1781, General George Washington, who was camped in New York, learned that Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis' army of nearly 9,000 soldiers was encamped near Yorktown, VA (Lengel,