Battle of yorktown definition

Detail from George Washington at Yorktown by N. Wyeth, Image Source: N. Wyeth by Kate F. Jennings, The Battle of Yorktown was the decisive battle of the American Revolution. General Charles Cornwallis surrendered his army to General George Washington on October 19, , following a lengthy siege. The Battle of Yorktown — also known as the Siege of Yorktown — took place from September 28, , to October 19, , in and around Yorktown, Virginia.

It was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. Following a siege and bombardment lasting about 20 days, Cornwallis surrendered his army to Washington on October 19, This timeline presents the events of the Battle of Yorktown and the siege in chronological order.

Battle of yorktown summary

One was the Franco-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce, which established diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. The other was the Treaty of Alliance, which created a military alliance between the two nations. The British had occupied Philadelphia for nine months. However, they did not feel they could maintain control after they learned the French had entered the war.

Around 15, troops under the command of General Henry Clinton were evacuated to New York, to strengthen the defenses there. In the spring of , the British devised a plan to defeat the American forces in the south.