Yorktown

We left Kiptopeke and headed to the historical triangle of Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Jamestown. Our first stop after crossing the Chesapeake Bay via the bridge and tunnel was Yorktown.

Crossing Chesapeake Bay it is easy to see why Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis chose to establish fortifications here and across the James River at Gloucester Point. Here, as it is today, was one of the best deep water ports on the east coast of the rebellious colonies. With the mighty British Navy’s most powerful warships being able to control this vital colonial shipping fairway, supply his army, and evacuate if necessary his confidence was riding high after easily taking care of Charleston, South Carolina. Then the French came in on the side of the Americans. At the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on 5 September 1781 the Battle of the Cape took place between the French navy and the British navy. After a strategically significant victory sent the British Fleet limping back to New York you could almost hear a sad refrain echoing  in the air: 

“Rule, Britannia! Britannia rules the waves!”

“Britons shall never, never, never be slaves!”

News of the outcome changed the mood at the forts by late September when the siege began.

Washington, along with French allies under General Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau (No identity theft in those days, but can you imagine signing paperwork?) marched south from Newport, Rhode Island to lay siege to Yorktown. Surrounding the British, digging the siege lines, and preparing for the attack began in earnest on 6 October. By mid afternoon on 9 October the bombardment began.

The French Field Cannon is gloriously adorned with the Sun Kings emblem and a pompous and obscure Latin motto: Nec Pluribus Impar “Not equal to many”. Even the lifting handles were fashioned as leaping dolphins.

Rebecca is standing in the second siege line and is pointing at the British lines just a few hundred yards away. The noose tightens!

French Redoubt number 9.

After the “special forces” of the French and Americans took the two redoubts number 9 and 10 on 14 October the end was nigh. On 17 October the white flag of “parley” went up to end any further needless bloodshed. By 1782-83 the Treaty of Paris was signed and the United States was free at last!

K2R2 on a part of a 300 year old sunken road that was used by the American and French troops.

The British surrendered on19 October in the field south of the town of Yorktown.

The Yorktown Victory Monument near the center of town.