The Battle of Yorktown

LeadersLeaders General Charles Cornwallis - British in the south Sir Henry Clinton - Head of the British General George Washington - Head of the Americans Comte De Rochembeau - Commander of French General Charles Cornwallis - British in the south Sir Henry Clinton - Head of the British General George Washington - Head of the Americans Comte De Rochembeau - Commander of French

What Explains the British Defeat at Yorktown?

My Points The British were depleted and unprepared. Cornwallis made a dangerous move to virginia Reinforcements were not sent soon enough The British were depleted and unprepared. Cornwallis made a dangerous move to virginia Reinforcements were not sent soon enough

Event Summary August Cornwallis Moved to virginia Clinton and Washington in new york Washington Changed plans to head to yorktown French and British sent fleets to Chesapeake Bay Cornwallis was cornered and counting on help from Clinton August Cornwallis Moved to virginia Clinton and Washington in new york Washington Changed plans to head to yorktown French and British sent fleets to Chesapeake Bay Cornwallis was cornered and counting on help from Clinton

Event Summary 3rd October British were cut off from food supplies 10th Clintons finally send troops 14th Americans took over British redoubts 16th Americans attack British suffer severe casualties British try to leave via river but are stopped by freak storm 3rd October British were cut off from food supplies 10th Clintons finally send troops 14th Americans took over British redoubts 16th Americans attack British suffer severe casualties British try to leave via river but are stopped by freak storm

Event Summary Cornwallis calls a cease fire 19th October 1781 Cornwallis surrenders to Americans and French Cornwallis calls a cease fire 19th October 1781 Cornwallis surrenders to Americans and French

‘Lord Cornwallis has conquered his troops out of shoes and provisions and himself out of troops’ Horace Walpole ‘It should be remembered that the tides of the battle in 1781 were running against the british before Cornwallis was trapped at Yorktown.’ John R Alden ‘Lord Cornwallis has conquered his troops out of shoes and provisions and himself out of troops’ Horace Walpole ‘It should be remembered that the tides of the battle in 1781 were running against the british before Cornwallis was trapped at Yorktown.’ John R Alden

‘Clinton had intelligently devised a sound plan to meet an approaching emergency. But he did not execute it. He offered ideas, not orders to Cornwallis. He said that cornwallis could keep in virginia all the troops there, if the Earl really needed them to build and protect a British base.’ John R Alden

‘I must beg your lordships pardon for again troubling you on the subject but being informed perhaps officiously, that some people here suppose there are passages in the letter which convey an idea that you had been compelled by my orders to take the post of york, though it was not your own preference.’ Sir Henry Clinton

‘Never seen this post in a favorable light...’ Charles Cornwallis

‘I am of the opinion that you can do me no effectual service but by coming to this place’ ‘If you cannot relieve me soon you must be prepared to hear the worst’ Charles Cornwallis ‘I am of the opinion that you can do me no effectual service but by coming to this place’ ‘If you cannot relieve me soon you must be prepared to hear the worst’ Charles Cornwallis

‘He therefore urged cornwallis to find and fortify a strong place on chesapeake bay. Cornwallis should then lead the bulk of his troops to New York by sea or by land.’ John R Alden

‘I never saw this post in a very favorable light but when i found i was to be attacked in it in so unprepared a state by so powerful an army and artillery, nothing but the hopes of relief would have involved me to attempt its defense.’ Charles Cornwallis

ConclusionConclusion Americans had advantage of strength over British Cornwallis’ move to virginia put him in danger British had no Reinforcements cost them the chance to win Americans had advantage of strength over British Cornwallis’ move to virginia put him in danger British had no Reinforcements cost them the chance to win

Surrender Ceremony