Posted on Apr 16, 2015
April. The month when Cornwallis was forced to move to a post where he would meet the most important General present at Yorktown.
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Anopheles quadrimaculatus, the force to which many European armies and expeditionary forces succumbed in this hemisphere.
Had his force not been so debilitated by malaria, Cornwallis most likely could have held out until the British reinforcements eventually arrived, even with Washington and Lafayette on hand.
Fortunately the American reinforcements arrived several months late, and were in fighting form (hadn't succumbed to malaria) for the time needed to perfect the siege.
Had his force not been so debilitated by malaria, Cornwallis most likely could have held out until the British reinforcements eventually arrived, even with Washington and Lafayette on hand.
Fortunately the American reinforcements arrived several months late, and were in fighting form (hadn't succumbed to malaria) for the time needed to perfect the siege.
Posted in these groups: 
Military History
Military History
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Fortunate for us. Regarding malaria, Winston Churchill credited the success of so few Brits controlling so many Indians (in India) with a drink. Namely the Gin and Tonic, which the Brits were encouraged to drink. The Indians of the time though, were often debilitated by malaria, and it is important to understand that Tonic water contains Quinine, a treatment for Malaria. Just another good reason to drink alcohol.
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
Various species of Plasmodium have figured out what to do about quinine, so control of the bark it is derived from is no longer a major military issue.
I tried to give blood back in 1972. They asked for my recent travel history. Even though I was symptom free, Viet-Nam was not considered a low-risk area for malaria. They didn't have the budget to test for lurking P. falciparum, and politely (and perhaps rightly) declined my offer.
I tried to give blood back in 1972. They asked for my recent travel history. Even though I was symptom free, Viet-Nam was not considered a low-risk area for malaria. They didn't have the budget to test for lurking P. falciparum, and politely (and perhaps rightly) declined my offer.
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SP5 Michael Rathbun
Indeed.
"Once committed to Yorktown, Cornwallis faced a biological warfare campaign he could not counter. Mosquitoes helped the Americans snatch victory from the jaws of stalemate and win the Revolutionary War, without which there would be no United States of America. Remember that when they bite you next Fourth of July."
-- J.R. McNeill
"Once committed to Yorktown, Cornwallis faced a biological warfare campaign he could not counter. Mosquitoes helped the Americans snatch victory from the jaws of stalemate and win the Revolutionary War, without which there would be no United States of America. Remember that when they bite you next Fourth of July."
-- J.R. McNeill
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LTC J. Lee Mudd
That's right, Capt Porter! Until the 20th century, disease was the primary cause of casualties among armies throughout time; far more than battle casualties....
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SSG Gerhard S.
This tend continued into the 20 th Century as well. Far more people died of the influenza epidemic (50 million) than does as a result of the war (16 million) http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/influenza-epidemic/
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When I was stationed in Norfolk VA we drove up to Yorktown to visit the battlefield. It was an eerie to see the fortifications, canons, and mortars. It made me think about what life must have been like for soldiers on both sides of the conflict. While we were there, a couple of Blackhawks landed during a National Guard exercise. It made me wonder how that war would have played out with modern military equipment. Once the helicopters left, it was just quiet.
Of course Malaria was not something I had even thought about or considered. Like mosquitos are a recent blight on humanity.
Of course Malaria was not something I had even thought about or considered. Like mosquitos are a recent blight on humanity.
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