Posted on Aug 1, 2019
Chronology of the Siege of Yorktown - Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical...
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On August 1, 1781, the British army under General Cornwallis occupied Yorktown, Virginia. Cornwallis will later surrender this ending the American Revolution. From the article:
"Events Leading to the Siege of Yorktown, 1781
June-July 1778 - British evacuate forces from Philadelphia and occupy New York City as their new main base of operations.
December 29, 1778 - British forces capture Savannah, Georgia.
1779 - Inconclusive fighting in the north develops into a military stalemate, neither side can gain the advantage. Political considerations become critical as the question of the war becomes "who can outlast the other?"
Spring 1780 - British undertake the Southern Campaign, hoping to suppress the rebellion in the southern colonies, then work their way north.
May 12, 1780 - Charleston, South Carolina surrenders to Crown forces.
July 1780 - Rochambeau and the French Army arrive in Newport, Rhode Island to join the allied cause.
August 16, 1780 - American forces crushed at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina.
October 7, 1780 - Loyalist forces annihilated at King's Mountain, South Carolina.
January 17, 1781 - British forces defeated at Cowpens, South Carolina.
February, 1781 - Lafayette is ordered to Virginia to oppose British forces operating there under Benedict Arnold.
March 15, 1781 - At the Battle of Guilford Court House, North Carolina, British forces win a technical victory, but are so badly mauled that they must cease operations. Cornwallis decides to leave the Carolinas and invade Virginia. His rationale: Virginia is the largest, most populated, and wealthiest colony; Virginia is providing supplies and reinforcements to rebel forces in the Carolinas, and the Virginia economy, particularly tobacco exports, is sustaining the war effort. Cornwallis believes that if he can defeat Virginia, American resistance to the Crown will collapse.
May 10, 1781 - Cornwallis and his army enter Virginia.
May 20, 1781 - Cornwallis assumes overall command of all British forces in Virginia. His campaign of economic and military destruction begins.
June 4, 1781 - British forces under Tarleton raid Charlottesville, capturing several legislators, including Yorktown's Dudley Digges and Daniel Boone. Governor Jefferson escapes by hiding in the woods near Monticello.
June 4-12, 1781 - No governor in Virginia. Jefferson's term expires.
June 12, 1781 - Thomas Nelson, Jr. is elected governor of Virginia.
July 6, 1781 - Lafayette's small American force barely escapes destruction during the Battle of Green Spring, near Jamestown.
August 1, 1781 - Cornwallis occupies Yorktown, planning to use the port as his base for resupply as he continues his Virginia campaign. Even as he sets up camp, Lafayette's spies bring news of the plan. Lafayette relays word to Washington.
August 14, 1781 - Washington receives word that French Admiral DeGrasse is sailing for the Chesapeake Bay with a large battle fleet (28 battleships and many support vessels) and a 3,000 man army from the Caribbean.
August 19, 1781 - The allied army, under Washington, secretly begins to move south.
August 25, 1781 - DeBarras leaves Newport, Rhode Island with supplies and heavy siege guns.
August 29, 1781 - DeGrasse arrives at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
August 31, 1781 - Graves takes the British fleet out of New York, heading for Virginia.
September 2-4, 1781 - Allied army marches through Philadelphia, greeted with acclamation and joy.
September 5, 1781 - British and French naval forces clash in the Battle of the Capes. Fleets maintain contact for several days, but do not re-engage. Ultimately, Graves returns to New York for repairs, and DeGrasse returns to the Chesapeake Bay to resume the blockade.
September 8, 1781 - As the battle fleets are engaged, DeBarras and the supply fleet enter the Chesapeake Bay, and sail to the James River.
September 11, 1781 - Cornwallis is informed that Clinton will arrive shortly with supplies and reinforcements.
September 14, 1781 - Washington and Rochambeau arrive in Williamsburg and prepare for the arrival of the army. According to one witness, "No man ever greeted his mistress with more joy than did Lafayette and Washington greet each other."
September 18, 1781 - Washington, Rochambeau, DeGrasse and Knox meet on the Ville de Paris (DeGrasse's flagship) for a final strategy meeting.
September 20, 1781 - Allied troops begin to arrive in Williamsburg.
September 22, 1781 - British fireships are released on the ebb tide, forcing French ships blockading the York River to move downstream. However, the French ships maintain the blockade.
September 24, 1781 - Clinton again promises to soon relieve Cornwallis.
September 28, 1781 - Allied army leaves Williamsburg, marches to Yorktown, and begins to invest the British works.
September 29, 1781 - Cornwallis, believing that Clinton's arrival is imminent, evacuates his outer works.
September 30, 1781 - As allied engineers begin to decide on the layout of siege lines, troops begin construction of gabions, fascines and other items for siege warfare. British artillery attempts to disrupt the allied efforts.
October 3, 1781 - Allied forces in Gloucester defeat Tarleton, forcing the British back within their lines at Gloucester Point. This is particularly important in that it cuts off British supplies of fresh food and fodder for British horses. Cornwallis will soon order many of his horses to be killed, to prevent them from starving to death.
October 6, 1781 - Allies begin digging the first siege line. Several days of rain have softened the ground, making digging quick, easy and quiet. The line goes up in one night.
October 9, 1781 - Artillery batteries are completed. The French open fire at 3:00 p.m. from the French Trench opposite the Fusilier's Redoubt. Washington fires the first American gun at around 5:00 p.m. Soon, more batteries open fire. French hot shot ignites H.M.S Charon, which quickly burns and sinks.
October 10, 1781 - Clinton sends word that he will arrive in 2-3 weeks with reinforcements.
October 11, 1781 - Allies begin to dig the Second Parallel.
October 14, 1781 - Allies storm and capture Redoubts 9 and 10, then complete Second Siege Line and advance the artillery.
October 16, 1781 - British sortie attempts to spike allied guns, but the raid is ineffective.
October 16-17, 1781 - With allied artillery firing point-blank into his works, destroying his fortifications, and causing high casualties, Cornwallis realizes Clinton will not arrive in time. Cornwallis decides to escape from Yorktown. About midnight, Cornwallis moves his able bodied troops to the waterfront and begins to ferry them across the river to Gloucester Point. After some are evacuated, a sudden storm arrives in such intensity that the evacuation must be abandoned.
Cornwallis is running out of heavy ammunition and lacks transportation for his equipment. Many of his guns are disabled, his troops are reduced to eating "rancid meat and wormy biscuits" and dysentery and smallpox have broken out in his army. Clinton is weeks away. Cornwallis decides that the only human thing to do is to seek terms of surrender.
October 17, 1781 - An officer with a flag of truce appears on the British parapet, accompanied by a drummer beating a "parley." Cornwallis seeks a cease-fire so commissioners can negotiate surrender terms.
October 18, 1781 - Commissioners meet at the Moore House. The British send Lt. Col. Thomas Dundas and Major Alexander Ross. The allies send the Viscomte do Noilles (Lafayette's brother-in-law) and Colonel John Laurens. The British argue the terms for many hours, but to no avail.
October 19, 1781 - In the afternoon, the British garrison at Yorktown marches to Surrender Field to lay down their arms. One hour later, the garrison at Gloucester Point undergoes similar ceremonies. This action surrenders one third of all British forces in North America, and is a devastating military disaster.
Clinton and the British Navy leave New York, heading for Yorktown. When they arrive off the Virginia coast five days later, they find they are too late, and sail back to New York."
"Events Leading to the Siege of Yorktown, 1781
June-July 1778 - British evacuate forces from Philadelphia and occupy New York City as their new main base of operations.
December 29, 1778 - British forces capture Savannah, Georgia.
1779 - Inconclusive fighting in the north develops into a military stalemate, neither side can gain the advantage. Political considerations become critical as the question of the war becomes "who can outlast the other?"
Spring 1780 - British undertake the Southern Campaign, hoping to suppress the rebellion in the southern colonies, then work their way north.
May 12, 1780 - Charleston, South Carolina surrenders to Crown forces.
July 1780 - Rochambeau and the French Army arrive in Newport, Rhode Island to join the allied cause.
August 16, 1780 - American forces crushed at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina.
October 7, 1780 - Loyalist forces annihilated at King's Mountain, South Carolina.
January 17, 1781 - British forces defeated at Cowpens, South Carolina.
February, 1781 - Lafayette is ordered to Virginia to oppose British forces operating there under Benedict Arnold.
March 15, 1781 - At the Battle of Guilford Court House, North Carolina, British forces win a technical victory, but are so badly mauled that they must cease operations. Cornwallis decides to leave the Carolinas and invade Virginia. His rationale: Virginia is the largest, most populated, and wealthiest colony; Virginia is providing supplies and reinforcements to rebel forces in the Carolinas, and the Virginia economy, particularly tobacco exports, is sustaining the war effort. Cornwallis believes that if he can defeat Virginia, American resistance to the Crown will collapse.
May 10, 1781 - Cornwallis and his army enter Virginia.
May 20, 1781 - Cornwallis assumes overall command of all British forces in Virginia. His campaign of economic and military destruction begins.
June 4, 1781 - British forces under Tarleton raid Charlottesville, capturing several legislators, including Yorktown's Dudley Digges and Daniel Boone. Governor Jefferson escapes by hiding in the woods near Monticello.
June 4-12, 1781 - No governor in Virginia. Jefferson's term expires.
June 12, 1781 - Thomas Nelson, Jr. is elected governor of Virginia.
July 6, 1781 - Lafayette's small American force barely escapes destruction during the Battle of Green Spring, near Jamestown.
August 1, 1781 - Cornwallis occupies Yorktown, planning to use the port as his base for resupply as he continues his Virginia campaign. Even as he sets up camp, Lafayette's spies bring news of the plan. Lafayette relays word to Washington.
August 14, 1781 - Washington receives word that French Admiral DeGrasse is sailing for the Chesapeake Bay with a large battle fleet (28 battleships and many support vessels) and a 3,000 man army from the Caribbean.
August 19, 1781 - The allied army, under Washington, secretly begins to move south.
August 25, 1781 - DeBarras leaves Newport, Rhode Island with supplies and heavy siege guns.
August 29, 1781 - DeGrasse arrives at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
August 31, 1781 - Graves takes the British fleet out of New York, heading for Virginia.
September 2-4, 1781 - Allied army marches through Philadelphia, greeted with acclamation and joy.
September 5, 1781 - British and French naval forces clash in the Battle of the Capes. Fleets maintain contact for several days, but do not re-engage. Ultimately, Graves returns to New York for repairs, and DeGrasse returns to the Chesapeake Bay to resume the blockade.
September 8, 1781 - As the battle fleets are engaged, DeBarras and the supply fleet enter the Chesapeake Bay, and sail to the James River.
September 11, 1781 - Cornwallis is informed that Clinton will arrive shortly with supplies and reinforcements.
September 14, 1781 - Washington and Rochambeau arrive in Williamsburg and prepare for the arrival of the army. According to one witness, "No man ever greeted his mistress with more joy than did Lafayette and Washington greet each other."
September 18, 1781 - Washington, Rochambeau, DeGrasse and Knox meet on the Ville de Paris (DeGrasse's flagship) for a final strategy meeting.
September 20, 1781 - Allied troops begin to arrive in Williamsburg.
September 22, 1781 - British fireships are released on the ebb tide, forcing French ships blockading the York River to move downstream. However, the French ships maintain the blockade.
September 24, 1781 - Clinton again promises to soon relieve Cornwallis.
September 28, 1781 - Allied army leaves Williamsburg, marches to Yorktown, and begins to invest the British works.
September 29, 1781 - Cornwallis, believing that Clinton's arrival is imminent, evacuates his outer works.
September 30, 1781 - As allied engineers begin to decide on the layout of siege lines, troops begin construction of gabions, fascines and other items for siege warfare. British artillery attempts to disrupt the allied efforts.
October 3, 1781 - Allied forces in Gloucester defeat Tarleton, forcing the British back within their lines at Gloucester Point. This is particularly important in that it cuts off British supplies of fresh food and fodder for British horses. Cornwallis will soon order many of his horses to be killed, to prevent them from starving to death.
October 6, 1781 - Allies begin digging the first siege line. Several days of rain have softened the ground, making digging quick, easy and quiet. The line goes up in one night.
October 9, 1781 - Artillery batteries are completed. The French open fire at 3:00 p.m. from the French Trench opposite the Fusilier's Redoubt. Washington fires the first American gun at around 5:00 p.m. Soon, more batteries open fire. French hot shot ignites H.M.S Charon, which quickly burns and sinks.
October 10, 1781 - Clinton sends word that he will arrive in 2-3 weeks with reinforcements.
October 11, 1781 - Allies begin to dig the Second Parallel.
October 14, 1781 - Allies storm and capture Redoubts 9 and 10, then complete Second Siege Line and advance the artillery.
October 16, 1781 - British sortie attempts to spike allied guns, but the raid is ineffective.
October 16-17, 1781 - With allied artillery firing point-blank into his works, destroying his fortifications, and causing high casualties, Cornwallis realizes Clinton will not arrive in time. Cornwallis decides to escape from Yorktown. About midnight, Cornwallis moves his able bodied troops to the waterfront and begins to ferry them across the river to Gloucester Point. After some are evacuated, a sudden storm arrives in such intensity that the evacuation must be abandoned.
Cornwallis is running out of heavy ammunition and lacks transportation for his equipment. Many of his guns are disabled, his troops are reduced to eating "rancid meat and wormy biscuits" and dysentery and smallpox have broken out in his army. Clinton is weeks away. Cornwallis decides that the only human thing to do is to seek terms of surrender.
October 17, 1781 - An officer with a flag of truce appears on the British parapet, accompanied by a drummer beating a "parley." Cornwallis seeks a cease-fire so commissioners can negotiate surrender terms.
October 18, 1781 - Commissioners meet at the Moore House. The British send Lt. Col. Thomas Dundas and Major Alexander Ross. The allies send the Viscomte do Noilles (Lafayette's brother-in-law) and Colonel John Laurens. The British argue the terms for many hours, but to no avail.
October 19, 1781 - In the afternoon, the British garrison at Yorktown marches to Surrender Field to lay down their arms. One hour later, the garrison at Gloucester Point undergoes similar ceremonies. This action surrenders one third of all British forces in North America, and is a devastating military disaster.
Clinton and the British Navy leave New York, heading for Yorktown. When they arrive off the Virginia coast five days later, they find they are too late, and sail back to New York."
Chronology of the Siege of Yorktown - Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical...
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Now Or Never: Yorktown Campaign of 1781 (Full Movie)
George Washington's Continental Army has fought for five long years to drive the British from American soil. Now, with the aid of French land and naval force...
Thank you, my friend SGT (Join to see) for posting the link from the Yorktown Battlefield on the Virginia peninsula focused on the chronology of the campain inn the American Revolution
Now Or Never: Yorktown Campaign of 1781 (Full Movie)
"George Washington's Continental Army has fought for five long years to drive the British from American soil. Now, with the aid of French land and naval forces, that time may be near. Washington and his allies have surrounded the British at Yorktown, Virginia."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tXmpIp6_7c
Chronology of the Siege of Yorktown
September 28, 1781 - Allied army leaves Williamsburg, marches to Yorktown, and begins to invest the British works.
September 29, 1781 - Cornwallis, believing that Clinton's arrival is imminent, evacuates his outer works.
September 30, 1781 - As allied engineers begin to decide on the layout of siege lines, troops begin construction of gabions, fascines and other items for siege warfare. British artillery attempts to disrupt the allied efforts.
October 3, 1781 - Allied forces in Gloucester defeat Tarleton, forcing the British back within their lines at Gloucester Point. This is particularly important in that it cuts off British supplies of fresh food and fodder for British horses. Cornwallis will soon order many of his horses to be killed, to prevent them from starving to death.
October 6, 1781 - Allies begin digging the first siege line. Several days of rain have softened the ground, making digging quick, easy and quiet. The line goes up in one night.
October 9, 1781 - Artillery batteries are completed. The French open fire at 3:00 p.m. from the French Trench opposite the Fusilier's Redoubt. Washington fires the first American gun at around 5:00 p.m. Soon, more batteries open fire. French hot shot ignites H.M.S Charon, which quickly burns and sinks.
October 10, 1781 - Clinton sends word that he will arrive in 2-3 weeks with reinforcements.
October 11, 1781 - Allies begin to dig the Second Parallel.
October 14, 1781 - Allies storm and capture Redoubts 9 and 10, then complete Second Siege Line and advance the artillery.
October 16, 1781 - British sortie attempts to spike allied guns, but the raid is ineffective.
October 16-17, 1781 - With allied artillery firing point-blank into his works, destroying his fortifications, and causing high casualties, Cornwallis realizes Clinton will not arrive in time. Cornwallis decides to escape from Yorktown. About midnight, Cornwallis moves his able bodied troops to the waterfront and begins to ferry them across the river to Gloucester Point. After some are evacuated, a sudden storm arrives in such intensity that the evacuation must be abandoned.
Cornwallis is running out of heavy ammunition and lacks transportation for his equipment. Many of his guns are disabled, his troops are reduced to eating "rancid meat and wormy biscuits" and dysentery and smallpox have broken out in his army. Clinton is weeks away. Cornwallis decides that the only human thing to do is to seek terms of surrender.
October 17, 1781 - An officer with a flag of truce appears on the British parapet, accompanied by a drummer beating a "parley." Cornwallis seeks a cease-fire so commissioners can negotiate surrender terms.
October 18, 1781 - Commissioners meet at the Moore House. The British send Lt. Col. Thomas Dundas and Major Alexander Ross. The allies send the Viscomte do Noilles (Lafayette's brother-in-law) and Colonel John Laurens. The British argue the terms for many hours, but to no avail.
October 19, 1781 - In the afternoon, the British garrison at Yorktown marches to Surrender Field to lay down their arms. One hour later, the garrison at Gloucester Point undergoes similar ceremonies. This action surrenders one third of all British forces in North America, and is a devastating military disaster.
Clinton and the British Navy leave New York, heading for Yorktown. When they arrive off the Virginia coast five days later, they find they are too late, and sail back to New York."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
Now Or Never: Yorktown Campaign of 1781 (Full Movie)
"George Washington's Continental Army has fought for five long years to drive the British from American soil. Now, with the aid of French land and naval forces, that time may be near. Washington and his allies have surrounded the British at Yorktown, Virginia."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tXmpIp6_7c
Chronology of the Siege of Yorktown
September 28, 1781 - Allied army leaves Williamsburg, marches to Yorktown, and begins to invest the British works.
September 29, 1781 - Cornwallis, believing that Clinton's arrival is imminent, evacuates his outer works.
September 30, 1781 - As allied engineers begin to decide on the layout of siege lines, troops begin construction of gabions, fascines and other items for siege warfare. British artillery attempts to disrupt the allied efforts.
October 3, 1781 - Allied forces in Gloucester defeat Tarleton, forcing the British back within their lines at Gloucester Point. This is particularly important in that it cuts off British supplies of fresh food and fodder for British horses. Cornwallis will soon order many of his horses to be killed, to prevent them from starving to death.
October 6, 1781 - Allies begin digging the first siege line. Several days of rain have softened the ground, making digging quick, easy and quiet. The line goes up in one night.
October 9, 1781 - Artillery batteries are completed. The French open fire at 3:00 p.m. from the French Trench opposite the Fusilier's Redoubt. Washington fires the first American gun at around 5:00 p.m. Soon, more batteries open fire. French hot shot ignites H.M.S Charon, which quickly burns and sinks.
October 10, 1781 - Clinton sends word that he will arrive in 2-3 weeks with reinforcements.
October 11, 1781 - Allies begin to dig the Second Parallel.
October 14, 1781 - Allies storm and capture Redoubts 9 and 10, then complete Second Siege Line and advance the artillery.
October 16, 1781 - British sortie attempts to spike allied guns, but the raid is ineffective.
October 16-17, 1781 - With allied artillery firing point-blank into his works, destroying his fortifications, and causing high casualties, Cornwallis realizes Clinton will not arrive in time. Cornwallis decides to escape from Yorktown. About midnight, Cornwallis moves his able bodied troops to the waterfront and begins to ferry them across the river to Gloucester Point. After some are evacuated, a sudden storm arrives in such intensity that the evacuation must be abandoned.
Cornwallis is running out of heavy ammunition and lacks transportation for his equipment. Many of his guns are disabled, his troops are reduced to eating "rancid meat and wormy biscuits" and dysentery and smallpox have broken out in his army. Clinton is weeks away. Cornwallis decides that the only human thing to do is to seek terms of surrender.
October 17, 1781 - An officer with a flag of truce appears on the British parapet, accompanied by a drummer beating a "parley." Cornwallis seeks a cease-fire so commissioners can negotiate surrender terms.
October 18, 1781 - Commissioners meet at the Moore House. The British send Lt. Col. Thomas Dundas and Major Alexander Ross. The allies send the Viscomte do Noilles (Lafayette's brother-in-law) and Colonel John Laurens. The British argue the terms for many hours, but to no avail.
October 19, 1781 - In the afternoon, the British garrison at Yorktown marches to Surrender Field to lay down their arms. One hour later, the garrison at Gloucester Point undergoes similar ceremonies. This action surrenders one third of all British forces in North America, and is a devastating military disaster.
Clinton and the British Navy leave New York, heading for Yorktown. When they arrive off the Virginia coast five days later, they find they are too late, and sail back to New York."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan
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