October 19
British Surrender at Yorktown Ends Major Revolutionary War Fighting
The capitulation of British General Lord Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, delivered a decisive Franco-American victory that convinced British leaders the war in North America could not be won.
Summary
By 1781, the American Revolutionary War had dragged on for six years with neither side achieving decisive victory despite French alliance support for the colonists. British General Lord Cornwallis positioned his army at Yorktown, Virginia, hoping for naval reinforcement while facing siege by combined American and French forces under George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau. On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered over 7,000 troops after weeks of bombardment and failed relief attempts. The formal ceremony featured the British band playing "The World Turned Upside Down." This capitulation effectively halted large-scale combat in North America.
Context
By the summer of 1781 the American Revolutionary War had entered its sixth year. British forces under commanders such as Henry Clinton held New York and other coastal strongholds, while American armies under George Washington remained in the field but lacked the strength for a conclusive blow. France’s entry into the conflict in 1778 had supplied the Continental Army with critical arms, money, and troops, yet coordinated operations remained difficult.
What Happened
In the spring of 1781 British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis moved his army into Virginia, hoping to disrupt American supply lines and rally Loyalist support. He established a fortified base at Yorktown on the York River, expecting naval reinforcement. Washington and the French commander Comte de Rochambeau marched south from New York with roughly 16,000 troops while a French fleet under Admiral François Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse, arrived off the Chesapeake and blocked British sea escape routes.
Aftermath
Cornwallis requested terms on October 17 and formally surrendered two days later. More than 7,000 British and German troops laid down their arms. Washington accepted the surrender through his deputy Benjamin Lincoln after Cornwallis, citing illness, sent Brigadier General Charles O’Hara in his place. The defeat prompted the British government to begin peace talks; major land fighting in the colonies ceased.
Legacy
Yorktown demonstrated that colonial forces backed by a European ally could defeat a professional army in the field, strengthening the case for American independence. The 1783 Treaty of Paris formally recognized the United States. Historians view the siege as the last major campaign of the Revolutionary War and a catalyst for republican ideas in Europe and beyond.
Why It Matters
Yorktown convinced Britain that continued fighting was unsustainable, leading directly to peace negotiations and the 1783 Treaty of Paris recognizing American independence. It validated the viability of colonial rebellion against European empires and boosted republican ideals worldwide.
Related Questions
Why was the French fleet important at Yorktown?
Admiral de Grasse’s ships prevented British reinforcements or evacuation by sea, trapping Cornwallis on the peninsula.
Did Cornwallis attend his own surrender?
No; he claimed illness and sent Brigadier General O’Hara, while Washington sent Benjamin Lincoln to accept the surrender.
How many troops surrendered at Yorktown?
Approximately 7,000 to 8,000 British and German soldiers and sailors capitulated.
What song did the British band play during the surrender?
Contemporary accounts note the band played “The World Turned Upside Down.”
When did the war officially end after Yorktown?
The Treaty of Paris recognizing American independence was signed in September 1783.
Related Portfolio Site
US Military Atlas: Decisive battle and surrender that ended major hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.
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Sources
- Americans defeat the British at Yorktown, History.com. Accessed 2026-07-06.
- Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed 2026-07-06.