Battle+of+Yorktown


 * Matt Schiumo
 * [|The Battle of Yorktown]**is the most important battle in history because this was when the Americans won the war! This battle was fought between the British, and the Americans, with the help of the French. Without the help of the French, the Americans could not have one this battle. This battle was the last land battle fought in the [|American Revolution]. September 26th, Washington sent out his men with siege tools, artillery, and he was in command of an army of 7,800 Frenchmen, 3,100 militia, and 8,000 Continentals. During the early hours of September 28, Washington sent out his troops to surround Yorktown. He sent the French to surround the left side, and the Americans to take the honor position on the right. This battle was fought to win their [|independence] from Britain, it was fought on September 28. The British surrendered after they knew they did not have the the right resources to keep fighting. 156 British men were left dead, 326 left wounded, and 70 troops gone missing. Cornwallis surrendered 7,087 officers and enlisted men in Yorktown when he capitulated and a further 840 sailors from the British fleet in the York River. Another 84 prisoners had been taken during the assault on the redoubts on October 16. Since only 70 men were reported as missing, this would suggest that 14 of the men officially marked down as killed had in fact been captured. This gives a grand total of 142 killed, 326 wounded prisoners and 7, 685 other prisoners. The British had no choice else but to surrender, or to have all of there men killed. They were forced to send home over 5,000 troops and the cost of this alone was ridiculous. The cost to find new troops and to send them back to America to fight, would have been outrageous and the British realized that, and knew that it would take to long and cost to much money. The surrender at Yorktown was such a huge event in American History because it is when the British realize they can not keep fighting us.

History Chanel Video clip. media type="youtube" key="v_B1fMQKDRY" height="315" width="560" Map of the Battle of Yorktown.

The two main figures in the Battle of Yorktown consist of General George Washington, and Lieutenant General de Rochambeau commanded the French __General George Washington__ Washington was one of the two most important people in this battle, because he commanded the troops that caused the British to [|surrender]. Washington was [|commander]of the Americans, and he was always able to rally his troops in a hard time. Washington was the Commander of the [|Continental army]. He was chosen at the second [|Continental Congress] meeting by a vote. Washington worked well with his French Allies, and always knew the right move to make, and when to make it. Washington was able to change his game plan, imforn his troops, and move quickly and accuritely to a posistion that would better his men. This aspect of being able to move around quickly was a huge aspect in winning the Battle of Yorktown because it allowed Washingtons army to be in all the right places at the right times. Washington also was a strategist, and he was able to come up with a plan before engaging in any battle. Washington was very well prepared, and could command his troops in a positve fashion at all times. He was great at encouraging his men, and was always positive even in the worst of times. Washington had a fair amount of experience under his belt from fighting in the [|French/Indian war]. Due to fighting in the French Indian War, Washington learned many new battle tactics which included [|Guerilla warfare.] Washington was the right man for this job and he did his job well. He received payment for his work, and was only reimbursed the money he spent on his men.

[|Lieutenant General de Rochambeau] Rochambeau was a major aspect in the Victory at Yorktown, and caused the British to surrender. Rochambeau brought a [|Navy] into the American Revolution, which allowed for the Americans to stand a chance against the best army of the time. He sailed in 5,500 troops to [|Rhode Island]. Without the help from the French, the Americans would have never stood a chance. Rochambeau was a great military leader who had over 40 years of military experience, but he never doubted Washington's ideas, he just disagreed without arguments erupting. Rochambeau was [|commander-in-chief] of the [|French Expeditionary Force] which came to help the American Continental Army. Rochambeau was a great asset to the Americans, and he truly did make the difference between winning the battle and losing the battle. He was able to bring in troops, follow orders, make orders, and most importantly work with Washington to create a successful game plan to win the war.