Analysis Of The Battle Of Yorktown During The American Revolutionary War

During the American revolutionary war, there was a very specific battle that shifted the tide of the war. This specific battle took place between the dates of September 28 through October 19 1781. The battle was the Siege of Yorktown. Three major parties participated in this paramount battle. The American troops allied with the French army and fought against the British forces. General George Washington commanded approximately 8,800 American soldiers and General de Rochambeau commanded about 7,800 French soldiers they both fought side by side against the British forces that embedded itself in Yorktown, Virginia (Mackenzie, J). The allied forces used conventional tactics, but what shifted the outcome of this Siege was the use of artillery, cannon, and mortars fires. The Thirteen Colonies
The effective firing intimidated the British ships anchored near Yorktown rendering them ineffective. The full-blown siege and rounds of artillery fired into Yorktown caused havoc and confusion within the British army. The British army was only able to return approximately six rounds per hour. The intensity and effectiveness of the artillery concerned General Cornwallis and on 10 October at noon, the British hoisted a flag of truce. Over the next seven days, the British forces took a staggering amount of casualties through small assaults of musket fire, grenadiers, and artillery fire. October 17 the allies brought more than 100 guns into action for the heaviest bombardment the British had experienced in this battle. This offensive resulted in Cornwallis calling for a parlay, he was to sign and return it with his proposals within two hours. General George Washington sent a surrender document to General Cornwallis on October 19 due back signed at 1100. The allied army considered their surrender an honorable one. The British marched out of Yorktown with their colors cased and drums playing “the world turned upside down” (Mackenzie,