American Revolution: Yorktown, October 1781

Series of letters from George Washington to Charles Cornwallis, accepting the terms of British surrender after Yorktown.

With his back to the York River, British General Lord Charles Cornwallis intended to refit and resupply his 9,000-man army in the fall of 1781. Sensing an opportunity, George Washington and his French ally, the Comte de Rochambeau, moved their force of almost 20,000 men south to Virginia.

The Yorktown Campaign ensured American efforts to win independence from Great Britain would end in success, and elevated General George Washington's notoriety as a result of his role directing the victory. Includes video and resources for related topics.

Informative overview of the Yorktown Campaign and its importance to the end of the war.