LUNCH AND BATTLEFIELD IN YORKTOWN, VA

Wednesday, August 11 – We headed for Yorktown today to see the historic city and have lunch with our friends, Fran and Wayne.

We feel we played a small part getting these two together. When we were in Livingston for Paul’s surgery, we played Mexican Train two nights a week. We invited Wayne and Fran to play with our group. Well, low and behold, they hit it off. They are newly weds!

We met them at the Yorktown Pub. A local eatery on the James River. We have their special of crab cakes…YUM!

Here is our group. Great seeing you two again!

We noticed a rather distinguished looking gentleman. Could he be a retired captain?

Here is a view of the beach and water.

After we finished our meal, we headed for the Yorktown Battlefield.

The Battle of Yorktown was the last major engagement of the American Revolution (1775-1783). Washington and Rochambeau's troops arrived on September 28, 1781, and the British officially surrendered on October 19, 1781.

American General--General George Washington---8,500 Americans
French General---Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau or just General Rochambeau---10,800 French

British General ---Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis---7,500 men

In August 1781, General George Washington learned that Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis' army was encamped near Yorktown, VA. After discussing options with his French ally, Lieutenant General Jean-Baptiste Ponton de Rochambeau, Washington decided to quietly move his army away from New York City with the goal of crushing Cornwallis' isolated force.

With the army assembled, Washington and Rochambeau began the march to Yorktown on September 28. Arriving outside the town later that day, the two commanders deployed their forces with the Americans on the right and the French on the left.

On the night of October 5/6, the French and Americans began construction of the first siege line. By dawn, a 2,000-yard long trench opposed the southeast side of the British works. Two days later, Washington personally fired the first gun.

White is the French flag. U.S. flag is in the far left corner.

The British were camped at the far line of trees.

 

Largest gun emplacement built during the siege, the Grand French Battery opened fire on October 10 and inflicted great damage on the British. The superiority in artillery contributed greatly to Allied victory.

Field Gun…effective range,900 to 1340 yards. Fired mainly solid shot to batter down enemy earthworks, but could fire grapeshot against troops.

 

 

Finally, out of ammunition for his guns and unable to shift his army, Cornwallis decided to open negotiations with Washington. At 9:00 AM on October 17, a single drummer mounted the British works and beat the long roll as a lieutenant waved a white flag.

This is the famous Yorktown Surrender painting. Did you know that General Washington DID NOT accept the white flag. Claiming he was ill, Cornwallis sent Brigadier General Charles O'Hara in his stead. Approaching the allied leadership, O'Hara attempted to surrender to Rochambeau but was instructed by the Frenchman to approach the Americans. As Cornwallis was not present, Washington directed O'Hara to surrender to Lincoln, who was now serving as his second-in-command.

Rochambeau is last on the left----Washington last on the right
O’Hara is walking next to horse with Lincoln on the horse.

Another great day for revisiting our history.

Thursday and Friday, August 12 and 13 – Rain and overcast skies kept us in the motor home. Marsha did tons of cleaning and washing clothes. Paul had chores dealing with the car and motor home. We sat outside when the weather allowed.

Saturday, Paul will get the motor home ready to travel to our next stop…Gaffney, GA. We will be having our 30,000 check up done at the Freightliner factory.

Thanks for stopping by. See you soon.