The Siege of Yorktown was characterized by a relentless and methodical assault on British defenses, primarily through sustained artillery bombardment and daring infantry charges. Following the initial encirclement of General Cornwallis's forces, the Franco-American allies systematically tightened their grip, employing superior firepower and strategic maneuvers to dismantle the British fortifications. This phase of the siege, from early October 1781,
showcased the combined might and tactical prowess of Washington and Rochambeau's armies, leading directly to the British surrender.
Constructing the First Parallel and Opening Fire
After the initial movements and the occupation of abandoned British outer defenses, the allied engineers began to lay out positions for their artillery. On the night of October 6, under the cover of a stormy, heavily overcast sky that obscured the waning full moon, troops moved out to dig the first parallel. This massive digging operation was shielded from British sentries, allowing the allies to construct a significant trench undetected. General Washington himself ceremoniously struck several blows with his pickaxe to initiate the trench, which was planned to be 2,000 yards long, stretching from the head of Yorktown to the York River.
The trench was divided, with the French commanding one half and the Americans the other. A support trench was also dug on the northernmost end of the French line to bombard British ships in the river. The French attempted a diversionary attack, but a French deserter informed the British, causing their artillery fire to focus on the French from the Fusiliers redoubt. By October 7, the British observed the new allied trench, just out of musket range. Over the next two days, the allies completed their gun placements and brought their artillery into line. The sheer number of allied guns began to weaken British fire, and by October 9, all French and American guns were in position. The American arsenal included three twenty-four pounders, three eighteen pounders, two eight-inch howitzers, and six mortars, totaling fourteen guns. At 3:00 p.m., the French guns opened their barrage, driving the British frigate HMS Guadeloupe across the York River, where it was scuttled. At 5:00 p.m., the Americans commenced fire, with Washington reportedly firing the first shot, which legend claims struck a table where British officers were dining. The combined Franco-American bombardment began to dismantle the British defenses, with Washington ordering continuous fire throughout the night to prevent repairs. Soon, all British guns on the left flank were silenced, and British soldiers began deserting in large numbers.
The Second Parallel and Assault on Redoubts 9 and 10
On October 10, the Americans targeted and destroyed a large house in Yorktown, believing Cornwallis might be stationed there. Cornwallis, in response, sank over a dozen of his ships in the harbor. French artillery also struck the British HMS Charon, which caught fire and ignited two or three other ships. Despite receiving word from Clinton that a British fleet would depart on October 12, Cornwallis communicated that he could not hold out much longer. On the night of October 11, Washington ordered the digging of a second parallel, 400 yards closer to the British lines. This new parallel could not extend to the river due to British Redoubts 9 and 10, which remained in the way. The British, unaware of the new construction, continued to fire on the old line, allowing allied troops to establish positions on the new line by the morning of the 12th.
By October 14, the trenches were within 150 yards of Redoubts 9 and 10. Washington ordered all guns within range to blast the redoubts in preparation for an evening assault. To achieve surprise, the attack was planned for a moonless night, with orders for soldiers not to load their muskets until reaching the fortifications, advancing only with "cold steel." Redoubt No. 10, near the river, was held by 70 men, while Redoubt No. 9, a quarter-mile inland, was defended by 120 British and Germans. Both were heavily fortified with abatis and muddy ditches. The plan involved a French diversionary attack on the Fusiliers redoubt, followed by a simultaneous assault on Redoubt No. 9 by 400 French regular soldiers under the Count of Deux-Ponts, and Redoubt No. 10 by 400 American light infantry under Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton, after a brief dispute over leadership, was given command of the American assault.
The Storming and British Desperation
At 6:30 p.m., gunfire signaled the diversionary attack on the Fusiliers redoubt, creating panic among the British. With fixed bayonets, the Americans charged Redoubt No. 10. Hamilton sent Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens to the rear to prevent British escape. The Americans chopped through British wooden defenses, crossed a ditch, and climbed the parapet, overwhelming the defenders despite heavy fire. They captured almost the entire garrison, including Major Campbell, the redoubt's commander, with American losses of 9 dead and 25 wounded. The French assault on Redoubt No. 9 faced an undamaged abatis, but after hacking through it and a brief exchange of fire, they forced the Hessian defenders to surrender. With both redoubts captured, the allies could shell the town from three directions and moved some artillery into the newly acquired positions.
On October 15, Cornwallis, in a desperate move, turned all his guns onto the nearest allied position and ordered a storming party of 350 British troops under Colonel Robert Abercromby to attack the allied lines and spike the American and French cannons. The British managed to spike six guns before being driven back to Yorktown by a French party, but all spiked guns were repaired by morning. The bombardment resumed with renewed intensity. In a final act of desperation on the morning of October 16, Cornwallis attempted to evacuate his troops across the York River to Gloucester Point, hoping to break through allied lines and escape to New York. One wave of boats made it across, but a squall hit as they returned for more soldiers, making further evacuation impossible and sealing Cornwallis's fate.
