Day 6: Morning

On our last full day in town, we headed to Yorktown- where the Revolutionary War basically ended. There were also Civil War battles that occurred here, but we just couldn't worry about that. It was hard enough keeping Colonial Times and Revolutionary Times separate! So, we focused on the Revolutionary War.

Apparently if you have seen Hamilton, this is especially significant. This is Redoubt 10- where Hamilton led troops to defeat the British, which helped lead to the victory of Yorktown. This is also where George Washington sat and received the surrender letter from General Cornwalis. SO COOL to be here!!!!! Words just can't explain.

 On this line at the Siege of Yorktown on October 14, 1781 at night the battalions of Hamilton and Laurens of the light infantry division of Major General Marquis De Lafayetter under the command of  Lieutenant General Alexander Hamilton with unloaded muskets (because they didn't want them to accidentally fire and wake up the sleeping British troops) and fixed bayonets scared the parapets and gallantly captured Redoubt 10 which...(I can't read the rest)....

Here is Redoubt 9, which Lafayette won. I can't believe how many French lives were lost in the fight for our independence!

This is the Moore House where the terms of the surrender were accepted:

This is the American Encampment- where the troops set up their tents.

This is the monument of where the British lined up and gave up their weapons and were taken as Prisoners of War.

George Washington wrote home: I have the honor to inform Congress, that a reduction of the British Army under the command of Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effected.

Lieutenant Cornwallis: I have the mortification to inform your Excellency that I have been forced to give up the posts of York and Gloucester, and to surrender the troops under my command, by capitulation on the 19th instant, as prisoner of war to the combined forces of America and France.

Where the British surrendered:

Here are 12 of the over hundred cannons that the British surrendered, turned into a monument.

I don't think the kids really understood this place, but Ben and I loved it. We learned so much, and gained such an appreciation of our history. I so love our country!!!