The final major battle of the American Revolution, fought on what is now American soil. This was not the final battle of this world war, but this was the decisive battle which guaranteed victory for the rebels in the American Revolution.
In the spring of 1781, General Lord Cornwallis mached his army into Virginia from North Carolina where he received reinforcements. He and his 7500 troops marched to the coast and arrived at Yorktown on August 1. Washington sent reinforcements from New York to the Marquis de Lafatette commander of 4500 men (reinforced by General Anthony Wayne) on August 21, he was joined by a French army commanded by Comte de Rochambeau. In addition, a fleet commanded by Comte de Grasse set sail for the Chesapeake (fighting the battle of Chesapeake Capes).
Washington had 8845 men on the right and Rochambeau had 7800 on the left. The seige began on October 6. The bombardment continued when 52 siege guns upened fire 3 days later. The British tried to break out on October 16th, but failed. The British laid down their arms at 2:00 on October 19, Colonel Banastre Tarleton surrendered his troops across the York River bringing the total number of prisoners to 7247 soldiers and 840 seamen, this was in addition to the 156 British killed and 326 wounded in the siege. The Americans lost 20 killed and 56 wounded, the French lost 52 killed and 134 wounded.
This was the final battle on American soil during the war. The British recognized the independence of the United States on September 3, 1783
