Yorktown Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park, January 2017

– Revolutionary War Series –

The Battle of Yorktown, the last major engagement of the American Revolution, was a decisive victory for Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army and the death knell for continued British occupation. Today, the site of the 1781 battle is protected by Colonial National Historical Park, near the banks of the York River on Virginia Peninsula. Beginning at the park visitor center, the Yorktown Battlefield Auto Tour weaves in and out of the British and Allied (American and French) lines, restored to mimic their appearance during the multi-week siege that ended in mid-October 1781. There are also stops at the Yorktown National Cemetery—dedicated to the Civil War battle that took place here 81 years later—as well as the Moore House (where British surrender negotiations took place) and the Surrender Field (where thousands of Redcoats laid down their arms). The Yorktown Victory Monument, near downtown Yorktown, caps off the tour. (Note: A second, longer driving route–the Washington Encampment Tour–circuits the French and American rear bases in the woods to the west and south of the battlefield.)

Map of Yorktown Battlefield Tour, Colonial National Historical Park

British Inner Defense Line near the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center

First Allied Siege Line

First Allied Siege Line and French Batteries

Yorktown National Cemetery

Second Allied Siege Line, in close range of the British defense line at Yorktown

View of British defenses from the Second Allied Siege Line

Redoubt 9, a British defensive position seized by French forces during the Battle of Yorktown

Mortars and field guns at Redoubt 9/Grand American Battery

Redoubt 10, seized by 400 American troops under command of Lt. Col. Alexander Hamilton

Moore House, site of surrender negotiations between Washington and British Commander Lord Cornwallis

View of York River from the Moore House

Wormley Pond, from the road to the Surrender Field

Observation deck at Surrender Field

Captured British mortar, altered to commemorate the American victory

Surrender Field

Yorktown Victory Monument