Adams Speaks of Yorktown with John Quincy

John Adams

Many believe the Battle Of Yorktown represents the end of the Revolutionary War. The tactical brilliance of George Washington and his generals was one of the deciding factors in victory. However, without the strong assistance of the French, there would have been no victory at that time and in that place.

 

John Quincy Adams: We have spoken about Yorktown in school and several times since the war began. Now that I am older, I’d like to hear from you whatever information about the siege that you previously considered me too young to understand.

John Adams: You were barely in your teen years when the Battle of Yorktown began. There are a few important facts to remember. Before the battle, we, as a new nation, had fought valiantly all over our country. Our allies the French had been at our side for many years since the Declaration of Independence.

John Quincy: It was in the spring of 1781, was it not?

Adams: Yes, George Washington announced: “We are at the end of our tether and now or never our deliverance must come.” He was referring to the need for some great assistance from France to bring our soldiers to the end of the war. At first General Washington considered asking Rochambeau to attack New York, a stronghold of the British. Then the General received information that General Cornwallis had set up his headquarters in Yorktown. You remember from your geography lessons that Yorktown is at the mouth of the Chesapeake.

John Quincy: Yes, I’ve seen the map many times.

Adams: The good fortune that General Washington hoped for came from St Domingue. A French fleet under the command of Francois, Count de Grasse and was heading for the Chesapeake to do battle. General Washington then ordered Marquis de Lafayette and an American army of 5,000 soldiers to block any retreat Cornwallis might make by land when he saw the French fleet approaching by sea.

John Quincy: Was it Washington’s idea to set up the blockade?

Adams: Indeed it was. His combined armies traveled many miles to close in on Cornwallis. By September 28, Washington had completely encircled Cornwallis and his army of 9,000 troops with sea and land forces of about 17,000 troops. After three weeks of non-stop bombardment, both day and night, from cannon and artillery, Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in the field at Yorktown on October 17, 1781, effectively ending the battle. This was the most important battle of the Revolutionary War.

John Quincy: Is it true that General Cornwallis did not even attend the surrender ceremony?

Adams: Yes it is true. He claimed to be ill and had his second  in command surrender for him. Although the war continued at sea, the patriot victory at Yorktown ended fighting in the American colonies. Peace negotiations began in 1782, and on September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed, formally recognizing the United States as a free and independent nation after eight years of war.

John Quincy Adams