The Yorktown Battlefield from the British viewpoint We are in the triangle of history here in eastern Virginia (Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown). We are staying at a condo in Williamsburg, enjoying a beautiful area of historical sites, architecture, and the birth of the United States.
That's Ellen at the base of the Memorial This sculpture had to be replaced when it hit by lightning
Our first venture was to visit Yorktown, getting a history lesson on how Washington was able to get Cornwallis to surrender. Washington laid siege pounding the dug in British for 8 or 9 days. I am sure many of you know (I didn't) that the French Navy was victorious over the British warships in the Battle of the Capes, and England's fleet returned to New York for repairs. This left Cornwallis no sea support, nor a means of escape. He tried to escape across the York River in small boats, but a storm wrecked several of them and stopped this possibility. Dug in on high ground with the river at his back, he had no choice but to surrender.
The Yorktown Victory Center has a really nice museum and working 1780's farm, plus a simulated military encampment. Lots of historical information, artifacts, plus interaction with the 'soldiers' and 'farmers'.
We also saw the Yorktown Victory Memorial, officially approved in 1788, but not erected and completed until 1884! A tall, beautifully decorated column, with a gorgeous sculpture of 'Victory' on top. All this resting on a base with inscriptions on four sides, acknowledging the French contributions, and a listing of those who paid the supreme sacrifice during the siege of Yorktown.
That's Ellen at the base of the Memorial This sculpture had to be replaced when it hit by lightning
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