YORKTOWN,
VIRGINIA
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The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown, was the last
major land battle of the American Revolutionary War. French Army troops
fought with the Continental Army led by George Washington, and eventually
made Lt. General Cornwallis of the British Army surrender. After Cornwallis
surrendered, the British government negotiated to end the conflict and the
Continental Army was the victor. The battle lasted for days, but eventually
ended on October 19 th , 1781.
The importance of the Siege of Yorktown was that it effectively ended the
war. Today, you can visit many historical sites in the area that pay homage
to the significant battle, including the Yorktown National Cemetery and the
Yorktown Victory Monument.
The Yorktown National Cemetery is located just next to the actual site where
the British surrendered to George Washington. Most of the bodies buried
at the Yorktown National Cemetery are of Union Army soldiers, but there
are ten known confederate soldiers and several wives that are buried there,
as well. Out of the total of 2,204 burials that took place in the cemetery,
there are only 1,596 marked graves. Only 747 graves within the entire ceme-
tery are of known soldiers, family members, and participants in the war.
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