The time for battle has finally come. Will Washington and the French overcome the British?
The Yorktown Campaign
The battle broke out on the morning of October 9th after many days of planning and movement. Read more about the Battle of Yorktown in this article.
The Yorktown Campaign
Music in Battle
Music was used to communicate throughout the American Revolution, and different notes and beats meant different things. This was certainly true at the Battle of Yorktown.
Hitting the Notes
Military Weapons
Washington and his forces used a variety of weapons and tactics to defeat the British at the Battle of Yorktown.
Washington's WeaponsVideo
Yorktown Fife and Drums
Want to hear music from Yorktown? Click the link to watch Yorktown fife and drums.
The Siege of Yorktown
This digital map helps show the movement of troops in the Battle of Yorktown.
What supplies, sounds, and people made up the Battle of Yorktown? Why were these things important?
Primary Source: French Map
This map shows a French perspective on the Battle of Yorktown. The twist? The artist was never at Yorktown.
Primary Source: George Washington to Thomas McKean
This letter, written in the middle of battle, was written to Thomas McKean, the president of the Continental Congress. It describes what Washington saw, and how the troops are doing.
Primary Source: A Plan of Yorktown
This plan shows where British posts were located in Yorktown, created just after their surrender.
Primary Sources
Click the links to explore Primary Sources on the American Revolution
- General George Washington
- The Entrance of the Chesapeake - Map
- The Sea Battle
- Order of Rations
- Rations Denied - Letter
- Naval Forces Chart
- The Marquis de Lafayette to Washington, 1781
- French Map of Yorktown
- George Washington to Thomas McKean
- A Plan of Yorktown
- Yorktown Battle Plans - French
- John Parke Custis to Martha Washington on Yorktown
Secondary Sources
Click the links to read Secondary Sources on the American Revolution
Watch Now or Never
Learn how the Continental Army won the Revolution with this 30 minute film!