
The Surrender at Yorktown: America Wins Its Independence on the Battlefield
‘The armed conflict started in April 1775 at the Battles of Lexington and Concord—with the aim of reform, not independence—and after more than six years of fighting, it was in October 1781 that the colonists, against all odds, defeated the Royal Forces on the battlefield. In fact, it was on 19 October 1781 that General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia—exactly 244 years ago today.’








