1781 Siege of Yorktown

— Colonial National Historical Park —

" ? once we were inside the redoubt. People of four nations were thrown together: Frenchmen, English, Scots, and Germans ?."
Private Georg Flohr, Royal Deux-Ponts Regiment

" ? a trait which characterized the French grenadiers ?. They ? charged like lions, and lost one-third of their men."
Comte de Rochambeau

On October 14, 1781, Baron Antoine de Viom?nil had overall command of the French attack on Redoubt 9, which was defended by approximately 120 British and German forces. Viom?nil selected Colonel en Second Guillaume de Forbach des Deux-Ponts (also known as Wilhelm von Forbach) to lead the 400 man assault that was comprised of troops from the G?tinais and Royal Deux-Ponts Regiments. The later regiment was also known as "Das Deutsche K?niglich Franzische Infantrie Regiment von Zweibr?cken" (The German Royal French Infantry Regiment from Zweibr?cken).

The French approach was delayed as engineering troops took heavy casualties while clearing obstructions protecting the British perimeter. The difficulties of the assault were compounded by darkness, close quarters combat, German forces on both sides wearing similiar uniforms, and the confusion of German commanders coming from both attackers and defenders. Within 30 minutes, however, Viom?nil congratulated Deux-Ponts on capturing the redoubt.

The last obstruction to the Allies completing their Second Siege Line had fallen.

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Show me all markers in:  Yorktown, VA  |  York County  |  23690  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

Grand American Battery
The Second Siege Line
Redoubts 9 and 10
French Soldiers and Sailors
Communicating Trench
Time, Tide and Erosion
Capture of Redoubt No. 10
Redoubt 10
The First Siege Line
Don't Tread on Me!

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