1781 Siege of Yorktown

— Colonial National Historical Park —

"The column marched in silence, with guns unloaded, and in good order: Many, no doubt, thinking that less than one quarter of a mile would finish the journey of life ? "
Captain Stephen Olney, 1st Rhode Island Regiment

The Marquis de Lafayette selected the light infantry companies from his Continental Army division to carry out the American attack on Redoubt 10. Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Hamilton led the assaulting force of 400 Americans against the 70 British defenders.

Concerned an accidental musket firing would give away their advance, the light infantry approached the redoubt with unloaded weapons. The British discovered the attack column as it neared the redoubt and vigorously defended their position. The Americans surged through the abatis obstructions surrounding the redoubt, then through holes in the palisaded log walls within the trench, breached the top of the redoubt, and within 10 minutes of mostly hand-to-hand combat, secured their objective.

Alexander Hamilton, in his report to Lafayette on the action, noted that the British were "intitled to the acknowledgement of an honorable defence."

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

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

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