Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Don't Tread on Me!

Caution: Fragile Fortifications

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 22, 2010

1. Don't Tread on Me! Marker

Inscription. The earthworks in front of you and across the open plain played an integral part in the battle that won American independence. For many American, French, British, and German soldiers, only these fortifications stood between them and the enemy during the 1781 Siege of Yorktown.

Please help the National Park Service preserve these works as monuments to soldiers who fought and died here. Walk only on designated trails. To protect the earthworks, bicycling, sledding and other similar activities are prohibited.

"Persons whose duty does not call them to the Trenches and who Assemble there merely to indulge Curiosity are to walk on the Reverse of the Trenches that they may not interrupt the works."
General George Washington
General Orders, Headquarters before York, October 9, 1781

(caption)
In the 1930s, portions of the American and French lines were reconstructed using the same methods employed by General Washington's army.

Erected by Colonial National Historical Park Virginia.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1918.

Location.

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37° 13.825′ N, 76° 30.148′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. Marker can be reached from Colonial National Historic Parkway north of Ballard Street (Virginia Route 1020). Marker sets next to the Yorktown Visitor Center, where you can head up the path to view the trenches. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Colonial National Historic Parkway, Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Yorktown Bicentennial Pine Trees (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Yorktown (about 300 feet away); Cornwallis Headquarters (about 700 feet away); British Inner Defense Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Hornwork (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of Thomas Nelson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tobacco Road (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Yorktown (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Also see . . . Yorktown Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on July 27, 2015.)

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 22, 2010

2. Don't Tread on Me! Marker

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 22, 2010

3. Don't Tread on Me! Marker

Marker can be seen to the left in front of the visitor center

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, June 22, 2010

4. Don't Tread on Me! Marker

View across those fields mentioned on the marker

Don't Tread On Me! image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 25, 2015

5. Don't Tread On Me!

The program seems to be working. The erosion seen in the 2010 photos is less apparent now.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 5. submitted on November 25, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.