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

York Under Siege 1781

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008

1. York Under Siege 1781 Marker

Inscription. Early in October French-American forces closed their grip on the besieged British army in Yorktown and bombarded the town with their combined artillery. Incessant shellfire drove townspeople to seek shelter under this bluff and forced the British commander, Lord Cornwallis, to move his headquarters to a nearby cave. The end came quickly with the British surrender on October 19. Yorktown returned to peace, but never to its former prosperity.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 37° 14.111′ N, 76° 30.314′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It is on Water Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located on the Yorktown waterfront, near the Archer Cottage. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: York “Under The Hill” (a few steps from this marker); An Archer House (a few steps from this marker); Remembering Ancestors (within shouting distance of this marker); Yorktown’s Waterfront (within shouting distance of this marker); Yorke Village

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Yorktown Waterfront (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Great Fire of 1814 (about 400 feet away); Tobacco Inspection (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.

Other markers no longer nearby. Pirates in Yorktown? (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); The Brig Betsy (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Yorktown's Sunken Fleet (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The marker features a scene of soldiers and other refugees seeking shelter in besieged Yorktown.

Also see . . .
1. Yorktown Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. The Battle of Yorktown. The Patriot Resource website. (Submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

3. The Battle of Yorktown 1781

Marker on the Yorktown Waterfront image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008

2. Marker on the Yorktown Waterfront

. A British perspective of the Battle of Yorktown from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Cornwallis’ Cave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008

3. Cornwallis’ Cave

This cave served as the headquarters of British General Charles Lord Cornwallis during the last days of the siege. It is located just in front of the marker.

Inside of Cave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008

4. Inside of Cave

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,443 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.