Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Capture of Redoubt #10
Yorktown, Virginia
— October 14, 1781 —
The dream of American Independence remained uncertain after five years of war. During the fall of 1781, a Franco-American force under the command of General George Washington besieged General Lord Corwallis' heavily entrenched British Army at Yorktown, Virginia. Washington launched a daring night attack on October 14, led by 20 men of the 4th Connecticut Infantry and followed by a detachment of the Corps of Sappers and Miners which cleared a passage for the rest of the assault column, and captured Redoubt 10, located at the British left. Simultaneously, French troops captured Redoubt 9. His defenses breached, Lord Cornwallis surrendered his 7,000 man Army on 19 October. News of the British defeat forced Prime Minister Lord North to resign; his successors negotiated a peace treaty that recognized the united States.
"On the Evening of the 14th, two very successful Attempts were made upon two Redoubts of the Enemy, which secured their left Flank; and were almost instantly carried, by the irresistible Spirit and Bravery of the Troops who made the Assault…"
General George Washington to General Nathaniel Greene
Headquarters, October 16, 1781
Erected by The United States Army War College; United States Army Heritage and Education
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical date for this entry is October 14, 1781.
Location. 40° 12.286′ N, 77° 9.458′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker is on Army Heritage Trail south of Soldiers Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 Army Heritage Dr, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Army Aviation in Vietnam (here, next to this marker); Colonel Joseph D. Newsome (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of the Ia Drang Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); Bill Beck and Russell Adams (within shouting distance of this marker); Final Act – LZ Albany (within shouting distance of this marker); Duty (within shouting distance of this marker); Stations Upon The Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Vincent J. Tedesco, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
More about this marker. An identical marker stands nearby.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
