YORKTOWN BATTLEFIELD
COLONIAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
VIRGINIA
![[High-resolution Map]](#6329882508261960751_map1_hr.jpg.id-2575464086736484035.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
1. VISITOR CENTER 2. REDOUBT NO. 9 3. AMERICAN BATTERY NO. 2 (SECOND ALLIED SIEGE LINE) 4. REDOUBT NO. 10 5. AMERICAN SECTOR (FIRST ALLIED SIEGE LINE) 6. AMERICAN APPROACH ROAD 7. MOORE HOUSE 8. MOORES MILL DAM 9. LINCOLN’S HEADQUARTERS SITE 10. LAFAYETTE’S HEADQUARTERS SITE 11. SURRENDER FIELD 12. SURRENDER ROAD 13. ENCAMPMENT DRIVE A. VON STEUBEN’S HEADQUARTERS SITE B. ROCHAMBEAU’S HEADQUARTERS SITE C. WASHINGTON’S HEADQUARTERS SITE D. FRENCH CEMETERY E. FRENCH ARTILLERY PARK F. FRENCH ARMY ENCAMPMENT G. BRITISH OUTER WORKS 14. GRAND FRENCH BATTERY 15. NATIONAL CEMETERY 16. SECOND ALLIED SIEGE LINE 17. YORKTOWN A. SITE OF SECRETARY NELSON’S HOUSE B. VICTORY MONUMENT C. CORNWALLIS CAVE D. NELSON HOUSE 18. FUSILIERS REDOUBT
The restored Moore House where the Articles of Capitulation for the British Army were drafted.
NEGOTIATION AND SURRENDER.
When the British flag of truce was seen by the allied officers on the morning of the 17th, the incessant and devastating artillery fire ceased. It had been continuous since October 9, except for short intervals when batteries were being shifted or a flag of truce was passing between the lines. Cornwallis’ letter, which was transmitted immediately to Washington, read: “I propose a cessation of hostilities for twenty four hours, and that two officers may be appointed by each side, to meet at Mr. Moore’s house, to settle terms for the surrender of the posts of York and Gloucester.”
Washington replied that he would grant the British general 2 hours in which to submit definite terms. At about 4:30 p. m., Cornwallis replied. Washington found his proposals satisfactory in part, and in his reply stated that the British could expect that: “The same Honors will be granted to the Surrendering Army as were granted [by the British] to the [American] Garrison of Charles Town [in 1780].”
Arrangements were concluded for the differences of opinion to be ironed out during a meeting of commissioners at the home of Augustine Moore in the rear of the first siege line. The commissioners (Lt. Col. Thomas Dundas and Maj. Alexander Ross, representing the British; the Viscount de Noailles, the French; and Lt. Col. John Laurens, the Americans) met there on October 18 and, after a heated and prolonged session, drafted the Articles of Capitulation. On the morning of the 19th, Washington reviewed the draft and, after some modification, had the articles transcribed. The document was then sent to Cornwallis for his signature, with a deadline of 11 a. m. Cornwallis duly signed, as did Capt. Thomas Symonds, representing the British naval units in the York. The allied commanders, Washington and Rochambeau, appear to have signed the document in captured British Redoubt No. 10. The Count de Barras, designated to act in place of the Count de Grasse for the French fleet, also signed for the allies.
The articles provided that the troops, seamen, and marines should surrender as prisoners of war. Officers were to retain their sidearms and private papers and property. The soldiers were to be kept in prison camps in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Cornwallis and certain of the officers were to be allowed freedom on parole and the sloop Bonetta was to be made available for the British commander to carry dispatches to Sir Henry Clinton, after which she was to be surrendered.