Alternations of success and reverse had signalized the commencement of the campaign of 1781.
Lord Cornwallis, who commanded the English armies in the South, was occupying Virginia with a considerable force, when Washington, who had managed to conceal his designs from Sir Henry Clinton, shut up in New York, crossed Philadelphia on the 4th of September, and advanced by forced marches against the enemy.

The latter had been for some time past harassed by the little army of M.de La Fayette.

The fleet of Admiral de Grasse cut off the retreat of the English.

Lord Cornwallis threw himself into Yorktown; on the 30th of September the place was invested.
It was but slightly and badly fortified; the English troops were fatigued by a hard campaign; the besiegers were animated by a zeal further stimulated by emulation; French and Americans vied with one another in ardor.

Batteries sprang up rapidly, the soldiers refused to take any rest, the trenches were opened by the 6th of October.