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By Root 1364 0

at Yorktown expecting to launch an assault, confront the British the same way they had tried so often to confront him. But with the British so well prepared, the results could be as disastrous for his army as it had been for Gage at Breed’s Hill, or for Cornwallis himself at Guilford. Washington realized now he had another alternative, a siege, to strangle the enemy in a slowly tightening noose. The decision was difficult. He did not want to risk the slaughter of his men, and would not order Rochambeau to charge such a strongly fortified position without the man’s complete agreement that it was the best course. A siege required time, and had to be executed with precise care. That strategy had one distinct disadvantage for him. Washington had no idea how to mount a siege.

IT IS A MATHEMATICAL CALCULATION, GENERAL. YOU MEASURE YOUR OWN strength against that of the enemy. You measure your ability to supply your troops against his ability not to. How long can he survive? If he cannot feed his men, he must capitulate.”

Washington felt foolish enduring the lecture from Rochambeau, but it was not the Frenchman’s fault. He had admitted to the French command that the only man in his army who had any experience in siege warfare was von Steuben. The Prussian’s skills had already been put to use, supervising the disposition of Washington’s lines, and the construction of the first entrenchments. If pressure was to be applied to the British position, it was essential that the artillery be moved close enough to provide a steady barrage that would both overpower and terrorize the enemy defenses. Washington was delighted to learn that Rochambeau and many of his officers had engaged in numerous sieges. The French seemed delighted that Washington requested their advice.

“Parallel trenches, General. The ability to move your troops safely forward, to a position of advantage. If executed properly, the talent of your remarkable riflemen could be put to considerable use.”

Washington glanced at von Steuben, who nodded to him slowly.

“Yes, General. I agree completely.”

Washington looked at Rochambeau, said, “General, what of time? Admiral de Grasse has insisted he must sail by the middle of October. Can we accomplish our goals by that time?”

Rochambeau laughed.

“General, I will speak to Admiral de Grasse. With your permission, of course. I believe he can be persuaded to remain in place a while longer. The admiral appreciates that the success of this operation will be of benefit to him as well as to his king. I have discovered that naval officers must often be reminded that there is a world beyond the sea. As long as the British fleet does not arrive in sufficient force to compel the admiral to leave, we will have his support. General Cornwallis will not escape us by water.”

“I am concerned, still, about the river.”

It was something of a sore point to Washington, his repeated requests for de Grasse to storm past the British batteries at Yorktown and place enough power upstream to prevent the British from using that escape route. But de Grasse could not be persuaded, believed the batteries too dangerous to risk losing one or more of his ships. Rochambeau seemed to know of Washington’s concerns, said, “General, we will press forward with all speed. Once our artillery has advanced within range of the town, the enemy will be unable to load any kind of transports at their wharves without great hazard.” He looked at von Steuben. “If your troops will make good use of the shovel, the enemy’s fate is sealed.”

SEPTEMBER 30, 1781

They spent the long hours of the night in rapid construction of their entrenchments, men working in shifts, battling the insects and the sudden thunderstorms as they cut their way through the sandy ground. As the men worked, the artillery from the British lines peppered the night air with scattered blasts. There was little damage and almost no casualties, the gunners throwing out their shells toward targets hidden by the darkness and the earth they piled in front of them. When the sun came up, Washington had expected