Since the British went to New York the Chesapeake Bay was in the hands of the French, General Cornwallis's troops lacked provisions. On top of that, the American and French armies were besieging them. Consequently, since they failed to flee the York River, the general and his troops had to surrender on October 19, 1781. The Battle of Yorktown was the the last battle of paramout importance during the Revolutionary War. Since then, General Cornwallis became remembered as the general who lost the American Colonies.
