Creating the United States

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Washington Records British Surrender at Yorktown

Washington Records British Surrender at Yorktown (42)

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General George Washington made a laconic in his diary on October 17, 1781, after French and American military forces cornered and forced the surrender of a British army under Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. Washington noted: “A desire to spare the further effusion of Blood would readily incline me to treat of the surrender.” The victory forced the British to increase their negotiations for peace.