Siege of Yorktown Trivia

Test your Siege of Yorktown knowledge with this short quiz.

Are you a Historian, Park Ranger, Park Regular, or a Visitor? Keep track of your correct answers to find out!

Question 1:

How many British troops were stationed in North America when the Battle of Yorktown ended?

Artist: Keith Rocco  NPS image

a. 15,000
b. 5,000
c. 26,000
d. 30,000

Answer

c. 26,000
Though the British still had 26,000 troops in North America after Yorktown, their resolve to win the war was nothing like it had been before Yorktown. The war had been lengthy and costly. Replacing Cornwallis' captured army was a questionable proposition, particularly because the British also were engaged in military struggles in India, Gibraltar, the West Indies and Ireland. Thus, in March 1782, the British Parliament  passes a resolution saying the British should not continue the war against the United States. 

Question 2:

Which of these regiments fought for the British? You can choose more than one.

NPS

a. Ansbach-Bayreuth
b. Royal Deuxponts
c. Gatenois
d. Royal Welch Fusiliers

Answer

a. Ansbach-Bayreuth and d. Royal Welch Fusiliers
The Regiment Royal Deuxponts and the Gatenois Regiment were both French forces that allied with Americans during the American Revolution. The Ansbach-Bayreuth Regiment was part of the 30,000 German men British forces hired to fight on their side. The Royal Welch Fusiliers were an accomplished regiment within the British Army.  

Question 3:

What was the average number of cannonballs and bombs shot daily by the American Allies towards the British at Yorktown?

NPS

a. 10,000
b. 1,700
c. 56
d. 400

Answer

b. 1,700  

The effectiveness, accuracy, and destructiveness of the allied forces artillery helped convince Britain's Lord Cornwallis to surrender. 

Question 4:

How many artillery pieces did the British surrender at Yorktown

NPS

a. 131
b. 80
c. 350
d. 244

Answer

d. 244 

The British surrendered at Yorktown 244 artillery pieces of mainly lightweight field cannon. These had been ineffective against the enemy’s earthworks. While General Washington’s forces had considerably fewer pieces— approximately 131— it was their superior number of siege guns and their skilled gun crews, such as Colonel Lamb’s Artillery, that made the difference. 

Question 5:

What rank was Alexander Hamilton during the Siege of Yorktown?

Artist: Charles Willson Peale      Independence NHP

a. Lieutenant Colonel
b. Major
c. General
d. Captain

Answer

a. Lieutenant Colonel 

With his reputation as a skilled commander and writer, Alexander Hamilton was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and George Washington's secretary and Aide-de-camp in 1777.  

Question 6:

Who was the Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America during the Siege of Yorktown?

Artist: Cohen, Gilbert 'Gil'  NPS Image

a. General William Howe
b. General John Burgoyne
c. General Charles Cornwallis
d. General Henry Clinton

Answer

d. General Henry Clinton 

In February 1778, General William Howe resigned as commander-in-chief of British forces in America. Clinton was appointed to take his place. Clinton, in 1780, successful laid siege to Charleston, South Carolina, and captured practically the entire southern army of the Americans. Clinton returned to New York and left his second in command, General Cornwallis, in charge in the south. 

Question 7:

What do you call a cannon ball that is heated before it is fired?

NPS

a. Fireball
b. Grapeshot
c. Hot shot
d. Chain shot

Answer

c. Hot shot 

Cannon crews utilized hot shot, a superheated cannon ball to set a ship on fire. 

Question 8:

On what day did the British officially surrender at Yorktown.

NPS

a. Oct. 19
b. Oct. 11
c. Oct. 16
d. July 4

Answer

a. Oct 19 

In the afternoon of October 19, 1781, the British garrison at Yorktown marches to Surrender Field to lay down their arms. One hour later, the garrison at Gloucester Point undergoes similar ceremonies. This action surrenders one third of all British forces in North America and is a devastating military disaster. 

Question 9:

In what year was the final treaty signed that ended the war and acknowledged American independence?

NPS

a. 1778
b. 1776
c. 1781
d. 1783

Answer

d. 1783 

On September 3, 1783, the Treaty of Paris is ratified in its final form. The treaty ends the war and establishes American independence. It isn’t until November 25, 1783, that British forces evacuate New York City, their last stronghold in the United States. 

Bonus Question 10:

Who was closely related to General George Washington and General Thomas Nelson Jr.?

NPS

a. Martha Custis Washington

b. Nicolas Martiau

c. General Charles Cornwallis

d. General William Howe

Answer

b. Nicolas Martiau
Frenchman Nicolas Martiau (1591–1657) immigrated to Virginia in the 17th century and is buried in Yorktown. He is an ancestor of the first American president, George Washington and Thomas Nelson Jr. 

How many did you get right?

9-10: You’re a Historian! With that kind of knowledge, you should be giving us a tour!

6-8: Throw on your flat-brimmed hat and head out to the field, you’re a Park Ranger!

4-5: History is a passion? More like a lifestyle. You might not be on your A-game with this quiz, but you’re clearly a Park Regular.

0-3: No shame in your game. As a Visitor you can learn all about the incredible people, places, and stories that were a part of the final major battle of the American Revolution, the Siege of Yorktown.