What we thought would be an amazing sailing adventure for us has delightfully turned into an unplanned excursion back in time.  On Friday our National Parks guide walked and talked us across the Yorktown Battlefield’s earthworks, siege lines, encampment areas and Surrender Field, bringing the Revolutionary skirmish to life with his canon-like voice.  This last major battle of the Revolutionary War included the continental army, militias from the colonies, and our new ally, the French.  Most everyone knows the end of the story and of Lord Cornwallis’ surrender to General Washington, but here are some lesser-known facts that caught our attention.

Did You Know:

1.    Approximately 16,000 soldiers snuck away from New York territory and marched 450 miles in the heat of August and September to Yorktown, VA in a little over a month. 

2.    French warships blockaded and later defeated British ships which were headed to relieve Cornwallis, thus helping to insure the victory at Yorktown for the Revolutionary troops. 

3.    There were more French soldiers killed in the battle at Yorktown than from the Continental Army or militia.

4.    Lord Cornwallis sunk his own ships to prevent other ships from entering the York River and coming ashore.

5.    When it came time to surrender, Lord Cornwallis pretended to be ill sending his second in command to surrender to General Washington.  When Washington heard Cornwallis had sent his second in command, he had his second in command accept the official surrender rather than take it himself. 

6.    Although this was the last battle, it would take Britain two years to come to terms with the colonists in the Treaty of Paris, ending the war and enabling the colonists to gain their freedom.

7.    General Washington’s original tent is displayed in the National Parks Battlefield Museum in Yorktown.

Dedication to the cause of freedom, amazing leadership and selfless sacrifice, soldiers then, soldiers now.  Thank God for these incredible servants giving of themselves to gain and protect freedoms for all.

Venturing into the Chesapeake again today we were encircled by gliding tiny white triangles as sailors took to the water for the holiday weekend.  Winds were light though and we, as many eventually succumbed to the iron genny.  Dennis keeps a close watch on the temperature of the engine, and noticed about half way to our destination the motor was running a little hot.  He slowed it down, and was able to maintain a constant temperature without overheating.  When we arrived in Deltaville and safely anchored, he found and replaced the damaged impeller blades.  Would you believe it, one of the smallest towns we’ve visited has not one, but two West Marines?  It was a five mile bike trip to pick up a spare impeller and stop in at the grocery store along the way.  Thinking seriously about buying stock in West Marine.  

Gone, but not forgotten, remembering with grateful hearts all who have served and sacrificed to keep our country free.     

Have a wonderful holiday weekend.