Which British commander’s army surrendered at Yorktown in 1781?

Charles Cornwallis commanded the British army that surrendered at Yorktown in 1781.

The Siege of Yorktown took place in Virginia from September 28 to October 19, 1781. American forces led by George Washington joined French troops commanded by the Comte de Rochambeau, while French naval forces helped prevent British evacuation by sea.

Cornwallis had established his army at Yorktown, expecting support from the Royal Navy and reinforcements from New York. After the allied army surrounded the position and captured key defensive works, his situation became untenable. Cornwallis sent representatives to negotiate terms of surrender on October 17, and the formal surrender occurred two days later.

Cornwallis did not personally attend the surrender ceremony, reportedly citing illness; Brigadier General Charles O’Hara represented him. Yorktown did not instantly end every military operation, but it made continued British prosecution of the war politically difficult and led to peace negotiations culminating in the Treaty of Paris.