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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 7, 2008 10:29:14 GMT -5
We visited Yorktown a few weeks ago -- my first real chance to tour the battlefield. Here is a link to the photos I took there. Just click on the first picture and then either keep clicking on "Next" or click on "Slideshow." The only problems with the slide show is that it crops the pictures and you won't have time to read the various markers, unless you click the "pause" button. community.webshots.com/album/563908703tBERbxAW
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Post by Herb on Jul 7, 2008 11:14:01 GMT -5
I just came across something interesting, I was going to post about Yorktown.
From when the first Allied cannon fired until the British surrendered, the French and American cannon averaged firing one round every minute! Contrast that to Santa Anna who on average fired one round every hour of the siege of the Alamo.
Of course the French and American Artillery consisted of far more pieces than the one Mexican battery, and the Allied Army included genuine siege guns instead of just light field pieces!
Thanks for the pics!
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 7, 2008 11:29:06 GMT -5
As I recall the scenario from the recorded tour I took along, the French cannon opened up right away, but the American battery could not be installed, facing the British left, until the two British redoubts were taken (#9 and #10). The American battery is located very near them. You can clearly see where Cornwallis was from that emplacement -- mighty close! Once both batteries were pounding him and it was clear that the British ships would not return and give him a way to escape, he had no option but to surrender.
AW
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Post by TRK on Jul 7, 2008 14:05:00 GMT -5
Allen, thanks for posting those photos! I've been to Yorktown a couple of times in the past decade, including two years ago on the day before the anniversary of the surrender, but only took a handful of photos each time. Your shots bring back a lot of great memories. Like the Petersburg battlefield, the Yorktown battlefield gives you a strong impression of just how close the opposing entrenchments could be in a siege.
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Post by sloanrodgers on Jul 7, 2008 17:07:39 GMT -5
Although I've never been to Yorktown, I also enjoyed the pictures of this historical site. I may have a slight connection to the battle of Yorktown in that an ancestor supposedly assisted General Washington in some civilian capacity during the fight. He supplied horses and feed at Valley Forge, so his Yorktown service may have be a long this line. He was also known to escort prisoners. I just don't know. He later served in the V. A. legilature at Richmond. Is there a library or archive for the battle of Yorktown?
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Post by TRK on Jul 7, 2008 17:46:33 GMT -5
RR, the research library at Yorktown National Battlefield visitor's center is pretty limited. You'd probably have better luck tracking your ancestor through alternate means (e.g., National Archives; adjutant general's records of his state, etc.).
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Post by bobdurham on Jul 12, 2008 7:54:09 GMT -5
Thanks Allen, for sharing. My wife and I have been planning a trip to Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown so your pics came at a good time. At Yorktown, is there anything there concerning the Civil War battle and Peninsular campaign or is it all about the Revolutionary War siege?
Bob
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 12, 2008 11:20:22 GMT -5
Bob, The Yorktown battlefield sight is just about the battle there. However, there are several Civil War sites in the general area. I didn't follow-up, but there are now signs posted all over Virginia indicating Civil War battle trails and sites. You should check this out on the internet and see what's worth seeing in the Williamsburg area. When visiting Jamestown and Yorktown, bear in mind that each of these sites has two attractions; one run by the U.S. National Park Service and one by a private consortium. Each requires a separate admission. If you have a NPS seniors lifetime pass, you won't have to pay at those sites, but you will have to pay at the non-NPS attractions. IMO, both Jamestown sites are worth seeing. The NPS site, called and spelled Historic Jamestowne, is the actual location of the original settlement and fort. It also now houses the Kelso archeological dig where the original fort stood. There are very good NPS tours here and a new museum, as well as the reconstructed church. The other sight, operated by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, a state agency, is called and spelled Jamestown Settlement, which is more of a living history museum with full-scale recreations of the fort, an Powatan encampment, and the 3 ships that brought John Smith & Co. to the New World. Here, I got a better feel for how the buildings were constructed, what they were like to live in, how crops were planted, etc. The small size of the ships is incredible and just walking through them gives you an idea of how difficult an Atlantic crossing must have been. Yorktown actually has 3 sites: the Yorktown Battlefield, run by the NPS, the little town of Yorktown, and the Yorktown Victory Center. The Battlefield is "where it's at" - the actual scene of the siege, battle and surrender. There is a visitor's center here with good maps and guides and you can even take one of those tape-recorded tours with you as you drive from one location to the next. I suggest that you start here and view the film; a first rate dramatic production. Then tour the battlefield itself, ending at the Battlefield Pavilion and the Surrender Road itself. The Victory Center is run by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and charges a separate admission ($10, IIRC). The town of Yorktown is worth strolling through and a good place to stop for lunch (I recommend the Carrot House, which is near Nelson's house; the one with the cannon ball still stuck in it; Nelson ordered the American cannon to fire on his own house because the British were located there and the scars still show). I did not go through the Victory Center; even the admissions person told us that, if we'd already seen the entire battlefield and visitors center there, we'd really seen it all. You can access their gift shop without paying admission and the visitors center at the Battlefield has a gift shop too. As to Williamsburg, you really need a full day or two and I recommend buying a visitors pass that will cover your entire stay (I don't recall how many types of passes they sell). Some of the hotels in the area will either include a short-term pass or offer a discount. Pick up the weekly schedule, available everywhere for free, and check out the special events and evening programs that are available while you are there. Many of these are in the public areas and your pass will get you in. Evening programs can include a witch's trial or a visit to one of Blackbeard's pirates at the local jail. Start at the Visitors Center and view the film "Williamsburg: Story of a Patriot" starring Jack Lord (and recently fully restored). Allow a day to just stroll through the town and go through the working buildings and don't miss the Magazine and the gun collection there. There are cannon firings and musket demonstrations too; check the schedule. I suggest you get hold of the guidebook "The Official Guide to America's Historic Triangle," Which covers all 3 hisoric sites to the hilt, with plenty of color pictures and no end of useful information. It's available all over the Williamsburg area, but try to order it ahead of time and go through it a bit to organize your visit. You can order it from Amazon.com here: www.amazon.com/Jamestown-Williamsburg-Yorktown-Official-America%C3%86s/dp/0879352302/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215879398&sr=1-1If you want to dine on something more than McDonalds or the many pancake houses along Richmond Road (all of them good spots for breakfast), try the Blue Talon restaurant in Merchants Square (the commercial end of Historic Williamsburg). Also in Merchants Square, if you don't mind blowing your budget completely, the Fat Canary is a terrific upscale restaurant, but REALLY pricey. The Trellis used to be excellent but went down hill and I'd avoid it. The wine and cheese shop that adjoins the Fat Canary is a good place to get sandwiches and other deli stuff; you can eat outside if you like. You can dine in one of the historic taverns in the Colonial area itself; I'd recommend the King's Arms, but Chownings and Christiana Campbell's used to be good too (I haven't eaten in these places in years; they are a fun experience, but more pricey than they're worth IMO; Shield's Tavern is good for lunch). There are some good restaurants outside the immediate Colonial area too, like City Lights. The "Official Guide" has a list of restaurants and other facilities, including B&Bs (we always stay at the Fife & Drum, but that's getting pricey too, even though it includes a pretty good breakfast). PM me if you have any questions; I know that place pretty well after visiting it countless times in the past 35 years. Allen
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Post by TRK on Jul 12, 2008 11:37:57 GMT -5
At Yorktown, is there anything there concerning the Civil War battle and Peninsular campaign or is it all about the Revolutionary War siege? Echoing Allen, the preponderance of emphasis at the National Park Service portion of Yorktown is on the 1781 siege. There may be some exhibit material on the 1862 siege in the visitor's center museum, but IIRC, not much. I don't recall seeing any brochures or books available at the visitors' center relating to Peninsula Campaign sites in the area, although I do recall hearing that within the past year or so, University of Nebraska Press/Bison Books published a tour guide for Peninsula Campaign sites. Likewise, there may be some interpretative signage along the siege lines concerning events in the 1862 campaign, but if there was, I can't recall it. Probably the best way to prepare for a trip to Yorktown with a Civil War emphasis is to snag copies of any articles and maps you can find on the '62 Yorktown siege, and try to correlate them with maps of the present park and roads, and particularly with landmark siege works from the 1781 siege.
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Post by bobdurham on Jul 13, 2008 12:55:17 GMT -5
Thanks a lot for all the tips, guys!!! Allen, I'll definitely take you up and PM you for more info when I get ready to firm things up.
Bob
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Post by TRK on Jul 13, 2008 13:47:37 GMT -5
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Post by billchemerka on Jul 14, 2008 18:45:35 GMT -5
The Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown experience is not to be missed by anyone who has an interest in history. Allen did a great job at providing info on these wonderful places; however, I must state that the food and service at the King's Arm Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street is superb! From peanut soup and its relish offerings to its custom entree selections, it is not be be missed. Christiana Campbell's Tavern on Waller Street is also a great place to dine. Fill up on spoon bread and shellfish dishes. Josiah Chowning's Tavern has been transformed into more of an 18th-century fast food establishment, but it's drinks are fine. And there's always plenty of peanuts around. Shields Tavern is another good place to dine, although its days and hours of operation have changed somewhat over the recent years.
While in Colonial Williamsburg, stay in the colonial houses. Make reservations well in advance. My wife and I select a different house each time. Once you stay in them, you can never go back to modern accomodations...except, of course, at the Williamsburg Inn.
And, above all, while walking in the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg, think of what Alamo Plaza would look like if it had a similar vision and financial support.
Visit the Jamestown Settlement and get aboard the Susan Constant if you want to imagine what 1607 courage was. And then step aboard the Godspeed. Finally, for sheer 17th century guts, board the Discovery. The best time to visit was last year during the 400th anniversary. But the dig continues and the National Park site. Very interesting to say the least.
Yorktown! It was great to participate in the Bicentennial living history event in 1981 and the 225th anniversary celebration two years ago. The taking of the redoubts was a wonderful event! And the surrender ceremonies (especially in 1981) were memorable. It was five years later in 1986 that I discovered that Gary Foreman and I served in the same militia battalion.
And, to be sure, lots of Civil War history at Yorktown, too. Lots of roadside markers (but no tree trunks disguised as cannon barrels!). It's not everywhere where one can walk in the footsteps of Washington, Cornwallis, McClellan, Magruder and so many more. The emphasis in Yorktown is placed on the 1781 campaign over the 1862 campaign.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 14, 2008 21:15:57 GMT -5
An excellent overview, Bill, and I couldn't agree more about visualizing what the Alamo might be whenever I'm in Williamsburg. I have to defer to you on the Colonial taverns; except for lunch at Shields I haven't eaten in them in many years, although I'd really like to try King's Arms again for dinner. Every Christmas I used to look forward to eating there; it was always a special meal and event. I'm trying to persuade my wife to give the taverns another try. We've never stayed in the Colonial houses, but that's something I'd like to try too.
AW
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Post by sloanrodgers on Jul 14, 2008 23:20:26 GMT -5
Jeez! With all this great information, I'll be forced to put Old Virginia into my next out-of-state vacation plans.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 15, 2008 8:37:22 GMT -5
Jeez! With all this great information, I'll be forced to put Old Virginia into my next out-of-state vacation plans. You won't regret it. There's an awful lot of history in that state and, as Bill says, the Williamsburg-Jamestown-Yorktown historic triangle is not to be missed. AW
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