By the summer of 1781, the American colonies had been at war with England for more than six years. Few guessed the colonists would have put up such a long and credible struggle. When French troops arrived with Rochambeau, the British were operating on two fronts: in the North in New York City under General Clinton, commander of British forces in North America; and in the South under General Lord Cornwallis, who was marching his army northward toward Virginia. The main American army under George Washington was stationed along the Hudson River above New York City. After feinting an attack against General Clinton, Washington led his army south in an effort to trap Cornwallis in Virginia. By September the colonial army was in Williamsburg?just a dozen miles west of Yorktown. What followed was one of history?s most amazing and successful sieges. By the end of the month some 17,600 American and French soldiers had faced off against 8,300 entrenched British and German troops. Washington?s brilliance was on display as he skillfully constricted Cornwallis?s position by digging siege parallels and artillery redoubts, and by launching well-timed attacks to capture key enemy positions. The French control of the coastal waters sealed Cornwallis?s fate. His surrender effectively ended England?s effort to subdue her former colonies. Veteran writer and NPS historian Jerome Greene began his research on The Guns of Independence more than three decades ago when he conducted extensive archaeological and archival research on the siege during the Bicentennial. The final draft (a complete examination of the siege and the participants involved) was privately printed for the use of the National Park Service. The Guns of Independence: The Siege of Yorktown, 1781 is a thoroughly updated and revised edition of that rare earlier work. This classic campaign study details exactly how the Allies beat Cornwallis, with extensive treatment of the construction of the fortifications, the troops involved, personalities, and strategy and tactics. This remarkable study includes numerous original maps, contemporary and modern images, and extensive end notes and appendices. It will satisfy everyone interested in military history, the American Revolution, artillery, siege tactics, and brilliant leadership.