It was a mistake for General Cornwallis to camp his army at Yorktown primarily because Yorktown was on a peninsula and could be surrounded. This geographic disadvantage made it easier for the American and French forces to encircle Cornwallis's troops. The limited land access and the presence of water on three sides left him vulnerable to a siege. Furthermore, the location also complicated resupply efforts, as the British fleet could not effectively break through the blockading forces. Thus, the combination of these factors ultimately led to Cornwallis's defeat at Yorktown in 1781.
Why was it a mistake for Gen. Cornwallis to camp his army at Yorktown?
Yorktown was too far away from other British forces to be effectively resupplied.
Yorktown was on a peninsula and hard to resupply.
Yorktown was on a peninsula and could be surrounded.
1 answer