Lord Charles Cornwallisâ campaign in Virginia ended with his defeat and surrender at Yorktown by American Rebels led by Marquis de Lafayette in 1781. During this surrender, he refused to personally face George Washington under excuse of sickness, sending his sword through a Brigadier.
Lafayette was only 19 years old and without combat experience when he arrived in America. Defying the explicit orders of King Louis XVI, who did not wish to provoke Great Britain, the marquis eluded authorities and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to assist the rebellious Americans in 1777. Although still a teenager who spoke little English and lacked any battle experience, Lafayette convinced the Continental Army to commission him a major general on July 31, 1777.
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