{"id":3618,"date":"2016-10-06T07:28:01","date_gmt":"2016-10-06T11:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gettysburgflag.com\/blog\/?p=3618"},"modified":"2025-10-16T16:16:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T20:16:15","slug":"as-revolution-ended-flags-were-flying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gettysburgflag.com\/blog\/as-revolution-ended-flags-were-flying\/","title":{"rendered":"As Revolution ended, flags were flying"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Washington<\/a>
Washington touches off a cannon at Yorktown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In October 1781, as the American Revolution neared its conclusion in Yorktown, Virginia, an observer noticed the role flags played on both the American and British sides.<\/p>\n

That observer, 235 years ago, was St. George Tucker, a noted lawyer who was a lieutenant general on General George Washington\u2019s staff. He kept a journal of events during the Yorktown battle because, as he put it, \u201cthe Close of the present Campaign will probably be more important than any other since the commencement of the American War.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"British<\/a>
British forces surrender at Yorktown as a white flag of surrender flies and the American flag<\/a> waves. (Painting by John Trumbull)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Tucker wrote about maneuvers, the construction of trenches, the placement of various troops (including Lafayette\u2019s French forces) and exchanges of artillery fire, he also reported on the roles played by flags. For example, on October 9, he wrote, \u201cNothing remarkable happened last night or to day untill five O\u2019Clock unless the passage of a Flag from ours to the Enemy\u2019s Lines during which they continued firing on our Works be worthy remembrance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Cornwallis<\/a>
Cornwallis surrenders his sword to Washington in this fanciful image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

His irony was obvious; he knew that shooting at opposing forces who were approaching with a white flag of truce was out of bounds. That evening, Tucker wrote, \u201cthe continental Standard [one of America\u2019s first flags<\/a>] was hoisted at our Battery on the Right,\u201d perhaps as a return sign that the cannon blasts had achieved nothing.<\/p>\n

Less than a week later, he wrote about something very significant. \u201cThis Forenoon,\u201d he scrawled, \u201ca Flag from [the British] brought a Letter couch\u2019d nearly in the following Terms \u2013 Sir, I propose a Cessation of Hostilities for twenty four Hours, and that two Officers be appointed from both sides to meet\u2026and agree on Terms for the surrender.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Surrender<\/a>
Surrender of British flags<\/a> at Yorktown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The letter, addressed to Washington, was signed by Cornwallis, who led the British forces. He was on the verge of conceding that the Americans had won their fight for freedom from Great Britain.<\/p>\n

Washington immediately replied: \u201cSir, I have received your [letter]. Regard to humanity induces me to agree to a suspension of hostilities for two hours that your Lordship may propose the Terms on which you choose to surrender.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the 18th, the British commander sent another message under a flag of truce and asked for more time to weigh the terms.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A portrait by James Peale of Washington at Yorktown shows British and Hessian flags at his feet.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That night, Tucker grew poetic. \u201cA solemn stillness prevailed,\u201d he recorded. \u201cThe night was remarkably clear & the sky decorated with ten thousand stars\u201d with \u201cnumberless Meteors gleaming thro’ the Atmosphere [which] afforded a pleasing resemblance to the Bombs which had exhibited a noble Firework the night before, but happily divested of all their Horror.\u201d<\/p>\n

On October 19, Cornwallis finally submitted his surrender terms. Tucker was thrilled to watch the formal proceedings as 254 \u201ccommission\u2019d Officers\u201d and thousands of British and Hessian soldiers \u201cgrounded their Arms\u201d and laid down a great number of cannons.<\/p>\n

Tucker also made sure to count the 22 British standards that were surrendered.<\/p>\n

When the American and French<\/a> soldiers saw that they had won, they cheered lustily. But Washington cut them short, saying, \u201cLet history huzzah for you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In October 1781, as the American Revolution neared its conclusion in Yorktown, Virginia, an observer noticed the role flags played on both the American and British sides. That observer, 235 years ago, was St. George Tucker, a noted lawyer who was a lieutenant general on General George Washington\u2019s staff. He kept a journal of events… continue<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":6092,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[47,3,385],"class_list":["post-3618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history-lessons","tag-george-washington","tag-history","tag-revolution"],"yoast_head":"\nAs Revolution ended, flags were flying - Gettysburg Flag Works Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gettysburgflag.com\/blog\/as-revolution-ended-flags-were-flying\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"As Revolution ended, flags were flying - Gettysburg Flag Works Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In October 1781, as the American Revolution neared its conclusion in Yorktown, Virginia, an observer noticed the role flags played on both the American and British sides. 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