"If we do not deceive our own men, we will never deceive the enemy" General Washington on why he did not tell his men they were marching to Yorktown.

"We must take Cornwallis or be all dishonored" GEN Washington talking to GEN Lafayette on the alternatives to Yorktown.

"There are between thirty and forty sail with in the capes, most of them ships of war and some of them very big." Lord Conwallis reporting to GEN Clinton on the arrival of the French fleet at Yorktown

"My dear little General" GEN Washington as he greeted Admiral de Grasse, commander of the French fleet.

"Be prepared to hear the worse." Lord Cornwallis warning GEN Clinton if he did not come soon.

"In that case, the blame will fall on Clinton, and not me." Lord Cornwallis after being warned that the earthworks at Yorktown were inadequate.

"Against so powerful an attack, we cannot hope to make a very long resistance." Lord Cornwallis's reastion to the initial French and American bombard.

"My children, I have great need for you tonight." GEN Rochambeau addressing his troops before taking a British redoubts.

Nice, keep them coming

"We will fight like lions. Until the last man is killed" A French soldier as he replied to GEN Rochambeau's address.

"I am in my redoubt. Where are you?" GEN Lafayette's teasing message to the French Officer in charge. Lafayette was at the rear of Colonel Alexander Hamilton's forces.

"Tell the marquis I am not in mine but will be in 5 minutes." The French commanders response.

"Mr. Evans, you had better carry that home and show it to your wife." GEN Washington talking to his chaplain Israel Evans. A British shell exploded near by and sprayed the party with sand. Evans started to brush the sand off his hat.

"An ardent desire to spare the further effusion of blood will readily incline me to listen to such terms for the surrender of your post and garrisons of York and Gloucester as are admissible." GEN Washington's response to Lord Cornwaliis' request for a 24 hour cease fire while the British drew up terms for surrender. Washington granted the British a 2 hour cease fire and continued the siege until he got a reply.

"We are subordinate to the Americans. General George Washington will give you your orders." GEN Rochambeau as he refused to take the British surrender from GEN Charles O'Hara. GEN O'Hara had intended to present the French with the surrender.

"Never from such a good hand" GEN Washington as he declined to take the sword himself. The honor had been given to Benjamin Lincoln.

"If ponies rode men and if grass ate cows,
And cats should be chased into holes by the mouse...
If summer were spring and the other way around,
Then all the world be upside down"
The tune that the British Band played as they left their positions to surrender. The terms of the surrender said the British must play their own tune and not a mocking version of Yankiedoole.

"Oh, God! It's all over." Lord North of the British Parliment when he learned of Cornwallis' surrender.

Good ones Doody!

Where did you find them?

very nice, bring on more!

That's all I got for Yorktown. I got a few more to post on other subjects about the Revolutionary War. There are a couple quotes in "Last Words" from the same book.

All all those quotes are from Patriots: The Men Who Started the Revolutionary War by AJ Langguth. It's a 560 page book that starts in 1761 and ends with Washington's farwell to his troops and to congress. I like the book because it is solid history, and Languth does not glorify things like the first shot of the war, Paul Revere's ride or Yorktown. Yesterday, I finally finished it . It is well worth the $15 I paid for it.

EDIT NOTE: "My dear little General" is amusing because Admiral de Grasse stood at 6 foot 4 inches.

I guess thats why it was so interesting and strange, Little general at 6,4 nice

Washington was probably unused to looking up at anybody. He stood 6' 2" himself. Roughly equivelant to 6' 8" for somebody today.

Originally Posted by Charge_7

Washington was probably unused to looking up at anybody. He stood 6' 2" himself. Roughly equivelant to 6' 8" for somebody today.

During the meeting, the french sailors and soldiers lined the sides of the boat to catch a glimps of America's general. I know Washington must have felt quite relieved when he heard that the French Fleet arrived. That would explain his humor when meeting with de Grasse. Washington has never been known for his humor.

note since the wife is in the field, I will work on getting more quotes on the forum

That's an interesting quote but I have heard it told a bit differently. Who knows?

While the allied armies were taking position around Yorktown, General Washington went on board the Ville de Paris to meet De Grasse for the first time. Washington was accompanied by General de Rochambeau, General de La Fayette, General Knox, Governor Benjamin Harrison and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton. The fleet's ships were of course dressed over all, and gave Washington a 13-gun salute as he came aboard. As soon as the Commander in Chief arrived on deck, De Grasse rushed to him, threw his arms around him and kissed him on both cheeks, saying over and over again with obvious emotion: "My dear little general!" While De Grasse stood 6' 4", Washington was 6' 6" [?*] and in any case cut such an imposing figure that the words "dear little general" provoked quickly stifled hilarity among the onlookers. After an excellent luncheon on board, the commanders sat down to a conference. De Grasse finally agreed to prolong his stay in American waters until November 1, to the immense satisfaction of the generals, and plans were adopted for the final stage of the siege.

http://xenophongroup.com/mcjoynt/bonnel.htm