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Siege of Yorktown Trivia

Test your Siege of Yorktown knowledge with this short quiz.

Are you a Historian, Park Ranger, Park Regular, or a Visitor? Keep track of your correct answers to find out!

Question 1:

How many British troops were stationed in North America when the Battle of Yorktown ended?
An oil painting depicts British troops marching in line across the battlefield. They look distressed. To the right members of the continental army look on.

Artist: Keith Rocco  NPS image

a. 15,000
b. 5,000
c. 26,000
d. 30,000

Question 2:

Which of these regiments fought for the British? You can choose more than one.
Reenactors dressed as British royal troops march through tall grass.

NPS

a. Ansbach-Bayreuth
b. Royal Deuxponts
c. Gatenois
d. Royal Welch Fusiliers

Question 3:

What was the average number of cannonballs and bombs shot daily by the American Allies towards the British at Yorktown?
Reenactors fire a cannon at Yorktown battlefield. They wear continental army uniforms.

NPS

a. 10,000
b. 1,700
c. 56
d. 400

Question 4:

How many artillery pieces did the British surrender at Yorktown
An inscription on a cannon reads "surrendered by the capitulation of Yorktown Oct 1781

NPS

a. 131
b. 80
c. 350
d. 244

Question 5:

What rank was Alexander Hamilton during the Siege of Yorktown?
A painting of Colonel Alexander Hamilton. He is a white man dressed finely and has a receding hairline with straight brown hair.

Artist: Charles Willson Peale      Independence NHP

a. Lieutenant Colonel
b. Major
c. General
d. Captain

Question 6:

Who was the Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America during the Siege of Yorktown?
An illustration depicts three British soldiers marching in a line with muskets on shoulders. Behind them a soldier mounted on horseback follows.

Artist: Cohen, Gilbert 'Gil'  NPS Image

a. General William Howe
b. General John Burgoyne
c. General Charles Cornwallis
d. General Henry Clinton

Question 7:

What do you call a cannon ball that is heated before it is fired?
The picture looks down the barrel of a cannon

NPS

a. Fireball
b. Grapeshot
c. Hot shot
d. Chain shot

Question 8:

On what day did the British officially surrender at Yorktown.
A tall obelisk monument is pictures in front of a blue cloudy sky. In the background is the York River.

NPS

a. Oct. 19
b. Oct. 11
c. Oct. 16
d. July 4

Question 9:

In what year was the final treaty signed that ended the war and acknowledged American independence?
An illustration of a quill and inkwell.

NPS

a. 1778
b. 1776
c. 1781
d. 1783

Bonus Question 10:

Who was closely related to General George Washington and General Thomas Nelson Jr.?
A painting of General George Washington. He is an older white gentleman with a powdered wig and stately nose.

NPS

a. Martha Custis Washington

b. Nicolas Martiau

c. General Charles Cornwallis

d. General William Howe

How many did you get right?

9-10: You’re a Historian! With that kind of knowledge, you should be giving us a tour!

6-8: Throw on your flat-brimmed hat and head out to the field, you’re a Park Ranger!

4-5: History is a passion? More like a lifestyle. You might not be on your A-game with this quiz, but you’re clearly a Park Regular.

0-3: No shame in your game. As a Visitor you can learn all about the incredible people, places, and stories that were a part of the final major battle of the American Revolution, the Siege of Yorktown.

Colonial National Historical Park

Last updated: December 22, 2021