Battle of the Capes

The Battle of the Capes, fought on September 5, 1781, at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, proved decisive in securing American independence. French Admiral François Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse, commanded a fleet of thirty-seven ships that clashed with nineteen British ships under Admiral Thomas Graves. Though the engagement lasted only a few hours and ended in stalemate, the French gained control of the bay, cutting off British General Charles Cornwallis from supplies and reinforcements.

This victory ensured that George Washington and the allied Franco-American army could march south unopposed and join the Marquis de Lafayette near Yorktown. With the Chesapeake secured, the Allies besieged Cornwallis, forcing his surrender on October 19, 1781. Today, the site of the battle is recognized near Cape Henry, Virginia, with markers and exhibits interpreting the pivotal naval clash. The Battle of the Capes remains a crucial reminder of French-American cooperation and the global dimension of the Revolutionary War, as control of the sea directly shaped the outcome of the conflict and paved the way for the Treaty of Paris in 1783.