Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "American Revolution Victorious" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Canvas board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood Commerative Cover for Old Glory's Proudest Moments postmarked on the anniversary October 19, 2002. Early in 1781, British General Lord Cornwallis moved into Virginia to consolidate his operations and keep the area out of Revolutionary hands. In July he was ordered to return to New York, but to prepare for the move he first established a base at Yorktown near the mouth of the York River on Chesapeake Bay. Washington recognized the potential for entrapment and ordered General Lafayette, then in Virginia, to block Cornwallis' withdrawal while American and French armies dashed to the scene. Meanwhile the French fleet under Admiral de Grasse was sailing toward the Bay. Cornwallis fortified his position, but by the end of September his 7,500 troops faced 15,700 under Washington. Against such odds, Cornwallis could do no more than defend his position, hope for reinforcements, and pray for evacuation by sea. However, Admiral de Grasse, along with the combined forces of Generals Washington, Rochambeau and Lafayette blocked the escape routes of the greatest concentration of British troops in America. On October 9, 1781, the hoisting of the American Flag signaled the beginning of the siege. Ten days later Cornwallis, cut off from reinforcements and retreat by sea, surrendered. At about noon that day, with the Americans on the right and the French on the left, troops were lined up for nearly a mile, watching solemnly as vanquished British troops marched between with their colors cased and with the slow beating of the British march, The World Turned Upside Down. Gen. Charles O'Hara accepted defeat. Image Size: 15 x 12.75 in. Overall Size: 18.5 x 16 in. Unframed. (B17042) See More