Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

A guide at Yorktown (this was the pivotal battle of the Revolution where we essentially won the war) said, “We won the battle for three reasons:

• Militarily: The Brilliance of General Washington and the help he got from the French;
• Division in British Army (bickering), and
• Luck -”

Cornwallis chose Yorktown because it was good ground for battle and it was the only place where the James River was narrow enough that if he needed to retreat he could cross.  When he learned that Washington and his troops were coming up from the South, he sent for reinforcements from New York but they were late in coming.

When the battle began, Cornwallis was hammered and knew he needed to retreat.  He thought that during the night he would evacuate his troops across the James River.  The first wave got across then a fierce storm came up and the wind blew so hard that the boats could not get back across the river to rescue any more British troops.

Cornwallis had no recourse but to surrender.  The guide called it ‘Luck’ but George Washington a few days later called it the ‘providence of God.’

¹⁰The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
   he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
¹¹ The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
   the plans of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33.10-11

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene