Jim Butcher (American, B. 1944) "American Victory At Yorktown" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 18c Yorktown & Lexington/Concord stamp issues of October 16, 1981. Early in 1781 prospects of an American triumph in the Revolution could scarcely have been more bleak. Then, certain defeat slowly turned to victory as General Washington and Brigadier General Comte de Rochambeau marched south from New York to meet their foe, Cornwallis. Battered by his Southern losses and depleted in force, Cornwallis gradually moved north to Petersburg, Virginia. There, the mighty Lafayette forces attacked with fury, pushing Cornwallis back to Yorktown. As Cornwallis fortified this city for battle, he kept constant watch up the Chesapeake Bay for British rescue. However, instead of the British, it was the French who forged up the bay. As the French under Admiral de Grasse stood watch over these waters, Washington and Rochambeau readied for conflict. Finally, on October 9, Washington sounded the battlecry. Some 4,000 shells pelted the hapless British daily. Meanwhile, the British in New York created a rescue fleet two-thirds the size of the French forces. On October 17, this mighty army set sail for Virginia, but its efforts came too late. French bombardment and the allied land effort of 16,000 troops forced the British to their knees on October 18, 1781. Image Size: 16 x 16.5 in. Overall Size: 20 x 20 in. Unframed. (B07281) See More