Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos

Battle of the Chesapeake: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As Battle of the Virginia Capes • Battle of the Capes
Date September 5, 1781
Location Atlantic Ocean • Chesapeake Bay • United States
Participants France • United Kingdom
Context American Revolution

Photos

Vladimir Zveg: Battle of the Virginia Capes
Engraving of General Cornwallis in formal military uniform, shown standing with one hand resting on a cane and a sash across his chest.
Historical map showing the final campaigns in the southern United States during the American Revolution, focusing on the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. The map traces the movements of French and American forces in brown and British forces in green through Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with key battle sites such as Yorktown, Guilford Court House, Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Eutaw Springs marked by crossed swords. Major rivers and cities are labeled for geographic context.
Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau
Battle of the Chesapeake
John Trumbull: Surrender of Lord Cornwallis
See All Images →

Key People

default image
François-Joseph-Paul, count de Grasse
French naval commander

Related Quizzes

American Colonial Flag, popularly attributed to Betsy Ross, was designed during the American Revolutionary War features 13 stars to represent the original 13 colonies.
Facts You Should Know: American Revolution
Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga, by Percy Moran, circa 1911. Saratoga Campaign, American Revolution, Revolutionary War.
Understanding the American Revolution
D-Day. American soldiers fire rifles, throw grenades and wade ashore on Omaha Beach next to a German bunker during D Day landing. 1 of 5 Allied beachheads est. in Normandy, France. The Normandy Invasion of World War II launched June 6, 1944.
A History of War
Caption: Through "Death Valley" - one of the Marines of a Leatherneck Company, driving through Japanese machine gun fire while crossing a draw rises from cover for a quick dash forward to another position, Okinawa, 10 May 1945. (World War II)
Famous Figures in American Military History Quiz
Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)
World Wars
A medium close up shot of an actor impersonating Benjamin Franklin, with earphones plugged in, using his phone while sitting in an outdoor patio in modern-day Philadelphia. Featuring Brian Patrick Mulligan as Ben Franklin.
Finish the American Revolutionary War Quote Quiz
Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history)
Pick Your Battles Quiz