Ten Minutes with Bayonets

Alexander Hamilton had spent most of the war at Washington's side, writing letters, drafting orders, and managing the commander's correspondence. He was brilliant at it and miserable about it. He wanted a field command — the chance to prove himself in combat rather than at a desk. He and Washington had quarreled about it, and their relationship had frayed.

At Yorktown, Hamilton got his chance. He was assigned to lead the American assault on Redoubt 10, one of two British fortifications that anchored the right side of the defensive line. The French would take Redoubt 9. The attacks would be simultaneous, at night, with bayonets only. No loaded muskets, to prevent premature firing that would alert the defenders.

On the night of October 14, 1781, Hamilton led approximately 400 men across open ground toward the redoubt. The troops moved in silence, absorbing the first British fire without responding. When they reached the abatis — the sharpened wooden stakes surrounding the fortification — they hacked through with axes and poured over the walls.

The fighting inside the redoubt lasted approximately ten minutes. Hamilton's men took the position with nine killed and about thirty wounded. The parallel French assault on Redoubt 9 succeeded with heavier casualties against a larger garrison but was equally decisive.

The capture of the two redoubts allowed the allies to complete their second parallel, bringing siege guns close enough to make Cornwallis's position impossible. Three days later, the British asked for terms. Hamilton had his moment of glory — ten minutes of violent, disciplined combat that helped end a war. He would spend the rest of his life building the country that the victory at Yorktown made possible.