Diverse Patriots African Americans P4

Last week I ended talking about James Armistead being a double spy in the camp of Benedict Arnold and Lord Cornwallis. Both trusted James so much that they used him (they thought) as a “spy” against the Americans. Armistead thus became a double-spy, moving freely between both camps.

Upon learning that the British fleet was moving 10,000 troops to reinforce Cornwallis at Yorktown, Armistead quickly relayed that information to Lafayette. 

Taking this valuable information, Washington quickly moved American forces to Yorktown, and the French fleet blocked the British navy and kept its reinforcements from reaching Cornwallis. The Battle of Yorktown ensued, and Cornwallis, finally surrendered. Armistead’s crucial information had helped bring a victorious end to the War for Independence. 

More on this next week for another American Moment.

Sourced from The American Story: The Beginnings by David Barton and Tim Barton.