Hey all, this is a story i wrote, inspired from the famous painting "The Surrender of General Cornwallis" by Trumbull now exhibitted in the Yale Art Museum.... This story depicts the emotional tragedy the General might have gone through as he is surrendering infront of George Washington...... Enjoy and leave comments

All the days seemed exactly the same for me since the start of the battle of York town. All the days were gloomy. None had the presence of peace in it. Everything had the bloody presence of war. Past few days were being really horrible. Am loosing my men. Don’t even know what to do!!! Am loosing my faith in everything. In my army, my country and even in me. The battle was sudden. I was helpless. I couldn’t even find some men to fight back. America is in lead. How can I save my men? This is one of the most important things which worry me. If I can’t save my men. What is the point in being a general of thousands?

War was not at all a problem for me. We are getting supplies money or any thing we wanted. But a sudden attack, I couldn’t withstand it. That was when my fait started and the pride faded. I still can’t believe it they are in our territory. The war was unexpected.

I still remember that day… were the small glimmer of hope faded. America was just a growing army for us at that time which was not at all a threat to our British. But on the day when every thing changed? On October 14^th I woke up hearing that York town is surrounded by Washington’s army. Then I realized that France was helping them. It was a revenge for beating them in French and Indian war. I was momentarily frozen. October 14, was pretty much a vacation for all of us in York town. We never had a clue. We sat in our mansion and for me slept until late morning. We were lazy even for a March drill practice. I started hearing the footsteps of soldiers’ march. I thought it was my soldiers and I was proud of them too. I went to my watch tower in my mansion and saw the view which froze me. Washington in front, and his long American army behind besides them French commander and his troop. I couldn’t believe that. Washington’s army was not at all a problem but French army was a problem for us they had assumed power. We didn’t have any other choice; war was the only possible one. So I called my second in command O’Hare and then told him to gather all soldiers for war. On October 14^th war started with the British flag flying high in the air. I could easily assume that the war is not going to be long. French and Washington made up a great combination. On the first day we were in lead. We had a huge lead. But I was sure we are not going to make it. War ended for the day by sunset. That night I couldn’t sleep. Night mares kept me up for the whole night. The night mare was not clear. I was in the middle of the whole American troops.

On October 15^th war began early. I started loosing my men. I had 10000 men now I have only 8000. War ended; with the fact that it is going to start after a sun rise. The next two days were the days of losing of men and blood. October 18^th I was sure about surrender by next day. On 19^th of October I had only 2000 men left. I was ready to surrender. I can’t see my falling army. I woke up early that day very early. I made a call to Washington. He spoke to me. I told him that I surrender. I begged him to stop war in York town. But he was not at all willing to stop war until I reach the crowd and publish my surrender. I hung up. He is not ready to do that. I called O’Hare and told him to do something. He had no choices or options. So he told me to surrender in sake of their life. I had no options.