Why do u think general cornwallis decided to surrender at the battle of yorktown

French ships were blocking the bay, so that Cornwallis and the British there couldn't get supplies. Also the British couldn't escape from the bay. And, Washington and his army where coming from land. *I think there were French troops of the ground as well...* So Cornwallis couldn't escape from any direction. Cornwallis was outnumbered as well-->19,300 soldiers (10,800 French 8,500 Americans) 24 French wars ships, and 375 guns to 7,500 British soldiers and 240 guns The odds were against him, he had to surrender for the sake of his men. There are lots more reasons... like he was going to get help but it never came.