 The siege formally got underway on September 28 . Despite a late attempt by Cornwallis to escape via Gloucester Point , the siege lines closed in on his positions and the allied cannons wrought havoc in the British camps , and on October 17 he opened negotiations to surrender . On that very day , the British fleet again sailed from New York , carrying 6 @,@ 000 troops . Still outnumbered by the French fleet , they eventually turned back . A French naval officer , noting the British fleet 's departure on October 29 , wrote , " They were too late . The fowl had been eaten . " Apparently not wanting to face Washington , Cornwallis claimed to be ill on October 19 , the day of the surrender , and sent Brigadier General O 'Hara in his place to formally surrender his sword . Washington had his second @-@ in @-@ command , Benjamin Lincoln , accept Cornwallis 's sword . 
