The final battle of the American Revolutionary War occurred at Yorktown, Virginia, from September 28 to October 19, 1781. British General Cornwallis had established a stronghold there, but American and French forces, under the command of General George Washington, laid siege to the city. The combination of land and naval forces effectively cut off Cornwallis' retreat and supply lines. After several weeks of bombardment, Cornwallis surrendered, leading to the de facto end of the war. The victory at Yorktown was pivotal in securing American independence, ultimately leading to the Treaty of Paris in 1783.