Surrender Field Yorktown
Location submitted by: sdonley on 07/03/2025
DBA Approved: Y
Larger Map
Yorktown, VA 23690
Open to the public: Yes
https://www.nps.gov/york/planyourvi...
Lat: 37.2079
Lon: -76.50495
PANICd#: 2211
Publication date: 07/27/2025
Yorktown's Surrender Field may be known for its historical significance, but many think its somber past has left behind more than just a story.
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 12
Evidence: 0
Resources: 1
Retrievals: 39
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History
History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
Surrender Field in Yorktown, Virginia, marks the historic site where British forces formally laid down their arms on October 19, 1781, signaling the end of major combat in the American Revolutionary War. After a three-week siege led by General George Washington and the allied American and French forces, British General Charles Cornwallis was left with no choice but to surrender his army. The field, situated just outside the fortified town of Yorktown, was chosen for the ceremonial surrender due to its open space and proximity to both the American and British lines.
On the day of the surrender, thousands of American and French troops lined the sides of the field to witness the British troops marching out in formation. Tradition holds that the British band played “The World Turned Upside Down,” symbolizing the shocking loss of the mighty British Army to the colonial rebels. Cornwallis, claiming illness, did not attend the ceremony himself and instead sent his second-in-command, General Charles O’Hara, who tried to surrender to the French. When rebuffed, he eventually offered Cornwallis’s sword to General Benjamin Lincoln, who accepted it on behalf of General Washington.
The events at Surrender Field marked a turning point in world history. Although the Treaty of Paris would not be signed until 1783, the defeat at Yorktown effectively ended Britain’s attempt to maintain control over the American colonies. The surrender was not just a military victory but a deeply symbolic moment, representing the triumph of independence over empire and the beginning of a new nation. The drama and symbolism of that day have become a lasting part of American heritage.
Over the years, Surrender Field became a commemorated site, eventually incorporated into Colonial National Historical Park. Monuments, plaques, and interpretive signs have been installed to guide visitors through the historical significance of the area. A driving tour along the Surrender Field route allows guests to follow the path taken by the surrendering British troops and learn about the various military units involved in the siege and the surrender ceremony.
Today, Surrender Field stands as a quiet, solemn stretch of land surrounded by trees and meadows, preserved in honor of the moment that helped shape the future of the United States. Its open landscape remains largely unchanged, offering a reflective space for visitors to consider the human cost of war and the importance of the peace that followed. It continues to be a key site in American Revolutionary history and a symbol of the birth of a nation.
Added by: sdonley on 07/27/2025
DB#:792
Source(s):
Various
Stories & Folklore
Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.
Surrender Field in Yorktown may be remembered for its historical significance, but many believe its solemn past has left behind more than just a story. Paranormal activity has long been reported in the area, especially by visitors walking the quiet trails around dusk. With thousands of soldiers present during the siege and many dying nearby during battle or from wounds, it's no surprise that some believe spirits still linger on the open fields where history turned on its head.
One of the most frequently reported phenomena is the sound of distant drumming and muffled marching, as if ghostly regiments are still reenacting the long walk toward surrender. These sounds often occur when no reenactments are scheduled and the area is deserted. Some guests have also heard what they describe as the clinking of sabers or the low murmur of indistinct voices, evoking the uneasy silence of the defeated British troops as they laid down their arms.
Strange lights have been seen hovering above the field at night, described as lantern-like glows that move steadily across the open space before vanishing. These lights appear with no known source and are not linked to modern park lighting. A few visitors have claimed to see shadowy figures moving silently along the tree line or pacing the edge of the trail, only to disappear upon closer inspection. Some report a heavy, oppressive feeling while standing in certain areas of the field, especially near the monument markers.
Photographers attempting to document the site at night have captured anomalies in their images—figures that weren't visible to the naked eye, streaks of light, or unexplained blurs. Some have experienced sudden equipment malfunctions or battery drains in the very spot where British troops are believed to have assembled. Paranormal investigators who have studied the area have recorded electronic voice phenomena (EVPs), including whispers and fragments of phrases like “march” or “stand down.”
Whether these experiences are the product of imagination stirred by a heavy historic atmosphere or genuine spiritual echoes, Surrender Field continues to attract those seeking more than just a lesson in history. Its silence carries a weight that many describe as unnerving, as if the air itself remembers. For those who walk its trails after dark, the field becomes more than just a place of finality—it becomes a space where the past may still be present.
Added by: sdonley on 07/27/2025 DB#: 1753
Source(s):
Various
Paranormal Claims
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.
| Claim # | Added | Added By | Claim |
| 4145 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Distant drumming sounds are heard with no visible source. |
| 4146 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Muffled marching echoes across the field. |
| 4147 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Clinking of sabers and military gear is reported. |
| 4148 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Low, indistinct voices are heard in the quiet. |
| 4149 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Glowing lights float above the field at night. |
| 4150 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Shadowy figures move along the tree line and vanish. |
| 4151 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | A heavy, oppressive feeling is felt in certain areas. |
| 4152 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Photographs capture unexplained figures and light streaks. |
| 4153 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Electronic devices malfunction or lose power unexpectedly. |
| 4154 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | EVP recordings capture whispers and military phrases like “march” or “stand down.” |
| 4155 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | Some visitors feel watched while walking the trails. |
| 4156 | 07/27/2025 | sdonley | The atmosphere becomes unusually silent and tense after dark. |
Additional Resources
This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
| Yorktown Ghost Stories: Colonial era ghosts still haunt the streets of this landmark village of the American Revolution - Witchery Art: A Gothic Cabinet of Curiosities and Mysteries
Added: 07/27/2025 By: sdonley |
Information about the paranormal activity. |
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