American History- Revolution?

Question

When a battle is over and the leader of the losing army surrenders to the leader of the opposing army, certain protocal is followed. What faux pas was made at Yorktown and by whom? What should have happened?

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Answer 1

You may be thinking about Washington not taking Cornwallis's sword. No link. I remember that from history classes at University in the 60's/

Answer 2

The protocal during that era was that the surrendering general would surrender his sword to the victorious general.
General George Washington would not accept the British General's sword out of respect for the British and not wanting to humilate the British General by having him surrendering his sword.
It was not a Faux pas per say. It was a show of respect for the British General and british army under him.
It was understood that when The victorious general allowed the defeated general to keep his sword it says that they were equal.
It was also understood that the victorious general by doing that was also relying he wanted the defeated general and his army as allies not defeated enemies.

That was also part of the reasoning behind General Grant allowing the defeated Confederate army to keep their arms when General Lee surrendered his army to General Grant.

Answer 3

In a breech of military etiquette, Cornwallis declined to attend the surrender ceremony, claiming illness. The second in command, Brigadier General Charles O’Hara, filled that role. To avoid the humiliation of turning over Cornwallis’ sword to Washington — known contemptuously to many British as “General Buckskin” — O'Hara attempted to present the token to General Rochambeau. The French commander refused to accept the sword and pointed to Washington. When O’Hara turned to make the presentation, Washington called on his second-in-command, General Benjamin Lincoln, to accept.

Answer 4

Could you mean when Cornwallis' proxy offered his sword to Rochambeau and not Washington. Washington then had General Benjamin Lincoln accept the sword. This was done because you surrender equal to equal.