James Armistead was born on December 10, 1748 in New Kent, Virginia. He was born into slavery to owner William Armistead. He volunteered to join the army with permission from his owner. He was then stationed with Marquis de Lafayette, who employed him as a spy. He posed as a runaway slave hired by the British, this made him able to successfully infiltrate British forces. He went back north with Benedict Arnold and was able to learn more about British plans, he then went between sides and informed Lafayette about British plans. Because of Armistead’s efforts, George Washington and Lafayette were able to stop the British from sending reinforcements to Yorktown, Virginia. As the Americans blockaded the British, the victory can be attributed to