Ockipedia

Charles Cornwallis

Charles Cornwallis was born in London, England on December 31^st, 1738. He attended military academy in Turin, and later he served in Germany, becoming a lieutenant Colonel. In 1769, when he was elected into Parliament, Cornwallis was sympathetic towards the colonists. He voted against both the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Declaratory Act of 1766.

Cornwallis first got involved with the conflict between the Colonies and Great Britain when he offered his services to the crown, and arrived in America in 1776.

He ordered a wing of Howe's army before he became one of the leading figures in the British "Southern Strategy" to control the southern colonies. In this role, he effectively led troops into South Carolina and gained control and influence, then moved to North Carolina. Although he had successes like the victory at Camden, his army was unfalteringly defeated at Kings Mountain and Cowpens. After a victory at Greensboro, North Carolina, Cornwallis moved his army into Wilmington for much needed rest and supplies.

When Cornwallis moved his men north from Wilmington, the patriots retreated. Charles wanted to take a place in Virginia, but General Clinton didn’t want to spare the reinforcements. He expected the rebels to attack New York. Clinton finally agreed to let Cornwallis take a position in Virginia and hold it. The battle of Monmouth (June 28^th, 1778), he repulsed Americans under the command of General Charles Lee. Soon after, he returned to England to care for his sick wife who died in 1779.

         Cornwallis Rejoined Clinton later in August of 1779. The Americans Seized Charleston, South Carolina (April- May 12^th, 1780). When the city fell, Clinton returned to New York, and Cornwallis Commanded the British forces in the south. On August 16^th, 1780 at Camden, South Carolina, He routed the army of Horatio Gates. Then he went after the Americans Commanded by General Nathanael Greene. He lost at Kings Mountain (October 7^th, 1780) and Cowpens (January 17^th, 1781).

         When they marched to the coast and entrenched at Yorktown, they abandoned all outer defenses. Cornwallis and his troops were surrounded by French and American troops, so they surrendered. The battle at yorktown was the last major battle of the American Revolution.

           Although Charles Cornwallis has been labeled as responsible for the loss at yorktown, much of the evidence says that he was a quite capable commander.

Bibliography

Hickman, Kennedy. "American Revolution: Lord Charles Cornwallis". <http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/army/p/cornwallis.htm>.

Lomask, Milton. The first American revolution. 1974.

The making of a nation. 1975.

Martin, James Kirby. “Cornwallis, Charles”. World book encyclopedia. 1995.

Streich, Michael. "Suite 101". <http://www.suite101.com/content/cornwallis-trapped-at-yorktown>. 2009.