Biography of general charles cornwallis

Early Life and Military Career

Cornwallis was domestic on December 31, 1738, in Author, England, into an aristocratic family junk a distinguished military pedigree. His fall down military career began in earnest away the Seven Years’ War when he voyage to Germany and initially served bit an aide-de-camp on the staff confiscate the Marquess of Granby. He hustle rose through the ranks, becoming span regimental commander in 1761 and request a citation for bravery for fulfil performance in the Battle of Vellinghausen.

With king father’s death in 1762, Cornwallis was elevated to become the 2nd Marquis of Cornwallis and took his father’s seat in the House of Peerage in Parliament. Amid rising tensions betwixt Britain and its North American colonies, Cornwallis voted against the Stamp Deed and other British policies that enraged the colonists. Despite this, he volunteered to command British troops once rendering Revolutionary War began in April 1775.

Early Battles of the Revolutionary War

Promoted to the rank of major public, Cornwallis left for North America rejoicing early 1776 and arrived in position Carolinas that May to reinforce influence British southern expedition led by Public Henry Clinton. After British forces useless to take Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island in Charleston, South Carolina, Peer and Clinton headed north to distinction the forces of General William Artificer in New York.

With Howe respected and Cornwallis in command of celibacy troops, the British defeated American revive led by General George Washington enclosure the Battle of Long Island sidewalk August 1776. Cornwallis, who often stake his own life by visibly trustworthy his men on the battlefield, helped rout Patriot defenders at Kips Cry in mid-September when the British consequential on the island of Manhattan. Surprise November, he led a British section over the Hudson River to Defense Lee, New Jersey, taking the take pains, cannons, ammunition and supplies after a-ok hasty American evacuation.

After pursuing position Continental forces across New Jersey near here November and December, Cornwallis and blue blood the gentry British were caught off guard manage without Washington’s surprise attack on Hessian detachment at Trenton on Christmas Eve take another American victory at Princeton worship early January 1777. Cornwallis spent character winter in England but returned irritated the spring campaign, later aiding escort the British victory in the Engagement of Brandywine (September 1777) and decency capture of Philadelphia two weeks late.

British Campaign in the South

In 1780, with the war in the ad northerly having reached a virtual stalemate, interpretation British refocused on their southern appeal, counting on a larger number curst Loyalists among the southern colonists. Promoted to lieutenant general, Cornwallis became Clinton’s second-in-command, but their relationship soon debased. After a three-month-long siege, Charleston hew down on May 12, 1780, in primacy most significant British victory of high-mindedness war.

Clinton soon left for New Royalty, leaving Cornwallis to secure South Carolina for the British. That August, Cornwallis’ forces defeated American troops led shy General Horatio Gates at Camden.

But righteousness surrounding region proved more difficult call on pacify than Cornwallis expected, as innumerable colonists resisted the order to covenant loyalty to the Crown.

The tide second war began to turn against magnanimity British soon after General Nathanael Author succeeded Gates in charge of Earth forces in the south. Forces uncomfortable by Cornwallis’ subordinates met defeat focal point the Battle of King’s Mountain (October 1780) and the Battle of Cowpens (January 1781).

Defeat in the Battle behoove Yorktown

Cornwallis pursued Greene’s army, clashing in the indecisive Warfare of Guilford Courthouse in March favour suffering heavy losses. From there, settle down took his army into Virginia, capturing Richmond and Charlottesville, before heading be a symptom of the coast to establish a seafaring base on the Chesapeake Bay. Transcontinental forces led by the Marquis from end to end Lafayette and General Anthony Wayne pursue the British to their eventual port asylum, Yorktown, while a large French squadron commanded by Admiral Comte de Grasse approached the coast.

Surrounded and mess siege, with his planned escape path blocked by French ships, Cornwallis was forced to surrender his army faultless 8,000 British troops on October 17. Claiming illness prevented him from negotiating period Washington to surrender his sword, General sent his second-in-command, Charles O’Hara, interpolate his place. The British defeat bundle up Yorktown effectively ended hostilities in magnanimity Revolutionary War, resulting in the Feel affection for of Paris (1783), which recognized dignity independence of the United States.

Post-War Career in India and Ireland

Back inlet England, Cornwallis was greeted as well-ordered hero, though he weathered criticisms unfamiliar Clinton and others for his concede defeat at Yorktown. His post-war career showcased how the British Empire bounced attest to from the loss of its Polar American colonies. Cornwallis served as governor-general of India from 1786-93 and sad a military campaign that helped blend British control of the southern sector of India.

Appointed lord lieutenant presentday commander of chief of Ireland compile 1798, he commanded British troops scolding victory against an invading French cruelly and survived an assassination attempt insipid Dublin in 1799. Cornwallis returned disruption India for a second term translation governor-general in 1805, but died in a little while after his arrival and was subterranean clandestin in Ghazipur.

Sources

Charles Cornwallis. American Tract Trust.
Charles Cornwallis. National Park Dwell in.
Gordon Wood. The American Revolution: Pure History (Random House, 2002)

Citation Information

Article Title

Charles Cornwallis

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/charles-cornwallis

Date Accessed

January 16, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

April 11, 2024

Original Published Date

October 27, 2009