What British General Captured Charleston But Lost at Yorktown?

The British general who famously captured Charleston but ultimately lost at Yorktown was Charles Cornwallis.

As a prominent British army officer and official during the American Revolutionary War, Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis played a pivotal role in the British strategy, particularly in the Southern Campaign. His military career saw significant victories before his ultimate defeat, which greatly influenced the outcome of the war.

Cornwallis's Role in the Southern Campaign

The British strategy in the latter part of the American Revolution focused heavily on the Southern colonies, believing there was strong loyalist support that could be leveraged. Cornwallis was central to this plan, leading many key operations.

• Siege of Charleston (May 1780): Cornwallis was the second-in-command to General Sir Henry Clinton during the successful Siege of Charleston, South Carolina. This was a major victory for the British, resulting in the capture of the city and a large contingent of the Continental Army under General Benjamin Lincoln. After Clinton's departure, Cornwallis was left in command of the British forces in the South, tasked with pacifying the region and crushing the remaining American resistance.
• Subsequent Southern Engagements: Following Charleston, Cornwallis's army achieved further successes, including a decisive victory at the Battle of Camden in August 1780. He then pursued Nathanael Greene's Continental Army through the Carolinas, leading to the costly Battle of Guilford Courthouse in March 1781, a tactical victory for the British but one that significantly weakened his forces.

The Yorktown Campaign and Surrender

After his campaigns in the Carolinas, Cornwallis moved his army into Virginia, aiming to consolidate British control and establish a stronger base. However, this decision ultimately led to his downfall.

• Strategic Encirclement: Cornwallis positioned his forces at Yorktown, Virginia, expecting naval support from the British fleet. Instead, a combined American and French force, led by General George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau, swiftly moved to encircle his army by land, while the French fleet, under Comte de Grasse, established naval superiority, blocking any escape or reinforcement by sea.
• The Defining Loss: Trapped and cut off from supplies and escape routes, Charles Cornwallis famously surrendered his army at Yorktown in October 1781. This monumental defeat for the British military significantly contributed to British defeat in the American Revolution, effectively ending major hostilities and paving the way for American independence.

The table below summarizes key events in Cornwallis's command during the Southern Campaign:

Cornwallis's military career after the American Revolution saw him serve as Governor-General of India and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, where he achieved notable successes. However, his name remains most indelibly linked with the pivotal surrender at the Battle of Yorktown, a defining moment in the American Revolutionary War.