Lieutenant General of the British Army during the American Revolution. Charles Cornwallis was born in Suffolk, England. As a Lieutenant Colonel during the Seven Years War, Cornwallis distinguished himself. In 1762, He became the Second Earl Cornwallis and a member of the House of Lords. Cornwallis opposed the British policies that antagonized the American Colonies. He voted against the Stamp Act (1765) and the Declaratory Acts (1766). However, when the American Revolution began, Cornwallis was given a general's commission and sailed to America to suppress the revolt. He did well during the Battle of Long Island in 1776. Despite being outmaneuvered by George Washington at the Battle of Princeton, he did well at the Battles of Brandywine (1777) and Monmouth (1778). In 1780, Cornwallis, now Second-in-Command in America, began the southern campaign with the capture of Charleston, S.C. After victories at Camden and Guilford Court House, Cornwallis and his British troops found themselves trapped by French and American forces in Yorktown, Virginia. After a week of bombardment, Cornwallis was forced to surrender his command on October 17, 1781, effectively bringing an end to the War of Independence. In 1786, Cornwallis became the Governor-General of India (1786 - 1793) and than the Viceroy of Ireland (1798-1801). He was reappointed Governor-General of India in 1805 and it was there that he died in Ghazipur shortly after arriving. Today, Cornwallis' tomb in Ghazipur is maintained by the Indian Government.
Lieutenant General of the British Army during the American Revolution. Charles Cornwallis was born in Suffolk, England. As a Lieutenant Colonel during the Seven Years War, Cornwallis distinguished himself. In 1762, He became the Second Earl Cornwallis and a member of the House of Lords. Cornwallis opposed the British policies that antagonized the American Colonies. He voted against the Stamp Act (1765) and the Declaratory Acts (1766). However, when the American Revolution began, Cornwallis was given a general's commission and sailed to America to suppress the revolt. He did well during the Battle of Long Island in 1776. Despite being outmaneuvered by George Washington at the Battle of Princeton, he did well at the Battles of Brandywine (1777) and Monmouth (1778). In 1780, Cornwallis, now Second-in-Command in America, began the southern campaign with the capture of Charleston, S.C. After victories at Camden and Guilford Court House, Cornwallis and his British troops found themselves trapped by French and American forces in Yorktown, Virginia. After a week of bombardment, Cornwallis was forced to surrender his command on October 17, 1781, effectively bringing an end to the War of Independence. In 1786, Cornwallis became the Governor-General of India (1786 - 1793) and than the Viceroy of Ireland (1798-1801). He was reappointed Governor-General of India in 1805 and it was there that he died in Ghazipur shortly after arriving. Today, Cornwallis' tomb in Ghazipur is maintained by the Indian Government.
Bio by: DJ
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