He was one of the leading generals of the Revolutionary War. Charles Cornwallis was born at Grosvenor Square, London, January 1st in 1738. He was eager to start a military career. He became a Member of Parliament, entering the House of Commons for the village of Eye in Kent in January 1760.
At the beginning of the Seven Year War Cornwallis moved to Germany to gain a place. At first he served as an staff officer but ascended quickly to become a captain. Having proved himself a brave soldier and commander, Cornwallis returned home in 1762, he was elevated to the House of Lords.
After the Treaty of Paris ended the war in 1763. He helped a lot debating laws about the Colonial American and in 1775 he was promoted to major general by King George III as Britain braced for war with the American colonies. He went to America and he had a very important role in the capture of New York. General Clinton blamed Cornwallis for the defeat at Princeton, and tensions existed between the two generals. He had many battle and some he won and lost. After the victory in Charleston, General Clinton returned to New York and Cornwallis was in chief of the South. He was left with a limited number of troops.
He wanted to gain loyalists to his side but the weren't convinced. He lost the battle at King's Mountain and the battle of Cowpens. This didn't made any good result and many neutral loyalists change to the Patriots side. He won a Battle at Guilford Courthouse but his men were exhausted. With his troops exhausted and few ammunition, Cornwallis decided to move to Virginia to regroup and await reinforcements promised by Clinton. He went into Yorktown and was surrounded by the French and the Patriots. The Battle of Yorktown was the last significant battle of the Revolutionary War, and Cornwallis became known as the general who lost the American colonies. He was forced to surrender on October 19, 1781
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