Who is cornwallis in the patriot

Sign In. The Patriot Showing all 11 items. Jump to: Photos 1 Quotes Create a list ». Revenge-Type Films. Blue ray must. Cinematic Masterpieces. He proved to be a successful and competent officer. As far as the movie goes, Cornwallis was not as old as he is portrayed in the movie.

In reality, he was in his early 40's during the war. All indications were that he wasn't as pompous as sometimes depicted in the movie. Soon afterward, Cornwallis was cited for bravery as he fought with his men at the Battle of Villinghausen in July Succeeding his father and as the 2nd Earl Cornwallis, he was elevated to the House of Lords.

After the Treaty of Paris ended the war in , Cornwallis threw himself into his political duties. He aligned with Lord Rockingham, who supported constitutional rights for American Colonists. In Parliament, Cornwallis often voted in support of the American colonial position.

In , Cornwallis became colonel of the 33rd Regiment of Foot. By all accounts, Lord Cornwallis was a devoted family man. The responsibility of care for his brothers and sisters fell to him. This meant that he had to arrange careers for his brothers and suitable marriages for his sisters. Even with the pressures of managing his family, Cornwallis found time to court a bride for himself. He married Jemima Jones, the daughter of an untitled regimental colonel, in Retiring from active politics at that time, Cornwallis dedicated himself to his wife and their children: a daughter, Mary, and a son, Charles.

Compelled by his sense of duty, Cornwallis offered himself for service and was sent to America in early Cornwallis marched his troops south but was unsuccessful in dislodging Washington. The British capture of New York proved to be their biggest victory of the war, involving the most soldiers and sailors.

After arriving on Staten Island in August , Cornwallis participated in the British army's advance as they drove Washington's army successively out of Long Island, Manhattan, and finally New Jersey. Cornwallis commanded the reserve wing when Howe defeated Washington at the battle of Long Island. In the final stages of the battle, Cornwallis led the vanguard of Clinton's successful flanking maneuver through Jamaica Pass, defeating a patriot counteroffensive.

Cornwallis exposed himself to mortal danger, leading his men visibly on the battlefields. Cornwallis played a role in the British landing and rout of patriot defenders at Kip's Bay when the British landed on Manhattan on September Unable to score a victory over the Americans as Washington's army had abandoned the fort, Cornwallis captured the fort and many supplies.

The British, believing the campaign season was over, established their winter quarters throughout New York and New Jersey as Cornwallis prepared to depart for London. Hearing of Washington's surprise attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton, Cornwallis again took to the field and rode fifty miles to organize a British response.

At the conclusion of the day's engagement, Cornwallis expected to defeat Washington's army the following morning, satisfied their backs were to the Delaware River and they could not evade defeat. Washington and his army, however, escaped under cover of darkness and defeated a British rearguard at Princeton. British Capture Philadelphia After the defeat at Princeton, Cornwallis spent the winter months in London before returning to America for the spring campaign.

He was instrumental in the British victory at Brandywine September 11, and the capture of Philadelphia two weeks later. John Sullivan. A few weeks later, Cornwallis took advantage of Howe's feint towards Reading, which Washington's army moved to counter, and marched into the city of Philadelphia without firing a shot. As the campaign season ended, Cornwallis again departed America for England.

Cornwallis always remained loyal to Howe and acted as a supporting witness for him during a parliamentary inquiry into Saratoga. By this time, the British had shifted their military efforts to the south. Promoted to lieutenant general and appointed second in command to Sir Henry Clinton in America, he joined Clinton as the British besieged Charleston and, despite their initial amicable meeting, the two quickly developed a poor relationship that affected future communications.

On May 12, the two generals celebrated the surrender of the Continental army and the city of Charleston, which proved to be the greatest British victory of the war.

After this victory, Clinton returned to New York and left Cornwallis with about eight thousand troops and the task of securing South Carolina for the British.

The British outmatched the army under Gates, which consisted in large part of militia, who broke and ran. After the victory at Camden, Cornwallis set out to pacify the countryside, a task that proved difficult given stubborn resistance by patriot militia, incensed by Clinton's proclamation demanding fealty to the British crown. The British based their southern campaign on the idea that loyalists outnumbered patriots in the south and would flock to the royal standard.