Lord Cornwallis: The Capture and Surrender: 19 October 1781, Yorktown, VIrginia
Charles Cornwallis, a son of the first Earl of Cornwallis, was born in Suffolk on 31 December 1738 and was educated at Westminster and St. John's College, Cambridge. He entered the army in 1759 and succeeded to the title and estates of his father in 1761.Cornwallis was one of the most competent and energetic British generals sent to America during the Revolution. Still, the cruelties exercised by his orders left an indelible stain upon his character.
Cruelty after the Battle of Camden, South Carolina
After the battle of Camden, Colonel Isaac Hayes was executed by Lord Rawdon.Otherwise, Cornwallis possessed some fine character traits, had an amiable disposition, was greatly beloved by his men, and was bitterly opposed to house-burning when the fortunes of war were in his favor. In 1770, he and three other young peers joined Lord Camden in protesting against the taxation of the American colonies. Chief Justice Mansfield is said to have sneeringly remarked that the poor Camden could only get four boys to join him.
Although opposed to the course of the British Ministry, when hostilities commenced, he did not refuse to accept active employment against America. Soon after the war, he was appointed Governor-General of the East Indies, a position he held for six years. During that time, he conquered the renowned Tippoo Sultan, for which service he was created a marquis and master of the ordinance. He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1798 to 1801 and was instrumental in restoring peace to that country, then distracted by rebellion. Lord Cornwallis signed the Treaty of Amicus in 1802. In 1804, Cornwallis was again appointed Governor General of India. On his arrival at Calcutta, his health failed, and he died at Ghazepore on 5 October 1805, aged sixty-seven years.