General+Cornwallis

General Cornwallis By:Chad Coster

General Cornwallis was the son of Charles Cornwallis which he was named after. He was the oldest son and was born March 29, 1700 in the hotwells, which is very close to Bristol. His family was from Brome Hall, in Suffolk.Cornwallis was educated at Eton College, where he actully suffered a major eye injury due to playing a game of hockey. He later attended the military acadamy of turin. This is how Cornwallis began his military career. He served four terms at different posts throughout the seven years war. Finally in 1758 he served as a Staff Commander to Lord Granby. He then worked his way all of the way up to a colonel in the 33rd regiment of foot in 1776. Cornwallis served under General Clinton for a long time, which the fought together in the battle of Long Island and the battle of the white plains. They also participated in the battle and the capturing of Fort Washington way back then. Cornwallis also served as a field commander under the power of Howe, during the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. Then in 1778 Cornwallis moved back to England, his wife later died in 1779. A few months later he moved back to the americas and served as a British commander in the southern campaign. Cornwallis once again was working hand and hand with General Clinton. Many disagreed with how much violence and force Cornwallis applied during war, but King George continued to keep General Cornwallis as a British commander. After the war, in 1779 Cornwallis returned back to England and was appointed as the governor-general and commander in chief of India. He was in charge to reorganize the British army, and also to institute more land reforms.Cornwallis was known as one of the best and most powerful leaders of his time. Many of the leaders of the americas feared his name and didn't want to be the the one that ran into him. Cornwallis made lord lieutenant in 1798. This is where he continued his success with his military career. Then in 1805 Cornwallis was sent once again to India and was stationed there for a while. This was towards the end of his military term. He later died at Thazipur, in the district of Benares, on October 5, 1805. He had a son, James who took Cornwallis's position and later died in 1852 where the Cornwallis name was ended.