America 250 Moments
Charles Cornwallis
6/12/2026 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Charles Cornwallis served the crown and was often George Washington’s battlefield counterpart.
This British Lieutenant General served the crown and was often George Washington’s battlefield counterpart.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
America 250 Moments is a local public television program presented by APT
America 250 Moments
Charles Cornwallis
6/12/2026 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
This British Lieutenant General served the crown and was often George Washington’s battlefield counterpart.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Where to Watch America 250 Moments
America 250 Moments is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS app.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship("Yankee Doodle") -(light music) -Despite his sympathy for the American cause, this British lieutenant general not only served the crown, but was often George Washington's battlefield counterpart.
Born to aristocrats, Charles Cornwallis came from a military family and joined the British Army at 18.
He rose in the ranks to regimental commander, and by 1762, he'd gone from the House of Commons to succeeding his father in the House of Lords.
Cornwallis opposed Parliament's absolute authority over and its taxing of the American colonists, but out of a sense of duty, he served his country.
During the Revolution, Cornwallis won key battles against the Americans, but he also suffered considerable losses.
Cornwallis' most notable failure during the Revolution was the siege of Yorktown, where he surrendered to Washington.
This loss led to the Treaty of Paris of 1783 and the end of the war.
(light music fades out)
Support for PBS provided by:
America 250 Moments is a local public television program presented by APT