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Cornwallis responds to Clinton's criticism of his actions in America... British evacuate Charleston...
Cornwallis responds to Clinton's criticism of his actions in America... British evacuate Charleston...
Item # 649616
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February 20, 1783
THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Feb. 20, 1783 The first 1 1/2 pages are taken up with: "Answer to the Narrative of Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton which Relates to the Conduct of Lieut. General Earl Cornwallis during the Campaign in North America in the Year 1781. By Earl Cornwallis." As a background to this report, Cornwallis' tactics in America, especially during the southern campaign, were a frequent subject of criticism by his political enemies in London, principally General Clinton, who tried to blame him for the failures of the southern campaign & the surrender at Yorktown. This led to an exchange of pamphlets between the two men in which it is generally considered that Cornwallis had much the better of the argument. Cornwallis ends his rebuttal with: "...I did not establish the station in Virginia, but only reinforced it; that I occupied the posts of York and Gloucester by order & was induced to remain in them by the prospect of relief, uniformly held out to me by the Commander in Chief; and that during the considerable interval between my arrival at Petersburgh and that of the French fleet in the Chesapeak, my corps was completely at the disposal of Sir Henry Clinton, either to be withdrawn or employed in the Upper Chesapeak, or sent back to the Carolinas; and consequently, that my conduct and opinions were not the causes of the catastrophe which terminated the unfortunate campaign of 1781." This is signed in type: Cornwallis.
Page 6 & half of pg. 7 are taken up with: "American News" reports concerning British troops & Loyalists leaving the American colonies. One bit notes: "...Immediately on the embarkation of the King's troops at Charles-Town [Charleston] the Rebel General Wayne, with about 5000 Continental soldiers, took possession of the town...". Another item: "His Excellency General Washington has again established the Head-Quarters of the army at Newburgh." So much more.
Eight pages, 8 1/2 by 11 1/4 inches, very nice condition.
Category: Revolutionary War
No Longer Available
