TIC: A few paces west of the public beach in Yorktown, Virginia, is a little cave looking out toward the water. We all know Yorktown from history class. This is where, in October 1781, the British army commanded by Lord Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans under General George Washington and the French under the Comte de Rochambeau.
The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis
It’s not much of a cave, really, but tourists by the thousands stop to peep into it, as they have for more than two centuries. It is known to this day as “Cornwallis’s Cave,” and for most of our history, visitors have been told that this is where the British general took refuge during the last days of the siege. He hid there, guides said, and visitors nodded knowingly. That is because, as we all know, Cornwallis was a coward, and it was just like him to find such a fittingly ignominious hole wherein to snivel and whimper while, in the defenses around the town, his troops were destroyed.
Because we have learned that is what British generals did in the war. They ponced about in their splendid red uniforms, dipped snuff, and looked down their snooty noses as the silly-billy Americans dared take on the Most Powerful Army in the History of the World. And the moment the cannons burped, they abandoned their troops to be slaughtered while they stayed safely out of harm’s way, lest their wigs get mussed.
It’s part of our national mythology that does not serve us well. By belittling the enemy, we diminish the magnitude of our American achievement. While well intended, this “History Channel” fairytale about Cornwallis, the other British generals, the troops they led, and the conduct of the war is counterproductive. It is an instance of American exceptionalism—we are always better, smarter, and more courageous than the “JV teams” we face—that we should guard against, not encourage. It makes us vain and smug, and therefore tempting prey for the ruthless SOBs of the world who are amused by our assumptions of unassailable virtue and sparkling intelligence and would take advantage.
So who was Charles Cornwallis, really? more
I love this stuff. MJA, sooner or later everyone’s a coward. To call Cornwallis a coward is to underestimate your enemy and to belittle a lot of heros. Great post.
Thanks MJA for posting an article from The Imaginative Conservative. This is one of my favorite websites that that I read regularly every weekend. they have lots of good thought provoking articles as well as book reviews etc. and is well worth reading.
This was fascinating. Thanks for posting. A good example of history being written by the victors.
Don’t know about that coward thingy but sure am happy he lost the war!
Glad you liked it!
Those who have faced America’s enemies have an altogether different view, whether it be private, NCO, combat officer or field grade officer.
AWD grew up a mile from a major battle between Cornwallis’ forces and Revolutionary troops. It’s so interesting how they fought wars. Since their firearms weren’t rifled, the opposing sides would stand in a line 40 or so yards from each other and take turns shooting. Each side was only required to shoot a certain number of volleys each day. Then, when the shooting stopped,each side made their camps within eyesight of each other for the night.
If you get the chance to see a reenactment, they are very interesting. And, from what I remember, very historically accurate as they kept very good records of who fell when.
Cornwallis wasn’t defeated as he marched through NC and Virginia but his forces were weakened to the point that Washington was able to defeat him at Yorktown.
awd