Lt-Gen Cornwallis Essay

The siege of Yorktown changed the face of the revolutionary war and history by giving America their independence. In Oct 1781, the Continental Army overran the British redoubts surrounding their defensive positions. Lt-Gen Cornwallis failed at logistically placing the British and Hessian armies at Yorktown, and Lt-Gen Cornwallis fleet was trapped by Rear Admiral Comte de Grasse’s fleet, and prevented the British and Hessian armies rescue by the British fleet. The Victory is certainly a direct indication of Lt-Gen Cornwallis’s failure to apply mission command principles. Lt-Gen Cornwallis unsuccessfully applied mission command principles as the British Army commander during the siege of Yorktown. Before and during the siege, Lt-Gen Cornwallis failed to communicate his intent clearly, exercise disciplined initiative, create a shared understanding, and build cohesive teams through mutual …show more content…
This paper will talk about Lt-Gen Cornwallis and his Soldiers, the overview of the siege of Yorktown, mission command principles Lt-Gen Cornwallis unsuccessfully applied before and during the siege, and the significance of this siege. November 1776, Lt-Gen Cornwallis received his first independent command. He went to Jersey Shore to reduce Fort Lee. Lt-Gen …show more content…
He failed to direct the course of the siege, maintain open communication, and trust with General Clinton and his troops. Lt-Gen Cornwallis failed to apply multiple mission command principles. He did not build a cohesive team through mutual trust, communicate his intent clearly, exercise disciplined initiative, accept prudent risk, create a shared understanding, as well as use mission orders throughout the battle. This ineffective application of mission command principles demonstrated by Lt-Gen Cornwallis directly resulted in the loss of the siege of Yorktown and the freedom for America to become a