Question

charles cornwallis was an important figure in the revolutionary war.

select the statement that correctly identifies him.

a.) \i was forced to surrender my army of 5,000 soldiers to the continental army at saratoga.\
b.) \the continental congress initially placed me in charge of forces in the south, but my army was defeated at the battle of camden.\
c.) \i transferred 15,000 troops to the chesapeake bay and moved to take philadelphia, pennsylvania.\
d.) \i gathered my large army in yorktown, virginia, but a french fleet prevented our naval force from providing us with supplies.\

Explanation:

Identify the historical role of Charles Cornwallis

General Charles Cornwallis was a leading British general during the American Revolutionary War. His most famous and decisive action occurred in the Southern Theater, culminating at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781.

Analyze statement (a)

Statement (a) describes the surrender of a British army at Saratoga. This refers to General John Burgoyne, who surrendered his army to American forces under Horatio Gates in October 1777. Therefore, this statement does not identify Cornwallis.

Analyze statement (b)

Statement (b) describes a general placed in charge of Southern forces by the Continental Congress who was defeated at the Battle of Camden. This refers to American General Horatio Gates, who suffered a major defeat at Camden in August 1780. Therefore, this statement does not identify Cornwallis.

Analyze statement (c)

Statement (c) describes transferring 15,000 troops to the Chesapeake Bay to capture Philadelphia. This refers to British General William Howe's Philadelphia campaign in 1777. Therefore, this statement does not identify Cornwallis.

Analyze statement (d)

Statement (d) describes gathering a large army in Yorktown, Virginia, where a French fleet prevented British naval forces from providing supplies or evacuation. This accurately describes the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, where Cornwallis was trapped by Washington's land forces and Admiral de Grasse's French fleet, leading to his ultimate surrender. This is the correct statement.

Answer:

• a.) "I was forced to surrender my army of 5,000 soldiers to the Continental Army at Saratoga."
• b.) "The Continental Congress initially placed me in charge of forces in the south, but my army was defeated at the Battle of Camden."
• c.) "I transferred 15,000 troops to the Chesapeake Bay and moved to take Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."
• d.) "I gathered my large army in Yorktown, Virginia, but a French fleet prevented our naval force from providing us with supplies." (Correct answer)