His career was primarily military in nature , including a series of well - known campaigns during the War of American Independence from 1776 to 1781 that culminated in his surrender at Yorktown .
Lord Cornwallis was a British army officer , civil administrator , and diplomat .
Cornwallis ' career was primarily military in nature , including a series of well - known campaigns during the War of American Independence from 1776 to 1781 that culminated in his surrender at Yorktown .
Lord Cornwallis was a British army officer , civil administrator , and diplomat .