History is for Everyone

NC, USA

Cornwallis House Site

Landmark

The site on Market Street where General Cornwallis headquartered in April 1781 while his army rested at Wilmington following the Guilford Courthouse campaign. It was here that Cornwallis made the decision to march north into Virginia rather than south to reinforce British positions in South Carolina — one of the most consequential command decisions of the war. A marker identifies the site.

Visiting Today

Address

Market St area, Wilmington, NC 28401

Connected Events

Jul 1775
Patriots Burn Fort Johnston

Major General Robert Howe

Feb 1776
Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

Colonel Alexander Lillington

Jan 1781
Major Craig Occupies Wilmington

Major James Henry Craig

Mar 1781
Battle of Guilford Courthouse — Cornwallis's Pyrrhic Victory

General Lord Charles Cornwallis, Major General Nathanael Greene

Apr 1781
Cornwallis Arrives at Wilmington — Army at Half Strength

Major James Henry Craig, General Lord Charles Cornwallis, Major General Nathanael Greene

Apr 1781
Cornwallis Departs Wilmington for Virginia

General Lord Charles Cornwallis, Major General Nathanael Greene

Apr 1781
Greene Turns South — Dismantling British Interior

General Lord Charles Cornwallis, Major General Nathanael Greene

Sep 1781
David Fanning Captures Governor Burke at Hillsborough

Major James Henry Craig, Colonel David Fanning, Governor Thomas Burke

Nov 1781
British Evacuate Wilmington

Major James Henry Craig, General Lord Charles Cornwallis