ABSTRACT
Having returned to New York from South Carolina early in 1780, Clinton kept comparatively quiet for many months. For month after month, Rochambeau was obliged to remain almost idle in Rhode Island. While Greene was launching his offensive against Cornwallis in 1781, Clinton decided on a campaign in Virginia. That was still very few in view of the fact that Virginia was now swarming with British and loyalists; for Cornwallis had arrived from Wilmington, with the redoubtable Tarleton in his train. The odds seemed to be in Cornwallis's favor, for to the best of his belief the British still commanded the sea: but he was bothered by a series of vague, self-contradictory orders from Clinton. Apparently Clinton feared an attack of New York and wanted Cornwallis to send some 3,000 men to his support..
