Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina
On 15 March 1781, the Americans inflicted heavy losses on the British, forcing General Cornwallis to retreat. He then changed his plans, and began his ill-fated invasion of Virginia, resulting in his defeat at Yorktown.
Charles Cornwallis
The British surrendered at Yorktown on 19 October 1781. Although fighting continued for more than a year, the surrender effectively ended British hopes for a victory.