You're listening to an Airwave Media Podcast. Hello and thank you for joining the American Revolution.

This week episode 240 New Southern Strategy.

General Sir Henry Clinton remained as commander of military forces in North America

over the winter of 1779 and 80.

He had remained in New York City since retreating from Philadelphia in 1778,

deploying only minor raids since then.

He did not have enough forces to launch any major offensive operations because London had directed the redeployment of much of his army and naval support to the southern colonies and the West Indies, what we today call the Caribbean.

North America was no longer the biggest priority for London, as the ministry now faced

off against the French and Spanish threats all over the world.

Clinton did receive some assistance in the return of General Charles Cornwallis

in the summer of 1779.

Cornwallis had returned to London in late 1778 tendering his resignation

which the king accepted. He returned home to tend to his sick wife Jemima.

Jemima, however, died in February.

Cornwallis was distraught and refused to speak to anyone for months.

Then in April of 1779, Cornwallis wrote to Clinton to discuss the possibility

of returning to service and to America. Alluding to the recent loss of his wife, Cornwallis wrote, quote,

This country has now no charms for me and I am perfectly indifferent as to what part of the world I may go to.

He then went on to say that if the British plan to invade the southern colonies,

he would happily participate.

So Cornwallis arrived back in New York in July of 1779.

Despite this, Clinton remained frustrated that he lacked the manpower to engage in any

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