Cornwallis at Portsmouth

Cornwallis at Portsmouth is a Virginia historical marker in Portsmouth County, dedicated 1948.

Portsmouth County · dedicated 1948 · Crawford Parkway, just west of intersection with Court Street

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Lord Cornwallis, commanding the British troops in the South, reached Portsmouth, July, 1781. He prepared to send a portion of his force to New York. Before the movement was made, orders came for him to take up a position at Old Point. Cornwallis selected Yorktown, however, and Portsmouth was abandoned.

Maps this old were drawn largely by eye, so places on them can sit miles from where they really are. The pin is ours and marks the marker's location today.

TodayHistorical map

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David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

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Marker program managed by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

More markers nearby

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Elizabeth Riverunder 1 mi
Watts Houseunder 1 mi