The road from the Carolinas to Yorktown was not the direct route shown on the map to the right.

"Experience ought to convince us that there is no possibility of re- establishing order in any rebellious province on this continent without the hearty assistance of numerous friends," Clinton wrote to Cornwallis.  "These, my Lord, are not, I think, to be found in Virginia..."

Clinton thought Cornwallis should move his army to Pennsylvania,   but waited for word from London from Lord George Germain, cabinet minister for the American colonies, before issuing an order Cornwallis would have to obey.  Cornwallis had also written to Lord Germain while he was still in the Carolinas.  In July, Clinton received a letter from Lord Germain dated May 2, 1781, that totally approved Cornwallis's ideas about Virginia.