In July 1781, Clinton ordered Cornwallis to move to where he could best protect British battleships, frigates and smaller vessels in the Chesapeake Bay.  On July 30 Cornwallis sailed for Yorktown (upper left) and arrived there three days later on August 2.

Portsmouth at the bottom of the map is where Cornwallis spent June and July 1781.  Portsmouth was colonial Virginia's largest harbour with room for 300 or more 18th century ships.

In Yorktown, Cornwallis selected as his headquarters a house with a view of the harbour and the rest of the town.  The owner was Thomas Nelson, secretary to the former colony, who was still in residence.  In his 70s, Nelson had not taken sides in the conflict.  Cornwallis allowed him to stay.