Well, concentrating one's expeditionary forces is generally
What if the British evacuated New York City and redeployed to Virginia in 1781?
According to a book i'm reading, Cornwallis on April 18th, 1781 proposed to Lord Germain that the British evacuate New York City and bring its 15,000 man garrison, plus the naval squadron, to the Chesapeake region.
Clinton and his men head south. The British navy blockades Hampton Roads and secure the Virginia Capes.
What would the result have been? Would the disaster at Yorktown be averted? Could the British conquer Virginia and win the war in the south?
Well, concentrating one's expeditionary forces is generally seen as a good idea...
The occupation of New York had not, after all, brought the rebellion to its knees; far from it, actually. Locking up a significant percentage of the deployable British Army of the day in a city that, however significant, was not "loyal" and never would be, was probably not the best strategy.
However, the next question is that after retreating from Boston and Philadelphia, can the British been seen as withdrawing from the largest city on the Atlantic coast? Sort of raises the question of why are they bothering, after all?
Then there is the question of whether with De Grasse's force in the Western Atlantic, what risks are run by a maritime evacuation? Does it draw the French to battle ... or does it run the risk of the transport convoys being picked off?
The spring is generally fairly stormy, as well...
If the British do chose to evacuate from New York, are they better off trying for an overland march, from southeastern New York through New Jersey, to the shores of Delaware Bay? And then a sheltered crossing of the Bay, and another overland march through Maryland and Virginia? Logistically, can such a movement even be supported? Will it simply raise the countryside against them?
If Clinton et al actually can get to Virginia to unite with Cornwallis, then what? Occupying the Tidewater is not any more likely to prompt an American surrender than occupying New York did...
Interesting scenario...
Best,