Battle of Yorktown (1781)
Clinton sent Cornwallis south to recapture Charleston, South Carolina following the new plan.  Soon, Cornwallis began acting independently of Clinton, who stayed safe in New York City. Cornwallis wasn't going to play it safe and advance by careful steps as he had been instructed.  When he saw a chance to attack the new patriot army under Major General Horatio Gates, he did so without orders nearly wiping out the Americans.