Guilford Courthouse

On March 14, 1781, while encamped at Deep River, Cornwallis was informed that Greene was encamped at Guilford Court House. Cornwallis decided to give battle, although he had only 1,900 men at his disposal. Cornwallis found the Continental positions in …

1781-03-15

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On March 14, 1781, while encamped at Deep River, Cornwallis was informed that Greene was encamped at Guilford Court House. Cornwallis decided to give battle, although he had only 1,900 men at his disposal. Cornwallis found the Continental positions in three lines near the courthouse. The first line, blocking the road and deployed behind a rail fence, was primarily untested militia. Greene had instructed the militia officers to have their men fire two volleys and fall back. Following a short barrage, Cornwallis sent his troops forward. The British pressed the first and second Continental lines back with bayonet charges and superior discipline and at ninety minutes into the battle, British troops reached Greene’s third line. Keeping the pressure up, the British Guards attacked and the Continental flank broke and fled. William Washington’s Dragoons charged into the enemy’s ranks, attempting to stop the advance, but were thrown back. With the British nearing his third line, Greene ordered a withdrawal, giving the British a tactical victory, but enabling Greene’s army to remain mostly intact.

Greensboro, North Carolina

The Battle of Guilford Court House was fought on March 15, 1781, during the American Revolutionary War, at a site which is now in Greensboro, the seat of Guilford County, North Carolina. A 2,100-man British force under the command of Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis defeated Major General Nathanael Greene's 4,500 Americans. The British Army, however, suffered a considerable number of casualties during the battle.

Wikipedia: Battle of Guilford Court House

Continental Army

Great Britain