The Patriot Resource - American Revolution


Battle of Guilford Courthouse
Battle of Guilford Courthouse


Date: March 15, 1781
Location: Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina
Victor: British Lt. General Charles Cornwallis
Defeated: Continental Maj. General Nathanael Greene
Other Notables: Continental Lt. Colonel Henry Lee


Summary

Following Brig. General Daniel Morgan's victory over Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton at the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781, both Morgan and Maj. General Nathanael Greene retreated to Virginia, while Lt. General Charles Cornwallis vainly chased them. In March, Greene returned to North Carolina and began manuevering against Cornwallis. He finally chose to stand at Guilford Courthouse.

Using the terrain, General Greene had a successful and devastating first attack. However, General Cornwallis was able to steady his troops and Greene withdrew from the field rather than take casualties. The casualties that Cornwallis took at Guilford Courthouse were the final straw in a series of setbacks. He abandoned the Carolinas and marched for Virginia.


View the following pages for more detailed information on the Battle of Guilford Courthouse:
Also check out these related site pages:
1781 Overview
1781 Timeline
Southern Theatre - Includes Timeline, Overview and Continental Commanders;
The Patriot Fact or Fiction: Battle of Guilford Courthouse in the film





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