Volume 13 , Issue 16

Battle of Guilford (15 March 1781)

The Battle of Guilford Court House was a battle fought on March 15, 1781 in Greensboro, the county seat of Guilford County, North Carolina, a part of the American Revolutionary War. It was Major General Lord Cornwallis against Major General Nathaniel Greene, with around 1,900 British against 4,400 Americans.

After two years of the toughest campaigning in South and North Carolina, Cornwallis pursued Greene's army in an attempt to defeat him before launching the final and ill-fated British invasion of Virginia.After a headlong march in which Major Greene kept ahead of the British force, Greene halted to give battle at Guilford, as he formed his army up at the Courthouse. Cornwallis rushed to attack him on the morning of 15 March 1781 with hungry, tired troops.

The first American line was formed across the northern edge of the first clearing and extended into the woods on each side. The NOrth Carolina militia, Washington's Legion, Lee's Legion, and Campbell's riflemen, with Lee's and Washington's cavalry holding the flanks.

350 yards further back in the woods was a second line of Virginia militia and at a similar distance to the rear at the courthouse was the third line of two more guns and Greene's Continental Infantry.

The Americans opened fire as the British appeared at the edge of the first clearing. Cornwallis formed his line format he tight with Bose's Regiment and the 71st commanded by Major General Leslie and the 23rd and 33rd commanded by Lieutenant colonel James Webster of the 33rd. The second line comprised the two battalions of Foot Guards, the Light Infantry and the Grenadiers commanded by Brigadier O'Hara of the 2nd Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards. Tarleton's Light Dragoons formed the final reserve.

The British suffered significant casualties as they advanced across the cleared area under heavy musket fire. The British line attacked the second line of Virginians who had been reinforced by Washington's and Lee's men and some of the North Carolina militia. Webster pushed hard at the right flank of the American second line and forced it back. His men then immediately attacked the Continental troops in the third line. A heavy fire and a charge repelled Webster's 33rd and O'Hara's jaegers and Foot Guards. At one point in the battle Major Greene withdrew leaving his guns to the British. There was no pursuit. Cornwallis was left on the field, but his army was in a sad state. He had suffered heavy casualties which could not be replaced. Cornwallis had no supplies and it began to rain heavily. Webster had been killed and O'Hara was wounded."

British casualties were 550 dead and wounded. The Foot Guards had lost 11 officers of 19 and 200 soldiers of 450. The American casualties were 250. In addition the North Carolina militia who left the field did not return. Following the battle Cornwallis began his move into Virginia which led finally to Yorktown and his surrender.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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