Battle of Guilford Court House

Overview

The Battle of Guilford Court House was fought on 15 March 1781 during the American Revolutionary War, near Greensboro, 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 suffered considerable casualties, with estimates as high as 27% of their total force. The battle was "the largest and most hotly contested action" in the American Revolution's southern theater. Before the battle, the British had great success in regaining control of Georgia and South Carolina with the aid of strong Loyalist factions and thought that North Carolina might be within their grasp. The British were in the process of heavy, but unsuccessful recruitment in North Carolina when this battle put an end to their recruiting drive. The battle is commemorated at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and associated Hoskins House Historic District.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Guilford Court House was the largest and most hotly contested action in the southern theater of the American Revolution. Although Cornwallis's 2,100-man British force defeated Greene's 4,500 Americans, the engagement inflicted casualties estimated at up to 27% of the British total, a rate the already-stretched force could not easily absorb. Prior to the battle, British operations had successfully restored control over Georgia and South Carolina, bolstered by strong Loyalist support, and North Carolina appeared a plausible next gain. An active recruiting drive in the colony was underway when the battle effectively ended it. The tactical victory thus translated into a strategic check: British momentum in the Carolinas stalled, and the costs sustained at Guilford Court House contributed to the erosion of offensive capacity that would shape Cornwallis's subsequent campaign north into Virginia.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (4)