USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 36
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Greene, reinforced by troops from Virginia, under Stevens; from Maryland, under Captain Oldham; and a corps under Pickens from South Carolina, on the 21st of February, recrossed the Dan into North Carolina. After several skirmishes between the light corps and the enemy, Greene, being further reinforced by the levies from Virginia under Gen. Lawson; the North Carolina militia, under Colonel Cleaveland, one of the heroes of King's Mountain, and Generals Butler and Eaton, took position at Troublesome Iron Works. With a sagacity rarely excelled, and in courage never, he determined to risk the cause of the South, his army, and himself, by an appeal to the sword. This was what Lord Cornwallis ear- nestly desired. Both Commanders felt the deep responsibility that rested upon them. Never were the liberties of the country in more jeopardy, nor was ever the military genius of both these celebrated leaders more skillfully exercised. Greene advanced, repassed the Haw, and took ground at Guilford Court House, about ten miles from the present town of Greensboro', and awaited with calmness the conflict that was now inevitable.
In his letters at this important crisis, General Greene announces to the President of Congress his fixed determination to risk the cause of the country on the trial by battle. If, said he, I am forced to retreat or vanquished, the country is in no worse condi- tion than it now is, overrun by the enemy. If I am victor, or crip- ple Lord Cornwallis, he and the royal cause are ruined in the State.
* Stedman, vol. ii. p. 332.
Lord Cornwallis' Military Secretary, Stedman, History of American War, ii. 332.
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. Lord Cornwallis accepted gladly the opportunity of battle. "On the 14th of March," says Stedman, "the baggage was sent off to Bell's Mill, on' Deep River, and at dawn the next day the rest of the army was put in motion towards Guilford Court House."
The battle ground, near the great State road, was on the brow of a hill, which descends gradually for half a mile, and ends in a small valley intersected by a rivulet. On the right of the road is open ground, on the left from the old Court House was a deep forest of lofty trees; below this forest is a small piece of. open ground, which the summer before had been worked in corn. In the road, Captain Singleton with two six pounders, was posted across the road. In the first line was placed the North Carolina militia, under Butler and Eaton, assisted by Colonel Davie, who was Com- missary-General of the troops, four yards in Singleton's rear ; behind this line, at some distance, were the Virginia troops, under Stevens and Lawson, posted. The Continental troops (four regi- ments) were posted to the rear of these some distance, the two regiments of Virginia, under Colonels Greene and Hawes, com- manded by General Huger; the two Maryland regiments, under Colonels Ford and Gunby, commanded by Colonel Williams. On the right, Lieutenant-Colonel' Washington and his cavalry, the Delaware company, under Captain Kirkwood, and Colonel Lynch, with a battalion of Virginia militia, was posted to hold safe that flank. For the same purpose Colonel Lee was posted on the left flank, with his legion and the Virginia riflemen under Colonel Campbell.
The British advance was led by Tarleton, consisting of cavalry, light-infantry, and Yagers. They commenced the attack. He was met and received with much firmness by Colonel Lee and the Vir- ginia militia. Lee maintained his ground with great firmness until the approach of the 23d regiment, when he retired, and took his position in the line. The British line then advanced in full force. The regiment of Bose, led by General Leslie, on the right, the 23d and 33d regiments on the left, led by Colonel Webster. With the firmness of veterans they received the scattered fire of the Ameri- cans at a distance of one hundred and forty yards. They con- tinued to advance on the line of North Carolina troops until within a short distance, when they fired, and with a shout which rent the air, they charged bayonets. To raw troops, never before in battle, this was not to be stood. They retreated behind the second line. This line behaved with more firmness; but they, when charged, also retreated. The British line now became much extended. With a deter- mined resolution to conquer the English advance on the third line, the flower and hope of the American army, and on which the hopes for victory depended, Gen. Greene passed in person along the line, ex- horting his men. The enemy was firmly received and bravely resisted. Here the battle raged with great violence, each striving for victory, when Colonel Washington (as he did at the Cowpens) pressed forward with his cavalry. The English, under Stuart gave
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ground, when Washington fell on him, sword in hand, followed by Howard, with fixed bayonets. Stuart fell by the sword of Captain Smith, of the first regiment, and his battalion driven back with great slaughter ; and its remains were only saved by the English artillery, which opened at this moment, by order of Lord Cornwal- lis, on friends and foes. Howard and Washington retired. Webster having put Ford to flight, recrossed the ravine, and attacked Hawes' regiment. Here the action recommenced with great vigor .. .. But the flight of the second regiment of Maryland, and the corps of Lee separated from the army, General Greene (with a fixed deter- mination not to risk a total discomfiture or annihilation of his force), ordered a retreat, which was effected in good order. The enemy had been too crippled to pursue. Greene halted three miles from the field, to collect the stragglers and fugitives, and then fell back on his former position at the Iron Works.
Thus ended the hard fought battle of Guilford Court House. Twice was the British line broken by American valor; the pos- session of the field by Cornwallis was no evidence of his victory. Great was the stake, and boldly was it contested.
These two great Generals here had a fair passage at arms. Both brave, both skillful, they exposed their persons, unconscious, or dis- regardful of danger. On one occasion Greene was nearly taken a prisoner; the enemy was within thirty paces of him, when Major Pendleton discovered them, and warned him of his danger. Corn- wallis, when he discovered his guards flying before the pursuing troops of Washington and Howard, ordered his artillery to fire upon them ; General O'Hara remonstrating, that this fire would ne- cessarily destroy his own men, "True," said Cornwallis, "but we must endure this evil to escape certain destruction."
The next day Lord Cornwallis put his army in motion for Bell's Mills, where his rear guard and baggage were, leaving the field and his wounded to the care of General Greene.
The night of the day after the battle was remarkable for its darkness, and for the torrents of rain that fell. The cries of the wounded and dying exceeded all description.
Greene prepared to renew the contest. He reported on the next day, "his men in good spirits, and in perfect readiness for another field." But Cornwallis now had enough of Greene. He avoided battle, which before he had so anxiously sought, and retired to Wilmington. He from thence marched to Virginia, where, at Yorktown, on the 19th October, 1781, he surrendered to Washington.
Greene marched to the south, and by hard fought battles at Eutaw Springs and elsewhere, redeemed. the south from the En- glish possession.
The official accounts, both English and American, are herewith recorded.
The effect of this desperate battle was to break down the English power in our State, subdue the Tories (of which, in this region, for the honor of our State, there were far too many), and was the main
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blow that broke the chain of tyranny which bound our country to England.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
GENERAL GREENE, TO THE HON. PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS :-
Camp at the Iron Works, ten miles from Guilford Court House,
MARCH 16th, 1781.
SIR-On the 10th, I wrote to his Excellency, General Washington, from the High Rock Ford, on the Haw River, a copy of which I enclosed your Excellency, that I had effected a junction with a Continental regiment of eighteen months' men, and two considerable bodies of militia, belonging to Virginia and North Carolina. After this junction, I took the resolution of attacking the enemy without loss of time, and made the necessary disposition accordingly, being persuaded that if we were successful, it would prove ruinous to the enemy, and if otherwise, it would only prove a partial evil to us.
The enemy marched from the High Rock Ford, on the 12th, and on the 14th, arrived at Guilford. The enemy lay at the Quaker Meeting-House, on Deep River, eight miles from our camp. On the morning of the 15th, our re- connoitering party reported the enemy advancing on the great Salisbury Road. The army was drawn up in three lines. The front line was com- posed of North Carolina militia, under command of Generals Eaton and But- ler ; the second line, of Virginia militia, commanded by Generals Stevens and Lawson, forming two brigades; the third line, consisting of two brigades, one of the Virginia, and one of the Maryland Continental troops, commanded by General Huger and Colonel Williams, Lt .- Colonel Washington, with the dra- goons of the 1st and 3d regiments ; a detatchment of light infantry, composed of Continental troops, and a regiment of riflemen, under Colonel Lynch, formed a corps of observation for the security of our right flank ; Lt .- Colonel Lee, with his legion; a detachment of light infantry, and a corps of riflemen, under Colonel Campbell, formed a corps of observation for the security of our left flank.
The greater part of this country is a wilderness, with a few cleared fields interspersed here and there. The army was drawn up on a large hill of ground, surrounded by other hills, the greater part of which was covered with timber and thick underbrush. The front line was posted with two field pieces just on the edge of the woods, and the back of a fence which ran parallel with the line, with an open field directly in their front. The second line was in the woods, about three hundred yards in rear of the first. The Continental troops about four hundred yards in rear of the second, with a double front, as the hill drew to a point where they were posted, and on the right and left were two old fields. In this position we waited, the approach of the enemy, having previously sent off the baggage to this place, appointed to rendezvous at, in case of defeat. Lt .- Colonel Lee, with his legion, his infantry, and a part of his riflemen, met the enemy on their advance, and had a severe skirmish with Lt .- Colonel Tarleton, in which the enemy suffered greatly. Captain Armstrong charged the British legion, and cut down near thirty of their dragoons; but as the enemy re-inforced their party, Lt .- Colonel Lee was obliged to retire, and take his position in the line.
The action commenced by a cannonade, when the enemy advanced in three columns. The Hessians on the right, the Guards in the centre, and Lieutenant-Colonel Webster on the west. The whole moved through the old fields to attack the North Carolina brigades, who waited the attack until the enemy got within 150 yards, when a part of them began to fire, but a considerable part left the ground without firing at all. The General and Field officers did all they could to induce them to stay. General Stevens and General Lawson, and the field officers of their brigades, were more success- ful in their exertions. "The Virginia militia gave the enemy a warm reception,
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and kept up a heavy fire for a long time ; but being beaten back, the battle became general almost everywhere. The corps of observation, under Wash- ington and Lee, were warmly engaged, and did great execution. In a word, the engagement was long and severe, and the enemy only gained their point by superior discipline.
They having broken the Maryland line, and turned our left flank, got into the rear of the Virginia brigade, and appearing to be gaining our right, which would have encircled the whole continental troops, I thought it most advisable to order a retreat.
About this time Lieutenant-Colonel Washington made a charge with the Horse upon a part of the brigade of Guards, and the first regiment of Mary- landers, commanded by Colonel Granby, and seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, followed the Horse with their bayonets, and nearly the whole party fell a sacrifice.
General Huger was the last that was engaged, and gave the enemy a check. We retreated in good order to the Reedy Fork River, and crossed at the ford, about three miles from the field of action, and there halted and drew up the troops, until we collected the most of the stragglers.
We lost our artillery and two ammunition wagons, the greater part of the horses being killed before the retreat began, and it being impossible to move the pieces but along the great road.
After collecting our stragglers, we retired to the camp, ten miles distant from Guilford.
From the best information I can get, the enemy's loss is very great-not less in killed and wounded than six hundred men, besides some prisoners that we brought off.
Inclosed I send your Excellency a return of our killed, wounded, and missing. Most of the latter have gone home, as is too customary with the militia after an action. I cannot learn that the enemy has got any considera- ble number of prisoners.
Our men are all in good spirits, and in perfect readiness for another field day.
I only lament the loss of several valuable officers who were killed and wounded in the action. Among the latter are General Stephens, shot through the thigh, and General Huger, in the hand. Among the former is Major Anderson, of the Maryland line.
The firmness of the officers and soldiers during the whole campaign has been most unparalleled. Amidst innumerable difficulties, they have disco- vered a degree of magnanimity and fortitude that will forever add lustre to their military reputation.
I have the honor to be, with very great respect and esteem,
Your Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant,
NATHANIEL GREENE.
Return of the killed, wounded, and missing of the Continental troops, in the action of the 15th March, 1781, near Guilford Court House :-
1 major, 9 captains, 7 subalterns, 14 sergeants, 8 drums and fifes, and 290 rank and file. -
Same of Virginia militia :-
8 captains, 18 subalterns, 15 sergeants, 361 rank and file.
Same of North Carolina militia :-
Killed, 6 rank and file; wounded, 1 captain, 1 subaltern, 3 rank and file ; missing, 2 captains, 9 subalterns, 552 rank and file.
The North Carolina Cavalry, commanded by the Marquis of Bretigny, lost one man killed, and one wounded.
EARL CORNWALLIS (No. 8.), TO LORD GEORGE GERMAIN, dated Guilford, 17th March, 1781.
MY LORD-I have the, satisfaction to inform your lordship that his Ma- jesty's troops, under my command, obtained a signal victory on the 15th in- stant over the rebel army, commanded by General Greene.
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GUILFORD COUNTY.
In pursuance of my intended plan communicated to your lordship in my dispatch, No. 7, I had encamped on the 13th instant at the Quakers' Meeting between the forks of Deep River. . On the 14th I received information that General Butler, with a body of North Carolina militia, and the expected re- inforcements from Virginia, said to consist of a Virginia State regiment, a corps of Virginia eighteen months men, three thousand Virginia militia, and recruits from the Maryland line, had joined General Greene, and that the whole army, which was reported to amount to nine or ten thousand men, was marching to attack the British troops. During the afternoon intelligence was brought which was confirmed in the night, that he had advanced that day to Guilford, about twelve miles from our camp. Being now persuaded that he had resolved to hazard an engagement, after detaching Lieutenant- Colonel Hamilton with our wagons and baggage, escorted by his own regi- ment, a detachment of one hundred infantry and twenty cavalry towards Bell's Mill on Deep River, I marched with the rest of the corps at day-break on the morning of the 15th, to meet the enemy or attack them in their en-
campment. About four miles from Guilford our advanced guard, com- manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton, fell in with a corps of the enemy, consisting of Lee's legion, some back-mountain men, and Virginia militia, which he attacked with his usual good conduct and spirit and defeated ; and continuing our march we found the rebel army posted on rising grounds, about a mile and a half from the court house. The prisoners taken by Lieu- tenant-Colonel Tarleton having been several days with the advanced corps, could give me no account of the enemy's order or position, and the country people were extremely inaccurate in their description of the ground. Im- mediately between the head of the column and the enemy's line was a con- siderable plantation, one large field of which was on our left of the road, and two others with a wood of about two hundred yards broad between them ; on our right of it beyond these fields the wood continued for several miles to our right. The wood beyond the plantation in our front, in the skirt. of which the enemy's first line was formed, was about a mile in depth, the road then leading into an extensive space of cleared ground about Guilford court house. The woods on our right and left were reported to be imprac- ticable for cannon ; but as that on our right appeared the most open, I re- solved to attack the left wing of the enemy ; and whilst my disposition was making for that purpose, I ordered Lieutenant McLeod to bring forward the guns, and cannonade their centre. The attack was directed to be made in the following order :-
On the right the regiment of Bose and the 71st regiment led by Major-Ge- neral Leslie, and supported by the 1st battalion of guards; on the left the 23d and 33d regiments led by Lieutenant-Colonel Webster, and supported by the grenadiers and 2d battalion of guards, commanded by Brigadier- General O'Hara, the yagers and light infantry of the guards remained in the wood on the left of the guns, and the cavalry in the road ready to act as cir- cumstances might require. Our preparations being made, the action began at about half an hour past one in the afternoon. Major-General Leslie, after being obliged by the great extent of the enemy's lines, to bring up the 1st battalion of guards to the right of the regiment of Bose, soon defeated every- thing before him. Lieutenant-Colonel Webster having joined the left of Major-General Leslie's division, was no less successful in his front, when on finding that the left of the 33d was exposed to a heavy fire from the right wing of the enemy, he changed his front to the left, and being supported by the yagers and light infantry of the guards attacked and routed it, the gre- nadiers and 2d battalion of the guards moving forward to occupy the ground left vacant by the movement of Lieutenant-Colonel Webster.
. All the infantry being now in the line, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton had directions to keep his cavalry compact, and not to charge without positive orders, except to protect any of the corps from the most evident danger of being defeated. The excessive thickness of the woods rendered our bayonets of little use, and enabled the broken enemy to make frequent stands with an irregular fire, which occasioned some loss, and to several of the corps great
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delay, particularly on our right, where the 1st battalion of the guards and regiment of Bose were warmly engaged in front, flank and rear with some of the enemy that had been routed on the first attack, and with part of the extremity of their left wing, which by the closeness of the woods had been passed unbroken. The 71st regiment and grenadiers and 2d battalion of the guards not knowing what was passing on their right, and hearing the fire advance on their left, continued to move forward, the artillery keeping pace with them on the road followed by the cavalry. The 2d battalion of guards first gained the clear ground near Guilford' Court house, and found a corps of continental infantry much superior in number, formed in the open field on the left of the road. Glowing with impatience to signalize themselves they instantly attacked them, and defeated them, taking two six pounders ; but pursuing into the wood with too much ardor, were thrown into confusion by a heavy fire, and immediately charged and driven back into the field by Colonel Washington's dragoons, with the loss of the six pounders they had taken. The enemy's cavalry was soon repulsed by a well directed fire from two three-pounders, just brought up by Lieutenant McLeod, and by the ap- pearance of the grenadiers of the guards and of the 71st regiment, which, having been impeded by some deep ravines, were now coming out of the wood on the right of the guards opposite to the court house.
By the spirited exertions of Brigadier-General O'Hara, though wounded, the 2d battalion of the guards was soon rallied, and supported by the grena- diers, returned to the charge with the greatest alacrity. The 23d regiment arriving at that instant from our left, and Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton having advanced with a part of the cavalry, the enemy were soon put to flight, and the two six pounders once more fell into our hands; two ammunition wagons, and two other six pounders, being all the artillery they had in the field, were likewise taken. About this time the 33d regiment and light infantry of the guards, after overcoming many difficulties, completely routed the corps which was opposed to them, and put an end to the action in this quarter. The 23d and 71st regiments, with part of the cavalry, were ordered to pursue; the remainder of the cavalry was detached with Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton to our right, where a heavy fire still continued, and where his appearance and spirited attack contributed much to a speedy termination of the action. The militia with which our right wing had been engaged, dispersed in the woods, the continentals went off by the Ready Fork, beyond which it was not in my power to follow them, as their cavalry suffered but little.
Our troops were excessively fatigued by an action which lasted an hour and a half, and our wounded, dispersed over an extensive space of country, required immediate attention. The care of our wounded, and the total want of provisions in an exhausted country, made it equally impossible for me to follow the blow the next day. The enemy did not stop until they got to the Iron Works on Troublesome Creek, eighteen miles from the field of battle.
From our observation, and the best accounts we could procure, we did not doubt but the strength of the enemy exceeded seven thousand men ; their militia composed their line, with parties advanced to the rails of the field in their front; the continentals were posted obliquely in the rear of their right wing. Their cannon fired on us whilst we were forming from the centre of the line of militia, but were withdrawn to the continentals before the attack.
I have the honor to enclose to your Lordship, the list of our killed and wounded. Captain Schultz's wound is supposed to be mortal, but the surgeons assure me that none of the other officers are in danger, and that a great number of the men will soon recover. I cannot ascertain the loss of the enemy, but it must have been considerable ; between two and three hundred dead were left upon the field; many of them wounded that were able to niove whilst we were employed in the care of our own, escaped and followed the routed enemy ; and our cattle drivers, and forage parties, have reported to me that the houses in a circle of six or eight miles round us, are full of others : those that remained we have taken the best care of in our power. We took few prisoners, owing to the excessive thickness of the wood facili- tating their escape, and every man of our army being repeatedly wanted for action.
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The conduct and actions of the officers and soldiers that composed this little army, will do more justice to their merit, than I can by words. Their persevering intrepidity in action-their invincible patience in the hardships and fatigues of a march of above six hundred miles, in which they have forded several large rivers, and numberless creeks, many of which would be reckoned large rivers in any other country in the world-without tents or covering against. the climate, and often without provisions, will sufficiently manifest their ardent zeal for the honor and interest of their Sovereign and their country.
I have been particularly indebted to Major-General Leslie for his gallantry and exertion in the action, as well as his assistance in every other part of the service; the zeal and spirit of Brigadier-General O'Hara merit my highest commendations, for after receiving two dangerous wounds, he continued in the field whilst the action lasted, by his earnest attention on all other occa- sions seconded by the officers and soldiers of his brigade. His Majesty's Guards were no less distinguished by their order and discipline, than by their spirit and valor. The Hessian regiment of Bose deserves my warmest praise for its discipline, alacrity and courage, and does honor to Major Dubuy, who commands it, and who is an officer of superior merit. I am much obliged to Brigadier-General Howard, who served as a volunteer, for his spirited example on all occasions. Lieutenant-Colonel Webster conducted his brigade like an officer of experience and gallantry. Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton's good conduct and spirit in management of his cavalry was conspicuous during the whole action, and Lieutenant McLeod, who commanded the artillery, proved himself upon this, as well as all former occasions, a most capable and deserving officer. The attention and exertions of my aides-de-camp and of all the other public officers of the army contributed very much to the suc- cess of the day.
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