Guilford Courthouse
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse
Thursday, March 15, 1781
If you enjoy all things Military, then a visit to Guliford Courthouse just outside Greensboro, North Carolina is a must. The American Revolution was just that – a revolt against taxes, a yearning to go west which King George forbid and military interference in their lives. Although the drumbeat of war began in other states, this battle in a southern state marked a turning point by the “Rebels” who had few weapons and little food, but plenty of determination.
The British seemed to have all the advantages. However, some might suspect their hearts were not in the battle after nearly six long years of war. America was, after all, a British Colony, many of the men had family living here and back home, the people were tired of being taxed to pay for a war some saw little advantage in winning.
Guilford was little more than a hamlet when some 4,500 Americans intensely fought for two and a half hours against 1,900 veteran British and German regulars. Tactically, the British won but they lost over 25 percent of their army. Seven months after the battle for Guliford Courthouse, the British surrendered.
Every year, this famous battle is re-enacted on or about March 15 complete with costumes and smoke filled air. The battleground is now a National Park. The visitor’s center offers a theater film of the battle, museum exhibits and a bookstore. Tourists are allowed to walk, drive or ride bicycles through the park. The park holds twenty-eight monuments including a statue of General Nathanael Greene. Winters are usually mild while summers are hot and humid. More visitors come to see the battlefield during the spring and fall.
Greensboro is the third largest city in North Carolina and offers excellent accommodations to visitors. It lies in the north to middle of the state just below the border with Virginia. If you travel into Virginia, you can also visit Yorktown where the British General Cornwallis surrendered.
Read a first hand account of this battle
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Marti Talbott
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