Tyler Holden
Staff Writer
Among the most consequential battles of the American Revolutionary War happened here in what is now Greensboro. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse took place on March 15, 1781, which involved fierce combat between the British Army on one side and those who became Americans, represented by the Continental Army as well as the Virginia and North Carolina militias, on the other. Historians may point to Saratoga and Yorktown as the most consequential campaigns in the American Revolution, but this lesser-known battle, which took place in what was then the North Carolina backcountry, cannot be overlooked. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse is a landmark clash of the American Revolution that has monumental significance in altering the course of history.
General Charles Cornwallis led the British forces. Cornwallis’s forces were part of the most powerful and feared army anywhere in the world throughout the eighteenth century. They were well trained and equipped for combat, and so they had the odds in their favor. The war in the South of the colonies would be profoundly impacted by the outcome of this one particular battle.
Nathanael Greene, for whom the city of Greensboro is named, led the American forces. Greene’s force consisted largely of farmers, who were not trained for military combat, and volunteers who sought to be a part of something much larger than themselves by striving and sacrificing for a cause that they ardently believed in. A ragtag group of men of modest means risked their lives, and many did pay the ultimate sacrifice, for the cause of freedom. The title of patriot, which was granted to those who fought, was ultimately written with the blood of those who had fallen in the process of fighting for that freedom.
The Americans taking on the British during the Revolutionary War was like David taking on Goliath. While the battle of Guilford Courthouse in particular was recorded as a defeat for the Americans, this battle was ultimately instrumental in turning the tide and direction of the war itself for the eventual American victory.
Though the battle was a technical British victory, this victory came at a heavy cost. General Cornwallis lost more than 25% of his force, and the British had burned many of the resources that they had in order to catch up to the Continental force.
British statesman Charles James Fox concluded in the aftermath of the battle that “Another such victory would ruin the British army.” The British force was not as strong as it once was, and it did not have the morale that it once did. The Americans had proven that they could take on a better prepared fighting force like the British, and the Americans as the rising underdogs had the will to do so. Therein lies the silver lining for the Americans: The Battle of Guilford Courthouse was a victory filled with hope within the guise of defeat.
The Continental force that won at the Battle of Cowpens set out to join Greene’s men, and in reaction Cornwallis decided to utilize the entirety of his army to chase them through the Carolina countryside. Running through the forests and hills, the Continental men were facing hard conditions, as they were exposed to the elements and had very little to eat; and certainly, one would conclude, they were not in the best position to confront Cornwallis’ army directly. However, they finally did confront them directly when they met with Greene’s men at Guilford Courthouse.
The American resolve and determination at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse led to the British surrender at the Battle of Yorktown 7 months later, which ultimately marked American victory in the Revolutionary War.
Today, anyone can visit the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, where one is able to tour the area where the Battle of Guilford Courthouse took place. It’s just a short drive from UNC Greensboro’s campus, and it is a worthwhile and fun educational experience.
Greensboro is known as the ‘Gate City’ and is referred to by this name frequently. According to Greensboro History Museum Director Carol Ghiorsi Hart, “One of the local newspapers started to refer to Greensboro as ‘The Gate City,’ meaning that Greensboro had now become a transportation center, a gateway to the West and the South.” The State Normal and Industrial School, which would later become UNCG, was founded in 1891, which was around the same time that ‘The Gate City’ as a term began to gain traction and ended up sticking. Perhaps not so coincidentally, it appears that there is a notable correlation here. The university grew with the ‘Gate City’ as an integral part of it itself —and UNCG continues to be a part of the ‘Gate City,’ lighting the way for the generations.
This city truly holds a lot of unique history. This uniqueness shines through the impact that those before us left on shaping Greensboro and the world. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse had a quintessential importance in pioneering what became the ‘Gate City’ and shaped Greensboro into what it is today, while also shaping the course of history itself.
THE CAROLINIAN 
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