Guilford Courthouse NMP
⚔️ The Battle That Cost Cornwallis the War — Guilford Courthouse and the Pyrrhic Victory That Led to Yorktown — Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro, North Carolina with 220+ acres, site of the 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Revolutionary War turning point, General Nathanael Greene vs. Lord Cornwallis, 28 monuments and memorials, 2.5-mile auto tour, hiking trails, visitor center with museum, National Park Service — Guilford County, NC
On March 15, 1781, General Nathanael Greene’s 4,400 Continental and militia troops met Lord Cornwallis’s 1,900 British regulars in the largest and most hotly contested engagement of the war’s Southern Campaign. Cornwallis won the field — but lost a quarter of his army.
It was a Pyrrhic victory that changed the course of the American Revolution. Cornwallis, too weakened to continue his campaign in the Carolinas, marched his battered army to Yorktown, Virginia — where he surrendered seven months later, ending the war.
The Battle
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | March 15, 1781 |
| American Commander | Major General Nathanael Greene — Continental Army |
| British Commander | Lieutenant General Charles, Earl Cornwallis |
| Forces | ~4,400 American (Continentals + militia) vs. ~1,900 British regulars |
| Outcome | British tactical victory — but with devastating casualties (~27% of Cornwallis’s force) |
| Significance | Pyrrhic victory. Cornwallis abandoned the Carolinas → marched to Yorktown → surrendered October 1781 |
What to See
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Visitor Center | Museum with battlefield artifacts, weapons, and a film about the battle. Ranger programs |
| Auto Tour | 2.5-mile driving tour with 8 stops — follows the three lines of American defense |
| Monuments | 28 monuments and markers — including tributes to Greene, cavalry leaders, and fallen soldiers |
| Hiking | Multiple trails through the battlefield — including paths to the three American defense lines |
| Greene Monument | Equestrian statue of General Greene — one of the most prominent monuments in the park |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | ⚔️ Battle anniversary March 15. Wildflowers. Comfortable hiking temperatures |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Fall color, cool weather, fewer crowds |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Full programs. Hot and humid |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Quiet contemplation. Visitor center open year-round |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Battle of Guilford Courthouse?
Cornwallis won the field — but lost the war. The British held the ground at day’s end, but suffered devastating casualties (~27% of their force). Cornwallis abandoned the Southern Campaign and marched to Yorktown, where he surrendered seven months later.
Why was this battle important?
It was the turning point that led directly to Yorktown and American independence. Greene’s strategy — trading ground for British casualties — worked exactly as planned. Charles James Fox later told Parliament: “Another such victory would ruin the British army.”
Is there an entrance fee?
No — the park is free and open daily. Managed by the National Park Service.
⚔️ The Battle That Cost Cornwallis the War
March 15, 1781. Greene vs. Cornwallis. A Pyrrhic victory that sent the British army stumbling toward Yorktown — and American independence.
Park Location
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