Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-03-31

The battle was fought in the afternoon of
the 18th of March. ISL. and lasted about two
hours The battle ground extended from
Horsepen creek a mile eastward to Hunting
creek, along the old New Garden road, now
known as the Battle road" The country is
gently undulating
In 1887 Hon David Schenck, of Greens
boro, began the patriotic work of restoring
the battle field to its appearance at the time
OF the fight The Guilford Battle Ground
company was incorporated by the legisla-
ture, and bought the land on which the bat
tie was fought. 1t has been labor Of love
for Judge Schenck TO restore the grounds to
as nearly as possible the condition they were
in in 17Sl. A great amount of careful work
has been done. Patriotic people far and near
have been contributors to the fund for
restoration.
In view of the general idea that the battle
resulted in defeat for the Americans, and
that the militia showed great cowardice, the
true story of the battle which made York
town possible and was the final scene, save
one, in CORVALLIS campaign in America, is
Of interest and value.
Tho American forces were commanded by
Gen Nathaniel Greene, Washington's trusted
and confidential friend. Under him were
Gen William r. Davie, Of North Carolina;
slight Horse Harry" Lee, of Virginia
father of Gen Robert E. Leel: Col. Wash
ingtou and Col Campbell, of Virginia. Col
Arthur Forbis and Col. Winston, of North
Carolina; Coils Otto H Williams, Gunby,
Howard and Ford, of Maryland The infan-
try consisted of regulars tContinentals)
about 1,40O, and some 1850 Virginia and
North Carolina militia, with four cannons.
Tho cavalry, under Lee and Washington,
numbered 200 The Americans were posted
in three lines: First, the North Carolinians;
second, the Virginians, and third, the Conti-
ncntals.
The British were commanded by Lord
CORVALLIS, under whom were Gems. O'Hara,
Howard and Leslie Coils. Webster, Stewart,
Leslie and De Buy. Lieut.. Col Tarleton was
also present with his famous cavalry legion.
Altogether the British numbered 1000 men,
all regulars, veterans who had seen scores of
battles, under the highest state of discipline,
and admirably and completely equipped
The battle was an imitation of that of the
Cowpens, which was such a victory for the
Americans At the latter battle the raw
militia were posted in the first line, and the
command to them was to fire two rounds and
then retreat, falling back upon the regulars,
IA front of whom they were posted. The act
Of Greene, in taking position at Guilford
Court House, was a virtual challenge to
Cornwallis Alexander Garden, aide-de-
camp to Gen. Greene, says in his 'Anec-
dotes," an extremely rare work: Two
North Carolina battalions of militia really
they were brigades) were assured that if they
would preserve their station and deliver two
fires they should have his permission to leave
the field. There were 1,050 of them in bri-
gade under Eaton on the left and Butler on
the right Gen. Greene, in his official re-
port, says: The action commenced by a
cannonnde, when the enemy advanced in
three columns-the Hessians on the right,
the guard, in the center, Lieut.. Col. Webster
on the west The whole force moved through
the old fields to attack the North Carolina
brigades, who waited the attack until the
enemy got within $50 yards, when part of
them began to fire, but considerable part
left the ground without firing at all"