The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-10
ANNIVERSARIES
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse,
March Is, 1881.

TIL campaigns in the South in the day
OF the Revolution were Of no less moment
than those Of the Jerseys, New York. and
Pennsylvania After Gates had allowed
himself to be defeated at Camden, Genera
Nathaniel Greene was placed In command
OF the patriot army in the South. 1t was
In this section that defeat did as much fol-
the cause Of the colonists as victory. TIL
battle OF Kings Mountain. epoch making
as it was. paved the way for other re-
verses to the British arms. One OF them,
while nOmlnally a defeat for the Ameri-
cans. was the battle of Guilford Courthouse,
North Carolina. one of the hardest fought
contests of the whole war.
CORVALLIS was hurrylng after Greene
across the State. He crossed the Yadkin
and strained every nerve to prevent Greene
from crossing the Dan. lie supposed the
Americans would not be able to cross at
the lower ferries. but would be obliged to
pass the river higher up. where It could be
forded. He therefore Urged his army TO
its utmost exertions to secure these fords
before the arrivals of the Americans. Per
ceiving Cornwallis's error. Colonel Ohio II.
Williams retreated towards the upper
fords. and SO confirmed the British COM
mander In his deluslon. Having led the
British sufficiently Cut CT the way. Will
l!ams wheeled about. and by a rapid march
OF forty miles in twenty-four hours. down
the river, rejoined Greene, who had moved
with all speed to the lower ferries, where,
in anticipation Of his retreat. he had col
lected a supply of poats. The Dan was
passed on the 18th of February. and tho
American army was safe from Its pursuers.
An hour or two later CORVALLIS. who lad
discovered his mistake, and had marched
with speed from the upper fords. appeared
on the opposite bank Of the river. only to
see his adversary safely beyond his reach.
The river was too deep to be forded,
and Greene had all the boats in his pos
session. was deeply mortified at
his failure to intercept Greene. He had
pursued hin for over 200 miles. and lad
made great sacrifices to come up with him..
but the American commander had managed
to elude him. and had successfully carried
out one OF the most brilliant retreats in
History. The Americans regarded their es-
cape as providential. Their way across
the Carolinas might be tracked by the
blood from their feet: and, twice. when
the enemy had come within gunshot of
them. the rising OF the waters of the Ca
tawba and Yadkin. which they had passed
in safety, had held back the British and
enabled them to escape. After resting his
men for q few days on the banks OF the
Dan, CORVALLIS fell back TO Hillsborough.
Having received re-enforcements. Gener-
al Greene recrossed the Dan, about the
ldSt VI udis, dlu ~ lag
Carolinas, to watch CORVALLIS and en-
courage the patriots of that region. Corn
wallis, being short Of supplies. moved slow
ly southwark. Greene followed him eau
tiously, too weak to risk a battle. but
ready to take advantage Of the first error
on the part Of his adversary. His move
ments were conducted with the Utmost cir
cumspection. and in order to guard
a surprise he never remained in the
same place more than one day, and kept
until the last moment the places
he selected for his e~ncampments. In the
meantime. he was gradually receiving re-
endorsements. from Virginia and Mary
land. until his army numbered 1000 men.
Feeling himself strong enough to attack
the enemy. Greene left his baggage at a
point OF safety. and advanced to Guilford
seventeen miles distant. with
the intention of bringing CORVALLIS to a !
decisive engagement. Here he was attacked
CORVALLIS. on the 18th of March, 1881,
and, after one of the hardest-fought bat
of the war. was compelled to retreat.
Greene withdrew in good order. and Corn
though victorious OF the field. was
so sorely crippled that he was unable to
any pursuit. and was obliged to fall
back to Wilmington. near the mouth of
he Cape Fear River. By the time he !,
that place, his army had been SO
much weakened by assertions and losses in
Da title that it amounted to but 1,4O0 men.