The Battle Begins
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
You are standing 200 yards behind the first American line, which stood looking across what was then an open field. A quarter-mile away the British arrived and formed well-ordered ranks on either side of New Garden Road. To the untrained North Carolina militia – citizen-soldiers – the approaching redcoats appeared confident and lethally professional.
The battle began with a terrifying exchange of canon fire, the roll of drums, and a clear view of British bayonets.
As the redcoats advanced, an American volley tore holes in their ranks, but the battle-hardened soldiers closed the gaps and at fifty yards fired a return volley into the patriot line.
The British then charged with bayonets lowered, and the center of the American line panicked and ran. From an American perspective, the battle got off to a disastrous start.
Marker is on New Garden Road, on the right when traveling east.
Courtesy hmdb.org
