General Nathanael Greene | Guilford Courthouse

In the fall of 1780, George Washington appointed General Nathanael Greene to command the Continental army in the South. 

Following the victory at the Battle of Cowpens, Lt. General Charles Earl Cornwallis, determined to destroy Greene's forces, chased Greene in what's known as the "Race To the Dan."   However, Greene managed to escape to safety across the Dan River, into Virginia.  

On March 15, 1781, Cornwallis (with only 1,900 men at his disposal) engages Greene's army (between 4,000-5,000 men) at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, resulting in a costly victory for the British.  

Standards

• 4-3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the conflict between the American colonies and England.
  • Revolutions result from resistance to conditions that are perceived as unfair by the people who are demanding change. The changes brought about by revolution can be both positive and negative. To understand the results of the conflict between the Amer...
    • 4-3.3 Summarize the importance of the key battles of the Revolutionary War and the reasons for American victories including Lexington and Concord, Bunker (Breed’s) Hill, Charleston, Saratoga, Cowpens, and Yorktown.
• 8-2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the causes of the American Revolution and the beginnings of the new nation, with an emphasis on South Carolina’s role in the development of that nation.
  • The events surrounding the American Revolution transformed British colonists into American citizens. To understand South Carolina’s pivotal role in this process, the student will utilize the knowledge and skills set forth in the following indica...
    • 8-2.1 Explain the political and economic consequences of the French and Indian War on the relationship of the South Carolina colonists with Native Americans and England.