Greensboro in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Battle Begins
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 19, 2006
1. The Battle Begins Marker
At this location, more than 1,000 militiamen from North Carolina set up position behind rail fences overlooking farm fields awaiting the British advance. These men made up the American First Line of defense.
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.
Erected by Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary.
Location.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2010
2. The Battle Begins Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Monument Row (within shouting distance of this marker); Brig. Gen. Jethro Sumner (within shouting distance of this marker); Guilford Courthouse National Military Park (within shouting distance of this marker); A Heroine of ‘76 (within shouting distance of this marker); Nathaniel Macon (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain James Morehead (within shouting distance of this marker); Gillies (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mrs. Martha McFarlane McGee-Bell (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensboro.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a picture of the American first line standing against the approaching British troops. It has the caption “You are standing in the trace of the historic Salisbury Road (now New Garden Road). Once Greene received intelligence that the British were on the move, he ensured a fight by placing troops across this road. Concerned about the front-line militia’s reliability, Greene planned a defense in depth, deploying a second line of militia and a third line of experienced Continental soldiers.”
Also see . . .
1. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse 1781. An account of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse from a British perspective from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2010
3. Marker in Guilford Courthouse NMP
The Battle Begins marker is located near the entrance to Guilford Courthouse National Military park, just north of the Visitor Center.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2010
4. Marker on New Garden Road
The Battle Begins Marker is seen here from the north side of New Garden Road.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 19, 2006
5. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
The marker is the first stop on the auto tour in Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. The entrance seen in this photo is located near the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 15, 2015
6. The Battle Begins
The North Carolina Militia fire on the advancing British during the opening phase of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,042 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on March 17, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
