Battlefield in Greensboro in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The British Perspective
Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 19, 2006
1. The British Perspective Marker
As a British soldier, you are far more disciplined and experienced in battle than the rag-tag militia. Here at Guilford Courthouse your troops are outnumbered by more than two to one, but hunger and exhaustion seem greater enemies. This is foreign soil and hundreds of miles away from resupply and reinforcement.
A battalion of British Guards sweeps across this ground from right to left to assault the American third line. By this stage in the fighting, the Guards have momentum but their ranks have been thinned, While Continentals, the Americans’ toughest troops, hold the high ground, the British soldiers are professionals and step forward with grim confidence.
The small monument in the middle of the field commemorates the death of a talented officer, Lt. Col. James Stewart of the Second Foot Guards.
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. 36° 8.115′ N, 79° 50.462′ W. Marker is in Greensboro, North Carolina, in Guilford County. It is in Battlefield. Marker is on Tour Road, on the left when traveling west
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Regulars’ Monument (here, next to this marker); 1st Virginia Cavalry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hon. Lieut. Colonel Stuart (about 300 feet away); Death of Stewart (about 400 feet away); Maryland Monument (about 600 feet away); Delaware Monument (about 600 feet away); Delaware Continentals (about 700 feet away); Peter Francisco / Marquis of Bretigny and Col. Wm. Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensboro.
More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a picture of British troops going into battle. It has a caption of “During the 2˝ hour battle, 29 of the 100 British officers were killed or wounded. Their troops were able to capture the ground, but were too depleted to destroy the American army.”
Two portraits appear on the left of the marker: General Charles O’Hara and Charles, Lord Cornwallis. The captions are “General Charles O’Hara was wounded twice during the battle, but survived. His younger brother James, an artillery officer, was killed in the action.” and “The British commander, Charles, Lord Cornwallis, lost many valuable officers during the battle.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, March 14, 2015
2. The British Perspective Marker
An encampment of the NJ Light Infantry can be seen behind the marker.
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. The American Revolutionary War website. (Submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. 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
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2010
4. The British Perspective Marker
The Regulars’ Monument can be seen in this photo behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 19, 2006
5. Regulars’ Monument
This simple shaft honors the regulars who fought in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It is located near the marker, along a short walking trail at tour stop 7.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 19, 2006
6. Col. Stewart Death Monument
This monument honors Lt. Col. James Stewart of the Second Foot Guards. It is located on the Historic New Garden Road trace near the marker. The inscription reads: "Hon. Lieut. Colonel Stuart of the Second Batallion of the Queen's Guards, was killed at this spot by Captain John Smith of the First Maryland Regiment."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,095 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on March 17, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on August 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on September 18, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
