Title:
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GUILFORD COURTHOUSE 1781
LORD CORNWALLIS'S RUINOUS VICTORY |
By: |
Dr Angus Konstam |
Format: |
Hardback |
List price:
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£21.95 |
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ISBN 10: |
0275984613 |
ISBN 13: |
9780275984618 |
Publisher: |
ABC-CLIO |
Pub. date: |
30 August, 2004 |
Series: |
Praeger Illustrated Military History S. |
Pages: |
96 |
Description: |
In the Spring of 1781, the American Revolutionary War had dragged on for almost six years, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. At Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781, the two armies met. A British victory was achieved, but at a heavy cost, setting the stage for Cornwallis' defeat at Yorktown seven months later. |
Synopsis: |
In the Spring of 1781, the American Revolutionary War had dragged on for almost six years, and neither side had gained a decisive advantage. When the British commander Lord Cornwallis launched his invasion of North Carolina in early 1781, his objective was to destroy General Nathaniel Greene's army, not to capture territory. Greene fell back before him into Virginia, and his force grew daily as militia flocked to the colours, and a revitalised American army took the offensive. At Guilford Courthouse on 15 March 1781 the two armies met. In a see-saw battle, victory seemed to be within the American grasp, but the British held off a fierce counterattack by American infantry and cavalry, forcing Greene to concede the field. It was a British victory but at a terrible cost - Cornwallis lost over a quarter of his command. When news of the 'victory' reached Britain, a politician remarked; 'Another such victory would ruin the British army'. The battle led to the recapture of the Carolinas by Greene, and set in motion a chain of events that would culminate in the surrender of Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown seven months later. |
Illustrations: |
color illustrations, maps, bibliographies |
Publication: |
US |
Imprint: |
Praeger Publishers Inc |
Returns: |
Non-returnable |