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.