Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park preserves the largest battle of the Southern Campaign. On March 15, 1781, Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene's Continental army clashed with Lord Charles Cornwallis. Utilizing a tactic known as a defense in depth, Greene slowed Cornwallis' advance and inflicted 25% casualties on the British.
The battle proved a strategic turning point. Greene’s deliberate withdrawal preserved the Continental Army, while Cornwallis’s “victory” weakened British control in the Carolinas following the and pushed him north toward Virginia, setting the stage for Yorktown later that year. Today, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park preserves the landscape where militia, Continentals, and British regulars clashed, honoring the soldiers and civilians whose actions helped shift the momentum of the war. The battlefield stands as a reminder that endurance and strategy—not just battlefield possession—shaped the path to American independence.
Park visitors may tour the museum where they can view a map presentation and film and see the battlefield on their own or take a guided tour. The colonial homestead of Joseph and Hannah Hoskins is also open to the public.
What's Nearby
Explore more of The Liberty Trail by visiting these nearby attractions.
