To Thomas Jefferson from Nathanael Greene, 16 March 1781
From Nathanael Greene
Camp at the Iron Works, 10 Miles from
Gilford Court House, March 16th, 1781.
Sir
Having formed a junction on the 8th with Colonel Campbells detachment of 18 Months Men and a Body of Carolina Militia under the command of General Butler, I determined to advance towards the Enemy and give them Battle upon the first favorable opportunity. On the 14th, we marched to Gilford Court House and took a position within 8 Miles of the Enemies encampment, with a view to attack them the next Morning, but they anticipated our designs and moved down upon us. We were in perfect readiness to receive them. A severe conflict ensued and after a struggle of near two Hours the Enemy gained the advantage of the field and four pieces of Artillery which could not be brought of[f] for the want of Horses, most of them being killed on the field. Our Army retired in good order to this place, and are now in the most perfect readiness to give the Enemy Action again. The Carolina Brigades of Militia neglected to take advantage of their position, but fled, (at least the greater part of them, without giving more than one fire) and let in the Enemy upon the second Line, which was composed of Virginians under the command of Generals Stevens and Lawson. Here they met with a warm reception and were very much gauled by an incessant fire which lasted for a considerable length of time. Superior discipline at length prevailed, and the Militia were drove back upon the Continental Troops which made the Action general, but the Enemy breaking through the 2d. Maryland Regiment terminated the fortune of the Day in their favor. However, except the honor of the field they have nothing to boast off. Our loss is very trifling, not more than 300 killed, wounded, and taken; that of the Enemys, from a variety of circumstances and the best intelligence I can get, to at least six hundred. Having encumbered them with a number of Wounded Men, I have nothing to lament but the loss of several valuable Officers, killed and wounded. Among the former is Major Anderson, and among the latter Genl. Stevens.
It would be ungenerous not to say that the conduct of the Virginia Militia deserves my warmest approbation. Generals Stevens and Lawson with all the Officers under them did themselves great honor.1
I should be glad if your Excellency would order some of the stalled Beeves to be sent on immediately to this Army, as the Country about here is almost exhausted of every necessary.
I have the honor to be Your Excellencys mo: obt. hble servt.,
Nath Greene
FC (MiU-C), in the hand of William Pierce; endorsed. Tr (CSmH).
1. This paragraph, differing in the phraseology of the first sentence, was published in (d & n) for 31 Mch. The first sentence, as published under the heading “Extract of a letter from General Greene, to his Execellency the Governour,” reads: “It would be ungenerous in me not to acknowledge my approbation of the brave and spirited conduct of the Virginia militia, in the action of yesterday.” In the same issue of a longer extract of Magill’s letter of this date was published. A striking commentary upon Greene’s failure to keep TJ fully informed of occurrences is to be found in the manner in which TJ and the rest of Virginia received official and detailed news of the Battle of Guilford Court House. Greene’s report to Congress, which he forwarded through Steuben, was printed in Philadelphia papers on 2 Apr. Two weeks later—a full month after the engagement—the Virginia Gazette was able to copy verbatim from that distant source the detailed record of what happened, together with lists of casualties (: d & n, 14 Apr.). This was information that would have been far more stimulating to public morale than the brief paragraph from the present letter that TJ was able to have published, along with Magill’s unofficial account, on 31 Mch. But Greene, through an overzealous desire to observe military proprieties, and Steuben, through what appears to be simple, stubborn failure to cooperate, gave TJ far less information than he had a right to expect (see note to Greene to TJ, 28 Feb.).