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GUILFORD COURTHOUSE National Military Park |
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Battle of Camden
In June, Gen. Horatio Gates was appointed commander of patriot troops in the South. He determined to liberate the South, beginning with a move in force against the British stronghold at Camden. This was, strategically and tactically, a sound conception, but in its execution Gates failed completely. His defeat at Camden on August 16, 1780, was one of the most disastrous battles in which an American army has ever been engaged. This defeat terminated all organized opposition to British control in South Carolina and cleared the way for further advances. In September, Cornwallis moved his main army from Camden to Charlotte. Simultaneously, a flank column, under Maj. Patrick Ferguson, was marching from Fort Ninety-Six through the Piedmont, carrying the war into the upcountry. This column was expected to join Cornwallis at Charlotte.
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SOUTHERN CAMPAIGN TO THE BATTLE OF GUILFORD COURTHOUSE
| 1780 | |
| May 12 | Charleston Surrenders to the British. |
| August 16 | Cornwallis wins victory at Camden. |
| Sept. 26 | Cornwallis occupies Charlotte. |
| October 7 | Battle of Kings Mountain. |
| October 14 | Cornwallis retreats to Winnsboro. |
| December | Greene takes command at Charlotte. |
| 1781 | |
| January 17 | Morgan defeats Tarleton at Cowpens. |
| February | American Army reunited at Guilford, but retreat continues north of Dan River. |
| March | Greene returns to Guilford, is attacked there by Cornwallis in Battle of Guilford Courthouse March 15, 1781. |
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Last Modified: Mon, Dec 2 2002 10:00:00 am PDT |