When the British Lord Cornwallis launched his invasion of North Carolina in early 1781, his objective was to destroy General Nathaniel Greene's army. Greene fell back before him into Virginia, yet the American force grew daily as militia flocked to the colours. At Guilford Courthouse on 15 March 1781 the two armies met. This book describes the see-saw battle that ensued as victory seemed to be within the American grasp, but the British held off a fierce counterattack by American infantry and cavalry, and forced Greene to concede the field. It was a British victory but at a terrible cost - Cornwallis lost over a quarter of his men.