![The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library. “Lieut. Col. Banastre Tarleton. Yours faithfully, Ban. Tarleton [signature].” New York Public Library Digital Collections.](https://www.thenmusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-03-at-11.46.45 AM-copy-1.png)
On 14 March 1781, Greene positioned his army at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, and prepared for battle. Cornwallis was glad for the opportunity, as he needed to attack before the army ran out of food and forage. Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s British (Loyalist) Legion formed the advanced guard of the army on its 12-mile march to Guilford Courthouse. Colonel Lee’s cavalry ambushed the Loyalist dragoons at New Garden Meeting House, which led to a quick meeting engagement that grew as American and British light infantry joined the fight. After he was unhorsed and nearly captured, Lee concluded the British main body was marching towards Guilford Courthouse, so he broke contact and marched to rejoin the army. Forewarned, Greene had already fed his troops breakfast and arranged them in three battle lines facing west towards the advancing British army. Lee’s dragoons had screened the army so well that the British had no intelligence as to the size and exact deployment of the enemy forces at Guilford Courthouse.
"On the 14th of March, his lordship determined to advance upon the Americans at Guildford, and bring on an engagement, that he thought they would not avoid...The main body at daybreak marched toward the enemy...the cavalry, the light infantry of the guards and the yagers composed the advance guard...The British had proceeded seven miles on the great Salisbury road to Guildford when...A sharp conflict ensued between the advanced parties of the two armies. In the onset, the fire of the Americans was heavy, and the charge of their cavalry was spirited...th gallantry of the light infantry of the guards, assisted by the legion...[forced Lee's dragoons to retreat] with precipitation along the main road...The pursuit was not pushed very far, as there were many proofs...that Gen. Greene was at hand...An engagement was now become inevitable"
Lt. Col. Banastre TarletonBanastre Tarleton. “A History of the Campaigns of 1780-1 in the Southern Provinces.” London, 1787, pp. 270-271.