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| General Charles Cornwallis: January-March,
Nathanael Greene leads General Charles Cornwallis and his forces
on a chase through South and North Carolina. |
Peace Ends in North Carolina
Between 1776 and 1780, North Carolina helped neighbors Virginia
and South Carolina fight off the British. By helping them, they
were also able to keep the British out of North Carolina.
However, in September 1780, the peace in North Carolina
was over. Lord Cornwallis entered North Carolina, planning to march
to Charlotte. Governor Martin, still interested in defeating the
North Carolinians, declared a British victory after Cornwallis crossed
the North Carolina border.
But his triumphant call was a bit premature. Cornwallis's
armies were defeated first at King's Mountain and then at Cowpens.
After Cowpens, Cornwallis proceeded to Guilford Court House, where
he lost many men to North Carolina's forces led by Nathanael Greene.
Nevertheless, Cornwallis said his army had beaten the North Carolina
army as he and his forces retreated to Wilmington to recruit more
men.
After Cornwallis left North Carolina on his way to Yorktown,
Greene and other North Carolinians reclaimed several cities and
ports from British control. On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered
at Yorktown.
The Revolutionary War was over, but North Carolina's
troubles would go on for several years. Tory and Whig battles, in
addition to political bickering, would plague North Carolina for
quite some time.
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