1781: "Victory Most Honorable...Of No Real Advantage to the Cause"

The following excerpts are from British Sergeant Roger Lamb's diary. Part of this includes quotes from another report on the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, but with some of Lamb's personal observations and anecdotes.

Some spelling or definitions are in [parenthesis] for clarification.

On the 15th of March, about four miles from Guildford, the engagement began; colonel Tarleton led on the British advance. The Americans were commanded by general Lee, who behaved with the most undaunted bravery, and maintained himself against the most formidable opposition, until the 23d regiment advancing to the support of Tarleton, compelled him to give way. Greene formed his order of battle on a commanding scite. It consisted of three lines. Two brigades of the North Carolina militia flanked by a wood, composed the first. That of Virginia, commanded by Stephens and Lawson, formed the second. These were compleatly encompassed in the wood, three hundred yards in the rere [rear] of the first. Four hundred yards behind them, in open ground, near the Court House, the third was formed, consisting of two brigades of continental troops. Two corps of observation were placed on the right and left flanks; the one commanded by colonel Washington, the other by colonel Lee. The British advance was formed by a column of royal artillery, under the command of lieutenant Macleod; and the disposition of the main attack was as follows: the 71st, the regiment of Bose, commanded by general Leslie, and the 1st battalion of guards, colonel Norton, formed the right line; the 23d and 33d led on by colonel Webster, and supported by brigadier general O'Hara, and the grenadiers 2d battalion of guards, constituted the left; corps of Observation, light infantry of the guards, and yagers, on the left of the artillery, and the cavalry in column behind on the road.

These masterly dispositions preluded one of the most signal battles ever gained by British valour. The details are so accurately laid down by Stedman, who had every opportunity of ascertaining even the minutest circumstance, that it may be better to quote his accqunt of it, than by aiming at originality, fall short of the particulars. 

"This disposition being made, the line received orders to advance, and moved forward with that steady and guarded, but firm and determined resolution whcih discipline alone can confer. It has been remarked by an eye-witness [Tarleton], that 'the order and coolness of that part of Webster's brigade which advanced across the open ground, exposed to the enemy's fire, could not be sufficiently extolled.' At the distance of one hundred and forty yards they received the enemy's first fire, but continued to advance unmoved. When arrived at a nearer and more convenient distance, they delivered their own fire, and rapidly charged with their bayonets: the enemy did not wait the shock, but retreated behind their second line. In other parts of the line the British troops behaved with equal gallantry, and were not less successful. The second line of the enemy made a braver and stouter resistance than the first. Posted in the woods, and covering themselves with trees, they kept up for a considerable time a galling fire, which did great execution. At length, however, they were compelled to retreat, and fall back upon the continentals. In this severe conflict the whole of the British infantry were engaged. General Leslie, from the great extent of the enemy's front, reaching far beyond his right had been very early obliged to bring forward the 1st battalion of the guards, appointed for his reserve, and form it into line: and lieutenant colonel Webster, finding the left of the 33d regiment exposed to a heavy fire from the right wing of the enemy, which greatly out-flanked him, changed its front to the left, and the ground become vacant by this move ment, was immediately occupied by general O'Hara, with the grenadiers, and 2d battalion of the guards. Webster moving to the left with the 33d regiment, supported by the light infantry of the guards, and the yagers, routed and put to flight the right wing of the enemy, and in his progress, after two severe struggles, gained the right of the continentals; but the superiority of their numbers, and the weight of their fire obliged him, separated as he was from the British line, to re-cross a ravine, and occupy an advantageous position on the opposite bank, until he could hear of the progress of the king's troops on the right. The British line being so much extended to the right and left, in order to shew [show] a front equal to the enemy, was unavoidably broken into intervals in the pursuit of the first and second American lines; some parts of it being more advanced than others, in consequence of the different degrees of resistance that had been met with, or of other impediments arising from the thickness of the woods, and the inequality of the ground. The whole, however, moved forward; and the second battalion of the guards, commanded by the honorable colonel Stuart, was the first that reached the open ground at Guildford Court House. Impatient to
signalize themselves, they immediately attacked a body of continentals, greatly superior in numbers,
that was seen formed on the left of the road, routed them and took their cannon, being two six-pounders; but pursuing them with too much ardour and impetuosity towards the wood on their rear, were thrown into confusion by a heavy fire received from a body of continentals, who were yet unbroken, and being instantly charged by Washington's dragoons, were driven back with great slaughter, and the loss of the cannon that had been taken. Lieutenant Macleod, advancing along the road with the royal artillery, had by this time reached the open ground. By a spirited and well-directed cannonade he checked the pursuit of the Americans. Fortunately also, the 71st regiment, belonging to general Leslie's division, was seen emerging from the woods on the right, and the 22d not long afterwards, made its appearance on the left. To the right and left of these regiments, general O'Hara, although severely wounded, rallied with much gallantry and great expedition, the remains of the 2d battalion of the guards; and the Americans were quickly repulsed and put to flight, with once more the loss of the two six-pounders; two other six-pounders were also taken, being all the artillery which they had in the field, and two ammunition waggons. The 71st pushed forward to an eminence at the Court House, on the left flank of the continentals. Lieutenant colonel Webster again advanced across the ravine, defeated the corps that was opposed to him, and connected himself with the centre of the British line. The continentals of the American army being now driven from their ground, as well as the militia, a general retreat took place; but it was conducted with order and regularity. The 23d and 71st, with part of the Cavalry, were at first sent in pursuit of the enemy, but afterwards received orders to return. It is probable that, as the British commander became more acquainted with all circumstances of the action, and the number of the killed and wounded, he found it necessary to countermand his orders, and desist from the pursuit. The action being now ended in the centre and left of the British line, a firing was still heard on the right, where general Leslie with the 1st battalion of the guards and the regiment of Bose, bad been greatly impeded in advancing, by the excessive thickness of the woods, which rendered their bayonets of little use. The broken corps of the enemy were thereby encouraged to make frequent stands, and to throw in an irregular fire; so that this part of the British line was at times warmly engaged in front, flank, and rear, with some of the enemy that had been routed in the first attack, and with part of the extremity of their left wing, which, by the closeness of the woods, had been passed unseen." 

"At one period of the action the first battalion of the guards was completely broken. It had suffered
greatly in ascending a woody height to attack the second line of the Americans, strongly posted upon
the top of it, who, availing themselves of the advantages of their situation, retired, as soon as they had discharged their pieces, behind the brow of the hill, which protected them from the shot of the guards,
and returned as soon as they had loaded, and were again in readiness to fire. Notwithstanding the disadvantage under which the attack was made, the guards reached the summit of the eminence, and put this part of the American line to flight but no sooner was it done, than another line of the Americans presented itself to view, extending far beyond, the right of the guards, and inclining towards their flank, so as almost to encompass them. The ranks of the guards had been thinned in ascending the height, and a number of the officers had fallen captain Maitland, who at this time received a wound, retired to the rear, and having had his wound dressed, returned immediately to join the battalion of guards to which he belonged. Some of the men, too, from superior exertions, had reached the summit of the eminence sooner than others; so that the battalion was not in regular order when it received the fire of the third American line. The enemy's fire being repeated and continued, and, from the great extent of their line, being poured in not only on the front but flank of the battalion, completed its confusion and disorder, and notwithstanding every exertion made by the remaining officers, it was at last entirely broken. Fortunately, at this time, the Hessian regiment of Bose, commanded by lieutenant colonel de Bury, which had hitherto suffered but little, was advancing in firm and compact order on the left of the guards, to attack the enemy. Lieutenant colonel Norton thought the fortunate arrival of the regiment of Bose presented a favorable opportunity for forming again his battalion, and requested the Hessian lieutenant-colonel to wheel his regiment to the right, and cover the guards, whilst their officers endeavoured to rally them. The request was immediately and most gallantly complied with; and, under the cover of the fire of the Hessians, the exertions of lieutenant colonel Norton, and his few remaining officers, were at last successful in restoring order. The battalion, being again formed, instantly moved forward to join the Hessians: the attack was renewed and the enemy were defeated. But here the labours of this part of the line did not yet cease. No sooner had the guards and Hessians defeated the enemy in front, than they found it necessary to return and attack another body of them that appeared in the rear; and in this manner they were obliged to traverse the same ground in various directions, before the enemy were completely put to the rout. The firing heard on the right, after the termination of the action in the centre, and on the left, induced lord Comwallis to detach Tarleton, with part of the cavalry, to gain intelligence of what was doing in that quarter, and to know whether general
Leslie wanted assistance. But before Tarleton's arrival on the right, the affair was over, and the British
troops were standing with ordered arms; all resistance having ceased on the part of the Americans, except from a few hardy rifflemen, who lurking behind trees, occasionally fired their pieces, but at such a distance as to do no mischief. These colonel Tarleton, when requested, readily undertook to disperse with his cavalry, and rushing forward under cover of a general volley of musquetry from the guards and the regiment of Bose, quickly performed what was expected of him. In t,his affair colonel Tarleton himself received a slight wound, but the rest of his corps returned unhurt.

"In this battle the British troops obtained a victory most honorable and glorious to themselves, but in its consequences, of no real advantage to the cause in which they were engaged. They attacked, and defeated an army of more than three times their number, not taken by surprise, but formed in regular order of battle, and ready to engage; an army too, that is allowed on all hands to have been strongly and judiciously posted, on ground chosen with care, and most excellently adapted to the nature of the troops that occupied it. The resistance of the enemy was in proportion to the advantages they possessed; nor did they yield, but with extreme reluctance. Even the militia, encouraged by their position, fought with bravery, and greatly weakened the British line before it reached the continentals. The Virginia militia, who composed the second American line, did not quit their ground, it is said until their commander, seeing them no longer able to withstand the attack of regular troops, and ready to be overpowered, gave orders for a retreat. A victory atchieved [achived] under such disadvantages of numbers and ground, was of the most honorable kind, and placed the bravery and discipline of the troops, beyond all praise; but the expence at which it was obtained rendered it of no utility. 

"Before the provincials finally retreated, more than one third of all the British troops engaged had fallen. The whole loss, according to the official returns, amount ed to five huudred and thirty two: of these ninety three were killed in the action, four hundred and thirteen were wounded, and twenty six missing. Amongst the killed were the honorable lieutenat colonel Stuart of the guards, lieutenant O'Hara of the royal artillery, brother of the brigadier, lieutenant Robinson of the 23d regiment, ensign Talbot of the 33d, and ensign Grant of the 71st; amongst the wounded, were brigadiers general O'Hara, and Howard; lieutenant colonels Webster, and Tarleton; captains Swanton, Schntz, Maynard, Goodricke, lord Dunglass, Maitland, Peter, Wilmousky, and Eichenbrodth; lieutenants Salvin, Winyard, Schewener, and Graise; ensigns Stuart, Kelly, Gore, Hughes, and De Troot; and adjutant Colguhoun, and Fox."

The loss of the Americans in this action has been variously estimated, and does not appear to have been fully ascertained. If we are to credit their official returns, their whole loss in killed and wounded, as well of militia as continentals, did not exceed two hundred and fifty men. But, by lord Cornwallis's dispatches, it appears that between two and three hundred of their dead, were found upon the field, after the action; and if we proportion their wounded according to the number of the slain, their whole loss in killed and wounded, must have greatly exceeded that of the British troops. The number of those who were missing, according to their own returns, was confessedly great but as the British troops took but few prisoners, is is probable that the greatest part of missing, consisted of militia, who, escaping from the action, fled to their own houses, and did not afterwards return. 

"The wounded of both armies were collected by the British, as expeditiously as possible after the action; it was, however, a service that required both time and care, as from the nature of the action, they lay dispersed over a great extent of ground. Every assistance was furnished to them, that in the then circumstances of the army could be afforded; but, unfortunately the army was destitute of tents, nor was there a sufficient number of houses near the field of battle to receive the wounded. The British army had marched several miles on the morning of the day on which they came to action. They had no provisions any kind whatever on that day, nor until between three and four in the afternoon of the succeeding day, and then but a scanty allowance, not exceeding one quarter of a pound of flower [flour], and the same quantity of very lean beef. The night of the day on which the action happened was
remarkable for its darkness, accompanied with rain, which fell in torrents. Near fifty of the wounded,
it is said, sinking under their aggravated miseries, expired, before morning. The cries of the wounded, and dying who remained on the field of action during the night, exceeded all description. Such a
complicated scene of horror and distress, it is hoped, for the sake of humanity, rarely occurs, even in a military life. . . .

"History, perhaps, does not furnish a similar instance of a battle gained under all the disadvantages with which the British troops, (assisted by a regiment of Hessians, and some Yagers,) had to contend against, at Guilford Court House. Nor is there, perhaps, on the records of his tory, an instance of a battle fought with more determined perseverance than was shewn by the British troops on that memorable day. The battles of Cressy, of Poietiers, and of Agincourt, the glory of our own country, and the admiration of ages, had in each of them, either from particular local situation, or other fortunate and favorable circumstances something in a degree to counter-balance the disparity of numbers; here, time, place, and numbers, all united against the British. The American general had chosen his ground, which was strong, commanding, and advantageous; he had time not only to make his disposition, but to send away his baggage, and every incumbrance. His cannon and his troops, in numbers far exceeding the British, were drawn out in readiness to commence the action, when lord Comwallis approached to attack him."

General Greene fled to Reedy Fork Creek, where, when he had passed the river, he halted on the opposite banks to collect his stragglers. When he had partly accomplished this, he pushed on to Troublesome Creek, about twelve miles further. Lord Comwallis, (from the army being in want of provisions, and its several other distresses,) found it would be inadvisable to pursue the fugitives. It on the other hand became indispensably necessary to move towards some place where supplies might be obtained. Accordingly about seventy wounded were left at the Quaker's meeting house, under protection of a flag of truce, and the army slowly retired to Cross Creek. . . .

During these toilsome movements [toward Wilmington], the British army sustained an almost irreparable loss, by the deaths of colonel Webster of the 33d, captains Schntz and Maynard of the guards, and captain Wilmouski and ensign DeTrott of the regiment of Bose. They all received
their mortal wounds at Guildford Court House. . . .

As the Author belonged to colonel Webster's brigade, he is enabled, (and the Reader will naturally expect it from him,) to state some circumstances unnoticed by any historian, from his own personal observation. After the brigade formed across the open ground, the colonel rode on to the front, and gave the word , "Charge." Instantly the movement was made, in excellent order, in a smart run, with arms charged: when arrived within forty yards of the enemy's line, it was perceived that their whole force had their arms presented, and resting on a rail fence, the common partitions in America. They were taking aim with the nicest precision. . . .

At this awful period a general pause took place; both parties surveyed each other for the moment with the most anxious suspense. Nothing speaks, the general more than seizing on decisive moments: colonel Webster rode forward in the front of the 23d regiment, and said, with more than even his usual commanding voice (which was well known to his Brigade,) "Come on, my brave Fuzileers." This operated like an inspiring voice, they rushed forward amidst the enemy's fire; dreadful was the havoc on both sides. . . .

At last the Americans gave way, and the brigade advanced, to the attack of their second line. Here the
conflict became still more fierce. Before it was completely routed, where I stood, (it is not from egotism, but to be the better understood, that I here, without breaking the thread of precision, assume the first person) I observed an American officer attempting to fly. I immediately darted after him, but he perceiving my intention to capture him, fled with the utmost speed. I pursued, and was gaining on him, when, hearing a confused noise on my left, I observed several bodies of Americans drawn up within the distance of a few yards. Whoever has been in an engagement well knows that, in such moments all fears of death are over. Seeing one of the guards among the slain, where I stood, I stopped and replenished mjr own pouch with the cartridges that remained in his; during the time I was thus employed, several shots were fired at me; but not one took effect. Glancing my eye the other way, I saw a company of the guards advancing to attack these parties. The Reader may perhaps be surprised at the bravery of troops, thus with calm intrepidity attacking superior numbers, when formed into separate bodies, and all acting together; but I can assure him this instance was not peculiar ; it frequently occurred in the British army, during the American war. It was impossible, to join this company, as several of the American parties lay between me and it. I had no time for deliberation. How to act I knew not. On the instant, however, I saw lord Cornwallis riding across the clear ground. His lordship was mounted on a dragoon's horse (his own having been shot;) the saddle-bags were under the creature's belly, which much retarded [slowed] his progress, owing to the vast quantity of underwood that was spread over the ground; his lordship was evidently unconscious of his danger. I immediately laid hold of the bridle of his horse, and turned his head. I then mentioned to him, that if his lordship had pursued the same direction, he would in a few moments have been surrounded by the enemy, and, perhaps, cut to pieces or captured. I continued to run along side of the horse, keeping the bridle in my hand, until his lordship, gained the 23d regiment, which was at that time drawn up in the skirt of the woods.

Source:

An original and authentic journal of occurrences during the late American war, from its commencement to the year 1783 by R. Lamb, late Sergeant in the Royal Welch Fuzileers. First published in 1809. Accessed through HathiTrust.