Existing comment:
The Battle Begins.
You are standing roughly 200 yards behind the first American line, which stood located across what was then an open field. A quarter-mile away, the British arrived and formed well-ordered ranks on either side of New Garden Road. To the untrained North Carolina militia -- citizen-soldiers -- the approaching redcoats appeared confident and lethally professional.
The battle began with a terrifying exchange of cannon fire, the roll of drums, and a clear view of British bayonets.
As the redcoats advanced, an American volley tore holes in their ranks, but the battle-hardened soldiers closed the gaps and at fifty yards fired a return volley into the patriot line.
The British then charged with bayonets lowered and the center of the American line panicked and ran. From an American perspective, the battle got off to a disastrous start.
You are standing in the trace of the historic Salisburg Road (now New Garden Road). Once Greene received intelligence that the British were on the move, he ensured a fight by placing troops across this road. Concerned about the front-line militia's reliability, Greene planned a defense of depth, deploying a second line of militia and a third line of experienced Continental soldiers. |