General Greene's Purchasing Decisions
After the battle of Cowpens General Greene made the decision to retreat his forces, which also included Morgan’s troops, to the village of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina. Greene’s decision was based on the fact that they lacked the reinforcements to fight Cornwallis. Greene prefered to fight than retreat and hoped that sufficient forces would be present when he reached Guilford so that he can engage Cornwallis. In traditional military doctrine, armies did not retreat as the Americans did, they either fought or surrender. However, Greene saw the advantage of retreating, as it kept Cornwallis further away from reinforcements and stretched their supplies thin. As the pursuit went on Greene finally reached the Yadkin River. However, the heavy rain made the choppy river hazardous to cross. Greene was faced with another important decision: cross the river or stay and fight. Again
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traditional tactics would not call for a retreat like the one Greene was making. Evidently, Greene knew that if he fought with the river to their back it would be disastrous.
Once again Greene’s unusually strategy to cross the river helped his forces evade destruction. Greene finally made it to Guilford’s, where reinforcements were waiting. With the reinforcements, Greene decided to split his army and retreat into Virginia instead of making a stand at Guilford’s courthouse. Greene with the Larger half stayed East, while the smaller portion of the army headed North-West. Cornwallis was so determined to catch Greene and his forces he did not realize he was falling for their ploy. Thinking he could catch the smaller portion of Greene's army at the Dan River, they turned East at the last moment and were able to cross to Boyd’s Ferry where Greene and his other forces were ready to receive them. Greene’s critical thinking and unorthodox strategy had not only saved his army and the war for the south but, had caused Cornwallis to march two hundred miles away from reinforcements. Cornwallis lost a tenth of his while the rest of his army was physically and mentally
exhausted.
traditional tactics would not call for a retreat like the one Greene was making. Evidently, Greene knew that if he fought with the river to their back it would be disastrous.
Once again Greene’s unusually strategy to cross the river helped his forces evade destruction. Greene finally made it to Guilford’s, where reinforcements were waiting. With the reinforcements, Greene decided to split his army and retreat into Virginia instead of making a stand at Guilford’s courthouse. Greene with the Larger half stayed East, while the smaller portion of the army headed North-West. Cornwallis was so determined to catch Greene and his forces he did not realize he was falling for their ploy. Thinking he could catch the smaller portion of Greene's army at the Dan River, they turned East at the last moment and were able to cross to Boyd’s Ferry where Greene and his other forces were ready to receive them. Greene’s critical thinking and unorthodox strategy had not only saved his army and the war for the south but, had caused Cornwallis to march two hundred miles away from reinforcements. Cornwallis lost a tenth of his while the rest of his army was physically and mentally
exhausted.