Soon Greene found himself strong enough to cross the river again to North Carolina.

He took up a very strong position near Guilford Court House.

Cornwallis attacked.

The Americans made a splendid defense before Greene ordered a retreat, and the British won the battle of Guilford.

But their loss was so great that another victory of the same kind would have destroyed the British army.
As it was, Greene had dealt it such a blow that Cornwallis left his wounded at Guilford and set out as fast as he could for the seacoast.
Greene pursued him for some distance and then marched southward to Camden.
[Sidenote: Greene's later campaigns, 1871-83.] 162.