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Old 09-21-2010, 06:56 PM
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For a tactical masterpiece, study Nathaniel Greene's battle plan for the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in N. C. (Greene was a Quaker, but felt the cause so just he must take up arms. He was known as "The Quaker General". He survived the War, but lost virtually everything during it, and died in a state of near poverty.)

Marvelous use of the resources at hand.

Basically, since he had little resources, he led the Brits on a wild goose chase around the coountry for 2 or 3 weeks, tiring them out, and forcing them to abandon supply wagons and other heavy resources to follow him in rough country.

He stood at Guilford CH with a brilliant plan that involved 3 lines. First two were to fire volleys and fall back, everyone ultimately standing at the last line. This plan would help to overcome the colonials' lack of training, ability, and possession of the bayonet, which of course the Brits relied on heavily.

Long detailed story worth studying.
At one point, it looked so likely that the Americans would carry the field that the Brits fired grape into the melee at the battle line where their own troops were engaged in CQB! A Brit major was killed by his own side's grape, but it did break up the line, and Greene's forces faded into the woods at their rear.

Technically a Brit victory, but so costly they never fought another major battle in the South, and moved most troops to the North.
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Lee Jarrett

Last edited by handejector; 09-21-2010 at 06:59 PM.
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