Cornwallis's letter on his "victory" at Guilford Court House...
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May 12, 1781
THE PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST, Philadelphia, May 12, 1781
* Battle of Guilford Court House
* Lord Charles Cornwallis
The front page has some further details concerning the taking of the "...rebel frigate Confederacy..." by the British ships Roebuck and Orpheus (see).
The most significant report in this issue is the very historic letter from Lord Cornwallis concerning the Battle of Guilford Court House which has prefacing comments on the front page reading: "...with dispatches from lieut. gen. Early Cornwallis gives the commander in chief an opportunity of announcing to this part of the army the victory obtained by the king's troops under his lordship's orders over the rebel army in North Carolina on the 15th of March; in his lordship's own words:" and what follows, on page 2, is the actual letter of Cornwallis datelined "Camp at Guilford, 17th of March, 1781" in which he reports the "victory", but noting: "...The great fatigue of the troops, the number of wounded, and the want of provisions, prevented our pursuing them beyond the Reedy Fork the afternoon of the action." (see for full letter)
In the greater scope of the Revolutionary War this was actually a victory for the Americans under Generals Greene and Morgan, for although Cornwallis was considered the victor of this battle his losses were so severe that he abandons the campaign to establish British control over the Carolinas.
The back page also includes "A Proclamation" from Pennsylvania (see for beginning).
This is a single sheet newspaper as issued, with the imprint appearing at the bottom of pg. 2. Late in the war many issues of this title were single sheet, likely due to the scarcity of newsprint. Very nice condition, measures 8 by 10 1/4 inches.
* Battle of Guilford Court House
* Lord Charles Cornwallis
The front page has some further details concerning the taking of the "...rebel frigate Confederacy..." by the British ships Roebuck and Orpheus (see).
The most significant report in this issue is the very historic letter from Lord Cornwallis concerning the Battle of Guilford Court House which has prefacing comments on the front page reading: "...with dispatches from lieut. gen. Early Cornwallis gives the commander in chief an opportunity of announcing to this part of the army the victory obtained by the king's troops under his lordship's orders over the rebel army in North Carolina on the 15th of March; in his lordship's own words:" and what follows, on page 2, is the actual letter of Cornwallis datelined "Camp at Guilford, 17th of March, 1781" in which he reports the "victory", but noting: "...The great fatigue of the troops, the number of wounded, and the want of provisions, prevented our pursuing them beyond the Reedy Fork the afternoon of the action." (see for full letter)
In the greater scope of the Revolutionary War this was actually a victory for the Americans under Generals Greene and Morgan, for although Cornwallis was considered the victor of this battle his losses were so severe that he abandons the campaign to establish British control over the Carolinas.
The back page also includes "A Proclamation" from Pennsylvania (see for beginning).
This is a single sheet newspaper as issued, with the imprint appearing at the bottom of pg. 2. Late in the war many issues of this title were single sheet, likely due to the scarcity of newsprint. Very nice condition, measures 8 by 10 1/4 inches.
Category: Revolutionary War
