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Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
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Source:  Crown Forces Monument, Guilford Courthouse. Photo by Rusty Long

  • Monument Name

    Crown Forces Monument, Guilford Courthouse

  • Type

    Obelisk

  • Subjects

    Revolutionary War, 1775-1783

  • City

    Greensboro

  • County

    Guilford

  • Description

    The monument is a granite obelisk standing atop a plinth with inscriptions that include a list of the British forces that fought in the battle. The obelisk/plinth sits upon a double base and poured concrete foundation. Total height is approximately 16ft.

    Images: Far-off view | Front inscription | Rear inscription | Left inscription | Right inscription

  • Inscription

    Front: LT. GEN. CHARLES, 2ND EARL CORNWALLIS / COMMANDING GENERAL / LEST WE FORGET

    Left Side: HESSEN-KASSEL REGIMENT VON BOSE / DET. HESSEN-KASSEL JAGERKORPS / DET. ANSBACH-BAYREUTH JAGERKORPS / DET. 17TH REGIMENT OF LIGHT DRAGOONS / BRITISH LEGION CAVALRY / ROYAL NORTH CAROLINA REGIMENT

    Rear: IN MEMORY OF THE MEN WHO FOUGHT / AND THE UNITS OF THE CROWN FORCES / IN WHICH THEY SERVED AT THE / BATTLE OF GUILFORD COURTHOUSE / MARCH 15, 1781 / MMXVI

    Right Side: DET. 1ST REGIMENT OF FOOT GUARDS / DET. COLDSTREAM REGIMENT / OF FOOT GUARDS / DET. 3RD REGIMENT OF FOOT GUARDS / 23RD REGIMENT OF FOOT, / ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS / 33RD REGIMENT OF FOOT / 2ND BATTALION, 71ST REGIMENT OF FOOT, FRASER’S HIGHLANDERS / DETS. CAPT. T. JOHNSON’S AND / CAPT. C. WOOD’S COYS, / ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY

  • Custodian

    Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

  • Dedication Date

    March 13, 2016

  • Decade

    2010s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    36.131740 , -79.846620 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Series

    Guilford Courthouse Battleground

  • Supporting Sources

      "Crown Forces at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse," The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed August 29, 2020) Link

      Gamm, Joe. “loss’ we savor,” News and Record (Greensboro, NC), March 13, 2016, 1b

      Queram, Kate Elizabeth. , “Inside Scoop: The British Have Come,” News and Record (Greensboro, NC), March 25, 2016

      William Richardson. “Crown Forces Monument at Guilford Courthouse Dedicated,” SECTV, Columbia, SC, (accessed November 4, 2019) Link

      “Crown Forces Monument Dedication,” Guilford Battleground Company, http://guilfordbattlegroundcompany.org, (accessed November 4, 2019) Link

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Granite

  • Sponsors

    Guilford Battleground Company

  • Monument Dedication and Unveiling

    Speakers at the dedication ceremony included Park Superintendent Doyle Sapp, Guilford Battleground Company President Ed Deaton, historian Dr. Larry Babits, and Col. Nicholas Lock, Assistant Military Attaché, British Embassy, Washington, DC. Jay Callaham presided as Master of Ceremonies. The Guilford Courthouse Fife and Drum Corps provided period music. An Honor Guard composed of reenactors fired a three volley salute. Photos from the Crown Forces Monument dedication ceremony.

  • Location

    The obelisk is at the intersection of Greenhurst Drive and Green Acres Lane, on the right when traveling south on Greenhurst Drive. Marker is in Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, on the Auto Tour between the Visitor Center and stop 2. The obelisk is located in Greensboro NC 27410.

  • Landscape

    The memorial stands on the grass surrounded by mature trees.

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