After General Morgan's victory in the Battle of Cowpens, both Gen. Morgan and Gen. Greene knew that Gen. Cornwallis would not allow the victory to go unavenged. At the same time, Gen. Morgan did not want to give up his prisoners or supplies. Gen. Greene thus directed his army north, while at the same time taking direct control over the troops of the badly ailing Gen. Morgan. Gen. Greene then masterly withdrew northward, skillfully delaying Cen. Cornwallis all the way. In order to catch up with the Americans, Gen. Cornwallis burned his supply train and extra supplies.

Gen. Greene retreated all the way back to Virginia, pulling Cen. Cornwallis the whole way. When it became clear that Gen. Greene and the Americans had gotten away, Gen. Cornwallis realized how exposed he was, with no supplies in hostile territory. He began withdrawing southward. Gen. Greene and the Americans followed.

When the British arrived at Guilford Court House, Gen. Greene felt the time was right to fight. Gen. Green had 4,300 troops, of which 1,600 were Continental regulars, facing 2,200 British regulars. The battle lasted for most of the day. The result was a British victory in the sense that the Americans were dislodged from their positions and forced to withdraw. The cost to the British, however, was too high. The British lost 93 killed and 439 wounded, while the Americans lost 78 killed and 183 wounded. Cornwallis' army was now in tatters.