In Halifax, local Patriots gathered once again to try to stop Lord Cornwallis's march north to Virginia. Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton was not leading the Redcoats this time - instead he decided to circle around the small town and to come in from the north, behind the Patriots. He struck them while they were assembling on a bridge, but this time he lost three dragoons and a number of horses killed.

The local militia did not disperse, but instead occupied a redoubt on the other side of the Roanoke River. Major General Nathanael Greene's engineer - Thaddeus Kosciuszko - had built the redoubt when he correctly guessed that Lord Cornwallis would come to the important town of Halifax.

Lt. Col. Tarleton observed that the redoubt was overlooked by higher ground on the other side of the river. A cannon from the main force would easily drive the Patriots away. He sent a request to send the Guards on horseback since he only had light troops and about sixty infantry to hold the ground. Lord Cornwallis sent out a party of pioneers and a cannon.

However, the field piece did not drive away the Patriots and they continued to fire upon the Redcoats, even as Lord Cornwallis occupied their town on May 11th. Cornwallis finally sent a large detachment across the river and they drove off the rebels.

The British army did not treat the town kindly after the long standoff. There was so much looting that Lord Cornwallis had to court-martial and execute a sergeant and a dragoon. He then dispatched Lt. Col. Hamilton and his men onward to find Major General Phillips's location in Virginia. Shortly thereafter, he moved his army across the Roanoke River and into Virginia.

Lord Cornwallis's plan to split the northern and southern colonies would most likely work as long as Major General Phillips elected to collaborate with him. Fortunately, Major General Phillips died of a fever a few days before Lord Cornwallis made it to Virginia.

Lt. General Charles, Lord Cornwallis - Commanding Officer

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