 After resting his troops , General Greene recrossed the Dan and returned to North Carolina . He and Cornwallis then engaged in a military dance of sorts , where Cornwallis tried to bring Greene to battle , while Greene , awaiting the arrival of more troops , sought to avoid it . Cornwallis 's force was also constantly suffering food shortages , and the earl ensured that officers and soldiers shared equally in the suffering . Cornwallis was unable to intercept the arriving reinforcements , and learned that Greene had taken up a position at Guilford Courthouse on March 14 , apparently ready to do battle . In the ensuing battle the next day , Cornwallis was victorious , but at significant cost . Greene 's army had numbered over 4 @,@ 000 men , while Cornwallis 's was only about 2 @,@ 000 . The British successfully pushed the Americans back , but Cornwallis was several times in personal danger , and he was forced to commit his reserves early in the battle . With a furious melee going on before him and the outcome of the battle appearing to hang in the balance , Cornwallis made a controversial decision . He ordered his artillery to load with grape shot and fire into the melee , which included men from the elite Brigade of Guards . General O 'Hara protested the move , but Cornwallis said " This is a necessary evil which we must endure , to arrest the impending destruction . " A final charge then broke the Americans , who disengaged , leaving their artillery on the field . Although Cornwallis had won the battle , he had lost a quarter of his army , and the survivors were exhausted . 
