March 12, 2026
Mr. McDowell (for himself, Mr. Hudson, and Ms. Foxx) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
Recognizing the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and encouraging all United States citizens to visit the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Whereas, on March 15, 1781, during the Revolutionary War, American forces under the command of Major General Nathanael Greene clashed with British forces under Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in Guilford County, North Carolina;
Whereas the Battle of Guilford Courthouse was one of the largest engagements in the Southern Theater of the Revolutionary War, involving roughly 4,500 American and 2,100 British troops and militia;
Whereas the first line of the American force was comprised primarily of North Carolina militiamen;
Whereas, during the hours-long battle, the British army took the field at great cost while General Greene skillfully kept his army intact and organized an orderly withdraw;
Whereas the battle was a pyrrhic victory for the British, who lost a quarter of their force in a single day;
Whereas General Cornwallis failed in his goal of capturing and destroying General Greene’s army;
Whereas, after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, General Greene was able to launch a campaign to unravel British control over the Carolinas;
Whereas, after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, General Cornwallis was forced to seek resupply and reinforcements, first in Wilmington, North Carolina, then in Yorktown, Virginia, where he was ultimately trapped and forced to surrender by General George Washington;
Whereas the Battle of Guilford Courthouse was a significant moment in the direction of the Revolutionary War, made possible by the bravery and sacrifice of the American and North Carolinian troops and militiamen who fought there;
Whereas, in 1917, Congress provided for the establishment of the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park to preserve the historic battlefield and allow United States citizens to see this history firsthand;
Whereas the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is still open to this day, and presents a great opportunity for United States citizens interested in learning more about our country’s history during the 250th anniversary of our independence; and
Whereas March 15, 2026, marks the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse: Now, therefore, be it
Sec.
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
recognizes the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in Guilford County, North Carolina;
(2)
honors the bravery and sacrifice of the American and North Carolinian patriots who fought and died at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse;
(3)
recognizes the significant role that the Battle of Guilford Courthouse played in our country’s successful fight for independence; and
(4)
encourages all United States citizens to visit Guilford County, North Carolina, and tour the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our independence.