Battle of Wetzell's Mill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Wetzell's Mill
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date March 6, 1781 Location Guilford County, North Carolina Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Great Britain Loyalists	United States
Commanders and leaders
Banastre Tarleton	Otho Williams
Strength
1,200 regulars and militia	600-700 militia
Casualties and losses
30 killed or wounded	10 killed 20 wounded

The Battle of Wetzell's Mill was a small but important fight during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on March 6, 1781, in Guilford County, North Carolina. In this battle, American soldiers and local fighters (called militia) faced off against British troops and Americans who supported the British (called Loyalists). The battle got its name from Wetzell's Mill, a place near a river crossing.

General Nathanael Greene led the American forces, known as the Continental Army. He wanted to avoid a big battle with the larger British army, led by General Lord Cornwallis. Greene was waiting for more American soldiers to arrive. He sent Colonel Otho Williams and several hundred men to watch Cornwallis's movements.

On March 4, Cornwallis found out where Williams was. Williams's men were separated from Greene's main army by Reedy Ford Creek. Cornwallis saw a chance to trap Williams. He sent Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton and 1,200 men towards the ford at Wetzell's Mill.

Early on March 6, Tarleton's men tried to surprise Williams's troops. After a short fight, both sides raced towards the ford. Williams kept Harry "Light Horse" Lee's cavalry in the back to protect their retreat. Williams's men reached the ford first and crossed the river. He then decided to make a stand and defend the crossing.

Background to the Battle

The Southern Strategy

The British tried to take back control of their American colonies. They focused on the southern colonies like Georgia and South Carolina. This plan was called the "southern strategy." By early 1781, the British had captured Savannah, Georgia. They had also defeated two American armies.

General Cornwallis was chasing the third American army. This army was led by General Nathanael Greene. Greene had a smaller, faster army. He had divided his forces at one point. This led to a big American victory. General Daniel Morgan defeated Tarleton's cavalry at the Battle of Cowpens in January 1781.

The Race to the Dan River

Cornwallis wanted to defeat Morgan or Greene before they could join forces. He got rid of anything that slowed his army down. Greene and Morgan did manage to join up. But their army was still weak. Many soldiers' enlistments were ending. So, Greene kept retreating north towards Virginia. He avoided a full-scale battle. This period became known as the "Race to the Dan." The Dan River flows near the border of Virginia and North Carolina.

Greene's army reached the Dan River before Cornwallis. The river was swollen from heavy rains. Greene's men crossed to safety in Virginia.

Greene's Return and Williams's Mission

After getting more supplies and soldiers, Greene crossed back into North Carolina. He wanted to finally face Cornwallis. Greene moved his main army around Guilford County, North Carolina. He sent Colonel Otho Williams with light infantry, riflemen, and Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee's cavalry. Williams's job was to stay close to Cornwallis's army. This allowed Greene to plan his moves without a big fight. Cornwallis, in turn, sent Tarleton to find Greene's army.

On March 3, Williams sent some men to bother the British camp. They killed several guards and captured two prisoners. They then returned to Williams's camp at Wetzell's Mill. This mill was near a ford across Reedy Ford Creek. Cornwallis ordered Tarleton to go after Williams on March 6.

The Battle at Wetzell's Mill

Williams knew Tarleton was coming. He quickly moved most of his men across the ford. They set up a defensive line on the other side. Tarleton's men then pushed the last of Williams's light infantry across the river.

Tarleton sent a group of soldiers from the 23rd Regiment to charge across the ford. Williams's riflemen were told to aim at the British officer leading the charge. Henry Lee later wrote that they "discharged their rifles at him, one by one." But the officer and his horse were not hit. The British eventually managed to cross the creek. After chasing Williams's men for several miles, Tarleton gave up. He then rejoined Cornwallis's main army.

Aftermath

Williams and his men rejoined Greene's army. Soon after, Greene received 2,500 more soldiers. With these new troops, Greene prepared to meet Cornwallis. They fought a major battle near Guilford County, North Carolina. This was the important Battle of Guilford Court House on March 15.