The Battle Begins

You are standing 200 yards behind the first American line, which stood looking across what was then an open field. A quarter-mile away the British arrived and formed well-ordered ranks on either side of New Garden Road. To the untrained North Carolina militia &#8211; citizen-soldiers &#8211; the approaching redcoats appeared confident and lethally professional.<br><br>The battle began with a terrifying exchange of canon fire, the roll of drums, and a clear view of British bayonets.<br><br>As the redcoats advanced, an American volley tore holes in their ranks, but the battle-hardened soldiers closed the gaps and at fifty yards fired a return volley into the patriot line.<br><br>The British then charged with bayonets lowered, and the center of the American line panicked and ran. From an American perspective, the battle got off to a disastrous start.