Bits & Pieces of History - The Battle of Guilford Courthouse

 Kerenhappuch Norman Turner and her husband James were Virginians and the parents of one son, James Jr., and four daughters.  After James Sr. died in 1773 the family remained in Virginia and fervently supported the Revolution.  James Jr. became a Captain and seven Turner grandsons joined the Rebel Army.  In 1781, Captain Turner’s company was sent south to Guilford County NC.  All eight of the Turner men fought at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse where James was seriously wounded.When Kerenhappuch received word her son had been wounded she rode on horseback to care for him and other wounded soldiers.Following the war the families of James, one daughter and Kerenhappuch relocated to Richmond County NC on the Little River.  She continued riding and hunting until 1805 when her horse threw her and she died of a broken neck. On July 4^th 1902 a monument was dedicated to Kerennappuch Norman Turner at the site of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Its granite base is crowned with the bronze figure of a woman carrying a folded towel over one arm and a tea cup and saucer in the other.

The following letter is a poignant picture of the feelings of the men who fought that day.

ON THE DAY OF THE BATTLE OF GUILFORD COURTHOUSE, 1781

Camp Guilford Ct. House, 15 Mar 1781

"My Dear Nancy ...

It is scarcely possible to paint the agitations of my mind (if it were worth

the while), struggling with two of the greatest events that are in the nature at

the same time - the fate of my Nancy and my Country. 0 my God, I trust them with

thee; do with them for the best; The day seems nearly at hand that will render North Carolina perfectly happy

or completely miserable. Our General is a great and good man, his army numerous

and apparently confident in victory. ... If we succeed against Lord CORNWALLIS

we expect to be discharged instantly, for by that time the Continental troops will

eat all the provisions this country and South Carolina can afford... this is the

very day that I hope will be given me a creature capable of enjoying what its

father hopes to deserve and earn - the sweets of Liberty and Grace..."

[From: The American Historical Register, by Charles H. Browning (ed) (Philadelphia;

The Historical Register Publishing Co., 1895), p. 1123 (June 1895) - Ltr from

Richard HARRISON to his wife, Mrs. Anne HARRISON of Granville County, N. C.]

posted by: DAR member Diane Price