Beat the Drum for Liberty and the Spirit of '76

Front:
Vignettes of Americana issued for the new Postage Rates 1975 USA RATE BEAT THE DRUM FOR LIBERT 79 USA-BULK RATE TAMI BEAT THE DRUM FOR APR 23 1976 33152 FIRST DAY OF ISSUE The drum that Led Americans ạt the Battle of Guilford Courthouse 1781 ficial First Day Cover ERTY AND THE SPIRIT OF 76 TYAND THE SPIRIT OF '76

Back:
Heetwood 7.9c COLONIAL DRUM Bulk Rate Coil Issue The drum is mankind's oldest musical instrument, with the most ancient known dating back 8,000 years. Providing the cadence for marching men, the field drum shown in the cachet was beaten by Luther W. Clark during the famous Battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781. It is on display today at the Visitor Center at the site of that conflict in the National Military Park at Greensboro, North Carolina. General Nathanael Greene had only recently taken command of the entire southern campaign when he determined to rid the area of British troops. After several feinting maneuvers, he confronted Lord Cornwallis and his garrisons at Guilford Courthouse. Enjoying superior numbers, Cornwallis carried the day; however, his was a Pyrrhic victory. A fourth of his men were lost. So savage was the fighting, Cornwallis was able to repel one American advance only by firing artillery into his own front lines. Although victorious that day, the British cause was doomed. The tide had turned, and ultimate victory for the Americans was drawing near.