| The American Revolution - The Southern Campaign |
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February 11, 2006 LOCATION Boyd's Ferry at The Prizery, South Boston, Virginia  Greene effected a junction of the two divisions of his army at Guilford Court House on 9 February, 1781. He had expected here to meet re-enforcements from Virginia, but, as they had not yet arrived, he thought it best to retreat toward them and put the broad stream of the Dan between himself and the enemy. Lord Cornwallis thought Nathanael Greene would have to cross the Dan at one of the ferries higher up the river, however Greene decided to attempt a crossing much farther downstream at Boyd's Ferry. At the start of the race to the Dan River General Greene ordered every boat on the river to be siezed or destroyed, ensuring his safety and preventing a British blocking force from stopping him. By forcing a rapid pace in the retreat he forced the British Commander to burn or leave all excess baggage and equipment behind. This action depleted the British reserves of equipment needed to effectively crush the Colonial Army of the South. On February 13th, Greene, with the main army, crossed the Dan River at Irwin’s Ferry, thanks to the prior collection of boats by Lieut. Col. Edward Carrington, and a survey of the river made by Capt. John Smith of the Maryland line. Some of William’s and Lee’s men crossed at Boyd's Ferry as well. When Colonel Williams, still holding off the British van, received word that all the army was across he passed the word on to his men. The cheer they raised could be heard by the advancing British less than a mile away, and they knew they had lost the race. Greene had defeated them as decisively on the march as he could have on a battlefield. Praise came from both sides. "Bloody" Tarleton later recounted: "Every measure of the Americans during the march from Catawba to Virginia was judiciously designed and vigorously executed." (Aaron) Otho Williams 10 years later corresponded with Light-Horse Harry Lee: "The retreat of the southern army to the Dan River, though now forgotten, was, in my estimation, one of the most masterly and fortunate maneuvers of our beloved Greene."
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| Map to South Boston, VA | dan@possumhollow.us 434.575.7253 |
Troop Movement Map to Boyd's Ferry |
