American patriot Gen. Nathanael Greene was at his best Friday night, “spiriting up the people” and recounting his tale of “annoying” Lord Cornwallis and the British general’s troops as Greene battled to forge America’s freedom.

The successful 1781 February 13-14 Crossing of the Dan here is viewed as pivotal in changing the course of the Southern campaign and American history.

“Those are two of my favorites, ‘spiriting up the people’ and ‘annoying,’” said Greene during the performance.

D’oyle G. Moore’s portrayal of Greene’s Race to the Dan was personal, laced with quotes from letters and original sources, one that opened the pages of history in a personal way.

The strategy, hardships, sacrifice and logistics of guiding his army of regulars and militia as they raced to the Dan River in February of 1781 with Cornwallis in hot pursuit, ignited the slumbering fires of liberty in his audience, one which gave him a standing ovation.

The Revolution is not over, the audience was told. The story must be told and retold, and Virginians were urged “to not forget your tears when telling the story of the Crossing of the Dan.”

The evening opened with the Community Chorale’s presentation of music of the Revolutionary War period featuring selections by William Billings (1746-1800) and Supply Belcher (1751-1836). The Chorale was accompanied by Brenda Fincher on cello and pianist Dr. Tim Duncan.

Saturday morning, the late W. Carroll Headspeth was honored when a window at The Prizery was dedicated in his honor. The window overlooks the site of the Crossing of the Dan, a tale the South Boston author and the late Spurgeon Compton are credited with keeping alive with the book, “Retreat to the Dan.”

“He tried to live to see the same thing happen (as the dedication of Staunton River Battlefield State Park) here,” said Douglas Powell, chairman of the Crossing of the Dan Committee exhibit. “At 103 he did his part, we have just taken too long. When the permanent exhibit here on the

Crossing of the Dan is complete the visitors will be able to look out of this ‘his’ window and see where history was made.”

Following the dedication, Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution officials from Virginia and North Carolina placed wreathes in memory of the American patriots.

A batteau ride across the Dan River to Boyd’s Ferry landing drew riders and observers in spite of rain and muddy conditions.

Lectures by authors John Buchanan, “The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the Carolinas,” and Dr. Lawrence Babits, “A Devil of a Whipping: The Battle of Cowpens,” got under way at 1 p.m., culminating the weekend event.

Throughout the weekend, Revolutionary-era artifacts were on exhibit at The Prizery courtesy of Peggy Hammond and Charles Ware.

A Second Successful Crossing

“I think we’ve established ourselves as a legitimate historic site, as shown by the comments we received by many if not all of the participants that they would definitely come back,” said the event’s coordinator Dan Shaw.

“They were very impressed such a small town was able to put on an event such as this,” said Shaw.

“We were very well pleased,” said Douglas Powell of the event. “What the weather took away from our plans was made up by the realism it provided.”

“There were many who made this weekend a success,” said Barbara Bass, president of the Halifax County Historical Society. “But it could not have happened without great leadership from Dan Shaw, Douglas Powell and Ted Daniel. In sharing this story of the Crossing with the community we hope that we have sparked an interest in this event in history as well as in history in general.”

Virginia Foundation For The Humanities

Roberta Culperson, director of research and education for the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, was joined by VFH media programs associate Lydia Wilson for the two-day event. Wilson interviewed participants and event organizers for a future radio broadcast. A VFH grant helped fund the event, which was free to the public.