The Crossing of the Dan Exhibit Project R & D Planning Page - Segment 5 Exhibit Segments: 1.  Beginning of the war 2.  War moves to the South 3.  Battle of the Cowpens 4.  From the Battle of the Cowpens to the council of war at Guilford Courthouse 5.  From the council of war held at Guilford to the "Crossing of the Dan 6.  The actual "Crossing of the Dan" 7.  Boyd's Ferry 8.  Recrossing of the Dan 9.  Back to Guilford Courthouse 10. Battle of Guilford Courthouse 11. Between Guilford and Yorktown 12. Yorktown surrender 13. War's end 5. Then even more detail describing the "Race to the Dan" from the council of war held at Guilford to the "Crossing of the Dan," including the dividing of the American forces into the main army and the screening force. Summary: Lord Cornwallis thought NG would have to cross the Dan at one of the ferries higher up the river. NG decided to attempt a crossing much farther downstream at Boyd's Ferry, however, after consulting with his quartermaster, Edward Carrington, who had earlier supervised a survey of the river. Carrington recalled in 1809 that "when the retreat was determined on, it was predicated on the certain knowledge, that there was but one boat at Dixon's [Dix's] ferry, from which place, Cornwallis well prepared for rapid movement, was not much more distant than Greene, and that between there and Boyd's ferry inclusive, five more were to be found.... There were then no other boats in the river, other than the wide and shallow flats at the ferries, which it was impossible to carry against the current." Colonel Carrington, however, had been specially charged with this duty by General Greene, with the aid of Captain Smith, of the Maryland line; had anticipated almost any contingency which should require the passage of the river. Greene split off a detachment of light troops under Williams to throw off Cornwallis. Kosciusko had joined Greene, and was sent forward to throw up a breastwork to cover the landing of the boats, and the army commenced its march.General Greene organized a light corps of seven hundred picked troops under Colonels Williams, Carrington, Howard, Washington and Lee, to cover his rear. 13 February. Road to Dix’s Ferry (Rockingham County, N.C.) As part of the American army’s rear guard, Lee’s Legion took an out of the way detour, separate from Williams’ route, in order to avail himself of the plenty present at a nearby farm. Shortly after his men and horses were set up to be fed their breakfast (on the 12th), the shots of his pickets announced the approach of the van of the British army, under Brig. Gen. Charles O’Hara. Lee made immediate arrangements to get his men to safety, while the British were as surprised by his presence as he was by theirs. He rushed to secure a bridge that was key to the escape of his corps, and was thereby able to get his infantry across the nearby stream in time to effect their escape, with his cavalry covering their retreat. The British then continued their pursuit, often being in clear sight of Lee in the course of the day. Lee, thus just narrowly, managed to evade their approaches, and moved along the road to Dix’s, and after that to Boyd’s Ferry. 5.1 Here's the site that allows libraries and historical societies to access the Pennsylvania Gazette on CD-ROM : http://www.accessible.com/about/aboutPG.htm We need: Folio III - (1766 - 1783) "The American Revolution" with a photocopy of the original paper with this story: General MORGAN'S Letter to General GREEN. Camp, near Cain Creek, January 19, 1781. • February 28, 1781 The Pennsylvania Gazette "Intelligence from the Southward" • I think we need to attempt to determine the routes of travel and stopping points and dates and times for both the American and British armies during both the travel from Guilford Courthouse to the two ferry sites and on to Halifax Courthouse (Crystal Hill) and back to Guilford Courthouse. • I think we need to identify each military unit participating, the leaders of each, and their order of march, including the militia forces that came here from many Virginia communities, some of which joined Greene enroute after he recrossed the Dan. Letter from General Greene to General Washington. Camp, Guilford Court-House, 9 February, 1781. Sir, Since I wrote your Excellency by Major Giles, Lord Cornwallis has been constantly in pursuit of the light infantry and the prisoners, is now between the Shallow Ford, upon the Yadkin and Salem, one of the Moravian towns; and still pushing into the country with great rapidity. The moment I was informed of the movements, of Lord Cornwallis, I put the army in motion on Pedee, and left it under the command of Brigadier-General Huger, and set out to join the light infantry, in order to collect the militia, and embarrass the enemy till we could effect a junction of our forces. General Morgan, after the defeat of Tarleton, had very judiciously made forced marches up into the country, and happily crossed the Catawba the evening before a great rain, which prevented the enemy from following him for several days, during which time the prisoners were got over the Yadkin, and on their march for Dan River, which I hope they have passed, and are in Virginia. On my arrival at the light infantry camp, I found them at Sherald's Ford, on the Catawba. The enemy were a little lower down the river, at McCowen’s Ford, and the river still so high that they could not cross. We made the best disposition we could to stop them, when the river should fall. But the fords were so numerous, and our forces so small, that we could not effect it. General Davidson, who had great influence among the Muhlenberg and Roan militia, had made use of all the arguments in his power to get the militia into the field, but without effect. They had been so much in service, and their families so distressed, that they were loath to leave home, even on the most pressing occasion. The enemy crossed at McCowen's Ford, where General Davidson was posted with the greatest part of the militia, who fled at the first discharge. The enemy made good their landing, and the militia retreated. A place of rendezvous was appointed for the militia to collect at, who were posted at the different fords up and down the river above thirty miles. Part of them halted about seven miles short of the place of rendezvous, and were overtaken by Tarleton, and dispersed. I waited that night at the place appointed for the militia to collect at until morning; but not a man appeared. The light infantry continued their march to Salisbury, and crossed the Yadkin. But before we got over all the baggage and stores, the enemy were at our heels. A pretty smart skirmish happened between a party of our riflemen and the advance of the enemy near the ford. We had secured all the boats, and the river was so high that the enemy could not follow us. Heavy rains, deep creeks, bad roads, poor horses, and broken harness, as well as delays for want of provisions, prevented our forming a junction as early as I expected; and, fearing that the river might fall so as to be fordable; I ordered the army to file off to this place, where part of them arrived last evening; the rest I hope will be in this night. The enemy, finding they could not cross the Trading Ford, marched up to the Shallow Ford, where they passed the night before last, and are within twenty-five or thirty miles of this place. As soon as I arrived at the light infantry camp, I wrote letters to all the militia officers over the mountains, and in the upper country, to embody their men and join the army as early as possible. But very few have joined us, and those principally without arms or ammunition. We have no provisions but what we receive from our daily collections. Under these circumstances, I called a Council, who unanimously advised to avoid an action, and to retire beyond the Roanoke immediately. A copy of the proceedings I have the honor to inclose. I had previously ordered all the stores and heavy baggage to be removed to Prince Edward Courthouse; and informed Governor Nash of our, situation. I have formed a light army, composed of the cavalry of the first and third regiments, and the legion, amounting to two hundred and forty; a detachment of two hundred and eighty infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard; the infantry of Lieutenant-Colonel Lee's legion, and sixty Virginia riflemen; making in the whole seven hundred men, who will be ordered, with the militia, to harass the enemy in their advance, check their progress, and, if possible, give us an opportunity to retire without a general action. The force under Lord Cornwallis, consists of between twenty-five hundred and three thousand troops, including near three hundred dragoons, and their mounted infantry. They have destroyed their wagons, and are completely equipped as light infantry. I have the honor to inclose a copy of a letter from Lieutenant- Colonel Lee, extracts of two letters from General Marion, and a copy of a letter from a well-informed gentleman; respecting the operations at Wilmington. General Morgan is so unwell that he has left the army. The enemy, since the action of the 17th ultimo, have pursued him upwards of two hundred miles. He was obliged to leave the wounded, the arms, wagons, and carriages of the artillery, taken in the action; but I hope they have not fallen into the hands of the enemy. I have ordered General Marion to cross the Santee River, and General Sumpter to collect the militia in the upper part of South Carolina. General Pickens has orders to take command of the men in arms in the rear of the enemy. I have wrote Mr. Henry, the late Governor of Virginia, to collect, if possible, fourteen or fifteen hundred volunteers, to aid us, should the enemy attempt to pursue its beyond the Dan River. I had the satisfaction to receive your Excellency's dispatches of the 27th of December, and the 2d and 9th of January, a few days since. I have the honor, to be, with sentiments of the highest esteem and respect, yours, &c. NATHANAEL GREENE.

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