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What do we know about Southside Virginia during the American Revolution? And how did a group of Prince Edward soldiers play a role in that history? Thanks to one Hampden-Sydney College professor, some of that material, including names of those who fought, is being fleshed out. HSC Visiting Lecturer and regional military historian Greg Eanes was one of several people recently honored by the Sons of the American Revolution for their work in support of the 250th Anniversary of that historic event. 

Eanes and his colleagues received ‘Gold Medal’ certifications for their volunteer activities, including work to help provide information for the annual ‘Crossing of the Dan’ events set to take place in February. Eanes also earned the Henry Knox Achievement Medal for his work in support of the Sons and their Halifax chapter. 

And if you’re wondering what that’s all about, ‘The Crossing of the Dan’ focuses on a military maneuver from 1781. While plenty of people have heard of Washington crossing the Delaware to surprise Hessian troops in New Jersey, this situation in 1781 isn’t as well known. The Crossing refers to what took place on Feb. 14, 1781, in what’s now modern day Boyd’s Ferry in South Boston. Gen. Nathaniel Greene had split his forces, to draw the British away from their supplies and wear them down.

Using hit-and-run tactics, Greene headed toward the Dan River, with British Gen. Charles Cornwallis and his soldiers close behind. Cornwallis even destroyed some of his own supplies, in order to speed up his pursuit. Greene’s goal was to get the British away from their supply lines and weaken them, to help when the time came for an actual battle. If the idea sounds somewhat familiar, it likely is. This is the same method Gen. Sam Houston used after the Alamo, to defeat the massive army of Santa Anna. In this case, it helped wear down the British Army, swinging momentum to the Continental side. 

Telling the Southside story 

So how do you tell this story? Who needs to be highlighted? Eanes was one of several people asked to weigh in for the 250th celebration. His background and experience as a public historian had led him to teach a historical research class on the American Revolution at Hampden-Sydney this past semester. With a focus on the ‘Hampden-Sydney Boys’ of 1777, he helped teach students how to research and look for answers about history. When Halifax officials came calling, he simply applied those same tools to help tell a regional story and explain the importance. 

“This work led to the identification of several previously unidentified Halifax veterans who lost their lives in service,” Eanes said. “Their names have since been added to the Halifax County War Memorial. General Nathanael Greene’s ‘Crossing of the Dan’ is not just a Halifax story. It is a Southside and Southwest Virginia story. More than 2,000 Virginia militia were mobilized to support Nathanael Greene. They concentrated at Halifax ‘Old’ Court House’, present day Crystal Hill. Units also encamped on the Bannister River at today’s Halifax Court House.”

The Prince Edward connection

There is a marker today at the Halifax Court House where visitors can stop and read. But we mentioned some Prince Edward residents who played a role. And there were several. 

Notable among Prince Edward militia units supporting Greene’s ‘Crossing’ was young Captain Thomas Watkins’ troop of Dragoons from Prince Edward, which served under Colonel William Washington. Eanes got help identifying some of the members through a payroll list that survived, which is rare for militia units. 

Watkins and several of his troopers were or had been Hampden-Sydney College students. Eanes also pointed to the service of Brigadier General Robert Lawson of Prince Edward, a Hampden-Sydney trustee.  Lawson, a former Continental officer, commanded one of two Virginia Militia brigades making up the second line of Greene’s forces at Guilford Courthouse. 

Other Prince Edward companies under Greene during the campaign included those serving with Captains Nathaniel Cunningham and Ambrose Nelson. A Prince Edward Company under Captain Andrew Baker was attached to the regulars of Colonel Otho Williams which worked as Light Infantry. They had several combat actions before Guilford. 

“The full story of Southside Virginia’s contribution has yet to be told,” Eanes said. “I am working on that but it takes time to adequately research.” 

Southside events to honor the American Revolution 

Eanes encourages residents to drive down and see the ‘Crossing of the Dan’ events, which run from Feb. 13 to Feb. 15 in Halifax County. You can visit www.crossingofthedan.org to see what’s happening. 

In addition to his work in Halifax, Eanes is also taking on projects with Nottoway and Amelia counties, to research, document and draft informational signs to use in their respective 250th celebrations. 

“We have a tendency nowadays to focus only on the soldier in the field,” Eanes said. “The troops needed support and every county in Virginia provided that support in the form of food supplies, transportation and munitions. Every county has a story. Identifying these helps tell the whole story of Virginia’s Revolutionary War experience.”