An Historic Event that Took Place Under My Kayak

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The historic monument in the photo commemorates how, on February 2nd and 3rd, 1781, General Nathanael Greene, during a tactical retreat from British forces led by Lord Cornwallis, forded the Yadkin River at Trading Ford. At the time the ford was located at approximately the spot where Phil and I launched our kayaks. Before Lord Cornwallis could pursue, a sudden rise in the water level cut him off and allowed the American army time to regroup and move toward Guilford Courthouse where a pivotal battle in the Revolutionary War took place on March 15, 1781. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse was technically a British victory because, after inflicting horrific casualties on the British, Greene withdrew and left the field to what remained of Cornwallis's force. However, Greene had so thoroughly thrashed Cornwallis that the British commander retreated from North Carolina to Virginia where he was eventually trapped and forced to surrender at Yorktown. British Whig Party leader said of the battle, "Another such victory would ruin the British Army!" Because of dams along the river downstream from Trading Ford, the river is now wide and deep at the point where Greene crossed. Still, it was exciting to learn that we were paddling where the men of the Continental Army once outfoxed the British.