Cowan's Ford

On February 1, 1781, American militia under the command of Gen. William Davidson attempted to confront and delay Gen. Cornwallis’s forces. The British attempted to surprise the American militia by crossing at Cowan’s Ford, but were met by American militia, resulting in a skirmish where Gen. Davidson died. The American militia retreated after delaying the British with the skirmish.

Davidson's troops carried out a recurring strategy that enabled Generals Nathaneal Greene and Daniel Morgan to preserve the American Continental soldiers as they made their way to Virginia. It was a crucial race, avoiding confrontation with Charles Lord Cornwallis until the Americans were prepared to fight. The delay strategy plagued Cornwallis all the way, just enough for the Americans to slip from his grasp. General William Lee Davidson's death at Cowan's Ford was a great blow to General Greene and General Morgan, as well as to the people of North Carolina.