Location
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Coordinates: 35.6429, -79.9012.
Type: Sight
Tour: Guilford Battle
County: Randolph
Partial
Near the coordinates, a small set of trees in the field on the right surrounds the Balfour family graveyard. Look for a small roadside sign that says, “Randolph County Historical Landmark.” Beside it, an unpaved vehicle track runs through the field to the graves. They and the homesite can be seen from your vehicle if necessary, by driving first to the graveyard, and then back to and up Doul Mountain Road to the summit.
However, the property is publicly owned, so feel free to wander. But don’t go too far downslope. That area is posted against trespassing because it is under the flight path to the nearby airport. You might see a small plane flying low enough to make you duck!
Context
As part of an ongoing civil war between partisans after the main British and Continental armies left the state in 1781, units under Patriot Col. Andrew Balfour and Loyalist Col. David Fanning have been skirmishing.
Situation
Loyalist
Fanning is based at Cox’s Mill south of today’s Ramseur. He handpicked 25 men and had them create intimidating uniforms. They then rode west to ambush Balfour and other Patriots in this area.
Patriot
Balfour is on leave at his plantation home, perhaps recovering from a camp illness. With him are his sister Margaret and his young daughter Isabel. He had planned on having his wife and other children in Connecticut join them here years earlier, but the shift of the war to the south in 1780 caused a delay.
Date
Sunday, March 10, 1782.
Timeline
