Location
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Coordinates: 36.1785, -80.3392.
Type: Sight
Tour: Wachovia
County: Forsyth
Partial
The heart of Bethania retains the feel and street grid of the town founded in 1759. Start in the parking lot at the Bethania Visitor Center. Consider touring it if open to learn more about the town’s fascinating history, and pick up walking tour and trail maps. Our page focuses on the most dramatic visit in that history, during the American Revolution.
Seeing everything well requires walking on rock pathways and hiking a short forest trail. Most spots can be seen from a vehicle either in passing or by briefly parking in narrow side streets.
Context
The British army of Lt. Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis has chased a Continental Army from west of Charlotte, in what today is called “The Race to the Dan.”
Situation
British
With the Yadkin River still too high to cross at the Trading Ford near Salisbury, where the Continental Army had escaped using boats it kept on its side, Cornwallis decided to move upriver and cross at Shallow Ford directly west of here. He hoped to resupply at the Moravian towns in this area, because he burned most of his wagon train and supplies at Ramsour’s Mill (in modern Lincolnton) to move faster.
Continental
Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene’s army had camped at Abbott’s Creek south of Salem to observe Cornwallis. Once he learned of Cornwallis’ move, he shifted north toward Guilford Court House (in today’s Greensboro) in hopes of confronting the British there.
Moravians
Members of the “United Brethren” or Moravian Church, mostly immigrants from Germany or their descendants, had built a half-dozen towns within the 98,000-acre Wachovia Tract in what became Forsyth County, including Bethania (“beth-A-ni-ah”). They were peaceful by doctrine and did not join armies. They have tried throughout the war to stay neutral, feeding and selling goods to both sides, and thus have suffered abuse from both sides.
See “Historical Tidbits” below for more on Bethania.
Date
Friday, February 9, 1781.
Timeline
