Leaving Louisa

Leaving Louisa. "Evading Capture by the Dragoons". , Early on the morning of June 4, 1781, John "Jack" Jouett Jr. galloped up the road behind you, veering left on West Green Springs Rd. Just four hours after leaving the tavern in Cuckoo on the eastern side of Louisa County, he passed by this point skirting just south of Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton's 250 British dragoons., Tarleton's troops were on their way west from Cook's Ford on the North Anna River, intent on capturing Thomas Jefferson and preventing the Virginia Assembly from convening. Jouett, alerted to the British movements, saddled up and slipped away along familiar roads like this one., Around 4:30 in the morning, Jouett arrived at Monticello, giving Jefferson time to dispatch his family and collect papers before his departure. Jouett then continued into Charlottesville to raise the alarm among the remaining Assemblymen. Though most escaped, seven delegates were captured by Tarleton, including Daniel Boone., (captions) , Born in Liverpool in 1754, Sir Banastre Tarleton was a prominent British soldier who quickly rose through the ranks of Cornwallis' army. Tarleton's 1787 memoir serves as a first-hand account of British movements and motives during Jouett's ride. Sir Joshua Reynolds, Portrait of Sir Banastre Tarleton (1754-1833), 1782, Oil on canvas, The National Gallery, London. Courtesy of The National Gallery, London
, Boswell's Tavern was a primary meeting place for revolutionaries including Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and James Madison. When Tarleton's men passed by the tavern, they captured and burned two wagonloads of munitions and supplies. The 1735 building later served as Lafayette's headquarters. Louisa County Historical Society, Boswell's Tavern, 2016, Sargeant Museum pf Louisa County History, Louisa, VA. Courtesy of the Louisa County Historical Society, Growing up in Louisa County, Jack was familiar with the area. In addition to their tavern and residence in Charlottesville, the Jouetts maintained a family farm near Cuckoo until at least 1786. The exact route of Jouett's ride is unknown but approximated here based on historic maps.