South Boston in Halifax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Campaign of 1781

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 30, 2025

1. Campaign of 1781 Marker

Inscription. Boyd's and Irwin's ferries to the west were used by Nathanael Greene in his passage of Dan River, in mid-February, 1781, while Cornwallis was in close pursuit. Edward Carrington collected the boats for the crossing.

Erected 1939 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number UL-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.

Location. 36° 41.764′ N, 78° 53.976′ W. Marker is in South Boston, Virginia, in Halifax County. It is at the intersection of Broad Street (Business U.S. 501) and Wren Street, on the right when traveling north on Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: South Boston VA 24592, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Southside Virginia,

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Retreat to the Dan (here, next to this marker); D-Day Normandy (a few steps from this marker); Crossing of the Dan (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Constitution Square (about 500 feet away); Memorial Cannon (about 600 feet

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away); Glasscock Hardware Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); South Boston Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Refuge and Recovery in Halifax County (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Boston.

Also see . . . The Crossing of the Dan. (Submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

2. Campaign of 1781 Marker

Broad St view of the Dan River (facing south) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 18, 2010

3. Broad St view of the Dan River (facing south)

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 30, 2025

4. Campaign of 1781 Marker

Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, August 30, 2025

5. Campaign of 1781 Marker

Adjacent to the Retreat to the Dan Marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 955 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 2, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on September 2, 2025, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia.