Doswell in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lafayette and Cornwallis

Photographed by Kathy Walker, March 26, 2008

1. Lafayette and Cornwallis Marker

Inscription.
The Marquis de Lafayette and his outnumbered colonial troops abandoned Richmond on 27 May 1781 to avoid Gen. Charles Cornwallis's approaching forces. Lafayette marched north from Richmond through Hanover County and likely crossed the nearby North Anna River by 31 May. Cornwallis pursued Lafayette to the North Anna River the next day. There Cornwallis sent the British troops west in a two-pronged attack to destroy storehouses and attempt to capture the governor and the General Assembly in Charlottesville. Lafayette continued northward to the Rapidan River to await reinforcements.

Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 27, 1781.

Location. 37° 53.29′ N, 77° 27.967′ W. Marker is in Doswell, Virginia, in Hanover County. It is on Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) 0.3 miles south of Oxford Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is near the North Anna River just south of the Hanover/Caroline County line. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17414 Jefferson Davis Highway, Ashland VA 23005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

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.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: North Anna River (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Caroline County/Hanover County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee And Grant (approx. ¼ mile away); Long Creek Action (approx. 0.4 miles away); North Anna River Campaign (approx. 0.6 miles away); One More River to Cross (approx. 1.4 miles away); Artillery Duel (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Inverted V (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Doswell.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Lee and Grant (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Other Jefferson Davis Highway Markers. This link is for other Jefferson Davis Highway Markers that have been published in the Historical Marker database. Most are similiar to the stone markers shown the photographs. (Submitted on July 16, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Photographed by Kathy Walker, March 26, 2008

2. Lafayette and Cornwallis Marker

Marker is near a stone marker for Jefferson Davis Highway.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, March 26, 2008

3. Lafayette and Cornwallis Marker

Nearby stone marker for Jefferson Davis Highway, Virginia.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, October 11, 2025

4. Lafayette and Cornwallis Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,470 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on October 12, 2025, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.