FLUVANNA.
Fluvanna was formed in 1777, from Albemarle. It is 26 m.
long, and 16 wide. The Rivanna enters it from Albemarle, and
flowing SE. through the co., divides it nearly equally. The surface
is generally broken, excepting between the James and the Rivanna,
where there is a large tract of barren level land. The soil on
the rivers is good, and that on the James extremely fertile. Gold
has been found and worked near Palmyra. Much tobacco is
raised in the county, and of a superior quality. Pop., whites 4,445,
slaves 4,146, free colored 221; total, 8,812.
Palmyra, the county-seat, lies on the Rivanna, 62 miles westerly
from Richmond. It contains about 20 dwellings. Columbia, on
the Rivanna, at its junction with the James, is a village somewhat
larger. At the Union Mills, on the Rivanna, in the NW. part of
the county, is an extensive cotton factory, situated in the midst of
beautiful mountain and river scenery.
At the confluence of the two branches of the James, in this county,
is a point of land called the Point of Fork, where, in the latter
part of the revolution, a state arsenal was established, and a large
quantity of military stores collected. When the state was invaded
by Cornwallis, Baron Steuben had charge of this post. When
Tarleton was detached to Charlottesville, Lieut.-Col. Simcoe was
sent to destroy the magazines at the Point of Fork, and he was
ultimately to be joined by Tarleton, to assist his intended operations.
The following details of this excursion are from Girardin:
With their accustomed eagerness and activity, the two indefatigable and dreaded partisans
entered upon the execution of their respective tasks. This double movement rendered
Steuben's situation unusually perilous. The extreme difficulty of obtaining prompt
and correct information respecting the British and their schemes—the severe precautions
which Simcoe took for securing every person met or seen on his route, effectually concealed
his march from the baron. The latter, however, became apprized of Tarleton's
rapid advance. Imagining himself the immediate object of it, he lost no time in transporting
his stores to the south side of the Fluvanna, intending himself speedily to follow,
with the whole division under his command. When Simcoe reached the Point of Fork,
the American stores had been removed, and Steuben's detachment had crossed the river,
except about 30 men, then awaiting the return of the boats to embark and join their
friends. These men unavoidably fell into the hands of the British cavalry. The river
was deep and unfordable, and all the boats had been secured on the south side of it:
Simcoe's main object was, therefore, frustrated. Under the mortification arising from
this disappointment, a singular stratagem occurred to his wily mind. It was to impress
the baron with the belief that the troops now at the Point of Fork were the advance of
the British army, ready to overwhelm him; and thus to work upon his fears so far as to
induce him to sacrifice most of the stores which had been transported over the Fluvanna.
For this purpose he encamped on the heights opposite to Steuben's new station, advantageously
displaying his force, and by the number of his fires suggesting a probability
of the main body, headed by Cornwallis, having actually reached the neighborhood.
The baron, who had been informed that the corps under Tarleton threatened his left,
now fancied himself in imminent danger. Retreating precipitately during the night, he
marched near 30 miles from the Point of Fork, abandoning to the enemy such stores as
could not be removed. In the morning, Simcoe observing the success of his stratagem,
and wishing to give it still further effect, procured some small canoes, and sent across
the river Capt. Stephenson, with a detachment of light infantry, and Cornet Wolsey
with four hussars. The former was directed to destroy the stores and arms which the
baron had left behind in the hurry and confusion of his premature retreat; and the latter,
to mount his hussars, who had carried their saddles over with them, on such straggling
horses as he was likely to find, to patrol some miles on the route taken by Steuben—in
short, to exhibit every appearance of eager and formidable pursuit. Both these orders
were successfully executed. Stephenson performed, without delay or annoyance, the
task of destruction assigned to him; and Wolsey so confirmed the belief of Steuben that
the whole British army was close in his rear, that he accelerated his march, retiring still
further from the river. His object was to resume his original destination, and join Gen.
Greene; but he received fresh orders not to leave the state, so long as Cornwallis should
continue there. On the militia under Lawson, a similar injunction was laid. British
historians have greatly exaggerated the loss sustained by the Americans at the Point of
Fork. Of their thrasonic accounts, undoubted evidence is in the hands of the author
of this narrative.
