When I first began visiting Durham about 12 years ago, it struck me
as strange that a major road was named in honor of British General
Charles Cornwallis. He was, after all, the "enemy" of American
Revolutionary forces and there was no Revolutionary War activity in
Durham County - or so I thought.
It turns out that there is a local legend that after the British
Army's victory at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781,
General Cornwallis's army retreated through what is now Durham
County and built a new road as they went along. Present day
Cornwallis Road was thought to be that road.
There are tales of Cornwallis's "Pioneers" (sort of an early
version of the Army Corp of Engineers) felling trees, pulling
stumps, clearing stones and building a road in short order for the
army and its wagons and heavy artillery to move over.
However, Colonial Governor William Tryon, traveling with the
British, kept a journal of daily activities of the army and
historians have found little in his journal to prove that a road
was actually built by Cornwallis's army. There just wasn't time to
cut a road through what was then mostly virgin forest.
It is, however, believed that Cornwallis's troops did
actually travel through portions of what is now Durham County,
possibly on the old stage road that ran from Raleigh to Chapel
Hill. This stage road ran through what is now the southern portion
of Durham County, nowhere near Cornwallis Road.
Despite the British victory at Guilford Courthouse, the British
Army was so decimated (with 25% casualties), that this battle
marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War and lead to the our
ultimate victory. So perhaps it is appropriate that Cornwallis be
remembered by this road.
It probably took you longer to read my history lesson than it
will to find this cache. You are seeking an Altoid's tin, fitted
with magnets. This portion of Cornwallis Road is lightly traveled,
but you may find the occasional muggle driving by. Be stealthy
while finding and rehiding the cache.
Only the very smallest trade items for this one or you can just
sign the log.
Have fun!