In 1781, Point of Fork was an important supply depot and arsenal of the Virginia government, and Baron von Steuben, commanding the American forces there, trained recruits for Green's army in the South. When Cornwallis's approach threatened the post, Steuben moved stores across the James River. On June 4, 1781, Colonel Simcoe and his cavalry made Steuben believe that the whole British army was at hand, and Steuben retreated, leaving stores to be destroyed.