 This move inaugurated what has been called " race to the Dan " . The Dan River separated Greene 's army from his supply bases in Virginia , and Cornwallis wanted to catch Morgan before he and Greene could join forces , or before Greene could reach Virginia . In a rapid series of marches under extremely difficult conditions that tired out both armies , Greene and Morgan reunited their forces , and Greene made it across the flood @-@ swollen Dan on February 13 . Cornwallis decided to halt the pursuit , having effectively driven the Continentals from North Carolina , and returned to Hillsboro , where he again attempted to raise Loyalist militia . 
