American Revolution: Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge (1776)

Please add profiles for those who fought in this battle to the project. Must be set to public.

From North Carolina History Project

Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

Labeled the "Lexington and Concord of the South" by many historians.

In February of 1776, North Carolina Patriots embattled several hundred Tories at Moore’s Creek Bridge, and it was the first battle on North Carolina soil during the Revolutionary War. Later dubbed the “Lexington and Concord of the South,” the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge became a significant Patriot victory, mainly due to the leadership of three colonels: James Moore, Alexander Lillington, and Richard Caswell.

On the early morning hours of February 27 the British ground forces made their way on the bridge. Nearly 500 soldiers stormed the bridge, but they were met by an extreme amount of Patriot musket fire. After only three minutes of fighting the battle was over, and the Patriots had claimed victory.

Almost 70 Loyalist soldiers had been killed, nearly 850 soldiers were captured, and Lt. Col. McLeod had been killed in the battle.

Historians admit that the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge led to the demise of British royal government in North Carolina. The royal government had to flee from the colony, and Britain was no longer allowed port in the colony’s costal towns.

In addition, the victory aroused delegates to meet at Halifax on April 12, 1776, to discuss North Carolina’s support of Independence, and the battle allowed the Patriots to hold to the South at the early outset of the Revolutionary War.

notes

"The National Parks Service says,

“The Heroic Women’s Monument at Moores Creek National Battlefield is believed to be the only monument in America to 18th century women and their sacrifices during the American Revolution.”

Sources:

1. “Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge.” William S. Powell, ed. Encyclopedia of North Carolina (University of North Carolina Press: Chapel Hill, NC 2006).
2. “Moore’s Creek Bridge.” North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program website. A Division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. (accessed January 16, 2011).

Links:

• [http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/revolution_battle_of_moores_c...]
• NCPedia,
• Tim Harman blogspot,
• National Park Service,
• History.com,
• Wikipedia,
• Moores Creek Women's Monument, Moores Creek National Battlefield
• [http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/loyalist_leaders_nc_donald_mc...] https://newkirk.wordpress.com/relics/abraham-newkirks-revolutionary...