One of the old connon ol Mooict CretK.— 'Pboto by Hemmer.
Lowlander vs. Highlander
The difference — a greased bridge.
The Baltic of Moores Creek Bridge.
February 27, 1776. was a complete
victory for the Patriots over the Loy¬
alist element of the population of North
Carolina. Their success contributed
much to the advancement of the Revo¬
lutionary cause in the South, and the
Colony remained in the possession of
the Patriots until the British invasion
of 1780-81.
Historical Background
Some elements among the settlers
had not been amalgamated into the
general populace by 1775. Chief of
these was a large number of Scottish
Highlanders, largely from clans Mac¬
donald (Isles) and McLeod. Under
the leadership of Allan Macdonald and
his wife. Flora, these clans had settled
in the central part of the Colony be¬
tween 1765 and 1775.
Governor Martin was certain he
could muster at least 10.000 followers
with whom he could maintain control
of the Colony.
Martin issued a call, in January
1776. for his supporters to assemble.
They consisted of approximately 700
Highlanders, 700 Loyalists, and 130
Regulators — a force of 1.500 to
1.600 men.
Patriot forces from New Bern, under
Col. Richard Caswell, were out-
maneuvered at Corbett's Ferry on the
Black River, and withdrew toward
Moores Creek, 17 miles nearer Wil¬
mington. Meanwhile, Col. Moore had
ordered a concentration of the forces
from the north and west at Cross Creek
to prevent the retreat or reinforcement
of the Loyalists. He dispatched Col.
Alexander Lillington to join Caswell
with all possible speed. Col. Moore
then marched to follow or. if possible,
to get ahead of the Loyalist force.
On February 26. 1776. Moore en¬
camped half-way between Wilmington
and the Moores Creek Bridge, with a
force of about 1.000 men; Lillington
camped on the east side of Moores
Creek with about 150 men; Caswell
camped on the west side of the Creek
with about 800 men; and Macdonald's
Loyalists, 1.500 strong, camped 6
miles away. A messenger from the
Loyalists' camp rcconnoitcrcd Cas¬
well's position and returned with the
news that Caswell was on their side
of the bridge in a position exposed to
attack.
At a council of war it was decided
to move forward at once with a party
THE STATE, SEPTEMBER 20. 195B
of 75 picked broadswordsmen in the
lead. They found the fires burning
low and the camp deserted. During
the night Caswell had abandoned his
camp, leaving the campfires burning
to deceive the Loyalists. The floor of
the bridge over the Creek had been
taken up and the girders greased.
Around his new camp across the
Creek, Caswell had thrown up a
breastwork and posted artillery to
cover the road and bridge. Here the
Patroit force waited in the darkness.
Believing that the Patriots had fled,
the Loyalists pushed over the partly
demolished bridge, but were met by
a deadly fire as they approached the
earthwork. The small advance party,
under Capt. Donald McLeod and
Capt. John Campbell, was practically
annihilated. The Patriots lost one man
who was mortally wounded and died
4 days later.
Within two weeks the Patriots had
captured most of the Tory leaders,
about 850 of the soldiers, and a large
quantity of military supplies.
The Patriot victory at the Battle of
Moores Creek Bridge prevented the
Loyalists from gaining control of North
Carolina and encouraged the Southern
Delegates to the Continental Congress
in Philadelphia to declare for inde¬
pendence from England.
Moores Creek National Military
Park comprises 30 acres of land anti
was established by act of Congress
approved June 2. 1926. when the area,
previously a State Park, was donated
by the State of North Carolina to the
United States.
The bridge site is appropriately
marked. Original breastworks, with
cannon of the type used by the Patriot
troops, show where the victory was
won. Several monuments and markers
relate to the battle. The park is rich
in plant life, the Venus flytrap being
probably the most interesting.
Moores Creek National Military
Park is situated in Pender County,
about 25 miles northwest of Wilming¬
ton. N. C.. and is reached from the
south and north over U.S. 421 and
N.C. 602. It is reached from the cast
and west over N.C. Routes 53 and 602.
The park is open to visitors every
day from S a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during
which time guide service is available
without charge. Free informational
literature is provided. Organizations
and groups receive special services if
advance arrangements are made with
the superintendent.
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