The Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge

Re-enactors at the Moore’s Creek Battlefield. Image from the National Park Service

On February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces commanded by Colonel Donald McDonald discovered a Patriot encampment near Moore’s Creek that, unbeknownst to them, had been abandoned although the campfires were left burning.

A Loyalist force of almost 2,000 Tories, many of whom were former Scottish Highlanders, prepared to pursue an army believed to be retreating across the narrow bridge over Moore’s Creek.  At the same time, a Patriot force of more than 1,000 men commanded by Colonels James Moore, Richard Caswell and Alexander Lillington greased planks along the bridge and built platforms above the creek to ambush the enemy.

Just after sunrise, the Loyalists, led by Lieutenant Colonel Donald McLeod, stormed the bridge. In the subsequent ambush, confusion gave way to slaughter as 900 Loyalists were killed, wounded or captured.

The Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge was pivotal, often referred to as the “Lexington and Concord of the South.” Without Loyalist forces to protect the colonial government of Governor Josiah Martin, the royal system collapsed, allowing Patriot leaders the chance to establish a fledgling state government. The Patriot victory also denied Britain use of North Carolina’s ports, which were logistically significant.

Other related resources:

• The American Revolution, the Reasons Behind the Revolutionary War and the Stamp Act on NCpedia
• The military collection of the State Archives
• A military history resource guide from the State Library
• North Carolina in the American Revolution from N.C. Historical Publications
• Moore’s Creek Battlefield

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