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A History | Revolutionary War Battles | Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge - February 27, 1776
Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge - February 27, 1776
"King George and Broadswords!" shouted loyalists as they charged across partially dismantled Moores Creek
bridge on February 27, 1776. Just beyond the bridge nearly a thousand North Carolina patriots waited quietly with
cannons and muskets poised to fire.
The loyalists, mostly Scottish Highlanders wielding broadswords, expected to find only a small patriot force. As
the loyalists advanced across the bridge, patriot shots rang out and dozens of loyalists fell, including their
commanders.
Stunned, outgunned and leaderless, the loyalists surrendered, retreating in confusion. Wagons, weapons and
British sterling worth more than $1 million by today's value were seized by the patriots in the days following
the battle.
This dramatic victory ended British authority in the colony and greatly influenced North Carolina to be the first
colony to vote for independence. The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, coupled with the Battle of Sullivans Island
near Charleston, SC a few months later, ultimately led the 13 colonies to declare independence on July 4, 1776.
In early 1776, Maj. General William Howe ordered Maj. General Henry Clinton to sail south to rendezvous with
Commodore Sir Peter Parker. Parker had sailed from Cork, Ireland with Lt. General Charles Cornwallis and seven
regiments of the British Army. Clinton and Parker would meet off of Cape Fear River in North Carolina.
Generals Clinton and Cornwallis would then invade the Southern colonies, capturing the important port city of
Charleston, South Carolina. British expectations were that there were large numbers of Tories clamoring to the
British cause against the few upstart Rebels. Some of these Tory forces were also expected to rendezvous with
General Clinton at Cape Fear.
On February 20, 1776, 1,600 Scottish Highlanders set out from the Cross Creek area about 100 miles from the coast
under the command of Brigadier General Donald MacDonald. On February 26, they learned that 1,000 Rebels were waiting
with two cannon at Moore's Creek Bridge, which was six miles ahead. General MacDonald was now too ill to actively
command. A council of war was held where MacDonald recommended caution, but the younger officers wanted to attack.
The Tory council of war decided to attack at dawn on February 27, 1776. Lt. Colonel Donald McLeod took active
command. At 1:00 A.M., they set out. Although they numbered 1,600, they had only 500 firearms. When they reached
the bridge, they found empty entrenchments. The Rebels had withdrawn to the other side of the bridge.
An advance party found half of the bridge planks had been removed and the two stringers had been greased. But Lt.
Colonel McLeod would not be denied. An eighty man assault force armed with broadswords was assembled under the
command of Captain John Campbell. The assault force followed McLeod down one stringer and Campbell down the other
to the beat of drums and the Scottish war pipes.
The Rebels held their fire until Campbell and McLeod crossed the creek and then they let loose with their two
cannon and musket fire. No one was left standing on the bridge. Campbell and McLeod were killed immediately. Some
Tories fell into the creek and drown. Their companions who had watched their quick defeat immediately retreated.
Thirty Tories were counted dead, while the Rebels had only two casualties, one of whom later died of his wounds.
850 Tories were captured, including Brig. General MacDonald. This quick defeat ended organized Tory activity in the
area for several years. Less than two months later in April, North Carolina became to first state to vote for
independence.
Maj. General Henry Clinton arrived at Cape Fear on March 12 to find no Tories. He remained there until May 31,
while Commodore Peter Parker's fleet straggled in after having been dispersed during its crossing because of storms.
Clinton and Parker now discussed what to do since their invasion of North Carolina had counted on Tories to augment
their force. They settled on a direct assault on Charleston, which would also
end in defeat.
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