Moore's Creek National Military Park

Moores Creek National Battlefield is managed by the National Park Service of the United States, and is located in North Carolina, about 20 miles (30 km) northwest of Wilmington. It was the site of a small battle between American Loyalists and [[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriots. It was one of the events leading to the American Revolution.

1776 battle

"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. One commander was Colonel Allan Macdonald, the husband of Flora Macdonald of Highland lore who aided Prince Charles Esward Stuart following the Jacobite defeat at Culloden Moor in 1746.

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.

Aftermath

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, South Carolina, a few months later, ultimately led the Thirteen Colonies to declare independence on July 4, 1776.

Park

Throughout park, remnants remain of the 1776 road traveled by Patriot and Loyalist forces. A 1-mile (1.6 km) trail with wayside exhibits leads through the battlefield and across Moores Creek. The historic bridge site is located along the trail.

The park offers a visitor center with exhibits and audio-visual program, a 0.3 mile (500 m) colonial forest trail, and a picnic area.

Reference

• Moores Creek National Battlefield, National Park Service.

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain United States National Park Service website.