The Battle of Charlotte
September 26, 1780
After the fall of Charleston, SC, and the disastrous defeat at Camden, the British began to march inland to Charlotte. The only men left to defend Charlotte was a group of militia. Just before noon on September 26, 1780, the British entered Charlotte along east Trade Street and were confronted by a small militia at the Courthouse. Cornwallis ordered Tarleton's Green Dragoons to attack. The brave men of Charlotte, outnumbered fifteen to one, stood fast and fired. The British charge was repelled. Cornwallis then advanced with his main corps.
Mecklenburg Militia General Joseph Graham wrote, The whole British army was actually kept at bay for some minutes by a mew mounted Americans not exceeding twenty in number." The courageous Mecklenburg militia was eventually flushed from the Courthouse and the rambling battle continued for mile up Tryon Street. At Tryon and Sugar Creek, General Graham received numerous bullet and saber wounds but recovered to fight at the battle of Cowan's Ford on February 1, 1781.
Cornwallis lived in Thomas Polk's home and used Queen's College (Liberty Hall) as a hospital during his sixteen-day occupation. On October 12, 1780, after receiving word of Major Ferguson's defeat and death at King's Mountain, the British began a hasty evacuation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic
this page online
Location. 35° 13.753′ N, 80° 50.595′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. It is in Charlotte center city. Marker is on West 5th Street just west of North Church Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 W Trade St, Charlotte NC 28202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hornets' Nest (here, next to this marker); Captain James Jack's Ride (here, next to this marker); The Importance Of Religion (here, next to this marker); The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (here, next to this marker); Early Education (here, next to this marker); The Origin Of Our Names (here, next to this marker); Gold Mining (here, next to this marker); Establishing A New Life (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
