Grays Creek in Cumberland County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Moore's Camp

By Steven C. Davies, August 15, 2007

1. Moore's Camp Marker

Inscription. Prior to the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, forces of Gen. James Moore, Whig commander camped, Feb.15~21,1776, 1 ½ miles northeast.

Erected by North Carolina Division of Archives and History. (Marker Number I 42.)

Location. 34° 57.349′ N, 78° 50.677′ W. Marker is in Grays Creek, North Carolina, in Cumberland County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 87 and Butler Nursery Road, on the right when traveling south on State Highway 87. Touch for map. Marker located on the South West side of the Bridge that crosses over the Rockfish Creek at this intersection. Marker is in this post office area: Fayetteville NC 28306, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Dunn’s Creek Quaker Meeting (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Battle of Bentonville (approx. 3 miles away); Cape Fear Baptist Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Fayetteville Observer (approx. 6.2 miles away); Burning of Clarendon Bridge (approx. 6.3 miles away); Babe Ruth (approx. 6.4 miles away); Campbelton (approx. 6.4 miles away); Charles W. Chesnutt (approx. 6.6 miles away).

Regarding Moore's Camp.

Panoramic view of camp image. Click for full size.

By Steven C. Davies

2. Panoramic view of camp

In this panoramic photo, you can see the breastworks and cannon emplacement in the distance. to the right of the photo is an earthen embankment used most likely for safely storing ammunition. Although not observable, Cape Fear River is to the left and Rockfish Creek is to the right. This fort is on the end of a peninsula with an approximate 60-70 foot bluff leading down to the water.

This camp and fort were used during the Revolutionary War as well as during the Civil War. The marker refers to an encampment of Patriot forces under General James Moore. British forces on their way to Wilmington meet the Patriot forces here and were forced to elude them by taking another route to Wilmington. The Loyalists were ultimately surprised and defeated at Moores Creek Bridge approximately 20 miles NW of Wilmington. (see Park info @ http://www.nps.gov/mocr/ )
Later during the Civil War (circa 1865), this same peninsula, created where the Rockfish Creek intersects the Cape Fear River, was used by Confederate forces to defend against potential Union gunboats traveling up the Cape Fear River. The Bluff was named Fort Booth. Although the fort occupied key terrain, it never encountered Union troops and was thus nicknamed Fort Folly.
Patriot breastworks and a civil war battery emplacement are overgrown with trees, but are still plainly visible. Rumor has it that the cannon was dropped from the bluff into the river, but attempts to find it have failed.

Categories. • Forts, Castles • War, US Revolutionary •

Cannon Emplacement image. Click for full size.

By Steven C. Davies, December 22, 2007

3. Cannon Emplacement

Built into the Earthen Breastworks is this cutout where the cannon was most likely emplaced. It is overgrown with trees and over a hundred years of leaves and mulch, but is still quite visible.

Cannon Field of Fire image. Click for full size.

By Steven C. Davies, December 22, 2007

4. Cannon Field of Fire

Trees now block the cannon's field of fire, however you can see from this photo how this peninsula offers visibility down the Cape Fear River even beyond the range of a Napoleonic Cannon.

Ammunition Storage image. Click for full size.

By Steven C. Davies, December 22, 2007

5. Ammunition Storage

Located approximately 50 feet behind the leading edge of the fighting position is a smaller earthen embankment. This would have most likely been used to protect ammunition.

Map to actual location image. Click for full size.

By Steven C. Davies

6. Map to actual location

Here is a map to the location described on the marker. Below is an MGRS and LAT/LONG to the peninsula 17SPU9888871585 34° 58’ 2.227” N 78° 49’ 17.374”W

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on December 24, 2007, by Steven C. Davies of Hope Mills, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,656 times since then. Last updated on January 6, 2008, by Steven C. Davies of Hope Mills, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 24, 2007, by Steven C. Davies of Hope Mills, North Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.