Soil records reveal a varied historic landscape
in the area surrounding Moores Creek Bridge –
creek, swamp, savannah, bottomland forest and
high ground. This savannah has been both open
and forested throughout history.
North Carolina's . . . — — Map (db m218466) HM
Patriots established a small camp here on the 26th of
February. Visited by loyalist emissary James Hepburn that
evening under a flag of truce, the patriots declined the
chance to lay down their arms. Hepburn reported back to
loyalist leaders . . . — — Map (db m218479) HM
As you walk across this modern boardwalk spanning
Moores Creek, imagine marching an army through
tangled forests and swampy lowlands like these on a
dark February night. Days of rain have drenched
troops and pushed creeks out of their . . . — — Map (db m218477) HM
The loyalists who survived the battle at Moores
Crock were unable to mount another offensive.
Within four months, the British fleet, which had
sailed on without the loyalist volunteers, was
repulsed at Fort Moultrie off the coast of . . . — — Map (db m218519) HM
Here stood the bridge of Revolutionary fame where 1000 Patriot’s under Cols Richard Caswell and Alexander Lillington defeated 1600 loyalists led by Captain McLeod. Col James Moore commanded all the Patriots who embodied to oppose the loyalists under . . . — — Map (db m62491) HM
Nearby Moores Creek not only figured in the battle but was critical to the naval stores economy, Surrounded by pine forests that generated tar and turpentine but with few passable roads to get the heavy barrels to market, the colonists used an . . . — — Map (db m218596) HM
If we enter, in the winter, a part of the forest that is about to be converted into a "turpentine orchard," we come upon negroes engaged in making boxes [boxed pine trees], in which the sap is to be collected the following spring. . . . — — Map (db m218597) HM
Placed in grateful memory of the brave patriots of the Lower Cape Fear Region who fought at the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge
February 27, 1776 — — Map (db m226637) WM
On the 80th anniversary of the battle, a large crowd watched as officials laid the cornerstone of the Patriot monument, the first memorial to be erected on this battlefield. Since then, five other memorials have been added, all but one during the . . . — — Map (db m218535) HM WM
From their well-defended position, hundreds of
patriots trained their guns on the loyalist Scots
who charged from the shadows in the light of
dawn. But bravery and broadswords were no
match for muskets and cannon. Within seconds,
the front . . . — — Map (db m218518) HM
The change in forest says it all: longleaf pines are now rare in this area. Although the naval stores industry thrived well into the 19th century, it was doomed as soon as the first ironclad ships put to sea. Pine tar from longleafs was no longer . . . — — Map (db m218603) HM
[Front]
Here lie the remains of
Private John Grady,
of Duplin County,
who fell bravely fighting for his
country: the first martyr in
the cause of freedom in North
Carolina, and the only Whig
killed in this battle. . . . — — Map (db m218532) WM
First battle of American Revolution fought in N.C. on Feb. 27, 1776. Was a Patriot victory. National Park Service Battlefield 5 miles SW. — — Map (db m226334) HM WM
Moores Creek National Battlefield is the 87-acre
site of the Revolutionary War Battle of Moores
Creek Bridge, fought on February 27, 1776, between
the loyalist and patriot colonists of North Carolina.
A visitor center with exhibits and an . . . — — Map (db m218415) HM
Route taken by British and Tory Army from Cross Creek to joine Lord Cornwallis and Clinton at Wilmington. They were defeated in the battle of the place. 350 were captured as prisoners of war Feb. 27, 1776. — — Map (db m203760) HM
It is peaceful now. Quiet and secluded. But in the
early morning hours of February 27, 1776, history
was made here. As unlikely as it might seem today,
a violent, deadly struggle in the forest before
you determined the fate of North Carolina . . . — — Map (db m218418) HM
Patriot and loyalist forces marched along the sandy
road that lies before you. Called the Negro Head
Point Road, it linked interior North Carolina to the
coast, the destination of the loyalist army led by
Brig. Gen. Donald MacDonald. By late . . . — — Map (db m218469) HM
By the time they reached this spot, McLeod's loyalists realized they were in a trap but had no choice except to charge the earthworks, broadswords in hand.
Then the morning mist exploded with the blasts of hundreds of muskets and two cannon. . . . — — Map (db m226639) HM
—
This quiet mound of earth gives no inkling of the smoldering, pungent operation that occurred within. Here colonial workers extracted tar from pine logs to waterproof ropes and rigging and to coat and caulk ship's hulls.
Because a tar kiln . . . — — Map (db m226643) HM
This easy, one-third mile loop trail meanders through pine
woods with a few hints of the Revolutionary War scenery.
At the time of the 1776 battle this was a very different
forest, where towering longleaf pines dominated. Tapped
for resin and . . . — — Map (db m218570) HM
… in those parts there is great plenty of Timber for building of Ships, and also to produce Pitch, Tarr & Rozin … – Colonial Records of North Carolina, 1704
At the time of the battle, patriot leaders . . . — — Map (db m218575) HM
This was a different forest in 1776. Dominated by stately longleaf pines and swept by periodic wildfires, the historic forest had more open glades and hardly any underbrush. By 190o the developing population was suppressing most wildfires and . . . — — Map (db m226642) HM
Moores Creek National Battlefield is home to one of the only women's monuments on a Revolutionary War battlefield. Many women, on both sides, refused to stay on the sidelines of the conflict. They made their voices heard.
They were women . . . — — Map (db m226640) HM
All bridges over deep or navigable Streams
shall be made at least Twelve Feet Wide, with
good sawed Plank, Clear of sap, at least two
inches thick with firm and strong posts, Rails
and Bearers, well secured and fastened. – . . . — — Map (db m218478) HM
The patriot army had an advantage: Col. Alexander
Lillington chose the battleground that surrounds you.
He knew that his opponents, marching down the Negro
Head Point Road to the coast, would be vulnerable when
they crossed nearby Moores Creek . . . — — Map (db m218516) HM
[Northwest side] To the honored memory of the heroic women of the lower Cape Fear during the American Revolution 1775-1781
[Northeast side] Unswerving in devotion, self-sacrificing in loyalty to the cause of their country, their . . . — — Map (db m218539) WM
