Battle+at+Moore's+Creek+Bridge

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 * Battle at Moore's Creek Bridge**

Patriots:
Loyalists: ====The Battle of Moore's Creek bridge occurred on the morning of February 27th, 1776 near Wilmington, North Carolina. This battle would help build more political support for the revolution, and an increased recruitment of more soldiers to their forces. Once the news of Lexington and Concord came in, Loyalists began recruiting. They already had the side of the Scottish Highlanders in North Carolina so that was their main source of new recruits. All of the British were to meet at Cross Creek, and there assemble and wait for instructions on when they would be moving on. In January of 1776, the Loyalists got word of a planned British expedition to the area they were in, the Royal governor, Josiah Martin, had the Loyalist militia prepare for their arrival. The Patriots found out about the meeting at Cross Creek and General MacDonald sent a letter asking the rebels to lay down their arms, to which Colonel James Moore responded to telling them to put // their // arms down. The Patriot militia and Continental units then got together and formed to block the path of the British Loyalists, blocking off routes and forcing the Loyalists towards Moores' Creek Bridge where they were waiting for them. When arriving at Moore's Creek, MacDonald, sent one of his men into a Patriot camp under a flag of truce to demand a surrender, and also to examen their defenses and numbers. The Patriots refused to surrender, and the man returned with an extensive knowledge of their forces. On General MacDonald fell ill, and turned command over to Colonel McLeod. On February 27th at 1am the Loyalists attacked. When the reached the bridge they noticed it had been taken apart, and the few boards that were left, along with the bridge, had been greased. The Patriots over the night had made earthworks around the bridge, and waited for the right moment to attack. The Scottish Highlanders led the charge across the bridge, shouting "King George and Broadswords!" in reference to of course King George, and the Broadswords they wielded. As soon as there were within 30 paces of the Earthwork the Patriots opened fire. The battle was over just as quickly as it started. In this fire McLeod was fatally shot, and died. .By the time daybreak arrived they accounted for 30 Loyalists dead, and others who most likely drowned in Moore's Creek. The Patriots on the other hand only suffered 1 loss, John Grady, and 1 injury. Many Loyalist's fled when the shooting began, but they were hunted down and captured by the Patriots. The Patriots managed to capture nearly 850 men, including Donald MacDonald. Along with the people the Patriots also retrieved: –350 guns (fowlers and shot guns) and shot bags –150 dirks and broadswords –1,500 rifles (muskets and bayonets) –2 medicine chests, one being of great value –13 wagons complete with teams –15,000 pounds of sterling in gold coins

__The Loyalist's__
**General Donald MacDonald and Colonel Donald McLeod** The Loyalists were led by General Donald MacDonaldand Colonel Donald McLeod.

Donald McDonald was a Scottish soldier turned British Officer, sent to the south to rally loyalists against the Continental Army . He organized Scottish Settlers to go against the revolutionaries in North Carolina. His army was defeated, and it brought an end to the Southern settlers resistance against the colonial rebellion. He was about 80 years old at the time of the Battle, and he then fell ill. When he was ill, General McLeod took over to command the Army. <span style="font-family: apple,casual;"> <span style="font-family: apple,casual;">When Donald McDonald fell ill, Donald McLeod took over in command. He became active in command on February 27th, and led the troops on their starting 6 mile march from at 1am. He still led his troops, even though they numbered about 1600 men, but had only 500 weapons. By the time the Loyalist group reached the bridge, they found empty entrenchments. He led the highlanders with broadswords across the bridge, with the attack call of "King George and Broadswords!". McLeod was killed when volleys of shots flew towards the Loyalists, and it is believed he was hit with 20 musket balls causing him to die.

__**The Patriot's**__ <span style="font-family: apple,casual;">**Richard Caswell** <span style="font-family: apple,casual;"> <span style="font-family: apple,casual;"> <span style="font-family: apple,casual;"> <span style="font-family: apple,casual;">Richard Caswell was the first and fifth governor of North Carolina serving from 1776- 1780 and 1784-1787. He represented the Continental Congress of 1774 and 1775 for North Carolina. He was a lawyer and surveyor who led the North Carolina militiamen at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge.Then in 1780 he was commissioned as a major general in North Carolina troops. At the Battle of Camden, his troops panicked and fled the field which led to leaving the Continentals behind, and they were defeated by the British. Under his command, and help from others such as Alexander Lillington. <span style="font-family: apple,casual;">
 * Link to video: (Wouldn't let me embed the video)**

@http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72sdCF4tH8M <span style="font-family: apple,casual;">