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 1776
PATRIOT VICTORY
"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.
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.
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,
SC a few months later, ultimately led the 13 colonies to declare independence
on July 4, 1776.
THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY
Throughout the park,
remnants remain of the 1776 road traveled by patriot and loyalist forces.
A 1-mile 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 .3 mile colonial
forest trail, and a picnic area.
Operating Hours &
Seasons
Daily 9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. Closed December 25.
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