On February 27th, 1776, a force of patriots defeated British loyalists in a battle at a bridge over Moores Creek near modern Currie, North Carolina. The loyalists were mostly Scottish Highlanders, who were armed with broadswords, while the patriots had muskets and cannons. It was the first significant victory for patriots in what became the American Revolution. Today, I visited the site of the battle, now administered by the National Park Service. From the visitor center, I walked on the History Trail, the dark path on the left. The light grey path on the right is an old stage road that extended between Wilmington and Fayetteville. The two intersect later on.
This monument is to the old stage road.
The patriots built earthworks near the bridge, of which these are a reconstruction.
As I continued down the History Trail, it became a boardwalk. (I seem to keep finding them.)
I eventually found the bridge, which is a reconstruction.
Next to one end of the bridge is this monument.
This cannon is near some more earthworks.
The History Trail leads to the Patriot Monument, which is also called the Grady Monument, after Private John Grady, the only patriot killed in the battle.
The next monument along the trail is the Loyalist Monument, seen here mostly in shade.
The Moore Monument recounts patriot leader Colonel James Moore, who was later promoted to brigadier general. I don't believe that Moores Creek is named after him.
The Women's Monument honors women from southeastern North Carolina and the role of women in the American Revolution. I don't know if anyone is actually buried under the stone markers in front of the monument.
To learn more about the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, besides the links above, go to American Battlefield Trust and National Park Foundation.
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