The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-22
GRAND SUCCESS
CELEBRATION Al NOOss n,s CREEK
BATTLE GROUND
From 1850 TO 5000 People Present
fro Several COunties-An Interest.
ing Programme and a Fine Dinner.
Interesting Relies

ing Programme and a Fine Dinner. |
Interesting Relies
On the 9th Of February, 1776, the /
loyal sons of North Carolina met and
defeated the tory forces Of Great Bri- |
tain at Moore's Creek bridge, then in
New Hanover county, now in Pender
county, eighteen miles from Whining
ton. The British forces were march
ing on Wilmington to capture and hold
it as a part of the plan to keep the
south under subsection and prevent the
patriots of the Carolinas and Georgia
from aiding the other colonies in rebel
lion against British rule and oppres-
sion. A decisive victory was gained
by the Americans at this battle and it
proved to be the most important en-
gagement since the war for independ-
ence began.
In order to p~erpetuate the memories
Of the heroes who fought this battle
for our country and to commemorate
the battle, the people Of several coun-
ties in this part of North Carolina,
erected a monument on the battlefield
and unveiled it at a great celebra-
ton which took place February 27, 1857.
Joshua G.. Wright, Esq, of Whining
ton, one of the ablest and most elo-
quent men of his time, delivered the
address on that occasion, as was here
tofore alluded to in The Messenger.
For some years the anniversary of
the battle was celebrated but for many
years they have been discontinued and
the battle grounds neglected.
TO PRESERVE THE GROUNDS.
With a view to reviving interest in
the historic spot, to preserve the monu-
ment erected to the heroes and to care
for the grounds, the Hon. Gibson
James, member of the house of repre-
sentatives from Fender county in the
general assembly of 1899, secured the
passage of the following act, which ex-
plains itself:
Section 1. That for the purpose of
preserving the erected to
the memory of the noble patriots who
on the 9th day of February, 1875, at
Moore's Creek, now Fender county,
gave their lives to secure American lib
erty, Captain R. P. Paddison, George
~ LoO . L ~ III, l.. n. liz" CO,
James Fl. COlvin, James F. Moore, DR..
George F. Lucas, William F. Bell,
Frank p. Flynn, James E. Henry, ia
o J. James, Henry Murphy, James
N. Henry, DR.. E. Porter, Gibson James,
l.. C. Powers, J. c.. Nixon, Bruce Will
liams, w. w. Miller and D. H. Arm
strong and their successors and such
other persns as they may associate
with them, are hereby incorporated I'M
der the name and title of 1.-The
Moore's Creek Monumental Associa-
tion," and by that name shall have
succession and a common SEAL, n
may sue and be sued, plead and be i'm
pleaded before any court Of record in
the state, contract and be contracted
with, acquire, hold and dispose of real
and personal property for the benefit
of said association.
Sec. 2. The objects of the association
is to add to and beautify the grounds
on which the said is situa-
ted, which is now the property Of the
state, to compile the records of the pa
triOtic deeds of those noble sons whose
ashes have been neglected for more
than a century, and to do such other
things as tend to inspire among our
people state n national pride n a
higher appreciation of patriotic man
hood.
Sec. 3. That said corporation shall
have power to pass all necessary regu-
lations for it's own government which
may not be inconsistent with the laws
of this state or the United States, and
shall nave police power to protect said
grounds and monument against de-
spoilers.
Sec. 4. That in aid of the patriotic
work of the association, the state of
North Carolina appropriates one hun
dred dollars for each Ct the years of
1899 and 1900, and $50 annually there
aPtar tn no axnan6nI nv tho occnoja-
ton, which said sums shall be collect
ed from the state treasurer upon the
exhibit of proper vouchers of the aSso-
citation showing that said money has
been applied to the purposes for which
the association is incorporated: Pro-
vided, that none of the officers or men,
bers of this association shall be allow
ed a salary from n money a%ppropri-
ated by this act.
Sec. 5. This act shal be in force from
and after it's ratification.
Ratified the 18th day Of March, A. D.
1899.
The Messenger a few weeks ago
noted the organization of the monu-
ment association under the above act,
with Mr.. James F. Moore as president,
and Captain r.. P. Paddison as secre-
tary. After organizing, the associa-
ton, though having only a short while
in which to do so, decided to have a
SSASDA ~ va NHS oAAN
yesterday that event took place.
THE CELEBRATION YESTERDAY.
The citizens of Wilmington n New
Hanover county contributed more
largely to the erection of the monu-
ment than any other county, and con-
sequently when The Messenger a few
weeks ago mentioned that the celebra-
ton was to be held, our people took the
l~iveliest interest in the occasion. The
CONSEQUENCE was that the Atlantic
Coast Line arranged a rate of so cents
for the round trip on account of the
celebration, and yesterday at 9 O'Clock
when the regular train on the Yadkir
branch was ready to leave about 300
Wilmington people were at the depot
to go to the celebration. Not near sc
many were expected and the train ha6
to take on one more coach thai had
been arranged for. In the party were
a great many ladies, about fifty mem
bers Of Cape Fear Camp No. 254, United
Confederate Veterans, n the Second
Regiment band which went up to fur