The National tribune., 1902-04-10
MOORE'S CREEK.
The Lexington OF the Southern Colonies
to Be Preserved-An Appropriation
by Congress.

There were two battles in the Revolu-
tiOnary War which were peculiarly and
particularly won by a combination of
American pluck, homemade bullets, and
individual craftsmanship. The first of
these is well known in its every detail
to the school children of the word-Lex-
ington, where small force of Continen-
tai minutemen fought a body of trained
British regulars to q standstill. The sec
0nd was the battle of Moore's Creek, n.
c., almost unheralded in American history,
but more decisive victory than Lexing-
ton, and one of the greatest importance to
the Southern Colonies.
The obscure battle of Moore's Creek was
brought into public notice from the misty
past several days ago by Act 3060, intro
duced in the Senate by Senator Pritchard,
of The Old North State. 1t appropriates
$1,000 for the Moore's Greek Monumental
Association for the purpose of repairing
the old monument on the battlefield and
for inclosing and beautifying the same.
The bill was promptly passed by the Sen
ate and is now in the hands of the House
Committee on Military Affairs awaiting
action by that body. Says the Congress
sional report on this measure:
The monument was erected By private
subscription in 1857, by the citizens of
Wilmington, n. c., and vicinity. The
land is owned by the Monument Associa
ton. which has undertaken the task, en-
tirely as labor of love and patriotism, to
rescue from decay the old monument,
which is crumbling. and clear and beautify
the grounds, which have grown up in
trees and shrubbery, that the scene of the
battle may be preserved, and that the
monument may be an altar of freedom.
where we may rekindle the fires of patriot
ism should they ever begin to expire.
What the battle of Lexington was to
the Northern Colonies, the battle of
MoOre's Creek was to the Southern Col
Onies. The British were preparing to in
wade the Province of North Carolina, and
to suppress the spirit of independence,
which was more forward in this province
than in her sisters"
1t appears that the Tory Highland
Scotchmen living at Cross Greek. under
Gen. Mcdonald were endeavoring to reach
Cape Fear for junction with Sir Henry
Clinton and Lord William Campbell with
large force, who, with Lord CORVALLIS,
expected every hour, were to begin the
subjugation of the province. On Feb. %,
1776, the Tories encountered at Moore's
Creek, about Is miles from Wilmington,
the American forces under Coils. Caswell
and Ellington. A battle ensued, the
Americans being intrenched south of the
bridge, and the first glorious victory was
won in the South. The Americans lost
but one man. The slain of the enemy
were computed at 80, while $50 prisoners
were captured, together with 1.500 excel
lent rifles, $50 guns, $50 swords and dirks,
two medicine chests, 13 wagons, horses
and harness. and box of English guineas
worth $4,000.
The effect of this victory was to give
to the American soldiers, about to enter
upon a seven years war, military expert
ence and an intelligent confidence in
. = lI.l 81,
pressOrs to respect their skill and PROV
ess. 1t frustrated the great scheme to
subjugate North Carolina. and emboldened
the people of this province, who already, |
in Mecklenburg, had declared their indie |
pCndence in mass meeting, to meet in q |
Provincial Congress on April II. 1176, and
pass a unanimous resolution appointing |
delegates to the Continental Congress, and
them to concur with the dele |
gates of the other Colonies in declaring in
dependence and forming foreign alliances"
Thus in advance of all the other Colonies |
calling upon the Nation--'the United |
Proyinces"-to sanction by their united !
voice what had already been so nobly done
by portion of her citizens.
1t is recorded that just before the battle |
of Moore's Greek the American militiamen |
had their wives, mothers, daughters, and |
even grandmothers at work moIding bull |
lets for their guns. Lead and pewter can
dlesticks and ornaments were freely given |
from their homes to be melted into missiles !
of war. Capt. Ethridge, who commanded |
one Of the companies of hardy North Caro-
linians, when he saw the enemy approach
ing, gave this characteristic order:
Men, your womenfolks made those gun
balls, and you must not waste them. Take |
time take aim, and shoot to hit
The commander of the Tories was
at the wonderful craftsmanship |
Of the Americans, and after the first vol |
ley by the latter the Tories are said to |
have sought their burrows like ground
mOles." l