As part of the British war strategy in 1776, Gen. William Howe instructed Gen. Henry Clinton to open a front in the American South. The prime target was Charles Town, South Carolina, and it was hoped that a show of force would rally the area’s considerable loyalist population to the cause. Gen. Clinton’s army was to arrive by sea from Boston and join a force being sent from England, in the waters off Cape Fear, North Carolina.

However, before the plan could unfold, an important confrontation occurred outside of Wilmington, North Carolina. Royal Governor Josiah Martin had raised an army of 1,600 Crown supporters, including Scottish Highlanders and former Regulators. This army, commanded by one Donald MacDonald who was ailing at the time, sought out a smaller rebel force rumored to be encamped along Moore’s Creek.

When the Loyalist soldiers arrived, they found that their quarry had withdrawn across a bridge after taking up its planks and greasing its supports. Armed primarily with pikes and broadswords, the loyalists unwisely decided to advance across the compromised structure. The patriots under Richard Caswell and Alexander Lillington opened fire with two cannon and muskets, quickly leveling the struggling soldiers. The “battle” ended in short order with the Loyalists sustaining thirty killed and the rebels only one.

When Gen. Clinton arrived in the area in mid-March, no Loyalist army was waiting to join his offensive. After reassessing his situation, Cen. Clinton joined with Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis and headed south to Charles Town and further disappointment.

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 Moore's Creek Bridge, coupled with the Battle of Sullivan's Island near Charles Town a few months later, ultimately led the thirteen colonies to declare independence on July 4, 1776.

In early 1776, Maj. Gen.William Howe ordered Maj. Gen. Henry Clinton to sail south to rendezvous with Commodore Sir Peter Parker. Parker had sailed from Cork, Ireland with Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis and seven regiments of the British Army. Gen Clinton and Commodore Parker would meet off of Cape Fear River in North Carolina.

Generals Clinton and Cornwallis would then invade the southern colonies, capturing the important port city of Charles Town. British expectations were that there were large numbers of Loyalists clamoring to the British cause against the few upstart rebels. Some of these Loyalist forces were also expected to rendezvous with General Clinton at the Cape Fear River.

On February 20, 1776, 1,600 Scottish Highlanders set out from the Cross Creek area about one hundred miles from the coast under the command of Brig. Gen. Donald MacDonald. On February 26, they learned that 1,000 Patriots were waiting with two cannon at Moore's Creek Bridge, which was six miles ahead. Gen. MacDonald was now too ill to actively command. A council of war was held where Gen. MacDonald recommended caution, but the younger officers wanted to attack.

The Loyalist council of war decided to attack at dawn on February 27, 1776. Lt. Colonel Donald McLeod took active command. At 1:00 a.m., they set out. Although they numbered 1,600, they had only 500 firearms. When they reached the bridge, they found empty entrenchments. The Patriots had withdrawn to the other side of the bridge.

An advance party found half of the bridge planks had been removed and the two stringers had been greased. But Lt. Col. McLeod would not be denied. An eighty-man assault force armed with broadswords was assembled under the command of Capt. John Campbell. The assault force followed Lt. Col. McLeod down one stringer and Capt. Campbell down the other to the beat of drums and the Scottish war pipes.

The Patriots held their fire until Capt. Campbell and Lt. Col. McLeod crossed the creek and then they let loose with their two cannon and musket fire. No one was left standing on the bridge. Capt. Campbell and Lt. Col. McLeod were killed immediately. Some Loyalists fell into the creek and drowned. Their companions who had watched the quick defeat immediately retreated.

Thirty Loyalists were counted dead, while the Patriots had only two casualties, one of whom later died of his wounds. 850 Loyalists were captured, including Brig. Gen. MacDonald. This quick defeat ended organized Loyalist activity in the area for several years. Less than two months later in April, North Carolina became to first state to vote for independence.

Maj. Gen.Henry Clinton arrived at the Cape Fear River on March 12, 1776 to find no Loyalists. He remained there until May 31, while Commodore Peter Parker's fleet straggled in after having been dispersed during its crossing because of storms. Gen. Clinton and Commodore Parker now discussed what to do since their invasion of North Carolina had counted on Loyalists to augment their force. They settled on a direct assault on Charles Town in South Carolina, which would also end in defeat.