02/27/2026
250 years ago, in the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, nearly 1,000 Patriots defended a position on the east bank of Widow Moores Creek as nearly 800 Loyalists, mostly Scottish Highlanders wielding broadswords, began the slippery crossing of the partially-dismantled bridge spanning the creek. With a small number of Loyalists having successfully crossed the sleepers, the Loyalists charged up the old Black River Road in pursuit of "retreating" Patriot forces. When they reached within a few paces of the Patriot earthworks, they were met with "a very proper reception" as "old Mother Covington and her daughter boomed their disapproval, accompanied by a burst of rifle fire."
Col. Donald McLeod, leader of the advancing Loyalist force and an exceptionally brave man, was mortally wounded, falling just shy of the earthworks. It was said that he tried to regain his footing while shouting encouragements to his men and waving his sword onward in the direction of the enemy before succumbing to a hail of musket ball and swan shot. Nearly 30 Loyalists lost their life in that early morning charge, while it is estimated that another 40-50 perished in the murky creek or in the surrounding swamps from their wounds.
By some estimates, the battle was over in as little as three minutes. The outcome would prove to be much more significant than any soldier on that battlefield would ever imagine. This would be one of the first Patriot victories of the American Revolution and ended Royal authority in the colony forever. Just a few months later, North Carolina's Provincial Congress passed a resolution, now known as the Halifax Resolves, which ordered North Carolina's delegation to the Continental Congress to seek and vote for independence, making North Carolina the first colony to take such action.
