1776: "Doing Credit to their Country"

The Virginia Gazette published this account of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge on March 15, 1776, roughly two weeks after the fight. Some of the numbers of troops and cannon are inflated; also, while British Governor Martin expected reinforcements from Boston and England, the Scottish leaders were not known to be present at Lexington as this account claims. The newspaper account reflects th sentiments of victory and hope this American victory allowed to sweep through the rebelling colonies.

Spelling and punctuation is original; a few clarifications are added in [brackets].

By letters from North Carolina, we have the pleasure to communicate the following important intelligence, giving an account of the total defeat of the Scotch Highlanders, Regulators, etc. who had lately become very formidable, and threatened much mischief to the southern colonies, as well as to the glorious cause wherein all America is engaged, in support of her invaded rights, and to oppose ministerial tyranny; so that we may now safely congratulate the publick on the utter demolition of the Tory interest in that province, which puts a finishing stroke to the farther machinations of master Martin, their wicked and unprincipled governour. 

Col. Moore, with a body of 2000 men, have got within about six miles of the Tory army, before they thought we were apprised of their scheme to join governour Martin and the succours he expected from Boston and England, they, to amuse him, sent a flag of truce, summoning him and his followers to lay down their arms, deliver up their ammunition and stores, and repair to the king's standard and take the oath of allegiance; and in the meanwhile, in order to avoid him, they crossed the river, not knowing that col. Caswell was on his way, on the same side, to join col. Moore, with about 700 men. The colonel, being made acquainted with this manoeuvre of the Tories, immediately despatched an express to col. Caswell, who made a forced march, and got near five miles a-head of them, taking post between them and the governour, at a bridge over Moore's creek, where he knew they must pass, or fall in with col. Moore's main body. Col. Caswell, making use of his advantageous situation, threw up a small intrenchment on the opposite side of the creek, where he determined to wait for col. Moore, then between 40 and 50 miles distant, or, should the Tories incline to attack him, to give them battle, although they were upwards of 2000 strong. In the meanwhile, however, to decoy them, he made a small breastwork on the other side of the creek, and began to treat with the Tories, who had sent in a flag of truce, with the like requistion they made to col. Moore, to lay down their arms, &c. in which case they should receive mercy, and be treated with gentleness. Col. Caswell's reply was, that he and his people were resolved to use their arms in the service of their country, and should not lay them down unless they were compelled to it. During this negotiation, he took care to let the officers who came with the flag of truce see his encampment, and the breastwork he had thrown up; and immedaitely on their departure caused it to be levelled, and corssed to his main post, leaving only a small guard behind, whom he orderd to keep up large fireds, as if his whole army was there encamped. He did not fail to leave behind him all the marks of a precipitate retreat, taking up the planks of the bridge for about 30 feet, but suffered the sleepers [part of the bridge] to remain, that the enemy might have it in their power to come over, though but slowly, and then made dispositions to prevent his army from being discovered by them. Next morning, a good while before day, the whole Tory army marched down to attack him, leaving only asmall party behind to guard their baggage. Their disposition was a very good one, the main body being supported on each side by a column of flankers; the van led by col. Macleod, second in command, and the rear of the army brought up by brigadier-general Macdonald, both of whome were at the battle of Lexington, and afterwards sent by general Gage, at governour Martin's request, to head the North Carolina insurgents. Upon their arrival, find that col. Caswell abandoned his camp, they determined to cross the bridge in pursuit of him; but as soon as they got upon it, his advanced guarc challenged them, who were nswered by Macleod with a discharge of his piece, which a sentinel returned. The enemy then began a heavy firing, although without being able to do the least execution; but col. Caswell lay still, till he thought a sufficient number of them had crossed to play upon with four field pieces, which he caused to be loaded with musket balls, and were so disposed on the intrenchment (in the form of a half-moon) as to rake the bridge on all sides. Abbout 100 of the enemy having crossed the bridge, there ensued a most dreadful carnage, and they never fired a shot after the first discharge from the artillery, but, being seized with a panick, betook themselves to flight, in the most precipitate manner, notwithstanding every exertion of col. Macleod, who fell soon afterwards, and when found had 23 balls and two buck shot in him and through him. It is supposed that carecly one of those returned who got over the bridge, about 30 being killed on the spot, between 50 and 60 wounded, and the rest fell over the bridge and were drowned, owing to the planks and sleeping being greased, which served to trip up their heels in the tumultuous flight, as was expected, and intended. A party of horsemen were sent in pursuit of general McDonald, who took him; and the Granville and Orange militia, who were likewise ordered to pursue the enemy, took about 400 prisoners, 30 of them officers, whom they delivered to col. Alexander Martin, then on his march from the western parts of the province to join col. Moore with 4000 men. The private men he disarmed, and set at liberty; but the leaders are to be sent to Halifax, where the Provincial Congress meets the second of April, and it is to be hoped will devise some method to put it out of the power of those abandoned tools of despotison, parricides [paracites] to their country, and foes to the liberties of mankind, from pursuing thier wicked and diabolical schemes in assisting to enslave America, now the only quarter of the globe where liberty triumphs over oppression; and that she may do so, to the latest posterity, ought to be the daily wish, and fervent prayer, of all good men.

Providence, which thitherto has so remarkably interposed in our behalf, was upon this occasion equally favourable to our glorious cause; for, during the whole engagement, there was not a single man killed, and only three were wounded, but not badly.

Two [Too] much cannot be said in praise of the brave col. Caswell, who displayed such military skill as would do hnour to any commander; and the officers and soldiers who fought under him, although raw and undisciplined troops, appear to have acted like veterans, thereby doing credit to their country, an adding lustre to the American arms, which God grant may always be successful, against tyranny, its aiders and abetors.

A letter since come to hand says, that about 40 of the Tories were killed, whose army consisted of at least 2500 men, most of whom were takne, with 32 baggage waggons, a quantity of dry good, etc. also 1200 guns, chiefly rifles, with swords, dirks, and some powder and ball.

Source:

"By the letters from North Carolina", The Virginia Gazette, March 15, 1776, Pages 5 and 6. Accessed through Newspapers.com