Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge was a decisive Patriot victory that ended British hopes for a major Loyalist uprising in the southern colonies. The British plan called for Highland Scottish Loyalists and backcountry Regulators to march to the coast and meet a British fleet. Brigadier General Donald McDonald commanded about 1,600 Loyalists who began their march in February 1776.

Patriot forces under colonels Richard Caswell and Alexander Lillington raced to intercept them at Moore's Creek Bridge. The Patriots arrived first, removed the bridge planks, and greased the log supports with soap and tallow to prevent a quick crossing. Before dawn on February 27, the Loyalists found the bridge apparently lightly defended.

McLeod and Captain John Campbell led about 80 Highlanders across the slippery log supports, brandishing broadswords and shouting the Gaelic battle cry 'King George and Broad Swords!' They ran directly into a murderous crossfire from several hundred Patriot riflemen and two cannon loaded with grapeshot. McLeod was killed almost immediately, shot multiple times. The entire engagement lasted three minutes. The Patriots pursued fleeing Loyalists for miles, capturing hundreds including McDonald himself, along with weapons and over 15,000 pounds sterling in gold.

The victory ended British plans for a Loyalist-assisted conquest of North Carolina, discouraged the expected British fleet that arrived that spring, and helped push North Carolina's delegates toward supporting independence in the Continental Congress.