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King George and Broadswords!" shouted loyalists as they charged across
partially dismantled Moores Creek bridge on February 27, 1776. Just beyond
the bridge nearly a thousand North Carolina patriots waited quietly with
cannons and muskets poised to fire.
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 Moores Creek Bridge, coupled with the Battle of Sullivans
Island near Charleston, SC a few months later, ultimately led the 13 colonies
to declare independence on July 4, 1776.
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