Moores Creek ceremony marks first Patriot victory of the American Revolution

CURRIE, NC (WECT) - Musket fire rang out Saturday morning, to begin a weekend of events marking one of the turning points of the American Revolution.

Historians and visitors are gathering this weekend for the 248th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, taking place at the Moores Creek National Battlefield in Pender County.

In the battle fought on February 27, 1776, forces loyal to King George marched toward the partially damaged bridge over Moores Creek, only to be defeated by nearly one thousand North Carolina Patriots. With the Loyalists in retreat, the Battle of Moores Creek is considered by many to be the first significant victory for Patriots in the Revolutionary War.

The weekend’s events began with a wreath-laying ceremony hosted by the Moores Creek Battleground Association. Dignitaries laid wreaths at the four monuments on the park grounds which include the Women’s Monument, honoring the women of the Cape Fear area for the role they played in the American Revolution, the Moore Monument, in place to honor James Fulton Moore, the first president of the Moores Creek Monumental Association, the Loyalist Monument, which honors the Colonists who remained loyal to the King and lost their lives in fighting for their beliefs, and the Grady Monument, set in 1857 to honor Private John Grady, the only Patriot to lose his life during the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge.

The event also honors the role that the Stamp Defiance Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution played in establishing Moores Creek National Battlefield as a federal site managed by the U.S. National Park Service.

Here is a schedule of Sunday’s events:

Sunday February 25

12:00 pm - Music Program - Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums - Program Tent

1:00 pm - Battle Demonstration - Patriot Earthworks

2:00 pm - Guided Tour - Led by Ben Sorensen - Meet Outside the Visitor Center

2:30 pm - Ranger-Led Program - Bert Dunkerly - “Treason, Taxes and Tea: The Other Tea Parties” - Program Tent

2:30 pm - Musket Demonstration - Near Grady Monument

3:00 pm - Music Program - Wilmington Police Pipes and Drums - Program Tent

3:30 pm - Battle Demonstration - Patriot Earthworks

To learn more about Moores Creek National Battlefield and a timeline for the important Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, click here.