Battle of Lindley's Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Lindley's Mill |
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| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||||
 A portion of Thomas Kitchin's 1781 map of North Carolina, depicting Hillsborough, the Haw River, and Lindley's Mill on Cane Creek (spelled here "Lindsey's M.") |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Patriot militia |
 Loyalist militia |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| John Butler Robert Mebane John Nall † |
Hector McNeill † Archibald McDugald |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 300 | 600 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 24 killed 90 wounded 10 captured |
27 killed 90 wounded |
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The Battle of Lindley's Mill was a fight during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on September 13, 1781, in a place called Lindley's Mill. This area is now part of Alamance County, North Carolina. The battle is also known as the Battle of Cane Creek. The mill was on a road that connected Hillsborough, the state capital at the time, with Wilmington, North Carolina.
Why the Battle Happened
This battle was part of the American Revolutionary War, which was fought between the American Patriots and the British and their supporters, called Loyalists.
Capture of Governor Burke
Just one day before the battle, on September 12, 1781, a group of Loyalist soldiers attacked Hillsborough. These Loyalists were led by Colonels David Fanning and Hector McNeill. They managed to capture Governor Thomas Burke of North Carolina. They also captured thirteen other important Patriot leaders.
Loyalists Head to Wilmington
The Loyalists planned to take the captured officials to Wilmington. There, they would hand them over to the British Army.
Patriots Set an Ambush
However, a Patriot general named John Butler lived nearby. He gathered about 300 Patriot soldiers, known as militia. They decided to set a trap for the Loyalists. They chose Lindley's Mill as the perfect spot for their ambush.
The Battle Begins
Lindley's Mill was located on Cane Creek, a small river that flows into the Haw River.
Surprise Attack
When the Loyalists arrived, the Patriot militia surprised them. The Loyalists had to cross Cane Creek to reach the Patriot soldiers. The Patriots were waiting on a hill overlooking the creek.
Early Losses
Hector McNeill, one of the Loyalist leaders, was older. He was leading his soldiers across the creek when he was shot and killed early in the fight.
Loyalists Change Tactics
The Loyalists found it hard to advance against the Patriots. So, David Fanning and a larger group of his soldiers crossed the creek further upstream. They then attacked the Patriots from the side, or "flank." This unexpected move put the Patriots on the defensive.
A Long Fight
The battle lasted for four hours. General Butler, seeing his soldiers getting hurt, decided to order a retreat. Some of his men tried to keep fighting, but the Loyalists eventually forced them to leave.
Key Deaths in Battle
During the intense fighting at Lindley's Mill, two important leaders faced each other.
Colonel McNeill and Major Nall
Colonel McNeill, a Loyalist leader, and Major John Nall, a Patriot leader, met in a one-on-one fight. Both fired their guns at the same time. McNeill's shot hit Nall, and Nall's shot hit McNeill in the head. Both leaders died right there on the spot.
What Happened Next
The battle was very costly for both sides.
Casualties and Injuries
Between 200 and 250 soldiers were either killed or wounded. The Loyalists lost their leader McNeill. David Fanning, another Loyalist leader, was also badly wounded. He had to hide in the woods as his soldiers continued their journey.
Dr. John Pyle's Role
Among the wounded was Dr. John Pyle. He had previously led a group of Loyalists in another battle. After he recovered from his injuries, Dr. Pyle helped care for many wounded soldiers, both Patriots and Loyalists. Because of his help, Governor Alexander Martin later pardoned Dr. Pyle for his Loyalist actions.
Governor Burke's Fate
Despite the battle, the Patriots did not rescue Governor Burke. He was successfully taken to James Island and imprisoned there.
End of the War in North Carolina
The Battle of Lindley's Mill effectively marked the end of the war in North Carolina. This happened about a month before Lord Cornwallis surrendered the main British Army at Yorktown. Even though the Patriots lost this battle and their governor was captured, it actually made Patriot support in North Carolina grow stronger.
