Battle of Ramsour's Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Ramsour's Mill |
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| Part of the American Revolutionary War | |||||||
 Dedicated in 1997 by the Lincoln County Historical Association and descendants of John Martin Shuford. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Patriot militia |
 Loyalist militia |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Francis Locke John Dickey |
John Moore Nicholas Warlick Abraham Keener |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 400 | 1,300 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Around 150 killed/wounded | 150 killed/wounded 50 captured |
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The Battle of Ramsour's Mill was a fight during the American Revolutionary War. It happened on June 20, 1780, in what is now Lincolnton, North Carolina. This battle was part of the British plan to take control of the southern colonies.
It was a unique battle because no regular army soldiers were involved. Instead, it was fought between local Patriot militia and Loyalist militia. These groups were made up of neighbors, friends, and even family members. Many Loyalists were German settlers in the area.
Even though the Patriots were outnumbered, they won the battle. This victory was important because it made Loyalists in the South less willing to support the British.
Contents
Why Did the Battle of Ramsour's Mill Happen?
On June 18, 1780, Patriot General Griffith Rutherford heard that a large group of Loyalists was gathering at Ramsour's Mill. This mill was near what is now Lincolnton. General Rutherford started moving his troops towards the mill.
He also sent orders to other local militia leaders, like Lieutenant Colonel Francis Locke. They were told to gather their own militia forces.
Patriots Decide to Attack Early
Colonel Locke quickly gathered about 400 Patriot soldiers. They had both cavalry (soldiers on horseback) and infantry (soldiers on foot). Their spies told them that the Loyalist force was three times bigger than theirs.
Despite being outnumbered, the Patriots decided to attack early the next morning. They didn't want to wait for General Rutherford's main forces to arrive. They were worried that the Loyalists might get even more soldiers.
At dawn on June 20, the Patriots were just one mile from the Loyalist camp. The camp was on a hill near Jacob Ramsour's mill.
How Loyalists Gathered Forces
A Loyalist named John Moore had fought with the British at the Siege of Charleston. He returned home near Ramsour's Mill with stories of the war. On June 10, he called together about 40 Loyalists.
Moore shared instructions from British General Cornwallis. Cornwallis had told Loyalists not to organize large groups until British troops arrived. However, news came that about 20 Patriots were looking for Moore and other Loyalist leaders.
Moore and his men decided to confront the Patriots but couldn't find them. Moore then told his men to go home and meet him in a few days at Ramsour's Mill. On June 13, 200 men arrived there. More joined them after hearing about a British victory at Waxhaws. By June 20, the Loyalist camp had grown to about 1,300 men.
The Battle Begins
When the Patriot cavalry approached, Loyalist guards fired at them. The guards then ran back to their main group. The Patriots charged, and their foot soldiers moved forward.
The battle was confusing. The Patriots managed to get around the Loyalists' side and take control of the ridge (the top of the hill). General Rutherford, who was only a few miles away, heard the fighting. He quickly sent his cavalry to help and hurried his foot soldiers along.
A Captain's Courage
Patriot Colonel Francis Locke wanted his men to fall back and regroup. But Captain John Dickey refused to retreat. He led his company to higher ground. The excellent shooting skills of Captain John Hardin's men helped turn the battle in the Patriots' favor.
When Colonel Locke ordered a retreat, Captain Dickey famously refused. He was later given credit for saving the day at the battle.
Neither side wore military uniforms. Loyalists wore a green pine twig in their hats. Patriots wore a piece of white paper in their hats. After the battle, some Patriots were found shot in the head. This made people think the Loyalists used the white paper as targets.
Patriot soldiers even made a song about Captain Dickey. One verse that still exists says:
"Old Colonel Locke kept pretty well back,
While brave Captain Dickey commenced the attack.
He, Colonel Locke, ordered us to retreat and reform,
Which made our old hero mightily storm."
One old document says Captain Dickey shouted, "Shoot straight, my boys, and keep on fighting. I see some of them beginning to tumble." The fighting was very intense, even between family and friends.
Acts of Kindness in Battle
Despite the brutal fighting, there were also moments of kindness.
Captain M'Kissick was wounded early in the battle. He was shot in the shoulder. He left the battlefield and walked about 80 poles (a unit of distance) to the west. As the firing stopped, he met ten Loyalists coming from a nearby farm. They had been hiding until the fighting started. They thought their side had won. Several of them knew Captain M'Kissick and would have hurt him. But Abra[ha]m Keener Sr., one of his neighbors, protected him and took him prisoner. As they marched towards the battleground, Keener kept saying, "That a man so clever and such a good neighbor and of such good sense should ever be a rebel." He kept talking to Captain M'Kissick until they reached where the Patriots were gathered. Keener looked around and saw many unfamiliar faces. He said, "Hey, boys, I believe you has got a good many prisoners here." Immediately, many guns were cocked. Captain M'Kissick, even though he was very weak from losing blood, had to try hard to save Keener and his group.
The Loyalists soon became disorganized, and many ran away. When Colonel Rutherford arrived, the Loyalists offered a truce to treat the wounded. Rutherford, whose full force hadn't arrived yet, demanded they surrender immediately. While they talked, most of the remaining Loyalists fled. Only about 50 were captured.
Who Fought in the Battle?
Patriot Forces
The main Patriot commander was Colonel Francis Locke. The Patriot forces were made up of different militia groups from North and South Carolina.
- North Carolina Militia:
* Soldiers from Rowan County, led by Colonel Francis Locke. * Soldiers from Surry County. * Soldiers from Mecklenburg County. * Soldiers from Burke County. * Soldiers from Lincoln County. * Soldiers from Rutherford County. * Soldiers from Orange County. * Soldiers from Edgecombe County.
- South Carolina Militia:
* Soldiers from the 2nd Spartan Regiment. * Soldiers from New Acquisition District. * Soldiers from Turkey Creek Regiment. * Soldiers from Little River Regiment. * Soldiers from Upper Craven County.
What Happened After the Battle?
It was hard to count the dead and wounded because no one wore uniforms. Estimates say between 50 and 70 people died on each side. About 100 were wounded on each side. Many bodies were found scattered on the hill. Wives, mothers, and children buried their loved ones on the hill.
Loyalists who were captured had their property taken away. Six years later, Abraham Keener, who helped Captain M'Kissick, was ordered to help build a road as punishment for being involved in the battle. However, many Loyalists who were captured were later set free. Some even changed their minds and became Patriots.
The defeat at Ramsour's Mill greatly discouraged the Loyalists in that area. They never organized a large force there again. John Moore, the Loyalist leader, and about 30 of his men reached British General Cornwallis. Cornwallis was angry with Moore for disobeying his orders to wait for British troops.
A British officer wrote that if it hadn't been for "the Weak Silly man Moore," the area would have been peaceful. He also said that the Scots-Irish people in the Catawba River Valley were "the worst of Creation" and needed "Severity" to be controlled.
Preserving History
The Lincoln County Historical Association has worked to preserve the battle site. It is located behind what is now Lincolnton High School. They have also done archaeological research on the mass graves.
In 1997, the Lincoln County Historical Association and the family of Loyalist John Martin Shuford dedicated a new monument to him. His original grave marker was moved to the Lincoln County Museum of History.
Images for kids
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Dedicated in 1997 by the Lincoln County Historical Association and descendants of John Martin Shuford.
