James Moore (Continental Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Moore
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| Born | c. 1737 New Hanover Precinct, Province of North Carolina, British America |
| Died | c. April 15, 1777 (aged 39–40) Wilmington, North Carolina, United States |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Great Britain Continental Congress United States |
| Service/ |
Continental Army |
| Years of service | 1758–1763, 1771, 1775–1777 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Relations | James Moore, Grandfather Alfred Moore, Nephew |
| Signature |  |
James Moore (born around 1737 – died around April 15, 1777) was an important general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He came from a well-known political family in the Province of North Carolina. Moore was one of only five generals from North Carolina to serve in the Continental Army.
He grew up on his family's land near the Cape Fear River. He soon became active in the military in colonial North Carolina. Moore fought in the French and Indian War and led the governor's cannons at the Battle of Alamance. This battle ended the War of the Regulation.
Even though he supported the colonial government early on, Moore later joined the movement for independence. He was a key member of the local Sons of Liberty groups. He also helped set up the North Carolina Provincial Congress, which was an unofficial government. In 1775, he became the first commander of a Continental Line regiment in North Carolina.
Moore showed great skill in the campaign that led to the Patriot victory at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge on February 27, 1776. After this, he was promoted to brigadier general. He stayed in North Carolina in early 1776 to stop a possible British invasion. Later that year, he was ordered to move his troops to South Carolina. Moore briefly led the Southern Department of the Continental Army before he died from illness in April 1777. He is remembered as a strong military leader whose early death ended a promising career.
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Early Life and Family Connections
James Moore was born around 1737 in New Hanover Precinct. This area is part of the Cape Fear region. His family owned a lot of land at Rocky Point, about 15 miles (24 km) north of Wilmington.
James was the son of Maurice Moore, I, and Mary Porter. His older brother, Maurice Moore II, became a Patriot leader during the American Revolution. His sister, Rebecca Moore, married another Revolutionary War leader, General John Ashe.
James Moore's grandfather, also named James Moore, was the governor of the Province of Carolina. At that time, North and South Carolina were one colony. James's uncle, Colonel James Moore, was a military leader during the Yamasee War. James Moore's nephew, Alfred Moore, served under him in the Continental Army. Alfred later became a judge on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Moore family was very powerful in the region. They were known simply as "the Family." They married into other wealthy families, which helped them grow their wealth and influence. The family made money from naval stores (like tar and pitch) and lumber.
James Moore married Anna Ivey. They had two sons and two daughters who survived him. One of his sons, James Moore Jr., was injured while fighting in the American Revolutionary War.
Military Service Before the Revolution
James Moore had military experience before the American Revolution began. In 1758, Governor Arthur Dobbs made him a captain of a company at Fort Johnston. He stayed in command during the French and Indian War. During this war, Moore led his company to South Carolina to help defend against Cherokee attacks.
By 1759, he was also made a justice of the peace. In 1766, Moore led an armed group to protest the Stamp Act. This group took over Brunswick, North Carolina, which was the capital at the time. Moore was chosen to speak to Governor William Tryon. The royal customs officer, William Pennington, gave in to the group's demands and promised not to enforce the Stamp Act.
Moore also served as a colonel in the colonial militia during the War of the Regulation. This was a revolt by western settlers against what they saw as unfair government in North Carolina. At the Battle of Alamance, Moore commanded Governor Tryon's cannons. His job was to fire the cannons to start the battle once Tryon decided the Regulators would not give up. The governor's forces won the battle, ending the rebellion.
Moore also served in the North Carolina House of Commons. He represented New Hanover County from 1764 to 1771 and again in 1773. In 1772, he bought a large plantation of 500 acres (200 ha) on the Cape Fear River.
American Revolution
Early Revolutionary Activities
Moore joined the Sons of Liberty in Wilmington in 1770. Through this group, he helped organize a boycott of British goods imported through the Cape Fear River. On July 21, 1774, Moore was chosen for a committee in Wilmington. This committee helped organize the First North Carolina Provincial Congress.
Moore also worked with the New Hanover Committee of Safety. He helped gather supplies for Boston, whose port had been closed by the British in 1774. In August 1775, he was elected to the Third Provincial Congress. This group organized the colonial militia and put Moore in charge of the first regiment of regular soldiers.
A British supporter named Janet Schaw described Moore as a popular and respected leader. She noted his strong principles and belief in what was right for the country. She believed he would be a tough opponent for the British.
Moore's brother-in-law, John Ashe, also wanted to command the first regiment. But Moore won by just one vote in the Provincial Congress. His military roles during the Revolution included:
- Colonel of the New Hanover County Regiment militia (1775)
- Colonel of the 1st North Carolina Regiment (1775–1776)
- Brigadier General of the 1st Brigade of the North Carolina Line (1776)
- Brigadier General of the Southern Department of the Continental Army (1776–1777)
The Moore's Creek Bridge Campaign
On February 15, 1776, Moore was put in charge of the 1st North Carolina Regiment. His job was to defend the Cape Fear region. At the same time, militia units under Colonel Richard Caswell were sent south to join Moore.
About 1,400 Scottish Highlanders in North Carolina remained loyal to Britain. This group, based near Cross Creek (now Fayetteville), worried the Patriot government. Moore and Caswell were sent to stop this growing Loyalist army.
The British Army and Navy planned to invade North Carolina near Wilmington. The Highlander Loyalists were told to join the British forces. Moore led his troops up the Cape Fear River and fortified a crossing at Rockfish Creek. This was the Loyalists' most direct route to Wilmington. Moore gathered more troops, reaching about 1,100 men.
The Loyalist general, Donald MacDonald, demanded that Moore join their side. Moore delayed his answer to gain time, then refused. MacDonald's men were not ready for a fight. He also heard that Caswell's militia was coming to join Moore. So, MacDonald moved his Loyalists away from Moore, looking for another river crossing.
Moore then planned a trap for MacDonald's Loyalists. He sent some men to Cross Creek. He ordered Colonels Caswell and Alexander Lillington to a spot downriver, in the Loyalists' path. The Loyalists managed to get past Caswell. Moore then told Caswell to join Lillington at Moore's Creek Bridge. Moore also moved his own troops 60 miles (97 km) downriver to join the chase.
In the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, the Loyalists tried to cross the creek early on February 27, 1776. They were met by strong resistance from Caswell and Lillington's combined forces. The Patriots quickly defeated the Loyalists in less than three minutes. They caused many casualties and captured 850 Loyalist soldiers. The Patriots had only one casualty.
Moore did not fight directly in the battle, but he arrived soon after. He then pursued the remaining Loyalist units. The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge stopped the British plan to conquer North Carolina. Patriots across the colonies celebrated this victory. On March 4, 1776, the Provincial Congress thanked Moore for his service.
Continental Army General
On March 1, 1776, the Continental Congress made Moore a brigadier general in the Continental Army. He was put in charge of all regular army forces in North Carolina. Moore was one of only five North Carolinians to reach this high rank.
As a brigadier general, he served under General Charles Lee, who commanded the army's Southern Department. Moore was tasked with defending Wilmington from British ships. He built new coastal defenses and sank ships in the Cape Fear River to block larger vessels.
In April and May 1776, some British troops under General Henry Clinton landed near Wilmington. They threatened Moore's 1,847 men. But Clinton soon decided North Carolina was not the best target. Most of the British fleet and army sailed south to Charleston on May 30, 1776.
After this near-battle, Moore suggested that the Provincial Congress raise five more companies of men to defend North Carolina's coast. He felt this was needed because Continental Army units could be ordered out of the state, leaving North Carolina unprotected.
In September 1776, General Lee was called north to help defend New York. Moore was then put in command of the Southern Department. The Continental Congress initially ordered Moore to join General George Washington in the north. However, because of the ongoing threat of a British attack in the Carolinas, Congress allowed North Carolina's Provincial Council to decide. On October 23, 1776, the Council ordered Moore to stay in North Carolina. This was confirmed by the Continental Congress on November 16. They also told Moore to help defend South Carolina or Georgia if needed.
Moore then led his 2,035 men south to Charleston, South Carolina in November. They arrived in January to help after the British attack at Sullivan's Island. Moore traveled often between Charleston and North Carolina. He worked to get money and clothes for his soldiers, who were poorly equipped. He even got a private loan to pay for food for his troops.
Moore's unit practiced drills daily. But the North Carolinians suffered from many illnesses like colds and pneumonia. Many soldiers left to join the South Carolina army because that state offered more money for service.
In February 1777, the Continental Congress ordered Moore to bring North Carolina's Continental Army troops north to help Washington. But a lack of supplies stopped this plan. Moore had returned to North Carolina on January 8, 1777, to try and improve his soldiers' conditions and raise money. He left the Southern Department under the command of Brigadier General Robert Howe. Howe refused to let the North Carolina brigade leave Charleston, fearing a British attack in the south. Because Moore's health was failing, Francis Nash was promoted to brigadier general and took command of the brigade on its march north.
Death and Legacy
While getting ready to march north in early 1777, Moore became very ill. He died around April 15, 1777, from what was called "a fit of gout in his stomach." It is said that Moore died on the same day and in the same house as his brother, Maurice. Moore's wife, Anne, died a few months later.
Even though Moore was not directly in any battles during the Revolutionary War, he was able to build a strong military force for North Carolina. Samuel A'Court Ashe, an early North Carolina historian, called Moore "perhaps the most masterful military man furnished by North Carolina to the war of independence." Another historian thought Moore's "actions had held the promise of greatness." Moore's smart leadership before and during the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge was a major reason for the Patriot victory there.
The Wake Forest, North Carolina chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a U.S. Army battery at Fort Casey in Washington state were named in his honor. In 1940, the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources put up a historical marker in Pender County near Moore's old home. This marker remembers his life and service in the Revolutionary War.
Images for kids
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General James Moore's signature
See also
In Spanish: James Moore (comandante) para niños
