Battle of Ramsour's Mill
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Ramsour's Mill took place on June 20, 1780 near present-day Lincolnton, North Carolina
, during the British campaign to gain control of the southern colonies
in the American Revolutionary War
. About 400 American militia defeated 1,300 Loyalist
militiamen. The battle did not involve any regular army forces from either side, and was literally fought between neighbors. Despite being outnumbered, the Patriot
militia defeated the Loyalists.
The battle was significant in that it lowered the morale of Loyalists in the south, weakening their support of the British.
, encamped near Charlotte, North Carolina
, learned on June 18, 1780 that a body of Loyalist
s was assembling at Ramsour's Mill, to the west of Charlotte (near present-day Lincolnton
). Rutherford began moving his forces in that direction, and sent a message on June 19 to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Locke of the North Carolina militia and several other area militia leaders call up their men.
Locke had already gathered 400 men at Mountain Creek, about 16 miles (25.7 km) from Ramsour's Mill. Their intelligence told them that the Loyalist force was more than three times their size, but a decision was made to attack early the next day without receiving word of Rutherford's movement. By daybreak on June 20 they were one mile from the Loyalist camp, which was on a hill about 300 yards (274.3 m) east of the mill.
and returned to his home a few miles from Ramsour's Mill with tales of battle. He called together a group of about 40 Loyalists on June 10 and shared with them instructions from Cornwallis that they should avoid organizing before British troops entered the area. News came to this meeting that a group of about twenty Patriots was looking for Moore and other Loyalist leaders. Moore and his men decided to find and confront them, but were unsuccessful. Moore told his men to return home, and instructed them to join him in a few days at Ramsour's Mill. On June 13 200 men arrived there, and the number grew in the following days, buoyed by news of the British victory at Waxhaws. By June 20 the encampment had grown to about 1,300 men.
According to firsthand accounts on file in the National Archives:
Atop the ridge, Colonel Francis Locke was unable to reform his line and ordered a retreat. However, Captain John Dickey disobeyed Colonel Locke's orders to retreat and led his company to an advantageous position, where their marksmanship soon turned the battle into victory. When ordered by his superior officer, Colonel Locke, to retreat, he soundly swore (Presbyterian elder that he was), that he would not retreat. Captain Dickey was credited with saving the day at the Battle of Ramsour's Mill.
The soldiers thereupon composed a ballad, which for many years was sung about the countryside in the old man's honor. Only one verse of this song is preserved in the National Archives in Washington:
One affidavit in the National Archives Pension Files recites that Captain Dickey called out, “Shoot straight, my boys, and keep on fighting; I see some of them beginning to tumble.”
The Loyalists were in disarray and many fled. When Rutherford reached the field he was met by a white flag, where the Loyalists requested a truce in order to deal with the dead and wounded. Rutherford, whose entire force had not yet arrived, demanded an immediate surrender. In the time that the discussions went on, most of the remaining Loyalists fled, and only 50 were taken prisoner.
The battle so badly demoralized the area Loyalists that they never organized again in that area. Moore and about 30 men joined Cornwallis at Camden
, where Moore was threatened with charges for disobeying Cornwallis.
Lincolnton, North Carolina
Lincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is located northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River, and near the junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route...
, during the British campaign to gain control of the southern colonies
Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War
The Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War was the central area of operations in North America in the second half of the American Revolutionary War. During the first three years of the conflict, the primary military encounters had been in the north, focused on campaigns around the...
in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. About 400 American militia defeated 1,300 Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
militiamen. The battle did not involve any regular army forces from either side, and was literally fought between neighbors. Despite being outnumbered, the Patriot
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
militia defeated the Loyalists.
The battle was significant in that it lowered the morale of Loyalists in the south, weakening their support of the British.
Background
American General Griffith RutherfordGriffith Rutherford
Griffith Rutherford was an officer in the American Revolutionary War, a political leader in North Carolina, and an important figure in the early history of the Southwest Territory and the state of Tennessee....
, encamped near Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, learned on June 18, 1780 that a body of Loyalist
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
s was assembling at Ramsour's Mill, to the west of Charlotte (near present-day Lincolnton
Lincolnton, North Carolina
Lincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States, within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,683 at the 2010 census. Lincolnton is located northwest of Charlotte, on the South Fork of the Catawba River, and near the junction of State Highway 27 and U.S. Route...
). Rutherford began moving his forces in that direction, and sent a message on June 19 to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Locke of the North Carolina militia and several other area militia leaders call up their men.
Locke had already gathered 400 men at Mountain Creek, about 16 miles (25.7 km) from Ramsour's Mill. Their intelligence told them that the Loyalist force was more than three times their size, but a decision was made to attack early the next day without receiving word of Rutherford's movement. By daybreak on June 20 they were one mile from the Loyalist camp, which was on a hill about 300 yards (274.3 m) east of the mill.
Loyalist recruiting
Loyalist John Moore had served with the British at the Siege of CharlestonSiege of Charleston
The Siege of Charleston was one of the major battles which took place towards the end of the American Revolutionary War, after the British began to shift their strategic focus towards the American Southern Colonies. After about six weeks of siege, Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincoln...
and returned to his home a few miles from Ramsour's Mill with tales of battle. He called together a group of about 40 Loyalists on June 10 and shared with them instructions from Cornwallis that they should avoid organizing before British troops entered the area. News came to this meeting that a group of about twenty Patriots was looking for Moore and other Loyalist leaders. Moore and his men decided to find and confront them, but were unsuccessful. Moore told his men to return home, and instructed them to join him in a few days at Ramsour's Mill. On June 13 200 men arrived there, and the number grew in the following days, buoyed by news of the British victory at Waxhaws. By June 20 the encampment had grown to about 1,300 men.
Battle
When the cavalry leading the Patriot column approached, the guards posted on the road fired their weapons and retreated to join their main body. After an initial cavalry charge, the Patriot infantry moved up. In the confusion of the battle, the Patriots were able to turn the Loyalist flank and gain control of the ridge. General Rutherford, then only a few miles from Ramsour's Mill, received word of the action and immediately dispatched his cavalry to assist and hurried the infantry along.According to firsthand accounts on file in the National Archives:
Atop the ridge, Colonel Francis Locke was unable to reform his line and ordered a retreat. However, Captain John Dickey disobeyed Colonel Locke's orders to retreat and led his company to an advantageous position, where their marksmanship soon turned the battle into victory. When ordered by his superior officer, Colonel Locke, to retreat, he soundly swore (Presbyterian elder that he was), that he would not retreat. Captain Dickey was credited with saving the day at the Battle of Ramsour's Mill.
The soldiers thereupon composed a ballad, which for many years was sung about the countryside in the old man's honor. Only one verse of this song is preserved in the National Archives in Washington:
"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 affidavit in the National Archives Pension Files recites that Captain Dickey called out, “Shoot straight, my boys, and keep on fighting; I see some of them beginning to tumble.”
The Loyalists were in disarray and many fled. When Rutherford reached the field he was met by a white flag, where the Loyalists requested a truce in order to deal with the dead and wounded. Rutherford, whose entire force had not yet arrived, demanded an immediate surrender. In the time that the discussions went on, most of the remaining Loyalists fled, and only 50 were taken prisoner.
Aftermath
Casualties were difficult to accurately assign to each side since almost no one was wearing any sort of uniform. Estimates place the number of dead on each side at 50 to 70, with about 100 wounded per side. The battle, in which muskets were reportedly sometimes used as clubs due to the shortage of ammunition, was reported to be fought between "neighbors, near relations, and friends".The battle so badly demoralized the area Loyalists that they never organized again in that area. Moore and about 30 men joined Cornwallis at Camden
Camden, North Carolina
Camden is the county seat of the consolidated city-county of Camden County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is located on the eastern banks of the Pasquotank River, across from which lies Elizabeth City. It currently has two traffic lights, and is centered at the intersection of U.S....
, where Moore was threatened with charges for disobeying Cornwallis.