The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge was fought between two militias. A militia is an army composed of citizens who are not professional soldiers. Colonial North Carolina had no standing army so militias were the only protection available. All free males, regardless of race, between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to join the militia. Muster, or drill, was held every month or so. Militiamen received pay only when they were in the field under the direction of the colonial Assembly. The officers in the militia were elected by the General Assembly.

Militiamen were required to provide their own equipment, including a musket, gunpowder, clothes, food, cartridge box, and canteen. Patriot soldiers usually wore civilian or hunting clothes. Most of the clothing was tan or brown, the color of cloth that was produced in the colonies. The majority of the Loyalists who fought at Moores Creek were Scottish Highlanders. They would have worn their traditional plaids, if they had them, while other Loyalists wore English-style clothing. On the next few pages you will find examples of the clothing that was worn and the equipment used by militias.

Patriot	Colonial Militia and Minuteman	Loyalist

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Web Manager: Timoth Boyd
Last Updated: Wednesday, 22-Dec-2004 09:42:16 Eastern Standard Time
http://www.nps.gov /archive/mocr/guide/militia.htm