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Survey of
Historic Sites and Buildings

	MOORES CREEK NATIONAL MILITARY PARK North Carolina	Moores Creek NMP
Location: 25 miles northwest of Wilmington, Fender County, on N.C. 210; address, Currie, N.C. 28435. Moores Creek National Military Park

The Battle of Moores Creek was the opening engagement of the Revolution in the South, and is often called the Lexington and Concord of the South. Here on February 27, 1776, a force of 1,500 loyalist militia under Donald McDonald attacked a patriot force of about 1,000 men under Col. James Moore, entrenched on Moores Creek. The patriots turned back the loyalist assault and subsequently captured or dispersed the entire loyalist command. The action bolstered patriot morale and strengthened the movement for independence. The British, moreover, abandoned their plans for conquering the southern Colonies and did not resume major operations in the South until late in the war.

The flooring of this bridge, reconstructed here, was removed by the Whigs (patriots) and the girders were greased in order to make the crossing of Moores Creek more difficult for the enemy loyalists. This view is eastward toward the patriot encampment. (National Park Service)

Moores Creek National Military Park contains 50 acres on which the engagement was fought. A self-guiding trail leads to remains of the patriot fortifications, cannon, field exhibits, monuments, and markers which unfold the story of the battle. A visitor center houses exhibits relating to the battle and its consequences.