The most important event in February 1776 was the Battle of Moore's Bridge. This battle took place on February 27. British Royal Governor Josiah Martin sought to reestablish Great Britain's authority in North Carolina. Maj Gen Henry Clinton was dispatched with a British Army to North Carolina's coast. The loyalists in North Carolina (mostly Scottish Highlanders) assembled at Cross Creek (now Fayetteville) to join the British Troops.
Col Richard Caswell moved the patriot militia to hold Moores Creek Bridge which was a strategic crossing for the Loyalist troops. Caswell fortified the eastern Bank, Removed the Bridge planks and waited for the Loyalists to approach. The Loyalist troops reached the bridge just after Midnight Feb 27. They were met with deadly Patriot Rifle and artillery fire. The volleys shattered the attacking Loyalists and forced a retreat. Caswell's men scattered the Loyalists and captured hundreds.
The Patriot victory at Moores Creek Bridge secured North Carolina to remain in Patriot hands for the rest of the Revolution. The defeat discouraged Loyalist recruitment in the region and delayed significant British operations in the South until 1780.
