Moores Creek National Battlefield in North Carolina

Although the most famous engagements during the Revolutionary War took place well away from North Carolina, on February 27, 1776, the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge took place, only 20 miles from the strategic port of Wilmington. Ultimately, the patriots kept British loyalist forces from being able to get to the port to join other troops there.

Today the site of that battle has been preserved and is part of the 87-acre Moores Creek National Battlefield. It's far from the most visited park in the state, has a wonderful history and is close enough to the beach and I-95 that if you're ever passing through it's worth stopping by and seeing a piece of real American history.

The battle was really won by Yankee ingenuity, too. Ultimately, only one patriot and 30 loyalists died. Another 40 on the British side were wounded. No it also wasn't the most bloody battle that took place, by far, but the way the battle was turned, ultimately saving hundreds of lives is the real story.

Fighting in Concord and Lexington in 1775 had eroded royal control in the Carolinas and it wasn't long until the governor of the region, Josiah Martin, abandoned what was then the capital-New Bern-and fled to Fort Johnston, which was on the Lower Cape Fear River. Shortly after he sought a more safe refuge on the high seas aboard Cruizer, a British warship.

But the King had hardly given up on the Carolinas. The plan for retaking the area included landing trained British troops and raising an army of those loyal to the crown.

When a group of British loyalists organized in what is now known as Fayetteville-and started their march along the Cape Fear River to join British troops-patriots militia harassed them along the way. Ultimately they had no choice by to try and cross at Moore's Creek Bridge.

The bridge was the only real crossing on the river that lay between the loyalists and other British troops. The patriot forces knew this and quickly set up defenses before the opposing army arrived. A group of 150 patriots built an earthwork on the east side of the bridge, while 850 more did the same on the other side.

Even though the British loyalists approaching the bridge were 1,600 in number, they had only enough firearms to equip 800 men. Hoping to avoid a battle, a letter was sent to the patriots asking them to lay down their arms and swear allegiance to the crown.

The request was denied. In the meantime, scouts had reported to British commanders that the fortifications were weak and vulnerable, so the attack was planned for the next morning.

During the night, though, the 800 men on the west side of the river retreated to the other side. Along the way they ripped out the bridge's planks and greased the remaining girders, apparently with lard.

As the battle began the first group of loyalist troops approached the bridge and tried to cross-slipping and sliding, only a few men at a time. But they soon met a deadly volley of canon, musket and rifle fire, dropping nearly every one of them in their tracks.

The loyalists quickly retreated and the Battle of Moore's Creek had ended just as quickly as it had begun. The engagement may have been short, but the end was more than fitting. Within weeks all of the loyalist rifles and gear was captured.

Today the earthworks are still in the same spots they were more than 200 years ago. There's some speculation about their exact height, though.

Moore's Creek National Battlefield is open every day, except New Year's and Christmas. There are two trails to hike: the History Trail, which is one mile long and the Tarheel Trail at .3 mile. The later features exhibits of the chief industry in the area at the time, tar, pitch and turpentine, which were so critical to the British Navy.

Dedicated to Private John Grady, the only patriot killed in the engagement, the Patriot Monument is found on the battlefield as well. It was erected in 1857 and nearby the Loyalist Monument honors those on the other side who, "did their duty as they saw it." It was constructed in 1909.

If you're visiting Wilmington, this interesting site is well worth a visit-if for nothing else to celebrate that Yankee ingenuity that helped turn the tide in the Revolutionary War. Take U.S. Route 421 north from Wilmington, North Carolina, then turn west on North Carolina 210 to reach the battlefield. For more information, call (910) 283-5591.