A Stunning Defeat Wayside Exhibit

• DESCRIBING: A horizontal painting of the battle, in full color, that spans the entirety of a 36x24 metal exhibit and base that sits along an asphalt trail at the base of earthen mounds known as earthworks. SYNOPSIS: An artistic rendering of the early morning Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, showing the clash of North Carolinian settlers. The Scot Highlander Loyalists took an oath to the defend British Crown, while the Patriot Rebels fight for colonial independence. The perspective is from behind the Loyalist soldiers who are encountering a mounded earth barricade that is emanating with an onslaught of unexpected gun and canon fire. IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: The painting shows the historical battle scene at Moores Creek. The perspective of the painting is of the Scot Highlanders, who are nearly all defeated by the Patriot Rebels. This group of Loyalist soldiers have been caught off guard by the unexpected assault of rifles and cannon blasts coming from the distance. The painting shows the feeling of surprise and bewilderment of their ambush attack gone terribly wrong. Their expressions and poses convey the feeling of desperation and shock. Text reads, "By the time they reached this spot, McLeod's loyalists realized they were in a trap but had no choice except to charge the earthworks, broadswords in hand. Then the morning mist exploded with the blasts of hundreds of muskets and two cannon. A torrent of lead hit the loyalists. Captain. Donald McLeod lay dying near this spot, 30 paces from the patriot earthworks. After a second blast, their advance was stopped cold. Outgunned, stunned and leaderless, they retreated in disorder.  This decisive battle had profound consequences for North Carolina for the American Revolution. For the Scots Highlanders, it would mark the last broadsword charge in their long and proud history.

A Trap is Set Wayside

• Audio Description of Wayside exhibit: DESCRIBING: Watercolor image of Scots Highlanders on a 36x24 metal wayside exhibit and base sitting along a dirt path surrounded by trees. Path is flat with some uneven surfaces. SYNOPSIS: The painting depicts loyalist forces preparing to cross the dismantled Moore’s Creek bridge. IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: A dramatic scene in a dense forest with leafless trees and heavy mist in the background is shown. The ground has patches of snow or frost visible. Dense fog partially obscures the dismantled Moores Creek bridge and the path ahead. The focus of the painting is on seven loyalist men ready for battle with raised basket-hilted broadswords and rifles. Their faces are tense with expressions of determination and bravado. Several are in Scottish-style clothing, including kilts, blue beret-like hats called bonnets, and swords. Others are wearing woolen garments traditionally worn by colonists. The soldiers’ body language suggests excitement—some are mid-shout, others grip their weapons tightly, and all appear focused on the bridge ahead. The atmosphere is thick with fog and smoke, adding to the scene's intensity. Lt Colonel Donald McLeod is a prominent figure in the group, leading the men into battle. He wears a red coat with golden fringed epaulets, a blue plaid kilt, a feathered hat, white gloves, and tall white socks with red diamond pattern. Raising his sword, pointing towards the bridge, commanding his troops. Another man prominently shown to Donald’s right, clad in a light white frock coat and tricorn hat, holds a long rifle aloft. His coat is cinched with a leather belt, from which a powder horn and other supplies hang. On the left side of the frame closest to the viewer, stands a soldier playing a bagpipe. He has light skin and short, curly brown hair. He wears a blue beret adorned with a small red pom-pom on top. His expression is focused. He is dressed in a white, long-sleeved shirt, loose fitting. He wears a blue great kilt. A leather strap runs across his right shoulder, securing the bagpipes. Exhibit text reads: "Patriots established a small camp on the 26th of February. Visited by loyalist emissary James Hepburn that evening under a flag of truce, the patriots declined the chance to lay down their arms. Hepburn reported back to loyalist leaders that the patriots were few in number and were camped with their backs to Moores Creek. When loyalist troops arrived just before daybreak, campfires were still glowing - but the camp was empty. Not knowing that the combined patriot forces now lay hidden beyond the creek in ambush, McLeod's highlanders mustered near the bridge to the rallying cry, "King George and Broadswords." With three cheers, they slowly made their way across Moores Creek Bridge, even though the deck timbers had been removed to impede the loyalist advance. MacDonald's army, led by McLeod, arrived at Moores Creek Bridge in the early morning of February 27, 1776, thinking that they would surprise Caswell's encampment at Moores Creek. CAPTION: Highlanders CREDIT: NPS / Gil Cohen

Aftermath of the Battle

• Metal exhibit along the rubberized History Trail just outside of the earthworks before arriving at the Grady Monument. The loyalists who survived the battle of Moores Creek were unable to mount another offensive. Within four months, the British fleet, which had sailed on without the loyalist volunteers, was repulsed at Fort Moultrie off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. The defeat of the southeastern campaign convinced the British to concentrate on fighting the rebellion in northern colonies. The patriot victory at Moores Creek tipped the scales in North Carolina. On April 12, 1776, the North Carolina Provincial Congress adopted the Halifax Resolves, making North Carolina the first colony to instruct delegates to the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence.

Blackwater Highways

• Traveling across the boardwalk, this wayside exhibit and base sits on the right hand side, about 50 feet from the beginning of the boardwalk. This wayside is 30x20" exhibit that sits on the handrails of the boardwalk. Text reads: Blackwater Highways Moores Creek not only figured in the battle but was critical to the naval stores economy. Surrounded by pine forests that generated tar and turpentine but with few passable roads to get the heavy barrels to market, the colonists used an intricate web of tidal creeks and rivers to reach the port of Wilmington - and the world. Moores Creek and connecting waterways were the interstate highways of the 18th century and helped make the Carolina coast the world capital of shipbuilding products.

Commemorating the Battle

• This metal wayside exhibit sits along the History Trail, along the Patriot earthworks, just before arriving at the Grady Monument. The trail is a rubberized trail and is mostly flat. Text on the Wayside reads: Commemorating the Battle On February 27, 1856, the 80th anniversary of the battle, a large crowd watched as officials laid the cornerstone of the Patriot monument, the first memorial to be erected on this battlefield. Since then, five other memorials have been added, all but one during the years between the Spanish-American War and World War I. The Moores Creek Monumental Association, founded in 1899, was instrumental in preserving this battlefield and helping it become part of the National Park System in 1933. Images: •The Stage Road monument commemorates the Black River Road and the battle fought here in 1776. •The Loyalist monument is dedicated to loyalists who fought and died at the Battle of Moore’s Creek. •The Patriot monument honors Private Grady, the only patriot to die at Moores Creek. •The Moore monument is dedicated to the first president of the Monumental Association. -The Bridge Monument shows the site of Moores Creek Bridge at the time of the battle. The Women's Monument, as seen in this 1936 photograph, is the most dramatic in the park. It is dedicated to the heroic women of the lower Cape Fear region, and their patriotic actions during the American Revolution.

Decisive Victory Exhibit

• This exhibit sits above the Patriot earthworks along the History Trail, about 2/3 of a mile from the visitor center. If coming to the panel from Moores Creek Bridge, the path is slightly uphill along an asphalt trail. Text reads: "From their well-defended position, hundreds of patriots trained their guns on the loyalist Scots who charged from the shadows in the light of dawn. But bravery and broadswords were no match for muskets and cannon. Within seconds, the front ranks of the loyalists were decimated. Some lay dead below the earthworks, while others drowned in Moores Creek. In all, more than thirty loyalists perished. Patriot losses were one dead and one wounded. After the battle, patriots captured hundreds of loyalists, large quantities of weapons, supplies, and more than 15,000 pounds ($13,850,000 in today's money). The Battle of Moores Creek undermined royal hopes that armies of loyalists throughout the South would join British troops to quell the growing rebellion.

Grady (Patriot) Monument

Loyalist Monument

• A granite monument surrounded by trees. The path to get to the monument is made of recycled tires and is flat.

Moores Creek

• A dark water creek spanned by a wooden boardwalk on one side and a wooden bridge on the other. The boardwalk is relatively flat going across the creek.

Moores Creek Bridge

• A wooden bridge surrounded on two sides by water and a swamp.

Mother Covington and her Daughter

• Grassy area with dirt hills and two cannons behind the hills along a flat asphalt path.

Patriot's Hall

Road to Independence

Wayside Exhibit focused on the leadup to the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge.

• Describing: 36x24" Exhibit with drawings of soldiers, sitting on a metal railing on the back porch of the visitor center. In Depth Description: Text reads: "It is peaceful now. Quiet and secluded. But in the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, history was made here. As unlikely as it may seem today, a violent, deadly struggle in the forest before you determined the fate of North Carolina and influenced the course of the American Revolution. This trail is only one mile along a paved walkway and boardwalk. The landscapes you will see may appear like many others - a winding country road, a narrow bridge across a creek, a swampy tidal wetland. But something here is different. Christened by combat, commemorated by proud descendants, this place is now a national treasure. Follow this path and you will discover why. In 1754 Benjamin Franklin depicted the colonies as a divided serpent with the inscription "Join or Die." This and other versions followed in the years leading up to the Revolution.

Road to the Sea Wayside

• This wayside exhibit is located at the intersection of the paved trail and a dirt trail. You will be walking through a heavily forested area with a grassy savannah to your left. Exhibit is a 36x24 panel on a metal base. Main image on the panel is features large trees, grass and brush along a sandy trail. Wooden sign on the right-hand side of the panel reads, "Historic Black River Road. On the left side of the panel, a map of Southeastern North Carolina is featured with two lines, a red line for loyalist movement and a blue one for patriot movements. the movements occur from the top of the map to the bottom. Text of the wayside: "Patriot and loyalist forces marched along the sandy road that lies before you. Called the Black River Road, it linked interior North Carolina to the coast, the destination of the loyalist army led by Brig. Gen. Donald MacDonald. By late February 1776, it was the last direct route not blocked by the patriots. The arrival of troops at Moores Creek followed weeks of maneuvering. Like players at chess, one side moved and the other countered. The loyalists intended to join a British fleet near Wilmington, but patriots blocked their way at Cross Creek. Finding themselves outnumbered, the patriots made a calculated withdrawal in front of the loyalists, cutting all bridges as they passed. Knowing that Moores Creek provided the last defendable position before Wilmington, a plan was devised, using terrain and guile, to lure the loyalists, now led by Donald McLeod, into a trap. Timeline at the bottom features the following dates: February 9 - Patriot forces under Moore, Lillington and Ashe leave Wilmington. February 10 - Caswell and 850 men leave New Bern, marching in the direction of Cross Creek. February 19 - Patriots block Gen. MacDonald at Cross Creek. February 23 - Caswell prepares an ambush at Corbett's Ferry, but MacDonald evades him by crossing the Black River upstream. February 25 - Lillington's 150 men arrive at Moores Creek. February 26 - Caswell's 850 men arrive at Moores Creek. February 27 - McLeod's loyalists arrive at Moores Creek to find Caswell's camp deserted. February 27 - McLeod's loyalists were defeated at the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge.

Scottish Immigration Wayside

• This exhibit sits along the sandy Black River Road at the intersection with an asphalt trail. The trail leading to the exhibit has someone uneven surfaces, but is mostly flat. Text of the wayside: "My Native Land I must Forego, and Roam a Lonely Stranger" "Scottish immigration to North America increased in the early 1700s. After the failed 1745 revolt, in which some Scots Highlanders tried to help the Stuart family regain the throne of Britain, the British government implemented measures that disrupted the lives of Scottish Highlanders. This included bans on owning weapons and wearing Scottish clothing. Furthermore, famines, higher costs of living, increasing rent, lower prices for cattle, and enclosures of formerly open land for grazing sheep, led many Scots to seek new lives in America. By the time of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, thousands of Scots, some born in Scotland and some born in America, lived in North Carolina. Most of these Scots settled in the backcountry of the colony. During the American Revolution, these families had to make a difficult choice. The Scots who had been born in Scotland generally chose to support the Loyalist cause, knowing first hand the potential consequences of rebelling against the British government. However, many of the "country born" Scots supported independence. You are now standing on a remnant of the historic Black River Road. Upon arriving in North Carolina, hundreds of Scottish immigrants traveled this road to established Scottish-American communities in the backcountry. Many of these same Scots marched back on this road to the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge.

Stage Road Monument

• This monument is a stone monument on a dirt surface at the entrance to the battlefield. On either side of you are dirt earthworks. The text on the monument reads: "Old Wilmington and Fayetteville Stage Road Route taken by British and Tory Army from Cross Creek to Join Lord Cornwallis and Clinton at Wilmington. They were defeated in the battle of this place. 850 were captured as prisoners of war Feb. 27, 1776."

Venus Fly Trap Planter

• Synopsis: The Venus Fly Trap planter is a circular brick design about 2 feet off the ground. Inside the planter contains the rare Venus fly trap. The planter is about 5 feet off the rubberized History Trail. In front of the planter is a small metal sign with interpretive text and a picture of an open Venus fly trap. Text Reads: The Venus Fly Trap looks like any other plant, but it contains a deadly secret. It is one of the only carnivorous plants in the world. How does such a simple plant lure unsuspecting animals? The plant gives off a smell that attracts potential prey (namely insects, spiders, and beetles. The animals fly into the open trap and start pressing against the exposed hairs. Once the hairs have been triggered twice, the trap slowly starts to close on the unsuspecting animal. After a few days of digestion, the plant reopens, ready for its next meal. Humans continue to be fascinated with this plant and as a result the plant is on the endangered species list. Moores Creek National Battlefield is one of the only places you will find these wonders of nature in the wild.

Very Bad Swamp Wayside Exhibit

• A dark water creek spanned by a wooden boardwalk on one side and a wooden bridge on the other. The boardwalk is relatively flat going across the creek.

Widow Moores Bridge

• Exhibit sits on the boardwalk crossing over Moores Creek. Text reads: "All bridges over deep or navigable Streams shall be made at least Twelve Feet Wide, with good sawed Plank, Clear of sap, at least two inches thick with firm and strong posts, Rails and Bearers, well secured and fastened. 1764 North Carolina Law Looking across the swamp of Moores Creek Bridge, locally referred to in 1776 as Widow Moores’ Bridge. While we may never know exactly what it looked like, some 18th-century documents, like the 1764 law quoted at left, help shed light on bridge construction. Back then most bridges were built on cypress or heart of pine. Builders were required to construct “good and lawful” bridges “passable for carts and wagons.” From a reference to the Black River Road, we know a bridge stood here since 1743. It crossed Moores Creek, connecting Mt. Misery near Wilmington to Cross Creek (now Fayetteville). As you continue along the trail, you will re-join the Black River Road and cross the bridge, tracing the footsteps of Patriots and Loyalists. A Bridge Through Time The appearance of Moores Creek Bridge has changed over time. Colonial wood bridges lasted about 10 years; Moores Creek Bridge may have been replaced as many as 10 times between 1743 and 1851. The four views shown below are from the causeway of the Black River Road.

Wisely Chosen Ground Wayside

• This exhibit sits at the intersection of the History Trail and an asphalt access trail that leads to the boardwalk, about 1/4 mile from the visitor center. The trail is mostly flat and is a combination of rubberized trail and a sandy, gravel path. Audio Description of the Painting: DESCRIBING: A detailed sepia-toned illustration depicting people building the earthworks at the Patriot campsite. This painting spans the entirety of the 36x24 wayside exhibit. SYNOPSIS: A labeled watercolor depiction of the Patriot campsite, earthworks, the Bridge, Black River Road, and Caswell’s campsite. Detailed illustration shows an overhead, panoramic view of a bustling Patriot campsite surrounded by a ring of earthworks, which are actively being built. IN-DEPTH DESCRIPTION: A detailed, hand-drawn, and color-washed illustration of a military encampment in a wooded landscape near a winding creek. The surrounding area is filled with tall trees as well as patches of cleared land. The earthy tones of brown, green, and beige, combined with the light washes of color, create a naturalistic and aged appearance to the scene. The perspective is a bird's-eye view of a bustling wartime encampment with soldiers, horses, supply wagons, and tents. These are drawn small relative to the entire scene, meant to show areas of activity. The majority of the around 300 men are dispersed towards the perimeter of the encampment digging the earthworks, clearing trees, and reinforcing the position. Inside the encampment, soldiers are engaged in various activities such tending to horses or meeting in groups. The illustration has four major parts: the Bridge in the top, Caswell’s campsite to the right, the Patriot earthworks in the bottom majority, and Black River Road cutting through the center. Text on the page reads: "The patriot army had an advantage: Col. Alexander Lillington chose the battleground that surrounds you. He knew that his opponents, marching down the Black River Road to the coast, would be vulnerable when they crossed nearby Moores Creek Bridge. Shallow earthworks blocked the road. Inside, Lillington's 150 minutemen were reinforced by 850 militia under Col. Richard Caswell. Just across the bridge, Caswell established a small encampment to serve as a decoy. Over the eve of battle, patriot forces labored to complete shoulder-height earthworks surrounding the road on this side of the creek. Archeological research indicates the present earthworks lie atop the original fortifications." THE PATRIOT CAMPSITE: Scattered figures move around this area, engaging in various activities indicative of camp life. To the left of this central area, a semi-circular line labeled "Patriot earthworks" is visible, providing a defensive barrier made of soil and wood. Felled tree stumps surround the earthworks, which show where the wood for the berm was harvested from. A dozen white canvas tents are arranged in a loose formation scattered throughout the encampment and on either side of the road. THE PATRIOT EARTHWORKS: Encircling the encampment is an extensive, curved Patriot earthworks defensive line. The earthwork consists of a long, raised mound of dirt reinforced with wooden logs and stakes. Many soldiers are stationed along this defensive line, preparing for the battle to come. Black River Road cuts through the scene, leading toward the Bridge that crosses Moore's creek in the distance. The bridge has additional soldiers stationed nearby at a small revertment, built as a backup position for the guards. CASWELL’S CAMPSITE: the campsite is at the top right of the image in a very dense wooded area. This a cluster of soldiers and structures, with tents and figures dispersed among the trees, next to a cypress swamp. This area appears denser with trees, and small figures can be seen through the foliage. The creek’s path is clearly etched into the landscape, winding through the image from the top left to the bottom center. CAPTION: Painting of the battle area. CREDIT: Battle Area — NPS / Richard Schlecht.

Women's Monument Exhibit

• This exhibit sits at the base of the Women's Monument along the rubberized History Trail. There is a slight incline to get to the exhibit and another incline to go up to the Women's Monument. Text Reads: Moores Creek National Battlefield is home to one of the only women’s monuments on a Revolutionary War battlefield. Many women, on both sides, refused to stay on the sidelines of the conflict. They made their voices heard. They were women like Penelope Barker, who organized the Edenton Tea Party in 1774. She ignored the traditional role of women, and led a protest against British taxes. This was one of the first major protests led by a woman. They were women like Flora MacDonald whose loyalty and devotion were unbreakable. She rallied her fellow Scots Highlanders before Moores Creek. She paid a high price after the battle as the Patriots took her home and her husband as prisoner. Later women captured this determined spirit. The Daughters of the American Revolution wanted to protect the Moores Creek story from being forgotten. They worked with federal officials, and helped Moores Creek become part of the National Park Service in 1926.

Visitor Center

• Visitor Center
• The Visitor Center is open Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. This includes access to exhibits, the park's 10-minute film, "In the Most Furious Manner", the gift shop, and America the Beautiful Military and Access Passes. We do not sell the Annual or Senior Passes. Although the Visitor Center is closed on Sunday and Monday, the trailhead kiosk remains open for visitors to procure basic information and stamp their National Park Service Passport. The Visitor Center phone number is 910-283-5591 ex. 2234

Moores Creek National Battlefield Self-Guided Tour

Explore the site of the first decisive Patriot victory of the American Revolution at Moores Creek. Take a walk through the Patriot earthworks and across Moores Creek Bridge to learn more about this important struggle. Along the way, you will see six monuments that share the stories of these men and women who participated in this campaign.