Moores Creek National Battlefield

40 Patriots Hall Drive
Currie, North Carolina 28435

Phone
Visitor Information
(910) 283-5591

Explore Moores Creek National Battlefield

Located in a rural area, the battlefield retains a serene and contemplative setting. The park receives a wide variety of visitors - individuals, families and school groups - yet it remains quiet and reflective in nature.

THE BATTLE

"King George and Broadswords! shouted loyalists as they charged across partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge on February 27, 1776. Just beyond the bridge nearly a 1,000 North Carolina patriots waited quietly with cannons and muskets poised to fire. This dramatic victory ended British rule in the colony forever.

The loyalists, mostly Scottish Highlanders wielding broadswords, expected to find only a small patriot force. As the loyalists advanced across the bridge, patriot shots rang out and dozens of loyalists fell, including their commanders.

Stunned, outgunned and leaderless, the loyalists surrendered, retreating in confusion. Wagons, weapons and British sterling worth more than $1 million by today's value were seized by the patriots in the days following the battle.

In addition to ending British authority in the colony, the patriot victory led North Carolina to be the first colony to vote for independence. The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge, coupled with the Battle of Sullivans Island near Charleston, SC a few months later, influenced the 13 colonies to declare independence on July 4, 1776.

THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY

Throughout the park, remnants remain of the 1776 road traveled by patriot and loyalist forces. A .7-mile trail with wayside exhibits leads through the battlefield and across Moores Creek. The historic bridge site is located along the trail.

Outdoor Activities

Bird Watching

Moores Creek offers a variety of bird habitats and is a member of the North Carolina Birding Trail.

Fishing

Moores Creek, a very deep, black water creek is home to a variety of edible fish. Fishing is allowed in the picnic area only.

Picnicking

A large picnic area with a covered shelter, tables, charcoal grills, and restroom facilities, is available for use by visitors.

Nature

The park's 88 acres encompass a variety of landscapes ranging from dry pine forests to a small, wet-pine savanna. Moores Creek travels through the park and is a tidally influenced "black water" creek with considerable cypress growth. 

The park maintains checklists for birds and flowering plants. A boardwalk traversing the creek provides good locations to see migrating spring warblers and the park is part of the NC Birding Trail. Restoration work has been underway since 1996 on the savanna. 

More than 25,000 bunchgrass plants were introduced between 2003 and 2005 (Aristida stricta and Ctenium aromaticum). The savanna is burned using prescribed fire on a regular schedule to maintain the open habitat and improve habitat for state-listed plant species. Long-leaf pines are planted annually throughout the park.

Did You Know?
America’s National Guard is the descendant of America’s 18th century colonial militia units. Patriot militia at the battle of Moores Creek Bridge in 1776 won the first southern victory of the American Revolution.