On September 26, 1780, British troops under the command of Lord Charles Cornwallis clashed with Patriot militia led by William R. Davie in Charlotte. The battle was part of Cornwallis’ pursuit of the retreating American forces that he had defeated the previous month at Camden, S.C.
Attempting to defend what was then only a small hamlet, Davie ordered his men to arrange themselves along a stone wall in front of Charlotte’s courthouse, and along the flanks of the roads behind several hedges and homes. He intended to ambush the British if they advanced directly into the town center, which they did. The Americans repelled two attacks before being forced to withdraw as British light infantry units turned their flank. Five Americans were killed, six were wounded and an unknown number were taken prisoner as part of action. The British suffered 44 casualties resulted from the skirmish.
Though the battle itself was not decisive, the resistance of the outnumbered Americans symbolized the resolve of the people of the region.
Other related resources:
- The American Revolution, the Reasons Behind the Revolutionary War and the Stamp Act on NCpedia
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