Alamance Battleground

As we continued east, we made a stop so that we could visit the Alamance Battleground.

The Battle of Alamance took place in May, 1771 as was the final battle of the Regulator Movement, a rebellion in colonial North Carolina over issues of taxation and local control.  It has been considered by some to be the opening skirmish of the American Revolution.  

In the spring of that year, North Carolina Governor William Tryon left New Bern, mustering and marching approximately 1,000 militia troops westward to address a rebellion that had been brewing for several years.  It had up to that point included only minor acts of violence, followed by refusals to pay fees, and continued harassment of government officials.  About 2,000 "regulators" had gathered, hoping to gain concessions from Tryon by intimidating him with a show of force.  Tryon set out with his militia to confront the Regulators, who had made camp south of Great Alamance Creek.

We were greeted as we entered the Visitor Center by Lisa and she gave us a brief overview of the events that occurred here.

She started a 20 minute movie so that we had an overview of the battle and the events leading up to it.

From there we went outside to visualize the area.

The settlers at the trees in front of us, militia on the left where we're standing.

We found the Allen House which was built in 1782.  It is a two-story log dwelling which rests on a stone foundation.  The historic house lends an insight into life and culture in the early days.  It was moved to the Alamance Battleground in 1966 where it was restored.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

From the display: According to legend, Regulator James Pugh, brother-in-law of Regulator Herman Husband, lay behind this rock while he fired on Tryon's troops.  Tradition has also held since 1942 that James was taken prisoner and hanged in Hillsborough on June 19, 1771.  However, in 2013 research indicated that James Pugh was alive as late as 1810 when he wrote his will.  His brother, Enoch, another Regulator, probably died in 1771, and it is possible he was the Pugh who was actually hanged in Hillsborough.

Losses for both sides are disputed.  Tryon reported nine dead and 61 wounded among the militia.  Historians indicate much greater numbers - between 15 and 27 killed.  Both sides counted nine dead among the Regulators and from dozens to about two hundred wounded.  Tryon took 13 prisoners.  One of them, James Few, was executed at the camp, and six were executed later in nearby Hillsborough.  Many Regulators traveled on to frontier areas beyond North Carolina.  Tryon pardoned others and allowed them to stay on the condition they pledge an oath of allegiance to the royal government.  

Recent archaeological studies at the site have shown that the Alamance Battleground was also the site of another skirmish in the Revolutionary War and a civil war era Confederate encampment.

It was an interesting visit and we learned a lot about something we'd never heard of before.