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The Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge

By June 5, 2010Travel

Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

While in North Carolina earlier this week for Zach and Meredith’s wedding I visited Moore’s Creek National Battlefield Park. My Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Zachariah Harman, fought against the Loyalists at this battle under the command of Patriot officer, Richard Caswell.

For you history buffs, the battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge was a major victory for the Patriots and led to the end of British rule in North Carolina forever. I’m proud to say my direct ancestor fought to establish the freedom that we so often take for granted today. He fought for America before it was America, and for that I’m thankful.

The following two images show the reconstructed earthen mounds that the Patriots constructed late into the night/early morning just before the battle.
Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

This is the reconstructed bridge over the creek. Its said that the Patriots removed the planking and also greased down the support railings making it difficult to cross for the unfortunate Loyalists.
Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

The creek was so peaceful the day I was there. Must have been quite the opposite then, seeing the bodies of dead Loyalists floating in the creek after the smoke cleared.
Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

Loved this monument under the big oak. The National Parks Service says, “The Heroic Women’s Monument at Moores Creek National Battlefield is believed to be the only monument in America to 18th century women and their sacrifices during the American Revolution.”
Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge

Join the discussion 14 Comments

  • Daniel Harman says:

    Dang, that’s stirring stuff. Thanks for all your research into our family’s history. Fascinating.

  • Clifford Carlis Harman says:

    Tim, I enjoyed viewing your web page. My genealogy runs as follows: Zachariah to Merriman to Calvin to Joseph James (died fighting in the War Between the States), to William Davis, to Karl, to Clifford, to me.

    I sincerely hope you will contact me and share your genealogy information with me. I have my research recorded on a CD and will be glad to send you a copy, if you would like to have it.

    Do you have any further information on where Zachariah came from, who his father was, etc. I know that Wanda Head believes his father was John, others believe his father was Zachariah from Holland.

    I look forward to hearing from you. (I also love photography. Your pictures are great. Thanks for sharing on the internet.

    Sincerely, Carlis

  • Tim Harman says:

    Clifford….thanks for stopping by! I’ll be emailing you.

  • Wil Westbury says:

    Hello Tim. My six times Great Grandfather Joshua Sikes (Sykes) also fought at Moores Bridge along with your five times G.Grandfather.

    I was planning to visit the site sometime but after seeing your wonderful photos I feel like I’ve already been there.

    Thank you!

  • Jennifer Riley says:

    About 4 years ago, I found out my ancestry traces back to Adoniram Allen, his father and his younger brother, fought at Moores Creek Bridge. For service at MCB and the battle of King’s Mountain, Adoniram was awarded 5,000 in southeastern Kentucky, Clay County, where his direct descendants live today. Although I am from south eastern Kentucky originally, my family have lived in the Raleigh area for almost 25 years. I had always wondered how my ancestors settled in Kentucky. Now I know.

  • Jeffrey Harman says:

    tim james harman was my father. i only recently learned of his passing. i would like confirmation that these are his photographs. i am a photographer myself.

  • I’m an artist and spend a great deal of time in N.C. where I also spent time as a child in the small town of Wallace.
    After the hurricane Fran hit in 1996 I went to Moores Creek and wandered around. The thing that stuck me most was the trees that had been stripped of most of there foliage by the winds and the stark beauty of the statue. That is what inspired me to paint the image.
    This is a great site with a great deal more importance than people give it.
    Thanks for the beautiful photography.

    Ben Watson III

  • Scott Enerson says:

    Wil Westbury: I too am decended from Joshua and Cornelius Sikes (Sykes) and will be going to the battlefield the weekend of the 25-26th Feb. These photos are great but I want to see for myself this piece of family history.

  • thanks for the pics. i also have an ancestoer who was there. his name was john edge. enlisted in 1777. three days after him volenterring he and his company marched to their station at the cape fear river. he stated that gen, mccloud commanded the insurgents (tories in the pay of the britsh army) and were at amys bridge .this army contained some 1500 men . gen. caswell commanded about 1200. gen. mccloud was killed at amys(moores creek0 bridge. also a daniel nantz

  • my ancestor john edge also fought in the battle here. thanks for pics

  • Kendra says:

    Where was the wedding?

  • Tim Harman says:

    Kendra, the wedding was in Outer Banks, NC. You can see images from the wedding here: http://www.timharman.com/zach-and-meredith-what-caught-my-eye/

  • Sharon says:

    Hi. Zachariah was my 5g-grandfather also. In working on a DAR application I found I am stuck proving Calvin was the son of Merriman Harman 1784-1850, who was a son of Zachariah. They require some form of proof beyond family histories.

    Does anyone have anything that would help me?

    Thanks so much,

    Sharon

  • Tim Harman says:

    Hey Sharon! I just emailed you some info. Check your junk mail folder if you don’t see it.

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