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Revolutionary War 1776-1781

1781 - Cowan's Ford

February 1, 1781 - British commander Cornwallis advances back into North Carolina as American General Nathanael Greene's army retreats. At a crossing place, or ford, on the Catawba River, the Battle of Cowan's Ford claims the life of beloved North Carolina militia commander General William Lee Davidson. In later years, a town, a county and a college will be named for Davidson.

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1781 - Articles of Confederation

All thirteen states ratify the Articles of Confederation which calls for a firm league of friendship between states. However, each state remains sovereign and independent. Congress continues to manage foreign affairs, determine currency, regulate the postal services and other services, but they could not regulate commerce or raise money or enlist troops directly. Eventually serious problems arise.

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1781 - Beginning of the End

Dozens more battles have been fought throughout the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia. But the British have made a serious mistake. They have assumed that Southerners who are still loyal to the Crown will help them easily defeat the American army. Their strategy fails as the South continues to fight for independence.

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1781 - Serving Her Country

November 1781 - The British have allowed American nurses to care for wounded American prisoners, so Elizabeth Jackson travels to Charleston, South Carolina. Andrew Jackson is only 14 years old when he receives a small bundle from Charleston. The package contains his mother's belongings. Elizabeth Jackson has contracted the plague and died while caring for her country's fighting men.

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1776 - Common Sense

January, 1776 - Even among the delegates to the Continental Congress, there are disagreements. Some men, called Loyalists, still want to remain faithful to Britain. Others, including North Carolinians, demand complete independence. The turning point comes when Thomas Paine writes a pamphlet entitled Common Sense. His strong words convince the colonies to cut all ties with Britain. Finally, there is solid support for Independence.

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1781 - Jackson Tragedy

<p>April 9, 1781 - The British are chasing him, but wily Andy Jackson escapes. His cousin, Thomas Crawford, is not as lucky. On the way to warn Crawford&#39;s family, Jackson too is captured. So is his brother, Robert. Soldiers force the boys to march to a South Carolina prison. Their mother, Elizabeth Jackson, rides to Camden and demands their release. She succeeds. But both boys have fallen ill with smallpox, and Robert dies just two days after returning home.</p>

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1778 - War in the South

December 29, 1778 - After three years of fighting, the British still cannot defeat the Americans in the northern states. They have pushed south to attack, and capture Savannah, Georgia. Soldiers battle their way through South Carolina and will soon make their way to North Carolina.

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1780 - Cornwallis in Charlotte

September 26, 1780 British commander Lord Charles Cornwallis and his Legion march into Charlotte expecting to be greeted by loyal followers of the Crown. Instead, he is met by Major William Davie and a band of 150 soldiers who are hiding around the courthouse on East Trade Street. Although the “Battle at Mecklenburg Courthouse” ends quickly as the rebels disperse, it sets the stage for Cornwallis’ short and disappointing stay in Mecklenburg County.(Pancake, John S. This Destructive War: The British Campaign in the Carolinas, 1780-1782, p.116.)

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1777-78 - Hardships of War

December 19, 1777 - Twelve thousand troops under the command of George Washington begin a brutal winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Mecklenburg's William Lee Davidson is one of the soldiers who helps protect the American Congress, in session nearby, from British attack. But there is a terrible price to pay. Lacking food, shelter and clothing during the harsh winter, many soldiers will freeze or die of starvation.

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1776 - Building an Army

May 10, 1776 - The Second Continental Congress sends orders to all 13 colonies, instructing them to form their own local governments and fight off any attempts at control by the British.

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1776-05-10