Battle of Rockfish
Battle during American revolutionary war
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Battle of Rockfish was a minor conflict of the American Revolutionary War fought about one mile south of the present town of Wallace in Duplin County[1] on August 2, 1781
| Battle of Rockfish | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of American Revolutionary War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 American revolutionaries in North Carolina |
 Great Britain | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Brigadier General James Kenan Brigadier General William Caswell |
Major James H. Craig Captain John Gordon | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
Duplin County militia Caswell's militia |
82nd Regiment of Foot Royal Regiment of Artillery Gordon's independent Dragoons | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 330 men | 325 men | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
60 killed 30 captured | Unknown | ||||||
  Location within North Carolina | |||||||
Background
On January 28 of 1781, a British lead force under James H. Craig captured Wilmington, North Carolina. They used it as a base from which they forayed the countryside, arresting wings and enlisting local Loyalists. In the early summer of 1781, Craig issued a proclamation that all men in the surrounding area were British subjects, and consequentially must enrol in the Loyalist militia. He stated that those who did not do so by August 1 would be harassed and have their property seized and sold.[1]
Battle
On August 2, 1781, James H. Craig led his men into the countryside.[2]
At the same time, American forces consisting of Brigadier General James Kenan and the Duplin County militia were lying in wait behind breastworks erected along Rockfish Creek. Just before the fight, Brigadier General William Caswell's militia arrived and reinforced the American forces.[2]
When Craig and his men arrived, there was a brief and intense confrontation between the forces. This lasted until the Americans ran out of ammunition and British artillery forces arrived, causing the Americans to withdraw. Major Craig's cavalry charged and the Americans ran. Captain John Gordon's dragoons ran the Americans down and took thirty prisoners.[2]
Aftermath
Major James H. Craig remained in Duplin County and burned down the homes of people who would not take the Oath of Allegiance to the British.[1][2]