Hillsborough District Brigade

Last updated
Hillsborough District Brigade
Active1776-1783
Allegiance Flag of North Carolina.svg North Carolina
Branch North Carolina militia
Type Militia
Commanders
Notable
commanders
  1. Brigadier General Thomas Person
  2. Brigadier General John Butler
  3. Brigadier General Ambrose Ramsey (Pro Tempore)

The Hillsborough District Brigade of militia was an administrative division of the North Carolina militia established on May 4, 1776. Brigadier General Thomas Person was the first commander. Companies from the eight regiments of the brigade were engaged in 55 known battles and skirmishes in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia during the American Revolutionary War. It was active until the end of the war. [1]

Contents

Background

In 1766, the Province of North Carolina House of Burgess, at the direction of Province of North Carolina Governor William Tryon, divided the state into six judicial districts. The districts did not do away with the county divisions of the state, which continued. [2]

Within the Hillsborough District in 1775 were the counties of Caswell, Chatham, Granville, Orange, Randolph (added in 1779), and Wake. [3] [2]

At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, the newly formed North Carolina government converted the state's six existing judicial districts into military districts. These districts each comprised a number of counties surrounding a significant town. The six districts, which corresponded with old judicial organizations, were: Edenton, New Bern, Wilmington, Halifax, Salisbury, and Hillsborough. [4] Each district was to supply a brigade of militia regiments under the command of a brigadier general.

After the Third North Carolina Provincial Congress held at Hillsborough (August 20 – September 10, 1775), the districts became known as "military" vice "judicial" districts. These districts were used to organize the North Carolina Minutemen battalions for a six-month trial as state troops, beginning on September 1, 1775. By April 10, 1776, the Provincial Congress decided in favor of district brigades of militia with county militia regiments. Each brigade was led by a brigadier general. The county militia regiments were subordinated to the brigade. At that time, two additional districts were added, further dividing the western part of the state (Washington District Regiment in 1776 and Morgan District in 1784). Also, district representatives were chosen and sent to the North Carolina Provincial Congress. These representatives were instrumental in the passage of the Halifax Resolves, in April 1776, during the Fourth Provincial Congress, which is now often referred to as the "Halifax Congress". [5]

Brigade history

The Hillsborough District Brigade was established on May 4, 1776. [1]

As the militia had a poor reputation for turning out, bounties to induce volunteerism were common during the war. For men who chose not to serve when drafted, there were two options: pay for a substitute to take their place or pay a fine. These options, with some modifications, remained throughout the war. [3]

Brigadier General Thomas Person was appointed the first commander of the Hillsborough District Brigade in 1776. During the 1781 Battle of Guilford Court House, the Hillsborough District was commanded by John Butler. [3]

Each county supplied a regiment (Orange County supplied two regiments), which in turn was composed of various companies. Each company consisted of no less than 50 men and was further divided into five "divisions." One of the five divisions was reserved for "the more aged and infirm men." The other four divisions, of each company, drew lots to determine the rotation they would follow for their tour of service, which usually lasted for three months. Eventually the "fifth division" of "aged and infirm men" was dropped, as was the maximum age limit from 60 to 50. In order to provide a greater pool of available manpower, the old colonial militia exemption list was revised. [3]

Commanders of the Hillsborough District Brigade and their length of service are as follows: [1]

Regiments

The following table shows the regiments of the Hillsborough District Brigade. In 1778, there was a state level militia organization above the brigade. Each regiment was made up of companies of up to 50 men. [1]

UnitSubordinate BrigadeCreatedDisbandedOriginal Commander, Rank
North Carolina Militia and State TroopsGovernor17781783 Ashe, John Sr., M.G.
Hillsborough District BrigadeNorth Carolina Militia17761783 Person, Thomas, B.G.
Caswell County Regiment Hillsborough17771783 Saunders, James, Col
Chatham County Regiment Hillsborough17751783 Ramsey, Ambrose, Col
Granville County Regiment Hillsborough17751783 Taylor, Joseph, Col
Mounted Volunteers Regiment Hillsborough17801780 Taylor, Philip, Col
Northern Orange County Regiment Hillsborough17761777 Saunders, James, Col
Orange County Regiment, aka Southern Orange County Regiment 1776-1777Hillsborough17751783 Hogan, John, Col
Randolph County Regiment Hillsborough17791783 Balfour, Andrew, Col
Wake County Regiment Hillsborough17751783 Hinton, John, Col

Caswell County Regiment

The Caswell County Regiment started out as the Northern Orange County Regiment when the original Orange County Regiment was split into two separate and distinct regiments. The commandant was Colonel James Saunders. Under this name the regiment did not serve in any engagements. [8] [9] [10] [11] |- On May 9, 1777, the Northern Orange County Regiment was renamed the Caswell County Regiment. Colonel James Saunders continued as the commandant of the Caswell County Regiment. [8]

Chatham County Regiment

The Chatham County Regiment was a unit of the North Carolina militia that served during the American Revolution. The North Carolina General Assembly authorized the Chatham County Regiment on September 9, 1775, along with 34 other county regiments. The officers were appointed and commissioned by the Governor of North Carolina. The regiment was subordinated to the Hillsboro District Brigade of North Carolina militia on May 4, 1776. The regiment was disbanded at the end of the war. [12]

The colonels of the Chatham County Regiment were: [12]

Granville County Regiment

The Granville County Regiment was one of the 35 existing county militias to be authorized as a regiment of the North Carolina militia by the North Carolina Provincial Congress on September 9, 1775. It was active until the end of the war. The colonels included: [15]

The North Carolina Council of State authorized Col Taylor to create the Mounted Volunteers Regiment of Cavalry in August 1780. They were assigned to keep the Loyalists from rising up around Chatham and Randolph counties. They were sent to the Salisbury District in September of 1780 to join up with the North Carolina State Cavalry-Western District in September 1780 in anticipation of contact with General Cornwallis. They were engaged with the Battle of Charlotte on September 26, 1780 and the skirmish as Polk's Mill on October 9, 1780. The unit was short lived and was disbanded in December of 1780. [15]

Randolph County Regiment

The Randolph County Regiment was created when Randolph County was created by the North Carolina General Assembly on February 2, 1779 from the southern third of Guilford County. The officers were appointed and commissioned by the Governor. The regiment was active until the end of the war in 1783. Colonels of the regiment included: [18]

Wake County Regiment

The Wake County Regiment was one of the 35 existing county militias to be authorized as a regiment of the North Carolina militia by the North Carolina Provincial Congress on September 9, 1775. It was active until the end of the war. The colonels included: [21]

Engagements

Major engagements in the Southern Campaign Revolutionary War - Major Operations in the South 1780.Dean.USMA.edu.history.gif
Major engagements in the Southern Campaign

Militia from the Hillsborough District participated in nearly all of the important southern campaigns and engagements. Orange County militia were particularly involved in engagements including Stono Creek, Charleston, Camden, Cowpens, Cowan's Ford, Clapp's Mill, Guilford Court House, and Lindley's Mill. Regiments of the Hillsborough District Brigade were involved in 55 known engagements (battles, sieges, and skirmishes), including one in Georgia, 11 in South Carolina, 36 in North Carolina. One or more companies of these regiments were involved in each engagement. [1]

OrderDateBattleState
Caswell
Chatham
Granville
Mounted Volunteers
Northern Orange
Orange
Randolph
Wake
12/27/1776 Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge NCxxxx
23/3/1779 Battle of Briar Creek GAxxxxxx
36/20/1779 Battle of Stono Ferry SCxxxxx
43/28/1780 to 5/12/1780 Siege of Charleston 1780SCxxxxxx
56/20/1780 Battle of Ramsour's Mill NCxx
68/11/1780Battle of Little Lynches Creek [25] SCxxxxxxx
78/16/1780 Battle of Camden SCxxxxxxx
88/18/1780 Battle of Fishing Creek SCx
99/26/1780 Battle of Charlotte NCx
1010/7/1780 Battle of Kings Mountain SCxxx
1110/9/1780Battle of Polk's Mill [26] NCxx
1210/14/1780 Battle of Shallow Ford NCx
1312/4/1780Skirmish at Rugeley's Mills #2 [27] SCxxxx
141/17/1781 Battle of Cowpens SCxxxxx
152/1/1781 Battle of Cowan's Ford NCxxxxxxx
162/1/1781 Battle of Tarrant's/Torrence's Tavern NCxxxxxx
172/3/1781 to 2/4/1781Battle of Trading Ford [28] NCx
182/25/1781 Battle of Haw River NCxxxx
193/4/1781Battle of Clapp's Mill #1 [29] NCx
203/6/1781 Battle of Whitesell's Mill NCxxx
213/7/1781Skirmish at Reedy Fork [30] NCx
223/15/1781 Battle of Alamance NCx
233/15/1781 Battle of Guilford Court House NCxxxxxxx
243/19/1781Battle of Ramsey's Mill [31] NCxx
253/31/1781Skirmish at Cole's Bridge #2 [32] NCx
264/25/1781 Battle of Hobkirk's Hill SCxxx
275/9/1781Battle of Deep River #1 [33] NCx
285/11/1781Battle of Buffalo Ford [34] NCx
295/21/1781-6/19/1781 Siege of Ninety-Six 1781SCxxx
306/8/1781 Battle of Cox's Mill #1NCxxxx
317/17/1781 Chatham Courthouse NCx
327/29/1781 Battle of House in the Horseshoe NCx
338/4/1781Battle of Beatti's Bridge [35] NCx
349/1/1781Battle of Little Raft Swamp [36] NCx
359/01/1781 to 9/30/1781 Battle of Brown Marsh NCxxxxxx
369/01/1781 to 9/30/1781 Battle of Beck's Ford NCx
379/8/1781 Battle of Eutaw Springs SCxxxxxx
389/12/1781 Battle of Hillsborough NCxxx
399/12/1781 Battle of Kirk's Farm NCxx
409/13/1781 Battle of Lindley's Mill NCxxxxxx
419/23/1781 Battle of Livingston's Creek NCx
4210/01/1781 to 10/01/1781 Battle of Brush Creek NCxxxxx
4310/01/1781 to 10/30/1781 Battle of Bear Creek NCx
4410/15/1781 Battle of Raft Swamp NCxxxxxx
4511/15/1781 Battle of Brick House NCx
4611/16/1781 Battle of Seven Creeks NCx
4711/18/1781 Evacuation of Wilmington NCx
4812/10/1781 Battle of Cox's Mill #3NCx
491/7/1782 Battle of Gholson's Farm NCx
502/11/1782 Battle of Deep River #2NCxxx
513/01/1782 to 3/31/1782 Battle of Forks of the Yadkin NCx
523/11/1782Balfour's PlantationNCx
533/13/1782 to 3/14/1782 Battle of Randolph County Court House NCxx
545/1/1782 to 5/31/1782 Battle of Deep River #3NCx
559/22/1782 Battle of Faith Rock NCx

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lewis, J.D. "Hillsborough District Brigade". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved Jan 28, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Lewis, J.D. "North Carolina Districts and Counties in 1775". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Caswell County Historical Association (September 18, 2019). "Hillsborough District Militia" . Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  4. ↑ Note: Later, two additional districts were added, further dividing the mountainous western part of the state.
  5. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "The American Revolution in North Carolina, North Carolina's Provincial and State Troops, Not Militia" . Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  6. ↑ Skinner, Sue Dossett (1994). "Thomas Person". NCPedia. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  7. ↑ Butler, Lindley S. Butler (1979). "John Butler" . Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Lewis, J.D. "Caswell County Regiment". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  9. ↑ Powell, William S. (1977). When the Past Refused to Die: A History of Caswell County, North Carolina, 1777–1977.
  10. ↑ Caswell County Historical Association (August 11, 2009). "Revolutionary War Soldiers: Caswell County, North Carolina" . Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  11. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Caswell County Regiment". carolana.com. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  12. 1 2 Lewis, J.D. "Chatham County Regiment". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  13. ↑ "North Carolina Visitor Center, History of Chatham County, North Carolina" . Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  14. ↑ Whatley, L. McKay (2010). Images of Randolph County. ISBN   9780738586731.
  15. 1 2 Lewis, J.D. "Granville County Regiment". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  16. ↑ Stumph, Vernon O. (1994). "Samuel Smith". NCPedia. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  17. ↑ Smith, Claiborne T. Jr. (1986). "John Rust Eaton". NCPedia. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  18. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Randolph County Regiment". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  19. ↑ Raper, Horace W. (1979). "Andrew Balfour". NCPedia. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Andrew Balfour" . Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  21. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Wake County Regiment". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  22. ↑ Hinton, Mary Hilliard. "Colonel John Hinton" . Retrieved April 12, 2019., The North Carolina Booklet, Vol. XIV, No. 4, pp 225-236, April 1915, The North Carolina Society Daughters of the Revolution, Publisher, Commercial Printing Company, Raleigh
  23. ↑ Hodges, Eudora Coleman (1988). "John Hinton". NCPedia. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  24. ↑ Kerr, Mary Hinton Duke (1988). "James Hinton". NCPedia. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  25. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Little Lynches Creek" . Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  26. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Battle of Polk's Mill". The American Revolution in North Carolina.
  27. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Rugeley's Mills" . Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  28. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Trading Ford". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  29. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Clapp's Mill" . Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  30. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Reedy Fork" . Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  31. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Ramsey's Mill". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  32. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Cole's Bridge" . Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  33. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Deep River 1". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  34. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Buffalo Ford". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  35. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Beatti's Bridge" . Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  36. ↑ Lewis, J.D. "Little Raft Swamp" . Retrieved March 21, 2019.
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