The American Revolutionary War Troops in North Carolina

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Index of first names

North Carolinians reacted strongly to British taxation and reorganization schemes introduced in 1763. The Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts drew the growing radical element's ire in particular and led to the emergence of a Sons of Liberty group. Pressure was exerted on colonial officials in the colony, which forced them to abandon efforts to implement the Stamp Act; only the royal governor held firm and attempted to enforce the law.

North Carolina responded to the Tea Act of 1773 by creating and enforcing nonimportation agreements that forced merchants to drop trade with Britain. In the following year, when Massachusetts was punished by Parliament for the destruction of a shipload of tea in Boston Harbor, sympathetic North Carolinians sent food and other supplies to its beleaguered northern neighbor.

North Carolina Royal Governor Josiah Martin opposed his colony’s participation in the First Continental Congress. However, local delegates met at New Bern and adopted a resolution that opposed all Parliamentary taxation in the American colonies and, in direct defiance of the governor, elected delegates to the Congress.

During the War for Independence, the opposing sides in North Carolina took on the name of English Parliamentary parties. The "Whigs" were the Patriot side and the "Tories" were the Loyalists. Tory forces were defeated in the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge in February 1776, the first military action in North Carolina and the last until near the end of the war.

A provincial assembly met in Halifax in late 1776 and adopted a state constitution and bill of rights, which were notable for the establishment of a strong legislature and weak executive — clearly a reaction to their recent history under royal governors.

The North Carolina Militia did see action in neighboring Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia. In March 1781, American forces under Continental Army Major General Nathanael Green engaged Lord Cornwallis' forces at Guilford Court House, which soon forced the British to vacate the Carolinas.



They servied in the American Revolution in North Carolina



The American Revolution in North Carolina - Captains

Name First Unit Served In
 As a
Captain
From To Notes Known Battles/Skirmishes
 at This Rank
           

Douglas, Benjamin

Caswell County Regiment

1781

1781, a Captain under Col. William Moore.

Cowpens (SC), Guilford Court House, Hobkirk's Hill (SC).

Douglas, Edward

Chatham County Regiment

1779

1782

1779-1781, a Captain under Lt. Col. John Luttrell. Oct. 1781, a Captain under Col. William O'Neal (Orange County Regiment); went to Randolph County, then to Anson C.H., then to Waxhaws, subduing Loyalists. POW at the battle of Chatham Court House. 1782, a Captain under Col. Ambrose Ramsey. One source asserts he made it to Major.

Guilford Court House, Chatham Court House.

Douglas, John

Caswell County Regiment

1780

1780-1781, a Captain under Col. William Moore. Attached to SC Col. James Williams at the battle of Kings Mountain, SC.

Kings Mountain (SC), Guilford Court House.

Douglas, William

Caswell County Regiment

1780

1782

1780, a Captain of Light Horse under Col. William Moore. At the battle of Kings Mountain, SC under SC Col. James Williams. Feb. 1781, a Captain under Col. James Read (NC Light Horse Regiment). At the battle of Lindley's Mill under Col. John Luttrell (Chatham County Regiment). 1782, a Captain under Col. William O'Neal (Orange County Regiment). One source asserts he was a Captain as early as 1776 in Orange County.

Kings Mountain (SC), Haw River, Guilford Court House, Lindley's Mill, Brush Creek, Cox's Mill #3.


The American Revolution in North Carolina - Adjutant

Name First Unit Served In
 As a
Adjutant
From To Notes Known Battles/Skirmishes
 at This Rank
Douglas, Edward Caswell County Regiment 1781 1781, an Adjutant under Col. William Moore.


The American Revolution in North Carolina - Quartermaster

Name First Unit Served In
 As a
Quartrmaster
From To Notes Known Battles/Skirmishes
 at This Rank
Douglas, William 4th NC Regiment 1777 1778 2/10/1777, a Regimental QM.  Dropped from the rolls in Jan. 1778.


The American Revolution in North Carolina - Corporals

Name First Unit Served In
 As a
Corporal
From To Notes Known Battles/Skirmishes
 at This Rank
Douglas, William 2nd NC Regiment 1782 A Corporal under Capt. Robert Raiford.




The American Revolution in North Carolina - Privates

Name First Unit Served In
 As a Private
From To Notes Known Battles/Skirmishes
 at This Rank
Douglas, Alexander 2nd NC Regiment 1776 6/8/1776, a Regimental Drum Major.
Douglas, Edward Surry County Regiment 1779 1781 1779, a Private under Col. Joseph Williams, Captain not named. 1780, a Private under Capt. Pleasant Henderson (Wilkes County Regiment), attached to Lt. Col. James Brandon (Rowan County Regiment). 1781, a Private under Capt. David Humphreys and Col. Joseph Williams. Mid-1781, a Private under Capt. Charles Gordon and Maj./Col. Joel Lewis in the NC State Regiment (State Troops). Born in 1763 in Orange County, NC. aka Edward Dugless. Kings Mountain (SC).
Douglas, John 1st NC Regiment 1776 1779 5/20/1776, a Private under Ens./Lt./Capt. James Read.  9/8/1778, a known Private under Capt. James Read (1st NC Regiment). Discharged on 5/28/1779.
Douglas, John 4th NC Regiment 1777 1778 5/15/1777, a Private under Capt. James Williams.  Dropped from the rolls in April 1778.
Douglas, John 6th NC Regiment 1777 A Private under Capt. Philip Taylor.  Dropped from the rolls in Sep. 1777.
Douglas, John Wilkes County Regiment 1780 1781 1780, a Private under Capt. Jesse Hardin Franklin, then under a Capt. White, both under Col. Benjamin Cleveland. From Surry County. 1781, a Private under a Capt. Kerby and Col. Benjamin Cleveland (Wilkes County Regiment). Born on 3/18/1764 in Rowan (what became Surry) County, NC. aka John Dougless, John Douglass.
Douglas, Solomon NC State Legion 1781 Fall of 1781, a Private under Capt. David Ramsey and Col. Robert Smith in the newly-created NC State Legion, and in the Wilmington Expedition, no named engagements. From Rowan County.
Douglas, Thomas Surry County Regiment 1781 1781, a Private under Capt. John Colbert and Lt. Col. Robert Lanier. Born on 5/6/1759 in Granville County, NC. Guilford Court House.
Douglas, William 1st NC Regiment 1775 1781 A Private under Capt. Henry "Hal" Dixon.  9/8/1778, a known Private under Capt. James Read.  POW at the Fall of Charleston (SC).  After being exchanged and on the way home, he was again taken POW at Hillsborough by Loyalist Col. David Fanning. Siege of Charles

Extracted from NC Patriots 1775-1783: Their Own Words - a 3-Volume Set by J.D. Lewis

Note:
I could find no records for ranks not listed



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Last modified: Monday, 25 March 2024