The Georgia Society Celebrated the 225th Anniversary of the Battle of Ramsour's Mill at Lincolnton NC on June 11th and 12th.
President
George E. Thurmond led a contingent of 13 Georgia Society SAR's, 12 in uniform, accompanied by 10 wives to the Ramsour's Mill 225th
anniversary program at Lincolnton, North Carolina. The North Carolina Society of SAR was in charge of the project which consisted
of a parade and a wreath presentation ceremony at the mass grave.
GA HS&C member William Ramsaur of the Marshes of Glynn
Chapter conducted a grave marking ceremony at the grave of Jacob Ramsour, his Patriot ancestor. Compatriot and brother Richard
Ramsaur of Joseph Habersham Chapter, assisted.
About 10 Georgians were in uniform for the combined Color Guard at the mass grave
where 45 wreaths were presented. The 4-man uniformed Col Elijah Clarke company militia fired three volleys.
The NSSAR/GASSAR
happy hour was hosted on Friday at the Comfort Inn, followed by Dutch treat dinner in town.
The Loyalist leader at the battle
of Ramsour's Mill was the same LTC John Moore who served as Colonel Boyd's deputy at the battle of Kettle Creek in Georgia.
Not a good track record, according to HS&C member Brett Osborn.
Link to Ramsour-Reinhardt Cemetery Dedication Coverage
The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill
On June 20, 1780 on a series of ridges above a millpond in what is now the beautiful city of Lincolnton, North Carolina, a force of 250 Patriots defeated a force of about 700 Loyalists. It was a foggy June day and a larger force of patriots was on their way to fight a decisive battle with a force of about Loyalists.
This day the battle was won before it was supposed to begin. The small force of Patriots lead by Colonel Francis Locke surprised and routed a much larger group of Loyalists and ran many of them into the Mill Pond at Ramsour’s Mill.
This defeat caused many Loyalists to change their minds about the ability of the British to muster support for the King’s cause. It also gave encouragement to the Patriots who were unsure of the ability of the revolutionary forces to resist the power of the crown. As a preliminary to the Battle of Kings Mountain, The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill can be said to have been a turning point in the hearts and minds of many of the foothill citizens.
