The Colson’s Mill Chapter, NC Society Sons of the American Revolution invites everyone to participate in the 244th Anniversary Celebration of the Battle of Colson’s Mill at 11 a.m. July 13 at Norwood Community Building, 247 W. Turner St., Norwood.
The public is invited to attend a commemoration honoring the men who chased the British out of Yadkin-Pee Dee River Valley.
Tentative Schedule
of Events
11 a.m. –
Registration for Attending Chapters
NCSSAR Color Guard Presentation of Colors
Welcome
Recognition of Guests
Battle of Colson’s Mill Memorial and Wreath Laying
11:30 a.m. – Lunch Buffet (Donations Accepted)
Guest Speaker: TBA
Dismissal and Recession
History of the Battle
of Colson’s Mill
In the spring of 1780 Gen. Cornwallis’ victories in South Carolina had created enough excitement in North Carolina to inspire a loyalist force to emerge in the Yadkin River Valley under the leadership of Col. Samuel Bryan.
About June 30 Bryan and nearly 800 men began marching south down the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Valley toward Cheraw, there to join up with British forces.
American Gen. Griffith Rutherford ordered his adjutant, Col. William Lee Davidson, and about 200 men to pursue the Tories, and a race ensued down the Yadkin River Valley. Believing themselves to be out of harm’s way and close enough to Cornwallis’ headquarters to prevent attack, Bryan’s Tories pitched camp near an inn and a mill on the Cheraw Road called Colson’s.
However, Davidson had no intention of letting the loyalists escape and on the morning of July 21 he surprised the enemy and drove the loyalists into the woods—and back to their homes. Davidson thus denied Cornwallis an addition of nearly 1000 troops and effectively broke any remaining loyalist sympathies along the Yadkin River Valley.
For more information, contact Colson’s Mill Chapter President Daniel Burleson at dbnut8@yahoo.com or 704-438-1531.