This Revolutionary War battle fought on June 20, 1780 on a site that today is nestled between three schools, is not told in most history books.

While conflict began in the northern states, British troops weren’t getting the results they wanted and so they headed south, which they believed was a Loyalist stronghold. While the British had victories in the lower southern states, when they began to infiltrate North Carolina in 1780, they found it more difficult to recruit sufficient Loyalists than they had expected.

Instead, the main sources of information are first and second-hand accounts written during the 19th Century.

The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill is considered pivotal because, even though the Patriots were outnumbered more than three to one, under the leadership of Col. Francis Locke, they defeated the Loyalists.

Settlers in the south were divided in support of either Britain or America.

The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill was fought by neighbor against neighbor and sometimes even family loyalties were divided with brother fighting against brother and sons against fathers.

The battle left at least 100 dead and 200 wounded, where the wounded for each side were about equal.

Because the men on both sides had no uniforms, it was not known who was a Patriot or who was a Loyalist.

The dead who weren’t claimed were buried in a mass grave on the site.

Many believe that the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill led to the unraveling of British strategy in the Carolinas. This battle was the first one won by Patriots after the fall of Charleston.

Another crucial Patriot victory was to follow less than 30 miles away at the better-known Battle of King’s Mountain on Oct. 7, 1780.

Battle of Ramsour’s Mill Facts

Also Known As: The Battle of Ramseur’s Mill is also known as the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill, the Battle of Ramsauer’s Mill, and the Battle of Ramsay’s Mill.

Date Started: June 20, 1780

Date Ended: June 20, 1780

Location: The battle was fought at Ramsour’s Mill on the Christian Reihnhart Farm, near present-day Lincolnton, North Carolina.

Theater: The battle took place in the Southern Theater of the American Revolutionary War.

Campaign: The battle was part of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War.

Patriots Who Fought:

Loyalists Who Fought:

Who Won: The United States won the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill.