1. ANCHOR
  2. Revolutionary North Carolina (1763-1790)

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The War in the South

Many residents of the southern backcountry did not support independence and remained loyal to the king. Some Loyalists were former Regulators who still distrusted eastern elites; others were ethnic or religious minorities who didn’t trust the colonial majority to treat them fairly. In 1780, the British army turned its attention to the South. This “Southern Campaign” was fought not only between the British and Continental armies but between Patriot and Loyalist militias and between neighbors. In this chapter you’ll learn how these battles, large and small, were fought. You’ll learn about the experiences of some of the men and women who lived through this time, and about how some of them fought for civility in the midst of a bloody “civil war.”

"Nothing but blood and slaughter have prevailed among the Whigs and Tories, and their inveteracy against each other, must, if it continues, depopulate this Country."
     – Major General Nathanael Greene, March 30, 1781

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People

This is an image of a print showing Nathanael Greene, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing right, in oval medallion suspended above allegorical illustration of America nurturing two infants representing diverse racial groups; in the background is a military engagement between American and British forces. The image is available from the Library of Congress, The American Revolution in drawings and prints; a checklist of 1765-1790 graphics.
Nathanael Greene

Greene commanded the Continental Army in the South, helping to weaken the British and successfully limiting their control of seaports.

 

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Primary Sources

This is an image of a 1779 print showing a horse throwing its master. The horse represents America and the master is King George III. Image is available online through the Library of Congress.

The Horse America, throwing his Master" represents the sentiment that the colonies' desire to "throw off" British Colonial rule was akin to a horse throwing its master. (1779 print from Library of Congress, British Cartoon Prints Collection.)

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