Local News - June 2003

Recreation ‘authentic as possible’

Published June 4, 2003

Battle of Ramsour’s Mill

BY CALEB HAWKINS, LTN Correspondent

The reenactment this weekend of the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill will look like the real thing.

“The muskets use everything except the actual ball,” Lincoln County Historical Coordinator Darrell Harkey said about the half-hour reenactment. “We’re making the battle as authentic as possible.”

The original battle took place on June 20, 1780. In it, 400 militia patriots defeated 1,400 Tories.

Some people believe that it was a turning point in the South and if it had been lost that the British army would have won the battle at Kings Mountain.

The reenactment is just one of the events planned for the annual celebration of the battle, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the Lincolnton High School football stadium. The event starts at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony, emceed by WBTV news anchor Jon Robinson.

However, Harkey was reluctant to divulge some information.

“We’ve got some secrets planned for the ghost walk,” he said.

The ghost walk is one of the most interesting events the celebration hosts. The walk, led by Harkey, is a tour around the battlefield filled with surprises.

Also for view will be the Living History Encampment presented by Locke’s Guilford Militia, Over the Mountain Men and others.

Sights worth seeing at the encampment include the firing of guns and cannons, displays of  knives and swords, candle making, cooking and medicine as it was practiced in the 18th century.

Among the new events are games such as tomahawk throwing. Horses might also be present this year.

Two Ramsours from Jacksonville, Fla. and descendants of Captain Sloan from Pittsburgh will be on hand. Close to 200 Warlicks from the Warlick Family Reunion held in conjunction with the event will also attend.

The celebration of the battle recently made the cover of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution magazine.

Last year the event drew more than 700 people. All of the 500-plus plates were used for the barbecue, and Sunday drew around 200 more people.

During the summer, when educational events are hard to come by, the celebration promises to be an entertaining look at local history.

  “Everybody thought it was great,” Harkey said about last year’s event.

“I heard no complaints.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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