Colson’s, North Carolina

21 July 1780

After the battle of Ramseur’s Mill, Rutherford’s 1,200
militia started heading home. By June 22nd Rutherford only had 200 men
under his command. He had learned that Colonel Samuel Bryan had
persuaded his neighbors and acquaintances to take up arms for the King.
This was easily done, since after the fall of Charlestown and the defeat
of Buford at the Waxhaws, it seemed that the Patriot cause was lost.
Rutherford sent Davie and his cavalry to keep an eye on the Camden road,
leading from Charlotte. The rest of Rutherford’s force marched out to
find Bryan’s Loyalists. As he moved towards the Loyalists his army
increased to 600 men.
When Bryan learned of the defeat at Ramsour’s Mill, and the approach of
Rutherford, he crossed the Yadkin River and marched through territory
that was friendly to the King. Bryan’s force also increased as he
marched, to 800 men. He marched from the Upper Yadkin area, hoping to
meet up with Major Archibald McArthur of the 71st Highlander Regiment.
McArthur had been ordered to Cheraw Hill on the Pee Dee River.
Rutherford continued to force-march around Bryan’s Loyalists, trying to
cut them off from reaching McArthur. Rutherford dispatched Colonel
William Lee Davidson and 160 men to intercept Bryan.
Bryan marched down the east side of the Yadkin River, without stopping to
rest, until he rendezvoused with McArthur. Rutherford did not want to
attack McArthur’s Highlanders, so he broke off the pursuit. Davidson’s
force continued marching down the west side of the Pee Dee River, and
learned of a party of Loyalists camped on a farm near Colson’s Mill.
Colson’s Mill was located at the river junction of the Rocky and Pee Dee
Rivers. It consisted of a mill, an ordinary, stagecoach relays, and a
ferry crossing.
Davidson decided to attack the Loyalists, but prior to attacking he had
his men put white pieces of paper in their hats so they would not shoot
their own men. He divided his army so that they would attack from the
front and the flank. The Loyalists detected the presence of the Patriots
and opened fire. Davidson continued to form his men under fire, without
having his men shoot, and then charged forward.
Davidson was wearing his blue Continental uniform, and became a
conspicuous target. Loyalist sharpshooters fired upon the only officer
visible, and wounded him in the stomach. The loss of their commander
did not deter the Patriots and they charged forward at trail arms,
attacking from two directions at the same time. After a very short
fight, the Loyalists had three killed, and five wounded. The rest fled
to their homes.

Patrick O'Kelley http://www.2nc.org/
Author of "Nothing but Blood and Slaughter" The Revolutionary War in the
Carolinas
Available at Volume One 1771-1779
http://www.booklocker.com/books/1469.html
Volume Two 1780
http://www.booklocker.com/books/1707.html
Volume Three 1781
http://www.booklocker.com/books/1965.html

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