Cornwallis,
Speaking of Tarleton, I drive by these sites below everyday on my commute to and from work here in Charlotte.
To give some background, the Battle of Charlotte Town (Charlotte) was fought on September 26, 1780. (My source for this information is taken from “Nothing but Blood and Slaughter – The American Revolutionary War in the Carolinas, Volume II 1780” by Patrick O’Kelley) When British forces arrived at Charlotte Town that day, Tarleton turned over command of his Legion to Major Hanger. Tarleton was suffering from Yellow Fever. The Patriots were able to repulse the Legion’s Dragoons three times before they were outflanked and forced to retire. The Patriots headed up Salisbury Road, now Tyron Street (Hwy 29 & 49), and the fighting retreat went past Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church. The church was founded in 1755 and was a hot bed of Patriot fever. It was here on the hill top that Major Joseph Graham and his men were firing on the advancing light infantry when Tarleton’s Dragoons charged into them. It was here that Graham received his nine wounds by the Dragoons. The marker is across Sugar Creek Road where it intersects with North Tryon Street. Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church owns the cemetery and it sits just on the outside of the cemetery fence.
The other marker is of Lt George Locke who was cut to pieces during the retreat by the Legion Dragoons. This marker to Locke is about 400 yards east of where Hwy 29 & 49 split. It is located on North Tyron Street. It is probably a mile or slightly less from Graham’s marker.
When the British forces that took part in the chase of the Patriots began returning to Charlotte Town, they came back upon the wounded Graham. The following quote is directly from Patrick O’Kelley’s book. “One of the British aimed a pistol at Graham’s head, but Hanger stopped him, saying, ‘Put up your pistol, save your ammunition, he has enough.’ Graham was left to die, but instead he crawled to a spring near the church.” Five months later Graham would be back in action at Cowan’s Ford.
I think that probably very few people that drive by these markers every day know what they represent.
Darrell
Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church at the intersection of Sugar Creek and North Tyron.
Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
Graham’s marker across the street from the church.
Lt George Locke’s marker.
Lt George Locke’s marker.
