The American War for Independence began on April 19, 1775, with the firing upon British soldiers outside of Boston, an event that marked the start of a revolutionary movement. Although the shots of Lexington and Concord were not heard along North Carolina’s Lower Cape Fear region, the war quickly thrust this area—and Bald Head Island—into the center of strategic military action due to its prime location at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, one of the most important shipping routes in the state.

 

The British Response and Parker’s Armada

In the wake of the unrest, the Royal Governor of North Carolina, Josiah Martin, fled Wilmington, fearing the advancing Patriot militias. From his refuge at Fort Johnston in Southport (visible from Bald Head Island), Martin promised to raise Loyalist forces to suppress the rebellion. Encouraged by King George III, British forces prepared a large fleet to sail to North Carolina under the command of Commodore Sir Peter Parker. The goal was to restore British rule with the help of Loyalist supporters in the region.

 

As the British Navy gathered, a 1,500-strong Loyalist force set out from Cross Creek (modern-day Fayetteville) to meet them. However, their march ended in defeat at the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge on February 27, 1776, where they were decisively beaten by Patriot forces. The British Navy, arriving in early March 1776, found themselves unable to link up with the Loyalists and had no choice but to abandon plans to seize Wilmington.

 

In the midst of these developments, the British built a small fort on Bald Head Island, which they named Fort George. This fort played a key role in blocking access to the Cape Fear River, though its size was modest compared to the scale of the British naval forces present in the region.

 

The British Armada Arrives

The first ships of Parker’s fleet arrived off Bald Head Island on April 18, 1776. However, by this time, they had learned of the defeat at Moore’s Creek and the disarray of their Loyalist allies. Despite hopes of rallying local Loyalists to their cause, the British found little support. The fleet, which had already suffered from delays, found itself without sufficient forces to make a successful strike on Wilmington.

In May 1776, Sir Henry Clinton arrived with reinforcements, including the 15th and 28th British Regiments, and began camped along the river’s mouth—possibly at what is now Oak Island. On May 15, the British also took control of Fort Johnston on the opposite side of the river, marking another temporary hold in the region. Meanwhile, the British presence on Bald Head Island continued to be marked by the construction of Fort George, a small but strategic fortification.

 

The Battle for Fort George

As summer passed, the British were forced to reconsider their strategy. By late September 1776, the Continental Army, still seeking to drive the British out of the Lower Cape Fear, landed 150 soldiers on the northern shore of Bald Head Island. They intended to surprise the British at Fort George, but the element of surprise was lost when British marines fired upon the Patriots from the fort, and ships positioned offshore began firing cannonades at the advancing soldiers. With no chance of success, the Continental forces retreated, suffering one casualty in what would become known as the unsuccessful "Battle" of Fort George.

 

By October 8, 1776, the British fleet left Bald Head Island and abandoned Fort George, marking the end of British control in the region.

 

The Dunmore Proclamation and the Role of Enslaved People

In addition to the military movements, the British sought to capitalize on the instability of the rebellion by offering freedom to enslaved people who joined their cause. Lord Dunmore, Royal Governor of Virginia, issued a proclamation in April 1775 declaring that enslaved people who escaped from Patriot masters and joined the British forces would be granted their freedom. Many enslaved people in North Carolina seized this opportunity, joining British forces as laborers, spies, and soldiers. It’s estimated that over a hundred individuals gained their freedom with the British in the early months of 1776.

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The events on Bald Head Island in 1776 were part of the larger struggle for control over the Cape Fear River and the surrounding region. Though the British left the Lower Cape Fear in the summer of 1776, their presence marked a significant chapter in the fight for American independence.

By the end of the year, the Patriots had reclaimed control of the region, and Bald Head Island was once again at peace, though it had witnessed pivotal moments in the fight for freedom. These actions continue to echo through history, reminding us of the sacrifices made and the struggles for liberty that defined the American Revolution.

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For a deeper exploration of this fascinating period in history, visit the Old Baldy Lighthouse and the Smith Island Museum of History. Learn more about the events and people who shaped Bald Head Island’s past and the role it played in the broader fight for independence.