McIntyre Farm
RETURN TO INDEXVictory: Patriot
Troops: Great Britain 510 - Patriots 14 militia, unknown volunteers
The Battle of McIntyre Farm took place on October 3, 1780 between Patriot militia under Captain James Thompson and a combined force of British regulars and Loyalists under Captain John Doyle in northern Mecklenburg county, North Carolina. The event is also known as the "Battle of the Bees" or the "Battle of the Hornets Nest". Lt. General Charles Cornwallis had occupied Charlotte since September 26, 1780. While there, he sent a foraging party of 450 infantry, 60 cavalry, and about 40 wagons to the countryside to search for supplies. Captain James Thompson of the local militia was warned by a local boy who had spotted them. The British forces had stopped seven miles up the road at McIntyre's Farm with the Patriot militia behind them out of sight. It was at McIntyre's farm that Doyle left behind 100 soldiers and 10 wagons to forage supplies. After a week in Charlotte, Lt. General Charles, Lord Cornwallis needed to send out foraging parties to replenish his supplies. A large foraging party of 450 Provincials under the command of Captain John Doyle moved out of Beattie's Ford Road with sixty wagons. A local boy notified the McIntyre family that the Loyalists were coming.
Then, the boy rode on and informed Captain James Thompson of the local militia. Captain Thompson quickly rounded up Captain James Knox and thirteen farmers to harass Captain Doyle's troops, and then hid the riflemen in two locations at the McIntyre farm. Captain Thompson watched as Captain Doyle's men plundered McIntyre's barns and raided their livestock pens. The Provincials tied their horses to the farm wagons while they went about their work. When the baggage wagons arrived they loaded bags of corn and oats onto them. During the pillaging, the Loyalists accidentally knocked over some beehives and found themselves under attack by the swarming bees. One Loyalist officer stood in the doorway and laughed as the men swatted at the bees and ran from the danger. Doyle believed that his men were being attacked by a much larger force and ordered a speedy retreat back to Charlotte. More of the local farmers showed up and began firing at the British from concealment, in a skirmish that resembled the start of the war at Concord, Massachusetts. Eight Loyalists were killed, along with two horses. Twelve others were wounded.
Then, the boy rode on and informed Captain James Thompson of the local militia. Captain Thompson quickly rounded up Captain James Knox and thirteen farmers to harass Captain Doyle's troops, and then hid the riflemen in two locations at the McIntyre farm. Captain Thompson watched as Captain Doyle's men plundered McIntyre's barns and raided their livestock pens. The Provincials tied their horses to the farm wagons while they went about their work. When the baggage wagons arrived they loaded bags of corn and oats onto them. During the pillaging, the Loyalists accidentally knocked over some beehives and found themselves under attack by the swarming bees. One Loyalist officer stood in the doorway and laughed as the men swatted at the bees and ran from the danger. Doyle believed that his men were being attacked by a much larger force and ordered a speedy retreat back to Charlotte. More of the local farmers showed up and began firing at the British from concealment, in a skirmish that resembled the start of the war at Concord, Massachusetts. Eight Loyalists were killed, along with two horses. Twelve others were wounded.
