Harts Mill
RETURN TO INDEXVictory: Patriot
Troops: Great Britain 27-30 - Patriot militia 40
The Battle of Hart’s Mill took place near Hillsborough, North Carolina between Patriot militia under Joseph Graham and Richard Simmons and a combined force of British and Loyalist militia on February 17, 1781. The Patriot forces returned to North Carolina from Virginia for resupplies and made camp in Orange county. Captain Joseph Graham under Brigadier General Andrew Pickens was sent to scout the area for British/Loyalist activity. The Patriots discovered a small camp of British and Loyalists at Thomas Hart’s Mill near the Eno River. When dawn broke out the next day, Captain Graham and his men charged, took the camp by surprise and made them disperse. apt. Joseph Graham with 20 N.C. cavalry, and Capt. Richard Simmons with 20 mounted N.C. militia, both acting under Pickens, attacked and set an ambush for a British lieutenant, a sergeant, 24 privates and 2 loyalists at Hart's Mill on Stoney Creek west of Hillsborough. The British, states Graham, lost nine killed and wounded, while the remainder were taken prisoner. In Pickens report to Greene, Pickens says the American detachment was commanded by Col. Hugh McCall, yet Graham, oddly, makes no mention of McCall at all. Indeed, more strangely, Graham says McCall was not even with Pickens.
In any case, after the fighting, Graham and Simmons were with Pickens, who was later in the day joined by Lee and his Legion. Prior to that Pickens and Lee had not personally known each other, this being their first meeting. In reporting “McCall's” attack, he stated that his men had achieved a victory “that would have done Honor to the most disciplined Troops.” 8 British were killed or severely wounded, and 10 and several Loyalists captured. Pickens further told Greene that he would move that evening or tomorrow to Stony Creek. He also said that Col. Lock, who was camped four miles below at High Rock Ford, was badly in need of ammunition, lead in particular, which he would have Lock send to Greene for. In his request to Greene on February 24, from High Rock, Lock said his men did not have a "Second ball," and asked Greene for 200 troops. The Battle was a boost of morale for the Patriot cause and managed to gain the attention of both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
In any case, after the fighting, Graham and Simmons were with Pickens, who was later in the day joined by Lee and his Legion. Prior to that Pickens and Lee had not personally known each other, this being their first meeting. In reporting “McCall's” attack, he stated that his men had achieved a victory “that would have done Honor to the most disciplined Troops.” 8 British were killed or severely wounded, and 10 and several Loyalists captured. Pickens further told Greene that he would move that evening or tomorrow to Stony Creek. He also said that Col. Lock, who was camped four miles below at High Rock Ford, was badly in need of ammunition, lead in particular, which he would have Lock send to Greene for. In his request to Greene on February 24, from High Rock, Lock said his men did not have a "Second ball," and asked Greene for 200 troops. The Battle was a boost of morale for the Patriot cause and managed to gain the attention of both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
