Lindley's Mill
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Troops: Patriot militia 300 - Loyalist militia 600
The Battle of Lindley's Mill (also known as the Battle of Cane Creek) took place in Orange County, North Carolina (now in Alamance County), on September 13, 1781, during the American Revolutionary War. The battle took its name from a mill that sat at the site of the battle on Cane Creek, which sat along a road connecting what was then the temporary state capital, Hillsborough, with Wilmington, North Carolina. On September 12, in the morning, Fanning attacked Hillsboro and took possession of the place after a small skirmish. Of the American prisoners was his prize, Burke himself. Along with Burke, Fanning also captured the council, several Continental officers and enlisted troops. Fanning was also able to liberate a number of Loyalist and British soldiers that had been held prisoner. At noon, Fanning and his troops left Hillsboro. They had traveled 18 miles when they were attacked by an American force at Cane Creek. The American force comprised of 400 Continentals, commanded by Colonel Maybin and Brigadier General John Butler. There was soon a fight that would last for 4 hours.
Fanning saved his expedition by his skillful handling of the situation and eventually routed the American force. In the end, Fanning was still in possession of his prisoners but was also seriously wounded. While Fanning and 60 of his Tories had to be left behind, Lieutenant Colonels Archibald McDugald and Archibald McKay, and Major John Ranes took over command of the Tory force and succeeded in eluding the American pursuit with the rest of the expedition. Four days later, the Tories linked up with the relief column from Wilmington, commanded by Colonel J.H. Craig. During the action at Lindley's Mills, Colonel McNeill and Major John Nall met in single combat. Both fired at the same instant, McNeill's ball striking Nall while Nall's ball penetrated McNeill in the forehead; both died on the spot. Between 200 and 250 men were killed or wounded in the battle, with the Tory force suffering due to the loss of McNeill and serious wounds received by Fanning, who was forced to hide in the woods when his column moved on.
Fanning saved his expedition by his skillful handling of the situation and eventually routed the American force. In the end, Fanning was still in possession of his prisoners but was also seriously wounded. While Fanning and 60 of his Tories had to be left behind, Lieutenant Colonels Archibald McDugald and Archibald McKay, and Major John Ranes took over command of the Tory force and succeeded in eluding the American pursuit with the rest of the expedition. Four days later, the Tories linked up with the relief column from Wilmington, commanded by Colonel J.H. Craig. During the action at Lindley's Mills, Colonel McNeill and Major John Nall met in single combat. Both fired at the same instant, McNeill's ball striking Nall while Nall's ball penetrated McNeill in the forehead; both died on the spot. Between 200 and 250 men were killed or wounded in the battle, with the Tory force suffering due to the loss of McNeill and serious wounds received by Fanning, who was forced to hide in the woods when his column moved on.
