Ceremony held in Lincolnton, NC
June 9, 2007
Sam Powell, PhD, President, NCSSAR
Good Morning, my name is Sam Powell. I am the President of the North Carolina Society Sons of the American Revolution.
The North Carolina Society, SAR is proud to join with you today
in honor of Col Francis Locke, Maj. Joseph McDowell, Capt John Hardin
and other members of the American Patriot Militia
who fought here on June 20, 1780.
I want to thank the:
Lincoln County Commissioners, Darrell Harkey and the Catawba Valley Chapter of the NCSSAR for their part in hosting today’s event,
especially for preparing a lunch for all of us, and for making us feel welcome.
We have wreath presenters representing 6 states and the National Society of the SAR, including Compatriots, DAR, CAR, and Ramseur family members from: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and Tennessee. Thank you all for your dedication to the memory of this very important event.
The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill was hard fought – especially as it became hand-to-hand. The effect of the Battle on the British…. was equal to the effort. It was a major victory for the Patriots, and one that cost Cornwallis dearly in his attempts to recruit and train the Loyalist ranks of his army.
This battle along with King’s Mountain, Pyle’s Defeat, and other Whig victories over British recruiting efforts in the south, deprived the British of their ability to maintain their military might. America won the war of attrition - forcing a British retreat to Yorktown in 1781.
The North Carolina Society, Sons of the American Revolution is proud
to stand with you today as we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice
to the cause of freedom – their last full measure of devotion.
We remember their courage and determination, and
we honor them for their sacrifices
We also hope to pass on their story to future generations.
Thank each of you for joining with us today in remembrance of those who fought and died here at the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill in June of 1780, - 227 years ago at this very location.