In the early morning hours of September 12, 1781, Loyalist David Fanning
led 600 Tory militiamen on a daring raid of Hillsborough where Governor Thomas
Burke had taken refuge. Taken by surprise, the Hillsborough District militia
and handful of Continentals offered little resistance. Fanning's men quickly
captured the Governor, 71 Continentals, and a large number of Whig militia
while also freeing 30 loyalist prisoners held in the jail. After their success
-- in which they suffered only one wounded -- the victorious militia began
to plunder the town, and after finding liquor, a number of them celebrated
by becoming increasingly drunk. Recognizing that he needed to restore order
and reestablish discipline, Fanning ordered his troops to form and marched
out of town with his prisoners. The next day, North Carolina Militia under
General John Butler would surprise Fanning's force at Lindley's Mill.
In commemoration of the 225th Anniversary of this event, the General Francis
Nash Chapter of the NCSSAR and local DAR Chapters conducted a wreath laying
ceremony at the gravesite of Governor Thomas Burke in Hillsborough, NC. While
it is not known exactly where Governor Burke's remains truly lie, it it believed
to be somewhat south of the current grave marker. The land which holds the
grave marker was deeded to the General Francis Nash Chapter. The photos
below cover both the Reenactment and the Memorial Service.
