War+For+Independence

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The Provinvial Congress set up defense mesures, created a loyality oath for everyone to take, authorized the enlistment of soldiers to fight in the war, and issued paper money to pay for everything. The province raised two regiments for General George Washington's Continental army. James Moore of Wilmington and Robert Howe of Brunswick commanded the regiments. North Carolina militiamen were sent into South Carolina and Virginia to fight Tories. By early 1776, North Carolinians were fighting among themselves the Cape Fear coast. Nevertheless, he encouraged the recently arrived Highlander had signed an oath of personal loyalty to the king, they kept their word and gathered to fight. In February, the Highlanders marched from Cross Creek toward Wilimington. Colonel James Moore ordered several groups of militia to cut them off. The Whig forces blocked the Tories' path at Moore's Creek Bridge, about twenty miles north of Wilmington. The Whigs removed the planks from the bridge and greased the support bea,s. For fifteen minutes, the Higlanders tried to slip and slide across the bridge. More than fifty were shot.