A Patriot militia victory over Loyalists that weakened Loyalist morale and support for British control in the southern colonies.
Key Facts
- Date
- June 20, 1780
- Duration
- One to two hours
- Forces involved
- Loyalist and Patriot militia only; no regular army
- Outcome
- Patriot militia victory despite being outnumbered
- Notable incident
- Peter Costner killed by his brother Thomas (fratricide)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the British campaign to control the southern colonies, Loyalist militiamen — many of them German Palatine settlers — gathered in the Lincolnton area and outnumbered local Patriot militia. The Loyalists had captured a group of Patriots and planned to execute them on the morning of June 20, 1780.
On the foggy morning of June 20, 1780, Patriot militia attacked the Loyalist encampment at Ramsour's Mill. The one-to-two-hour engagement involved no regular troops and was fought between neighbors and family members. Ammunition ran so low that muskets were used as clubs, and several cases of fratricide occurred during the fighting.
Despite being outnumbered, the Patriot militia defeated the Loyalists. The battle significantly lowered Loyalist morale across the southern colonies, undermining their willingness to support the British campaign and reducing the effective Loyalist presence in the region.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent