Marshall McClung
With the 250th birthday of our nation a few months away, it is time to take a look and see how present-day Graham County might have been affected.
There is no record of a Revolutionary War battle being fought here – although there were battles in North Carolina.
The area that makes up Graham County today was part of the larger western North Carolina backcountry that played a significant part in America’s quest for independence. Back-country farmers – already known for their fierce independent nature – revolted against the British colonial government because of excess taxes and lack of representation.
Present-day Robbinsville was like other rural areas of North Carolina – in that it was affected by the war’s events. This included the establishment of military districts and the organization of a militia.
These men were aggressive fighters and used battle techniques that the British troops were not familiar with. The British were used to lines of soldiers formed in open fields for battle and marching toward the enemy.
The American forces made up of farmers, hunters and trappers, all of whom hid behind trees, bushes and rocks and opened fire on the British – who made inviting targets in their bright red uniforms. This type of battle technique later became known as “guerilla warfare.”
This proved to be a turning point in the war, as the British troops – accustomed to winning – begin to lose many battles: and watched as a large amount of their forces were killed.
Some American troops kept diaries and mentioned seeing their leader George Washington go into the woods, kneel and pray before an upcoming battle.
When a rag-tag bunch of men who had never fought in a battle – and had no military experience – defeats the greatest army on Earth at the time, one must assume that God heard Washington’s prayers.
Marshall McClung is the historical columnist for The Graham Star. He is retired from the U.S. Forest Service and can be reached via email, mcclungs828@gmail.com.