The Battle of Alamance ended the seven-year War of the Regulation, a rebellion in colonial North Carolina over issues of taxation and local control. Some historians consider it the opening salvo of the American Revolution. Named for nearby Alamance Creek, the battle took place in the central Piedmont about eight miles south of present-day Burlington. The War of the Regulation was a North Carolina uprising, lasting from 1764 to 1771, against British colonial rule. ... In general, the word colonial means of or relating to a colony. In United States history, the term Colonial is used to refer to the period before US independence. ... State nickname: Tar Heel State; Old North State Other U.S. States Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Governor Michael Easley (D) Senators Elizabeth Dole (R) Richard Burr (R) Official language(s) English Area 139,509 km² (28th)  - Land 126,256 km²  - Water 13,227 km² (9. ... The American Revolution is the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. ... The James River winds its way among piedmont hills in central Virginia. ... Burlington is a city located in Alamance County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. ...

In the spring of 1771, Governor William Tryon left his lavish palace in New Bern, marching troops into the wilderness to quell a rebellion brewing in western counties since 1764. Up to that point, the "war" had included only minor, scattered acts of violence. The rebel Regulators, with approximately 2000 men to Tryon's 1000, hoped to gain concessions from the governor by intimidating him with a show of superior force. On May 16, 1771, the Regulators, led by Maryland native Hermon Husband, rejected Tryon's command to disperse peacefully. Tryon marched his troops south from their campsite on Alamance Creek, confronting the Regulators in formation along the road. Tryon himself fired the first, fatal shot of the battle. The rebel militia lacked leadership, organization, and adequate munitions. Many, including Husband, fled the field. Delays prevented approximately 300 reinforcements under Captain Benjamin Merrill from arriving in time to help the rebel cause. William Tryon (January 27, 1729 to 1788) was colonial governor of the Province of North Carolina (1765-1771) and the Province of New York (1771-1780, though he did not retain much power in the colony beyond 1777). ... New Bern is a city located in Craven County, North Carolina where the Trent River and the Neuse River converge. ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (137th in leap years). ... 1771 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

The Regulators lost and their rebellion failed. Losses for Tryon included nine dead and 61 wounded; the Regulators fell in much greater numbers, with historians averaging the estimated deaths at 100. Tryon took 15 prisoners, with seven executed later in nearby Hillsborough. Many Regulators traveled on to frontier areas beyond North Carolina. The governor pardoned others and allowed them to stay on condition they pledge an oath of allegiance to the royal government. Hillsborough is a town located in Orange County, North Carolina. ...

The battle took place in what was then Orange County. During the American Revolution a decade later, the same section of Orange County (subdivided into Alamance County in 1849) hosted several minor skirmishes, including the infamous Pyle's Hacking Match in 1781. Orange County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. ... Alamance County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. ...

Battle of Alamance memorial

Visitors to Alamance Battleground State Historic Site may view the field of battle, memorialized in 1880 with a granite monument and marked today with exhibits, period cannon, and colored flags representing troop positions. The visitor's center offers exhibits, artifacts, and a presentation on the battle. Visitors may also tour the onsite Allen House, a restored frontier farmstead of the period. 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Quarrying granite for the Mormon Temple, Utah Territory. ...

External links

• http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncalaman/battleofalamance.html
• http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/alamance/alamanc.htm