Revolutionary War Activity
The Battle of Shallow Ford was fought on October 14, 1780, between 400 Tories and 300 Patriots from North Carolina and Virginia. The company of Tories was trying to travel to Charlotte to join General Cornwallis.
Patriot Col. Joseph Williams, who lived nearby, called together his men and set up an ambush at the ford. As the Tories, led by Colonel Gideon Wright and his brother Captain Hezikiah Wright, prepared to cross the river, they were ambushed. The conflict was short, hard and decisive. The Tories, badly beaten, fled and scattered.
Fifteen casualties were reported, fourteen Tories and one Patriot, Henry Francis, a captain in the Virginia militia. A tombstone at the Battle Branch, the site of the skirmish, honors Francis. The Big Poplar Tree, a landmark at the site, is believed to have been shot out during the battle.
The battle shares its name with a play written by Ed Simpson, a native of nearby Lewisville.
On February 7, 1781, General Cornwallis, in pursuit of American General Nathanael Greene, led his troops across the Yadkin River at the Shallow Ford.
Read more about this topic: Huntsville, North Carolina, History
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