Teacher Resources
New Bern
The February 27, 1776 Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge lasted roughly three minutes but had strategic consequences that lasted years. This lesson uses the battle as an entry point for understanding the Loyalist experience of the Revolution — who the Loyalists were, why they remained loyal, and what the consequences of choosing the losing side looked like in a civil war.
Grade Range
5-8
Duration
2 class periods
Included
3 Resources
What's Included
Everything
You Need
- 5 primary sources with analysis prompts
- Quiz with answer key (5 questions)
- 3 printable handouts
Lesson Overview
The February 27, 1776 Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge lasted roughly three minutes but had strategic consequences that lasted years. This lesson uses the battle as an entry point for understanding the Loyalist experience of the Revolution — who the Loyalists were, why they remained loyal, and what the consequences of choosing the losing side looked like in a civil war.
Essential Questions
- Who were the Loyalists and what does their story reveal about the Revolution as a civil war?
- What does it mean to bet on the wrong side of a revolution?
- How did geography and local knowledge shape military outcomes at Moore's Creek?
Primary Sources
5 Sources for Analysis
PRIMARY · TIER1
North Carolina Provincial Congress: Proceedings and Journal, 1774-1776
North Carolina State Archives
View SourcePRIMARY · TIER1
Royal Governor Josiah Martin: Correspondence and Proclamations, 1771-1776
Public Record Office (National Archives, United Kingdom)
PRIMARY · TIER1
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vols. 9-10: Revolutionary Period
State of North Carolina (Walter Clark, ed.)
INSTITUTIONAL · TIER1
Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens: Research Collections
Tryon Palace
View SourcePRIMARY · TIER1
Craven County Court Minutes and Committee of Safety Records, 1774-1778
North Carolina State Archives
Lesson Plan
In the Classroom
Learning Objectives
- 1Explain who the Highland Scots were and why they had particular reasons for loyalty to the Crown
- 2Describe the Moore's Creek battle and how the Patriot forces achieved their tactical advantage
- 3Analyze the battle's strategic consequences for the planned British southern invasion of 1776
- 4Evaluate the Loyalist experience after the Patriot victory — confiscation, exile, community fracture
Assessment
New Bern in the American Revolution
Answer the following questions based on our study of Revolutionary history.
What makes New Bern significant in Revolutionary history?
multiple choice
Primary sources are documents or objects created during the time period being studied.
true false
Name one event that occurred in New Bern during the Revolutionary period and explain its significance.
short answer
+ 2 more questions in the full packet
Ready to Print?
The full teacher packet includes cover page, lesson plan, all primary source worksheets, quiz, answer key, and standards alignment — formatted for classroom printing.