Redcoats on the Cape Fear: The Revolutionary War in Southeastern North Carolina, revised edition

by Robert M. Dunkerly

Nestled on the banks of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington, North Carolina, remains famous as a blockade-running port during the Civil War. Not as renowned is the city's equally vital role during the Revolution. Through the port came news, essential supplies, and critical materials for the Continental Army. Both sides contended for the city and both sides occupied it at different times. Its merchant-based economy created a hotbed of dissension over issues of trade and taxes before the Revolution, and the presence of numerous Loyalists among Whigs vying for independence generated considerable tension among civilians. Based on more than 100 eyewitness accounts and other primary sources, this volume chronicles the fascinating story of Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear during the Revolution.

215 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2012

About the author

Bert Dunkerly is a historian, award-winning author, and speaker who is actively involved in historic preservation and research. He holds a degree in History from St. Vincent College and a Masters in Historic Preservation from Middle Tennessee State University. He has worked at nine historic sites, written nine books, including Redcoats on the Cape Fear, about the Revolution in Wilmington. His research includes archaeology, colonial life, military history, and historic commemoration. Dunkerly is currently a Park Ranger at Richmond National Battlefield Park. He has visited over 400 battlefields and over 700 historic sites worldwide. When not reading or writing, he enjoys hiking, camping, and photography.

Reviews

[Moss Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the direct descendant of both Patriots and Tories who saw action in the Cape Fear Region during the American Revolution, naturally I was eager to learn more about the region’s role in the war. The biggest strength of this book was the author’s care to explain everything in chronological order and to tie together a lot of independent facts I already knew. Really helped to put into place a lot of people and events that were a jumbled mess before. THE must read work on the Revolution in Eastern North Carolina.

[Evan Þ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This's a short and informative book on the military aspects of the American Revolution in North Carolina. The growing tensions, Moore's Creek Bridge, and the British naval attack in early 1776 are dealt with quickly; then the unusually bloody civil war when Cornwallis entered the state years later is discussed at more length. We see North Carolina was rarely on the front lines - but only because people worked to keep it off them. And, the tension between Loyalists and Patriots stayed at a low bubbling through the war in a way it observably didn't farther north.

[Kristin Nare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the level of detail and readability of this book. It taught me a lot about the Revolutionary War in my home state and is a fantastic resource for writing my own historical fiction work on the War in NC.