Redcoats on the River-- Part 2

British troops occupied Wilmington in January 1781. After that, Loyalists used the city as a base to strike the Patriots.

The British Royal Navy quickly blockaded the Cape Fear River and North Carolina coast. Enterprising Patriots like Cornelius Harnett, chartered small fast ships to continue trade with the West Indies, the first blockade-runners, preceding the better-known ones from the Civil War.

Salt became scarce and salt-works were erected at Topsail Inlet and other sites. The same happened in the Civil War as well.

Thomas Peters, a Wilmington slave, took up the British offer of emancipation and enlisted with the Loyalists. he fought throughout the war and later became a founder of the African country of Sierra Leone.

Herron's Bridge was a 403-foot draw-bridge that spanned the Northeast Cape Fear River about where I-40 does today.

Sounds Like an Interesting Book. Cooter