Opinion
When Cherokees made a fateful choice
The American Revolution was actually an epic sprawling across multiple decades, regions, peoples, and political factions.
Opinion
When Cornwallis first invaded Carolina
As a young member of Parliament during the 1760s, Cornwallis actually voted against the Stamp Act and accused the government of mistreating the American colonists. When war came, however, Cornwallis resolved to do his part.
Opinion
When war first came to Fayetteville
In the Carolinas, in particular, much of the war consisted of Patriots and Loyalists raiding, robbing, wounding, or killing each other in regular spasms of violence.
Opinion
Carolinians thwarted Britain’s Southern gambit
Stymied in the South, the British returned their focus to George Washington’s army. The war would go on — thanks to the brave men of North Carolina.
Opinion
Patriots lit torches for liberty — literally
The July 1775 burning of Fort Johnston was the first true military action of the Revolutionary War in North Carolina — but it would hardly be the last.
Opinion
A public servant to the last
Most Americans, and probably most of the delegates in Philadelphia, were not yet ready to declare full independence. But North Carolina’s Richard Caswell was.
Opinion
When Carolinians killed Carolinians
Two hundred and fifty-one years ago this month, two large groups of armed North Carolinians camped about six miles away from each other in what is now Alamance County. A thousand state militiamen, led by North Carolina Gov. William Tryon, had come to suppress a popular revolt known as the Regulator movement. About twice that...
Opinion
Revolutionary history surrounds us
If you grew up in North Carolina, you grew up surrounded by reminders of America’s founding era and Revolutionary War.
Opinion
Just causes need prudent leaders
It’s not enough to fight courageously for a worthy cause. Prudence and wisdom matter, too, if your goal is to win.
Opinion
The Tall Tales of Robert McCall
Who better to help fool the first-class troops of a dangerous enemy than a first-class storyteller?
Opinion
The Tale of Crooked Neck John
In my continuing efforts to perfect my punditry persona of “crotchety not-so-old man,” I have recently discovered a wonderful new source of material.
