The best camping near Moores Creek National Battlefield

They brought knives to a gunfight and lost. That's what happened to several hundred Loyalists, originally from the Scottish Highlands, when they tried to attack a group of Patriots in North Carolina on the cusp of the American Revolution. The battle marked a turning point early on in the war in February of 1776.

As they shouted "King George and broadswords," the 800-strong Loyalists charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge (the Patriots knew they were coming). Their ranks fell quickly as the Patriots, numbering more than 1,000, shot at them from the cover of trees. The Loyalists weren't expecting such huge numbers to greet them. Nor were they expecting them to be so well-armed. The battle was quickly over and the Loyalists surrendered. In the days that followed, the Patriots plundered supplies from the Loyalists to help bolster their ranks.

Imagine brandishing a Scottish broadsword and charging across a wooden bridge to meet your enemy. You can experience this when you walk across the current Moores Creek Bridge, a recreation of the original structure. An easy, 1-mile loop trail takes you on a jaunt through the grounds of the battlefield, letting you experience what both sides saw.

Picturesque, moss-laden trees guide your walk to the interpretive markers and the creek itself. During summer months, you might see re-enactors dressed in period costume. You might also hear the peal of musket fire and the boom of cannons going off. Living history demos include quilting, spinning and military drills that militiamen went through.

Nearby campsites provide a great home base for this historical adventure northwest of Wilmington. Rivers and lakes south of the battlefield offer outdoor recreational activities on your vacation.