*May 16, 1771
The Battle of Alamance
It was the final battle of the War of the Regulation, a rebellion in colonial North Carolina by local farmers and backcountry residents. They rebelled against the wealthy and corrupt colonial British officials over issues of taxation and local control. Named for nearby Great Alamance Creek, the battle took place in what has since become Alamance County situated six miles south of present-day Burlington, North Carolina.
The War of the Regulation had been brewing in western counties for several years, but included only minor, scattered acts of violence, followed by refusal to pay fees, disruption of court proceedings, and continued harassment of government officials. In response to Regulator violence, the Carolina Assembly passed Johnston's Riot Act, which, among other stipulations, empowered royal governor William Tryon to call out the militia to maintain order and enforce the law.
On May 16, 1771, after several failed attempts at communication to avoid bloodshed, Tryon directed the militiamen to move toward the Regulator encampment. Though greater in number, the Regulators, who did not have a true commander or sufficient ammunition for a lengthy engagement, were no match for Tryon's militia and artillery, which included two field pieces and four swivel guns.
It was still a deadly encouinter for both sides. Tryon reported 9 militiamen killed and 61 wounded. Regulator casualties were more numerous: estimates range from 9 killed and an undetermined number wounded to as high as 300 killed and wounded.
Tryon took 15 prisoners, one of whom was hanged on the battlefield that evening. In trials at Hillsborough, 12 Regulators were found guilty of treason; 6 of these were executed and the others pardoned. On the day following the battle, Tryon offered to pardon all Regulators who would swear allegiance to the Crown. Within six weeks, more than 6,000 backcountry settlers had taken the oath and received pardons from the new royal governor, Josiah Martin.
Some historians considered the battle to be the opening salvo of the American Revolution, however, modern historians reject this, since there wasn't any intent to rebel against the king or crown, merely to protest taxation and corrupt local government.
On to more stuff
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United Launch Alliance’s live launch broadcast begins at 8:05 a.m. EDT (1205 GMT) Saturday, May 16.
Update: A new launch time of 10:13 a.m. EDT (1413 GMT) has been scheduled, weather permitting.
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YouTube Working for Peking
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The Gong Show: Larry & His Magic Trombone (circa 1977)
