On April 19, 1775, a “shot heard round the world” rang out — including in North Carolina. That “shot” refers to the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Although North Carolina was not directly involved in the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord (which are located in Massachusetts), many living in the Old North State shared the sentiment for action and independence. The battles demonstrated the colonies’ willingness to fight for their rights and sparked a passion for freedom throughout them all.
After the events at Lexington and Concord, a letter full of patriotic fervor was circulated throughout the colonies to recount the news. It explained how the British soldiers “fired without any provocation and killed six men and wounded four others.” Word spread quickly. Cornelius Harnett, a prominent Patriot politician from Wilmington, read the letter and directed those who would later read it to “forward it by night and day” so that the news would be rapidly spread throughout the colonies.
After reports reached North Carolina, its delegates to the Continental Congress — Joseph Hewes, Richard Caswell, and William Hooper — wrote another letter, urging their fellow North Carolinians to “follow the Example of your sister Colonies and to form yourselves into a Militia. … Study the Art of Military with the utmost attention, view it as the Science upon which your future security depends.”
The news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord fueled support for the Revolution and led to the quick formation of the Continental Army. Soldiers joined from all 13 colonies, including North Carolina.
These events show that North Carolina did not wait for the war to move south before taking a stand; rather, North Carolina was revolutionary from the very beginning.
