Please join the Colson’s Mill Chapter of the North Carolina Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in celebrating the 245th Anniversary of the Battle at Colson’s Mill
A supper buffet of various Southern dishes will be prepared by
Dwight S. Eudy, Member, Colson’s Mill Chapter
Donations for the meal and the SAR’s ongoing efforts to preserve our Revolutionary War history will be graciously accepted.
Tentative Schedule of Events
11 am Registration for Attending Chapters
NCSSAR Color Guard Presentation of Colors
Welcome
Recognition of Guests
Battle of Colson’s Mill Memorial and Wreath Laying
1130 am Lunch Buffet (Donations Accepted)
Guest Speaker: TBA
Dismissal and Recession
History of the Battle of Colson’s Mill
In the spring of 1780 General Cornwallis’ victories in South Carolina had created enough excitement in North Carolina to inspire a loyalist force to emerge in the Yadkin River Valley under the leadership of Colonel Samuel Bryan.
About June 30 Bryan and nearly 800 men began marching south down the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Valley toward Cheraw, there to join up with British forces.
American General Griffith Rutherford ordered his adjutant, Colonel William Lee Davidson, and about 200 men to pursue the Tories, and a race ensued down the Yadkin River Valley. Believing themselves to be out of harm’s way and close enough to Cornwallis’ headquarters to prevent attack, Bryan’s Tories pitched camp near an inn and a mill on the Cheraw Road called Colson’s.
However, Colonel Davidson had no intention of letting the loyalists escape and on the morning of July 21 he surprised the enemy and drove the loyalists into the woods—and back to their homes. Davidson thus denied Cornwallis an addition of nearly 1000 troops and effectively broke any remaining loyalist sympathies along the Yadkin River Valley.
For more information, contact Colson’s Mill Chapter President Daniel Burleson
244th Commemoration of the Attack at the House in the Horseshoe
Saturday, July 26, 2025 10am – 4pm
Registration is now open to participate in the House in the Horseshoe event. Please indicate your state, organization/chapter, title, wreath presentation (if planned), and whether you will join the color guard in colonial attire.
The SAR ceremony will take place at 10:00 – 11:00 with Color Guard, wreath presentations by SAR and DAR chapters presenting honors.
The Guest Speaker will be Mr. Carlton Mansfield, President of the Alston House Association. Mr. Mansfield will discuss “The Alston House Through the Ages”, a history of the Alston House as a residence and a State Historic Site.
Battle reenactment will take place at 2:00, Saturday only. There will be other activities and 18th Century demonstrations throughout the day following the SAR ceremony at 10:00. Tours of the home are available as well.
IMPORTANT NOTE– The North Carolina Historic Sites will be building a new visitor center and parking lot as well as doing restoration work on the Alston House in 2026 and as such will not be conducting an House in the Horseshoe anniversary event in the summer of 2026.
Many thanks from the Sandhills SAR Chapter. We look forward to seeing you there!
Questions? Reach out to the Sandhills SAR Chapter Points of Contact
Jonathan R. Battle Primary SAR Point of Contact 2025 House in the Horseshoe SAR Ceremony
Michael “Mike” Fusselbaugh Alternate SAR Point of Contact 2025 House in the Horseshoe SAR Ceremony
