History/ Basic Information

Who Were The NCHR?

   Unit began in 1776 when North Carolina's governor Joeseph

Martin, convinced King George III that, he, Martin could raise

10,000 Loyalists who could march to Wilmington, join forces

with English troops, and quell the growing rebellion in the south.

  An army of 1600 loyalists, mainly Highland Scots, gathered in

Cross Creek ( now Fayetteville ) and began the 90-mile march

to Wilmington, the men designated only as North Carolina

Highanders were on their way to becoming part of the

Royal Highland Emigrants (later know, 84th Regiment of Foot)

then forming in Halifax.

     Less than 20 miles from Wilmington, Rebels defeated the

Loyalists at Moore's Creek Bridge. Most of the North Carolina

Highlanders were paroled, but the already-commisioned group

never can to fruition.... until Cornwallis.

     When Martin learned in 1780 that Crown Forces under 

Cornwallis would again appear in force in the province, Martin

re-ssued the commisions, the group was reformed again as

The North Carolina Highland Regiment, an independant royal

light infantry unit consisting of over 600 men. Many of them

were the soldiers from the ill-fated Cross Creek muster four

years earlier. The regiment had blue jackets made locally,

borrowed kilts and hose of the 71st Regiment of Foot who

were now wearing military overalls.

      Near wars end, the North Carolina Highland Regiment  

became part of the Royal North Carolina Regiment. After the

war North Carolina Highland soldiers went to Nova Scotia,

Scotland, and the states.