Alamance Battleground

On 16 May 1771, two groups of North Carolinians found themselves pitted against each other, the Regulators and militia. Approximately 2,000 backcountry farmers comprised the Regulators, and about 1,000 men were militia troops, also called citizen soldiers. The militia were under the command of Royal Governor William Tryon. The Regulators were defeated by the militia, who had a plan, more weapons, and officers. Thus ended the Regulator movement that began in the early 1760s. The Regulators were concerned with unfair taxation, dishonest and corrupt government officials, and the lack of representation. They sought better regulation of government officials who often were appointed rather than elected by citizens in their districts, as well as control of their own affairs. Geography, social and economics all impacted this movement.