Battle of RockFish

The historical marker for the Battle of Rockfish is located on NC 11 south of Tin City. Located in Duplin County, the Battle of Rockfish was a limited military engagement. It took place on 2 August 1781 between Major James H. Craig and his British forces and the Duplin County militia under Col. Thomas Kenan, supported by General Richard Caswell. It was part of a campaign by Craig throughout the Cape Fear in the late summer of 1781. It resulted in clear defeat of the Patriots, but proved of no importance with Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown in October 1781. Lacking proper equipment and supplies, the Patriots withdrew, easily defeated, poorly armed and lacking experience. About 60 Patriots were killed, Craig took 20-30 Whigs captive. The militia continued harassing Craig; no further battles or skirmishes followed.