At this moment Captain Hardin led a small force of Whigs into the field, and, under cover of the fence, kept up a galling fire on the right flank of the Tories.  This movement gave their lines the proper extension, and the contest being well maintained in the center, the Tories began to retreat up the ridge.  Before they reached its summit they found a part of their former position in possession of the Whigs.  In this quarter the action became close, and the opposing parties in two instances mixed together, and having no bayonets they struck at each other with the butts of their guns.  In this strange contest several of the Tories were made prisoners, and others, divesting themselves of their mark of distinction, (a twig of green pine-top stuck in their hats), intermixed with the Whigs, and all being in their common dress, escaped without being detected.

The Tories finding the left of their position in possession of the Whigs, and their center closely pressed, retreated down the ridge toward the pond, still exposed to the incessant fire of the Whig forces.  The Whigs pursued their advantages until they got entire possession of the ridge, when they discovered, to their astonishment, that the Tories had collected in strong force on the other side of the creek, beyond the mill.  They expected the fight would be renewed, and attempted to form a line, but only eighty-six men could be paraded.  Some were scattered during the action, others were attending to their wounded friends, and, after repeated efforts, not more than one hundred and ten men could be collected.

In this situation of affairs, it was resolved by Colonel Locke and other officers, that Major David Wilson of Mecklenburg, and Captain William Alexander of Rowan, should hasten to General Rutherford, and urge him to press forward to their assistance.  General Rutherford had marched early in the morning from Colonel Dickson’s plantation, and about six or seven miles from Ramsour’s, was met by Wilson and Alexander.

Major Davie’s cavalry was started off at full gallop, and Colonel Davidson’s battalion of infantry were ordered to hasten on with all possible speed.  After progressing about two miles they were met by others from the battle, who informed them the Tories had retreated.  The march was continued, and the troops arrived at the battleground two hours after the action had closed.  The dead and most of the wounded were still lying where they fell.

In this action the Tories fought and maintained their ground for a considerable length of time with persistent bravery.  Very near the present brick structure on the battle-ground, containing within its walls the mortal remains of six gallant Whig captains, the severest fighting took place.  They here sealed with their life’s blood their devotion to their country’s struggle for independence.