- On the edge of town in Lincolnton, North Carolina, sits a school.

Tucked behind it, just down this country road, is a place many people have forgotten.

This is Ramsour's Mill, the site of a brutal battle in the American Revolution.

But there were no British soldiers in this battle, only American colonists.

Neighbors.

In some cases, friends.

By the summer of 1780, the war in the South looked bleak for the Patriot cause.

Charleston had fallen, British forces were pushing inland, and Loyalists across the back country believed North Carolina was next.

So between 800 and 1,300 Loyalists gathered at Ramsour's Mill, many unarmed, with the hope of fleeing to British-controlled lines where they would be armed, organized, and help restore royal control.

But Patriot militia leaders nearby got word of the gathering.

They raised 400 armed men and marched through the night to attack.

Just before dawn on June 20th, the Patriots reached the Loyalist encampment and opened fire.

What followed was chaos.

Militia on both sides searched up and down the hillside.

Smoke filled the woods.

Many had no weapons.

So in the thick morning fog, they fought with their hands.

For nearly two hours, it raged, leaving behind more than 300 Patriot and Loyalist casualties.

(explosion) The American Revolution is often remembered as a war for independence, but at Ramsour's Mill, it looked something like a civil war.

We spoke with Roy Lightfoot, whose ancestor fought here that day.

- We're standing on part of the battlefield right here.

This battle, along with several others leading to Kings Mountain, took away the Loyalist support in the area.

- Today, Ramsour's Mill is open to the public.

Trails, historic landmarks, and interpretive signs tell the story of what happened on this ground, a memorial marks where the fallen were buried.

- Sacred to memory are those who fell defending their beliefs at the Battle of Ramsour's Mill.

May these stones cry out lest we forget.

- And each June, the county brings it all back to life.

A living history weekend with hearth cooking, reenactments, weapons demonstrations, and a replica late 18th century cabin open to anyone that wants to step into the story.

And year-round, you can see this diorama to get a better sense of how the battle unfolded.

- The Battle of Ramsour's Mill was probably one of the most important battles in the American Revolution that you never heard of.

A lot of what happened here was brother against brother.

It was a Civil War.

So this is known as the Whig Captain's Grave, killed in the Battle of Ramsour's Mill on June 20th, 1780.

You have to study history in terms of the good, the bad, and the ugly, because if you don't learn from history, you're destined to repeat it.

My job as a historian is to make sure that these things never happen again, and to push for us to become a better society.

(gentle music) - Ramsour's Mill Battlefield is located at 301 Jeb Seagle Drive in Lincolnton, right behind Battleground Elementary School.

For information about upcoming events, check out lincolncountyhistory.com/the-bat tle-of-ramsour's-mill.