The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge on February 27, 1776 near Wilmington, is remembered as the first battle in North Carolina during the Revolutionary War era. Patriots routed the Loyalists which were composed of many Scottish Highlanders from the Cross Creek (Fayetteville) area. The leader was General Donald McDonald who was actually unable to fight that day as a result of illness so the band was led by Captain Donald McLeod. Many loyalists were captured and marched to the jail in Halifax. Included with the prisoners was the brother of Donald McDonald, Allan McDonald. Allan's wife was Flora McDonald, well known for her assistance for saving Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden in Scotland in 1746.  This prince was the claimant to the thrones of Scotland, England and Ireland as Charles III.  The teenaged Flora had the prince to dress as her maid and travel with her by board until he was able to board a ship bound for France.

Flora was interrogated by the Council of Safety. Her husband was moved to Philadelphia and exchanged after eighteen months. After a time in Nova Scotia, the couple eventually returned to Scotland after having all their property confiscated for their alliance with the loyalists. 

 (Source: https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/macdonald-flora, painting by Allan Ramsey)