Colonel Abraham Buford's force of about 350 American patriots, returning to Hillsborough, N.C., after the fall of Charles Town, was overtaken on this site by British troops commanded by Colonel Banastre Tarelton. It is historically told that the patriots' white flag of surrender was disregarded as Tarelton's forces massacred the Americans. One hundred thirteen patriots were killed and buried here in mass graves, 150 were wounded, most of whom died within a few days, 53 were captured, and only a few escaped on horseback. From this battle came the war cry "Remember Tarelton's Quarter."