Whether accidental or otherwise,some of the bee hives were over turned and the bees begin to sting the Red Coats taking the honey, which created quite a commotion. During the disorder, the americans began taking positions 10 or 12 feet apart along a rockie ridge about 50 yards from the house. Thompson thought the British Sentinel was alerted and fired first shot at him, which served as a signal for the others to fire. Only Thompson and Bradley were able to reload and get off another shot before the British formed a line and started firing briskly. The British Captain standing in a barn door was shot and died 2 days later at the McCombs home in Charlotte.
The Militia retreated through the thicket while the British continued to fire at their former position intill the Americans were more then half a mile away. Their path of retreat took them down Long Creek were they ascended a bank parallel with the main road. By this time, the larger body of Major Doyles British Soldiers who had set up camp down the road came back to a ford in the Creek. Seven more Militia men had now joined the Americans and taken places along the bank. Now, all 14 fired their rifles at the Red Coats with great success and again, retreated about a half a mile toward Capt.Bradley`s Farm.
The British Calvery devided and went down each side of the creek. At this time, a pack of hounds was turned loose and were " In full cry on the track" of the retreating American Militia. In about threefourths of a mile the lead hound nipped the heel of one of American`s boot. So,he shot the dog to death with his pistol. All the Patriots escaped thru the woods un hurt and the hounds went quietly back to the road.
The British Calvery continued to flank the Militia along the ridge to the plantation of Robert Carr, sr. where they were inraged to the find the Americans were not there. Mr Carr,who was about 70 years of age, was taken prisoner. Major Doyle`s main party moved back to the McIntyre Farm and joined the remaing British who were there. They gathered 8 dead and 12 wounded. Then retreated, as quickly as possible, at day break, to Charlotte with Mr.Carr and only four wagon loads of goods.
Upon their return, they reported that they " found a rebel in every bush after passing 7 miles in that direction." A correspondent of the Pennsylvania Packet reported that the return was " with such precipitation that many of their horses fell dead in the streets on their return." Lord Cornwallis declared in a letter " Its a veritable nest of Hornets ."
In a report filed by General W.L.Davidson on Oct 5, 1780, he stated that the skirmish occurred at Mr.Bradley`s on Long Creek on Oct 4. In any event, the local loyalist held Frank Bradley responsible for the embarrassment inflicted on the Lord Cornwallis`s British Troops at the " Battle of the Bees ". On Nov 14, 1780, a group of 4 of Bryan`s Tories ambushed Capt Francis Bradley on his farm and killed him with his own rifle.
* Remember Capt Francis and only 14 men faught off the British,and in talking to the minister Jeff Townsend of the Hopewell Church,that was the only way they could kill him,by ambush,they had tried on many occasions,he says Capt Francis was a very stocky,burly man.And he says it is reported that when th Bees attacked it was a site,men running,being shot,horses running and dropping dead. Watch for updates.