| Thomas Ward, the son of Joel and Nancy (Ross) Ward, was born on May 3, 1759 in Guilford County, North Carolina. In 1777, Thomas Ward enlisted as a private in the 1st North Carolina Regiment for a term of three years. This North Carolina battalion was the first regiment in the North Carolina Brigade commanded by General McIntosh. The regiment consisted of four companies each led by one captain and Thomas Ward was among the 76 privates in his unit. Tilman Dixon, who led Thomas Ward's company, was commissioned in 1777 as captain of the Continental Army assisted by Lieutenant George Cook. Thomas Clark, a continental officer, became colonel of the 1st North Carolina Continental Regiment on February 5, 1777. After the regiment was reorganized under Colonel Thomas Clark, the unit was sent north to join Washington. On May 29, 1778, the 1st North Carolina Regiment along with the 2nd and 3rd North Carolina Regiments were sent up to assist the men of the 4th, 5th, and 6th Regiments. On June 28, 1778, Thomas Clark led North Carolina Continentals to the Battle of Monmouth. The Battle of Monmouth, which took place in New Jersey on June 28, 1778, was an important battle in the American Revolution and was personally commanded by General Washington himself. Washington's elite army, which was reported at 13,503 officers and men, consisted of the following select units of the American Army. There were 1,300 of Maxwell's Brigadiers, 800 New Jersey militia under Philemon Dickinson, Charles Lee's Valley Forge Division (Hunterdon, Poor, and Warnum's Brigades), the divisions of Lafayette, De Kalb, and Alexander 'Stirling'. The American were confronted with the fierce British Army led by Clinton and Cornwallis. It was an extremely hot day and the battle was long and tiresome. The Americans fought a worthy and commendable battle. Both sides suffered casualties and achieved victories. |