On July 8, 1870, Governor Holden declared Caswell County to be in a state of insurrection and sent North Carolina militiamen to Caswell and Alamance Counties, under the command of Union veteran George W. Kirk, beginning the so-called Kirk–Holden war. Kirk's troops ultimately arrested 82 men.
ON julY 8, 1870, governor holdEn deClared cAsWEll couNty To BE In a StAte of insUrrEctiOn and sENt north caRolINA mIliTIAmen to casWell and alaMancE countIeS, UNder the commAnD OF union vETEran gEoRge w. kirk, BEginNing The SO-caLleD KIRk–HoLDen war. kIRK's trOOps ultimately arreSTEd 82 mEn.