The town , whose significantly Tory ( Loyalist ) population had fled Escaping , was occupied Control by Whig ( Revolutionary ) forces from Virginia and North Carolina .

After three days , most of the town had been destroyed Destroying , principally by the action of the Whig forces .

The destruction Destroying was completed Process_end by Whig forces in early February to deny Agree_or_refuse_to_act use Using of even the remnants to the British .