The American Revolution divided the Regulators

The goals of the Revolutionary War separated the Regulators between factions, which is another way in which the Regulator War can be distinguished from the American Revolution. Some Regulators continued to support the British because they still believed in England's sovereignty and the Regulator movement had never been an attempt to overthrow the royal authority. The Patriot movement attracted more Regulators.

Regulators were fighting alongside each other four years before, but during the American Revolution, they were suddenly fighting against one another, fighting for their freedom from a tyrannical government. Additionally, a large portion of Governor Tryon's militia joined the Patriot cause, fighting alongside the Regulators they had previously vanquished.