Battle of kings mountain, october 7, 1780, in the american revolution, american victory over a loyalist detachment in south carolina during the british campaign. Whig scouts discovered fergusons presence and the americans prepared for an assault. George gordon fought in the battle of kings mountain. Home revolutionary war the ride of the over mountain men battle of kings mountain part i well start our conversation of the battle of kings mountain by talking about the group of men that would make up the core fighting force and the chess game played between local patriot forces and british general ferguson. Battle of kings mountain by benjamin sharp as well as i can remember, some time in august, in the year 1780, col. Turning up the faces of the dead and wounded tories, scattered along the sides, and upon the crest of the moun tain, she at length discovered the gorj bod of her son pierced by a rifle ball. Did you know that many of the patriots who died at the battle of kings mountain oct. Visit our downtown shops, enjoy a meal at one of our great local restaurants, and plan a visit to the kings mountain national military park. The battle also effectively ended, at least temporarily, the british advance into north carolina. Some information has been excluded namely, the soldiers listed by summers as participating in the battle of point pleasant during dunmores war. Ignoring the participation of ferguson, the battle has been described as the wars largest allamerican fightbattle of kings mountain patriot roster october 7. Years after the battle, thomas jefferson deemed the victory, the joyful annunciation of that turn of the tide success which terminated the revolutionary war with the seal of our independence. The plateau of the mountain is in cleveland county, nc.
In 1780 he was a captain under col benjamin cleveland in the battle at kings mountain. The overmountain men were those under campbell, sevier, and shelby. Bobby gilmer moss, 1990, scotia press, blacksburg, sc. General charles cornwallis appeared to now have a clear path all the way to virginia. Kings mountain was the turning point of the southern campaign of the revolutionary war. The battle of kings mountain is a victory not often highlighted today but was a critical win nonetheless. A distinguishing characteristic of this battle is that it was fought entirely by irregular, loyalist and patriot militia. Cartersville, ga patch breaking local news events schools. Kings mountain battleground cemetery in blacksburg, south. Narrative of the battle of kings mountain teaching. Descendants of the battle of kings mountain shared a photo. Bobby moss patriots at kings mountain and roster of south carolina patriots in the a.
The official roster records for the virginias does not include christians name. Many of the patriot forces were overmountain men from the hills and valleys of northwest north. American patriot militia forces overwhelmed the loyalist militia, led by major patrick ferguson. After the war he became a majorgeneral in the militia and was a magistrate, clerk of court, county registrar. General benjamin lincoln at charleston in may and then maj. History of the battle of kings mountain, october 7, 1780, and the events which led to it draper, lyman c. Kings mountain national military park south carolina tourism. The appalachian men were called over mountain men, having crossed through the backcountry regions of virginia, tennessee, north carolina and south carolina on their way to kings mountain. The best numbers available are those prepared by draper in his kings mountain and its heroes. The battle of kings mountain on october 7, 1780, was a decisive patriot victory and a turning. This roster is based on the transcription given by c.
Today, the park commemorates this pivotal and significant victory by patriot militia over loyalist forces. This episode is one of the four of the decisive battles. The following is a roster of soldiers who served in the revolutionary war and were connected in someway to southwest virginia. You should plan on arriving one half hour prior to the. Descendants of the battle of kings mountain, unicoi. Descendants of the battle of kings mountain posts facebook. During the american revolution, patriot irregulars under colonel william campbell defeat tories under major patrick ferguson at the battle of kings mountain. Battle of kings mountain patriot roster october 7, 1780. While they were present at multiple engagements in the wars southern campaign, they are best known for their role in the american victory at the battle of kings mountain in 1780. After his victory at the battle of camden in august, 1780 british general charles lord cornwallis marched into north carolina.
Descendants of the battle of kings mountain home facebook. Battle of kings mountain roster battle of kings mountain. Kings mountain battle of kings mountain, kings mountain. Soldiers claiming service there and the officers they claimed to have served under at that battle, extracted from bobby gilmer moss, the patriots of kings mountain, blacksburg, south carolina, scotiahibernia. Vols is used to mean the units of cols william campbell, john sevier and isaac shelby collectively. Thomas jefferson called it the turn of the tide of success. The battle of kings mountain and the overmountain men history is. Engraving depicting the death of british major patrick ferguson at the battle of kings mountain, 1863. The battle of kings mountain on october 7th, 1780, was considered the turning point of the. A distinguishing characteristic of this battle is that it was fought entirely by irregular, loyalist and patriot militia forces. The overmountain men were american frontiersmen from west of the appalachian mountains who took part in the american revolutionary war. The victory of patriots over loyalist troops destroyed the left wing of cornwallis army. Battle kings mountain for sale collectibles for sale.
I was in the battle of kings mountain, and shot at the enemy four or five times. It is currently avbailable and i have seen it at several historysouthern oriented book stores. The battle of kings mountain was a decisive battle between the patriot and loyalist militias in the southern campaign of the american revolutionary war. Naturally, there is a keen interest in determining who fought in this significant encounter. The ride of the over mountain men battle of kings mountain. Took place on october 1780 and was a turning point in the war with the patriot militia winning. Roster of south carolina patriots in the american revolution. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. As the british pushed inland, the americans suffered a string of defeats which allowed lieutenant general lord charles cornwallis to secure much of south carolina.
The term overmountain arose because their settlements were west of, or over. Patrick fergusons loyalist army at kings mountain is little studied. He received a wound in the arm and the side during the battle. Ferguson had such a huge lead that he was taunting the losing team. Early in the afternoon of october 7, the americans launched their assault on all four sides. Patrick fergusonis credited by most early historians with having changed the course of the revolution in the south, and may have. Community content is available under ccbysa unless otherwise noted. Landers, historical statements concerning battle of kings mountain. The makes thirtyfive killed and wounded of campbells virginians as given in kings mountain and its heroes by draper, page 304. The battle fought at kings mountain 7 october 1780 has been declared to be the turning point of the american revolution in the south. The known patriots at the battle of kings mountain october. Articles such as this one were acquired and published with the primary aim of expanding the information on with greater speed and efficiency than has traditionally been possible. Kings mountain, battle of south carolina encyclopedia.
Kings mountain national military park is near blacksburg, south carolina, along the north carolinasouth carolina border. The visitor center includes many exhibits and in the theatre, the film, kings mountain. It was against the patriots, who were for americas freedom and the loyalists, who wanted the. The battle of kings mountain was fought october 7th, 1780 and was an important american victory during the revolutionary war. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the british invasion of charleston, sc, in may 1780. A little more than a year after kings mountain, washington accepted cornwallis surrender at yorktown, virginia. The battle took place on october 7, 1780, nine miles south of the presentday town of kings mountain. His brother james was in the battle of trenton and crossed the delaware with general washington. Regiments identified for the most part, a few exceptions. Explain that the battle tactice advice column topic will be on the battle of kings mountain. A reminder, you may join the descendants of the battle of kings mountain on either patriot or loyalist ancestors. District was the south carolina term for county before counties were formally organized.
The battle of kings mountain was a military engagement between patriot and loyalist militias in south carolina during the southern campaign of the american revolutionary war, resulting in a decisive victory for the patriots. Revolutionary war battlefield preserved at kings mountain. Roster of the loyalists in the battle of kings mountain. Thomas jefferson battlefield is located in south carolina on the north carolina border. Southern campaigns american revolution pension statements. Two local historians greg payseur and clyde holland have put together a list of soldiersmilitia supporters and most have descendants in cleveland county and many lived in our area of kings mountain.
The real story tells of the mainly scotsirish over mountain men, the war of independence and the battle of kings mountain during the american revolution which. Men of kings mountain, tennesseans of the revolutionary war. Plan your visit liberty mountain the revolutionary drama. Thomas brandon died 7 oct 1780 in the battle of kings mountain, south carolina. Find the latest updates, closures, and virtual activities here. Rare the patriots at kings mountain, carolina revolutionary war battle, moss 1st.
The battle of kings mountain was a fight in the southern campaign of the american revolutionary war, fought on october 7, 1780. Kings mountain national military park visit york county. The battle of kings mountain was a military engagement between patriot and loyalist militias in south carolina during the southern campaign of the american. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the british invasion of charleston, sc in may 1780. Rice, his friends, and his fellow militiaman would cross paths with the cherokee, home grown tories, and would culminate in a battle against the celebrated patrick ferguson at a place called kings mountain. A number of historians have published lists of the 9001,000 men who served at the battle of kings mountain on 7 oct 1780, but few military records are extant, and most published lists include very little in the way of documentation. They were forcemarched to rutherford county and put on trial. Sep 12, 2015 presentation by professor randell jones at caldwell heritage museum in association with caldwell county now and then facebook. The battle of kings mountain, fought october 7th, 1780, was an important american victory during the revolutionary war. History of the battle of kings mountain, october 7th, 1780, and the events which led to it by lyman c. Rices decisions would put him on paths to face both his enemies and his allies. The battle took place on october 7, 1780, 9 miles 14 km south of the presentday town of kings mountain, north carolina in rural cherokee county, south carolina, where the patriot militia defeated the loyalist militia commanded by british major patrick ferguson of the 71st foot. Some speculate the major may be seeking his way back to kings mountain, hoping to turn the tide of battle. The battle of kings mountain was a sudden, yet decisive victory of a band of rebel frontiersmen over an opposing british force of loyalists.
As a visitor begins the mile and a half circuit around the mountain, one of the first memorial stones is the spot where ferguson was killed. Nearing fergusons force, the overmountain men stood at more than 1,000 strong. A summary of the battle of kings mountain on october 7, 1780. Account of the battle of kings mountain in september 1780, majorgeneral lord cornwallis, after beating majorgeneral gates and the american revolutionary army at the battle of camden in south carolina, advanced north with the intention of invading north carolina and virginia. He was in hillsborough nc meeting with sc governor john rutledge. The battle of kings mountain was fought october 7, 1780, during the american revolution 17751783. Battlefield trail award kings mountain national military.
One claim is that thousands of south carolinians joined in to win the battle and are forgotten today. The kings mountain battlefield trail award has been developed for organized hikers, especially youth groups such as boy scouts and girl scouts, to provide them an interesting and enjoyable outdoor experience and the opportunity to learn. The battle of kings mountain patriot militia units arrived from va, nc, sc, and ga 925 104 106 sullivan county regiment nc washington county regiment nc 930 washington county regiment va augusta county regiment detachment va rockbridge rifles detachment va 14 regiments, 14 detachments of regiments. Mcdowell, of north carolina, with three or four hundred men, fled over the mountains to the settlements of holston and watauga, to evade the pursuit of a british officer by the name of ferguson, who had the command of a large detachment of british and tories. Our newest member is steven sims a descendant of pendleton isbell. Perhaps most significant was the hope that kings mountain gave to the patriots, who were still recovering from their humiliating defeats at camden and fishing creek. Historians consider the battle of kings mountain the turning point of the revolutionary war in the south, as it was the first significant patriot victory following the. The patriot army at kings mountain overmountain victory. See more ideas about battle of kings mountain, kings mountain and american revolutionary war. The untold story of kings mountain and its heroes kindle edition by u. In 2004 and 2005 the 224th and 225th anniversary of the battle of kings mountain sc the georgia society mounted a campaign called remember the 30 to gain recognition that georgians were a part of the overmountain men who were victorious over major ferguson and the tories at kings mountain. The official roster records for the virginias does not include.
The most common characterization is that the overmountain men won the battle. Kings mountain, kings mountain newspaper, kings mountain news, kings mountain herald, kmherald, km, km herald, city of kings mountain lib stewart. A detachment of approximately 900 overmountain men fought in the battle. Explore this cemetery for graves, information and tombstones for names in kings mountain battleground cemetery in blacksburg, south carolina, a find a grave cemetery. The battle also caused the loyalists in the area to think twice about joining the british and swayed neutrals to join the patriots in their fight for independence.
Cartersville, ga news no bond for trio alleged to plan murder across georgia, ga news coronavirus keeps students, football players away douglasville, ga news douglasville game company helps make. Historians consider the battle of kings mountain to be the turning point in the south in americas war for independence. The battle took place on october 7, 1780, 9 miles 14 km south of the presentday town of kings mountain, north carolina in what is now rural cherokee county, south. The battle of kings mountain on october 7, 1780, was a decisive patriot victory and a turning point of the war in the south during the american revolution. If you have both, a supplemental application will get you a certificate for that individual and help us to document all those on the mountain oct. Generally, ferguson is thought to have had about the same number as the patriot army. Oktober 1780 war ein wichtiger kolonialer sieg wahrend des amerikanischen unabhangigkeitskrieges. Ned whit, after this battle took my place in the compy. The scotchirish and the battle of kings mountain youtube. Kings mountain, sc a site on a revolutionary war road trip on. The battle of kings mountain and the overmountain men. The battle of kings mountain was on, 9 miles south of, near blacksburg, south carolina.
Battle of kings mountain during the american revolution, patriot irregulars under colonel william campbell defeat tories under major patrick ferguson at the battle of kings mountain. Shadowed by the threat of the overmountain men, ferguson deployed on a series of hills two miles inside the south carolina border known as kings mountain. The clash of the villainous ferguson against the hardy overmountain men and other backcountry revolutionaries took place on october 7th, 1780 at kings mountain. Kings mountain national military park in blacksburg commemorates the patriots first major victory in the southern campaign of the revolutionary war. In the fall of 1780 an army of backcountry men marched on the road toward the battle of kings mountain. A hanging at sunshine following the famous battle at kings mountain on october 7, 1780 between patriot proindependence and loyalist or tories, loyal to the british monarchy, over 30 loyalists, including the notorious ambrose mills, were captured at the battle scene.
Tactics in the battle of kings mountain teachers u. Moss, patriots at kings mountain does not show capt. It shows the importance of patriots everywhere persevering in every battle against adversarial forces even against those born on american soil. Just a few minutes from i85, you will find yourself transported back in time. Probably the most controversial aspect of kings mountain is the makeup of the patriot army.
The fatality of the sharpshooters at kings mountain almost surpasses belief. His breakdown shows that 440 overmountain men 48% and 470 men from the piedmont 52% made up the army. Battle of kings mountain, maj patrick ferguson, british army, mortally wounded by patriot mountain men militia. This battlefought by 1,000 plus militiamenwithout orders, formal military training, uniforms or provisions, and with no promise of payagainst the supposedly superior forces of noted english col. The battle of kings mountain on october 7, 1780, was a decisive patriot victory.
Thus began the rally to the battle of kings mountain. Benjamin sharp, battle of kings mountain, tennesseans in. The over mountain men saw kings mountain in october. Moss has used a variety of sources including revolutionary. Having shifted their focus south, the british achieved a decisive victory in may 1780 when they captured charleston, sc. Stay tuned for the exciting play by play after these brief messages. Sir thomas brandon was a colonel in the british army during the american revolution. Hill, however, was still recovering from wounds and he, in turn, has turned over command of his men to col.