As war consumed the southern colonies the Overmountain Men began to feel the pressure of British forces. By 1780 Lord Cornwallis had a firm hold over the southern colonies and Major Ferguson was pressed to bring the Appalachian settlements to submission. Ferguson sent a paroled colonial soldier to these settlements to deliver terms of submission. As a result word quickly spread throughout the back country of Appalachia of Ferguson and his threats. On September 25, 1780 hundreds of Overmountain Men assembled at Sycamore Shoals to form a militia in order to contend with Ferguson. The sole purpose of this task was to destroy Ferguson's army and remove the threat of British occupancy. This Militia was comprised of mostly light infantry militia on horseback. They traveled very light with only cattle to be slaughtered as food. Over the 330 mile journey to Ferguson's troops and Kings Mountain the Overmountain forces gained considerable volunteers from local areas. By the time they had reached the area of Kings Mountain and the North Carolina border the militia had over 1,000 men. (1)
On October 1st news was brought to Major Ferguson informing him of the colonial militia march south towards his position. As a result Ferguson issued a call to the locals stating " if you wish to be pinioned, robbed and murdered and see your wives and daughters, in four days, abused by the dregs of mankind; in short, if you wish or deserve to live and bear the name of men, grasp your arms in a moment and run to camp.… If you choose to be degraded forever and ever by a set of mongrels, say so at once and let your women turn their backs upon you and lookout for real men to protect them."
(2) This was issued in order to draw on local Loyalist support and bring more volunteers into the ranks . |
Ferguson furthermore wrote to Lord Cornwallis urging for ''300-400 good reinforcements, part dragoons''. (3)On October 6th Ferguson moved his troops upon Kings Mountain as he believed this gave him protection against attack. Kings Mountain had been cleared many year prior by local hunters. This clearing allowed for hunters to easily shoot deer in this open area. This became a fatal flaw in the battle to come for both Ferguson and his troops. By nightfall Ferguson had over 1,100 troops on the top of Kings Mountain.
By afternoon on October 7th the forces of over 900 Overmountain Men and 400 Colonial Rebels located Ferguson upon Kings Mountain. They quickly moved to dismount from their horses and surround the encampment. The previous days of heavy rainfall had softened the ground so that their approach was very quiet and not noted by Ferguson's forces. Colonial forces placed white pieces of paper on their hats in order to identify themselves and by 3 p.m. had surrounded Ferguson. Shortly there after a brief skirmish broke out between the forces with two successful bayonet charges by Ferguson's forces. Due to the surrounding of Ferguson's forces, however, these bayonet charges could not be sustained and the Colonial militia slaughters Ferguson's forces for the better part of one hour. Ferguson fell late in the combat and died on the field of battle. Second in command Captain Abraham DePeyster immediately raised the white flag of surrender seeing the great amount of casualties at their position atop the mountain.(3)
As the smoke cleared there were 225 loyalist killed, 163 wounded, and 716 captured as prisoners. Colonial forces sustained 28 dead and 62 wounded. The lopsided victory proved to be one of the most resounding victories of the Revolutionary War.(5)
By afternoon on October 7th the forces of over 900 Overmountain Men and 400 Colonial Rebels located Ferguson upon Kings Mountain. They quickly moved to dismount from their horses and surround the encampment. The previous days of heavy rainfall had softened the ground so that their approach was very quiet and not noted by Ferguson's forces. Colonial forces placed white pieces of paper on their hats in order to identify themselves and by 3 p.m. had surrounded Ferguson. Shortly there after a brief skirmish broke out between the forces with two successful bayonet charges by Ferguson's forces. Due to the surrounding of Ferguson's forces, however, these bayonet charges could not be sustained and the Colonial militia slaughters Ferguson's forces for the better part of one hour. Ferguson fell late in the combat and died on the field of battle. Second in command Captain Abraham DePeyster immediately raised the white flag of surrender seeing the great amount of casualties at their position atop the mountain.(3)
As the smoke cleared there were 225 loyalist killed, 163 wounded, and 716 captured as prisoners. Colonial forces sustained 28 dead and 62 wounded. The lopsided victory proved to be one of the most resounding victories of the Revolutionary War.(5)
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1.Copeland Draper, Lyman, Anthony Allaire, and Isaac Shelby. King's Mountain and Its Heroes
2. Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History
3.Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History
4. "Revolutionary War: Southern Phase, 1778-1781
5. Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History
2. Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History
3.Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History
4. "Revolutionary War: Southern Phase, 1778-1781
5. Allen, Thomas B. "THE OVERMOUNTAIN MEN." Military History