Kings Mountain

As British General Cornwallis advanced into North Carolina in September 1780 he had Major Patrick Ferguson protect his western flank with a command comprised of 1,075 disciplined loyalists. Ferguson issued a proclamation for the American rebels to lay down their …

1780-10-07

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As British General Cornwallis advanced into North Carolina in September 1780 he had Major Patrick Ferguson protect his western flank with a command comprised of 1,075 disciplined loyalists. Ferguson issued a proclamation for the American rebels to lay down their weapons or he would, “Lay waste to their country with fire and sword." Ferguson’s words had exactly the opposite effect with the frontiersman who decided to bring the battle to Ferguson rather than wait for him to come to them. With the exception of Major Ferguson all of the participants of the battle were Americans, as the forces under his command were composed entirely of loyalists. The American rebels, about 900 strong, were under the command of frontier colonels. When Major Ferguson learned that a large group of Americans were following him, he established his men in a defensive posture atop a ridge known locally as Kings Mountain.

Kings Mountain, South Carolina

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. The battle took place on October 7, 1780, 9 miles (14 km) south of the present-day town of Kings Mountain, North Carolina in what is now rural Cherokee County, South Carolina, where the Patriot militia defeated the Loyalist militia commanded by British Major Patrick Ferguson of the 7ist Foot. The battle has been described as "the war’s largest all-American fight".

Wikipedia: Battle of Kings Mountain

Continental Army

Great Britain