Dunkerly is a park ranger at kings mountain national military park. Patrick ferguson, british commander at the battle of kings mountain, is best known today for the fastloading rifle he. Southern campaigns american revolution pension statements. Battle of kings mountain participants, october 7, 1780 1972. The battle of kings mountain was a decisive battle between the patriot and loyalist militias in the southern campaign of the american revolutionary war. Battle of kings mountain, sc turning point of the revolutionary war in late september, 1780, the overmountain men mustered at fort watauga for their march to kings mountain, sc, to give battle to colonel ferguson, who had threatened to march over the. The battle fought at kings mountain 7 october 1780 has been declared to be the turning point of the american revolution in the south. Sep 12, 2015 presentation by professor randell jones at caldwell heritage museum in association with caldwell county now and then facebook. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Kings mountain extract of a letter from anthony allaire. Battle of kings mountain journal of the american revolution.
His view is from happy valley of the upper yadkin between lenoir and boone nc. Battle of kings mountain october 7, 1780 by mark h. On september 7 ferguson pushed across the western north carolina border. He has worked at several other historic sites, including gettysburg, stones river, jamestown, washingtons birthplace, bushy run and colonial williamsburg.
Battle of kings mountain by benjamin sharp as well as i can remember, some time in august, in the year 1780, col. A historical novel about the battle of kings mountain. Ferguson, rather than pushing on until he reached charlotte and safety just a days. The battle of kings mountain on october 7, 1780, was an overwhelming blow. In an easytoread, anecdotal format, the reprint of t. James williams hero of the battle of kings mountain 1780 erected by daniel morgan chapter d. On october 7, 1780, american patriot and loyalist soldiers battled each other at kings mountain, near the border of north and south carolina. Rifles and riflemen at the battle of kings mountain, by national park. Thomas jefferson called this battle the turning point of the american revolution. Engraving depicting the death of british major patrick ferguson at the battle of kings mountain, 1863. A distinguishing characteristic of this battle is that it was fought entirely by irregular, loyalist and patriot militia. 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. Hank messick, 1976 kings mountain hank presents the events of the southern campaign which led up to the battle of kings mountain.
Curriculum materials kings mountain national military park u. Historians consider the battle of kings mountain to be the turning. Over 30 professional actors, technicians, and designers bring this epic drama to life. 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. The lyrics of this martialstyle original tell the story of a pivotal battle in the revolutionary war that took place in 1780 on kings mountain, near the border of north and south carolina.
The kings mountain men, the story of the battle, with. Bkm books remembering kings mountain battle of kings mtn. Kings mountain national military park battle of kings mountain battlefield, kings mountain state park, crowders mountain state park, historic battlefield, living history farm, hiking, fishing, swimming, rock climbing, boating, fall colors, scenic views. Kings mountain was the turning point of the southern campaign of the revolutionary war. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the british invasion of charleston, sc in may 1780. Naturally, there is a keen interest in determining who fought in this significant encounter. 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.
Perhaps a more appropriate title would be the southern campaign of the american revolution. The battle of kings mountain was an intense, onehour battle fought just below the north carolinasouth carolina border. 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 map, kings mountain battlefield. American patriot militia forces overwhelmed the loyalist militia, led by major patrick ferguson. 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. Battle of kings mountain turning point of the revolutionary war by loretta cozart. History of the battle of kings mountain, october 7th, 1780, and the events which led to it lyman copeland draper p. With over one hundred eyewitness accounts, this collection of participant statements from men of both sides includes letters and statements in their original form. The overmountain men were american frontiersmen from west of the appalachian mountains who took part in the american revolutionary war. The battle of kings mountain, from those who were there. Our victory was complete military usually ships within 1 to 2 months. The following account of the battle of kings mountain is a copy of the original paper, drawn up by the late general joseph graham, father of the present governor of north carolina, of lincoln county, north carolina, the county in which the site of the battle is located. Excerpted from 70th congress, 1st session house document no.
In an old hostory of the battle of kings mountain in which is also given the names of many of the american officers and soldiers whose daring deeds of bravery deserved special. The park preserves the site of this important battle. Darius freeman cursed as a tory musket ball smacked the maple beside him. Today, the park commemorates this pivotal and significant victory by patriot militia over loyalist forces. I was in the battle of kings mountain, and shot at the enemy four or five times. Having shifted their focus south, the british achieved a decisive victory in may 1780 when they captured charleston, sc. Little known and fascinating facts about the battle of kings. Presentation by professor randell jones at caldwell heritage museum in association with caldwell county now and then facebook. 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.
Thomas jefferson called it the turn of the tide of success. In 1780 a group of frontier farmers take on a regiment of the kings armyand win. The battle of guilford courthouse in north carolina, on march 15, 1781, proved pivotal to the american victory in the american revolutionary war 177583. Historical statements concerning the battle of kings mountain. From the pen of playwright and novelist robert inman comes the compelling historical drama liberty mountain the story of the hardy, resourceful people who settled the carolinas and their crucial role in the winning of american independence.
Colonel frederick hambright is the namesake of our chapter. 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. The engagement at kings mountain began far awayin lon donin the fears of a. Journal of the american revolution is the leading source of knowledge about the american revolution and founding era. The kings mountain men, the story of the battle, with sketches of the american soldiers who took part by white, katherine keogh. The battle of kings mountain, fought october 7th, 1780, was an important american victory during the revolutionary war. Eyewitness accounts american heritage 9781596292369. Oct 04, 2016 the battle of kings mountain was an intense, onehour battle fought just below the north carolinasouth carolina border.
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. History of the battle of kings mountain, october draper, lyman c. Patrick ferguson, british commander at the battle of kings mountain, and. Using storyboard, cartoon make, comic book or the document. The actual battle took place on october 7, 1780, nine miles south of the presentday town of kings mountain, north carolina in rural york county, south carolina, where the patriot militia defeated the loyalist militia commanded by british major. The visitor center includes many exhibits and in the theatre, the film, kings mountain.
A distinguishing characteristic of this battle is that it was fought entirely by irregular, loyalist and patriot militia forces. The battle of hanging rock was fought august 5 th, 1780 in what is now lancaster county, south carolina. The battle of kings mountain, which occurred only two months later, is recognized as the turning point of the war. Walker illustration, death of major ferguson at kings mountain, by alonzo chappel damn them. This gentleman went from new york with a detachment drawn from the provincial brigade, which was commanded by the brave major patrick ferguson. Drapers candid accounts of soldiers in the american and british armies give a great deal of insight not only into events that occurred but also into the thinking of the participants. Obviously, all books about the revolutionary war and the battle of kings mountain. 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 is near blacksburg, south carolina, along the north carolinasouth carolina border. The engagement at kings mountain began far awayin lon donin the fears of a harassed secretary of state for the colonies. Having shifted their focus south, the british achieved a decisive victory in. The battle of kings mountain and the overmountain men. History of the battle of kings mountain, october 7th, 1780, and the events which led to it. The battle of kings mountain was a military engagement between patriot and loyalist militias in.
The october 1780 engagement pitted about 900 american militia from five states virginia, the two carolinas, georgia, and modernday tennessee against 1,100 loyalists under maj. We feature smart, groundbreaking research and wellwritten narratives from expert writers. Robert dunkerly, a park ranger, historian, and awardwinning author of several local revolutionary war history books, will present a 30minute lecture highlighting some of the fun facts from his book the battle of kings mountain. This historical marker is listed in this topic list.
He was a revolutionary war hero who replaced colonel william chronicle when he was killed during the battle of kings mountain. The battle of fishing creek, also in august, was a small defeat for the colonials. 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. Extract from a letter from an officer, dated charlestown, january 30th, 1781. In this battle hiram kilgore was killed, charles kilgore was shot through the body, and robert kilgore was seriously wounded, but charles and robert both got well. Historians consider the battle of kings mountain to be the turning point in the south in americas war for independence.
A summary of the battle of kings mountain on october 7, 1780. The scotchirish and the battle of kings mountain youtube. Jan 15, 2017 the battle of kings mountain, south carolina, occurred on the 7th day of october, 1780, and resulted in the defeat of lieutenant colonel ferguson, who commanded the royal forces, and the loss of his command, not one man escaping from the battle field. Narrative of the battle of kings mountain teaching. Much of the story is spent on the logistics of getting frontiersman together to fight tory militia. The battle of kings mountain was a fight in the southern campaign of the american revolutionary war, fought on october 7, 1780. The victory of patriots over loyalist troops destroyed the left wing of cornwallis army. 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. The battle of kings mountain, south carolina, occurred on the 7th day of october, 1780, and resulted in the defeat of lieutenant colonel ferguson, who commanded the royal forces, and the loss of his command, not one man escaping from the battle field. The battle also effectively ended, at least temporarily, the british advance into north carolina. The recording is done wellenough though, with good discend notification and beginning id. His story reveals an entirely new perspective on the events leading up to the battle of kings mountain.
The battle of kings mountain october 7, 1780 was one of the most. A summary of the battle of germantown on october 4, 1777. Benjamin sharp, battle of kings mountain, tennesseans in the. With over one hundred eyewitness accounts, this collection of participant statements from men of both sides includes letters and statements in their original formthe soldiers own wordsunedited and unabridged. Kings mountain, sc a site on a revolutionary war road trip on. Kings mountain did not begin with the first shrill staccato of patrick fergusons silver whistle as he spurred his horse along the crest of the ridge, rallying his men to wage the battle bravely.