Sep 24, 20 tenth in the atmospheric ballad series by appalachian author mccrumb, this meticulously detailed retelling of the battle at kings mountain, north carolina, in october 1780 lacks some of the emotional impact of her other novels, favoring instead a richly described portrait of landscape, weather, and battle strategy on the way to the tragic fight that marked a turning point in the american. This article on the battle of kings mountain provides facts and information about this conflict between the british and american forces during the revolutionary. The battle of kings mountain changed the strategy of lord cornwallis. During the american revolution, patriot irregulars under colonel william campbell defeat tories under major patrick ferguson at the battle of kings mountain. When the war started, some fought for independence, others for loyalty to england. Battle information kings mountain national military park. The battle of kings mountain, on 7th october 1780, was an important patriot victory in the southern campaign of the american revolutionary war. 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. Kings mountain october 7, 1780 american battlefield trust. Dec 14, 2009 battle of kings mountain participants, october 7, 1780 by cox, william e. The year and date that the battle of king s mountain took place on saturday, october 07, 1780. Apr 08, 2018 south carolina played a key role in the american war for independence. This episode is one of the four of the decisive battles.
Battle information kings mountain national military park u. The battle of kings mountain was fought october 7, 1780, in backwoods south carolina and saw the americans destroy major patrick fergusons command. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Kings mountain is a unique battle for several reasons. 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. Battle of kings mountain participants, october 7, 1780 by cox, william e. As the british pushed inland, the americans suffered a string of defeats which allowed lieutenant general lord charles cornwallis to secure much of south. Patrick fergusonis credited by most early historians with having changed the course of the revolution in the. The battle of kings mountain and the overmountain men history is. The battle took place on october 7, 1780, 9 miles 14 km south of the presentday town of kings mountain, north carolina. Battle of kings mountain, october 7, 1780, in the american revolution, american victory over a loyalist detachment in south carolina during the british campaign in the south. The battle of waterloo on june the battle that ended the dominance of the french emperor napoleon over europe. Ferguson placed his force in defensive positions along the ridges plateau, 600 yards long. Jun 27, 2019 the battle of kings mountain was a decisive victory for the americans in south carolina.
The year and date that the battle of kings mountain took place on saturday, october 07, 1780. At the cowpens americans kill over 100 and capture 700. The battle of kings mountain was fought october 7, 1780, during the american revolution 17751783. Aug 23, 2014 the victory by the american militia forces over fergusons loyalist force had a profound impact on the rest of the war. Battle of stono ferry, siege of savannah, battle of kings mountain, haw river william lenoir may 8, 1751 may 6, 1839 was an american revolutionary war officer and prominent statesman in late 18thcentury and early 19thcentury north carolina. The battle of kings mountain american revolutionary war. He is forced to retreat to winnsboro, south carolina for the winter. On october 6, he decided to make a stand and assumed a position on king mountain. At the climax of the battle, ferguson was shot to death while trying to leave a charge. History of the battle of king s mountain, october 7th, 1780, and the events which led to it lyman copeland draper p. In an attempt to rally his men on horseback, ferguson was killed and his entire command was either killed or captured. The battle was the third to last in the revolutionary war. According to british commander henry clinton, the american victory proved the first link of a chain of evils that followed each other in regular. It was one of the few major battles of the war fought entirely between americans.
Narrative of the battle of kings mountain teaching. The revolutionary war trust s formerly campaign 1776 map of the battle of kings mountain. Told from the points of view of patriot leader john sevier and tory camp follower virginia sal, the novel brings to life the people and events in the southern front of the revolutiona story largely ignored by the history books. As each regiment reached its position around the base of the mountain, they would dismount, form, and begin their assault up the heavily wooded slope. Kings mountain tells the story of the revolutionary war battle that changed the course of the war. Battle of kings mountain on 7th october 1780 in the american revolutionary war. 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. The revolutionary war fact book this program is part of kings mountain historical museums 2014 lecture series, which will include three presentations through may and june that will provide new perspectives on the battle of kings mountain, a turning point in the american revolution. Interesting facts about the battle of eutaw springs. Since the late 1800s, the coalfields of the states. There were three major effects of the battle at kings mountain.
Each time, the americans broke off around the flanks only to attack again after the loyalists redeployed to face a threat from another direction. Students will analyze the factors that made this battle and much of the campaign characteristic of a civil war. And all correspondence from vistors to this website who have sent documentation of their ancestors participation in the battle of kings mountain. Ferguson refused to surrender until he was shot from his. The battle of kings mountain was a military engagement between patriot and loyalist militias in south carolina during the southern campaign of the american. Most historians refuse to accept that at this important event, there were almost more patriot officers engaged than militiamen, and that this is significant. The battle of kings mountain was a decisive victory for the americans in south carolina. Battle of kings mountain, october 7, 1780, in the american revolution. Oct 08, 2019 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. An interesting fact about the battle is that it is considered to be the turning pointin the revolutionary warin the south. The known patriots at the battle of kings mountain october 7. History of the battle of kings mountain, october 7th, 1780, and the events which led to it lyman copeland draper p.
Little known and fascinating facts about the battle of kings. In a moment, kings mountain resounded with their shouts, and on the first fire the guard retreated, leaving some of their men to crimson the earth. Explain that the battle tactice advice column topic will be on the battle of kings mountain. The battle of kings mountain and the overmountain men. Patrick ferguson and consisted of about 1,100 soldiers. After his victory at the battle of camden in august, 1780 british general charles lord cornwallis marched into north carolina. The british beat to arms, and immediately formed on the top of the mountain, behind a chain of rocks that appeared impregnable, and had their wagons drawn up on their flank across the end of the. 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. This brilliant victory marked the turning point of the american revolution. Ferguson appears from british army returns to have commanded 1,187 men, of whom more than 150 were killed, about the same wounded, and 810 captured. After joining with shelby, williams and the other colonels continued along the road until they reached kings mountain. Ferguson was now isolated on kings mountain without any chance for reinforcements.
The stunning victory won by a force of about 1,800 backcountry overmountain men over approximately 1,000 tories at kings mountain on 7 oct. A monument erected by the american government on the crest of kings mountain lists the names of 29 patriots killed, four mortally wounded, 34 wounded, and 24 unknown. Lyman copeland draper, king s mountain and its heroes. Patrick ferguson as captain of the light company of the 70th regiment of foot. Tory or loyalist americans against whig or patriot american revolutionaries. Major patrick ferguson falls shot at the battle of kings mountain on 7th october 1780 in the american revolutionary war. 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. The battle of kings mountain, was a battle during the revolutionary war. British casualties were estimated to be 290 killed, 163. 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.
Tenth in the atmospheric ballad series by appalachian author mccrumb, this meticulously detailed retelling of the battle at kings mountain, north carolina, in october 1780 lacks some of the emotional impact of her other novels, favoring instead a richly described portrait of landscape, weather, and battle strategy on the way to the tragic fight that marked a. A summary of the battle of kings mountain on october 7, 1780. Kings mountain walking tour guide more than roman valor. Battle of king s mountain battle of king s mountain definition. Students will explain who fought at kings mountain, why they fought, and why it was significant in the southern campaign of the american revolution.
The known patriots at the battle of kings mountain october. The battle took place on october 7, 1780, 9 miles south of the presentday 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. The battle of kings mountain was fought october 7th, 1780 and was an important american victory during the revolutionary war. William campbell and consisted of about 910 soldiers. Facts the battle of kings mountain was fought in october 7 1780. 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. The battle took place 9 miles south of the presentday town of kings mountain, north carolina, in what is now rural cherokee county, south carolina. Having shifted their focus south, the british achieved a decisive victory in may 1780 when they captured charleston, sc. Death of a patriot at kings mountain journal of the. History of the battle of kings mountain, october 7, 1780, and the events which led to it draper, lyman c. Sentries were placed below the rim of the hilltop to provide early warning of any patriot attack. Battle of kings mountain battle of kings mountain definition. Battle of kings mountain participants, october 7, 1780. American patriot militia forces overwhelmed the loyalist militia, led by major patrick ferguson.
Fortifying the highest parts of the mountain, his command came under attack late the next day. Combat action at kings mountain nominally, major campbell commands the patriot corps on the south side of the mountain during the battle and major cleveland, the corps on the north side. Kings mountain is a small suburban city within the charlotte metropolitan area in cleveland and gaston counties, north carolina, united states. The revolutionary war trusts formerly campaign 1776 map of the battle of kings mountain. The victory cost lord cornwallis one of his premier commanders in major patrick ferguson kia, loyalist support, and a chance to invade north carolina. In his history the winning of the west, theodore roosevelt wrote of kings mountain. While general charles lord cornwallis marched his troops into north carolina, major patrick ferguson gathered loyalist militia near gilbert town. Sep 01, 2018 the battle of blair mountain was the result of years of bitter labor disputes between the miners and coal companies of southern west virginia. Most of the city is in cleveland county, with a small eastern portion in gaston county.
The battle of kings mountain was a fight in the southern campaign of the american revolutionary war, fought on october 7, 1780. In 1780, the british launched their southern campaign by taking the city of charleston. This gave the patriots time to regroup from their defeats at charleston and camden. Little known and fascinating facts about the battle of. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the british invasion of charleston, sc in may 1780. Encouraged by his growing numbers, ferguson demanded rebels in vicinity desist from their opposition to british arms or suffer. The battle of kings mountain was a military conflict between the kingdom of great britain and its thirteen colonies in north america during the american revolutionary war 17751783. History of the battle of kings mountain, october 7th, 1780, and the events which led to it, by lyman c.
About 1,000 militiamen, the majority of them roughhewn frontiersmen from overmountain west of the blue ridge set out to bring down english col. Steadily, the americans fought their way up kings mountain. Battle of kings mountain american revolutionary war. The battle of kings mountain was a military engagement between patriot and loyalist militias in south carolina during the southern campaign, resulting in a decisive victory for the patriots. A distinguishing characteristic of this battle is that it was fought entirely by irregular, loyalist and patriot militia forces. The loss of fergusons force prompted cornwallis to temporarily abandon his offensive in north carolina and permanently shifted the initiative to the americans in the south. Nathaniel greene was leader instead of general washington. 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. South carolina played a key role in the american war for independence. Tactics in the battle of kings mountain teachers u. It took place near and on kings mountain, north carolina, u. During the battle of kings mountain, the americans surrounded the mountain and eventually overwhelmed fergusons men. It was rare, but some captains did have more than ten men. The victory was a surprise to the british who had won a series of battles prior to kings mountain.
The basic facts about the battle of kings mountain speak for themselves, and need no interpretation. Ferguson s command suffered 319 killed and wounded with 700 more taken prisoner. Patrick ferguson and his troops, and on october 7th, 1780, and accomplished their goalin only one hour. Loyalists from the king s american regiment and the new jersey regiment launched bayonet charges to drive back the overmountain men. Majors led as few as two 2 captains, and many who had no men, or only one to five. Students will exhibit their knowledge in a letter written home about the battle. The battle of kings mountain shelby battle of kings. What was the importance of the battle of kings mountain answers. The victory by the american militia forces over fergusons loyalist force had a profound impact on the rest of the war. Most patriots use deckard rifles that are more accurate and have a greater range than the loyalists muskets. What was the importance of the battle of kings mountain. Casualties american casualties were estimated to 28 killed and 62 wounded. Battle of kings mountain participants, october 7, 1780 1972. Patrick fergusonis credited by most early historians with having changed the course of the revolution in the south, and may have.
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