A bit of "Lost History"?

The Battle of Kings Mountain is one of the pivital event in American History. Recognized as the turning point in our War of Independance.

Those loyal to the British Crown wore a pine twig in their hats while the Patriot forces slipped a piece of paper into theirs.

On October 7, 1780 at abouty 3:00 pm on a gloomy day two forces clashed. An hour later the Tory forces were devastated and their leader Major Patrick Ferguson was among the dead.

James Rawlins was said to have been with Ferguson at Kings Mountain, but records of the Troy forces were destroyed during or shortly after the battle

Sandy Run Baptist Church

Located in Mooresboro, North Carolina, Priscilla Rawlins & her daughter Nancy were listed as members. They left in 1794 with a letter of recomendation. Presumably the went with other family members as they moved in the great westward expansion.

I do not know where they settled.

Kings Mountain & Sandy Run Baptist Church visit - June 2002

In the spring of 2002 I traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina on business. While there I was also able to visit both Kings Mountain and the Sandy Run Baptist Church.

For better or worse the signage along the trail at Kings Mountain was changed between my 2002 and 2003 visits. As for me I am partial to the signage from this trip in 2002.

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Kings Mountain Visitor's Center

Along with a theatre which show video presentations of the events at Kings Mountain there is an excellent bookstore. You can also purchase period clothing, toys and other items. Check out the Kings Mountain Website for details.

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Maggie at the beginning of the trail.

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageThe first marker along the way

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageHuzzah for Liberty!

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageCatch and destroy Ferguson.

After breathing out various threats to what he called "Black water men" Ferguson finally met up with them. The Overmountain Men prevailed and Major Ferguson never left the battle ground.

 

 

Placeholder ImageAlong the trail

If you've never been to the South you have no appreciation for exactly how thick the forest can be.

Just imagine fighting a battle where the trees are this thick.

 

Placeholder Image25th Anniversary monuments

Twenty five years after the battle a ceremony was held and a monument put in place. The scattered remains still in the area were gathered up and buried in a common grave.

The is the "New" marker next to the original.

Regretfully the location of this grave is not known.

 

 

 

 

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Both old and new monuments commemoration the 25th anniversary of the battle

As the old marker has now suffered two centuries of weather a new has been placed along side.

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageAnother view of the new monument.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageFace to the Hill!

The war cry of Major William Chronicle before he fell

 

 

Placeholder ImageCarolina's Upcountry Men

South Carolina patriots under Colonel Edward Lacey fought valiantly.

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageThis Poplar...

Stood amidst a virgin forest of hardwoods at the time of the Battle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageA burned out tree that still stands.

I wonder what tales this tree could tell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageMaggie along the trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageA stroke of irony...

Colonel James Williams of South Carolina, poorly esteemed by his fellow commanders, redeemed himself in their eyes by his heroic action at Kings Mountain.

Ironically he lost his life after the surrender by a ball from an unknown assailant.

 

Placeholder ImageDon't Give up the Hill!

At two critical junctures when victory or defeat hung in the balance, Patriot foot soldiers attacked the British forces on this front to relieve the hard pressed men of Colonels Sevier and Shelby.

The name Kings Mountain is somewhat a misnomer as it is only about 60 feet high.

 

 

Placeholder ImageWater! Water!

Though the Battle was brief, Patriot casualties from British musket balls and bayonets came rapidly. At this spring and along this stream wounds were washed and after the British surrender water was borne in hats and cups to those who had fallen along the slopes and the ridge.

 

 

 

 

A 360 degree view from the trail looking toward the spring.

QTBTN

Quick time required (No I don't even want to learn how to do it in other formats)

 

Placeholder ImageA closer view of the spring

Imagine how precious this water was to those who were wounded, and dying after the battle.

As i have walked the trail several times, I still believe this spot to be hallowed ground for those whose lives ended near here.

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageA look back towards the spring.

Continuing on the trail this is our final look back at the spring.

 

 

 

 

 

A 360 degree view from the spring.

Take a moment and enjoy the dense forest you are standing in.

QTBTN

Quick time required (No I don't even want to learn how to do it in other formats)

Placeholder ImageMore of the woods along the trail.

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageMore cobwebs than your worst dreams!

As for me, it would take being shot at to want to run through this area of the woods.

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageColonel Shelby's "Damn Yelling Boys"

Shelby's Overmountain Men were in the thick of the battle from start to finish.

 

 

 

 

Placeholder Image"In God and our Rifles We Trust"

Colonel Sevier's Overmountain Men were stationed with Colonel Campbell's on the west of Kings Mountain

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImagePresident Hoover at Kings Mountain

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageHoover Monument

President Herbert Hoover's visit to the Kings Mountain Battlefield in 1930 was the first time an American president had visited a Southern Revolutionary War Site. An estimated 75,000-80,000 people attended the 150th anniversary in 1930.

 

 

 

Placeholder Image"Shout like Hell and Fight like Demons"

Commander of the Patriot force and of the Virginia Militia as well, Colonel William Campbell devised the Battle Plan that took Kings Mountain. His Virginia troops fought off the initial assault by Ferguson's Rangers.

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageThe Centennial Monument

Erected to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the battle.

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageColonel Coward Marker

To honor Col. Asbury Coward President, Kings Mountain Centennial Association, 1880. Acknowledged, inspirational force in perpetuating the glory and importance of the Battle of Kings Mountain.

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageAn old split tree near the summit of the hill.

Another marvelous survivor of the forest than makes one want to know its secrets.

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageRetreat and Surrender

The Patriot forces' relentless advance from all sides of the mountain soon drove the British back to the northeastern end of the ridge. There, amid the confusion of the battle's final moments Ferguson's beaten troops made several attempts to lay down their arms before the victorious Patriots finally accept their surrender..

 

 

Placeholder ImageA close up of one of the bronze tablet on the United States Monument

Though the obelisk was erected in 1909 the bronze tablets were not installed until 10 Jan 1910.

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageThe United States Monument

Erected in 1909 this 83 foot high obelisk was erected to commemorate the 128th anniversary of the Battle.

More information on the obelisk can be found at:

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM5EQ2

Placeholder Image"Quarter! Quarter"

As in any conflict there are atrocities carried out on both sides. The Patriots remembering that Tarleton had given no quarter in previous battles, the pleas for quarter by some Loyalists were in vain.

 

Placeholder ImageFerguson's grave

After breathing out threats to the mountain folk Major Patrick Ferguson finally got to meet them on October 7, 1780. He paid with his life for what he said. Ferguson never left the mountain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageMajor Patrick Ferguson

Major Patrick Ferguson was the only Briton at the battle of Kings Mountain. The 1,000 or so men fighting on the British side were all American born.

He was the inventor of a breech loading rifle and arguably the best shot in the British forces. He once had General George Washington in his sights but did not shoot.

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageSandy Run Baptist Church

Located in Mooresboro, North Carolina. Priscilla Rawlins and her daughter Nancy were members of this congregation. They left in 1794 with letters of recommendation as they headed westward with family members.

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageThe cemetery at Sandy Run Baptist Church

A panoramic view of the cemetery at Sandy Run Church. This is looking from the oldest section to the newest. (Note the green awning in the distance, this is still an active cemetery.) Many of the grave markers in this area had been weathered to the point of being impossible to read.

 

Placeholder ImageSome of the older grave stones

Centuries of weather have not been kind to many of these markers.

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageTowards the newer section

This is towards the newer section of the cemetery at Sandy Run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Placeholder ImageThe Broad River Genealogical Society.

Located at 1145 County Home Road, Shelby, Cleveland County, NC., the BRGS was one of the highlights of our trip in 2003. We were able with the help of Bev Barnes to copy many family related documents for study when we returned home.

If you are in the area this is a required visit for anyone doing family research in this area. Click here for their website.

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