The Battle of Kings Mountain: Eyewitness Accounts

Robert M. Dunkerly

• Publisher: The History Press
• Year: 2007
• ISBN:
  9781625844255
• Topic: Storia
• Subtopic: Storia nordamericana

A pivotal moment in American history, as told by our forefathers

On October 7, 1780, American Patriot and Loyalist soldiers battled each other at Kings Mountain, near the border of North and South Carolina. 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 soldiers' own words - unedited and unabridged. Rife with previously unpublished details of this historic turning point in the American Revolution, described as the war's "largest all-American fight, " these accounts expose the dramatic happenings of the battle, including new perspectives on the debate over Patriot Colonel William Campbell's bravery during the fight. Robert M. Dunkerley's work is an invaluable resource to historians studying the flow of combat, genealogists tracing their ancestors and anyone interested in Kings Mountain and the Southern Campaign.

AMERICAN ACCOUNTS

“Proof of the Spirit and Resources of the Country”

General George Washington, American commander in chief, on the news of Kings Mountain.

William Alexander’s Pension Application⁸

…entered the service as a volunteer under the command of Captain David Beatty, he does not now recollect who was the Lieutenant, but is under the impression his name was Robert Edmonson and Major Nathaniel Dreyden was killed in the Battle of Kings Mountain. Col William Campbell commanded the Regiment. Col John Sevier and Col Isaac Shelby was along we marched by way of Holston and Watauga Rivers, Yellow Mountain, Green River, Broad River, at the Cherokee Ford and within about four days march of Kings Mountain, when the mountain troops were ordered to go on ahead of the foot Troops who were to follow but after marching a day or two, we met the Troops _____. The Battle of Kings Mountain having been fought the Troops then marched to the Island Ford on Catawba River where the mounted men were directed to escort the prisoners taken in the battle of Kings Mountain to Salisbury in North Carolina and the Foot men returned home.

Alexander was a soldier who was on the march. He did not fight in the battle and later guarded the prisoners.

Richard Allen’s Account⁹

…after the Troops were organized they all set out on their March to meet Major Ferguson Upon the way they were joined by Col Campbell and a body of Troops from Virginia, as also by Col Sevier, Shelby, and McDowell with Troops from North Carolina after a _____ of the Troops formed, and most of them had horses, it was proposed that all of those who had horses or could procure them should advance immediately upon Ferguson this _____ had a horse, and was ancsious to proceed on to the Main Army, but a great many were on foot and would necessarily be let behind, it became necessary that the charge of those should be committed to some officer. Offered to Col Joseph Herndon but he positively refused to accept it unless this _____ who he said had more experience than him should be detained to stay with him—In that state of affairs Col Cleveland thought proper to order this _____ to remain in charge of the footmen, and he accordingly did so. They continued their march, however with all possible speed in the direction of Kings Mountain, but were not able to reach it in time to engage in the battle, it having been fought and the Americans with their prisoners being on their return some short distance before they met with them. When they rejoined the Army they continued with them and assisted in guarding the prisoners until they proceeded as far as the Moravian towns in the County of Stokes, and after remaining there a considerable time they were relieved by Col Winston with a detachment of foot troops, and Col Cleveland and his men returned home—which place they reached sometime in November, the precise time not recollected—but they were in service in this _____ about two months.

Allen was one of those left at Cowpens while the army moved on to Kings Mountain.

Martin Armstrong’s Letter to General Horatio Gates¹⁰

Surry County, Novr 7^th 1780

Sir

The first Instant I relieved the guards, at this place, the fourth Received your Orders of the 31^st October, Inclosed you will have a Report of the prisoners Delivered me by Colo. Cleveland, out of which number One hundred & Eighty Eight are the Inhabitants of Salisbury District, and are taken out of my Hands by the Civil power, & bound over to ye law.

Last night three British Lieutenants On parole made their Escape (To witt) William Stephenson, Anthony Allaire, & John Taylor, and one Guest a South Carolina Tory Captain.

The Inclosed Letter from Captain Depeyster was wrote before the above Circumstance of the Escape Happened, but I have reason to confide in these officers present, as they show every mark of Uneasiness for the Ungentlemanly Conduct of Those absent

I have the Honour to be

Your Most obedient &

Most Humble Servant

Majr. General Gates

P.S. Since I wrote the above 16 Solders made their escape from the guard Capt. DePeyster has now helped his word for the Remainder, the Torie prisoners have all inlisted into the Continental Service excepting a small number which the Justices have committed to Halifax, there being but a few of the British I am solicited by the officers from Virginia not to send them over the Mountains until your pleasure is further known I am

Sir yrs

Martin Armstrong

Though he was not in the battle, Armstrong’s letter contains important information about the prisoners. He writes of the escape of several (the “Guest” he mentions is William Gist), which is chronicled in the diary of Anthony Allaire. In all nearly three hundred prisoners escaped to reach the British fort at Ninety Six.¹¹

Jacob Bealer’s Statement¹²

That Col. McDowell crossed over from the State of North Carolina…where Pemberton’s Company joined him and marched across the Yellow mountain, to the aforesaid Kings Mountain where they met Ferguson’s Army in the aforesaid Mountain, but before the March of the men Shelby, Campbell, Sevier, and Cleveland all had joined McDowell’s men, Col. Campbell had the principal command at the Battle of Kings Mountain which _____ in the death of Ferguson and the total defeat to capture of his Army except those who might have run before the Mountain had been surrounded by the American Troops. That after the _____ _____ marched the prisoners to Salisbury and delivered them to the Militia there. These being about eight hundred in number. Which service for three Months and was discharged by Col. Shelby.

Bealer, from eastern Tennessee, fought here with his brother, Joseph. The musket he used is currently in the museum at Kings Mountain National Military Park.¹³

Statement of James Blair¹⁴

…joined Capt Barton with Genl Cleveland on their way to King’s Mountain & was in that battle Afterwards one of the guards to the prisoners taken to Moravian town where he was discharged

Blair, from Burke County, North Carolina, was nineteen at the time of the battle. He also fought at Blackstocks, Ramsour’s Mill, Fishing Creek and Augusta.¹⁵

Henry Blevins’s Pension Application¹⁶

…marched under the command of Col. Isaac Shelby to Kings Mountain and was joined at the Yellow Mountain in North Carolina by the regiment under the command of Col. Sevier and Col. Campbell and arrived at Kings Mountain on or about the 7^th day of October 1780 when the army came up with Col. Ferguson and at the time said Battle was fought this declarant was detailed as one of the guard to guard the baggage, this belonging to the American troops and was not in the engagement. This declarant further states that he was marched from Kings Mountain to Salem in North Carolina with the prisoners from thence returned home after serving about five months.

Blevins fought on the North Carolina and Virginia frontier under Shelby and Sevier. He died in Tennessee in 1847.¹⁷

Colonel Joseph McDowell. National Archives.

Charles Bowen’s Pension Application¹⁸

That he entered the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War and served as follows—The particular times he is unable to say, but knows that he served under the command of Captain Bowen a brother of declarant, under the command of Captain John Campbell, and was in the battle of Kings Mountain, under the command of Captain William Edmonson, who was there killed. That his brother Reece Bowen, was also a Captain in the service, at the time, and was likewise killed in the battle of Kings Mountain; in this battle Colonel William Campbell commanded, and Col. Cleveland also was a commander, during this action by some means declarant obtained information that Reece Bowen, his brother was killed and being much distressed, and _____ proceeded in search of his brother, hoping that he was only wounded—In his search for his brother he discovered his Captain William Edmonson dead, or dying, having been shot in the head. Declarant advanced without being sensible of his danger till within fifteen or twenty paces of the enemy. Delcarant slipped behind a tree, cocked his gun, and shot the first man who hoisted the flag among the enemy and immediately turned his back to the tree, to reload his gun, when Col. Cleveland advanced, called on declarant for the Countersign; which declarant could not immediately recollect, nor could he give it, Col. Cleveland instantly leveled his rifle at declarant’s breast and attempted to fire, but the gun snaped, declarant jumped at Cleveland seized him by the Collar took his Tomahawk, and would have sink it in Cleveland’s head if his arm had not been arrested by a solder by the name of Buchanan and who knew the parties. Declarant immediately recollected the Countersign which was “Buford” _____ and Cleveland dropped his gun, and clasped delcarant in his arms. The persons who hoisted the flag were twice shot—besides the time this declarant shot, but by whom he knows not. The applicant secured a discharge from Col. William Campbell…

This statement shows the power—and limits—of memory. Bowen admits he is unable to give particulars of his service, but describes in great detail the battle. The death of his brother and the incident with Colonel Cleveland left him with enduring memories. Draper used this in his book.

William Bradley’s Pension Application¹⁹

He [was] wounded in the battle of Kings Mountain in the right arm and never afterwards was able to return to the service.

Bradley, who lived near the battlefield at the mouth of Buffalo Creek, was severely wounded in the battle.

Ensign Robert Campbell’s Account²⁰

Captain DePeyster raised a flag and called for quarters; it was soon taken out of his hand by one of the mounted officers on horseback, and raised so high that it could be seen by our line.

Brother of the commander, Robert Campbell eventually rose to the rank of colonel. He later served as magistrate for Washington County, Virginia, for many years. He eventually settled in Tennessee.²¹ Robert Campbell wrote several other accounts of the battle, which appear below.

Ensign Robert Campbell’s Account²²

In the fall of the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty, when the American cause wore a very gloomy aspect in the Southern States, Colonels Arthur and William Campbell, hearing of the advance of Colonel Ferguson along the mountains in the State of north Carolina, and that the Whigs were retreating before him, unable to make any effectual resistance, formed a plan to intercept him and communicated it to the commanding officers of Sullivan and Washington counties, in the State of North Carolina. They readily agreed to co-operate in any expedition against Colonel Ferguson. Colonel Arthur Campbell immediately ordered the militia of Washington co., Virginia, amounting to near four hundred, to make ready to march under command of Colonel Wm. Campbell, who was known to be an enterprising and active officer. Colonels Shelby and Sevier raised a party of three hundred, joined him on his march, and moved with forced marches toward Colonel Ferguson. At the same time Colonels Williams, Cleaveland, Tracey, and Branon, of the States of North and South Carolina, each conducted a small party toward the same point, amounting to near three hundred. Colonel Ferguson had notice of their approach by a deserter that left the army on the Yellow Mountain, and immediately commenced his march for Charlotte, dispatching at the same time different messengers to Lord Cornwallis with information of his danger. These messengers being intercepted on their way, no movement was made to favor his retreat.

These several corps of American volunteers, amounting to near one thousand men, met at Gilberttown, and the officers unanimously chose Colonel Campbell to the command. About seven hundred choice riflemen mounted their horses for the purpose of following the retreating army. The balance being chiefly footmen, were left to follow on and come up as soon as they could. The pursuit was too rapid to render an escape practicable. Ferguson, finding that he must inevitably be over-taken, chose his ground, and waited for the attack on King’s Mountain. On the seventh of October, in the afternoon, after a forced march of forty-five miles on that day and the night before, the volunteers came up with him. The forenoon of the day was wet, but they were fortunate enough to come on him undiscovered, and took his pickets, they not having it in their power to give an alarm. They were soon formed in such order as to attack the enemy on all sides. The Washington and Sullivan regiments were formed in the front and on the right flank; the North and South Carolina troops, under Cols. Williams, Sevier, Cleveland, Lacey, and Brandon on the left. The two armies being in full view, the center of the one nearly opposite the center of the other—the British main guard posted nearly half way down the mountain—the commanding officer gave the word of command to raise the Indian war-whoop and charge. In a moment, King’s Mountain resounded with their shouts, and on the first fire the guard retreated, leaving some of their men to crimson the earth. 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 mountain, by which they made a strong breast-work. Thus concealed, the American army advanced to the charge. In ten or fifteen minutes the wings came round, and the action became general. The enemy annoyed our troops very much from their advantageous position. Colonel Shelby, being previously ordered to reconnoitre their position, observing their situation, and what a destructive fire was kept up from behind those rocks, ordered Robert Campbell, one of the officers of the Virginia Line, to move to the right with a small company to endeavor to dislodge them, and lead them on nearly to the ground to which he had ordered them, under fire of the enemy’s lines and within forty steps of the same; but discovering that our men were repulsed on the opposite side of the mountain, he gave orders to advance, and post themselves opposite to the rocks, and near to the enemy, and then returned to assist in bringing up the men in order, who had been charged with the bayonet. These orders were punctually obeyed, and they kept up such a galling fire as to compel Ferguson to order a company of regulars to face them, with a view to cover his men that were posted behind the rocks. At this time, a considerable fire was drawn to this side of the mountain by the repulse of those on the other, and the Loyalists not being permitted to leave their posts. This scene was not of long duration, for it was the brave Virginia volunteers, and those under Colonel Shelby, on their attempting rapidly to ascend the mountain, that were charged with the bayonet. They obstinately stood until some of them were thrust through the body, and having nothing but their rifles by which to defend themselves, they were forced to retreat. They were soon rallied by their gallant commanders, Campbell, Shelby and other brave officers, and by a constant and well-directed fire of their rifles, drove them back in their turn, strewing the face of the mountain with their assailants, and kept advancing until they drove them from some of their posts. Ferguson being heavily pressed on all sides, ordered Captain Dupoister to reinforce some of the extreme posts with a full company of British regulars. he marched, but to his astonishment when he arrived at the place of destination, he had almost no men, being exposed in that short distance to the constant fire of their rifles. he then ordered his cavalry to mount, but to no purpose. As quick as they were mounted they were taken down by some bold marksmen. Being driven to desperation by such a scene of misfortune, Colonel Ferguson endeavored to make his escape, and with two Colonels of the Loyalists mounted his horse, and charged on that part of the line which was defended by the party who had been ordered round the mountain by Colonel Shelby, it appearing too weak to resist _____. But as soon as he got to the line he fell, and the other two officers, attempting to retreat, soon shared the same fate. It was about this time that Colonel Campbell advanced in front of his men, and climbed over a steep rock close by the enemy’s lines to get a view of their situation and saw they were retreating from behind the rocks that were near to him...