Major Patrick Ferguson | Kings Mountain

Major Patrick Ferguson was a Scottish officer who was trained loyalists in traditional British military techniques, especially the use of the bayonet.  He earned the nickname “Bulldog” during his military career.  At the Battle of Brandywine in the North, he lost the use of his right arm so Ferguson used a whistle to drill his troops. 

Ferguson’s army consisted of 120 well-trained British Provincial soldiers, formed from Northern volunteer units, along with about 800 loyalist militiamen recruited from the Carolinas. As Ferguson led his amy into South Carolina, he sent the Overmountain men a bold warning. 

Unfortunately, Ferguson had isolated himself from the main British army by establishing an elevated position at Kings Mountain.

On October 7, 1780, almost a thousand patriots surrounded him and attacked. A hail of patriot bullets hit Ferguson at the same time, and he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

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IMAGE CREDIT: The portrait of Major Patrick Ferguson was painted by Thomas Kelly Pauley.

Standards

• 4-3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the conflict between the American colonies and England.
  • Revolutions result from resistance to conditions that are perceived as unfair by the people who are demanding change. The changes brought about by revolution can be both positive and negative. To understand the results of the conflict between the Amer...
    • 4-3.3 Summarize the importance of the key battles of the Revolutionary War and the reasons for American victories including Lexington and Concord, Bunker (Breed’s) Hill, Charleston, Saratoga, Cowpens, and Yorktown.
• 8-2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the causes of the American Revolution and the beginnings of the new nation, with an emphasis on South Carolina’s role in the development of that nation.
  • The events surrounding the American Revolution transformed British colonists into American citizens. To understand South Carolina’s pivotal role in this process, the student will utilize the knowledge and skills set forth in the following indica...
    • 8-2.1 Explain the political and economic consequences of the French and Indian War on the relationship of the South Carolina colonists with Native Americans and England.