In this program, Lord Cornwallis has ordered Major Patrick Ferguson, a Scotsman, to form the Loyalists into a strong royal militia. In late September 1780, Ferguson took up post near present day Rutherfordton, NC. From there he dispatched a paroled Whig prisoner to Colonel Isaac Shelby in the mountains of northwestern North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. He informed them that "if they did not desist from their opposition to the British arms, he would march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their country waste with fire and sword."
On September 25, 1780 the "overmountain men" began to gather under Colonels Charles McDowell, John Sevier, Isaac Shelby, and William Campbell at Sycamore Shoals, on the Watauga River in present day Tennessee. They began an arduous march, picking up recruits along the way. After a march of nearly 200 miles, they arrived at Kings Mountain, on the afternoon of October 7, 1780, where they had heard Loyalists were encamped. The Loyalists on the mountain were taken completely by surprise. The battle lasted for approximately one hour. The "overmountain men” killed 225 Loyalists including Patrick Ferguson, wounded 163, and took 716 prisoners. The Patriots losses were 28 killed and 62 wounded. This had been another case of civil war. Patrick Ferguson had been the only British soldier in the battle. He was buried on Kings Mountain.
In this program, Lord Cornwallis has ordered Major Patrick Ferguson, a Scotsman, to form the Loyalists into a strong royal militia. In late September 1780, Ferguson took up post near present day Rutherfordton, NC. From there he dispatched a paroled Whig prisoner to Colonel Isaac Shelby in the mountains of northwestern North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. He informed them that "if they did not desist from their opposition to the British arms, he would march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their country waste with fire and sword."
On September 25, 1780 the "overmountain men" began to gather under Colonels Charles McDowell, John Sevier, Isaac Shelby, and William Campbell at Sycamore Shoals, on the Watauga River in present day Tennessee. They began an arduous march, picking up recruits along the way. After a march of nearly 200 miles, they arrived at Kings Mountain, on the afternoon of October 7, 1780, where they had heard Loyalists were encamped. The Loyalists on the mountain were taken completely by surprise. The battle lasted for approximately one hour. The "overmountain men” killed 225 Loyalists including Patrick Ferguson, wounded 163, and took 716 prisoners. The Patriots losses were 28 killed and 62 wounded. This had been another case of civil war. Patrick Ferguson had been the only British soldier in the battle. He was buried on Kings Mountain.
Standards
- 4.2.CE Examine the economic and political motivations for colonists to declare independence from Great Britain.
- 4.2.CX Contextualize South Carolina’s role in the development of the new nation.
- 8.2.CO Compare the motives and demographics of loyalists and patriots within South Carolina and the colonies.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into the economic, political, and social motivations of the patriots and the loyalists in the era of the American Revolution.
- 8.2.CE Explain the economic, political, and social factors surrounding the American Revolution.
- This indicator was developed to encourage inquiry into how the colonies began to unify to create a distinctive American identity over the course of events of the American Revolution.
Resources
Brooks-Sumner Affair | Palmetto Heritage
In 1857 during the heated debate on Kansas in the Senate, Charles Sumner delivered a two-day speech entitled "The Crime Against Kansas," which contained an insulting denunciation of Senator Andrew...
View AssetBurning of Columbia | Palmetto Heritage
This reenactment is based on excerpts from Emma LeConte’s diary. Emma, then seventeen years old, kept a diary for several months in 1865 chronicling the approach, occupation and burning of the city of...
View AssetCharlesfort | Palmetto Heritage
In this story, in the year 1562, Jacques and Rouffi have sailed to the new world on an expedition to establish a colony for French Protestants (Huguenots). The Huguenot colony was settled on what is...
View AssetCharleston Tea Party | Palmetto Heritage
Following the Tea Act of 1773 many colonial citizens refused to pay the duty and boycotted British tea. This video portrays actions taken by some citizens of Charleston in November and December, 1774...
View AssetCherokees | Palmetto Heritage
The story of the Cherokees is told through scenes from "lJnto These Hills" the outdoor drama in Cherokee, North Carolina that depicts the story of the Cherokees. The video centers around an Indian...
View AssetDenmark Vesey | Palmetto Heritage
The program begins with Vesey discussing the condition of slavery with an acquaintance who is a slave. Later, at a meeting, details of a plot are worked out with co-conspirators. Some are concerned...
View AssetJohn C. Calhoun | Palmetto Heritage
It is the summer of 1829 and Vice-President Calhoun is spending the Congressional recess at his home near Pendleton, South Carolina. His youngest daughter, Cornelia is helping her father with his...
View AssetLegend of Isaqueena | Palmetto Heritage
The Legend of Isaqueena blends fact with fantasy. An Indian trade based out of Ninety Six in the early 1750's grew to become the largest business operating outside of Charleston. Alan assisted with...
View AssetPickens, Marion, Sumter, Part 1 | Palmetto Heritage
Hosts Ellen Rodillo-Fowler and Nathan Dawson guide viewers through this edition of Palmetto Heritage, which spotlights three significant South Carolina figures: Thomas Sumter (The Fighting Gamecock)...
View AssetSecession, Part 2 | Palmetto Heritage
Back in South Carolina in December 1860 for a short Christmas break, Allen finds the Secession convention in session at the First Baptist Church in Columbia. He then accompanies his father, who is a...
View AssetPickens, Marion, Sumter, Part 3 | Palmetto Heritage
Thomas Sumter was determined to drive the British out from South Carolina. “The Fighting Gamecock” earned his moniker due to his tenacity in battle. A band of British assassins attempted to sneak into...
View AssetReconstruction | Palmetto Heritage
This show explains the importance of the election of 1876 and as a result how SC at one time had 2 governors from different political parties, who tried to rule the state at the same time...
View AssetSecession, Part 1 | Palmetto Heritage
The story begins in 1858 in South Carolina. William Taylor's cousin Allen is visiting from Connecticut. Secession "fever" is rapidly engulfing the state. The scene shifts to West Point where the...
View AssetSecession, Part 2 | Palmetto Heritage
Back in South Carolina in December 1860 for a short Christmas break, Allen finds the Secession convention in session at the First Baptist Church in Columbia. He then accompanies his father, who is a...
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