BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN

Battle of Kings Mountain

Three years later and hundreds of miles to the south, another October 7th saw frontier riflemen climbing a steep Carolina ridge toward Loyalist breastworks on Kings Mountain. British strategy in the southern colonies depended heavily on raising Loyalist units to hold territory while regular regiments maneuvered elsewhere. At Kings Mountain, however, Loyalist Colonel Patrick Ferguson’s force found itself surrounded by patriot militia who knew the backcountry terrain and fought from tree to tree. The Americans attacked from all sides in waves, falling back when charged with bayonets and then returning to the assault. The Loyalist line collapsed under the pressure, Ferguson was killed, and his command surrendered. The defeat crippled British recruitment in the region and helped unravel their southern strategy, opening space for later victories such as Cowpens and leading toward Yorktown.