10/07/2026
Today marks the 246th anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain, fought on October 7, 1780.
As British Major Patrick Ferguson brought the Southern Campaign west of the Appalachian Mountains, John Sevier joined Isaac Shelby and other frontier leaders in gathering men at Sycamore Shoals. Nearly 1,000 Patriot militiamen crossed the mountains in search of Ferguson’s forces, eventually discovering the Loyalist troops encamped atop Kings Mountain in present-day South Carolina.
On the morning of October 7, the Overmountain men surrounded Ferguson’s position. As the American line of battle formed, commanders reminded their men, “Don’t wait for the word of command. Let each one of you be your own officer and do the very best you can.” The militia advanced up the slopes, firing on Ferguson’s men and steadily pushing them toward the summit.
Ferguson was killed during the fighting, and his death left the Loyalists without their commander, leading to surrender. The victory came at a crucial moment in the Revolutionary War and dealt a significant blow to the British campaign in the South. John Sevier emerged from the battle with an even greater reputation as a military leader, beginning a career that would take him into the governor’s office and Congress.
George Washington later recognized the significance of the men who crossed the mountains, writing: “The crude, spirited, hardy, determined volunteers who crossed the mountains served as proof of the spirit and resources of the country.”
