The Revolutionary War

The first part of the War was primarily fought North of the Potomac. Bunker's Hill, Ticonderoga, Saratoga, Valley Forge, the fall of New York and Philadelphia are all familiar names to students of American History. Around 1779 the focus shifted to the southern states. The British sent troops to take back the colonies, one by one, beginning in Georgia. These troops were to recruit local Loyalists (also known as Tories) to help fight their way northwards. Georgia fell fairly easily as did Charleston. In August of 1780 the Continental Army under Gen Gates lost a significant battle at Camden, SC, then in September Benedict Arnold attempted to turn over West Point to the British. It was an extremely low point for the American cause.

Then came the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780. It was fought by the "over-mountain men", a group of backwoods Patriots, against Tory Loyalists led by (British) Major Patrick Ferguson. Among my ancestors who fought there were Lt Col. Frederick Hambright, Captain Samuel Espey (wounded there), Samuel Rankin and the McElwees who owned land very near the site of the battle. The Americans won decisively and the tide was turned. Cowpens was next and was another victory, followed by the Battle of Guilford County Courthouse, a pyrrhic victory for Cornwallis. Cornwallis continued up into Virginia to Yorktown, where he was besieged by the French and American forces. He finally surrendered on October 19, 1781. Though the peace treaties weren't signed until 1783, for the most part the war was won.