Patrick Ferguson

In what some call "the first civil war", there was only one Englishman on the battle field of King's Mountain, Major Patrick Ferguson.
He was a man of honor, someone to look up to, even though he fought for the king during the Revolutionary war, you wish for men like him on your side.
A brilliant strategist, he started his military career at the age of 15. At 17, he became ill and his leg was crippled. This setback didn't keep him from rising in the ranks or creating the Ferguson rifle. A gun easily loaded without a ramrod.

In 1777, Ferguson had an American general in his sights, the sharp shooter could have easily take down this target, but Ferguson did not fire. The man had a noble bearing, and the idea of shooting such a man in the back disgusted Ferguson.
The man was George Washington.

Later Ferguson was shot just above the right elbow, after eight surgeries, he recovered though his arm would never be healed. He learend to use a sword with his left hand.
His never say die attitude earned him a commission with Cornwallis. The southern colonies were England's last chance to break the stalemate against the rebels. Certain his troops' superior training would triumph over peasants and farmers, Ferguson didn't bother to put up additional protection around his camp on King's Pinnacle.

He was surrounded on all sides. The battle lasted one hour, it was here he fell.
Known as a gentleman, Ferguson was well liked by those who knew him.

In the camp were two ladies Virginia Sal and Virginia Paul, sharing his tent. Some say they were government employees hired to launder his clothes and cook. Others say they sought protection from the Major and shared his lodgings in order to be safe.
His men joked about it mattering not who's ear he whispered sweet nothings, he would never use the wrong name.

Virginia Sal was a red head like Ferguson, she died on King's Mountain and is buried with the Major. Some believe she was shot in a case of mistaken identity, from a distance, fighters mistook her for Ferguson. Others maintain, upon being surrounded, Virginia took up arms in a desperate act of self defense.

Virginia Paul rode off the battle field and escaped. Some say she was stopped by a rebel and told him who Ferguson was. He wore a checkered shirt, had an arm in a sling, and blew a silver whistle. Others say she didn't need to tell, most knew who the man on the white horse was.
It is rumored she went back to England.

The fun of writing history is playing detective. Facts and psychology combine to give characters life. When there is little written about a figure, supposition is half the fun.
Did these ladies love Ferguson?
Was Ferguson really charming enough to have two lovers...
Is any man that charming?
Would Virginia, after escaping, go to England or would she stay in America?

The Battle of Kings Mountain

It was 1780 when Cornwallis gave the command to take the southern colonies. He appointed a handsome soldier by the name of Patrick Ferguson to march across Virginia toward North Carolina and meet him in Charlotte.

Ferguson was confident most settlers were loyalists anxious for peace to be restored to their chaotic towns. Some refer to this as the first civil war because politics began to divide the people so intensely that violence broke out on both sides, breaking up friends and families.

Loyalists wanted to keep England in power, while patriots wanted to break from the mother country, about a third of the populace really didn't care, they just wanted to be left alone. The British cause was hurt by the means some officers took to quell rebellion Resistance was met with brute force and no quarter was given, the patriots were hanged. Despite the stories of oppression, Ferguson was certain loyalists would flock under his banner as he made his way toward the small town of Kings Mountain.

While some loyalists followed him, resistors, called mountain men followed with the intent of attack. Ferguson sent a threat to the settlers of North Carolina to either sign an oath of allegiance to the crown or their land and homes would be laid to waste, while their leaders were hanged.

This did not promote loyalty.

As Ferguson made camp on the top of King's pinnacle, the towns people promised to bring him down and reclaim what was theirs. While it was assumed the mountain top would give an advantage in battle, the gun fire sailed over the heads of patriots charging the hill. The mountain men used "Indian tactics" instead of fighting out in the open, they hid behind trees and rocks, advancing the whole time.

Said George Hanger of Ferguson's Provincial Corps:
"This distinguished race of men are more savage than the Indians, and posses every one of the vices, but none of the virtues. I have known these fellows to travel 200 miles through the woods never keeping any road or path, guided by the sun by day, and stars by night, to kill a particular person of the opposite party."

True to the reputation, men flocked to unseat Ferguson's troops, coming from miles around. Some kept their horses a mile from the battle ground and walked toward the skirmish, gun in hand.

The mountain was surrounded, the battle raged for about an hour before the English tried to surrender. White flags were raised, but some ignored them, while others may not have understood its meaning. Most of the Loyalists were shot down.

Ferguson rode his horse issuing commands the whole time. He was shot nine times and fell from his horse. He is buried on the mountain to this day.
The battle was commemorated by Thomas Jefferson as the battle that turned the tide of war. In later years, a memorial stone was erected in Ferguson's memory. He was a man of honor and we remember those who fell. Glad to commemorate the battle and our lasting friendship with the British Empire. The monument was erected in 1930.