February 24
Who knows that the final turning point of the Revolutionary War was played out in South Carolina, in October-1780 and January-1781? Kings Mountain NMP preserves the land around Kings Mountain, where 900+ militia fought a larger force of British regulars and loyalists. This was late in 1780, after General Cornwallis had been winning battle after battle, starting in Charleston. The northern campaign was not going well, with General Washington and the Continental Army playing havoc on the lobster-backs. So, a new strategy began, to split the colonies, keeping the rich southern farm states in British control. Even though the British were camped on the ridge of Kings Mountain, thereby having the advantage of elevation, the militia resorted to “hunting” tactics, using trees as cover. Bayonet charges down the mountainside were repulsed, one after another. The men of Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee then worked their way to the top, surrounding the enemy and forcing a surrender. Thomas Jefferson called the victory, “The turn of the tide of success.” Due to the make-up of men on both sides, some have called this battle the war’s largest All-American fight. One of the Patriots was John Crockett, the father of Davy Crockett. Major Patrick Ferguson was the only regular British soldier in the battle. When he was killed the Loyalists raised the white flag. Nearly 300 Loyalists were killed, compared to 23 Patriots. The defeat weighed heavily on Cornwallis, making him change strategy and pulling back to Charleston. Not until 1781, when he decided to chase General Nathanael Greene after the British defeat at Cowpens, did he again move into North Carolina. That led to the eventual battle at Yorktown.
A wonderful sight was seeing Ranger Katherine give a demonstration of flintlock rifles to a group of young students. Each student had their own wooden-stick rifle, to learn about drilling and how to hold a gun. You should have seen their faces when Katherine fired the flintlock. It was great to see parents bringing their youngsters to one of the National Parks to learn about our country’s history. Ranger Rob was in the VC. He took a photo of me next to the large painting in the main entrance area. He is in charge of the park’s website and PR activities. He plans to put the photo and associated text onto the website this evening.
A 1.5 mile loop goes around the base on one side of the mountain, then works its way to the top where the Loyalists were camped. A few monuments and markers are placed around the mountain, a couple to indicate where various officers died. A very tall obelisk, at the end of the ridge which the Patriots first reached, honors all the men who fought that day.
So, speaking of Cowpens, that was my first stop today. Cowpens NB is the site of the 2nd half of the turning point. General Washington had sent Nathanael Greene and some Continental forces to the southern states to ensure Cornwallis would not move west. Along the way Greene’s command picked up plenty of militia. Greene split his force in two, with General Daniel Morgan to head into the backcountry to cause havoc. Cornwallis sent Col. Banastre Tarleton to counter. Morgan kept on the run, but finally decided to turn and fight, at a crossroads called Cow Pens. This was a pasture area where farmers would let their cattle graze. The road which they have travelled on, the Green River Road, became the focal point of the battle. Unlike Kings Mountain, the British force was comprised of crack regiments. In theory they should have slaughtered the Americans. But Morgan created a three-line defense, across the road, with sharpshooters in the front-line told to take out officers. When the British advanced, the shooters fired, then ran back, to reload behind the second line. When the second line of men fired, they fell back behind the third line. A charge by American cavalry finished the fight, lasting just one hour. Greene and Morgan were afraid Cornwallis would pursue northward, so they headed to Virginia. Sure enough, the British gave up on the Carolinas and went after Greene, subsequently being lured into the Battle of Yorktown, and the end of the war.
Ninety Six NHS is where two battles of the Revolutionary War were fought. This town was at the crossroads of multiple trading routes, so vital to European settlers moving west, and therefore strategic to any war effort. The first land battle south of New England was here, in 1775. Patriots and Loyalists engaged in the first clash, with James Birmingham being the first South Carolinian to give his life for the cause. But the bigger battle was six years later, in May and June of 1781. General Greene’s command laid a siege of 28 days on the newly built earthened “Star Fort”. The fort had eight “points”, looking like a star. This allowed the 500 Loyalists to fire in any direction while under cover. Greene had 1,000 regulars and militia. After multiple attempts to breach the fort, Greene decided to lay a siege. This was the longest siege of the War. 30-foot tall sharpshooter towers were built, trenches were dug, and a tunnel was excavated. The tunnel is still present, but the NPS does not allow anyone to see the entrance. The one tower on the field is a recreation. But the earthen trenches and works can still be seen. All of this clever work was the genius of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, General Washington’s number one field engineer. He had accompanied Greene’s command. The house in Philadelphia which he called home, post-war, has the distinction of being the smallest NPS unit. And what about the Star Fort? Well, it is 100% original. There was one entrance to the fort, so supplies and communications could be transferred to the neighboring town, and this entrance allows visitors to enter the interior. The tall earthen walls of the fort have not changed in 240 years.
As for the outcome of the siege, the Loyalists won. Greene heard reinforcements were coming, 2,000 men strong, so he decided to pull back. But the victory was hollow. British orders soon came, to burn the entire area, town, fort, and all. They had given up their strategy of keeping a presence in South Carolina. SC was now fully under Patriot control.