Kings Mountain

AMERICAN LEGION  KINGS MOUNTAIN POST #24                             Johnson City, Tennessee

American Legion Kings Mountain Post #24 was chartered on 3 October 1919 with 27 Legionnaires and Dr. H. M. Cass as its first Commander. 

The name Kings Mountain was taken from the Overmountain Men that left this area from nearby Fort Watauga, Sycamore Shoals (now Elizabethton) during the Revolutionary War to engage the British (Loyalist/Tory) Forces in North and South Carolina.  After chasing a British force of some 1,200 men from North Carolina that were guarding General Lord Charles Cornwallis Army’s left flank finally meet on a mountain top.  The battle at Kings Mountain, South Carolina began at around 3 pm on 7 October 1780.  During this engagement, Major Patrick Ferguson commanding the 71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser’s Highlanders was shot from his saddle during the battle by one, if not two local lads:  Robert Young and Darling Jones under the command of Colonel John Sevier were given credit for this action, both are buried not far from the post here in Johnson City. 

During the battle, Major Ferguson trying to rally his troops while blowing his silver whistle that he used to control their movements was hit in the chest.  With his foot caught in the stirrup, he was dragged by his horse being hit five or six more times.  With Ferguson dead, the Loyalist/Tory resistance quickly evaporated and Ferguson’s second-in-command ordered the British surrender.  The defeated Loyalists/Tories stacked their weapons and became prisoners of the Patriots.  Through the remainder of the afternoon and evening, the men on both sides tended to their wounded and buried their dead in shallow graves.  Ferguson’s bold declaration never to leave Kings Mountain was fulfilled and he was buried on the battlefield not far from where he fell.  His marked grave remains at Kings Mountain still.   On the morning of 8 October, the Patriots departed Kings Mountain with their prisoners.   

The Battle of Kings Mountain was a resounding victory for the patriots and the first complete victory in the south.  It’s credited with turning the tide of war not only in the south, but of the Revolutionary War by splitting the British land forces.  It kept General Cornwallis who just lost one third of his Army and one of his best officers from moving north to engage our Colonial Forces under General George Washington giving them a breather they so desperately needed.  

The battle itself had lasted a little over an hour and not a single man of Major Ferguson's force escaped.  Though the number of casualties reported varies from source to source, some of the most commonly reported figures are that 290 Loyalists/Tories had been killed, 163 wounded and 716 taken prisoner, while only 28 Patriots were killed, including Colonel James Williams from North Carolina and 60 wounded.  General Cornwallis after learning of Major Ferguson's defeat, retreated from Charlotte, North Carolina with his Army back to Winnsborough, South Carolina.  

The post honors those 1000 Patriots of Kings Mountain, their sacrifices and for what they gave us as a nation all those years ago by using the name of the battle that not only saved an idea, but helped to ensure the birth of our nation.  

Nothing Is Ever Truly Forgotten!!!                               We of Kings Mountain Post #24…… Remember…