sentiments altogether. Moreover, Ferguson
was disdainful toward Americans as soldiers.
Once firmly ensconced in the western part of
the state, he issued dire warnings for all “over-
the-mountain men” to submit to British rule—
or else. Furthermore, Ferguson underscored
his contempt by burning and plundering
homes and farms whenever the opportunity
allowed. These depredations had the effect of
galvanizing the opposition, and by October
1780 more than 1,300 rifle-toting frontiersmen
had gathered under Isaac Shelby and others to
give battle. Ferguson, contemptuous as ever
of American fighting abilities, made no at-
tempt to withdraw. In fact, having selected a
natural strongpoint on King’s Mountain, he al-
lowed them to approach unmolested.
On October 17, 1780, the Americans com-
pletely enveloped Ferguson’s force—which
also consisted entirely of Americans—and
began moving up the slopes. Ironically, it was
the frontiersmen who enjoyed the advantage
of rifles, as Ferguson’s command utilized mus-
kets and bayonets. Within an hour the Loyal-
ists were shattered by accurate fire, and Fer-
guson himself was shot down and killed.
British losses were 157 killed, 163 wounded,
and 698 prisoners, to an American tally of 28
killed and 64 wounded. Consistent with the
nature of backwoods partisan warfare, sev-
eral of the captives were either hanged or cut
down after surrendering. Ferguson’s death
also deprived Cornwallis of an active and en-
terprising light infantry officer, just when his
talents were needed most. Consequently, the
general suspended his offensive into North
Carolina for several months while the victori-
ous Americans consolidated their strength.
King’s Mountain may have caused Ferguson
his life, but in a larger sense it also proved a
turning point of the bloody and protracted
southern campaign.Bibliography
Alderman, Pat.One Heroic Hour at King’s Mountain.
Erwin, TN: N.p., 1968; Bass, Robert D. “The Last
Campaign of Major Patrick Ferguson.” South Car-
olina Historical Association Proceedings5 (1968):
162; Dykeman, Wilma. With Fire and Sword: The
Battle of King’s Mountain, 1780.Washington, DC:
Office of Publications, National Park Service, U.S.
Department of the Interior, 1978; Kasper, Sydney H.
“The Ferguson Rifle: Britain’s Lost Opportunity?”
American History Illustrated 19, no. 5 (1984):
36–37; Keller, S. Roger. Isaac Shelby: A Driving
Force in America’s Struggle for Independence.Ship-
pensburg, PA: Burd Street Press, 2000; Messick,
Hank. King’s Mountain: The Epic of the Blue Ridge
“Mountain Men” in the American Revolution.
Boston: Little, Brown, 1971; Patten, David. “Fergu-
son and His Rifle.” History Today28, no. 7 (1978):
446–454; Wicker, Tom. “Turning Point in the Wilder-
ness.” MHQ11, no. 1 (1998): 62–71.FITZGIBBON, JAMES
Fitzgibbon, James
(November 16, 1780–December 12, 1863)
English Army Officer
O
ne of Britain’s famous “Green Tigers,”
Fitzgibbon was an audacious light in-
fantry officer during the War of 1812.
By dint of fast marching and expert bluffing,
he captured a much larger American detach-
ment at the Battle of Beaver Dams. There-
after, he contributed to the stability of
Upper Canada by suppressing various social
upheavals.
James Fitzgibbon was born in Glin, County
Limerick, Ireland, on November 16, 1780, the
son of a farmer. His family was relatively
poor, and consequently, he was indifferently
educated. At the age of 15 Fitzgibbon never-