Blacksburg in York County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Major Ferguson Falls

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2010

1. Major Ferguson Falls Marker

Inscription. The chaos of battle roared along this ridge top. Piercing the din of gunfire and wounded men's groans, Ferguson's silver whistle shrilled, rallying his Tories. Two horses were shot out from under him; Ferguson seemed to be everywhere at once.

While he was charging and slashing at the advancing Whigs, eight or nine rifle balls struck the major at the same time. His unusual "checkered duster" had made him an easy target. Ferguson fell from the saddle, his boot caught in the stirrup.

Fierce fighting continued as Captain Abraham DePeyster assumed command, but not for long. Minutes later, the King's men were laying down their arms as white flags fluttered here and there amid the swirling gunsmoke.

Erected by Kings Mountain National Military Park - National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 35° 8.583′ N, 81° 22.763′ W. Marker is in Blacksburg, South Carolina, in York County. Marker can be reached from Kings Mountain Park Road, on the right when traveling east. Located along a 1.5 mile walking trail around the Kings Mountain Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blacksburg SC 29702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. Col. Ferguson Fell (here, next to this marker); Col. Frederick Hambright (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Patrick Ferguson Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Colonel James Hawthorn (within shouting distance of this marker); Major William Chronicle (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Local Boys & Spies (about 400 feet away); King's Mountain (about 400 feet away); Sacred to the Memory Monument (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blacksburg.

More about this marker. The background of the marker is a photo of a reenactor portraying Ferguson laying mortally wounded. To the lower right is a portrait of Ferguson. Patrick Ferguson, age 36, served his King with professional distinction as a soldier for 20 years in Europe, the West Indies, and North America. Renowned as the best marksman in the British army, he was a dynamic militia recruiter and trainer in the Carolina's. His defeat here signified the end of any British hopes to win the war using Americans loyal to the Crown. The son of Scottish gentry, Major Ferguson was the only Briton to fight at Kings Mountain.

Also see . . .
1. Kings Mountain National Military Park, National Park Service

Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, March 29, 2009

2. Major Ferguson Falls Marker

. (Submitted on September 6, 2019.)
2. Kings Mountain National Military Park, Historic Resource Study, National Park Service. (Submitted on September 6, 2019.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2010

3. Major Ferguson Falls Marker

Marker on the Battlefield Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 5, 2010

4. Marker on the Battlefield Trail

Major Ferguson Portrait image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, March 29, 2009

5. Major Ferguson Portrait

Major Ferguson Fell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, March 29, 2009

6. Major Ferguson Fell

Official First Day of Issue of Battle of Kings Mountain 10￠ Postcard. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Lassman, September 2, 2019

7. Official First Day of Issue of Battle of Kings Mountain 10￠ Postcard.

• Postcard has a preprinted with a stamp by the USPS which features the "Battle of Kings Mountain." • Postcard has an image by Artcraft in which "Tories' leader, Major Patrick Ferguson, was fatally shot charging the rebel lines." • Postcard was postmark on October 7, 1980 at Kings Mountain, North Carolina with the Zip Code of 28086.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,068 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 7. submitted on September 6, 2019. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.