Morganton in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Greenlee Ford

Patriot Crossing Point

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 29, 2022

1. Greenlee Ford Marker

Inscription. A patriot militia of about 1,500 men crossed this ford heading south on the morning of October 1, 1780. They were pursuing in enemy force led by Major Patrick Ferguson of the British Army. The men came from as far away as present-day eastern Tennessee (then part of North Carolina), southwest Virginia, as well as Surry and Wilkes counties in North Carolina. Many were on horseback and had been on the campaign for over a week. They continued their pursuit for nearly another week before they finally caught of with Ferguson at Kings Mountain, South Carolina, where they won a decisive victory in the American Revolutionary War.

Captions
• Background: Today Greenlee Ford is along the Catawba River Greenway. This section of the greenway goes north for another 3.8 miles. The greenway is part of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (nps.gov/ovvi)
• Inset: The patriot militia rode 85 miles from here to the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Erected by Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail • City of Morganton • National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism

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• War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 1, 1780.

Location. 35° 44.429′ N, 81° 43.097′ W. Marker is in Morganton, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is on Greenlee Ford Road ¼ mile north of Carbon City Road (U.S. 70) when traveling north. Marker is at the northern terminus of Greenlee Ford Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morganton NC 28655, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Crossing (here, next to this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 29, 2022

2. Greenlee Ford Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Quaker Meadows Cemetery Revolutionary War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away); Waightstill Avery (approx. 0.9 miles away); André Michaux (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fort San Juan (approx. 0.9 miles away); Council Oak (approx. 0.9 miles away); Quaker Meadows (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morganton.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 768 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.