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

Caught in a Crossfire

Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, March 29, 2009

1. Caught in a Crossfire Marker

Inscription. Hard pressed on every side, Ferguson's men fell back to their camp, which lay in the saddle of the ridge you see just ahead. As some Tories tried to surrender, bullets continued to pour into their ranks from all directions. Too late, they saw they were pinned down in a deadly crossfire.

Patriots rounding up Tory prisoners remembered how British Colonel Tarleton had ordered rebel prisoners taken at nearby Waxhaws to be killed in cold blood. Even as the heat of battle cooled atop Kings Mountain, few Tories were shown mercy.

One-Third of the British Army

Ferguson's camp included tents and weapons for a thousand men, cattle, and horses, and 19 large baggage wagons. This encampment contained one-third of British military strength available in the South.

The cursed rebels Came upon us killed and Took every Soul and So My Dear friends I bid you farewell for I am Started to the warm Country.
Last entry in a loyalist's diary found on the battlefield

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° 8.503′ N, 81°

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22.899′ 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 are within walking distance of this marker. Loyal Carolina Men (within shouting distance of this marker); King's Mountain (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shoot Tree to Tree (about 500 feet away); Col. Asbury Coward (about 500 feet away); Lieutenant Colonel James Hawthorn (about 600 feet away); The Battle of Kings Mountain Monument (about 700 feet away); Tighten the Noose (about 800 feet away); Be Your Own Officer (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blacksburg.

More about this marker. The background of the marker is an illustration depicting the fighting.

Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, March 29, 2009

2. Caught in a Crossfire Marker

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

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 6, 2010

3. Marker on the Battlefield Trail

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 922 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on October 20, 2018, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 3. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.