#18
September 1, 2026#20
September 1, 2026
Searchable issue transcript
Page 1
Revolution Revolution foothills foothills Display until 10/08/22 Display until 10/08/22 $8.95 $8.95 With Hist orian With Hist orian Richard Eller Richard Eller Digest Digest Fe aturin g Artist Fe aturin g Artist B ob Timb erlake B ob Timb erlake Horn in Horn in the West the West
Page 2
Best Hospitals for Outpatient Experience Best Hospitals for Minimally Invasive Surgery Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Best Hospitals for Obstetrics Best Hospitals for Orthopedics Best Hospitals for Bariatric Surgery Best Hospitals for Comprehensive Breast Care Best Mammogram Imaging Center (Catawba Valley Imaging Center) Our Other 2022 Honors Include: THANK YOU! l l l l l l l l CatawbaValleyHealth.org/WomensChoice
Page 3
The Nation Makers Howard Pyle
Page 4
4 foothills Digest 3838 Cleary Rd Laurel Springs, NC 28644 Summer 2022 Phone: 828.475.1323 E-mail: editor@foothillsdigest.com Website: foothillsdigest.com Stock by Adobe Stock and Shutterstock PRINTED IN USA PARTNER COMPANY: ECKARD PHOTOGRAPHIC CARMEN ECKARD Editor in Chief Author JON ECKARD Principal Photographer JOEY OSBORNE Partner CONTRIBUTERS: Richard Eller, Bob Timberlake, Jerry Wolford, Tim Alturo SPECIAL THANKS TO: Beth Hayden, Linda Bryant, Todd Propst "Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely s o t h e y w i l l r e m e m b e r i t a n d , a b o v e a l l , a c c u r a t e l y s o t h e y w i l l b e g u i d e d b y i t s l i g h t . " -Joseph Pulitzer
Page 5
5 Dear readers, I can remember thinking that history was boring. I’m horrified at that now because it is so fascinating. But, objectively, history is sometimes presented in a boring manner. I fell in love with the story of the Battle of Kings Mountain in college when I worked as stage manager at Horn in the West. I reenacted the battle in my way by shooting a rifle off stage as fast as I could load it during the battle scene to create the auditory cacophony of war. I loved it, and I love the story Kermit Hunter crafted over fifty years ago. Horn in the West still fills me with powerful nostalgia, and the sound of the horn blowing still gives me goosebumps. Be sure to use the QR code at the end of this issue. I recently became interested in genealogy and began to research. Imagine my delight when I found that my ancestor fought at Kings Mountain and Guilford Courthouse and that my husband's ancestor also fought in The Battle of Kings Mountain under Captain McDowell and provided ammunition for it! This issue has been simmering in my mind for some time. It’s important to me that we present this history in a way that’s immersive and not boring, in the least. I’m struck by the depth of understanding from attending a reenactment. Involving the senses makes it so much more concrete. I’ve tried to make an issue that hits the same notes as going to a reenactment, which is perhaps a lofty goal. The story of how the people of the foothills andmountains of the Blue Ridge turned the tide of the American Revolution is thrilling. I’m honored that I get to share it with you. Letter from the Editor
Page 6
Send a check for $32 to: Foothills Digest 3838 Cleary Road Laurel Springs, NC 28644 Name: Address: Phone: Card Number: Expiration: CVV Code: Subscribe On the Cover: Captain MacKenzie, played by Christopher Morrow, fights Jack a t Horn In the West. See page 68.
Page 7
5 Letter from the Editor 8 Daily Life in 1770 22 The Stamp Act 24 The Revolution in North Carolina 38 Outfitting 40 The Swamp Fox 42 The Long Shot by Richard Eller 50 War as a Path to Freedom 52 Overmountain Victory Trail 56 Sycamore Shoals 60 Quaker Meadows 64 Kings Mountain 66 Overmountain Victory Reenactment 68 Horn in the West 80 A Powerful Déjà Vu 90 The Battle of Guilford Courthouse 97 Surender of Cornwallis 98 Continental Currency 102 Genealogy 104 How Great of a Grandfather? 107 Who Were the Tories? 108 Hickory Ridge Homestead 112 Longrifles 116 Reenacting 128 Fireworks in the Foothills Table of C ontents
Page 8
8 Daily Life Daily Life in the in the Foothills Foothills circa circa 1770 1770
Page 9
9 I n 1770, North Carolina was one of the thirteen colonies, but it still had expanses of wilderness to be explored. It had been barely 100 years since the first permanent settler established himself on the coast, but the population was rapidly increasing, and people were pushing westward. At that time, western North Carolina only had two counties: Rowan and Tryon. Rowan County was quite large, encompassing everywhere Northwest of Asheboro, in the center of the state, and Tryon took the southwest quadrant, both excepting the far reaches of the state, which weren’t yet part of North Carolina. There was a deep divide between the more settled eastern parts of the state and the west. Tensions were rising because western settlers were being mistreated regarding taxes, and the Regulator movement was on the rise. Tensions were also high between the native Cherokee and the settlers, who were often encroaching on land and ignoring treaties. Western North Carolina was home to a series of disastrous raids. The Cherokee attacked the settlers, burning their homes. The settlers raised armies and destroyed Cherokee villages. A great mistrust had formed between the Cherokee and the settlers. The following pages show part of a map from 1775. It’s called “North and South Carolina with their Indian Frontiers.” Note the county lines and the inclusion of “Indian Paths.”
Page 10
10
Page 11
11
Page 12
12 At left, North Carolina Pound, used until 1793, and, above, various coins used in the Colonies before the Revolution. Below, a 40 shilling piece. At left, bottom, a New England Shilling. N ew immigrants arrived regularly, and new communities were forming with growing populations of Scots-Irish, German and English settlers. They were bringing their cultures, religions, and survival skills with them. A system called “headrights” was responsible for the growth here. The Colonial Government would grant land to people responsible for bringing new immigrants here. Additionally, the land for sale was often cheaper than what was available in other colonies. Money wasn’t as standardized in 1770. Each of the thirteen colonies had its own currency. North Carolina’s Pound is shown below, at left, and a 40 shilling piece is shown at the bottom. People tended to use coins from Spain or England, and North Carolina didn’t mint its own.
Page 13
13
Page 14
14 S ettlers tended to have large families and lived in simple log homes. Children spent most of their time doing chores or studying, but they also enjoyed some of the games we still play today, like checkers. Backgammon and tennis are other familiar games played in the past. The first jigsaw puzzle was created in 1767. Playing cards were popular and, in some places, so was gambling. Community gatherings were quite important. Music often took center stage when neighbors came together. From barn raisings to church, early settlers enjoyed any excuse to visit with their communities. Many people learned to play instruments. Bluegrass traditions in Southern Appalachia began back in the 1700s. Enslaved people brought the idea of the banjo from Africa and built them here out of gourds, and they’ve been part of the culture here ever since. It was during this time that ballads became popular as well. A ballad is a story set to song, usually sung without accompaniment. English settlers blended their traditional singing style with the Cherokee and African Americans, and a distinct style took root. Photo by Jerry Wolford
Page 15
15 We don’t know all of the details of life in 1770, but we do know it was more laborious than life now. We don’t enjoy laundry now, for instance. It’s drudgery to wash, dry, fold and put away to do it all again. Imagine how we’d feel if we had the set-up of a 1770 pioneer! First, they had to make the soap. This was a marathon event, not for the weak of heart. The process took about three days, but they’d make enough soap to last all year long. It was done in the Spring or Fall because it was made over an open fire. Soap is made of two key ingredients: lye and fat. Lye is made from wood ash through a process called leaching. They’d collect ash all year long in barrels, then pour water over it. Brown liquid lye would eventually seep out the bottom of the container. Fat was rendered by melting collected cooking grease in a large pot with water, then boiling and cooling overnight. In the morning, they’d scoop the fat off the top of the pot. Then, the lye and fat were boiled for six hours until a soft soap formed on the surface. The soap was nearly liquid and would be stored in barrels, then used throughout the year for washing up and laundry. To wash laundry, women would first “buck” their pieces. They would soak the clothes in a lye mixture of ashes and urine. Then, water would be heated over a fire, and the women would use the soap, a board, and a rock or stick to agitate and clean the clothes. As you might expect, laundry was done far less often in this era. Some families only did laundry three or four times a year.
Page 16
16
Page 17
17 You see a hand-pieced quilt made by Elizabeth Van Horne Clarkson on the left. Quilting was beginning to become popular, although it’s likely that maintaining a homestead would leave little time for quilting. This quilt was made in 1830. T oday, western North Carolina is known the world over for its textiles. The roots of that run deep. In 1770, settlers crafted their clothing and everything else they needed by hand. From clothing to bedsheets, Colonial women were adept at sewing. Fabric was imported from England because the first textile mill wasn’t built in North Carolina until 1815. It was in modern-day Lincoln County. Women would have been adept at spinning and weaving. Photo by Jerry Wolford
Page 18
18 M en were responsible for hunting, and the region was a fertile hunting ground. Deer, bears, rabbits, turkeys, and wild hogs would have been prizes. The rivers were full of pike, and the forests had their own bounty, including mushrooms and chestnuts. Most homesteads would include some livestock by necessity. Pigs were especially common in western North Carolina, and families would also likely keep chickens. Without refrigeration, food preservation was a bit trickier. Folks relied on several methods, but the most common was drying. String beans, garlic, and onions would be strung up and hung in windows (shown at right).
Page 19
19
Page 20
M eat could be preserved by smoking, drying, salting, or potting. Potting is an ancient technique that worked relatively well. First, the meat was thoroughly cooked and placed into a ceramic pot. The fat from the meat would be melted, then poured over the meat. Once it cooled, it formed a hard seal that kept bacteria at bay. Don’t try this one at home because there’s a risk of botulism. Smoking, drying, and salting are all still used today. If you haven’t had country ham recently, it would make an excellent dinner. Or breakfast! Women were responsible for a growing kitchen garden. It would probably have included beans, squash, peas, okra, pumpkins, peppers, tomatoes, and peanuts. Most homes had a cellar under the house for cold storage or a spring house. Vegetables could be stored here or dried to save for winter. The garden would also have included some herbs meant for medicinal use. These include goldenseal, black cohosh, and bloodroot. With doctors few and far between, it was important that families could heal themselves from minor sicknesses and injuries. In later years, Appalachia became known for “Granny Magic,” a peculiar blend of doctoring and magic, and sometimes even prayer, with an incredible knowledge of plants. Granny Magic’s roots lay in Scot- Irish traditions brought over to our hills in the 1700s. Whiskey was becoming popular around this time. Most of the whiskey makers were Scots-Irish, and their communities became hotspots for whiskey production. This meant that western North Carolina,
Page 21
with its high concentration of Scots-Irish settlers, had some of the best whiskey in the Colonies. It was made with a combination of rye and corn, and it was quite popular. Early settlers consumed a lot more alcohol than their modern counterparts. In 1770, the average person consumed 3.5 gallons of alcohol a year. That's more than twice today's average. Drinking was commonplace, with many people starting the day with a drink and consuming alcohol with every meal. Even children drank on occasion. During the Revolution, England cut off access to imported rum and molasses. This made whiskey much more popular, as it could be made here from ingredients that could be grown here. In addition to drinking the whiskey that was abundant in our region, colonists made apple cider, and also fermented the cider with peach juice to make a stronger drink. “Instead of a morning coffee break, Americans stopped work at 11:00 a.m. to drink,” William Rorabaugh writes. “A lot of work went undone, but in this slow-paced, preindustrial age this was not always a problem.” Life here in 1770 would have been rugged and challenging and a far cry from the more luxurious lifestyle available at the coast or in England. But individual freedom was essential to the people who settled here. The concept of freedom drove them from their homelands, and it was dear to them.
Page 22
22 Stamp Act On March 22, 1765, British Parliament enacted the Stamp Act, infuriating colonists who felt they weren’t being represented. The Stamp Act was a tax on paper products. Different papers had different taxes, and the most expensive was a lawyer’s license, which was £10. A pack of cards was taxed one shilling per pack. The tax was to be paid in the scarce British currency, and the high price for lawyer licenses was meant to discourage the growth of a professional class. People in the colony did not appreciate the tax and demonstrated in the streets. They are shown below in Boston with effigies of the stamp tax collector.
Page 23
23 We are the preferred providers of oral surgery, wisdom teeth and dental implants for many area employers. No matter where you live or work, you’re close to one of our office Visit our website at www.omsdrs.com. Welcome to the newest member of our practice, Jesse Onekhena, DMD, MD
Page 24
24 In the eighteenth century, North Carolina’s population was exploding. In 1730, there were 65,000 people in the colony, and they were mostly established in the coastal plain. By 1775, there were 265,000, and they covered the whole state, reaching the Appalachian Mountains. The people came from many places, but many were Scot-Irish, German or British. About 10,000 were African Americans. There were eight Native American Tribes, with Cherokee numbering 12,000. The colony was ruled by governors appointed by the British Crown. Royal Governor William Tryon served as governor from 1765 to 1771, and he saw the need for a centralized Government house. He petitioned for permission to build a palace that would serve as his home and the official center of government. The Tryon Palace was completed by 1770, and it hosted many The Revolution in The Revolution in North Carolina North Carolina
Page 25
25 Tryon’s Palace, center of government from 1770-1775 state events. It was quite opulent for the day’s standards and served as the center of Colonial Government. Further away from that center, the grip of British control and rule was not as strong. Tryon had convinced the legislature to raise taxes to fund his home, and many people of North Carolina’s backcountry saw it as an unnecessary expense and a slap in the face. There was already a deep divide between the eastern and western parts of the state. The cultures and resources were wildly different, and this divide gave rise to anger and hints of revolution. Even before the home’s construction, in 1668, a large group of colonists in the backcountry had gathered to form the Regulators. They were angry about unfair taxes and government corruption. They didn’t necessarily want to be free from British rule. They only asked that the appointed leaders be ethical and that representation be more equitable. Specifically, they opposed the system that allowed the less productive land in the west to be taxed at the same rate as the quite fertile land in the east. The Regulators numbered in the thousands. They were primarily lower-income people who were very aware they weren’t being treated fairly. Their opposition was the wealthy elite. These opponents had land and made up only 5% of the population but they controlled most of the government.
Page 26
26 T he construction of the home indeed flared the passions of The Regulators. In no uncertain terms, their leader William Butler said, “We are determined not to pay the tax for the next three years, for the Edifice or Governor’s House, nor will we pay for it.” For several years, The Regulators had engaged in battles with the Colonial Government. For instance, in 1768, the Colonial Court met in Hillsborough, and the Regulators stormed the meeting, captured officials they had labeled corrupt, and dragged them through the streets. The Regulators wanted the Court to continue so that cases against Regulators could be tried in their presence. When the judge canceled the rest of the Court session for fear of the “mob,” the Regulators rioted, vandalized the courthouse, defecated in the Judge’s seat, and left the corpse of a long-dead enslaved person on the lawyer’s bar. They did not loot the town, but targeted violence was rampant, and they burned houses before cracking the bell of the Church of England and leaving the town. While that perhaps wasn’t the most eloquent way a point could be made, they certainly did drive their message home. Over the next three years, skirmishes were common. By 1770, officials feared for their safety. The situation escalated, resulting in another confrontation in Hillsborough and, ultimately, the Battle of Alamance. Th e following two p ages contain an article written in 1771 for the Boston Gazette. It tells of the events involving The Regulators and Governor Tryon.
Page 27
27
Page 28
28 July 22, 1771 Volume 08, Pages 639-643 our unfortunate fellow-subjects in the back parts of North Carolina, till we can have a more circumstantial account of them than any which the advocates for Governor Tryon have yet given us. The following is a copy of a Petition presented by the inhabitants of Orange County, in North Carolina, to Governor Tryon, just before the battle began; it appears to be written with plain good sense, and shows that the whole of their desire was, that the Governor would condescend to hear their former petitions and redress their grievances. To his Excellency William Tryon, Esq; his Majesty’s Governor in Chief in and over the Province of North Carolina. The Petition of us the Inhabitants of Orange County, Humbly Sheweth, First, That we have often been informed of late, that your Excellency is determined not to lend a kind Ear to the just Complaints of the People in Regard to having roguish Officers discarded, and others more honest propagated in their Stead; and Sheriffs and other Officers in Power, who have abused the Trust reposed in them, to brought to a clear, candid, and impartial Account for their past Conduct, and other Grievances of the like Nature, we have long laboured under without any apparent Hopes of Redress. Secondly, That your Excellency is determined on taking the Lives of many of the Inhabitants of this County, and others adjacent to it; which persons being nominated in the Advertisement, we know them to be Men of the most remarkable honest Characters of any in our Country. These aspersions, tho’ daily confirmed to us, yet scarcely gains Credit with the more polite among us; still, being so often confirmed, we cannot help having some small Jealousies abounding among us. In order therefore to The accounts we have had from North Carolina give us abundant reason to think that the people in that province have been intolerably oppressed; and the government instead of duly attending to their repeated complaints, and redressing their grievances, have encouraged numbers to enlist as soldiers, and under the command of their late humane Governor, to stain their fields with blood. Nothing can equal the rancor of some of their writers in working up accounts of this tragical affair, to amuse mankind. Mr. Herman Husband, who from the accounts we have had of him, was a man of good reputation and fortune, and against whom the most inveterate slander has yet uttered nothing but that he was conspicuous in endeavoring, tho’ in vain, “to obtain justice in their courts of law, for his poor oppressed brethren,” is stigmatiz’d as the CATALINE of that province; and as if designed to tantalize those miserable people, after their defeat, for having before failed in their incessant endeavors to get justice done in a lawful way, they are insultingly told, in one of their public papers, that “Alamance,” the place where the tragedy under the sanction of authority was enacted, “is made their Court of Record!” If the Governor and his party was in reality the faction, which is believed by many,—if the “artful and designing men who impiously attempted,” by trampling upon the liberties, and plundering the property of the poor people, “to subvert the constitution of the province,” were men who held places of authority, which is also believed; it is not at all strange to see the battle of Alamance so celebrated by the son of a Scotch priest, and the bravery of Tryon extolled beyond that of a Scipio or a Wolfe. The world has found by universal experience, that men in power are never without flatterers, who set their most infamous actions in a false glare; and flattery is always great in proportion as its patrons are bad. Of this we have been so fully convinced in these unhappy times, that we believe that every sensible American will suspend his censures of
Page 29
29 remove them, we would heartily implore your Excellency, that of your elemency you would so far indulge us as to let us know, (by a kind Answer to this Petition) whether your Excellency will lend an impartial Ear to our Petitions or no; which if we can be assured of, we will with Joy embrace so favourable an opportunity of laying them before your Excellency, with a full Detail of all our Grievances, and remain in full Hopes and Confidence of being redressed by your Excellency in each and every of them, as far as lies in your power; which happy change would yield such Alacrity, and promulgate such Harmony in poor pensive North Carolina, that the sad presaged Tragedy of the warlike Troops marching with Ardour to meet each other, may, by the happy Conduct of our Leaders on each side be prevented. The Interest of a whole Province, and the Lives of his Majesty’s Subjects, are not Toys, or Matters to be trifled with. Many of our common people are mightily infatuated with the horrid Alarms we have heard; but we still hope they have been wrongly represented. The chief purport of this small Petition, being to know whether your Excellency will hear our Petition or no: We hope for a speedy and candid answer. In the mean Time, your humble Petitioners shall remain in full Hopes & Confidence of having a kind Answer. As in Duty bound shall ever pray, &c. Signed in Behalf of the Country, John Williams Samuel Low James Wilson Joseph Scott Samuel Clark To this reasonable Petition the Governor sent the following Answer. To the people now assembled in Arms, who style themselves Regulators In answer to your Petition, I am to acquaint you that I have ever been attentive to the true interest of this Country, and to that of every Individual residing within it; lament the fatal necessity to which you have reduced me, by withdrawing yourselves from the Mercy of the Crown and the Laws of your Country, to require you who are assembled as Regulators, to lay down your Arms, surrender up the outlawed Ringleaders, and submit yourselves to the Laws of your Country, and then rest on the lenity and mercy of Government: By accepting Terms in one Hour from the delivery of this Dispatch you will prevent effusion of Blood, as you are at this Time in a state of War and Rebellion against your King, your Country, and your Laws. It is observable that the Governor does not vouchsafe, even at so critical a time, when the effusion of Blood might have been prevented, and the honor of the government saved by it, to give them the least encouragement, that he would hear their petitions or redress their grievances; but on the contrary, if the following article from the Philadelphia Papers may be credited, he fired upon them with his artillery in breach of his own Terms: Extract of a Letter from the back parts of North Carolina, May 26. “If Governor Tryon had been as fond of checking the officers of government for their unheard of oppressions to the poor back inhabitants, as he was of shooting these unhappy people, Carolina would not now have felt the horrors of her children murdering one another. He pretended to give the oppressed people two hours to consider, whether they would fight or surrender, but as soon as their chief men got into a consultation, he began with a dreadful fire on them, from his artillery, with grape-shot, which did great execution.” The Supreme Court of Oyer and Terminer, for the Tryal of the Regulators in the Back Country, began at Hillsborough the 30th of May, and continued to the 20th of this Instant June; during which, Twelve were tryed, and condemned for High Treason. The Governor was pleased to suspend the Execution of Six, till his Majesty’s Pleasure be known; the other Six were executed on Wednesday the 19th Inst. at Hillsborough. Among these last, the most distinguished was Benjamin Merrill, who had been a Captain of Militia in Rowan County. When the Chief Justice passed Sentence, he concluded in the following manner: “I must now close my afflicting Duty, by pronouncing upon you the awful Sentence of the Law; which is, that you Benjamin Merrill, be carried to the Place from whence you came, that you be drawn from thence to the Place of Execution, where you are to be hanged by the Neck; that you be cut down while yet alive, that your Bowels be taken out and burnt before your Face, that your Head be cut off, your Body divided into Four Quarters, and this to be at his Majesty’s Disposal; and the Lord have Mercy on your Soul.”
Page 30
30 T h e Regulators’ last fight occurred on May 16, 1771. Some consider the Battle of Alamance the first battle in the Revolutionary War. Many others disagree, since the Regulators were not trying to secede. However it is labeled, it was integral to the story of North Carolina. Governor Tryon marched 1,000 men westward to squash the growing rebellion. When he received word that the Regulators were camped nearby, he divided his forces and formed two lines. The Regulators were not trained in the ways of war, and they were very disorganized. Governor Tryon said to the Regulators, “Gentlemen and Regulators: Those of you who are not too far committed should desist and quietly return to your homes; those of you who have laid yourselves liable should submit without resistance. I and others promise to obtain for you the best possible terms. The Governor will grant you nothing. You are unprepared for war! You have no cannon! You have no military training! You have no commanding officers to lead you in battle. You have no ammunition. You will be defeated!” This was ignored, and fighting ensued. Although lacking training, at first, the Regulators fought well. They captured a canon, although they didn’t have the training or ammunition to use it. A bullet, at one point, hit the governor’s hat. The fight was fierce, and as it dwindled, the governor ordered the woods to be burned. It isn’t known how many soldiers died. We do know that Governor Tryon took 13 prisoners. He killed one on-site, then later had six executed in Hillsborough. The rest were pardoned in exchange for an oath of loyalty. Each year, the Battle of Alamance is reenacted on its historical site. Additionally, the television series Outlander recently featured the battle in an episode. Season 5, Episode 7 (shown below) details the struggle and remains respectful of the truth and history of the moment. The series is available on Starz and Netflix. It’s based in North Carolina and does a beautiful job of bringing to life the details of 18th-century America. Creator: Robert Wilson Copyright: © 2019 Starz Entertainment, LLC
Page 31
31 Whether you’re looking to relocate or find the perfect home, Mountainside Realty will help you find your path to mountain living. With excellent customer service, we will be passionate to find the perfect home that meets your needs or get the best possible price in selling your home. is IN THE MOUNTAINS STEPHENIE OXFORD DEESY, BROKER IN CHARGE 828-729-5959 STEPHENIE@LIFEINWNC.COM MOUNTAINDREAMSHAPPEN.COM Let Us Find Your Perfect Piece of the Mountains.
Page 32
32 By 1771, the King of England appointed another colonial governor. Josiah Martin would prove to be the last Colonial Governor, serving only four years. Colonists found him to be even more arrogant and unpleasant. Allegiance to the Throne was unsteady at best, but it held. But on April 19, 1775, the “shot heard round the world” rang loud and clear across the Tar Heel state. The Battles of Lexington and Concord (shown below) raged for more than 16 miles in Massachusetts, along the route between Boston and Concord. Four thousand militiamen fought 1,700 British Regulars. The Patriot casualties were 96, while the British had 273. Governor Martin knew his time as Colonial Governor was coming to an end. He fled from New Bern under cover of darkness. The Battle of Moore’s Creek was the first battle in North Carolina. It occurred just after Governor Martin fled. Highland Scots loyalists were defeated by a Patriot militia led by future governor Richard Caswell. This Loyalist defeat was a good omen. Patriots took over the Palace, making it their capital. The first sessions of the General Assembly met there and did the work of building a new state. On April 12, 1776, the North Carolina Provincial Congress, meeting in Alamance County, voted to authorize their delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence. This became known as the Halifax Resolves, and it was the first official action by a colony calling for independence. This is why you’ll see “First In Freedom” on license plates in North Carolina.
Page 33
33 Today, Halifax is home to the Halifax Historic District. The district has authentically restored and furnished buildings, including the 1838 Jail, the 1790 Eagle Tavern, and the Underground Railroad Trail. There are often reenactments, costumed historical interpreters, and craft demonstrations, as seen below. Photo Courtesy of VisitNC
Page 34
34 The Declaration of Independence was signed between July 4, 1776, and August 2 of the same year. It was signed by 56 members of the Second Continental Congress, including three men from North Carolina. Thomas Jefferson was the primary author, but it was written by the Committee of Five, including John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Along with the Declaration came the unavoidable war. We tend to imagine that most people would have supported the Patriot cause, but it was pretty evenly split. About one third of people living in North Carolina wanted to be independent from England. Another third was loyal to the Crown, and another third was noncommittal. This was our first civil war, especially in the South, where sons fought against fathers. North Carolina was the setting for a number of battles during the Revolutionary War. A comprehensive list includes the Battles of Charlotte, Colson’s Mill, Cowan’s Ford, Guilford Court House, House in the Horseshoe, Lindley’s Mill, Moore’s Creek Bridge, Ramsour’s Mill, Shallow Ford, Torrence’s Tavern, Wahab’s Plantation, Wetzell’s Mill, and Pyle’s Massacre as well as Rutherford Light Horse expedition.
Page 35
35 B ack in 1763, King George III had prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. However, some Pioneers, like Daniel Boone, ignored this. The Cherokee resented this encroachment and sided with the British in the war. In the summer of 1776, the Cherokee planned attacks all along the southern frontier. Nancy Ward, an English-speaking Cherokee, warned settlers of the plan. Many found safety at Fort Dobbs, Davidson’s Fort (in modern-day Old Fort), Fort Defiance, and many unknown areas. When they returned home, however, they found their houses burned. Later that year, a “retaliatory expedition” in the western part of North Carolina pitted militiamen against the Cherokee. The militia was led by Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford and was officially sanctioned by the Continental Congress. North Carolina brought 2,000 troops, and South Carolina brought an additional 2,000. When they arrived at the Cherokee settlements they were deserted. The villages were burnt,and the crops were destroyed. By 1777, the Cherokee returned to their homes and saw that a treaty was needed. They sought an agreement, and in the Autumn of 1777, a treaty was signed. That should have calmed tensions, but it didn’t. Many settlers ignored it, and a group of warrior Cherokees, led by Dragging Canoe, continued to be loyal British allies. Skirmishes between Cherokee and settlers continued, and in 1780, an expedition led by John Sevier and Arthur Campbell all but decimated the Cherokee villages. This conflict ultimately resulted in the removal of the Cherokee and the Trail of Tears in 1830.
Page 36
36 I n the Piedmont of North Carolina, the Catawbans lived along the Catawba River. They were enemies of the Cherokee and were important trade partners to the settlers. The Catawbans sided with the Patriots against the British and the Cherokee during the war. The Catawbans helped the Patriots by returning runaway slaves, searching for Tories, and serving as scouts. Their villages were burned by the British. The Catawbans fought in many battles throughout the war, including the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. In the earlier years of the war, much of the fighting was done in the north. North Carolina sent soldiers, but it was relatively quiet here. For the most part, the Tories did not resist Whig rule. Patriot merchants like John Wright Stanly and Richard Ellis sent privateers to fight British ships off the coast. Without an effective Navy, this was the best way to fight on the water. The North Carolina Continental Line had been sent to many battles, and they were dispatched to fight in the Battle of Charleston in 1780. The city fell on May 12, and the Continental Line surrendered. This battle was a devastating loss, with the entire Whig army being dispatched. However, returning home, the North Carolinians defeated a large Loyalist force at Ramsour’s Mill. North Carolina Patriots were integral to the victory at Kings Mountain, as well as the Battle of Cowpens. Over a six-month period, the Patriots killed over one-quarter of the soldiers that Lord Cornwallis had marched from Charleston. From January to February 15 of 1781, opposing forces engaged in what is now known as the “Race to the Dan.” The Patriot
Page 37
37 forces were initially led by Morgan and then by his successor, Nathanael Greene (shown on the opening page of this article). Skirmishes along the way occurred at Cowan’s Ford, Bruce’s Crossroads, Clapp’s Mill, and Weitzel’s Mill. This culminated in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781. This battle lasted hours and featured innovative maneuvering and strategizing. Technically, the British won that battle, but they lost 27% of their soldiers. British Parliamentarian Charles James Fox told the House of Commons, “Another such victory would ruin the British army.” After the battle, Cornwallis retreated to Ramsey’s Mill, where his men spent days building a bridge, then to Willmington. In late April, he left for Virginia, with skirmishes along the way in Swift Creek, Peacock Bridge, and Halifax. Just five months later, he surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown after a long siege and the America won the war. T h e origin of the term “Tar Heels” is ambiguous. It’s clear that the term grew popular during the Civil War, when North Carolinian soldiers were said to stick in battle like they had tar on their heels. But the term is much older than the Civil war, and it originally would have been an insult. North Carolina forests were excellent producers of the raw materials needed for tar and turpentine. Workers who distilled turpentine from sap, and burned pines to produce tar would have often been barefoot, and no doubt, tar would have stuck to their feet. To call someone a tar heel insinuated that you thought they worked in a lowly trade. But folk tradition also states that when Lord Cornwallis’s troops forded the Tar River in North Carolina in early May 1781, they emerged with tar on their feet. The tar reputedly had been hastily dumped into the river to prevent the British from capturing it. This forever tied the term “Tar Heel” to North Carolina. However the name started, North Carolinians take pride in the term.
Page 38
38 Outfitting Supplying the American Revolutionary Army was a tricky task. There weren’t many factories supplying arms and ammunition, especially on the scale needed. This led leadership to require new soldiers to provide their own weapons. Muskets and rifles were used during this period. Each had its own advantage. The muskets were powerful and caused a lot of damage. They could also be reloaded quickly. Rifles took much longer to load, and they weren’t as strong, but they could shoot accurately at much longer distances. When paired with a talented marksman, a rifle could kill soldiers before they were aware they were under attack. But muskets had one other advantage: they could be used with a bayonet, an essential tool when fighting at close distances. Pistols, like the Kentucky Flintlock Pistol, were also crucial to the war effort. Knapsack Cartridge Box
Page 39
39 Virginia Musket Longrifle Kentucky Flintlock Pistol Captain’s Sword Bayonet Spike Tomahawk Hatchet
Page 40
40 The Swamp Fox The Swamp Fox by John Blake White, circa 1810 This painting of General Francis Marion offering a British Officer some of his dinner comes with an excellent story. The British Officer was surprised that the soldiers lived so simply, eating only sweet potato and water for dinner. Marion said, “Why, sir , the heart is all; and when that is once interested, a man “Why, sir , the heart is all; and when that is once interested, a man can do any thing...I am in love; and my sweetheart is LIBERTY.” can do any thing...I am in love; and my sweetheart is LIBERTY.” When he returned to his own camp, the officer said, “I have seen an American general and his “I have seen an American general and his officers, without pay, and almost without clothes, living on roots, and drinking water—and officers, without pay, and almost without clothes, living on roots, and drinking water—and all for LIBERTY! What chance have we against such men!” all for LIBERTY! What chance have we against such men!”
Page 41
41 Whether you are searching for a new homestead or relocating, let me help you navigate through the real estate process. 294 West Main Avenue, Taylorsville, NC 828-352-9500 West Main Antiques Your door to the past.
Page 42
42
Page 43
The Long Shot The Long Shot By Richard Eller By Richard Eller
Page 44
44 merican history is full of improbable heroes. The most unlikely revolves around a small group who refused to be bound by the dictates of a king. They lived in and around the Appalachian Mountains as farmers, landowners, and squatters, some in direct defiance to King George’s line that divided accept - able living space west of what is now the Blue Ridge Parkway. Individually, they were of no real importance to the leaders of the colonies up in Philadel- phia, who were part of the Continental Congress, trying to work a deal with the king. Yet they were the ones who brought the British to their knees. They were the Overmountain Men. We recognize them mainly by the cities and counties that took their names as a memorial. Benjamin Cleveland, Isaac Shelby, Joseph Winston, Joseph McDowell. These were men who largely stayed out of the war for independence. They did as they pleased in establishing their homes. John Sevier lived well over King George’s 1763 Proclamation line that forbad settling on the Tennessee side of the mountains. When the war came he and other pioneers remained relatively unconcerned, until the British began their “southern strategy.” After a four-year stalemate in the North with empty victories like Bunker Hill and Long Island, and outright losses like Saratoga, the British came south, where all they loyalists lived (or so they thought). If the king’s army starts in Georgia and South Carolina, sweeping up the eastern seaboard, gathering those loyal to the crown, called Tories, the British would be unstoppable by the time they met George Washington’s army again. Along the way though, something happened. The invasion of Savannah went well. The effort to take Charleston, less so, but still a win. The British routed the Continental Army under command of Horatio Gates, the earlier “hero” of Saratoga. He fled (without his army to Charlotte). The British were poised to push their juggernaut north, so confidant that Lord Charles Cornwallis split his army into pieces. He set up headquarters in Charlotte. One wing, led by intrepid and sadistic cavalry commander Banastre Tarlton unleashed a rampage of the South Carolina countryside, to the point that they nicknamed him a butcher. The other wing was commanded by accomplished military man Patrick Ferguson. He took on the job of flushing out the Tories in service to his growing army. Ferguson had a plan. First he sent word to the Patriots, whom he called ‘barbarians’ warning them that he would “march his army over and lay waste their country” if they threatened to take up arms against him. The threat only angered the frontiersmen and set them on a course to make him pay for his insult. Then he issued a proclamation. In it he took a novel approach to gathering those loyal to the king. He shamed those who did not rally to his cause. Today known as the “Pissing Proclamation” Ferguson asserted that all ‘real men’ were loyal. Rebels were mongrels and those on the fence had better choose Great Britain if they did not want to be “pinioned, robbed and murdered” by these
Page 45
45 “backwater” men. He also insulted their manhood by boasting, “If you choose to be pissed upon forever and ever by a set of mongrels, say so at once and let your women turn their backs upon you and look out for real men to protect them.” He intended to bully the undecided settlers to his cause of king and empire, picking up a few nervous Patriots along the way. Instead, he alienated the men of the back country enough for them to unite against him. Shelby, Sevier, and company had already decided a course of action to combat this threat. Their approach was simple; Hunt Ferguson down. On September 23rd, they began to gather. From Abingdon, Virginia down to Sycamore Shoals, part of the Watauga Settlement then, Tennessee now, they came, gathering strength. A week after starting the Overmountain Men bivouacked at Quaker Meadows, in Burke County, the home of Colonel Charles McDowell. He lent his services to the cause. Word came from the South that Edward Lacy raised a contingent from South Carolina and Georgia. Patriots were closing in on Ferguson. At left, Patrick Ferguson, by Thomas Kelly Pauley. Above, Gathering of Overmountain Men at Sycamore Shoals, Lloyd Branson, 1915, oil on canvas.
Page 46
46 Major Patrick Ferguson for all his bravado in the issue of his proclamation was no bluff. A Scot in the British Army, he received a commission to lead the 71st Highlanders, developed an early breach-loading rifle, and sustained a substantial wound at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. His comeback entailed raising a loyalist army as the British headed north. He trained southern recruits with a whistle, blowing cadences for each move the new soldiers of the king were expected to make in battle. By the time the Overmountain Men found him his army totaled about 1,100 with him the only British soldier in the bunch. The growing Patriot army tracked the location of Ferguson growing ever closer while they rendezvoused with Lacy. The day before the battle, the group was camped at Cowpens (the site of a later battle involving Banastre ‘Butcher’ Tarlton). Winston, Campbell, and their men got word that Ferguson held his troops on the top of Kings Mountain. Time could not be wasted. They had to surround his camp and get him. Even though the Tories held the high ground, the Patriots were determined. The gang of Overmountain Men was too large to march the distance so those on horse were dismissed. But they had come too far to miss the action. Many of them grabbed the stirrups of a nearby horse and ran alongside to keep up. 900 made the forced march to get Ferguson. Major Ferguson knew they were coming. The same hubris that marked his proclamation remained with him as he sneered that “God and all his little angels could not knock him off that mountain.” In a way, he would be proved right. Ferguson’s commander, Lord Charles Cornwallis was only about 35 miles from him in Charlotte but was having his own problems with the “hornet’s nest” of Patriots around town and had no troops to help. It did not matter, Ferguson did not think he need them anyway. The Major had something to prove. Always competitive with Cornwallis’ other subordinate Tarleton, Ferguson lagged behind the butcher in accomplishment during the Southern Campaign. The stage was set for Ferguson to prove his mettle. Patriots surrounded Kings Mountain by early afternoon. The last order of leader Joseph Winston was “every man his own commander” meaning each soldier had permission to take that hill as he thought best. Up the mountain they crept, surprising
Page 47
47 some of the Tories. Once Major Ferguson knew the battle was joined, he brought out his whistle to summon the enlistees to battle. Slowly the Overmountain Men tightened the noose. Usually troops with the high ground held the advantage but Ferguson’s trainees repeated fired over the heads of the ‘backwater’ men who bobbed from tree to tree for protection between shots. Tories fell, Tories surrendered, but the battle was not over until Ferguson himself fell. He made himself a perfect target, wailing on his whistle atop a large white horse. He even wore a red and white checkered hunting shirt. A desperate bayonet charge became Major Ferguson’s last orders to his recruits. Then it was every man for himself. At that point at least seven Patriots drew a bead on the Major and brought him down. The battle lasted for about an hour. Once Ferguson hit the ground it was over.
Page 48
48 The Overmountain Men enjoyed their victory. Legend says they had a special way of paying Ferguson back for his slanderous proclamation. They meted out the same act on him as he suggested in his document after night fell on October 7th. Either way, Ferguson’s body is still on that hill. Along the path that surrounds the mountain/battlefield is a cairn (a grave piled with rocks on top) that supposedly includes not only Ferguson but one of two women who accompanied the British officer, Virginia Sal. The other, Virginia Paul was captured. Supposedly, Ferguson had an opportunity to shoot General George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine and refused to do so. He said his sense of honor would be violated by such an act. However, his ethic did not extend to the frontiersmen of Appalachians and he paid dearly for his choice. After the battle, a few of the 700 prisoners taken were hanged for their offense of choosing the wrong side. The rest were marched to Bethabara for parole. The battle proved to be what Thomas Jefferson himself called the ‘turning point of the American Revolution’. After October 7, luck ran bad for Cornwallis and his Southern Strategy. The Continental Army, with the help of militia like the Overmountain Men embarrassed Tarleton at Cowpens. Cornwallis won a ‘Pyrrhic’ victory at Guilford Court House (losing more than he gained). His eventual move into Virginia landed him at Yorktown where a year after Kings Mountain a siege forced the main British army to surrender to that ragtag, gang of mongrels Major Patrick Ferguson has so disdained. The long shot hit its mark.
Page 49
49 The pivotal Battle of Kings Mountain has been both a personal and professional subject for Historian Richard Eller. His 2002 documentary “The Road to Kings Mountain” featured the participation of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, a dedicated group of individuals who each fall, follow the day-by-day trek of the original Patriot marchers. For his work he received the Overmountain Victory Trail Award from the National Park Service. In addition, his ancestor, Elias Powell was a part of the battle, as an aide-de-camp to Major Patrick Ferguson. See page 118 for an essay about Elias Powell. find a find a peaceful peaceful stillness stillness in nature’s in nature’s warm embrace... warm embrace... Proud Partner of:
Page 50
50 Credit: History Channel, BBC
Page 51
51 Slavery has been an integral, albeit ugly, part of the history of America from the earliest days of European settlement in the 1600s. In North Carolina, Wilmington was a busy port city, and by 1800, enslaved people outnumbered white settlers two to one. The eastern part of the state was home to large plantations, while the settlements in the west tended to be smaller. Before the war, nearly all black people in the colonies were enslaved. The war offered many men the chance to be free. In 1775, Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, promised freedom to any enslaved man who fought for the British, saying, “I do hereby further declare all indented servants, Negroes, or others, (appertaining to Rebels,) free, that are able and willing to bear arms, they joining His Majesty’s Troops.” Tens of thousands of enslaved people thus escaped to the British Army and fought with them. But black men were fighting on both sides of the conflict. After seeing the effects of Dunmore’s proclamation, some northern colonies began to extend a similar offer. In Virginia, many enslaved men served in the stead of their masters. In the South, colonists proved unwilling to arm enslaved people, fearing an uprising. It’s thought that about 5,000 African Americans fought as Patriots. Nearly all of them fought for the Continental Army, with extremely low militia involvement. In his book Kings Mountain and Its Heroes , Lyman C. Draper tells us no less than twelve African Americans fought in the battle of Kings Mountain. Only five men can be identified using pension records from the period: Essius Bowman, John Broddy, Andrew Ferguson, Primes, and Ishmael Titus. In 2016, a monument was erected at Kings Mountain to honor these men, sponsored by the Colonel Frederick Hambright Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The Revolution didn’t bring freedom to all enslaved people, but it did lead to a movement in the North that ended slavery there. Within 25 years, every northern state had declared slavery illegal, and we started to see battle lines being formed for the nation’s second civil war. . At the end of the war, the fate of the black soldiers who fought for the British varied. Some were treated as loot and sold back into slavery, but nearly 20,000 remained with the British at the end of the war. Washington demanded that England return all formerly enslaved people. The British refused but did provide financial compensation. Of the 20,000 men who stayed with the British, many settled in the West Indies, Europe, and Nova Scotia, while some joined the West India Regiments, which formed after the war. At left, you'll see photography from episode two of the 2016 adaptation of Alex Haley's " Roots ", chronicling the history of an African man sold to slavery in America, and his descendants. You can catch it streaming on Amazon Prime and on BBC. War as a Path to Freedom
Page 52
52
Page 53
53 O O vermountain vermountain Victory Trail Victory Trail The Overmountain Victory Trail follows the paths of the The Overmountain Victory Trail follows the paths of the Overmountain Men as they gathered and marched towards the Overmountain Men as they gathered and marched towards the Battle of Kings Mountain. The trail is 330 miles long and crosses Battle of Kings Mountain. The trail is 330 miles long and crosses four states: Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South four states: Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The course is a mix of Commemorative Motor Route Carolina. The course is a mix of Commemorative Motor Route along existing highways and 87 miles of walkable trails. along existing highways and 87 miles of walkable trails.
Page 54
54
Page 55
The trail is a joint effort between the National Park Service and The Overmountain Victory Trail Association. Each year, in late September and into October, the association hosts a commemorative march. This year, the march begins on September 25th at Fort Watauga, and it ends on October 7th at Kings Mountain. While we encourage you to visit all parts of the trail, we will list the hikeable portions of the trail in North Carolina. Please refer to the map for the locations. Trail #308 & Road #5545 – Yellow Mtn. Gap, Avery Co. – 1.5 Miles Overmountain Victory NHT – Elkin, NC – 3.75 Miles Yadkin River Greenway – Wilkesboro, NC – 7 Miles Overmountain Victory NHT – W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir – 11 Miles Yadkin River Greenway – Caldwell County, NC – 1 Mile Patterson School Overmountain Trail – Caldwell County – 1 Mile Glllespie Gap – Blue Ridge Parkway, NC – 5.75 Miles Rose Creek Trail – West Side of Blue Ridge Parkway, MP 326 – 1.4 Miles Black Bear Tract Trail – North Shore of Lake James – 2.1 Miles Trail #308G & Road #1238 – Pisgah National Forest – 4.1 Miles 1780 Community – North Shore of Lake James - 1 Mile Paddy's Creek Trail – New Part of Lake James State Park – 2.3 Miles Overmountain Victory NHT – Lake James State Park – 1.5 Miles Catawba River Greenway – Morganton, NC – 5 Miles Overmountain Victory NHT – Rutherfordton, NC – 3 Miles Alexander's Ford Trail – Polk Co., NC – 2 Miles Overmountain Vineyards – Polk Co., NC – 1 Mile WALKABLE TRAILS
Page 56
56 Sycamore Shoals At Sycamore Shoals, a state park has been created to preserve this important historical area. Sycamore Shoals was the staging area for the Overmountain Men in September of 1780. Major Patrick Ferguson, frustrated that the settlers were complicating matters for the Throne, told the Patriot leaders that if they didn’t lay down their arms, he would, “hang your leaders and lay waste to your country with fire and sword.” As his message spread, so did the outrage of the settlers. Colonels Isaac Shelby, Samuel Phillips, John Sevier, William Campbell, Arthur Campbell, Charles McDowell, and Andrew Hampton set out to gather men to fight Ferguson. They met at Sycamore Shoals, where they prepared for their upcoming march and battle. Reverend Samuel Doak said to the assembled men, “The enemy is marching hither to destroy your homes.…Go forth, then, in the strength of your manhood to the aid of your brethren, the defense of your liberty and the protection of your homes.”
Page 57
57
Page 58
58 Liberty Liberty ! ! The Saga of The Saga of Sycamore Shoals Sycamore Shoals These men were not soldiers. They were pioneers. They lacked military training and supplies, but they had fight in their hearts. After gathering nearly 1,000 men, they started their journey of some 330 miles to Kings Mountain. The fight in their hearts helped secure the freedom of all Americans. The park’s visitor center houses interpretive history exhibits, a bookstore and gift shop, and park information. When you visit, be sure to walk the 1.2-mile Patriot’s Path which follows the bank of the Wagauga River and features signs detailing the area's historical events. Sycamore Shoals features a reconstruction of the 18th century Fort Watauga, which served as the setting for many important historical events. The reconstruction is a highlight of the park, and attracts Revolutionary War buffs from around the world. The park also features educational programming and musters presented by the Washington county Regiment of North Carolina Militia. There is an annual reenactment of the Siege of Fort Watauga that draws many reenactors and audence members. You can also check out Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals, Tennessee’s official Outdoor Drama, shown below. It runs weekends during the month of June. The play tells the story of the colonists who settled in the area during the late 18th century.
Page 59
59 D scove TOURCARTERCOUNTY.COM FIND YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE Nestled in Northeast Tennessee’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Carter County has everything you need to plan the perfect Tennessee vacation. It’s a one-stop shop for experiencing natural beauty, history and outdoor recreation all in a family-friendly atmosphere. Eizabehto Covere Bidg Roa Mountai Sycamor Soal S at Histori Par
Page 60
60
Page 61
61 Quaker Meadows On September 30th, in 1780, Overmountain men were making their way southeast from Abingdon and Sycamore Shoals. They met up with the militia groups of the foothills at Quaker Meadows, the largest plantation in the area, owned by the McDowell family. The 1,400 militiamen were hungry and tired, having already had a difficult journey, and the men leading the militias needed time to plan their attack.
Page 62
62 At this point in our history, British forces had a nasty habit of stealing cattle to feed their troops. Because of this, the McDowell family had their cattle hidden up in the mountains, where Avery County is now. To feed 1,400 hungry people, the McDowells sent enslaved people to fetch enough cattle to feed them. The woman of the house offered the top boards from the split-fail fence to build fires for cooking. Small fires burned along the Catawba River, cooking up beef that the men feasted on. The commanding officers met under a large tree on the property. It was afterward called the Council Oak. When lightning eventually struck the tree down, the trunk had a circumference of 23 feet. In the bottom left corner of the photograph above, you can see a horse and buggy with Manly McDowell, a descendant of Charles, for scale. There, the men discussed how they should organize the troops and their battle plans. The large group camped overnight before continuing south the next morning. The house that stands on the property now was built in 1812 by Captain Charles McDowell, and it is an excellent example of 19th-century architecture. The Historic Burke Foundation owns the house, and they offer educational programming throughout the year and reenactments.
Page 63
63 MIND YOUR BUSINESS Purchase this limited edition Foothills Digest T-shirt online by using the QR Code included below. The shirt is viscose hemp and cotton. Hemp was the major crop grown for textiles in Revolutionary Era America. 8 2 8 . 4 7 5 . 1 3 2 3 Memphis Aug 2022 Macbeth Oct 2022 The Lifespan of a Fact Nov 2022 The Drowsy Chaperone Dec 2022 Rock of Ages Jan-Feb 2023 Cadillac Crew Feb-Mar 2023 The Play that Goes Wrong Mar-Apr 2023 Exit Pursued by Bear Apr-May 2023 Kinky Boots Jun 2023
Page 64
64
Page 65
65 Kings Mountain Visit the State Park at Kings Mountain to enjoy a day outside. The Kings Mountain National Military Park, inside the bounds of the state park, is the location of the battle. During the Battle of Kings Mountain, most Loyalists used muskets, a more traditional weapon for war. Most of the Patriots used rifles, which were used for hunting. They were much more accurate at long distances, but they weren’t as powerful as the muskets. This necessitated a different fighting style for each side. The Loyalists were trained to fight like the British. They expected neat lines and steady marches. But the Patriots were used to hunting animals or fighting Cherokee, and both required stealth. The Patriots could sneak up on the Loyalists because the miserable rain they’d been enduring softened the sound and dust of their horses' feet. And since their rifles could hit a target at 200 or 300 feet, much farther than a musket, the Patriots had a clear advantage, even though they were slightly outnumbered, at 1,100 troops to their 910. Only 28 Patriots were killed, but 290 Loyalists lost their lives. Thomas Jefferson called the Battle of Kings Mountain “The turn of the tide of success.” The battle fought here was one of the only battles of the Revolutionary War fought entirely by Americans. The only British person fighting was Captain Ferguson. He declared, “I am the king of this mountain and. God Almighty cannot drive me from it.” After a declaration like that, it’s fitting that he died in the battle and was buried on the mountain so that he’d never have to leave. You can visit his grave, covered with stones and featuring a small gravestone. A large obelisk also commemorates the battle.
Page 66
“I remember well the deep and grateful impression made on the minds of every one by that memorable victory. It was the joyful annunciation of that turn of the tide of success which terminated the Revolutionary War, with the seal of our independence.” Thomas Jefferson, 40 years after the Battle of Kings Mountain In late September of each year, reenactors begin their march to Kings Mountain. Their purpose is to interpret and celebrate the march that led to the battle that turned a tide of the Revolutionary War. Along the trail, audiences join them, and educational programming is provided. They follow the Overmountain Victory Trail, 330 miles long, as it weaves through many cities and towns, and four states, on the way to the Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina.
Page 67
67 Overmountain Victory Trail Reenactment The group gathered in Abingdon, Virginia, on September 23rd, the same day the men gathered there in 1780. The reenactment ends with the anniversary observance of the victory on October 7th at the Kings Mountain National Military Park. The Overmountain Victory Trail Association has specific dates and locations on its website: www.ovta.org. You can also call 423-366-8639 to find out more about the trail and the march or learn how you can join Overmountain Victory Trail Association.
Page 68
68 Horn in the West Horn in the West For 70 years, summer nights in Boone, North Carolina, have been punctuated by the sound of gunfire. It’s the crescendo of the Battle of Kings Mountain in the final scenes of Boone’s most iconic tourist attraction, Horn In the West. It was September 15, 1951, when a group of Watauga County natives met to begin the process of creating an outdoor drama. They believed that this could bring tourists to the area and be worth “more than eight factories.” This was an enormous undertaking. They set to the tasks of hiring a playwright and building an amphitheater, which also required fundraising. Twenty-four individuals gave $1,000 each, and the ground was broken in March of 1952. The team hired renowned author Kermit Hunter and stressed that the show should not exploit negative “hillbilly” stereotypes but instead should show the true nature of Appalachian people. The story follows a group of colonists who fought in the Battle of Alamance and were subsequently forced to flee. They settle in the mountains with the help of Daniel Boone. The individual characters are a work of fiction, except Dan’l, Dragging Canoe, and Nancy Ward, but the events are historical. The second act takes place in 1780, during the Revolutionary War, and ends after the Battle of Kings Mountain. The battle turned the tide of the war and was fought by people living here in the foothills and mountains of the Southern Appalachians.
Page 69
69
Page 70
70 The show was an instant success. It opened on June 27, 1952, less than four months after breaking ground. More than 54,000 people came to see Horn In The West’s first season, which helped shape the tourism industry in Boone. Over the years, the story hasn’t changed much, although countless actors have graced the stage, bringing their own unique traits to the characters, and many talented directors have left their marks.
Page 71
71 In an increasingly virtual world, the image you use to represent yourself sets the tone for how clients see you. Make sure what they are seeing is the best version of your authentic self. Jon Eckard's portrait photography has a way of cutting through superficial layers and capturing the essence of a person. Call us today at 828.475.1323 to set up your session. We are also a full-service commercial photography studio, and can help with any needs your business has, from real-estate photos, to product photography and everything in between. We can also create catalogues and end-of-year reports, or printed advertising materials. Eckard Photography is the partner business of Foothills Digest, and it consists of the same creative team. ECKARDPHOTOGRAPHIC.COM 828.475.1323
Page 72
72 The history of our country is complicated, and there are terrible stories mixed in with the triumphant ones. The years around the Revolutionary War were particularly messy, with shifting alliances and clashing cultures. Horn in the West reflects this, with characters who oppose the Crown and fear Native Americans while also occasionally working with the Cherokee, especially Nancy Ward. The play is exciting, but it’s also meaningful, and it helps the audience connect to the deeper truths of war and revolution. The Revolutionary War can seem dull, stuffy, and even boring in history books. But revolution couldn’t possibly be boring, and this play helps hammer that point home. It leaves the audience to reflect on the cost of the freedom we enjoy. Horn in the West is a powerful experience, both as an audience member and an actor. We spoke with Shauna Godwin, artistic director. She’s been involved with Horn in the West for many years, and in many ways, including playing Nancy Ward. We asked what keeps bringing her back.
Page 73
73
Page 74
“The energy of the community is what always calls me back home. Community, meaning the company (cast/crew) of ‘Horn,’ the community/ communities we’re telling the story about, the community of Boone itself, and the community created between the performers and the audience- even if just for an evening. The bond that is created during this production season after season is indescribable, honestly. Those who have been a part of it know all too well. That’s something that is very special to me." We talked to several other people who have been involved with the show what it is that makes the show important. “Horn in the west is important because not only does it allow the community to take a peek into life of the 18th century and teach history of the backcountry, though dramatized, it also brings together all sorts of people from different places. It’s a local jewel, and it brings actors and technicians from so many different places and creates a sort of home away from home for a summer. The show itself has so much history outside of the script, and it really brings together its own community. It’s brought people out of their shells; it’s helped others find new passions and hobbies. It’s an art, an experience I’d never want to forget.” Xeleighta Bernardo, Played Nancy Ward, seen on page 70, bottom.
Page 75
75 “I believe the story told by Horn in the West is very important to tell. It chronicles the story of the suffering of the common colonists pre the USA. They were being taxed to death literally and had no voice in Parliament. They summoned themselves when threatened and changed the course of history. Still relevant and important to tell this story.” James “Shaggy” Hildebran, Actor "My life at Horn in the West began in 1988 at three years of age. My mother, Jenny Cole (better known as Widow Howard), brother and I had our start among the cast of villagers. I even had a short stint as Dr. Stuart’s young son, Davie Stuart. My big two-word principal line was an excited “YES SIR!” and I even got to sign some autographs. From there I would fill the role of chorus, dancer, and one year as Assistant Music Director. My lifelong friendships and immeasurable experiences there remain a cherished chapter of my life. I count Horn as an integral part of my upbringing, as only a stage experience can offer. As the saying goes: if you know, you know. It goes without saying that Horn granted me not only a rich education in theatrical production but also of the American Revolution. Hearing the words of The Declaration of Independence night after night, acting as a family losing our father in the war. Celebrating, mourning, living as the settlers would have in the colonial era is an education far beyond anything I would experience sitting in a classroom. I’m grateful for what Horn has given me and I look forward to my own two daughters someday experiencing the same." Jessica Reed Performer
Page 76
76 For 15 summers I had the honor of being in the outdoor dramaHorn in the West in Boone North Carolina. 14 of those years I was allowed to play Daniel Boone, one of the best if not the best rolls I’ve ever played. It’s not easy to play a character with a name like Boone because everyone has an idea about what he should be like. I just had to put my own spin on what he was and what he was about and push it out to the public and hope they could except it. I raise my family through a lot of Horn in the West myself my wife my kids all working during the summers. There for a while it was the greatest place on earth. Wes Martin Actor, former Daniel Boone
Page 77
77 ADVERTISE ADVERTISE TO A TO A CAPTIVATED CAPTIVATED AUDIENCE AUDIENCE Foothills Digest is ad supported, and we pride ourselves on being an excellent advertising vehicle. We’d love for you to join our team. Foothills Digest is created by Jon and Carmen Eckard, of Eckard Photographic, and we can also help you with any of your commercial photography needs. Interested in knowing more about how we can help your business? You can reach out to us at (828) 475-1323 , or email us at editor@foothillsdigest.com .
Page 78
78 Autographs Horn in the West
Page 79
79
Page 81
Powerful Powerful Déjà Vu Déjà Vu with Bob Timberlake with Bob Timberlake
Page 82
82 Bob Timberlake is very well-known for his paintings of life in rural North Carolina. And so, it often happens that he gets a call about a place someone thinks he should visit. They all hope that the spot that captures their imagination will also capture his. Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t. When a friend mentioned a house off the beaten path that dated to the Revolutionary era, It piqued Timberlake’s interest. After some adventurous traveling, he found the Eli Moore House, a simple cabin with a steep gable roof. Nature was encroaching, as she
Page 83
83 often does. While no modern roads are in sight, an ancient roadbed curved around the house. Timberlake said he was struck by a “powerful déjà vu.” He’d certainly never visited the spot before, but it resonated deeply and gave him a strange feeling that persisted. He drew the house with soldiers marching up the roadbed (shown above), and he went home. But he couldn’t stop thinking about the place, so he drew it again. And
Page 84
84 then he drew it again. Over the next few months, he made over a dozen drawings and paintings. All the while, the feeling persisted, and he knew he needed to research the home. The Eli Moore House is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It housed generations of blacksmiths and stayed in the Moore family for more than five generations. The blacksmith shop, once on sight, was moved to the High Point Historical Museum and restored. Timberlake still couldn’t explain the feeling, but then an old family story came to his mind. Timberlake’s 4th great- grandfather was Valentine L e o n h a r d t . L e o n h a r d t emigrated from Germany and settled in what is now Davidson (then Rowan) County on land that was afterward called Leonhardt’s Creek. He enlisted in the Revolutionary cause at the age of 55 along with his sons and his friend Wooddrich Fritz. Under the command of Captain John Lopp, Leonhardt and Fritz had the distinct honor of being tasked with raising an army to meet with General Greene as he marched towards the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The two combed the countryside, successfully gathering men.
Page 86
86 Experience Outdoor Theatre in Valdese, NC Experience Experience The 54th season chronicles the struggles of the Waldensian people, known as “People of the Valleys”, from the Cottian Alps of North- ern Italy as they seek religious and civil freedom. Share in the heroic journey of faith, hope and courage that led to twenty-nine original set- tlers founding the beautiful town of Valdese, North Carolina in 1893. Fridays & Saturdays: July 15 - Aug. 13 at 8pm 828-522-1150 oldcolonyplayers.com
Page 87
87 Their path took them down the ancient roadbed in front of the Eli Moore House. It’s thought the house is the oldest in the county, and it’s likely that the group of assembled and traveling men would have stopped at the house for water and rest. Could this explain the feeling Timberlake couldn’t shake? When Leonhardt and Fritz joined up with Major General Nathaniel Greene, they had approximately 1,200 men. Major Greene’s forces then numbered 4,400 troops, of which only 1,600 were Continental Regulars. They met and fought General Cornwallis’ 2,200 men, which included Hessian mercenaries. The battle was bloody, with more than 600 casualties. The British technically won the battle, but lost so many men that Cornwallis said, "Another victory like that will cost us the war." Both Leonhardt and Fritz, who fought side by side, returned home safely to their families. But any relief they may have felt was folly. Late one evening, as Leonhardt sat by his fire reading his family Bible, a group of revenge-minded local Tories snuck up to his door. They shot him where he sat. He died from his wounds 11 days later. The Bible, shown at right, has stayed in the family and provides an invaluable link to the past. At the same time, another group was sneaking up on Fritz, and he met a similar fate.
Page 88
88 The two men were pillars of the community they were helping to build, and this loss shocked everyone who heard about it. They were buried in the same grave and mourned together. For many years, the cemetery where they lay was called Leonhardt’s Church Cemetery. Now, it’s called the Pilgrim United Church of Christ Cemetery in Lexington, NC. In 1896 a beautiful obelisk was installed in their honor. The inscription reads, “The heroes buried in this spot were cruelly assassinated in their own homes by Tories near the close of the Revolutionary War. They were Patriots and bravely fought for American Independence.” When a young Bob Timberlake met Kay Musgrave, their destinies felt entwined. As it turns out, Kay’s fourth great-grandfather was Wooldrich Fritz. Two heroic men had worked together, fought together, and died together, and now their descendants had found each other again. Timberlake and Musgrave married and had three children who have had children who have had children. The first children of the eleventh generations of these men have recently been born, carrying on the bloodline of each of these Revolutionary War Heroes. Could a moment shared between two men with a critical job could reverberate all these years later in the heart of an artist who is steeped with heritage? I have to say; I just don’t think it’s impossible. You can visit the Timberlake Gallery in Lexington to view or purchase art born out of a powerful déjà vu. You can reach them at (336) 249-4428.
Page 89
89
Page 90
90 The Battle Of Guilford Courthouse Guilford Courthouse Photography by Jerry Wolford One of the most pivotal battles in the War of Independence happened on March 15, 1781, at Guilford Courthouse. For years, the fighting had been concentrated in the North, but 1779 and 1780 saw considerable action in the South. General Cornwallis led the British forces. The Patriot forces were led by Major General Nathanael Greene, second in command to General George Washington. He was placed in command of the Continental Army in the South in 1780. Greene divided his troops to fight Cornwallis on multiple fronts. In 1779, Patriots suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Charleston, but The Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780 turned the tide in favor of the Patriots. Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, for whom Morganton is named, led part of the men into battle in Cowpens, South Carolina, successfully defeating the British. For months, the Patriot and British forces had been engaged in the “Race to the Dan.” The Race to the Dan was a strategic retreat led by Major General Nathanael Greene, namesake of Greensboro. It was a game of “catch me if you can.” For a long time, General Cornwallis couldn’t catch them but was often right on their heels. General Greene was attempting to get his troops across the Dan River, where they could safely await new supplies and get some much-needed rest. Traditionally called the Guilford Courthouse Battle Flag, historians now think this flag was probably created later, because it appears that there were originally 14 stripes. Courtesy of the NC Museum of History.
Page 91
91
Page 92
92 Along the way, there were minor skirmishes and grueling marches, but there was also time to rest. On February 15th, Greene’s forces crossed the Dan. High waters soon arrived, and Cornwallis and his troops could not cross. This was a time of preparation for the coming battle. The troops regrouped and waited for supplies to arrive, then prepared to depart for Guilford Courthouse, which Major General Greene (shown at left) had determined to be an excellent place for a battle. We are fortunate to have some first-hand accounts of the battle, like the following pension application of Jeremiah Gurley. About February 1781, there was a draft in that County to reinforce the American army in North Carolina, which it was expected would shortly engage
Page 93
93 the British in a battle. Affiant’s brother being drafted for three months, he determined to go with him. He enlisted as a substitute for one whose name is forgotten. With his brother, William, he was put under Captain Hardy Bryan & marched to join Major General Greene, then stated to be in Guilford County. They united with General Butler on Haw River, who conducted them to Greene’s army. General Greene put most of the militia under regular officers, and affiant and his company were under Colonel Eaton. General Greene moved with his forces toward the waste fields near Guilford Courthouse and entered them from the east on the morning of 15th March. Earl Cornwallis’ (shown at right) army at the same time appeared in the western part of the space & opened a cannonade. Affiant and his company were near the center of Greene’s line, which opened at the center, & the artillery passed through, formed in front & returned the cannonade. The action then became general and lasted several hours. Affiant’s brother was killed at his side, but he, himself was not wounded. At the close of the battle, General Greene retired to Troublesome Iron works where his army reached about nightfall.
Page 94
94 T he battle raged for over two hours. It was tremendously bloody. Greene ordered a retreat, meaning that the battle was a technical victory for the British. But, the Patriots fought fiercely, and Cornwallis lost over one-quarter of his men. After Greene retreated, Cornwallis did not follow. Instead, he abandoned the Southern Campaign entirely. One British Parliamentarian said, “Another such victory would ruin the British army.” And so, the technical defeat was a strategic victory for the Patriots. The War for Independence had one remaining battle in Yorktown, and Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington on October 19th. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse was pivotal to American victory and independence. Major General Nathanael Greene is widely considered “the greatest military genius of the war.” He wasn’t scared to lose a battle to win the war, and Americans all owe him a debt. “ Don’ t be surprised if my movements don’ t correspond with your ideas of military propriety. War is an intricate business, and people are often saved by ways and means they least look for or expect. ” -Nathanael Greene, Major General of the Continental Army
Page 95
95
Page 96
96 Map of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, drawn in 1781.
Page 97
97 Surrender of Lord Cornwallis Surrender of Lord Cornwallis by John Trumbull, 1826, in the Capitol Rotunda This painting depicts the end of the War of American Independence. It's one of four Revolutionary scenes on display in the Capitol Rotunda. The Siege of Yorktown began on September 28, 1781. The American victory led to the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis. On the morning of October 17, a drummer appeared, followed by an officer waving a white handkerchief. Two days of negotiations led to a ceremony on October 19th to officially end the war. The battles fought in the South in the two years leading up to the surrender weakened Cornwallis' army considerably and helped to ensure the victory. The Patriots that are now our ancestors are responsible for our freedom, and we have a responsibility to make their fight worth something and protect the freedom they so often gave their lives for.
Page 98
98 Continental Currency During the war, the Continental Congress began printing money, in part, to pay for the war effort. Before this point in history, each colony had its own money, and a few coins were printed. This Continental Currency was the first attempt at having a standardized currency across the whole of America. A Continental dollar was worth 8 of North Carolina’s shillings. Money was printed in denominations from 1/6th of a dollar to $80, with many unusual denominations included. Congress issued $241,552,780 worth of Continental Currency. However, it quickly devalued. This was partly because Congress kept printing more, but it was also because of counterfeiters. That was a crime punishable by death, and several people were hanged for it. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “The artists they employed performed so well that immense quantities of these counterfeits issued from the British government in New York were circulated among the inhabitants of all the states before the fraud was detected. This operated significantly in depreciating the whole mass.” The phrase “not worth a Continental” comes from this time and references the extreme depreciation. In 1780, the bills were worth only 1/40th of their original value. By 1781, they’d depreciated so severely they were removed from circulation. The experience caused the Constitutional Convention to forbid individual states from “mak(ing) any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts.” Interestingly, instead of the familiar “In God We Trust,” Continental Currency had two slogans. They were “Mind Your Business” and “We Are One.” The term “Fugio” is also included, which means, “I flee.” This design was resurrected in 1787 for the first United States Penny. It’s known as the “Fugio Cent,” shown on the left.
Page 99
99
Page 100
100 Genealogy By Carmen Eckard Earlier this year, I began researching my genealogy and my husband’s. I think you should explore yours too! I’m not sure there is any concrete reason that a person should dive into their ancestry, but I found it had a profound impact on me. Along with names, I found stories of people I descended from, and they made me feel proud and curious. We were delighted to find that my husband’s 5th great-grandfather Coonrad Hildebrand, owned a powder mill and the land between Jacob Fork and Henry River. He supplied gun powder and shot for the Patriots and fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain under Captain McDowell. That’s certainly a proud heritage. One of my favorite stories in my own lineage is about Hannah Logan, married to Major Francis Logan. Tories were heading to her house, aiming to harm her husband. He hid under a nearby bridge while Hannah invited the Tories to look for him. She got upset when they began destroying her home and throwing her possessions around the room. She snuck bravely outside, cut the ropes of their horses, and set her hounds after them. All seven Tories had to stop ransacking her house to chase after their horses, lest they be stranded there. Because of her actions, her husband was saved and went on to fight for our independence. She was my 6th great-grandmother.
Page 101
101 Another of my ancestors, Thomas Thorn, fought at the Battles of Kings Mountain and Guilford Courthouse. It’s thrilling to know that my ancestors fought alongside my husband’s ancestors to win our freedom. I’d have never known that if I hadn’t sought out my ancestry. By far, the easiest way to get started on your family tree is to try the two-week free trial at Ancestry. com. I’m not promising you won’t get hooked and stay past two weeks, but two weeks is long enough to find six or seven generations. The internet has made it much easier to find your ancestors. Of course, the internet is made up of people sitting at computer screens, and people are fallible. People also really want to be descended from someone famous or royal, and they sometimes reach conclusions that are, perhaps, a stretch. Because of this, as you research your tree, be sure to verify the information before you trust it. You can often use your local library as a resource when you get stuck, as they usually keep records for the county. There are also many free websites to help you in your search. These include accessgenealogy.com, familysearch.com, and usgenweb.org. Lastly, if you have a library membership, try this free resource, which rivals a paid Ancestry subscription: www.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/ library/do/login. On the following pages, you’ll find a blank ancestry fan chart. We hope you are inspired to research and fill it in. Hey Hey y’all y’all Headed to Headed to the High the High Country? Country?
Page 102
102
Page 103
103
Page 104
104 Can you image becoming friends with your worst enemy, a person that opposed everything you believed sacred in the world, a person that, had you held them in your sights on the battlefield, you would have surely pulled the trigger? The American Revolution caused feelings so strong that families split over the question of loyalty to the crown. In Lincoln County, a father was so incensed that his son wanted to join the Patriot cause, he stood by and watched his child hang. Some say he may have even participated in the deed. Allegiance to one side or another ran high in those days, so the likelihood of civil conversation, much less friendship seemed unlikely, even after the heat of the campaign was over. If this were 1752 and we did not know what was ahead of us, the odds are that the vast majority of western North Carolinian colonists would have been devout subjects of the British Empire. Among the powers of Europe, Great Britain was the biggest, baddest nation the western world had ever seen up until that time. That’s why they had the word “great” in front of their name. The British Navy was the most awesome, feared flotilla on the seas, which meant they ruled the Atlantic or any other ocean they cared to sail. Britain controlled fully one-fourth of the planet then. They DOMINATED. And the colonies were the unpolished jewel in British crown. It’s like having the Incredible Hulk as your bodyguard. Nobody was gonna touch us, as long as we remained loyal. Now there was a price to pay for all that awesomeness. After the British won the French and Indian War on our behalf, extending colonial possessions all the way to the Mississippi, they did hand us a bill for services rendered, somewhere around 77 million pounds (roughly $1.5 quadrillion 2022 dollars). They imposed a few taxes (Stamp Act, Sugar Act, Declaratory Act, Townshend Duties, etc.) to recoup their losses. We thought the debt excessive and made that loudly known. Still, we were under the protection of the biggest, baddest…you get the picture. So it would have been suicide for some crazy colonist to suggest going out on our own. Betting on a successful rebellion at the outset would have been like throwing money away. Most were sure that there was absolutely no way a ragtag gang of uncouth Americans could ever overthrown the British. That’s how my great, great, great, great, great grandfather felt. Elias Powell loved being a loyal subject of the British Crown. One account of those who chose to separate from Mother England described dissenting Patriot rhetoric “as the wild ravings of mad enthusiasts, as treasonable plotting against the Government established by the Grade of God.” Going against the King was “detrimental to law and order” he believed. An 1890 appraisal suggested that people How G reat was this G randfather? By Richard Eller
Page 105
105 regarded Patriots “with as much horror as we do anarchists,” (people who thought no government was better than any government). There was no way Elias was willing to risk his future giving a stiff finger of rebuke to King George III for the risky possibility of self-determination. So when Major Patrick Ferguson issued his Proclamation telling men of the backcountry to get on the side of God and Country (Great Britain), Elias said ‘sign me up.’ His independence minded neighbors were not so sure. Instead, they came looking for the Major to confront his insulting tone. G-G-G-G-G-pop Elias served his country (Britain) as the aide-de-camp for Ferguson, a term that really means glorified assistant, or gopher. Elias was there as Major F. used a silver whistle to train a bunch of farmer Tories (the name for loyalists) how, when and where to march, so in battle they would operate like a well oiled machine, a real trick considering the men were amateurs and well oiled machines weren’t that well oiled as the Industrial Revolution was just cranking up.
Page 106
106 Elias was also there when his side lost the Battle of Kings Mountain. Ferguson tried to escape but got hit with at least seven lead slugs. Elias helped carry the body of his commander to a grave on Kings Mountain where the Major rests, to this day. When the silver whistle dropped from Ferguson’s body, Elias picked it up (sounds nicer than taking it) and kept it as a memento. Down through the ages it supposedly remained in the family (not my branch, I’ve never seen it). Almost 700 surviving Tories were taken prisoner. Elias counted himself lucky. He was not among the nine who were hanged at Widow Biggerstaff’s farm near present- day Rutherfordton. Instead, the Patriot victors marched him to Hillsborough for parole. He returned to the home of his widowed mother, content to sit out the rest of the war. Elias Powell farmed, he married, he fathered children. He also talked about the biggest event of his life, the Battle of Kings Mountain and his part in it. He lived in a section of what is now Caldwell County called Powelltown, named for his family but possibly not for him, after all, he was on the losing side, though at his death, his neighbors called him a respected member of the community. If you want to find Powelltown, you have to first go to the city named for another participant in the battle, someone on the winning side. This man was just a few years older than Elias. During the fight, a shot severed his queue (an 18th century term for his ponytail). He was lucky that was his only injury. His name was William Lenoir. According to eyewitness accounts, Elias Powell and William Lenoir became “good friends and visited each other in good fellowship.” Elias’ grandson relayed a story that his grandfather “told the General (Lenoir) that his conscience would not allow him to fight against the King and the mother country and that the General seem to well understand his position.” William Lenoir went on to serve as the Speaker of the North Carolina Senate, while the son of Elias, George Powell hosted, in his general store, the drive to establish the new county of Caldwell. When it came time to name the county seat, members honored an opponent, then friend of the Powell family, William Lenoir. Elias Powell gave everything for a cause he believed in. However, once the contest was decided, he gained a greater perspective, accepting the outcome and refusing to hold a grudge against those he once fought. Likewise, William Lenoir was gracious. If either kept the bitterness going, they would have missed out on many a stimulating conversation, hours of connection and a relationship that benefited them both. Their friendship set a hopeful example of what the new republic could become, an exchange of ideas between two remarkable personalities that could both be called gentlemen, because as F. Scott Fitzgerald said generations later, “the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind, at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”
Page 107
107 Who Were the Tories? Tories weren’t boogeymen. They didn’t have horns or pitchforks. Nearly one out of three North Carolina colonists remained loyal to the throne for a myriad of reasons. England was the dominant military force in the world, and many considered the mere thought of fighting against it to be absurd, so they remained loyal because they thought it safer. Others had government jobs or religious reasons. Fathers and sons lined up on different sides of this War for Independence, and it was our first civil war.
Page 108
108 Hickory Ridge Homestead
Page 109
109 Hickory Hickory Ridge Ridge Homestead Homestead A living history museum on the A living history museum on the grounds of grounds of Horn in the West Horn in the West
Page 110
110
Page 111
111 O n the grounds of Horn in the West , you’ll find an excellent living history museum called The Hickory Ridge Homestead. Their motto is “Keeping Yesterday For Tomorrow.” The museum focuses on the Colonial era, and it is laid out as a park. It includes six historic cabins, complete with authentic artifacts and furnishings. The staff wear period costumes and are excited to share historical facts and answer questions. Throughout the year, several reenactments help bring the history to life. There are demonstrations of spinning, weaving, cooking traditional food over an open fire, blacksmithing, tomahawk throwing, candle dipping, shooting black-powder guns, basket weaving, and more. At the left, Kathleen Baker prepares a meal inside the Tatum Cabin, which dates to the end of the Revolutionary War. Since she was born, Kathleen has been involved with the Hickory Ridge Homestead and has actively participated since she was five years old. Her godmother Gail Fannon was lovingly called “the Mother of Hickory Ridge Homestead,” and Kathleen always enjoyed going to the homestead with her. Today, she helps educate the many people who visit the Hickory Ridge Homestead. Admission is $10 or under, and you can see tours on Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. The park is closed on Sundays and Mondays. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Page 112
If you had visited the Piedmont and Backcountry of North Carolina in the late 18th or early 19th Centuries, you would have found that most houses you stopped at, be it a log cabin, or a fancy house made of brick or stone, would have contained some form of longrifle. The American Longrifle got its beginning in Pennsylvania where local gunsmiths took the attributes of the English fowling gun with a long slender smooth-bore barrel and married it to the German Jaeger with a short, rifled barrel to create the longrifle. In the backcountry, a longrifle was a necessary tool. The majority that were made we very plain and tended to be used very hard. Few of this type survive. They were often used for hunting to put meat on the table. They were also used for self-defense. Longrifles could also be a status symbol. If you were a man of wealth in 1800, you could not go out and buy a Ferrari, Porsche, or even a Mercedes to impress your friends. You could have a fancy longrifle made that you could show Longrifles in North Carolina By Michael Briggs
Page 113
113 off. In many cases, other than a mans home and land, his longrifle was the most expensive item he every purchased. It is the expensive ornate longrifles that usually survive. No one ever feel out of a tree while deer hunting with one of these. The best of North Carolina longrifles are often some of the most ornate of our regional decorative arts. Students and collectors of North Carolina Longrifles divide these arms into nine regional styles referred to as schools. There were nine schools of rifle making in North Carolina between 1770 and 1870: 1. Bear Creek School; 2. Early Deep River School; 3. Jamestown School; 4. Salem School; 5. Davidson School; 6. Rowan School; 7. Mecklenburg School; 8. Catawba Valley School; 9. Appalachian School.
Page 114
114 1: The Bear Creek School was located in Moore and Chatham Counties. The key gunsmiths were the Kennedy family in Moore County and the Harper family in Chatham County. 2. Early Deep River School: This school operated between 1765 to 1810. The most important gunsmiths were Matthew Osborne, David Grose, and Craft Jackson in Guilford County, and Alexander Frazier in Randolph County, and two gunsmiths in Alamance County. 3. The Jamestown School: This school operated between 1800 and 1903 and was the largest school in North Carolina with 85 named gunsmiths. The founder was Thaddeus Gardner. The most important gunsmiths were William Lamb, Jabez Stephens, Henry Wright, Anderson Lamb, Thomas Fletcher Merritt. Evan Johnson, Levin T. Stack, Ithamer Armfield, and Solomon H. Ward. 4. The Salem School: This school operated between 1854 and 1909. The most important gun smiths were Andreas Betz, John Valentine Beck, Jacob Loesch, Jr. Christoph Vogler, John Vogler, Nathaniel Vogler, George Vogler, Timothy Vogler, George Foltz, Herman Buttner, Elias Schaub, and William Dettmar. 5. The Davidson School: This school operated between 1800 and 1860. The most important gunsmiths were Henry Ledford, Andrew Long, Solomon Farrington, Felix Long, and Solomon Long. 6. The Rowan School: This School operated between 1770 and 1840. The most important gunsmiths were Henry Bruner, George Eagle, John Eagle, and Isaac Ribelin. David Kennedy Longrifle, circa 1811, Moore County, N.C. Circa 1775 Early Deep River School rifle, possibly by Matthew Osborne Circa 1830 Jamestown Rifle by William Lamb Circa 1830 Davidson School by Henry Ledford Circa 1827 Rowan School Longrifle by Isaac Ribelin Circa 1807 Salem School by John Vogler
Page 115
115 7. The Mecklenburg School: This School operated between 1770 and 1840. The most important gunsmiths were Isaac Price, Zenas Alexander, William Black, Samuel Black, Isaac Thompson and Christian Arney. 8. The Catawba Valley Longrifle School: This school operated between 1820 and 1870. The most important gunsmiths were Daniel Speck, Samuel Peterson, Abram Cook, Henry W. Huffman, and W.E. Jones. 9. The Appalachian Longrifle School: This school operated between 1820 and 1870. The most important gunsmiths were Joseph McDowell Whitson, Robert Hughes, Henry West, John R. Gillespie, Matthew Gillespie, Phillip Gillespie, and Harvey Gillespie. C. Michael Briggs is a native of Greensboro. He was educated at Ben L. Smith High School and Rockingham Community College. He is the President and C.E.O. of Call Coverage, Inc. a 45-year-old business that specializes in Unified Communications. He is a longtime student of local history and a collector of Piedmont North Carolina Decorative Arts including North Carolina Longrifles and Banded Powder Horns. He has given programs on these subjects for the National Park Service, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Greensboro Historical Museum, High Point Museum, Rowan Museum, Davidson County Historical Museum, and the Charlotte Museum of History. He resides in Greensboro with his wife Nancy . Briggs books are available in person or by mail order at 103 Battle Road Greensboro, N.C. 27410 Circa 1813 Mecklenburg School Longrifle by William Black Circa 1834 Catawba Valley School Longrifle by Henry W. Huffman Circa 1838 Appalachian School Longrifle by Joseph McDowell Whitson
Page 116
116
Page 117
Reenacting Reenacting is a popular American pastime, but it isn’t unique to our country. In fact, even Ancient Romans staged famous battles. The American Revolution and the Civil War are the most popular subjects for American reenactors. If you’re interested in reenacting, you’ll want to know about the 6th North Carolina Regiment. Officially called The North Carolina Historical Reenactment Society, the group is a non-profit organization. Formed in 1961, the 6th North Carolina Regiment has been reenacting the Revolutionary War for over 60 years. To the best of our knowledge, they are the oldest reenactment group in the nation. The group visits National and State historic sites all over North Carolina, hosting demonstrations and educational performances. We talked with a handful of the members during the annual Hickory Ridge Militia Muster. Brett Wallis, shown at left, told us, “ I fell in love with history. 1989 was my first event—July 4th in Old Salem, Winston Salem. A guy I worked with would come in on Monday mornings telling us of these great adventures he had reenacting, and so, I happened to be the same size as his son. I borrowed his clothes for that event, and I just fell in love with it. We used to do an event in Colonial Williamsburg. Well, his son was going, and so I had to come up with my own clothes. My fiance and I cranked out clothes between July 4th and Labor Day Weekend. I’d never sewn a lick in my life. Now I do hand sewing, and I make everything from scratch. I’m 18thCenturyTailor on Instagram! I’m in love with the clothes. Most reenactors won’t say they are in love with the clothes, but I am.”
Page 118
118 You can see pictures from his Instagram on the left. We also talked with Lauren Osborne, shown at right. He is the Quartermaster for the 6th North Carolina Regiment. He said, “ My story is opposite from most people. My son fell in love with history. Taking him to reenactments made me decide to join. I wanted to do it with him. Now he teaches at Appalachian and is a Senior Interpreter here at Hickory Ridge Homestead. I started out with borrowed clothes, then we bought some, but that’s an expensive venture. So I learned how to sew. I made some clothes for the Horn in the West show! I made the coat Captain MacKenzie wears.” [Editor's Note: You can see that coat on the magazine's cover.] We couldn’t resist talking to his son, Taylor Osborne. He said, “ Since middle school, I’ve been interested in the Revolutionary War. In high school, I did my senior thesis on the Southern Campaign, because people just don’t know about it. And me and my dad went to reenactments to research, and after the project was over, we were still going to reenactments. We decided it looked like it would be more fun on the other side of the rope, so we joined the 6th North Carolina. That was 2016, and we’ve been doing this ever since. It’s just a good way to bring history to life.” Doug Mitchell brought his grandchildren with him, and they were all clearly having a grand time. He said, “I just enjoy talking about this. We do a lot of stuff with the schools, and I enjoy teaching the kids and interacting with the public. It’s fun to step back in the 18th century and walk as our grandfathers did.” We asked his grandsons (shown on page 14) what they liked about coming. One answered , “It’s a lot of fun. You get to go cool places, and sometimes we get to shoot a gun. Plus, we get to dress up in old costumes.” Mitchell’s granddaughter, shown at right, nodded her head in agreement, then sprinted off to another activity.
Page 119
119 Looking around the Hickory Ridge Homestead during the annual Hickory Ridge Muster, it’s clear that the reenactors aren’t the only ones having fun. You don’t have to invest in a costume or join a regiment to enjoy reenacting. Like any acting, audiences are an essential part of the fun! But it’s more than fun. Living History is unique in the way that it touches us. We can read about history in books from sun up to sundown, but experiencing it with our senses is radical. It makes an impression. So reenactments are doing the vital work of helping us connect to our history. They allow us to dive deeper and ask more questions.
Page 120
120 There's an old saying that if we don’t learn the past, we’re bound to repeat it. There’s a lot of wisdom in that, so we appreciate everyone contributing to living history opportunities, from the youngest children, like the one at the left placing “Graces,” to the most seasoned performer. R e e n a c t o r s t a k e this responsibility seriously. Mark Crosby has been reenacting since he was a boy. He says, “Because of my affiliation with my unit, I have been able to be in TV commercials, documentaries, and several major movies. I’ve been able to meet many famous people, including presidents, cabinet members, generals, and some movie stars. What fascinates me about the hobby is how much we DON'T know about the American Revolution and that myths are still being taught as facts. If you’re going to be a reenactor, you will have to study your period.” North Carolina has many opportunities for you to experience Photo by Jerry Wolford
Page 121
121 Natural Natural Elements Elements Of N o r t h C a r o l i n a W e c u r a t e p r o d u c t s f o r a n a t u r a l l i f e s t y l e Our products include: • A full-range of NC CBD products • Elderberry Syrup • Organic vitamins & supplements • Honey • Jewelry • Essential Oils • And more! 1 5 U S H w y 3 2 1 S W H i c k o r y , N C 2 8 6 0 2 8 2 8 / 7 2 9 / 9 8 6 8 8 2 8 / 7 2 9 / 9 8 6 8 2 3 8 M o r g a n t o n B l v d L e n o i r , N C 2 8 6 4 5 8 2 8 / 9 2 9 / 2 4 2 0 8 2 8 / 9 2 9 / 2 4 2 0 Revolutionary War Reenactments. You can check the event calendar at the 6th North Carolina Regiment website here: www.6nc.org/ events. Significant events include the Battle of Guilford Courthouse each March and the Overmountain Victory March, with many events along the trail culminating in the battle of Kings Mountain. That begins in Tennessee in September and ends in October in South Carolina. While not technically part of the Revolutionary War, you can see the Battle of Alamance as well. You can also visit several outdoor theatres like Horn in the West and Thunder Over Carolina. If you’re interested in taking up reenacting as a hobby, you should know that you’ll likely be building lifelong friendships. Mark Crosby also told us, “When I first joined, it was about learning history and having fun. By the end of the Bicentennial, it was more about camaraderie. I’m probably as close to some of these people as I am to family.” Photo by Jerry Wolford
Page 122
122 Photo by Jerry Wolford
Page 123
123 Everyone we spoke with seemed to have a deep respect for history and their own reasons for wanting to help tell the story. Reenacting is storytelling, and storytelling is integral to the human experience. Living history reenactments make a deep and lasting impression, whether you are a member of the audience or a reenactor on the field. We often hear the phrase “freedom isn’t free,” and we think we understand that. However, most of us probably have a flimsy idea of what that means. Veterans know, but many of us need little help to have a fuller understanding. Living history is often that help we need. Photo by Michael Itamura Photo by Michael Itamura
Page 124
124 Many important battles were fought in the South, and most of them are now honored with state or National parks and annual reenactments. Be sure you don’t miss the Annual Overmountain Victory Reenactment or the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Also, check your local history museums and libraries. They are excellent resources. You can also check out the 6th North Carolina Regiment website to find out what reenactments will be happening near you at www.6nc.org. Photo by Jerry Wolford Photo by Michael Itamura
Page 125
125 Join the adventure at 6NC.org
Page 126
Photo by Michael Itamura Please scan this QR code to listen to The Spirit of '76: Music for Fife and Drums.
Page 127
127 Photo by Jerry Wolford
Page 128
128 Fireworks I n th e Foothills
Page 129
129 Did you know that Americans have celebrated the Signing of the Declaration of Independence with fireworks since the first celebration in 1777? It turns out, fireworks are literally as American as apple pie. When John Adams wrote his wife to tell her the Continental Congress has signed the Declaration of Independence, he said, “[This day] ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Page 130
130 In the foothills and High Country of North Carolina, you certainly have a lot of options for watching fireworks to celebrate. We will be at Horn in the West and the Hickory Ridge Homestead, for their “Encampment of the Continental Army” and Fourth of July Celebration. It will also be the opening night of the play. Another excellent option is the 51st annual Beech Mountain Roasting of the Hog. This happens this year on July 2, and a $15 ticket buys you pork and an excellent view of the Fireworks. We like to recommend the fireworks on top of Sugar Mountain as well. The Summit Express chairlift runs until 10:00 pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to get to the top of the mountain to view the fireworks. At the bottom of the mountain, live music will play all evening. If you’ve got an itch to travel over the mountain, we recommend the spectacular fireworks show in Gatlinburg. It starts at 11 pm and happens at the Space Needle. The Whitewater Center in Charlotte hosts a two-day extravaganza on July 3rd and 4th. In addition to their regular offerings, including whitewater rafting, zip-lining, and more, The Whitewater Center will be offering live music, yoga, and fireworks. The annual fireworks in Sylva are much-loved and visible from many places in town. On July 4, we will celebrate our nation's independence with gospel music, preaching, hot dogs, games and a bounce house for the children, and a spectacular fireworks show at our Fifth Annual United We Stand Celebration under the big tent. With special guests including Adam Crabb of the Gaither Vocal Band, Dave Kistler, and The Agee Family. FREE EVENT! Professional FIREWORKS! 7878 Providence Church Rd Vale, NC 5:30-9:30 unitedwestandevent@gmail.com
Page 131
The Crawdads, in Hickory, offer an annual fireworks show. We recommend watching it from a boat in Lake Hickory, if you have one. You’ll want to be just west of the 321 bridge for the best view. Of course, watching it from the stands is also a wonderful experience. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Tweetsie Railroad. They offer the most spectacular fireworks show in the High Country! It’s one of the most popular Summer events in the mountains. The parking lot fills up fast, so we recommend getting there early. The most fun way to do that is to enjoy the day at the park, then tailgate after it closes. The show starts around 9:30. Lincolnton has a parade and fireworks with live music each year. The fireworks show is extensive, costing an average of $25,000. That dollar amount assures a truly excellent show, and Lincolnton never disappoints. Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure offers a whole weekend of Independence celebrations. It includes cookouts, marshmallow roast, movies on the beach, a trout stream pool party, a golf cart parade, a foam party, games, music, fireworks and more. Lake Junaluska’s Independence Day Celebrations include fireworks reflecting over the lake. The weekend long celebration includes concerts and floating wish lanterns Where ever you decide to celebrate this year, it’s our sincere hope that this issue has helped you have a deeper understanding of what we celebrate.
Page 132
132
Page 133
133 In the evening west, beyond the last mountain In the evening west, beyond the last mountain peak, slowly dies the sun in a sea of bronze and peak, slowly dies the sun in a sea of bronze and crimson. The hopes and dreams of mankind lie not crimson. The hopes and dreams of mankind lie not in the East, but in the fiery land of the sunset. The in the East, but in the fiery land of the sunset. The gaze of man is westward, as if he could glimpse, gaze of man is westward, as if he could glimpse, somewhere beyond this uneasy world, the great somewhere beyond this uneasy world, the great serene reaches of eternity - as if he could hear, serene reaches of eternity - as if he could hear, blowing in the distant sunset, the horn of freedom. blowing in the distant sunset, the horn of freedom. C C Kermit Hunter from Horn in the West Kermit Hunter from Horn in the West See page 68. See page 68. O O
Page 134
INTRODUCING COSMETIC, IMPLANT AND COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY (828) 328-5581 221 13th Avenue Place North West, Hickory