Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-16

army. Never was such campaign haz-
arded; never did such results follow. The
place of rendezvous was Sycamore shoals.
below Elizabethton the time September
q. Fleet messengers rode night and day to
SIP, cad the fighting news and arouse the
mcuntaineers. The only draft ever made
in Tennessee was at this gathering OF the
mountain cfans-a draft by black and white
beans not for those who should go to the
front but for those who must perforce re-
main at home. This gave Tennessee the
name of 1.-THE Volunteer state The last
act at the rendezvous was to seek the aid
of Almighty God, and the sanity Doak.
with uncovered head, outstretched arms and
urturned face stood upon that field by the
river and besought the blessings Of heaven
upon these men with all the fervor of Eli
jall on the heights Of Mount Carmel. Then
the march through the wild mountains be-
gan. The first day they abandoned IN
the woods the few cattle they had attempt
ed to drive with them for subsistence ana
depended upon game, shot as they marcned.
They were starting to seek and engage
one Of the most accomplished ofncers OF the
British army. who mustered four times their
number. They were clad in the usual head
covering q coonskin cap. hunting shirts
sins and buckskin leggings. Many wore
swords. some few pistols; all carried mint
lock guns and hunting knives
Major Ferguson's Position.
A line of low knobs or buttes break away
from grand old Kings mountain in a south
west direction until they diminish into the
northern plains of South Carolina.
It was discovered that Ferguson had taken
a position on one Of these knobs. within the
state of South Carolina, and about eight
miles from the mountain. 1t is an oblong
elevation Of about 800 feet extending from
a gap between two of them northeastward
to a stream. which cuts the ridge with an
extension of about One-half a mile. The
wagons had been parked on the southwest
ern, or higher, prominence, and the horses
were corralled and hitched at random along
the crest and slope.
The mountaineers who had only about
900 men, seem to have been imbued with
the fear that Ferguson's force, which large
ly outnumbered them, would manage to
escape. So they held council of war, and
in few moments evolved plan OF attack
It was that they would surround Ferguson's
camp with their thin line of rifles and, at a
given signal, every man was to charge up
in front Of him. firing his piece at Will, as
he could do most damage. 1t was under
stood that Ferguson's main dependence was
the bayonet. His regulars had this regula-
ton weapon and his tories were supplied
with knives with the handles whitfield
down SO that they could be inserted into
the muzzles Of their guns.
Plan Of Action.
Information was passed along the noun
taineers line that as Ferguson should mass
his men and charge down the hill a retreat
should be Immediately made as far as safe
ty required-upon which his forces were to
be pursued by the other assailants. When
the charge ended those in retreat were to
return Immediately to the contest and pur-
sue in turn as the enemy retired up the
elevation and charged down the other side.
Every man was to fire at will. This action
was repeated on several occasions. Fergu-
sons charges were primarily and mainly
directed against the forces of Campbell
the northern declivity, and, in turn, upon
those of Sewer on the southern declivity.
This cross-firing and the impedments of
the horses and wagons wrought confusion
in FerguSOn's command
A flag of truce, improvised from table
cloth snatched from the "table-rock' of
Ferguson, was hoisted by the British but
was quickly cut down by the strong arm of
the major in command. Finally 1t seemed
that Ferguson, in desperation, was organtz-
ing his men on horseback, so as to make
charge through Sewers lines and make his
escape toward Charlotte Town and York
town. While this movement was in prepara-
ton Maj. Winston, a German, who lived
within a mile of the battle ground and
whose descendants still own and occupy the
same ground. addressed Darling Jones, a
youth belonging to Sewers command, who
stood printing his rife, which he had
christened "Sweetllps' Pointing with his
finger, Maj Winston said to Jones, in
ringing words:
DO you see tildt IildU III d hunting SHlTl,
on a white horse? That is Ferguson"
The youth finished printing his gun, and
replied:
II will see what 'Sweetlips' can do for
himi" and Immediately fired.
Fell from His Horse.
Ferguson fell from his horse, his right
foot hanging In the stirrup, and while the
horse was plunging other guns were fired at
him. and he became detached from the
horse, q dead man, with eight bullets
through his body. Again the flag of truce
was waved, and the battle was over. with
the exception of a small detail Of men who
were out foraging. and thus escaped, every
man of Ferguson's command was Killed or