Imagine the Scene

The Battle

Walk or drive to the gravel driveway entrance for the parking area at US 64, and face the highway.

The exact location and series of events for this battle are not clear, even after a 2017 investigation by an archaeologist/historian for the National Park Service.[3] This page describes a likely scenario based on the evidence found and the account of a Loyalist officer at the battle (see “Historical Tidbits” below). Believe with caution!

Ferguson’s detachment of 100 regular British “Redcoats” and 40 Loyalist militia is marching down the valley, right to left, after passing through the gap US 64 uses now. (There was no road then.) They had hoped to surprise McDowell at his camp on the far side of the gap by modern Brindletown, but found it abandoned and are returning this way.

Look to your left at the hill to the right of the highway.

You are looking at Bedford Hill. McDowell’s troops, about 200 men, are in position facing this direction. But you, and Ferguson’s force, cannot see them. The hill is forested, and the Patriots are hidden behind the trees.

The militia at the front of Ferguson’s column passes you to continue down the valley between the hill and Cane Creek behind you, led by British Capt. James Dunlap.

Suddenly there is a blast of gunfire, and you see a huge cloud of smoke shoot out from the hillside. Some of the British fall, including Capt. Dunlap, receiving flesh wounds from balls in his thigh and groin.[a] Known for riding ahead of his troops, Dunlap was “‘badly wounded by some skulking shots on the flank’” according to Ferguson. But the rest of the men overcome their surprise, form into a line, and start rushing up the hill.

The Patriots defend themselves briefly. However, despite outnumbering the enemy, they then take off over and around the crest.

This story ends on the far side of the hill, as described after the next section.

The Overmountain Camp

Three weeks after the battle, on Sunday, October 1, an army of 1,400 Patriots arrives. They are coming from Quaker Meadows (in modern Morganton) down the same route Ferguson used. These farmers and craftsman, including formal militia units and other volunteers, expect to attack Ferguson at Gilbert Town. They flow out into the area between Magazine Creek (running side to side on the farmland across the modern highway) to the headwaters of Cane Creek, which runs along the left side of the field next to the parking area. At the time the whole area is forested. Having no tents, they make camp under the trees for what shelter those offer from a rain that started that afternoon.

Go down to the field.

The next day they wake up to more rain. These are not trained soldiers, and feel stuck and frustrated. Arguments break out all around you, and a few fistfights.

Somewhere in the camp, all of the colonels meet to discuss the day’s problems. They decide there is a need for an overall commander. Someone suggests a courier be sent to Hillsborough to request a regular army officer from the commander of the Continental army stationed there, Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates.

Without disagreeing, Isaac Shelby notes that they need someone in command now, given that they are within striking distance of Gilbert Town. He suggests William Campbell. Shelby says Campbell is a good officer—and perhaps more importantly, the only Virginian among the colonels.

The truth, Shelby wrote in 1823, was he made the suggestion “‘to silence the expectations of Colonel McDowell to command us.’” These are reasonable given that McDowell has been a colonel the longest and the fact they are in his multi-county “district” of the state. “‘He was a brave and patriotic man, but we considered him too far advanced in life, and too inactive for the command of such an enterprise as we were engaged in,’” Shelby wrote.[4] (McDowell was only 37, if that; some historians suggest McDowell’s defeat here where they now are camped has something to do with the decision.)

Campbell takes Shelby aside. He asks Shelby to withdraw the suggestion. But Shelby refuses. He points out he can’t take command himself because he is the youngest colonel and has served under McDowell, who would be offended to have Shelby promoted over him. Shelby convinces Campbell to accept, and they go back to the others.

McDowell gallantly agrees to step aside. Perhaps to avoid embarrassment, he offers to turn over command of his regiment to his brother, Maj. Joseph McDowell, and inform Gates of the campaign. Though a few sources say he rides off immediately, a letter dated three days later hints otherwise. Written by Col. Benjamin Cleveland to Gates and signed by the other colonels, it requests a regular army commander. “All our Troops being Militia, and but little acquainted with discipline, we could wish him to be a Gentleman of address, and able to keep up a proper discipline, without disgusting the Soldiery,” Cleveland writes. He adds, “Colo. McDowell will wait upon you with this, who can inform you of the present situation of the Enemy…” Thus it seems McDowell suffered through staying with the force until it moved into Gilbert Town on the 4^th.[b]

Tuesday morning arrives. The weather has cleared. Cleveland calls the men together in a large circle around the officers. He confirms the time has come to confront Ferguson. He tells them this is their final opportunity to back out. Joseph McDowell applies some pressure, however, by asking them what story they will tell those back home if they do.

Shelby then supposedly says: “You have all been informed of the offer. You who desire to decline (to fight), well, when the word is given, march three steps to the rear, and stand, prior to which a few more minutes will be granted you for consideration.”

He waits the few minutes, and then gives the order.

No one moves.

Some of the men applaud. Shelby clearly is moved. He gathers himself and says: “I am heartily glad to see you to a man resolve to meet and fight your country’s foes. When we encounter the enemy, don’t wait for the word of command. Let each one of you be your own officer, and do the very best you can, taking every care you can of yourselves, and availing yourselves of every advantage that chance may throw your way.”

They are dismissed and told to prepare to march in a few hours. When ready, they head down Cane Creek the same way Ferguson did after the battle.

McDowell Camp

Return to your car and turn left onto US 64. Veer onto the second right, Bill Deck Road. You are now following the later Morganton-Rutherfordton Road used by stagecoaches. As it starts to curve right, pull off to the left.

McDowell’s Patriots may have been camped here awaiting Ferguson’s approach from the south, not realizing he had already gone past directly up Cane Creek. Or perhaps the Tories went behind the hill on the way north.

During the battle, the British and Tories finish climbing the hill here and clear the camp. Altogether they capture 17 Patriots, 12 horses, and a stash of 20 pounds of gunpowder. Most of them follow the Patriots a short distance north (right) along the route of today’s NC 226, just ahead of you, toward today’s Marion.

Battle Map

The Battle of Cane Creek: One likely scenario; all locations are approximate. 1) Ferguson’s American Volunteers detachment marches toward Cane Creek. 2) Patriots ambush Loyalists. 3) Loyalists form line and attack uphill. 4) After brief defense, Patriots break and Loyalists chase for a short distance.