Location
Other maps: Bing, Google, MapQuest.
Coordinates: 35.4380, -81.8268.
Type: Sight
Tour: Overmountain
County: Rutherford
Partial
Part of the field in which Patriots camped is visible from your vehicle, but key areas require use of an unpaved trail.
Tour Note: If you are following the Overmountain Tour from the Battle of Cane Creek (Bedford Hill), you will pass the campsite of the Overmountain Men on Wednesday, October 3, 1780. As you are driving, the second prominent peak on your left is Marlin’s Knob (near Cunningham Drive on the left and Camp Creek Road on the right). The men were spread out along the highway side of the creek. They also took this same route back to Quaker Meadows straight through from this stop.
Context
Patriot defense forces are returning from their decisive victory over British Maj. Patrick Ferguson’s corps at the Battle of King’s Mountain (S.C.), including the Overmountain Men who marched across the Appalachians after he threatened them.
Situation
British/Tory
Along with the Patriot militia are hundreds of Loyalist (“Tory”) militia, prisoners of war captured at the battle. There were initially 600 of those, though the number was somewhat lower by this time due to escapes and paroles of the wounded.
Patriot
After camping overnight at a plantation six miles west, the tired and hungry Patriot militiamen move to the farmlands of Aaron Bickerstaff (some say “Biggerstaff”), because food supplies have been found there. Bickerstaff, a Loyalist captain, fought at the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill and was mortally wounded at King’s Mountain.
Dates
Friday, October 13–Sunday, October 15, 1780.
Timeline
