K4M Battle of Kings Mountain + K4Y Battle of Yorktown Special Events

Hello again Jeremy:
There were several breech-loading designs upon which Ferguson based his patent, and he acknowledged this fact although few were willing to listen - oh how historians simply much have their heroes!

One such more original design dates back to Jonabed Holloway, gunmaker to Charles 11 by appointment in 1667.

A later version was built in 1721 by Frenchman Isaac de la Chaumette. It would be Chaumette's design that Ferguson acknowledged his efforts to make “various improvements” of the existing threaded screw breech design.

Only an estimated 100 of Ferguson's designs were produced with a smaller number used in the Battle of Brandywine although there is credible claim that at least one Ferguson rifle was at the Battle of Kings Mountain - I strongly believe this to be true and likely more than one.

Of note, while it is uncertain how many Ferguson rifles were used at Brandywine, it is well documented that (7) seven had failed so severely as to be declared "unrepairable."

Interestingly, there were accounts of Ferguson rifles that survived the Revolutionary War and were used in the Civil War. But due to Ferguson's defeat and death at Kings Mountain, there was little enthusiasm to continue with the project.

Suppose it is semantics to say the Ferguson rifle was not invented by Ferguson, it is more correct to state that the concept existed long before Ferguson happened along and he was unsuccessful in his effort to make his rifle standard issue.

Ferguson's bayonet upfit deserves recognition.

It would be those razor sharpened blades that many believe were used to repel William Campbell and his VA Militia Sharpshooter's initial charge, twice chased back down the mountain, successful on their third charge no doubt due to Ferguson's divided attention due to the entire mountaintop erupting in enemy fire.

Of the 28 Militia killed on the day of the battle, an estimated 20 were from Campbell's regiment, again, opinion only, but I believe those men met both bayonet and rifle fire from Ferguson rifles.

Sources:
https://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1971-B24-The-Ferguson-Rifle-And-Its-Origins.pdf
https://greatwar.com/the-model-1800-lewis-clark-rifle/ferguson-rifle/

Quoting from the second source in Appendix IV, Richard Keller states:
" We now know that Ferguson did not “invent” the Ordnance Rifle. He only tried to improve Chaumette’s patent but without success. He has erroneously been given credit for “inventing” the gun for well over 200 years. He tried unsuccessfully to explain this for posterity in his patent paragraph No.1 of page 2, but without success. His death on King’s Mountain secured this myth and it continues today. We can, however, give him full credit for securing the rifles’ place in history. To understand this long standing error , we only need to study his patent." Keller's research is impressive especially his persuasive argument of Ferguson rifles, not only at Kings Mountain, but throughout the Southern Campaign. Keller's claim that Ferguson declined to shoot Washington in the back however lacks evidence but it makes for a great romantic story...that just might be true!

HUZZA!!!
Marc - W4OVT

 

That is some awesome history! I'm a fairly new Revolutionary War student, as well as a gunsmith, thank you for that knowledge! Are you by any chance familiar with Project Appleseed?

 

Marc, I'm so thankful that you organize these Special Event Stations. I think it's crucial for the rich history of our County's birth to be taught and shown to everyone. Americans need to see, and be reminded of the true American spirit, and dedication to Freedom and Liberty. I'm looking forward to running the C.W. portions of these Special Events Stations....and Thank you QRZ for Highlighting them.

 

With the devastating results of helene, and the Kings Mt NP being closed, are there changes to this event?

 

Hi Clint - to you and all of Team K4M - thank you for serving as Volunteer NCS's, in your case Clint, for providing K4M CW Activations.

Hi Jeremy - first learned about Project Appleseed at the Contemporary Longrifle Association (CLA) show in Lexington, KY - I had a booth presenting the Battle of Kings Mountain and the booth next door had material on the project.

Re: NPS closures, Kings Mountain, Cowpens and Ninety-Six National Parks are expected to remain closed at least through next Monday.

Park closure(s) will not have any effect on planned K4M Activations however several of our Volunteer K4M NCS's are recovering from storm related impacts but in the spirit of the Overmountain Men at Kings Mountain, "We Shall Not Fail."

Writing of Activations, K4M will begin on 10/05 0Z which translates to Friday evening 8PM EDT with at least one Activation on/near 7.195MHz SSB.

All Activations will be listed real-time at the top of the K4M QRZ Page with frequency/mode detail and spotted on the DXSummit Cluster http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/

HUZZA!!!
Marc - W4OVT

 

The March to Kings Mountain with Epilogue
​

Just as we are enduring the sting from Hurricane Helene, in the fall of 1780 as the Patriot Militia trekked for 3 weeks and 300 miles, they were plagued by not just one, but two decaying tropical storms.

Many recovered diaries included accounts of torrential rains along and bitterly cold temperatures.

Below is a day-by-day account of the Militia's advance to Kings Mountain:

• September 30 – The two groups of Overmountain Men ride along separate routes near the Catawba River. They camp at Quaker Meadows, north of present day Morganton, NC, where they are joined by the Wilkes-Surry militia and others. The spirit of the men is lifted as the band of Patriots grows in number.
• October 1 – The combined army of over 1400 militiamen head south toward Gilbert Town, near present day Rutherfordton, NC, where they expect to engage in battle with Ferguson’s army. Because of heavy rain, the Patriots stop in the late afternoon at Bedford Hill in South Mountain Gap near present day Dysartsville, NC.
• October 2 – Continuing rain keeps the men in camp this day. The Patriot leaders meet and elect Virginia's William Campbell as their
• commander.
• October 3 – The Patriot militiamen prepare for battle and move toward Gilbert Town along Cane Creek, along present day NC Hwy 64. They do not pitch camp; the men sleep on their arms.
• October 4 – The Patriots arrive in Gilbert Town to find that Ferguson is already gone. The militia leaders send out scouts and continue south to learn if Ferguson is heading for the fort at Ninety-Six (SC) or for Charlotte (NC).
• October 5 – The Patriots head southwest and camp at Alexander’s Ford on the Green River. They learn from scouts that Ferguson is marching toward Charlotte and the protection of Cornwallis’s army.
• October 6 – The Patriots ride southeast toward Cowpens and join with militiamen from South Carolina, Georgia and Lincoln Co., NC. They learn that Ferguson is only 35 miles away, encamped at Kings Mountain. The leaders pick the 900 best marksmen and the 900 fastest horses. At 9:00 P.M. these Patriot militiamen ride into the night as a pouring cold rain continues to fall.
• October 7 – Having ridden through the night and forded the rain swollen Broad River, the Patriot army encircles Kings
• Mountain at 3:00 pm and in “one heroic hour” captures or kills - including the despised Patrick Ferguson - the entire Loyalist Army. The Patriot losses are small: 28 killed and 62 wounded. The Loyalists suffer more: 150 killed, 150 wounded, some 800 captured. Cornwallis’s left flank is destroyed.
• Epilogue – With this Patriot victory at Kings Mountain, the British found it harder to muster Loyalists. After subsequent battles at Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse, Cornwallis decided he could not subdue North Carolina.
• Cornwallis moves into Virginia; just 12 months and 12 days after the Battle of Kings Mountain, surrendering the British forces to the Continental Army under General George Washington, on Oct. 19, 1781 at Yorktown, VA….but did that really signal the end of the war - tune into K4Y Battle of Yorktown to find out…or sneak peak by visiting the K4Y QRZ Page.

HUZZA!!!

Marc - W4OVT

 

GREETINGS:
2024 K4M Activation #1 set to begin at 0Z / 8PM ET this Friday evening.

Visit the K4M QRZ for Activation details for this evening and throughout the event which ends Monday at 0Z / 8PM ET.

We will also be spotting on the DXSummit Cluster.

Look forward to your Check-in!

HUZZA!!!
Marc - W4OVT

 

Great to work K4M this morning, thanks for the event and looking forward to the last one later this month!

 

A great net is running on 7.210 SSB on Sunday Night.

 

Greetings!
Right now, during the 3PM hour, 244 years ago on October 07, 1780 the “Hollerin’ Boys” Patriot Militia charged the mountain surprising British Commander Patrick Ferguson who had declared Laundry Day which led him to be out of uniform, instead wearing a bright red plaid shirt atop his white stallion making him an easy target for the 8 lead shot that would find him.

His earlier proclamation shouted skyward to the heavens "God and all of His Angels Cannot Drive Me from this Mountain" would prove correct - he is still up there...buried under a pile of rocks and not alone...sonar has confirmed he was buried with one of his two mistresses, both named Virginia, where they lay for all of eternity face to face.

THANKS to all K4M NCS Volunteers and Check-ins for enduring the adverse band conditions due to the recent Cycle 25 record flare of X9.0.

In the spirit of the Overmountain Men led by Col. William Campbell as he shouted to his men "We Shall Not Fail" and nor shall we with several K4M Grand Finale Activations planned for this evening.

Keep checking the K4M QRZ Page for Activation details - we will be listening for your callsign!

HUZZA!!!
Marc - W4OVT / Team K4M