Battle's of Ramsour's Mill and King's Mountain

                     These battles are not as well known as many others of the American Revolution.  But they played a big part in the turning of the Revolution, and insuring there would be 13 colonies rather than 10 should the British and the Loyalists had won and invaded North Carolina.

              The Battle of Ramsour's Mill took place on June 20, 1780 in or near Tryon Co. N.C. which is near present day Lincolnton N.C.  Where close to 400 American militia Patriots defeated 1,300 Loyalists militiamen.  This battle did not involve any regular army forces from either side, rather it was fought between families, neighbors, friends and in my family's case brothers.
             My Great Grandfather[6] Thomas Costner who was a Patriot / Whigs and Great Uncle[6] Peter Costner who was a Loyalists / Tories  fought in this battle.   Peter also had fought under General Cornwallis. Peter Costner was killed in this battle.
             Casualties were difficult to assign since almost no one was wearing any sort of uniform. Estimates of dead on each side were between 50 to 70, with about 100 wounded on each side. The battle in which muskets were sometimes used as clubs because of little ammunition.  In their defeat the Loyalists so badly demoralized that they never organized again in that area.

            King's Mountain ended up being  a pivotal moment in the history of the American Revolution.  This battle fought on Oct.07,1780 by up to 900 Patriots (Overmountain men) without orders, formal military training, uniforms or provisions, and with no promise of pay, against a force of over 1,100 Loyalists lead by the only British soldier in the force Major Ferguson.
            The Patriots surrounded the Loyalists who were on the top of the mountain, and a battle between bayonet and rifle ensued.  The Patriots attacked with a battle cry "tarleton quarter" (no prisoners).  The Loyalists attempting to drive back the assaulting Patriots at the point of bayonets were shot down until they were driven back themselves and confined in a group on the summit.
            This battle lasted all of about 65 minutes and the Loyalists suffered 290 killed, 163 wounded, and 668 taken prisoner.  The Patriots suffered 29 killed and 58 wounded.  There were at least 10 Loyalists hung for numerous reasons one being treason of the American cause.
            With this surprising victory the King's Mountain Men provided a great boost to the Patriots morale and the American Revolution.  The Loyalists of the Carolina Back Country were broken as a military force.  And with the destruction of Major Freguson's command as well as the treat of the Patriot militia in the mountains caused Lord Cornwallis to cancel his plans to invade North Carolina.  He instead evacuated Charlotte and retreated to South Carolina.
            Again my Great Grandfather[6] Thomas Costner took part in this battle, in which it helped to maintain the 13 colonies and form this nation.