Overmountain Victory

https://www.nps.gov/ovvi/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overmountain_Victory_National_Historic_Trail The Overmountain Victory NHT (OVHT) recognizes the Revolutionary War Overmountain Men, Patriots from what is now East Tennessee who crossed the Great Smoky Mountains and then fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. The OVHT follows the route from Abingdon, Virginia at the Abingdon Muster Grounds, fording the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals through present day Elizabethton, Tennessee, crossing the Doe River twice near both Hampton, Tennessee and Roan Mountain, Tennessee, and ascending over the steep Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, on through South Carolina to the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain now within Kings Mountain National Military Park. The trail network consists of a 330-mile (530 km) corridor, including a 70-mile (110 km) branch from Elkin, North Carolina, that joins the main route at Morganton, North Carolina. In Rutherford County, North Carolina, the trail follows the approximate location of Rock Road through the Gilbert Town Historic District. Stretching 330-miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina) the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail traces the route used by Patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Follow their campaign by utilizing a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 80+ miles of walkable trail The trail travels over 330 miles through four states. Cowpens National Battlefield Visitor Center Museum contains a reproduction 3-pounder cannon, other weapons and artifacts of the Revolutionary War period, and exhibits. "Cowpens: A Battle Remembered" is an 18-minute video shown hourly in the museum. American Battlefield Trust film on the American Revolution shown in the map room (18 minutes) Sales Outlet operated by America's National Parks offers books, postcards, and theme-related souvenirs. Keller Interpretive Center, Abingdon Muster Ground The Keller Interpretive Center at the Abingdon Muster Ground features displays and exhibits about southwest Virginia during the American Revolution, including the 400 Virginia patriots who left this spot on September 24, 1780 to join with fellow patriots at Sycamore Shoals and begin their march to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Seasonally available information, gift store, and all-year hiking trail on the Wolf Creek Trail. Kings Mountain National Military Park Visitor Center The visitor center has a movie (25 minutes), a bookstore operated by America's National Parks, and a museum. The museum has artifacts from the battle and audio exhibits inside walk-in trees that resemble the 1780 battlefield. Museum of North Carolina Minerals, Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Museum of North Carolina Minerals, located along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail at Gillespie Gap. Featuring displays about the history and geology of western North Carolina and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and hiking trail along the Overmountain Victory NHT. On September 29, 1780, the Overmountain Men descended the east face of the Blue Ridge Mountains through Gillespie and Hefner Gaps using separate trails before reuniting at the Catawba River. Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center Visitor Center for Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, part of the Tennessee State Parks system. Featuring a museum and lecture hall, gift store, recreation of a 1776 log fort, and hiking trail along the Watauga River. W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir Visitor Center Visitor Center for W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir, featuring information about the Army Corps of Engineers, the wildlife of the Yadkin River Valley, and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. On September 28, 1780, hundreds of Patriot militia traveled down the Yadkin River on their way to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Their original route is now underneath the reservoir, and hiking and biking trails along the shoreline closely follow their route. AlexandersFordAtTheGreenRiver The OVVI NHT marker is on a fence with the Green River in the background. A trail marker is on a fence with the Green River in the background. Alexander's Ford Trail Reenactors march along the historic trail at Alexander's Ford in North Carolina. Reenactors march along the historic trail at Alexander's Ford in North Carolina. Sign at Elkin Trail A sign on the Overmountain Victory Trail at Elkin reminds visitors not to stray off the trail. A sign on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail at Elkin reminds visitors not to stray off the trail. Compliant Trail Sign A sign on the trail indicates that this section is compliant with the American with Disabilitie Act. A sign on the trail indicates that this section is compliant with the American with Disabilitie Act. Trail at Abingdon A marker stands beside the winding trail in Abingdon, Virginia. A marker stands beside the winding trail in Abingdon, Virginia. The Fruits of Victory: Loyalist Prisoners in the Aftermath of Kings Mountain The story of the fate of Loyalist prisoners captured at the 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain. Alexander Chesney Learn about Alexander Chesney, a commanding officer for a Loyalist militia unit at the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781. Portrait of Alexander Chesney Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Junior Ranger Program Explore the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution with this Junior Ranger program that features five units of the National Park Service! Green cover of Junior Ranger Program with five photographs of different parks. Overmountain Victory NHT Junior Ranger The Junior Ranger program booklet for Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail A book cover showing people crossing a river Thomas Young Discover the life of patriot soldier, Thomas Young. Tombstone of Thomas Young Reflecting on 55 years of the National Trails System Act: A Journey Through the Establishment of National Scenic and Historic Trails In celebration of the 55th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, learn more about these significant trails and their history. The Adventures of Ranger Cow! Follow Ranger Cow's journey to American Revolutionary War sites! Crochet Cow in Park Ranger uniform Black Powder Weapons of the Southern Campaign Discover black powder weapons of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. Grasshopper cannon with blue wheels Abingdon Muster Grounds The Abingdon Muster Grounds is one of the partner locations along the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, a 330-mile route used in a key Patriot victory of the American Revolution.

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Corps of Engineers U.S. Army Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Overmountain Victory Trail Association "Gathering of the Mountain Men at Sycamore Shoals" From a painting by Lloyd Branson, Tennessee State Museum Collection Stalemate in the North Brings the King's Armies South In Search of Loyalists In the summer of 1780, the Southern American colonies - and hopes of independence - seemed at the mercy of an invading British army. Believing the Southern colonies mostly loyal, the Royal army planned to conquer the South and recruit Loyalist militia (local volunteer soldiers) to help British regulars and British Provincial troops defeat the Continental Army and the local Patriot militia. Only Patriot Militia Remain When Charleston, South Carolina, surrendered May 12th, 1780, the British captured most of the Continental troops in the South. Additional large losses occurred later in the summer with Patriot defeats at Waxhaws, South Carolina, May 29th, and Camden, South Carolina, August 16th. Only Patriot militia remained to oppose a British move through North Carolina into Virginia, America's largest colony. Victory for Royal troops and an end to talk of independence seemed near. Ferguson Offers Loyalty or Defeat Lord Charles Cornwallis, the commander, appointed Major Dunn's Meadow muster site for Washington County, Virginia. British Patrick ".. That Turn of the Tide of Success . . . " Ferguson as Inspector of Militia for South Carolina to defeat the local militia and to recruit loyalists. Ferguson's opposition included men from South Carolina's backwoods under Thomas Sumter, North Carolinians commanded by Charles McDowell, and Overmountain men from today's Tennessee under Isaac Shelby. -Thomas Jefferson ".. The First Link in a Chain of Evils . . . the Loss of America." - British Sir Henry Clinton With Fire and Sword Moving into North Carolina, Ferguson attempted to intimidate the western settlers, threatening to march into the mountains and "lay waste the country with fire and sword" if they did not lay down their arms and pledge allegiance to the King. Battle of Kings Mountain, October 7,1780 The response was a furious army formed on the western frontier. Growing in numbers as they marched east, some 900 men gave chase to Ferguson, surrounding his army on Kings Mountain, South Carolina. In a little over an hour, they killed or captured his entire command. Pemberton Oak, on the road to Sycamore Shoals. An American Beginning Rocky Mount, the William Cobb home. Robert Sevier wounded at Kings Mountain, buried beside the Toe River. community. Men without formal training or recognized social standing - Ferguson called them mongrels - took hold of their destinies, just like the men who began the American War for Independence on April 19, 1775, at Lexington and Concord. They relied upon their individual initiative, skills with the rifle, and courage to ensure the success of their cause. Isaac Shelby Patrick Ferguson The Major Figures Patriots William Campbell Leading the largest contingent, Virginian Campbell was chosen by his fellow colonels to command in Charles McDowell's place. Campbell died in 1781, just before Yorktown. Charles McDowell A tireless campaigner in 1780, he stepped down from command rather than split the Patriot army. Isaac Shelby Later first governor of Kentucky, Shelby was a strong, forceful influence the summer of 1780. The morning of October 7th, he refused to stop and rest when the men tired after spending 36 hours on the march, vowing to follow Ferguson into Cornwallis' lines, if necessary. John Sevier Later Tennessee's first governor, John Sevier was the best known man west of the mountains and gave his personal guarantee to fund supplies for the militia army. Mary Patton This little-known Tennessee woman manufactured 500 pounds of powder purchased by William Cobb for the Overmountain men. Benjamin Cleveland The voice for independence in Wilkes and Surry counties, Tories attempted to ambush Cleveland on his way to Quaker Meadows, wounding his brother instead. Edward Lacey Commanding South Carolina troops, Lacey rode through the stormy night of October 5th to intercept the Overmountain men at Green River and head them towards Kings Mountain. British and Loyalists Major Patrick Ferguson Intelligent, brave, charming, inventive, headstrong, he fruitlessly advocated use of Patriot "Indian-style" warfare, yet he relied on the bayonet charge at Kings Mountain, allowing his army to be surrounded. Abraham de Peyster From New York, he served as Ferguson's second in command. He lived in New Brunswick, Canada, after the Revolution. Ambrose Mills Born in England, he was jailed by North Carolina in 1778 for recruiting Loyalists. Freed, he joined Ferguson and was hanged at Biggerstaff's. Dr. Uzal Johnson He won praise for treating Patriot and Loyalist wounded alike. After the