Turning Point in the American Revolution: Impact of Tarleton's Quarter and the Battle of King's Mountain
The American Revolution wasn't just a grand spectacle of clashing armies; it was also a brutal tapestry woven with guerrilla warfare and localized skirmishes that ravaged the American backcountry. The brutality of the Waxhaw Massacre, where British Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton allegedly refused quarter to surrendering American patriots, ignited a firestorm in the Southern colonies. The rallying cry "Tarleton's Quarter!" became a potent symbol of defiance, uniting and strengthening Patriot militias in a shared thirst for freedom and justice. This newfound unity culminated in the decisive victory at King's Mountain, a pivotal battle that not only shifted the momentum in the Southern Campaign but also had a profound impact on the overall trajectory of the American Revolution.
The British Southern Strategy and the Battle of Waxhaw
The late 1770s witnessed a shift in the south during the American Revolution. Following the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga and the crucial French entry into the war in support of the Americans, the British high command, led by General Sir Henry Clinton, formulated a new strategy – the Southern Strategy. This strategy aimed to regain control of the Southern colonies, believing it would offer a path to victory.
The rationale behind the Southern Strategy was multifaceted. Firstly, the British believed the South, with its established trade networks and perceived Loyalist sympathies, would be easier to subdue than the North. Additionally, completely controlling the south would the allow the British to concentrate its fighting force completely in the north and use the south as a springboard for renewed offensives against the Continental Army in the North.
In May 1780, the Americans were dealt another blow with the surrender of Charleston, South Carolina to the British. Following the surrender of Patriot General Benjamin Lincoln, Patriot Colonel Abraham Buford, with a unit of 380 infantry and 40 cavalry, was ordered to Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Hearing of Buford's movement, Clinton dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, notorious for his aggressive cavalry tactics, on May 27th to intercept him. Tarleton, leading a force of roughly 270 men – primarily British Loyalist – embarked on a relentless pursuit.
On May 29, Tarleton's advance party encountered Buford's forces in Waxhaw County. Tarleton, using a white flag and exaggerated claims of his force's size, demanded Buford's surrender, with a note that read, “Resistance being vain, to prevent the effusion of human blood, I make offers which can never be repeated," meaning that he was only giving Buford one chance to surrender. Buford refused, responding, “I reject your proposals, and shall defend myself to the last extremity," and continued his march, which led to a brief battle.
As Tarleton's main force arrived, Buford, after forming a defensive line, made a tactical error by waiting too long to order his men to fire. Tarleton's Loyalists, seizing the opportunity, quickly overwhelmed the Patriots.
The events that transpired next remain subject for debate.
Despite Buford's attempt to negotiate surrender after realizing the battle was lost, the fighting continued. During the chaos, Tarleton's horse was killed, trapping him underneath. Mistakenly believing Tarleton to be dead, his men refused to honor Buford's white flag, continuing the slaughter and allegedly killing surrendering Patriots.
British sources, on the other hand, paint a different picture. They deny the use of a white flag and claim a more conventional battle unfolded. Regardless of the specifics, the outcome was clear – a decisive British victory. Buford managed to escape with some cavalry, but the Patriots suffered significant casualties: 143 killed, 147 wounded, and many taken prisoner, while the British losses were minimal. The Patriot wounded were paroled by Tarleton.
19th century sketch of the Waxhaw massacre.
The Battle of Waxhaws, also known as Buford's Massacre, would have a profound impact on the Southern colonies. The reports of the alleged massacre, fueled by the phrase "Tarleton's Quarter," a chilling reference to the brutality inflicted on surrendering Patriots, would soon ignite a firestorm of anger and defiance in the Carolina backcountry. This, in turn, would set the stage for the emergence of powerful Patriot militias.
From Massacre to Militia - "Tarleton's Quarter" Ignites the Carolina Backcountry
The aftermath of the Battle of Waxhaw sent shock waves through the Carolina backcountry. The British consolidation of control in South Carolina seemed ominous, but it was the tales of the wounded Patriots that truly ignited a firestorm.
The wounded were treated in nearby churches, where congregants, including a young Andrew Jackson, provided care. The sheer number of casualties drew people from all corners of the countryside to assist in their treatment.
As the wounded Patriots were being treated, they recounted stories of brutality and a chilling disregard for the rules of war – the alleged violation of quarter offered by a white flag. Word of the battle spread rapidly throughout the region. The revocation of parole for the wounded by the departing British General Clinton only added fuel to the fire.
The reports, coupled with the harsh realities of British occupation, began to shift sentiment. Previously neutral residents, faced with the chilling prospect of similar treatment, were driven to support the Patriot cause. This shift in public opinion manifested in the rallying cry "Tarleton's Quarter!" and "Remember Buford!" – a potent reminder of the alleged atrocities committed at Waxhaw.
The embers of defiance were further stoked by the news of the battle reaching the settlements nestled west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, a fiercely independent breed of frontiersmen – the Overmountain Men – took direct inspiration from the Waxhaw events. Accustomed to a life carved from the wilderness, these men fiercely guarded their autonomy and deeply resented any threat to their way of life. The specter of British brutality, as embodied by "Tarleton's Quarter," became a galvanizing force, driving them to form a formidable militia.
In May 1780, Major Patrick Ferguson, appointed Inspector of Militia by the British, was tasked with raising a Loyalist militia to protect the flank of Lord Cornwallis' main forces in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, the massacre at Waxhaw and the subsequent revocation of parole by the departing British General Clinton galvanized Patriot support in the Carolinas. Existing Patriot militias were bolstered, and new ones sprang up.
The Patriots wasted no time in organizing themselves. In August, 200 militiamen, including Overmountain Men, under the command of Colonels Issac Shelby, James Williams, and Elijah Clarke, attacked a Loyalist camp at Musgrove’s Mill. Despite being outnumbered, the Patriots emerged victorious.
However, the tide was not entirely in the Patriots' favor. Just days prior to this, British General Cornwallis had defeated a larger Patriot force under General Horatio Gates at Camden, South Carolina. Emboldened by Camden, Cornwallis pushed into North Carolina and dispatched Major Ferguson to root out Patriot militias in the backcountry.
When Ferguson reached Gilbert Town, North Carolina in pursuit of Shelby, he sent a message to the Overmountain Men threatening to "lay waste to their country with fire and sword.
A Daring March and a Pivotal Victory - The Battle of King's Mountain
Fueled by righteous anger and a burning desire for freedom, the Patriots, led by Colonels Isaac Shelby, John Sevier, William Campbell, Joseph McDowell, and Benjamin Cleveland, began their march to confront Major Ferguson. While William Campbell was selected as the nominal commander, all five colonels agreed to act in council, showcasing the democratic spirit that fueled the Patriot cause.
Diplomacy played a crucial role in their movement. Benjamin Cleveland's brother-in-law, Joseph Martin, an Indian agent, had eased tensions with the Cherokee, allowing for safe passage through their territory.
The Patriots commenced their march eastward, reaching Burke County, North Carolina, on September 30. However, two deserters from the Patriot ranks reached Major Patrick Ferguson, warning him of the approaching Patriot force. In response, Ferguson ordered a retreat towards Charlotte and sent a request to General Cornwallis for reinforcements.
As the Patriots pressed on, they were joined by 30 Georgia militiamen, eager to take the fight to the Loyalists. American spies kept them informed, and by October 6th, they learned that Ferguson had made camp atop King's Mountain, a strategic position just north of the North Carolina-South Carolina border.
Despite being closer to Charlotte, Ferguson, for reasons unknown, decided to make his stand there. He sent a desperate plea for reinforcements to Cornwallis, but time was not on his side.
Recognizing the urgency, the Patriots put 900 men on horseback and rode through a relentless downpour throughout the night of October 6th and into the early morning of October 7th. With unwavering determination, they forded the Broad River just fifteen miles from King's Mountain at sunrise, ready for battle.
By 3 pm, the 900 Patriots, which included John Crockett, father of the famed Davy Crockett, reached the foot of the steep hill where Ferguson had positioned his men. Divided into eight detachments, they unleashed a fierce assault, their combined screams echoing through the mountain valley. Sevier and Campbell led attacks on the mountain's flanks, while Shelby, Williams, and others targeted the Loyalist main camp. Each detachment fought with fierce independence, adhering to the agreed-upon plan to surround and overwhelm the enemy.
Battle of Kings Mountain.
Ferguson, underestimating the Patriots' resolve, had neglected to properly fortify his camp. The surprise attack caught the Loyalists off guard, and the Patriots, utilizing guerrilla tactics, fired from concealed positions behind rocks and trees, making them difficult targets.
When Ferguson ordered a bayonet charge, the Patriots, lacking bayonets themselves, were forced to retreat down the hill. This pattern of attack and retreat continued for over an hour, with the Patriots inflicting heavy casualties on the Loyalists during each assault.
Finally, after over an hour of continuous fighting, the Patriots managed to breach the Loyalist defenses. William Campbell, John Sevier, and Isaac Shelby led the charge, driving the Loyalists back into their own camp.
Seeing his men surrendering, Ferguson attempted one final rally but was shot dead by the Patriots. With Ferguson's death, Captain Abraham de Peyster assumed command but soon surrendered to the Patriots.
Death of Major Patrick Ferguson at the Battle of Kings Mountain by Alonzo Chappel.
However, the memory of Waxhaw still burned fresh in the minds of some Patriot militiamen. Enraged by the alleged brutality they had endured, they refused to take prisoners and continued firing, shouting cries of "Tarleton's Quarter!" and "Remember Buford!" It was only through the intervention of Patriot officers like Sevier and Campbell that a ceasefire was established.
The Battle of Kings Mountain lasted approximately 65 minutes, resulting in 265 Loyalists killed, 163 wounded, and 668 captured. In contrast, the Patriots suffered only 28 killed and 63 wounded.
This pivotal victory marked a turning point in the American Revolution. Its significance cannot be overstated. Coming after a string of defeats in the Southern Campaign, King's Mountain served as a much-needed morale boost for the Patriots. It also shattered British hopes of consolidating control over the Southern colonies. The loss of such a large number of Loyalist troops significantly weakened British forces in the region, allowing the Patriots to gain momentum and secure further victories, thus altering the trajectory of the war.
Furthermore, Cornwallis abandoned Charlotte and retreated back to South Carolina, scrambling to regroup.
President Herbert Hoover hailed Kings Mountain as a place of inspiring memories, comparing its significance to other pivotal battles of the Revolution. Theodore Roosevelt called it a brilliant victory, while Thomas Jefferson deemed it the turning point of success.
The decisive victory at Kings Mountain, inspired by Tarleton’s Quarter, prevented the British from consolidating their fighting power in the north, setting the stage for further success by the Continental Army, ultimately leading to American Independence.
In the wake of Tarleton's Quarter and the Battle of King's Mountain, the American Revolution in the South found renewed vigor and purpose. The impact of these events reverberated far beyond the hills of the Carolina backcountry, shaping the course of the entire war. The unity and determination displayed by the Patriot militias, inspired by the injustices of Waxhaw and driven by the hope of liberty, propelled the colonies towards their ultimate goal of independence. Despite the losses to an overpowering British force, the Patriots' display of resolve, resourcefulness, and determination to band together, utilizing diplomacy, terrain, and the element of surprise, embodies the enduring American spirit. This spirit continues to inspire us today, reminding us that nothing is impossible when it comes to overcoming adversity and defending our freedom and the American way of life.