"An Inundation of Barbarians"

       In my last post, we took a look at a description of the “over mountain” men who were soon to attack the British and Loyalist forces of Patrick Ferguson at the battle of King’s Mountain.  As the patriot forces are beginning to assemble in September of 1780, Ferguson is beginning to realize that he may be in for more than he had bargained for.  In desperation, Ferguson addresses the local residents:

       While at this Ford [Denard’s Ford], the old crossing of Broad river, half a mile below the present Twitty's Ford, and some eight miles from Gilbert Town, Ferguson issued the following energetic appeal—apparently almost a wail of despair—addressed "to the inhabitants of North Carolina," and, doubtless, similar ones to the Loyalists of South Carolina also:

       "Gentlemen:—Unless you wish to be eat up by an inundation of barbarians, who have begun by murdering an unarmed son before the aged father, and afterwards lopped off  his arms, and who by their shocking cruelties and irregularities, give the best proof of their cowardice and want of discipline; I say, if you wish to be pinioned, robbed, and murdered, and see your wives and daughters, in four days, abused by the dregs of mankind—in short, if you wish or deserve to live, and bear the name of men, grasp your arms in a moment and run to camp.

       "The Back Water men have crossed the mountains; McDowell, Hampton, Shelby, and Cleveland are at their head, so that you know what you have to depend upon. If you choose to be degraded forever and ever by a set of mongrels, say so at once, and let your women turn their backs upon you, and look out for real men to protect them.

       "Pat. Ferguson,  Major 71st Regiment.” ¹ 

       

       A bit hyperbolic, wouldn’t you agree?  There’s no evidence of the “unarmed son” incident that Ferguson refers to, although it is true that there were atrocities committed by both sides during this conflict.  Perhaps Ferguson is bolstering his own courage by trying to, at least on paper, tear down the character of the men he is soon to face in combat.  At any rate, the “inundation of barbarians” is on its way and Ferguson’s plea is a sign that he is not as smug about the final outcome of events as his bold comments might lead one to believe.  How will it all turn out?  Lord willing we’ll find out in my next post.   

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)      Lyman C. Draper, King’s Mountain and Its Heroes (Cincinnati, OH: Peter G. Thomson, 1881), p. 203-4.