A Turning Point
It was cold. It was dark. It was raining. But all George was concentrating on was “keeping his powder dry.” It had been a long two week ride on horseback from Sycamore Shoals (near Elizabethton today) in the Watauga Settlement, where over 900 infantry road off across the Blue Ridge Mountains, headed south to do battle with the Loyalists.
During this rare, quiet moment, camped in Cowpens, South Carolina, George was reliving the two week journey that brought him to this point. It was then September 25, 1780 when he left, with three of his brothers and his father. Before leaving, all the men were blessed in prayer by Rev. Samuel Doak, with his parting phrase “Help us as good soldiers to wield the SWORD OF THE LORD AND GIDEON.”
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| Depiction of the scene at Sycamore Shoals 9/25/1780 leaving for SC |
George was the youngest son, and had just only turned 18 when they left for battle. Weather in NC mountains in September can be unexpectedly brutal. Two days in, they were assaulted by a fierce snow storm as they crossed the “Yellow Mountain” gap. They had no supplies other than what they could carry, and supplemented that with game along the way. They covered about 300 miles in about 10 days in some harsh conditions.
The commander of their unit was no other than Col. John Sevier (pronounced severe). But to George, he was now also a brother-in-law as well. Col. Sevier had just married George’s sister Catherine “Bonnie Kate” two months prior.
When they made it to Cowpens on October 5, the leaders finalized their strategies. Then that night they rode 18 hours straight on horseback, in driving rain, to their final destination, Kings Mountain. The battle took place October 7, 1780, starting at 3PM in the afternoon, and was over in about one hour, ending in a Patriot victory.
So many books and YouTube videos have been written and produced about this battle, and the Overmountain Men, I will not even attempt to retell it here. I will say that the Patriots, fighting for their way of life, their homes and families, overcame the Loyalists who were led by Maj. Patrick Ferguson, who was killed in this battle. It was a true turning point for the patriots of the American Revolution!
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| Painting showing the death of Maj Ferguson, British Loyalist |
Thomas Jefferson later wrote:
"That memorable victory was the annunciation of that turn of the tide of success which terminated the Revolutionary War, and established our independence.
My family members today may not know the names of the five brave Sherrill men who climbed that ridge of Kings Mountain in 1780, but the freedom and independence we enjoy today are the direct result of that 'Turning Point' in the woods of South Carolina. They are:
Samuel Sherrill Sr. father (my 4th great-grandfather) and his sons:
Samuel Sherrill Jr.
Adam Sherrill
Uriah Sherrill.
George Davidson Sherrill (my 3rd great-grandfather)
Since there is so much more to learn about this, here are a few links to get you started. And for my relatives who live in this area, take a drive to the Kings Mountain park, where you can learn in detail about this famous battle. And for you hikers, there is even a trail where you can hike segments of the journey these men took on their journey to Kings Mountain.
If you should choose to visit this site this, or any year, believe me when I tell you it will make a big difference knowing that you had direct ancestors who fought here. And if George had been killed in battle, I would not be here today writing this.
https://www.nps.gov/ovvi/planyourvisit/places.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EjuGb7Jsbc
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AppalachianAmericans/posts/10164203889688648/
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