KINGS MOUNTAIN

01 ON KINGS MOUNTAIN

Major Patrick Ferguson has camped his 900-strong army of Loyalist regulars and militia atop Kings Mountain, a 550-metre (600-yard) long ridge in South Carolina. He trusts to the natural strength of the ridge, and neglects to fortify his position.

02 PATRIOT APPROACH

A force of some 900 Patriots approaches Kings Mountain from the southeast, and gets within 0.4 kilometres (0.25 miles) before being seen by the Loyalists on top. Three divisions under Campbell, Shelby and Sevier gather around the southeastern end of the ridge.

03 ATTACK

! The divisions under Campbell, Shelby and Sevier launch their assault, yelling war whoops as they climb uphill. Major Ferguson orders troops to fight them at the southeastern end. The Patriots are easily dispersed by a Loyalist bayonet charge, but the Patriots quickly rally and counterattack.

04 CHAOS

The other Patriot divisions under Cleveland, Winston, McDowell, Williams and Chronicle have gotten into position around the northwestern end of the ridge. They too charge uphill. The whole of the ridge is engulfed in chaos.

05 CHARGE AND RALLY

The musket-with-bayonet-armed Loyalists have little problem driving away the Patriot riflemen with their charges, but the Patriots rally again and again, hiding behind rocks and trees for cover. Their accurate rifle fire takes a heavy toll on the Loyalists. This pattern is repeated all over the ridge.

06 FERGUSON AT BAY

Astride his white charger, Ferguson struggles to maintain his defence, but he is assailed on every side by Patriot militia that he cannot overcome. When two flags of surrender are raised by some of his men, he takes both down with slashes