Mountain Warriors

Most of those from what is now Southwest Virginia who fought in the American Revolution were part of the Virginia state militia. An act for regulating and disciplining the Militia (May 5, 1777) - Encyclopedia Virginia These citizen soldiers wore their own clothes, brought their own horses, and carried their own firearms into battle under officers who held commissions from the governor of Virginia: local leaders including William Preston and William Campbell. Their adversaries included the Cherokees, loyalists, and on some occasions British Regulars.

Although most American militia during the war had little training or experience, those of the Southern backcountry tended to be more formidable and combat experienced. They were also more likely to carry long rifles, a weapon of limited value in open terrain because of its slow loading process but deadly in the densely wooded Southern backcountry. In the hands of Southern militia, it produced the turning point in the war at the Battle of Kings Mountain October 1780.

Flintlock rifle demonstration

William Preston’s associate William Campbell

Detailed examination of weapons and tactics used at the Battle of King’s Mountain.

Retracing the path of the Virginia riflemen to Kings Mountain by road.