Life in the mountainous region of Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Southwestern Virginia was fraught with peril in the American Colonies in the 1700s. In addition to small settlements and danger from disease, attacks on the settlers by Native Americans were a constant threat. Today's episode takes a look at the practice of scalping in the region, including the reasons behind the attacks, who instigated them, and the reasons for the undeclared war between the two groups.
Visit the Mitchell County Historical Society's <a href="https://mitchellnchistory.org/ovm">Overmountain Men page</a> to learn more about them and the famous Battle of Kings Mountain.

Life in the mountainous region of Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Southwestern Virginia was fraught with peril in the American Colonies in the 1700s. In addition to small settlements and danger from disease, attacks on the settlers by Native Americans were a constant threat. Today's episode takes a look at the practice of scalping in the region, including the reasons behind the attacks, who instigated them, and the reasons for the undeclared war between the two groups. Visit the Mitchell County Historical Society's Overmountain Men page to learn more about them and the famous Battle of Kings Mountain.

Life in the mountainous region of Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Southwestern Virginia was fraught with peril in the American Colonies in the 1700s. In addition to small settlements and danger from disease, attacks on the settlers by Native Americans were a constant threat. Today's episode takes a look at the practice of scalping in the region, including the reasons behind the attacks, who instigated them, and the reasons for the undeclared war between the two groups.
Visit the Mitchell County Historical Society's <a href="https://mitchellnchistory.org/ovm" rel="noopener noreferrer">Overmountain Men page</a> to learn more about them and the famous Battle of Kings Mountain.

Episode 3 - The Dangerous Frontier

Today, we explore the beginnings of the American Revolution by discussing King George III's Proclamation of 1763, one of the overlooked triggers that helped provoke hostilities 12 years later.

Today, we explore the beginnings of the American Revolution by discussing King George III's Proclamation of 1763, one of the overlooked triggers that helped provoke hostilities 12 years later.

Episode 2 - The Proclamation of 1763

The Revolutionary War in the American Colonies was just over 5 years old in 1780 and things weren’t going well for the British. With the loss at Saratoga, New York and concerns with the French entering the Patriot side, the Redcoats turned their attention to the south, which they considered to be a Loyalist stronghold.
As Lord Cornwallis commenced his Southern Campaign, Major Patrick Ferguson attempted to quell anti-British sentiment in the western parts of North and South Carolina in a heavy-handed way. We introduce the subject of our program by setting the stage with events that would cause a backlash among the mountaineers that would lead to a battle in October, 1780, one that totally changed the complexion of the war in the south.

The Revolutionary War in the American Colonies was just over 5 years old in 1780 and things weren’t going well for the British. With the loss at Saratoga, New York and concerns with the French entering the Patriot side, the Redcoats turned their attention to the south, which they considered to be a Loyalist stronghold. As Lord Cornwallis commenced his Southern Campaign, Major Patrick Ferguson attempted to quell anti-British sentiment in the western parts of North and South Carolina in a heavy-handed way. We introduce the subject of our program by setting the stage with events that would cause a backlash among the mountaineers that would lead to a battle in October, 1780, one that totally changed the complexion of the war in the south.

Episode 1 - Trouble Brews in the Back Country

The Mitchell County, North Carolina Historical Society presents the story of a ragtag group of backwoodsmen from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia who, after threats made to their homes and livelihood by British Major Patrick Ferguson and his army, took up the challenge and pursued Ferguson, trapping him and his army atop Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Footsteps of Freedom celebrates these backwoodsmen and their achievement which Thomas Jefferson declared was the turning point in the American Revolution.

The Mitchell County, North Carolina Historical Society presents the story of a ragtag group of backwoodsmen from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia who, after threats made to their homes and livelihood by British Major Patrick Ferguson and his army, took up the challenge and pursued Ferguson, trapping him and his army atop Kings Mountain in South Carolina. Footsteps of Freedom celebrates these backwoodsmen and their achievement which Thomas Jefferson declared was the turning point in the American Revolution.

Introduction

A celebration of the backwoodsmen from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia who marched to Kings Mountain and defeated a Loyalist force, resulting in what Thomas Jefferson called the turning point int he American Revolution.

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