The Overmountain Victory Historic Trail Commemorative March begins today, Sept. 25, in Fort Watauga, Tennessee, and will pass through Spruce Pine on its way to South Carolina this weekend.
Revolutionary War re-enactors gather in Tennessee at this time every year to commemorate the march of Patriot militias who traveled to South Carolina in 1780 to face Loyalist militias at the Battle of Kings Mountain.
Along the way, the re-enactors will appear at The Orchard at Altapass Friday evening, where they will camp for the night. Also on Friday they will make an appearance for local school children at Sibelco.
After that, they will march through the Treasures in the Fall festival Saturday on Lower Street (Locust Street) in Spruce Pine. The parade of re-enactors will be at 10:30 a.m., followed by recounting the Kings Mountain Story at 11 a.m.
Treasures in the Fall will also feature live music and a wide variety of fall-themed and historic heritage-themed activities and shopping opportunities, as well as appearances by area authors.
The Battle of Kings Mountain has been described as the Revolutionary War’s “largest all-American fight.” Although the opposing forces were led by British Maj. Patrick Ferguson, most of those threatening the Patriot militias of the Southern Appalachian settlements were Americans loyal to the British crown.
Ferguson had been sent to recruit settlers to join Loyalist militias. As part of that effort, he threatened those who refused join his forces. These threats sparked the Overmountain Men’s muster and decision to go on the offense to attack Ferguson’s troops in South Carolina.
After leaving Spruce Pine, the march will split into two groups (as the original militia split into two groups at around this point) and the re-enactors will go on to make appearances in Morganton and Marion.
The re-enactors will continue south into the foothills where they will make numerous appearances at local schools and community events.
The actual Battle of Kings Mountain re-enactment will take place at Kings Mountain Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.