3. THE BATTLE BEGINS.
The first shot of the battle was the signal for all the patriot units that were in position around the base of the ridge to commence their attack. Here Sevier and Campbell merged their forces as they engaged Ferguson’s Provincial troops in bitter hand-to-hand fighting. They gained ground, only to lose it again, as they were repulsed by repeated bayonet charges. But by their heroic action near this spot, patriot troops on the northeast end of the ridge were enabled to complete the encirclement of Ferguson’s position.
4. HIGHEST PEAK OF THE BATTLE RIDGE.
This spot marks the southwestern end of Ferguson’s battle position, which extended the entire length of the ridge. The Centennial Monument erected in 1880 to commemorate the American patriots who defeated Ferguson is also located at this point. It is placed upon ground that was overrun by the men of Shelby, Sevier, and Campbell who, by their gallantry, forced Ferguson’s troops to retire toward the British campsite.
5. PATRIOT ADVANCE CONTINUES.
Bitterly fighting all the while, Tory forces were gradually pushed back along the top of the ridge in this area. Here Ferguson had hoped to establish a position from which he could better withstand the relentless attack of the mountain men.
The Chronicle Markers. On the left is the original stone, erected 1815, which was replaced with the newer marker in 1914. These stones mark the graves of Maj. William Chronicle, Capt. John Mattocks, William Rabb, and John Boyd; patriots killed in the battle.
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
MAJOR WILLIAM CHRONICLE, CAPTAIN JOHN MATTOCKS,
WILLIAM RABB AND JOHN BOYD,
WHO WERE KILLED AT THIS PLACE ON THE 7TH OF
OCTOBER, 1780, FIGHTING IN DEFENSE OF AMERICA.
COLONEL FERGUSON, AN OFFICER OF HIS BRITANNIC
MAJESTY, WAS DEFEATED AND KILLED AT
THIS PLACE ON THE 7TH OF OCTOBER, 1780.