Lesson Plan

Five Senses. Five People.

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Social Studies
Lesson Duration:
30 Minutes
State Standards:
SCCCR4.2.CO: “Compare roles of marginalized groups during the American Revolution.”
SCCCR4.2.CE: Examine the economic and political motivations for colonists to declare independence.
4.2.CX: “South Carolina’s role in development of the new nation."
Additional Standards:
Theme Name: Interaction Among People. 

Key concept: A New Nation.

Essential Question

How did people of different social and economic backgrounds experience the American Revolution?

What can historic artifacts teach us about the past?

Objective

I Can Statements

I can analyze multiple perspectives of people who lived during the American Revolution, DOK Level 4.

I can contextualize the role of South Carolina in the American Revolution, DOK Level 3.

I can summarize what artifacts teach us about the lives of people in the American Revolution, DOK Level 2. 

I can examine and political and economic motivations of people from different backgrounds, DOK Level 3.

Background

About this lesson plan


 “Five Senses. Five People.” is a curriculum-based program designed to assist Fourth-grade students in learning about the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. This program includes pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit activities. Specifically, the program features a traveling trunk with reproduction artifacts, classroom activities, key terms list, teacher resources, and pre-recorded videos featuring historical actors and National Park Service staff. Students will explore aspects of the Southern Campaign in the American Revolution through the perspectives of a loyalist woman, continental soldier, loyalist guide, person of African descent serving in the militia, and Native American. Teachers may choose to use the entire program or use aspects of the program in a way that most benefits their students and circumstances. All videos, classroom activities, and teacher resources are available for viewing and download. 

Please note that the traveling trunk may only be reserved by teachers located within 50 miles of Cowpens National Battlefield, and the rental period is for one week. The teacher is resposible for picking up and retrunign the traveling trunk to Cowpens National Battlefield's Visitor Center at 4001 Chesnee Hwy, Gaffney, SC 29341. The traveling trunk portion of the program, as well as an on-site visit, are the only features of the program that require prior coordination with park staff.

To reserve the traveling trunk, schedule a field trip, or provide us feedback, please email COWP_Information@nps.gov or call 864 461-2828, Ext 3.

Where it fits into the curriculum: This lesson may be used in units on the American Revolution and South Carolina’s role in building a new nation.  

Summary of Videos and Classroom Activities

PLEASE NOTE: "Five Senses. Five People." consists of two videos, each accompanied by corresponding classroom activities. You may use one video or both videos along with the accompanying activities based on your needs.

Please schedule all field trips with park staff before arriving at the park. For park phone numbers, please see the "Visiting the Sites" section below.  

Video Series 1: Join our Side. SCCCR4.2.CO. SCCCR4.2.CE. 4.2.CX. 

Video 1: Join Our Side highlights several reasons why people joined the loyalist or patriot forces in the American Revolution. A park ranger virtually guides the class to several national parks, and students learn from actors who portray historical people from different backgrounds. The actors share their perspectives on the time's social, political, and economic themes.  

Classroom Activities for Join Our Side (these may be used as pre-visit activities for a field trip): Two classroom activities accompany this video. In the first activity, students will fill out a “T-Chart" that prompts them to list reasons why people chose the patriot or loyalist side. In the second activity, students will choose either the patriot or loyalist side and make an advertisement recruiting people to that side.

Video 2: Cowpens Classroom. 4.2.CX. SCCCR4.2.CO. 

Video 2:  Cowpens Classroom highlights the importance of artifacts in teaching students about the past. A park ranger virtually guides the class to several national parks, and students learn from actors who portray historical people from different backgrounds.  

Classroom Activities for Cowpens Classroom (these may be used as pre-visit activities for a field trip): Two activities accompany this video. In the first activity, the students are provided a scavenger hunt and are asked to circle objects they see on film. In the second activity, the students are asked to go in a “time machine” and choose items that they would carry if they were living in the 1700s.

On-site Activity for both films (please contact the park to schedule a field trip): This activity will contain several quotes from people who lived during the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. The quotes will be read by park rangers and the students will be encouraged to use their five senses and imaginations when listening.  

Quotes

Cowpens National Battlefield 

“The morning of the 17th of January, 1781, was bitterly cold. We were formed in order 

of battle, and the men were slapping their hands together to keep warm -- an exertion 

not long necessary.”-Thomas Young (patriot) 

Source: Memoir of Thomas Young  

“We look’d at each other for a considerable time, about sunrise they began the attack by the discharge of two pieces of cannon and three huzzas advancing briskly on our riflemen that was posted in front who fought well disputing the ground that was between them and us.”-Lt. Thomas Anderson (patriot)  

 Source: Journal of Thomas Anderson  

Kings Mountain National Military Park  

“Captain DePeyster raised a flag and called for quarters; it was soon taken out of his hand by one of the mounted officers on horseback, and raised so high that it could be seen by our line.” -Ensign Robert Campbell (patriot) 

Source: "The Battle of Kings Mountain: Eyewitness Accounts" by Robert Dunkerly, pg. 21-22. 

“In a moment, Kings Mountain resounded with their shouts, and on the first fire the guard retreated, leaving some of their men to crimson the earth.” -Ensign Robert Campbell (patriot) 

Source: "The Battle of Kings Mountain: Eyewitness Accounts" by Robert Dunkerly, pg. 20. 

“So rapid was the attack that I was in the act of dismounting to report that all was quiet and the pickets on the alert when we heard their firing about half a mile off.”- Alexander Chesney (loyalist) 

Source: "The Battle of Kings Mountain: Eyewitness Accounts" by Robert Dunkerly, pg. 131 

Ninety Six National Historic Site 

“We get no intelligence; no creature comes in to us. In a former letter I advised your Lordship that I had two hundred militia, pretty good and armed, and about an hundred old and helpless with their families. We were this day summoned to surrender and the trust to the generosity of the American arms, which being rejected, a furious cannonading began from three one gun batteries.” -Cruger to Rawdon, June 3rd 1781. 

Source: The Cornwallis Papers  

“Suddenly, a cannonade is heard at Cambridge [Ninety Six], and the ladies were soon apprized that General Greene had attacked the British, and was besieging their star battery. Much confusion ensued; all were busy in collecting their movables, and Mrs. Cruger sewing up her guineas in girdles or belts, for the purpose of securing them to her person. ."Source: Traditions reminiscences, chiefly of the American Revolution in the South, by Joseph Johnson, 1851, p 471 Traditions and reminiscences, chiefly of the American revolution in the South : including biographical sketches, incidents, and anecdotes, few of which have been published, particularly of residents in the upper country.”-Jospeh Johnson  

From Traditions reminiscences, chiefly of the American Revolution in the South, by Josephy Johnson, 1851, p 471, https://archive.org.  

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail 
"Pleasant Garden [Marion, North Carolina] is a very handsome place. I was surprised to see so beautiful a tract of land in the mountains. This settlement is composed of the most violent Rebels I ever saw, particularly the young ladies." -Loyalist Lieutenant Anthony Allaire of the "American Volunteers" Regiment, marching and gathering Loyalist support in the Blue Ridge Mountains, September 16, 178 

Source: Kings Mountain and Its Heroes by Lyman Draper, page 508. 

“I am heartily glad to see you to a man resolve to meet and fight your country’s foes. When we encounter the enemy, don’t wait for the word of command. Let each one of you be your own officer, and do the very best you can, taking every care you can of yourselves, and availing yourselves of every advantage that chance may throw your way. If in the woods, shelter yourselves, and give them Indian play; advance from tree to tree, pressing the enemy and killing and disabling all you can. Your officers will shrink from no danger – they will be constantly with you, and the moment the enemy give way, be on the alert, and strictly obey orders.” -Patriot Colonel Isaac Shelby, one of the "Overmountain men" leaders, October 3, 1780, encouraging his men for the coming fight.  

Source: Kings Mountain and Its Heroes by Lyman Draper, page 196 

Post-visit Activities for both films: Students will be asked to create a song, poem, short essay, or artwork based on what they learned about the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.  

Traveling Trunk Inventory 

Please note that the traveling trunk may only be reserved by teachers located within 50 miles of Cowpens National Battlefield, and the rental period is 10 business days at maximum. The teacher is responsible for picking up and returning the traveling trunk to Cowpens National Battlefield's Visitor Center at 4001 Chesnee Hwy, Gaffney, SC 29341. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The traveling trunk portion of the program, as well as an on-site visit, are the only features of the program that require prior coordination with park staff.

Inventory (Pictures of objects are included in an object guide inside of the trunk)

  • Three Continental regimental coats 
  • One tricorn hat
  • Eleven USA buttons in a brown pouch
  • One quill writing set with three quills and one ink. 
  • One deck of playing cards
  • One cockade 
  • One canteen
  • Two pine twigs
  • One spyglass 
  • One compass 
  • Two 71st Regimental buttons 
  • One hand mirror
  • One loaf of faux bread
  • One wooden spoon
  • One comb
  • Two dice
  • One buzz saw
  • Three haversacks
  • One knapsack
  • One market bag
  • Two tin mugs
  • One hunting frock
  • One Mechanical pencil
  • One eagle feather 
  • One brain tanned deer hide
  • 1 poweder horn
  • Assortment of brochures and bookmarks (you may permanently keep)

Sources

Sources for this program were found using the official websites of Cowpens National Battlefield, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Ninety Six National Historic Site, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, and the National Park Service.

Visiting the Sites

Cowpens National Battlefield is in Gaffney, South Carolina. It commemorates the patriot victory of Brigadier General Danial Morgan over Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton’s regular British forces on January 17, 1781. The park’s facilities and grounds include a battlefield, visitor center, restrooms, trails, loop road, and picnic area. Visitors may explore the battlefield by walking on the battlefield trail (1.25-miles). The visitor center includes exhibits and two films about the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution and the Battle of Cowpens.  

The picnic area contains a covered picnic shelter with 3 tables and roof and nearby uncovered picnic tables. The 2-mile nature trail begins at the picnic area. The 3.8-mile loop road travels around the perimeter of the battlefield and is often used by motorists and people seeking recreation and exercise. For more information, please call 864 461-2828, Ext. 3. 

Kings Mountain National Military Park is in Blacksburg, South Carolina. It commemorates the all-militia Battle of Kings Mountain, the first major patriot victory of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution, fought on October 7, 1780. The park facilities and grounds include a battlefield trail (1.5-miles), hiking trails, visitor center, museum exhibits, and park film. For more information, please call 864 936-7921, Ext. 3. 

Ninety Six National Historic Site is in Ninety Six, South Carolina. It preserves and commemorates for educational benefit and enjoyment the settlement and development of the English Colonies in the backcountry of America and the role of Ninety Six in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. Toward that end, the site preserves unique and original resources, including the Star Fort earthworks and Kosciuszko’s Mine, associated with the 28-day siege in May and June of 1781. It was also the first land battle in the south, in November 1775. Ninety Six consists of a battlefield trail, Gouedy Trail, Cherokee Path Trail, earthworks, and many other features. The visitor center contains exhibits and park film. For more information, please call 864-543-4068, Ext. 3.

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail stretches 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina). The trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. You may follow the campaign by using a Commemorative Motor Route which uses existing state highways marked with the distinctive trail logo, or 87 miles of walkable pathways. For more information, please call 864 461-2828, Ext. 3. 

 

Preparation

Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War 

The Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War began with British concern over the course of the war in the North. Failure at Saratoga, fear of French intervention, and over-all failure to bring the rebels to heel persuaded British military strategists to turn their attention to the South. Some in Britain even suggested that New England, that hotbed of sedition, was a lost cause anyway and not worth the effort, temporarily or even permanently. The British did have some success in New Jersey and Pennsylvania but failed to consolidate their efforts. They appeared, in fact, to lack any over-all strategy to crush the rebels. 

Early on, British military strategists saw the South as a loyalist stronghold. There were the Highland Scots of the Cape Fear Region in North Carolina, strong Anglicans in coastal areas, those with grudges against colonial governments, traders, mercantilists, late-arriving immigrants, and those running from the law - all having reason to remain loyal to the Crown. In addition, there were native tribes, including the Cherokee and Catawba, who had reasons to support British loyalists or patriots. The strengthening of loyalist sentiment and consequent Patriot hostility resurrected age-old animosities and loyalties as regions, individuals, or even families chose sides. Consequently, the war took on the nature of a violent civil war. Raids, murders, and reprisals became the order of the day. Even, at times, families were fractured as members differed over the war. Plantations were plundered and crops, destroyed. With civil government virtually collapsed, violence and hatred grew to the point of hope for victory as the only solution. Forced to choose between collaboration or rebellion, many Americans chose the latter. More and more, guerilla warfare replaced orthodox fighting. 

From the beginning, the British were undaunted. With such perceived Loyalist support, British victory over the rebels was to be an easy one - a quick expedition south to restore the "King's Friends" to power over Patriots who had earlier wrested control from royal governors. With Georgia and South Carolina under firm Loyalist control, red-coated British troops could then subdue North Carolina and Virginia. British General Henry Clinton, in his memoirs, The American Rebellion, stated that the British goal in the South "was to support the Loyalists and restore the authority of the King's government". Intense British political pressure emphasized Loyalist-related strategies as a means of victory. Additionally, some British strategists envisioned a "Chesapeake squeeze" in which British forces in the North would drive south toward Virginia, creating a pincers movement and trapping American forces. The Chesapeake, wrested from American control, would serve as a base for British naval operations. 

The British had additional motives for the South. Southern agricultural products -- notably tobacco, rice, and indigo -- were important to British mercantile interests. British strategists saw the Carolinas, Georgia, East Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda as an important post-war trade grouping and an integral part of the West Indies sugar trade. Savannah and, more importantly, Charleston would fit well into such a grouping. Charleston was coveted, especially, as the most important southern port and the fourth largest and richest city in North America. 

The fall of Charleston on May 12, 1780, was perhaps the worst defeat Americans suffered during the entire Revolution. Subsequent British victories at the Waxhaws, Camden, and Fishing Creek eliminated much of the southern Continental army and made the British confident that the South was theirs. Events in the North and South led to a feeling of Patriot desperation by the summer of 1780. 

The tide of battle was soon to turn, however, in a sequence of events. First, overmountain men defeated forces under Patrick Ferguson at Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780. General Cornwallis, in command in the South, abruptly stopped his push into North Carolina and fell back to South Carolina to protect its western borders. About the same time, George Washington selected General Nathanael Greene to salvage the situation in the South. Greene, against contemporary military wisdom, split his army so that they could move more widely throughout the Carolinas. Greene's decision to put Daniel Morgan in command of one division led to a Patriot victory at Cowpens, where British losses were staggering: 110 dead, over 200 wounded and 500 captured. Cowpens was followed by a stand-off at Guilford Courthouse where, it is estimated, the British lost one-third of their force and some of their best officers. Siege of the British fort at Ninety Six put additional pressure on the British. Subsequent Cornwallis blunders and British failure to provide naval superiority led to his entrapment and Patriot victory at Yorktown. The blow was decisive; the war was lost, and American forces in the South played a great part in the final victory. Additionally, historians point to numerous militia skirmishes in the backcountry and to Greene's long-term strategy of disrupting British logistics as crucial to final victory. 

The Battle of Cowpens, in context of the Southern Campaign, was the turning point of the war in the South. Moreover, it contained the tactical masterpiece of the entire war—Morgan's unique deployment of troops, including effective use of the militia and maximization of their strengths. Like Kings Mountain before, the victory at Cowpens was decisive and complete. But there was a difference: Kings Mountain had been an important victory over Tories; Cowpens was a victory over crack British regulars. Kings Mountain and Cowpens had both been political and psychological victories for the hearts and minds of the population, in effect blunting recruitment of Loyalists. The Cowpens victory also boosted northern morale, resulting in additional and greatly deserved military assistance for General Greene. These battles stopped a long string of retreats by American forces and initiated a chain of events leading to eventual Patriot victory at Yorktown. In truth, the Revolution was won in the South, and Cowpens played a major role in the victory. 

Bios

Nathaneal Greene: General Nathanael Greene was one of George Washington’s dependable officers. He was born in Rhode Island in 1742 to Quaker parents. His family’s business involved forging iron pieces for the construction of ships who traded with the British. Greene strongly opposed the British Revenue policies, and he took an interest in the growing discontent in the colonies. It was this interest that led him to the military, a choice that was against his religious upbringing.   

When the war broke out, he showed a talent for assembling supplies and working well with his military and civilian colleagues. Greene became a general in the summer of 1775, at 34 years of age. Greene served in the Boston Campaign, New York and New Jersey Campaigns, and the Philadelphia campaign.  

Following the disastrous Battle of Camden, South Carolina, in August 1780, Congress asked Washington to recommend a new commander for the Southern Department. Greene was immediately recommended and was appointed to command in October. Taking charge of the remnants of the Southern Army in December, Greene’s conduct of the war in the South for the next three years was to be so successful that it broke the back of the British war effort in America. 

During the Southern Campaign, Greene used the same successful system of supply he had used under Washington. At war’s end in 1783, Greene was forced to sell most of his personal property to retire these debts to his name. While attempting to rebuild his finances he settled at “Mulberry Grove”, a plantation given to him and his wife, Catherine Littlefield Greene, and their five children, by the people of Georgia. Here, in June 1786, Greene died from what may have been the complications of sunstroke, never seeing the beginning of the new country he had fought to create. 

Alexander Chesney: Alexander Chesney was born into a Scots Irish family in County Atrium, Ireland in 1758. In 1772, he emigrated to Charleston, South Carolina along with his family. Once fighting for the War for Independence broke out in the southern colonies around 1775, Chesney volunteered to act as a guide for loyalists opposed to the patriot-aligned provincial governments in North Carolina and South Carolina. Patriot militia, however, captured him in April 1776, offering him the option of either serving under Whig forces or standing trial for the crime of assisting Tory refugees. Chesney recalled that he was “made a prisoner, my house ransacked, and Kept a prisoner in the Snowy Camp on Reedy River for about a week.” He, eventually, elected to enlist as a private in a patriot militia unit over the next few years, mainly out of concern for his father, whom had already been imprisoned for “harboring some loyalists.” 

After British forces captured Charleston on May 12, 1780, Chesney responded to General Henry Clinton’s call for colonists to defend the imperial government by joining loyalist militia forces under the command of Major Patrick Ferguson. He participated in several successful victories against Whig forces, serving as a Lieutenant and Captain within loyalist militia regiments over the next few months. But Chesney suffered defeat and gunshot wounds at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780.  

By January 1781, Chesney formed a militia company to fight under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton, who had commanded British forces to victory at the Battle of Waxhaws, Battle of Camden, and other engagements in South Carolina over the past year. He assisted in guiding Tarleton from the British encampment at Fort Ninety-Six through the Pacolet River area in search of Whig General Daniel Morgan. 

Chesney relocated to Charleston following the British defeat at Cowpens. He continued to lead Loyalist militia in several other skirmishes against patriot forces near the Edisto River before fleeing to Castle Haven, Ireland on May 19, 1782.  

Ann Delancy Cruger: Ann Delancy Cruger, known as a loyalist, was born in the year 1744 in New York City to a prominent family. Her father was Oliver DeLancey, a well-known figure and supporter of British rule in the American colonies. Growing up in a household deeply connected to British colonial interests, Ann developed a strong loyalty to the Crown.  

In 1762, Ann married John Harris Cruger. He was a well-known figure in New York and was from a wealthy and an important merchant family. In 1776, John joined Oliver DeLancy's loyalist unit, the first battalion in the DeLancy Brigade. While John was away, Ann went to live with her parents in Bloomingdale New York. In 1777, the home was ransacked and burned by patriots. During this event, Ann became lost from her family and wandered several miles before being taken in by an inn keeper. 

When John went south to Georgia, Ann followed. She almost drowned on her way to Savannah, when a tropical storm sunk the vessel she was on. A French man-of-war on their way to siege Savannah rescued her. John was captured at a plantation in Belfast, Georgia and held as a prisoner of war for several months. He was finally released in a prisoner exchange. 

After his release, the Crugers headed to Ninety Six, South Carolina. While at Ninety Six, Ann lived in the garrison along with other loyalists and their families. When General Greene's patriot army approached Ninety Six, Ann took refuge about half a mile away at a loyalist minister's home. The home was close enough to hear the muskets and cannons discharge. After the loyalists abandoned Ninety Six, the Crugers once more set off for a new battleground. At Eutaw Springs, Ann narrowly escaped the battle to a loyalist’s home half a mile away. Once again, she was close enough to the battle to hear the violent discharge of muskets and the explosions of cannons.  

After the patriots won the war, the Crugers returned to New York. Due to the Confiscation Act of 1779, they lost their property and other assets. Realizing that they could not live in this new Republic, the Crugers set out for England. There, they spent the rest of their lives. 

Primus: Primus was a free person of African descent who was born c.1760 in Rowan County, North Carolina. We do not know his last name, and his genealogical information is thin. He voluntarily joined the North Carolina militia and served from 1777 to 1781. While little is known about his life before 1777, his parents may have been yeoman farmers, working a small farm. In 1777, Colonel Thomas Carson (Sr.) began recruiting men for militia service in Rowan County. When Primus enlisted, he was assigned to be Carson’s waiter. He stayed in this position for the next three years. After the British captured Charleston in May 1780, Primus moved with Carson to the Camden area. He participated in the initial fighting of the Battle of Camden and was wounded in the head and captured. He remained in captivity until he escaped during a raid led by Francis Marion’s partisans.  

Primus rejoined the patriot forces and fought at the Battle of Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Battle of Eutaw Springs. His pension states that he later marched to join George Washington’s troops at Yorktown and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis in October 1781.  

At the age of 86 in 1846, Primus filed a pension application for his service in the Revolutionary War. His application is the only public document of his service. At the time of his application, the officers he served under were deceased and unable to verify his service. Primus was denied his pension application, and it exemplifies how non-white Americans, faced obstacles of inequality in the years after the revolution.  

Dragging Canoe: Dragging Canoe was a Cherokee war chief who led a faction of the Cherokee nation against colonial settlers occupying native land. He was born around 1738 in Shaconage (shah-con-ah-jey), or “Land of the Blue Mist” in southeastern North America. He grew-up in southeast Tennessee and was a survivor of smallpox that left his face marked. He may have received the name Dragging Canoe by his family at a young age. The legend goes that he wanted to join a war party but was told he could go only if he could carry his own canoe. However, he was only able to drag the heavy canoe.  

In 1775, Dragging Canoe rose to prominence at Sycamore Shoals, where he gained a following of Cherokees that shared his views on colonial settlers and land cessions. He first served in combat during the Anglo-Cherokee War. In 1776, the Cherokee Wars broke out and Dragging Canoe led raids against towns of colonial settlers. Opposing attempts at peace, he led a group of Cherokee to settle further south from where the South Chickamauga Creek joins the Tennessee River. Thereafter, some referred to them as the Chickamauga. Dragging Canoe continued to preserve Cherokee culture and resist encroachment on native territories as a diplomat until his death in 1792. It is speculated that he died of a heart attack after participating in a celebration of a native alliance.  

 

Materials

Procedure


"Five Senses. Five People." includes two videos that are accompanied by corresponding classroom activities. You may use one video or both videos in a way that most benefits your students and circumstances. All videos, classroom activities, and teacher resources are available for viewing and download. Please note that the traveling trunk portion of the program and on-site visits are the only features of the program that require prior coordination with park staff. 
 

Vocabulary

American Revolutionary War-(1775-1783): War between Great Britian and its colonies.  

Banastre Tarleton: British officer who led the British Legion in the American Revolution.  

Battle of Camden-(August 16, 1780): A patriot loss in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.  

Battle of Cowpens-(January 17, 1781): An important patriot victory won by Daniel Morgan and his army.  

Battle of Eutaw Springs-(September 8, 1781): A battle that both sides claimed to win in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. 

Battle of Guilford Courthouse-(March 15, 1781): A patriot loss in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.  

Battle of Kings Mountain-(October 7, 1780): An important patriot victory in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.  

British Legion: A group of loyalist soldiers who fought on horseback and on foot.  

Colonies: Country or land managed by another country.  

Continental Army: Army of the thirteen colonies in the American Revolution.  

Cowpens National Battlefield: Unit of National Park Service created to honor the patriot victory led by Daniel Morgan in the American Revolution.  

Crown: British government.  

Daniel Morgan: Patriot leader in the American Revolution.  

Declaration of Independence: Document that lists the colonies’ reasons for separating from Great Britian.  

Great Britian: Country in Europe.  

Independence: Being free to act on own.  

John Harris Cruger: Loyalist soldier and husband of Ann DeLancy Cruger.  

Kings Mountain National Military Park: National Park that honors the patriot victory of a group called the Overmountain-men.  

Loyalist: A colonist who supported the king of England. 

Major Patrick Ferguson: British officer who was defeated at the Battle of Kings Mountain.  

Militia: Everyday citizens who fight with regular army.  

Nathanael Greene: Patriot leader of all American forces in the south.  

National Park Service: Protects parks with important history, nature, and wildlife.  

Ninety Six National Historic Site: National Park that protects important outpost in the American Revolution.  

Oliver DeLancey: Loyalist and father of Ann DeLancy Cruger.  

Outpost: Camp or building set in a place away from regular army.  

Overmountain-men: Group of patriot militia from Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Viriginia.  

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail: Route took by Overmoutain-men to get to Battle of Kings Mountain.  

Patriot: A colonist who wanted to be free of British rule over the colonies. 

Parliament: Part of the British government.  

Prisoner Exchange: A way to trade prisoners between opposing sides.  

Revolution: A sudden change in government led by the people.  

Southern Campaign: Name for battles in the south during the last few years of the American Revolution.  

Taxes: How the government collects money from its citizens to pay for things people need.  

  

 

 

Additional Resources


Cowpens National Battlefield Education

Kings Mountain National Military Park Education

Junior Ranger Program Become a Junior Ranger 

Library of Congress U.S. History Primary Source Timeline, The American Revolution 1763-1783. 

March Into Reading Books about the American Revolution

National Archives The American Revolution.

National Park Service American Revolution. 

Ninety Six National Historic Site Education

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail Education

Teaching with Historic Places  Learn at historic places 

Contact Information

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Tags: cowpens national battlefield kings mountain national military park ninety six national historic site overmountain victory national historic trail american revolution american revolution in the south american revolution continental army southern campaign of american revolution nathanael greene american revolutionary war american loyalists patriots

Last updated: May 31, 2025