Major Ferguson Falls

The chaos of battle roared along this ridge top as Ferguson's silver whistle shrilled through the din of gunfire and wounded men's groans, rallying his Tories. Two horses were shot out from under him, and while he charged and slashed at the advancing Whigs, eight or nine rifle balls struck him at the same time. His unusual checkered duster had made him an easy target, and he fell from the saddle with his boot caught in the stirrup. Fierce fighting continued as Captain Abraham DePeyster assumed command, but minutes later the King's men were laying down their arms as white flags fluttered here and there amid the swirling gunsmoke.

Smyrna, South Carolina · United States