Battle of Cane Creek

Battle of Cane Creek marker<br />
<br />
Photo by Randell Jones

Dublin Core

Title

Battle of Cane Creek

Description

On September 12, 1780, Burke County militiamen under Colonel Charles McDowell and Rutherford County militiamen under Colonel Andrew Hampton were encamped near Pilot Mountain at White Oak Springs when they received word that Major Patrick Ferguson and a detachment of loyalist were headed their way. The militiamen laid an ambuscade along Cane Creek at the ford. The fierce fighting which followed resulted in both sides withdrawing with casualties. Over the following few days, McDowell and Hampton lead their 160 men northwest, over the mountains, and to the safety of the overmountain region where they brought more news about the British advance into North Carolina.

The exact location of the skirmish along Cane Creek is under study during 2014. A marker along US Hwy 64 a mile south of NC Hwy 226 commemorates the events which took place in the general area.

Creator

Randell Jones, A Guide to the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

Geolocation

Citation

Randell Jones, A Guide to the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, “Battle of Cane Creek,” Overmountain Victory Trail, accessed March 14, 2025, https://overmountainvictorytour.com/items/show/5.