© 2022 Don Pinson | [Download]
(Link not working? Right-click and select “Save As”.)

Between the years of 1730 and 1770 hundreds of thousands of immigrants poured into the United States.  While all the nations of Europe were represented in this sea of people, by far the largest groups were from Scotland and Ireland and came to be called the “Scots-Irish”.  Most came into America through Philadelphia and quickly made their way into the American wilderness.  These were folks used to life in mountainous terrain, and they rapidly settled into the Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains.  With no love of the English crown, since they had been oppressed by the English in their native land, they quickly became Americans and identified with the growing movement toward independence.

Their long history of struggling for freedom made them excellent soldiers in Washington’s continental army.  They would figure in key battles throughout the Revolutionary War, often being the group that would turn the tide in battle.  For ages they had loved liberty more than life, fighting to the death for the right to local self- government rather than submitting to London’s bureaucrats.  They would prove to be the moving force that began the British’ downward spiral toward ultimate defeat.

The setting was the border between North and South Carolina.  A mountain ridge, 1,700 feet high would be Continue reading →