Patrick Ferguson (1744–1780), was a British Army officer, rifle-designer, and early advocate of light infantry. // Events The third French and Indian War, known as King Georges War, breaks out at Port Royal, Nova Scotia The First Saudi State founded by Mohammed Ibn Saud Prague occupied by Prussian armies Ongoing events War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) Births January 10 - Thomas Mifflin, fifth President... 1780 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ...

Anonymous miniature of Patrick Ferguson in uniform as Captain of the light company of the 70th Foot, c. 1774-77 (private collection)

Patrick Ferguson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 25 (Old Style)/June 4 (New Style) 1744, the second son and fourth child of advocate James Ferguson of Pitfour (who was raised to the judges' bench as a Senator of the College of Justice, so known as Lord Pitfour after 1764) and his wife Anne Murray, a sister of the literary patron Patrick Murray, 5th Lord Elibank. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic) Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic and Scots1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Old Style or O.S. is a designation indicating that a date conforms to the Julian calendar, formerly in use in many countries, rather than the Gregorian calendar, currently in use in most countries. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... In Britain and countries of the British Empire, Old Style or O.S. after a date means that the date is in the Julian calendar, in use in those countries until 1752; New Style or N.S. means that the date is in the Gregorian calendar, adopted on 14 September... The Senators of the College of Justice, also known as the Lords of Council and Session and as the Lords Commissioners of Justiciary, are the judges of the Court of Session and of the High Court of Justiciary in Scotland. ... Patrick Murray, 5th Lord Elibank (1703-1778). ...

Through his parents, he knew a number of major figures in the Scottish Enlightenment, including philosopher and historian David Hume, on whose recommendation he read Samuel Richardson's novel Clarissa when he was fifteen, and the dramatist John Home. He had a large number of first cousins through his mother's family: these included William Johnstone Pulteney, Commodore George Johnstone, and Sir James Murray (later Murray-Pulteney). The Scottish Enlightenment was a period of intellectual ferment in Scotland, running from approximately 1740 to 1800. ... see also: David Hume of Godscroft David Hume (April 26, 1711 – August 25, 1776)[1] was a Scottish philosopher, economist, and historian. ... Samuel Richardson (August 19, 1689 – July 4, 1761) was a major 18th century writer best known for his three epistolary novels: Pamela: Or, Virtue Rewarded (1740), Clarissa: Or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and Sir Charles Grandison (1753). ... A dramatist is an author of dramatic compositions, usually plays. ... John Home (September 22, 1722 - September 5, 1808) was a Scottish poet and dramatist. ... Sir William Johnstone Pulteney (October 1729 – 30 May 1805) was an eminent Scottish lawyer, Member of Parliament, and at one time reputedly the wealthiest man in Great Britain. ... George Johnstone (1730-1787) was a British naval officer and member of Parliment during the American Revolution. ... General Sir James Murray-Pulteney, 7th Baronet PC (c. ...

He began his military career in his teens, encouraged by his uncle James Murray. He served briefly in the Holy Roman Empire with the Scots Greys during the Seven Years' War, until a leg ailment - probably tuberculosis in the knee - forced him to return home. After recovering, now in peace-time, he served with his regiment on garrison duty. In 1768, he purchased a command of a company in 70th Regiment of Foot, under the Colonelcy of his cousin Alexander Johnstone, and served with them in the West Indies until his lame leg again began to trouble him. Portrait of James Murray as a young man by Allan Ramsay (1742) (Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh) James Murray (Ballencrieff, East Lothian, Scotland, 21 January 1721– 18 June 1794 Battle) was a British military officer, whose lengthy career included service as colonial administrator and governor of Quebec. ... The extent of the Holy Roman Empire in c. ... The Scots Greys was a dragoon regiment of the British Army from 1678 until 1971, when they amalgamated with the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Waless Dragoon Guards) to form The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys). ... Combatants Prussia Great Britain Hanover Portugal Brunswick Hesse-Kassel Austria France Russia Sweden Spain Saxony Naples and Sicily Sardinia The Seven Years War(i) (1754 and 1756–1763), incorporating the Pomeranian War and the French and Indian War enveloped both European and colonial theatres. ... Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for Tubercle Bacillus) is a common and deadly infectious disease that is caused by mycobacteria, primarily Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ... The 70th (Surrey) Regiment of Foot was a regiment of the British Army formed in 1758 and united with the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot in 1881 to form The East Surrey Regiment . ... The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ...

After returning home in 1772, he took part in light infantry training, coming to the attention of General Howe, and developed the Ferguson rifle, a breech-loading flintlock weapon based on Chaumette's earlier system. Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ... Sir William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB, PC (August 10, 1729 – July 12, 1814) was an English General who was Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the American Revolutionary War, one of the three Howe brothers. ... The Ferguson rifle was most likely the first breech loading rifle to be adopted by any organised military force. ... Flintlock of an 18th Century hunting rifle, with piece of flint missing. ... Pierre Gaspard Chaumette Pierre Gaspard Chamette (1763 - April 13, 1794) was a French politician of the Revolutionary period. ...

Service in the American War of Independence

In 1777, he went to serve in the American Revolutionary War with his experimental rifle corps. However, after initial success, he was shot through the right elbow-joint at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. Shortly before, he had had the chance to shoot a prominent Rebel officer, accompanied by another in distinctive hussar dress, but decided not to do so, as he had his back to him and was unaware of his presence. He was told in hospital by a surgeon, who had been speaking to some Rebel casualties, that General Washington had been in the area at the time. Ferguson wrote that, even if the officer were him, he did not regret his decision. However, the officer's identity remains uncertain, and the presence of the aide in hussar dress has led to suggestions that he may have been Count Kazimierz Pułaski. For some months, he lived under threat of amputation, and also received news of his father's death. He eventually recovered, although his right arm was permanently crippled. He resumed his career in May 1778, under the command of Sir Henry Clinton. Combatants American Patriots France Spanish Empire Dutch Republic Oneida and Tuscarora tribes Polish volunteers Prussian volunteers United Kingdom of Great Britain Iroquois Confederacy Hessian mercenaries Loyalists Commanders George Washington Nathanael Greene Gilbert de La Fayette Comte de Rochambeau Bernardo de Gálvez Tadeusz KoÅ›ciuszko Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben King... Combatants United States Britain Commanders George Washington William Howe Strength 10,600 17,000 Casualties 250 killed, 750 wounded, 400 captured 89 killed, 487 wounded The Battle of Brandywine was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 11, 1777, near Chadds Ford on Brandywine Creek in Delaware... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Kazimierz PuÅ‚aski. ... General Sir Henry Clinton K.B. Commander-in-Chief of British troops in America. ...

In October 1778, he was sent to lead a raid to suppress privateers who had been seizing British ships and were based around the Little Egg Harbor River in what is known as the Battle of Chestnut Neck. Shortly after this raid, Ferguson was notified that a detachment of Pułaski's troops was located nearby. Ferguson marched his troops to the site of the infantry outpost, which comprised fifty men a short distance from the main encampment. At first light, Ferguson ordered the bayonet charge; only five of his quarry were taken alive in what was called the Little Egg Harbor massacre. Ferguson's own account (under the pen-name Egg-Shell) conveys his dismay at Pulaski's lack of preparations and lack of look-outs. Pulaski eventually led his mounted troops (Pulaski's Legion) up, causing Ferguson to retreat to his boats minus a few men that had fallen into the Rebels' hands. A privateer was a private ship (or its captain) authorized by a countrys government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping. ... Mullica River northwest of Lake Atsion Mullica River The Mullica River is a river, approximately 55 miles (90 km) long, in southern New Jersey in the United States. ... The Battle of Chestnut Neck was a battle fought in New Jersey during the American Revolutionary War. ... The Little Egg Harbor Massacre took place in New Jersey during the American Revolution. ... Pulaskis Legion was raised on March 28, 1778 at Baltimore, Maryland under the command of Kazimierz PuÅ‚aski for service with the Continental Army. ...

In 1780, the British Army sent General Lord Cornwallis to invade South Carolina and North Carolina. His mission was to defeat all American forces in the Carolinas and keep the two colonies within the British Empire. A key part of Cornwallis's plan was to recruit soldiers from local Loyalists. To achieve this goal, General Clinton appointed Major Ferguson as Inspector of Militia in South Carolina - Ferguson's mission was to recruit Loyalist militia in the Carolinas and Georgia and intimidate any colonists who favoured American independence. Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (December 31, 1738-October 5, 1805) was a British general and colonial governor. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston(1670-1789) Columbia(1790-present) Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32°430N to 35°12N... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Lebanese Kataeb militia A Militia is an organization of citizens to provide defense, emergency or paramilitary service, or those engaged in such activity. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston(1670-1789) Columbia(1790-present) Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Columbia Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32°430N to 35°12N...

After winning several victories over American forces, Cornwallis occupied Charlotte, North Carolina in the summer of 1780. He subsequently divided his army and gave command of one section to Ferguson. Ferguson's wing of Cornwallis's army consisted of Loyalists he had recruited to fight for the British cause. When Ferguson publicly threatened to invade the mountains beyond the legal limit on westward settlement unless the colonists there abandoned the cause of American independence, the mountaineers organised an army to fight Ferguson at King's Pinnacle, an isolated ridge on the North Carolina-South Carolina border. On 7 October 1780 the two armies met in the famous Battle of Kings Mountain. The battle went badly for the Loyalists, and during the fighting, Ferguson was shot from his horse and killed. He was buried near the site of his fall. It was claimed – also by the Rebels themselves – that his corpse was ill-used before burial in an oxhide. Nickname: Location in Mecklenburg County in the state of North Carolina Coordinates: Country United States State North Carolina Counties Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Government  - Mayor Pat McCrory, (R) Area  - City  280. ... Kings Pinnacle is one of the two main peaks located within Crowders Mountain State Park. ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (281st in leap years). ... Combatants Patriot militia Loyalist militia Commanders William Campbell, John Sevier, Joseph McDowell, Benjamin Cleveland, James Williams†, Isaac Shelby Patrick Ferguson† Strength 900 (+500 nearby) 1,100 (+200 nearby) Casualties 28 killed (including James Williams), 62 wounded 157 killed, 163 wounded, 698 captured (nine of the captured were later hanged for...

A lifelong bachelor, he was buried with one of his mistresses, 'Virginia Sal', who was also killed in the battle. In the 1920s the U.S. government erected a marker at his gravesite, which today is a part of the Kings Mountain National Military Park, a unit of the National Park Service. Kings Mountain National Military Park is a National Military Park near Blacksburg, South Carolina, close to the North Carolina border. ... The National Park Service (NPS) is the United States federal agency that manages all National Parks, many National Monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. ...

His personal correspondence reveals a man of intelligence, humour and charm. He also wrote several articles, satirical in tone, for publication in Rivington's Royal Gazette, under the pseudonyms Egg-Shell, Memento Mori and John Bull.

He was survived by his mother, his brothers James and George, and sisters Annie, Elizabeth (Betty) (Mrs Scrymgeour-Wedderburn of Birkhill), and Jean.

Sources

• Gilchrist, M M. Patrick Ferguson: "A Man of Some Genius", 2003, ISBN 1-901663-74-4

External links

• [Find A Grave]
• on-line biography at patriotresource
• on-line article by his biographer M M Gilchrist