Battle of Shallow Ford

The Battle of Shallow Ford was an American Revolution skirmish that took place on October 14, 1780 in Huntsville, North Carolina. A company of 600 Loyalist militia, led by Colonel Gideon Wright and his brother Captain Hezikiah Wright, were attempting to cross the Yadkin River to join General Cornwallis in Charlotte, which the British forces had captured two weeks prior. Colonel Joseph Williams gathered 300 Patriot militia and laid an ambush at the ford.

Battle of Shallow Ford
Part of the American Revolutionary War
Date October 14, 1780 Location Huntsville, North Carolina, United States Result Patriot victory
Belligerents
Patriot militia	Loyalist militia
Commanders and leaders
Joseph Williams	Gideon Wright
Strength
300	600
Casualties and losses
1 killed	14 killed

A short battle followed, with the Patriot forces winning decisively. The Loyalist militia became scattered and fled.[1] Fifteen casualties were reported, fourteen Loyalists and one Patriot, Henry Francis, a captain in the Virginia militia. A tombstone at the site of the skirmish honors Francis.[2] The Big Poplar Tree, a landmark at the site, is believed to have been shot out during the battle.[3]

The Battle of Shallow Ford was one of several successful attempts to delay British reinforcements to Charlotte, along with the largest Battle of King's Mountain and other small skirmishes throughout the Carolinas. Facing constant harassment from Patriot militias and unable to secure reinforcement, Cornwallis was forced to retreat south in November.

The battle shares its name with a play written by Ed Simpson, a native of nearby Lewisville.

References

1. One Heroic Hour at King's Mountain, by Pat Alderman, Page 68
2. "Marker to honor newly discovered hero," Winston-Salem Journal article by Jay Woodruff, June 11, 1994
3. The Heritage of Yadkin County, Frances Harding Casstevens, editor, page 24

36°4′56″N 80°31′46″W