Interesting story from "King's Mountain and Its Heroes", 1881, by Lyman Draper: [The Battle of King's Mountain (N.C., just over the border from S.C.) occurred on Oct. 7, 1780] "In the neighborhood of King's Mountain, on King's creek, resided old Arthur Patterson, an Irishman, who was devoted to the Whig cause, as well as his several sons who were settled around him. On the morning preceding the battle, a party of Ferguson's foragers ranging along that stream, came across three of the young Pattersons, Arthur, Jr., Thomas and William, together with James Lindsay; arrested and marched them to camp, where they were placed under guard, awaiting trial. The same day, learning of the apprehension of his sons, the aged father of the Pattersons started for the camp, to see if he could do anything towards effecting their release. Meanwhile the Whigs suddenly made their appearance, encircled the mountain, and commenced their attack. During the progress of the action, while the Americans were pressing the enemy, the guards were ordered to take their places in the line of defence, and aid, if possible, in checking the advance of the mountaineers. Left to thems! elves, amid the confusion of the battle, the prisoners resolved to make a push for freedom. Lindsay, together with William and Arthur Patterson, Jr., ran through an opening in the British lines, and escaped unharmed - Arthur with a portion of the rope, with which he had been fastened, still dangling from his neck. Thomas Patterson, possessing perhaps more of a belligerent nature, watched his opportunity, between fires, and made a bold dash for the Whig lines, reaching Shelby's corps, where he picked up the rifle of a wounded soldier, and fought bravely until victory was proclaimed. His aged father was less fortunate. His old Irish blood, as he came in view of the noble army of patriots was stirred within him; and hoping that he might aid in liberating both his sons and his country, he warmly joined in the fray, and was killed"