His explanation of Tarleton's defeat at the Cowpens must be accepted with much reserve.

At King's Mountain he says the Americans had fifteen hundred men, instead of twenty-five hundred, of which Allaire speaks.

Allaire probably consciously exaggerated the number.] When Ferguson learned that his foes were on him, he sprang on his horse, his drums beat to arms, and he instantly made ready for the fight.
Though surprised by the unexpected approach of the American, he exerted himself with such energy that his troops were in battle array when the attack began.

The outcrops of slaty rock on the hill-sides made ledges which, together with the boulders strewn on top, served as breastworks for the less disciplined tories; while he in person led his regulars and such of the loyalist companies as were furnished with the hunting-knife bayonets.

He hoped to be able to repulse his enemies by himself taking the offensive, with a succession of bayonet charges; a form of attack in which his experience with Pulaski and Huger had given him great confidence.
At three o'clock in the afternoon the firing began, as the Americans drove in the British pickets.