10/10/2026
Today marks the 244th anniversary of the Battle of Shallowford, fought in 1780.
Several companies of Virginia militia were on their way to resist Patrick Ferguson's Loyalist army in the western part of North Carolina. News reached them of Ferguson's defeat on Oct. 7th at King’s Mountain, so they were ordered to Surry County to suppress the Loyalists under Gideon Wright. The Virginians united forces with Captain Andrew Carson’s small group of Surry County Militia.
Around 9:30am on October 14th, the first of Colonel Wright’s 300 or more Loyalists had crossed the river at the Shallow Ford and were making their way northwest along the Mulberry Fields Road when they crested the hill just above a creek now called Battle Branch.
At the bottom of the hill, Major Joseph Cloyd’s mixed force of about 400 Virginia and North Carolina Whigs had been preparing breakfast when they heard the Tories approach and established an ambush.
Surprised and suffering numerous casualties, including Captain James Bryan, the Loyalists likely fired from horseback. Some attempted to dismount and form a battle line while others scattered back across the river, calling to their comrades who had not yet crossed that "we are whipped!"
The battle was quick but brutal. A few Loyalists were killed by the initial gunfire, and many were captured. Some of the captured men were clubbed to death with musket butts. One pension application related that a Black Loyalist named Ball Turner put up a stubborn resistance and was brought down by more than a dozen musket balls.
In the end, at least 15 Loyalists were killed and 10 wounded, with another 40 captured. The only Whig death was Captain Francis, who was shot in the head. 4-5 Whigs were wounded.
The Battle of Shallowford effectively eliminated what Loyalist resistance remained in western North Carolina for the rest of the war.
