Replies

During the invasion of that city, Ferguson worked with the legendary Banastre Tarleton, who had angered many Patriots after his massacre of soldiers trying to surrender to him at Waxhaw. Author Washington Irving later wrote that Ferguson and Tarleton were "equally intrepid and determined but Ferguson is cooler, and more open to the impulses of humanity." In fact, some researchers believe that Ferguson despised Tarleton's methods.

Ferguson "despising" Tarleton's methods may be another Legend of Sleepy Hollow:

During the siege of Charleston, Pattie worked closely with Banastre Tarleton (1754-1833) and the Legion horse, under Lieut. Col. James Webster (1740-81), 33rd Foot, to cut off Rebel supply routes. Pattie and 'Ban' worked well together, and, contrary to myth, respected each other. Pattie regarded Tarleton, a Liverpool merchant-shipping magnate's son, as "a very active gallant young man", and the latter wrote well of him in his Campaigns. They defeated Huger at Monck's Corner on 14 April. But that night a couple of drunken Legion troopers, celebrating the victory, broke into Fair Lawn Plantation and terrorised Jane Giles - a young Englishwoman whose first husband had been Sir John Colleton, Bt. - and her 3 companions, of of whom, Anna Fayssoux, the wife of a Rebel army surgeon, was sexually assaulted. Pattie sent men to arrest the culprits, intending to execute them. Webster commuted the sentence to flogging - if 'commuted' is the phrase for a punishment which could kill more slowly. Ban supported the punishment of the offender. Mrs. Giles (still often called "Lady Colleton") was a Loyalist. Politically, it would have been damaging to let the incident go unpunished. But from this incident, which actually preceded Pattie's generous description of Ban, 19C American writers such as Washington Irving and Lyman C. Draper derived the myth of enmity between the two officers. This has been perpetuated by later writers.

From Major PATRICK FERGUSON, 71st Foot, Inspector of Militia 1744-80

~~~

In the immense collections of the Public Record Office in London is correspondence from Colonel Ferguson. In one of these letters he describes, in some detail, the encounter with General Washington, yet in another he admits he did not know it was Washington at the time.

Ferguson wrote that he and three of his Sharp Shooters were scouting the American lines near Chadd's Ford, along Brandywine Creek (hence the name of the ensuing battle). He and his men heard the approach of two horsemen. The first was a brilliantly clad Hussar and the second rider, a few paces behind, was wearing the traditional blue and buff uniform of an American Senior Officer, mounted on a bay horse and wearing "a remarkably large cocked hat". He also noted that the Officer was of "exceptional distinction". It is obvious that if Ferguson had indeed recognized General Washington he would have said so, and not take the time to describe him as he did. It is important to note that in the 18th century, there were few likenesses published, so Ferguson would have had to have met or at least seen Washington to have recognized him.

Ferguson continued: His first thought was to cut the two riders down where they sat, so he ordered his men "to steal near to them and fire at them". He then changed his mind and signaled his men to hold their fire. He thought his first impulse was "disgusting". He then stepped from his place of concealment and ordered the Hussar, the closest of the two, to step down from his mount. The hussar shouted an alarm. Wahington whirled his horse, Nelson, around and galloped off. Ferguson wrote "As I was with the distance, at which in the quickest firing, I could have lodged a half dozen balls in or about him before he was out of my reach, I had only to determine, but it was not pleasant to fire at the back of an unoffending individual who was acquitting himself coolly of his duty, and so I let him alone."

Four days later, the Battle of Brandywine took place. Major Patrick Ferguson fell when a musket ball struck his right elbow. He would never regain full use of the arm, but continued on active duty and actually learned to load his rifle with one hand!

While in the field hospital recovering from his wound he wrote (obviously with his left hand and with great difficulty) "One of the surgeons who had been dressing the wounded rebel officers came in and told me that they had been informed that General Washington was all that day, (7 September 1777) with the light troops and only attended by a French Officer in Hussar Dress, he himself, dressed and mounted in every point as described."

This letter reaffirms the theory that Ferguson did not know it was Washington he challenged. But, if he had known it was Washington himself, would he have cut him down? This writer thinks not. Shooting down enemy officers in cold blood was looked upon as dishonorable in the 18th century. Major Ferguson was a professional soldier, and an honorable one. He proved that when he and his Sharp Shooters were assigned to support the occupation of the South. In 1779 at Charlestown, South Carolina, Ferguson heard screaming from a "rebel" house. He rushed in immediately and found several of Colonel Banastre Tarleton's Dragoons molesting the women who lived there. He ordered the Dragoons arrested and hung! Tarleton intervened on their behalf and informed Ferguson that the men were entitled to a trial. No record has been found as to who prevailed.

We now turn our attention to confirming the letters of Major Ferguson. None of George Washington's biographers mention the Brandywine incident. Washington did not record the event, which is not surprising, as General Washington had no way of knowing how close to death he had been. However, in the Bicentennial Edition of "The Writings of George Washington" (1933) Volume. IX, Page 195, a letter from Washington's Aide-de-Camp, Robert Harrison, to the President of Congress, John Hancock, states: "Sir; His Excellency being out reconnoitring and busily engaged in the affairs of the Army, I have the honor of acknowledging his receipt of your letter of the 6th", dated on September 7th, 1777. This confirms that Washington was indeed out on a scouting mission.

The Count de Pulaski, a refugee from the Polish Army, was in Paris, France when it was suggested that he serve in the American Army against Britain, which he accepted. Armed with a letter from Benjamin Franklin and a cash advance from Silas Deane he sailed for America. In July of 1777, the 29 year old was accepted by the Congress and was assigned to General Washington as an Aide-de-Camp. We know Pulaski wore the uniform of a Hussar, but no detailed description has survived, we also know he was with Washington in late August and early September. It may well have been Pulaski that Ferguson saw with Washington that eventful day.

Casimir Pulaski went on to command a cavalry unit with great distinction. He was mortally wounded while leading a gallant, but foolhardy, cavalry charge at Savannah, Georgia on October 9th, 1779.

This article would not be complete without offering a word of praise about a gallant fallen enemy, Major Patrick Ferguson, whose code of honor spared the life of the Father of our Country. Patrick Ferguson was killed in action at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7th, 1780.

*At the time of the Battle of Brandywine, Ferguson held the rank of Captain. At the time of his death at Kings Mountain he was a Major, and his brevet to Lieutenant Colonel was in transit when he died. Since his name appears on the official rolls with the higher rank, most historians make reference to him as Colonel Ferguson, hence the seeming confusion between various commentators.

The foregoing article drew the following addendum from a historian in Scotland, Dr. Marianne Gilchrist

Dear friends,

I am a Scottish historian, writer and researcher. I have read Pat Ferguson's letter in which he describes the incident with Washington at Brandywine. It is archived in Edinburgh University Library, thanks to whom I quote from it. It was dictated, but signed and dated by himself (left-handedly), and concludes:

"I am not Sorry that I did not know all the time who it was
further this deponent saith not, as his bones were broke a few minutes after
I am yr most truely
P.F.
Philadelphia
Jan: 31 1778"

The identification of the "Huzzar" with Pulaski would make sense of the version of the story which was passed on at second or third hand in 19C which claimed that it was Pulaski, not Washington, whom Pat did not shoot. Pat's own comments make it perfectly clear that Mr. Moran is right in stating that he would not have shot him even if he had known his identity. He was, above all, a professional soldier and an honourable young gentleman.

Pat is not well-known here in his own country, save to a few weaponry-experts, but to those of us who have discovered him, he is a genuine hero. There are two other letters by him in Edinburgh University Library, written in his own handwriting after Brandywine, and detailing his four-month struggle to keep his right arm. The writing is heartbreakingly variable in quality and legibility, but the content shows his indomitable courage and wit, while facing suffering and the threat of amputation. He overcame his disability, only to fall gallantly at King's Mountain aged only 36.

I am deeply touched by the fine tribute paid to his memory by the descendants of former enemies. I hope to write an article or two to make him better known at home.

Sincerely,

Marianne McLeod Gilchrist, M.A. Hons, Ph.D.
St. Andrews,
Fife,
Scotland

From Major* Patrick Ferguson

~~~

Ferguson Rifle
1776
English
Major Patrick Ferguson patented this breech loading flintlock rifle in England, 1776. Only about 200 were made. The number '2' stamped on the trigger guard distinguishes this one from the others.
Walnut, iron, brass. L 124.5 cm, L (barrel) 86.4 cm
Morristown National Historical Park, MORR 2375

~~~

In late September, Ferguson camped at Gilbert Town (near present day Rutherfordton). He sent a message to Colonel Isaac Shelby, whom he considered to be the leader of the "backwater men." The message said that if Shelby and his men did not stop their opposition to the British, Ferguson would march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders and "lay the country waste with fire and sword." The Patriots would have none of it.
Shelby was especially pleased to learn that Ferguson was quoted as saying, that he "was on Kings Mountain, that he was king of that mountain and that God Almighty and all the Rebels of hell could not drive him from it."

He just would not shut up.

So those pesky rebels shot him. Dead.

Saddam Hussein is another one who just would not shut up.

So some more of the overmountain men marched over and tracked that rascal to his hole.

And now Ramsey Clarke and John Kerry want to bring him back to Ted Kennedy's bar in Highanus, but I say turn him over to Ann.

She knows how to talk to a terrorist--if you must.