and passing down the south side of the mountain they halted at the west end of it in the night when they again consulted on the plan of attack.  It was determined that the companies under Captains Falls, McDowell and Brandon should act on horseback and march in front.  No other arrangement was made, and it was left to the officers to be governed by circumstances after they reached the enemy.  They accordingly resumed their march and by day light arrived within a mile of the Tories, assembled in strong force, about two hundred and fifty yards east of Ramsour’s Mill, and half a mile north of the present town of Lincolnton.  The Tories occupied an excellent position on the summit of the ridge, which has a gentle slope, and was then covered with a scattered growth of trees.  The foot of the hill on the south and east was bounded by a glade and its western base by Ramsour’s mill pond, The position was so well chosen that nothing but the most determined bravery enabled the Whigs, with a greatly inferior force, to drive the Tories from it, and claim the victory of one of the most severely contested battles of the Revolution.

The forces of Colonel Locke approached the battle ground from the east, a part of his command, at least, having taken “refreshments” at Dellinger’s Tavern, which stood near the present residence of B.S.  Johnson, Esq., of Lincolnton.  The companies of Captains Falls, McDowell and Brandon were mounted, and the other troops under Col.  Locke were arranged in the road, two deep, behind them.  Under this organization they marched to the battle-field.  The mounted companies led the attack.  When they came within sight of the picket, stationed in the road a considerable distance from the encampment, they perceived that their approach had not been anticipated.  The picket fired and fled to their camp.  The cavalry pursued, and turning to the right out of the road, they rode up within thirty steps of the line and fired at the Tories.  This bold movement of the cavalry threw them into confusion, but seeing only a few men assailing them they quickly recovered from their panic and poured in such a destructive fire upon the horsemen as to compel them to retreat.  Soon the infantry hurried up to their assistance, the cavalry rallied, and the fight became general on both sides.  It was in this first attack of the cavalry that the brave Captain Gilbraith Falls was mortally wounded in the breast, rode about one hundred and fifty yards east of the battle ground, and fell dead from his horse.  The Tories, seeing the effect of their fire, came a short distance down the hill, and thus brought themselves in fair view of the Whig infantry.  Here the action was renewed and the contest fiercely maintained for a considerable length of time.  In about an hour the Tories began to fall back to their original position on the ridge, and a little beyond its summit, to shield a part of their bodies from the destructive and unceasing fire of the Whigs.  From this strong and elevated position the Tories, during the action, were enabled at one time to drive the Whigs nearly back to the glade.