On the 14th of June, 1780, Gen. Rutherford, whilst encamped near Charlotte, received intelligence that the Tories under Col.  John Moore had assembled in strong force at Ramsour’s Mill, near the present town of Lincolnton.  He immediately issued orders to Col.  Francis Locke, of Rowan; to Major David Wilson, of Mecklenburg, and other officers, to use every exertion to raise a sufficient number of men to attack the Tories at that place.  On the 17th of June Gen. Rutherford marched from his encampment, two miles south of Charlotte, to the Tuckasege Ford, on the Catawba.  He had previously dispatched an express to Col.  Locke, advising him of his movement, and ordered him to join his army on the 19th or morning of the 20th of June, a few miles beyond that ford.  The express, in some unaccountable way, miscarried.  The morning of the 19th being wet, Gen. Rutherford did not cross the river until evening and encamped three miles beyond on Col.  Dickson’s plantation.  Whilst there, waiting for Col.  Locke’s arrival, in obedience to the express, he received a notice from that officer, then encamped at Mountain Creek, informing him of his intention of attacking the Tories on the next morning at sunrise, and requested his co-operation.  This notice was delivered to Gen. Rutherford by Col.  Johnston at 11 o’clock of the night of the 19th of June, being selected for that duty by Col.  Locke on account of his personal knowledge of the intervening country and undaunted courage.  Col.  Locke’s encampment was then sixteen miles from Ramsour’s Mill.  Late in the evening of the same day, and soon after the departure of Col.  Johnston to Gen. Rutherford’s camp, Col.  Locke marched with his forces, less than four hundred in number, stopped a short time in the night for rest and consultation, and arrived within a mile of Ramsour’s at daylight without being observed by the Tories.  The battle soon commenced by the mounted companies of Captains Falls, McDowell and Brandon.  The Tories at first fought with considerable bravery, driving back the Whig cavalry.  These, however, soon rallied, and, being supported by the advancing infantry, pressed forward under their gallant leaders with a courage which knew no faltering and completely routed the Tories, driving them, after an hour’s contest, from their strong position, and capturing about fifty of their number.  This victory, occurring soon after the surrender of Charleston, when the Tories had become bold and menacing in their conduct, greatly cheered the Whigs throughout the entire South, animated them with fresh hopes, and nerved them on to future deeds of “noble daring.”

Gen. Rutherford, not leaving his encampment at Col.  Dickson’s before daylight of the morning of the 20th of June, failed to reach Ramsour’s Mill until two hours after the battle.  Col.  Johnston there joined his command, and participated in the closing duties of this victorious engagement in the cause of American freedom.