A Glimpse Into The Past

(A tribute to William Burns) (from the archives) As I opened my history book, began to read a familiar name came into view. One as a child I had heard my father speak of so often. My great great great grandfather William Burns Sr. b.1756 d.1843 William was a Revolutinary War Hero fought in the battle of Kings Mountain Served in Capt. Joseph Martin's company fighting the Indians, in Col. Christie's Virginia regiment. He was discharged at Long Island of Holston in Tenn. Rein listened the same day serving in Capt. Martins company under Major Belcher fighting for the frontier. Shortly after the battle of Ramsour's Mill, he enlisted in Wilkes County N. Carolina to serve with Capt. Micajah Lewis Co. in Col. Gordon's N. Carolina regiment. He served in Virginia, N. Carolina and Tennessee military. The Battle of Kings Mountain Patriots from Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee rose up in arms went to fight the British.The men met in S. Carolina, selected eleven hundred of their best men and horses. William Burns was one of the Virginians under William Campbell. They marched all night though the rain and on the morning of 10-7-1780, they arrived at Kings Mountain. The British had already selected their position and had the advantage over the Americans. The battle was on. Another American regiment appeared on the mountain top The battle field was equalized. The battle was a life and death struggle so was the American cause. There was a clang of sabers. the charge and counter charges of cavalry. the cannons roared, shrieks of havoc, a bloody struggle, moans of wounded and dying men. When the battle ended the Americans had truly fired a shot that was heard around the world. Never before had such a battle been fought. Thomas Jefferson said it was the turning point in the war. Great Britian understood the patriots of America could not be conquered. A national monument has been erected by the U S government in honor of The Kings Mountain Hero's. As I read about William and his struggles in life I am so proud to carry his name. I would wish the pages of time could unfold, repeat itself so he and I could meet and know each other. But six generations has passed so all I can do is pay a tribute to him. To my beloved grandfather buried deep in the soil of the country he loved. His name is listed in the archives as a Kings Mountain Hero. hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero hero