The Revolutionary War in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee

Join award-winning historian Michael C. Hardy for an engaging exploration of the Revolutionary War in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee—a region where the struggle for independence was fought not only on distant battlefields, but in communities, along frontier roads, and among neighbors whose loyalties were often tested by war.

This presentation will explore the people, places, battles, and campaigns that shaped the Revolutionary era in the Southern Appalachian backcountry. Featured topics will include General Benjamin Cleveland, Colonel William Lenoir, the Battle of Charlottetown, and the pivotal Battle of Kings Mountain, along with other important events that unfolded throughout the Carolina and Tennessee backcountry.

Hardy will examine the experiences of the Patriots, Loyalists, frontier settlers, and Native American nations caught up in the conflict. For the people living in this region, the Revolution was far more than a distant political struggle. It brought raids, skirmishes, shifting alliances, personal conflicts, and difficult choices that affected families and communities for generations.

The presentation draws on Hardy’s 2026 book, Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee in the American Revolution, which explores the often-overlooked role of the Southern Appalachian backcountry in the War for Independence. His research brings attention to the strategic importance of the region and the men and women whose lives were forever changed by the Revolution.

About Michael C. Hardy

Michael C. Hardy is an award-winning historian and author of more than 18 books, including numerous works on the history of North Carolina and the Civil War. He was named 2010 Historian of the Year by the North Carolina Society of Historians. Known for combining thorough research with vivid storytelling, Hardy brings the history of the Southern Appalachians to life.

Come discover the fascinating Revolutionary War history that took place right here in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, and learn how the people and events of this region helped shape the struggle for American independence.