Joseph Kerr, The Cripple Spy
Joseph Kerr was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania on Nov. 3rd, 1750. At an early age moved with his parents to North Carolina, and settled in Mecklenburg County.He was a cripple from infancy, but becoming indignant at the ravages of the British and Tories, he decided to go to the camp of General McDowell and offer his services as a spy. Oddly enough, McDowell accepted the crippled man and sent him to Blackstock"s Ford, on Tiger River in South Carolina. This is where about fifteen hundred British and Tories were encamped.
Kerr hid his horse and proceeded, as a poor cripple and beggar-like, made a complete examination of the enemy's camp. Furnished with this information, he quietly withdrew, returning as quickly as possible to General McDowell to enlighten him as to his discoveries.
But how did Kerr physically manage to perform his spying duties?
He was well mounted and traveled day and night, a distance of some ninety miles!
General McDowell used his intelligence to march in great haste to attack the enemy near Blackstock's Ford. In this engagement, four of Captain Steen"s men were killed and seven wounded. He took no prisoners and gave no quarters.
Kerr then returned to Mecklenburg County, where he joined the command of Colonel Williams as a spy. Captain Steen informed Colonel Williams that he might safely rely upon Kerr in this service. They then marched to join the over-the-mountain boys under Generals Sevier, Shelby, and other officers. Upon the junction of their forces, a council of war was immediately held, at which Kerr was present. They learned that the British Colonel Ferguson was about twenty miles away, at Peter Quinn's old place, six miles from King's Mountain Mountain.
Kerr was sent ahead to reconnoiter at Ferguson's camp. He did so without delay and found the camp of twelve hundred British soldiers stacked with arms. When they saw Kerr, they assured him they were ready and willing to protect "all who would join them!"
But Kerr soon mounted his fleet charger and escaped into the woods, where he reported to Colonels Shelby, Sevier, and other offices. That night, the officers marched twenty-seven miles and reached King's Mountain Mountain at about three o.clock the following afternoon.
Colonel Ferguson, anticipating an easy win against the Americans, was vigorously attacked and was utterly conquered by the over-the-mountain men. Ferguson and two hundred and twenty-five of his men were killed; one hundred eighty were wounded, and upwards of six hundred were made prisoners. The loss of the Whigs was twenty-eight killed and a great many wounded. Unfortunately, Colonel Williams was severely injured in the groin, from the effects of which he died a few hours after the battle.
A few days after this victory, Kerr returned to Mecklenburg County to the house of his uncle, Joseph Kerr, where the news arrived of the death of the brave Captain Steed killed by the Tories.
Kerr was then sent to York County, South Carolina to gain information as to the enemy's force and position. His crippled condition readily gained him access to the camp of British Colonel Floyd and Major Hook.
But he was recognized by some of the Tories and came very near to losing his life. He managed, however, to escape, and traveled all night long to inform Captain Barnett of the enemy's strength.
That information enabled Captain Barnett to set out with thirty-one men immediately and to unite with Captains Bratton and McLure to surprise and route the enemy. They killed ninety-seven Tory militia soldiers, including Major Hook and Colonel Ferguson.
This was Kerr's last service as a spy. After the war, he moved to Tennessee and died in White County at a good old age.