Colonel James D. Williams
Colonel James D. Williams, a brave and worthy officer, was mortally wounded at King's Mountain near the close of the action and was buried the next morning within two miles of where he so gallantly fell. Tradition says his first words were: " For God's sake, boys, don't give up the hill." He was a native of Granville County, N.C. He moved to Laurens County, South Carolina, in 1773 and settled upon Little River. He espoused the patriot cause and was active in raising troops and defending the territory of the Ninety-Six District, abounding with many evil-disposed Loyalists.He first appeared as a Colonel of militia in April 1778. In the spring of 1779, he went into actual service and was probably at the siege of Savannah. He was with Gen. Sumter in 1780, and early that year, he was in the battle of Musgrove's Mill on the Ennoree River. After that engagement, he went to Hillsboro, raised a cavalry corps, and returned to South Carolina. During British Colonel Ferguson's movements, after crossing the Wateree to embody the Loyalists and intercepting the Mountain Men, Colonel Williams continually hovered around his camp, prepared to strike a blow.