Private John Broddy Wreath Laying

This is a SAR Firing event

In the afternoon of October 7, 1780, the Overmountain Men crept toward the British position on Kings Mountain in South Carolina led by Colonels Isaac Shelby, William Campbell, John Sevier, Benjamin Cleveland and James Williams. With Campbell was John Broddy. Broddy was Campbell’s aide or attendant throughout the American Revolution. 

During the battle, Broddy, also spelled as Broady, accompanied Campbell into the fighting and moved forward as Campbell shouted, “shoot like hell and fight like the devil!” He retreated from the fighting soon after with Campbell’s horse so that Campbell could lead his men by foot. Because of their similar appearance, Broddy was fired upon as he was retreating, and several soldiers thought that Campbell had abandoned his men during the fight. After the battle, Colonel Phillip Greever dispelled those rumors.   

After fighting at King’s Mountain, Campbell, with Broddy in accompaniment, fought with the Continental Army as they opposed the British forces’ advance into Virginia. When Campbell died in August 1781, Broddy returned to the Campbell’s farm in Virginia. Broddy was emancipated by Campbell’s daughter and son-in-law in 1793: