Crossing the Blue Ridge: A Tale of King's Mountain

by L.E. Denton

“If you do not desist your opposition to the British Arms, I shall march this army over the mountains, hang your leaders, and lay waste your country with fire and sword.” – British Major Patrick Ferguson in 1780 [“Battle of King's Mountain" by Isaac Shelby, a pamphlet published 1823]

It’s the year 1774, and the American Revolution is just beginning to break out in faraway Massachusetts. Seeking adventure and an escape from an oppressive family life, Caleb Anders leaves home and heads south into the wilderness of the American frontier, west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He meets Nate Daniels along the way, and they become fast friends and business partners.

Caleb and Nate soon discover that they must choose their own destiny – should they remain in the beautiful but rugged mountainous wilderness of Virginia, protecting their friends and neighbors from the rampaging Cherokee Indians… or ride north and strike a blow for freedom with General George Washington? Will the rigors of frontier life prepare Caleb and Nate for what lies to the east, beyond the towering mountain range that looms, deep and dark, over their shoulders?

Crossing the Blue Ridge is a sprawling and inspirational Revolutionary War historical fiction novel that reintroduces the forgotten American Patriots who fought against superior British Tory forces in one of the most decisive battles in the American Revolutionary War at The Battle of King's Mountain.


“The crude, spirited, hardy, determined volunteers who crossed the mountains served as proof of the spirit and resources of the country." - George Washington

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260 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2025

Reviews

[shelby stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

King's Mountain Battle distilled to the level of basic human motivation

I have been to the site of The Battle of King's Mountain several times. I found the story to be very moving but I always pondered why those frontier settlers struggled across those mountains to confront a force that seemed so far removed from their lives. The author has used the story of Caleb Anders to show us the motivation of these modest but determined and brave ancestors in securing the freedom to live with dignity that we all enjoy here in America. Sadly it appears so many of us take that freedom for granted even as our liberties are eroding but I have hope, as surely as the author does, that the echos of those brave actions she writes of will inspire us to guard and cherish those liberties in these troubling times...if we are moved to do so, she has done her job well.

[Adelbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read! Well written & researched.

[Ian K. Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. An easy and very enjoyable read.


Tells a story about the war of independence not k own to many. I"m happy to recommend it to you.

[Avellina Balestri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Composed in the style of a historical memoir, which has a slice-of-life quality to it, this tale set during the era of the American Revolution follows the day-to-day of a young man named Caleb who has struck out on his out into the mountains and wider wilderness. Escaping an abusive household, we follow him as he comes of age, makes friends, courts and marries a young woman, hunts in the back country, and engages in conflicts with Indian tribes. In the background, a wider war looms and erupts between the colonies and the Mother Country. Characters discuss politics and current events, and some even march off to fight for the Continental Army.

Caleb, meanwhile, continues to establish himself on the frontier and participates in raids against Native tribes allied with the British in response to the expansion of settlements on land set aside for the tribes by the Crown. Caleb finds himself morally conflicted by what he sees enacted by some of his comrades, particularly when it comes to adapting Indian methods such as scalping, but now that he has staked his claim on the frontier, he intends to fight for it to whatever end. Eventually, the protagonist's path leads him to King's Mountain, where one of the most famous battles in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution unfolds.

British Major Patrick Ferguson is established as the antagonist of the last act, but he remains something of a spectral figure, shrouded in symbolism. We never see him at the battle, and only hear about his fate after the fact. It must be said, I am unrepentant about my fondness for this charming Scotsman a wry sense of humor and an old-fashioned chivalric streak. Ferguson gets the villain treatment frequently, but he fought and died gallantly for his King and Country, spearheading Americans, loyal to the allegiance of their forbears, who had been persecuted by the powers of the new order. Whatever threats he made against the rebels were for his own people's defense. Whatever his flaws and failings, he proved to be the very definition of heroic, something of a latter-day roguish knight errant who immortalized himself in the legend and lore of Britannia.

While his mortal wounding in battle may be considered a hazard of his commission (though still tragic on any human level, especially when considering his grieving family back home, including his mother and sister who he shared a very close relationship with), the horrific misuse and mutilation of his body as he was dying and well after he was dead is certainly not anything he (or frankly anyone else) deserved. These historical details were not covered in the book, though the characters express an unfortunate (albeit not inaccurate) bloodlust towards Ferguson, each one wishing they could have been the one to bring him down. It just goes to show the unsavory violent cycle of brutal civil wars.

But perhaps the main antagonist in the story is not Ferguson as an individual, nor even the British military apparatus as a whole, but rather the struggle for survival in the wilderness which the protagonist overcomes. We may question the morality of some of his choices, but we cannot help but admire the sheer grit and determination he and so many of the other characters display as they risk it all in the hopes of a better life for themselves and their families. Perhaps one might see the wilderness itself as an allegory for his own youth which must be overcome in order to reach maturity. This is not merely a Revolutionary War story, but a human story about various universal aspects of the human experience, and we cannot help but wish Caleb well as we close the book upon his golden years.

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an immersive and gripping historical novel set during the turbulent years leading up to and during the American Revolution. The story follows Caleb Anders, a young man fleeing an abusive father in 1774, as he embarks on a journey to the American frontier. Along the way, he forms an alliance with Nate Daniel, and the two set up a fur trading business in the rugged lands of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The novel’s strength lies in its vivid depiction of the frontier life and the historical context in which it is set. As Caleb and Nate settle at Shelby’s Fort, they are thrust into the chaos of a growing conflict with the Cherokee, whose anger over the settlers’ encroachment is further fueled by British support. The ever-present threat of attack keeps the story tense, while the pair’s survival and trading efforts reflect the hardship and determination of those who lived in the unforgiving mountain terrain.

The novel builds steadily towards the pivotal moment in the American Revolution when British Major Patrick Ferguson threatens the frontier settlements. In a thrilling turn, Isaac Shelby, a key figure in the Patriot cause, gathers a force to march across the Blue Ridge and confront Ferguson’s Tory troops. The ensuing battle at King’s Mountain is a powerful and dramatic climax, illustrating the determination and bravery of the Patriots fighting to protect their homes and their way of life.

Denton’s writing is rich with historical detail, and the characters of Caleb and Nate are compelling, with their development intertwined with the events of the revolution. The novel does a fantastic job of bringing the history of King’s Mountain to life, offering readers a dynamic and well-researched account of this lesser-known but significant battle in the fight for American independence.

Crossing the Blue Ridge is an engaging historical novel that offers both adventure and deep emotional stakes. Readers who enjoy well-crafted stories of survival, loyalty, and bravery during pivotal moments in history will find this book a rewarding read.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed historical fiction, especially about early America, so I was looking forward to reading Crossing the Blue Ridge. I received an ARC for an honest review, and I was not disappointed. This book is about the time before and during the Revolutionary War, and it uses a lot of historical facts woven within the fiction.

Caleb had a rough start to life with an abusive father, so when his lovely mother died, he decided to leave home. Luckily, Caleb’s brother-in-law had taught him how to hunt and to survive on his own. I can’t imagine how scary hitting the road alone with no destination would be! When he met Nate, they decided to travel together, which was the best decision they could have made. They lived and worked together for years.

The relationships between Caleb and others are interesting, especially with Lydia, his future wife. He visited her and her father often and helped with chores and spent time talking to her. They had not even kissed when he asked for her hand in marriage. From what I’ve read, this was often the case. How times change!

Caleb and Nate ended up near the Blue Ridge Mountains, where they trapped and helped fight Indians when needed. They also found themselves fighting the British at one point under Colonel Shelby. On the way to that particular battle, they went over Roan Mountain, which really hit home with me because we were just there in June. I’ve also been to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and they are still just as beautiful as the author described them.

There are a lot of good descriptions. They’re not overly detailed, but they’re just as I like them with enough detail to be able to get a picture in my mind.

I like how Crossing the Blue Ridge ended with updates on the characters several years later. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction!

[Christy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like books about Appalachian history? This book by L. E. Denton is the story of a young man who migrated to what is now upper East Tennessee during the pre-Revolutionary War years. He was part of the early settlement and came here as many young men did as a trapper, seeking his fortune in new pristine land occupied at the time by a few brave settlers and the Cherokee. He became part of the storied battle of King's Mountain, a battle where the Overmountain pioneer heroes turned the tide of the Revolution toward the Patriots. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Denton's well-researched book and highly recommend it. It is available on Amazon in digital and hard copy.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting!

Beginning prior to American Revolution, this book describes the people and the land of the Carolinas, including what became Tennessee and Kentucky culminating in the Battle of Kings Mountain.
I confess to having never heard of this battle, or at least not remembering it, through all my life.
I found this especially fascinating because many of my ancestors travelled the route of Virginia settler to Tennessee and Kentucky pioneers during this time period.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this, it had that elmeent that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall storyline being told. It had that character development that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening. L. E. Denton wrote this perfectly and left me wanting to read more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Beverly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossing the Blue Ridge

This book was good. It was interesting to read about some of the men who fought at Kings Mountain, and the events leading up to it. I have walked the trails of the battleground a couple of times, and walked past Ferguson's grave. It's hard to think about climbing and fighting up the hills there. I heard that battle was the turning point of the war.

[Kathy Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The characters were developed although in a simplistic way that did not take away from the overall story. It was interesting reading about the Revolutionary War from a different angle and from the west instead of the east. I found it very interesting and entertaining and enjoyed it up to the end.

[William Orme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

This is a great book telling a story of part of the history of the United States of America. It will keep you captivated but yet it’s easy reading. I highly recommend this.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Read

An interesting account of the settlers of the Blue Ridge mountains and valleys - their motivations and determination to start new lives with the strong feelings of freedom to create their own way in life.

[Holly Yeatman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad

Easy read not what I'm used to but it was interesting. If you are looking for a book filled with history this is not it