Battle of Shallow Ford

The Battle of Shallow Ford on October 14, 1780 was a follow-up action to Kings Mountain, as Patriot militia continued to pursue and destroy Loyalist forces in North Carolina's backcountry. Colonel Joseph Winston led militia to cut off Loyalists under Ambrose Mills who were attempting to cross the Yadkin River and join Cornwallis's army.

Winston caught Mills at the Shallow Ford crossing and attacked before the Loyalists could establish a defensive position on the far bank. The Loyalists were routed and dispersed, with several killed and wounded and the rest scattered into the surrounding countryside. Mills himself escaped but his force was effectively destroyed.

The action at Shallow Ford was part of the broader Patriot sweep through the backcountry following Kings Mountain that effectively ended organized Loyalist resistance in North Carolina. Cornwallis, who had been advancing confidently, was suddenly left without the Loyalist auxiliaries he had counted on and was forced to reconsider his entire North Carolina strategy.