PRODUCING A COMPREHENSIVE BOOK about the sites related to the Revolutionary War in South Carolina required the assistance of countless individuals in all parts of the state. While space does not allow me to list each person who provided me information and directions, I offer my gratitude to all and hope that this book will bring them some pleasure.
There are, however, some individuals who deserve special recognition for their contributions. Mike Loveless, the late superintendent of Kings Mountain National Military Park, was one of them. Mike spent an entire day with me and took me to places in the park that most visitors never see.
As I traveled from site to site, strangers became friends. For example, the owner of Cleveland Plantation, Michael D. Tousey, greeted me at his home and made me feel welcome as I visited the grave of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland on the banks of the Tugaloo River on the South Carolina-Georgia line.
In my hometown, I have a great friend who has supported and aided me in countless ways on this and past projects. Darrell Harkey, historical coordinator of Lincoln County and a great student of the Revolutionary War, traveled with me to sites both far and near as I worked to produce this volume. His unwavering loyalty, enthusiasm, and friendship brighten my life.
This is the fifth book I have completed in as many years. Such a publication schedule would not have been possible without the fine folks at John F. Blair, Publisher. Their seemingly boundless confidence in me has been a source of great inspiration since our relationship began. Carolyn Sakowski, the president of Blair, cognizant of my desire to be as thorough as possible, generously agreed that the Revolutionary War sites in each of the Carolinas be covered in a separate volume. Then, as my work load increased, she graciously extended my deadline. Over the past five years, Steve Kirk, my editor at Blair, has also come to be a good friend. His expert advice and suggestions, his special attention to detail, his unlimited patience, and his desire to produce as good a book as possible have been a great benefit to me. It is a true pleasure to work with him. Debbie Hampton, Anne Holcomb Waters, and the rest of the staff at Blair continue the tradition of excellence in publishing begun by the late Mr. Blair almost fifty years ago.
In this, as in all of my past efforts, my greatest gratitude and praise are reserved for my family. My parents instilled in me at a young age a great love of history and an appreciation for America’s heritage. Their love and support are the pillars upon which my life has been built. My sister is always there to cheer me on and has labored, often behind the scenes, to gain recognition for my work.
Throughout my life, I have been blessed in many ways. My greatest blessings are my wife, Kay, and my daughter, Kristie. Friends have labeled us “The Three Musketeers” because we have been almost inseparable since Kristie was born eighteen years ago.
The completion of this book was complicated by my service in the state legislature of North Carolina. The extra demands on my time and my extended service away from home were lightened by an added measure of forbearance, support, patience, help, and love from Kay and Kristie.
Kristie typed virtually every one of my handwritten manuscript pages on this book and the previous four. Over the past five years, she has brought the Barefoot family into the technological age and blossomed from a teenager into a beautiful young woman who will soon reluctantly break up “The Three Musketeers” when she enters the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. No parent could be prouder of a child than I.
From the beginning to the end of this project, my wife did everything possible to lessen my load. Without complaint, and always with her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes, she traveled countless miles with me, acted as my sounding board, read and reread every word of the manuscript, and sat by my side during many hours of hard work deep into the night. No one could have done more.
About the time this book makes its appearance on the shelves, Kay and I will celebrate our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Over the past quarter-century, Kay has been my all—a loving wife, a partner in every facet of my life, a source of unceasing encouragement and inspiration, and the best person I know.