The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail commemorates the 1780 campaign that led to the battle of Kings Mountain. The battle was a key turning point in the American Revolution when southern patriots from VA, TN, NC, SC & GA tracked down and defeated a loyalist force commanded by Major Patrick Ferguson. The commander of the patriot force, Colonel William Campbell, was from Virginia, as were 200 of his men. The OVNHT follows the primary historic route used by the patriot army. Congressionally authorized in Sept. 1980 it travels through VA, TN, NC & SC for a total of 330 miles. Still under development the northern trailhead is located in Abingdon, VA.