After the Battle of Camden, Charles, Lord Cornwallis moved into North Carolina. Maj. Patrick Ferguson's Loyalist militia guarded Cornwallis's left. On October 7, 1780 Ferguson clashed with Patriot militia at Kings Mountain in the South Carolina backcountry. The Americans, known as Overmountain Men, surrounded Ferguson's force. During the ensuing fight, Ferguson was killed and his entire command was either killed or captured. The victory helped reverse Patriot fortunes in the Southern Campaign.