BLACKSBURG – The Backcountry Militia will recreate the activities of an 18th century military encampment Saturday, Oct. 10, and Sunday, Oct. 11, as part of the activities commemorating the 229th anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain at Kings Mountain National Military Park.

As with today's National Guard and other military reserve units, civilian males were mustered several times a year to be trained as a military unit. These musters were necessary because the militia lacked discipline and needed a standard drill before joining the Continental forces as they did in such battles as Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse. However, in most cases, these rugged individuals were at their best when skirmishing on their own as was the case at Kings Mountain, where a group of patriot militia defeated a better trained Loyalist force under Major Patrick Ferguson.

The encampment will feature military drills along with musket and rifle firing. The group will perform other camp activities, such as cooking, bullet and button molding, and basket weaving. Special activities for children will be conducted throughout the day.

Saturday starting at 7 p.m., reenactors will conduct candlelight tours of the battlefield. The last tour will leave the visitor center at 8 p.m.

The park invites everyone to the ceremonies commemorating the 229th anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 3 p.m. Keynote speaker will be Eric Williams, co-author of Old Ninety Six History and Guide and retired historian of Ninety Six National Historic Site.