In fact, as we have seen, Scotch blood predominated among the racial streams in the Back Country from Georgia to Pennsylvania.

Now, to insure a triumphant march northward for Cornwallis and his royal troops, these sons of Scotland must be gathered together, the loyal encouraged and those of rebellious tendencies converted, and they must be drilled and turned to account.

This task, if it were to be accomplished successfully, must be entrusted to an officer with positive qualifications, one who would command respect, whose personal address would attract men and disarm opposition, and especially one who could go as a Scot among his own clan.

Cornwallis found his man in Major.

Patrick Ferguson.
Ferguson was a Highlander, a son of Lord Pitfour of Aberdeen, and thirty-six years of age.