Are there lessons for us from the American Revolution as it was fought in the backcountry of the Carolinas? Could anything that happened so long ago be relevant to today's challenges facing America's military? Maybe.

A new book, "Voices of the American Revolution in the Carolinas," edited by Ed Southern and published by John F. Blair, prompted me to learn more about the Revolutionary War and the way it was fought here.

For his book, Southern collected writings from people who experienced those times and wrote descriptions of what they saw and learned firsthand.

For instance, there are several accounts of the Patriot victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain on Oct. 7, 1780, which, Southern says, led, "a little more than a year later, to Cornwallis' surrender and the end of the war. In one hour, a bunch of rednecks from the back of beyond changed the course of history."

Revolutionary soldier James Collins wrote that before the Kings Mountain battle Cornwallis' trusted commander Maj. Patrick Ferguson "was coming on with his boasted marksmen, and seemed to threaten the destruction of the whole country. The Tories were flocking to his standard from every quarter."

One of the leaders of the Overmountain Men was Isaac Shelby. He describes the "fierce and gallant charge" of the enemy down the mountain and "drove us near the foot of it" nearly forcing a rout. But the patriot forces rallied "and turned back upon the enemy."

In a few minutes, Shelby writes, they had pushed to the top and the enemy soldiers were surrendering -- or attempting to do so. Some were denied quarter and massacred. As Shelby put it, "it required some time, and some exertion of the officers, to put an entire stop to the firing."

Collins put it another way: "I could not help turning away from the scene before me, with horror, and though exulting in victory, could not refrain from shedding tears. 'Great God!' said I, 'Is this the fate of mortals, or was it for this cause that man was brought into the world?'"

Collins also put his finger on a very important and immediate result of the victory in that "many that before lay neutral, through fear or some other cause, shouldered their guns, and fell in the ranks...."

The contemporary reports collected and introduced by Southern give the reader a personal and moving connection to the Revolution, much more than the usual historical accounts of military action. But Southern's collection of "voices" is meant to be a supplement rather than a substitute for comprehensive military histories.

What then are the important lessons from this long ago conflict in the backcountry of the Carolinas?

1. Family and personal safety were more important to most Carolina backcountry people than democracy. Many would have put up with the King or the Patriots, whichever could provide safety for their families and free them from harassment.

2. In a conflicted area, a continuous show of strength is a powerful recruiter. As James Collins told us, when Cornwallis and Ferguson were winning, the Tories came out. But the victory at Kings Mountain brought recruits to the Patriot side.

3. Attacks or threats against the local population make dangerous enemies. When Ferguson threatened to attack the families and farms in the western mountain regions, the "Overmountain" men resolved to get Ferguson.

People in Iraq and Afghanistan may not be all that different from the backcountry Carolinians of 200 years ago.

D.G. Martin will talk about this column on WCHL-1360 at 8:20 a.m. today. His regular program, "Who's Talking," airs at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.