The Ghost of Captain Sevier

In 1780 as America was fighting for it's freedom, a young man was mortally wounded on the battlefield. He tried desperately to make it home to see his family one last time, but it wasn't to be. Now his ghost haunts a road near Plumtree, NC trying to get home.

As part of a group of fighters known as the 'Over Mountain Men', Captain Robert Sevier was the very image of a soldier. Standing over 7 feet tall he was an intimidating person on the battlefield. Living in Tennessee, he and his group came over the mountains to fight in the battle of Kings Mountain. This battle is considered by many to be the turning point in the war against the British.

As the battle was nearing it's end, Captain Sevier was struck by a bullet to his kidney. A captured surgeon did everything he could but wasn't able to remove the bullet. The Doc told Captain Sevier that if he remained there, still and quiet that the bullet could be removed, but if he tried to make it home he would die in 9 days.

Fearing capture worse than death, Robert Sevier slowly climbed aboard his horse and with his nephew James by his side, began the long trip home. Nine days later as the doctor predicted, Captain Robert Sevier died of his wounds near what is now the town of Plumtree. His nephew wrapped his body in a cloth and buried it under a "lofty mountain oak" using stones to mark the grave.

Ever since then, pedestrians walking along US 19E have felt the unmistakable feeling of someone watching them, only to find no one. Those from the area know it's Captain Sevier trying to get home to Tennessee.

There's even tales of people hearing a horse approaching but never appears. This is said to be the fallen hero's horse who so many years ago was reluctant to leave without his master.

So if you're ever in southeastern Avery county on US 19E and you get out to stretch your legs, keep an ear open for the sound of the horse and ghost of a genuine American hero still trying to get home.