A Passel of Hate

by Joe Epley

Gripping, visceral, and full of intensity, A Passel of Hate is as historically fascinating as it is emotionally satisfying; capturing the heartache and triumphs of a war that brutally pits brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor in the western Carolina frontier in 1780. “The first link in a chain of evils…the loss of America” is how Sir Henry Clinton, Britain’s commander-in-chief in the Colonies, describes the decisive American victory at the battle of Kings Mountain. This fact-based novel brings the events leading to that battle into sharp focus through the highly personal experiences of families and individuals who shaped its outcome. Through the eyes of Jacob Godley, A Passel of Hate brings to life the hardships and challenges of frontier living where there is a constant threat from Indians, roving raiders and British invaders. Without government orders or formal training, mountain and piedmont patriots join together with their own weapons and horses to expel a British led Loyalist army that plunders the western Carolina countryside, delivering harsh retribution to those supporting rebellion. Jacob and his 15-year-old brother enter the savage fighting with the Liberty Men, but with a dread of having to face their three Loyalist brothers. The overwhelming victory at Kings Mountain is bittersweet for Jacob who suffers a crushing personal tragedy on the battlefield. In addition, his nemesis, the notorious Tory raider Rance Miller escapes, and Jacob, consumed by hatred, tracks the terrorist through the Carolina backcountry to seek the revenge he so desperately needs. A battle Thomas Jefferson called “the turn of the tide of success,” Kings Mountain has a devastating impact on the British Army’s goal of quashing the rebellion in the south. Brutal in its depiction of the harrowing nature of war and the price paid by our revolutionary ancestors, A Passel of Hate is a powder keg of highly charged personal feelings and military significance.

358 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2011

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author, I'm a bit biased.

[Scott Skipper · Rating 4 out of 5]

When most people think of pivotal Revolutionary War battles, they focus on Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Trenton and Yorktown. In A Passel of Hate Joe Epley shows us the gritty truth about the key battle that took place on the Western Carolina frontier at a place know as King’s Mountain which paved the way for the end game at Yorktown. The guerrilla war that had been raging in the piedmont of North and South Carolina escalated to a showdown when General Cornwallis sent Major Patrick Ferguson on a mission to recruit a substantial Tory militia in the area of modern Charlotte. Simultaneously the Whigs were amassing a militia to deal with the threat. The divisiveness of the times—not entirely unlike present times—saw families taking opposite sides, fighting while hoping not to kill loved ones and returning home to glare at one another across the dinner table. Husband and wives took opposing sides, as did fathers and sons. Often objectors were pressed into service on the side they detested under threat of the noose. Few modern Americans would argue that the Revolution was anything but a just and necessary struggle for freedom, however, this was far from the case at the time. Loyalists and Rebels were nearly evenly divided with plenty of plenty of the undecided simply wanting to be left alone. A Passel of Hate tells the story of a decisive battle, and the prelude to it, via the personal viewpoints of the participants, exposing the barbarity perpetrated by both sides as well as the in fighting, primarily in the camp of the Whigs, and the complicating factor of concurrent Indian depredation. Joe Epley shows us clearly how tenuous and costly American independence really was.

My love of history, and familiarity with the area where the battle took place, drew me to this book and I was not disappointed. The pace is exhilarating, the depth of Joe Epley’s knowledge of the time and place is astounding and the prose satisfyingly straightforward. The character development is excellent as well. I have to say that the reader must pay close attention due to frequent point-of-view changes to avoid becoming lost in the labyrinth of partisan intrigue, but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the story. I certainly hope Mr. Epley is working on his next offering.

[Jerrie Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not my typical genre however it really fits with what I did this summer. This story takes place in the Carolina's during the revolutionary war. After discovering a Cooper Cemetary with Sterling Cooper's resting place, my 5 th great grandfather, a revolutionary soldier, it was especially moving. It is amazing that we won the war of freedom considering the lack of order and resources available. Just goes to show there is nothing that can stop the American spirit!

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading about my 6th GGrandfather, Andrew Hampton. Well written book that gave a unique view of the Revolutionary War in 1780.
Have already recommended this to family and friends.

[Moss Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Passel of Hate” is truly a masterpiece. A riveting novel that showcases the gruesome and brutal reality of life in the backcountry of the Carolinas during the American Revolution, Joe Epley truly outdid himself with this tremendous work. If you want to gain a glimpse into the dangerous and horrifying nature of life in the Carolina backcountry at the time of the Revolution and the events surrounding the Battle of Kings Mountain, this novel is for you!

The historical accuracy of this work is truly astounding and the amount of time it took to properly research the background for the novel must have been staggering. I was saddened to learn of Mr. Epley’s passing in 2023. I would have loved to thank him personally for such an accomplishment!

It was honestly surreal to read the narrative and conversations (albeit fictional) of my very own ancestors and relatives who played a significant role in the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Patriot relatives mentioned or featured in the novel were:
Joseph McDowell
Charles McDowell
Benjamin Merrill
William Merrill
Martin Davenport
Aaron Deveney

Tory relatives mentioned or featured in the novel were:
Ambrose Mills
William Mills
John McFalls
Arthur McFalls

Truly a family affair!

[J. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Passel of Hate” brings a little known, but pivotal battle of the American Revolution to life. In this book, Joe Epley crafts a tale surrounding the Battle of Kings Mountain that is worthy of historical fiction greats like John Jakes. Why the New York publishing houses and Hollywood have not discovered Epley is a great mystery, but hopefully they won't waste too much time because this is a powerful story.

The story follows Jacob Godley and his divided family during the time leading up to the battle and in the wake of the aftermath. The Godley family is split down the middle between the Loyalist Tories and the Patriot Whigs. This family echoes the tracks followed by other such families during this time. It also brings to life a battle which has become a footnote in our history, but had a much greater impact to our independence. Many of the troops fighting for the King were not British at all. In fact a huge number of them were Colonial Loyalists.

The Battle of Kings Mountain was instrumental in depriving the Crown of the support it needed to win the conflict and pacify the Colonies. Many of the Colonists would have preferred to remain neutral. Not being able to do so led those caught in the middle to simply pick the side they thought most likely to win, or at least not get them killed. The devastating loss for the Loyalists there caused the fence sitters to either choose the Patriot side or simply hide at home until the conflict was over.

“A Passel of Hate” brings the Battle of Kings Mountain up close and personal. You don't want to miss this one.