In 1780 James Withrow entered service from Burke Co, NC for 3 months under Capt John Sickman and Col. Charles McDowell, and marched to the Broad River to oppose Ferguson at the Battle of Cane Creek [12 Sep 1780]; after regrouping under Cols. Shelby, Campbell and Sevier, he lost his horse crossing the mountains and was left by the rest of his company who pursued Ferguson to Kings Mountain, he followed on but did not arrive in time to participate in the Battle. On his return home he joined a company in pursuit of Tories at Isaac Martin's, being engaged 3 or 4 days in this expedition. He next entered service in 1781 in Capt. William Penny's company for 3 months, and he marched to Wilmington and was discharged after the surrender of Cornwallis having served 8 weeks. In Mar 1782 he volunteered to go against the Indians in Capt. Daniel Whitener's company, serving 10-15 days. In Aug 1782 he served in Capt James Wilson's company and marched to the Cherokee nation, serving 20-25 days.