The Battle of Shallow Ford was an American Revolution skirmish that took place on October 14, 1780 in Huntsville, North Carolina. A company of fewer than 350 mounted Loyalist militia, led by Colonel Gideon Wright and his brother Captain Hezikiah Wright, were crossing the Yadkin River and heading north west along the Mulberry Fields Road. Major Joseph Cloyd gathered 300 Patriot militia and laid an ambush about 1 mile from Shallow Ford. In the days of early fall in 1780, the Patriot forces in North Carolina were demoralized by heavy losses in South Carolina and British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis' advancement to Charlotte. Many fled to Virginia ahead of the British. Colonel Patrick Ferguson had moved into western North Carolina, raising Tory support for his army. The Patriot forces prepared to meet Ferguson. Most of the Surry County militia, along with other North Carolinians, rendezvoused at Quaker Meadows on September 30. They were joined by "over the mountain men" from Virginia and Tennessee. They expected to find Ferguson near Gilbert Town, but did not catch him until they reached Kings Mountain on October 7. In Surry County, in the absence of the local Whig militia, the brothers and Colonels Gideon and Hezekiah Wright raised a large band of Tories which finally may have reached a number as high as 900.

Williams' troops were preparing breakfast at the bottom of the hill, along Battle Branch. The Loyalist militia, mounted on horses, appeared at the crest of the ridge above the Whig position at about 9:30. The Patriot militia opened fire at the front of the Loyalist column, causing great confusion. Only about 50 Loyalists were engaged, the remainder were spread along Mulberry Fields Road, many were still crossing the Yadkin. At least fourteen Loyalists were killed during the battle, including Captain Joseph Bryan. About 40 Loyalists were captured, many were murdered by their Patriot captors. Only one Patriot, Henry Francis, a captain in the Virginia militia, was killed, though several were wounded. The Battle of Shallow Ford was one of several successful attempts to delay British reinforcements to Charlotte, along with the largest Battle of King's Mountain and other small skirmishes throughout the Carolinas. Facing constant harassment from Patriot militias and unable to secure reinforcement, Cornwallis was forced to retreat south in November. News of the victory at Shallow Ford spread quickly, and greatly encouraged the Patriots. After the defeat at Kings Mountain, Cornwallis retreated from Charlotte. The victory at Shallow Ford dispersed the Tory force that had formed in Surry County, and they never again gathered in such numbers.