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liliili

KING'S MOUNTAIN

AM)

ITS HEROES:

HISTORY 01- THE

Bahle of King's Mountain,

OCTOBER 7TH, 1780,

AND THE

EVENTS WHICH LED TO IT,

ll^iiiiiiiiiiis''

IIY

LYMAN C. DRAPER, LL. D.,

!^ecretary 1'/ the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and member of various /fistorical
and Antiquarian Societies of the Country,

;!!'.!il;v,

l^liiii''!!^!;

llijililiiii'r

|ii||v

liiililiiiil!

WITH STEEL PORTRAITS, MAPS, AND PLANS.

CINCINNATI:
PETE7'. G. THOMSON, PUBLISHER.

I 88 I.

1881.

BY PETER G. THOMSOX,

AY/^t'"'^-

INTRODUCTION.

WITH llic siege and fall of Charleston, early in 1780, the nidc
shocks of war were transferred from the Northern and Middle
Slates to the Carolinas and Georgia. C.ates, the victor of Saratoga,
was sent to command the SoutiiLMn army ; hut his lucky star failed him,
and he was disastrously routed near Camden, and the gallant SunUer
shortly alter surprised at Fishing Creek. Gloom and dismay overspread
the whole Southern country. Detachments from the victorious British
army were scattered throughout the settlements; and the rebellious
Colonies of the Carolinas and Georgia were reported to the Home
Government as completely humiliated and subdued. Ferguson, one of
the ablest of the Royal commanders, was operating on the western
borders of the Carolinas, enticing the younger men to his standard,
and drilling them for the Royal service.

At this gloomy period, when the cause of Liberty seemed [)rostrate
and hopeless in the South, the Whig border leaders, Campbell, Shelby,
Sevier, Cleveland, Lacey, Williams, McDowell, Winston, Hambright,
Hawthorn, Biandon, Chronicle, Hammond, and their compeers, mar-
shalled their clans, united their forces, overwhehning Ferguson and his
motley followers, crushing out all Tory opposition and making the
name of A7//^'s Mountain famous in our country's history. This
remarkal)le and fortunate battle deserves a full and faithful record.
The story of its heroes has in it much to remind us of an epic or a
romance. They were a remarkable race of men, and played no incon-
siderable a part in the long and sanguinary struggle for American
Independence'. Reared on the outskirts of civilization, they were early
inured to privations aid hardships, and when they went upon the " war-
path," they often obtained their commissaries' supplies from the wild

INTRODUCTION.

woods and mountain streams of tho rcyion where they carried on tiicir
successful operations.

As early as 1839, the collection of materials was coniiiicnced for
this work. Three of the lingering survivors of King's Mountain were
visited by the writer of this volume, and their varied recollections noted
down — James Sevier, of Tennessee, John Spelts and Silas McI3ec, of
Mississippi ; and Benjamin Sharp, of Missouri, and William Snodgrass,
of Tennessee, were reached by correspfindence.

The gathering at King's Mountain in 1815, to collect and re-inter
the scattered remains of those wlio fell in the conllict was limited in
attendance. In 1855, the sevcnty-tlflh anniversary was appropriately
celebrated, with Gen. John S. Preston, and lion. George Bancroft as tiie
speakers. But it remained for October seventh, 1880, to eclipse the
others, in a Centennial celebration, when thousands of people assembled,
making a incmorable civic and military disjilay, with an address by Hon.
John W. Daniel, and poems by Paul II. Haync and Mrs. Clara l;ari.;an
McLean. Then followed the unvailing of a massive granite monument
having abase of eighteen feet square, and altogether a height of twenty-
eight feet. It slopes from the upper die to the top, which is about two
antl half feet st|uare. capable of furtlicr addition, or to he crowned witii
a suitable st.ilue. Inscriptions are cut on marble slabs, imbedded two
inches in the granite masonry.

This worthy King's Mountain Centennial very natmally excited
much interest in the minds of the jniblic regarding the battle itself, and
its heroic actors, and promjjted the writer to set about the preparation
of his long-promised work. Beside the materials collected in former
years — in ante lielliun days — more than a thousand letters were written,
seeking documents, traditions, description of historic localities, and the
elucidation of obscure statements. Old newspaper files of the Library
of Congress, Philadelphia Library Company, and of the Maryland and
the Wisconsin Historical Societies, have been carefully consulted, anil
information sought from every possible source in this country, England
and the British Colonies. Truth alone has been the writer's aim, and
conclusions reached without prejudice, fear or favor.

The following deceased persons, who were either related to, or had
personal intercourse with, King's Mountain men, kindly contributed in
years agone, valuable materials for this work :

^Sf'""'i^

TIIK NEW MONUMENT, KINg's MOUNTAIN.

mr/wDucTiox. v

F.x-Gov, David Camphell, of Virijinij; Mnn. IIiicli L. White, Col, Wm. Martin, Ex.
Gov. Wni. H. Campbell, Col licorge Wilson, Col. Hcorge Clirisiiiin, Maj. John Sevier, Jr.,
Cul (Jeo. W. Scvitr, and Mrs. Kli<:.i W. W.irlicid, of '1 ciingssct ; lion. Jos. J. Mc-
Unwell, of Oliio ; .Miij. llios. H. Shelby, of Kcntiuky ; Hon. Klij.ih Callaway, Ur. James
Callaway, Huk'" M. Stokes, Sliadra< k Franklin, Silas McDowell, Adam and James J.
H.impinn, nf North Carolin.i; Hon. Wni. C. rreston, Ocn. John S. I'luston, Dr. M. A.
Moore. I). (). Slinson, Jeremiah Clevcl.md, Mrs. Sallic Rector. Dr. A. I-. Ilammi>nd. .nnd
Abraham Hardin, of South Ciruhna ; Gen. Uen, Cleveland, oi' Ucuryia ; and Dr. Alex-
ander y. Ilradley, of Alabama.

Special acknowlcdgementa arc due to tlic followirifj pcrsfins.

Ti-n»essef ;—Dr. J. G. M. Kamsuy. Rlv. Dr. D C. Kcllcy. Hon. J. M. l.rn. Anson
Nelson. Hon. W. B. Carter, Col. H. L. Claiborne. Mrs. Mary A. 'I'rigg, John I'. Watkins
Thos. A. Rogers, and Col, H. A. liruwn.

l'!rgi'nfn:—V.. A. Drock, Hon. A. S. Fulton, W. G. G. I.owry, John I,. Cochran, .ind
Col, T. L. )'rcston.

North Carn//na:—V>T. C. L, Hunter, Col. J. R. Logan, W. L. Twitty, Dr. R. F
Hnckctt, Col. W-n. Johnston. Hon. W. P. Hynnm, Dr. W. J. T. Miller, Mrs. Mary A,
Chambers, Hon. S. McDowell Tate, Col. W. W. Lenoir, .Mrs R. M. Pearson. W. M.
Kcinhardt. Hon. J. C. Hari)er, Hon. C. A. Cilly, .MiiS A. L. Henderson, Ur. G. W,
Michal. Wm. A. McCall, Rev. W. S. Fonfaino, W. S Prarson. T. A. Honchrlle, John
Ikinner, J. L. Worth. Dr. T. R. Twitty. M. <). Dickcrson. A. D. K. W.allace, John Gilkey,
A. n. Long, Dr. J. H. Gilkey, Hon. J. M. Cloud, Rev, W, S, P,ynu;.i, J, C. Whitson. Geo.
F. D.-ividson. Mrs. R. C. Whi.son. Miss N. M. McDowell, Miss A. M. Woodfin. James E,
RevnnMs. Lewis Johnson. G. W. Crawford. W. H. Allis, Thos. P. Vance. Dr. J. C. New-
land, W. M. McDowell, Rev. E. F. Rockwell. D. Pnrgin. A. Rnrgin, Wylie Franklin,
James Gwyn. Jesse Yates, Dr. L. Harrill. John H. Roberts. Mrs. M. V. Adams, .Mrs. P.
E. Callaway, Dr. I!. F. Di,\on, and Mrs. M. M, Thruslon.

Souf/i Cirrliam—Mev. James H. Save Fx-Gov. R. F. Perry. Hon. Simpson Robo.
N. F. Walker. A. H. Twichcll. Mrs. Edward Ro.ach, Gen. A. C. Garlington. D. K. Craw-
ford. Hon. John 1!. Cleveland, Elij.ih Keese, James Seaoorn, ami J. T. Pool.

Cj'eors-i'n: -Dr. J. H. Logan. Gen. W. S. WofTord, W'. T Hackett. and A. N. Simpson.

Aliibnmn .-—Rev. Z. H. Gordon, Col. J. H. Witherspoon, and Mrs. Lewis E. Parsons.

Mhsissi/'/ii :—}. R. Hill.

Ayka>i.<:as:—V.cn. D. H. Hill.

Missouri : — Dr. A. N. Kincannon.

AV«/rtr*>'.--Ls.iac Shelby, Jr., and Col. H. H. McDowell.

Illinois : — Spraguc White.

Ohio: — Mrs. Jennie McDowell Stockton.

Wisconsin : — Hon. John A. Rontley.

PeHiisyb'aiiia : — G. R. Hildebiirn.

A'fw W'rk .-Gen. J. Watts DePcyster, and Geo, H. Moore, LL. D.

jTfa>yltttiil : — Miss Josephine Seaton.

IJ'ashinjrto/! .-—Col. J. H. Wheeler, and Hon. D. R. Goodloe.

Kitgland : — Viscount Holmesdale, Col. (}eo. .'\. Ferguson, and Alfred Kingston,

Nem Brunswick : — J. Dc L.mcey Robinson.

Xo"ja Scotia: — George Taylor.

Ontario :—Kq.v. Dr. E. Rycrson.

INTRODUCTION.

While in the lonj;' years past tlie materials for this work ha\e been
collected, ample facts aiurdociimuiits have also been -gathered for .'',
continuation of similar volumes, of which this is the commencement — to
be called, perhaps, the Border Series, embracing, in their sweep, the
whole frontier from New York and Canada to the gulf of Mexico —
Siinitcr and liis Men — Pklcens and the Battle of Cow/icns — IJf,- and
Campaigns of Gen. Ucorgc Holers Clark — Boone and the Pioneers
of Kentue/cy — Kenton and his Adventures — Brady and his Seouts —
Mecklenburg and its .Ictors — Teeuniseh, the Shaivanoe Leader — Brant,
the Molunvk Chief— ■^\■\C^ a volume on Border Forays and .Id'oentures.
If there is a demand for these works, they will be forthcoming.

Should Kings Mountain and its Heroes be recei\'cd with favor, and
regarded as shedding new light on an interesting portion of our revolu-
tionary history, not a little of the credit is deservedly due to the
enterprising publisher, Peter (i. Thomson, who warmly encouraged
the undertaking, and has s])ared no pains in bringing it before the
public in a style at once t.isteful and attractive.

Madison, Wis., September i, iSSi,

tablp: of contents.

CHAPTER I.

1763 to May, 1780,

CHAPTER II.

-s of the
'/ Charleston.

May, 1780.

Further Iiicidrnts Connected -inth /A, c- ^

-Subjugation of South Carolina.

CHAPTER III.

itish

1741 to May, 1780.

CHAPTER IV.

1780-May-July.

Colonel Ferguson sent to the District of V;„ / c-

Local Militia.-Jn,for H.uZ'i > S'-^--Orgamzing the

/^v.//..-/,, ^,,,, /L'^;;^;-^/^^^^^^^ ^se,uctn.epronusesto the

Mission-Mrs. jane Than aTu^'~f "''^ ''''"' '"^"/''"^''^" to his
J Ihonias Advcnture.-Colond Thomas rebels

vii

VI 11

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

a Tory assault at Cedar Spring.— Ferguson advances to Fair For-
est. — Character of the Tories — Stories of their plundering^. — Col-
onels Clarke and Jones of Georgia — the latter surprises a Tory
Camp —Dunlap and Mills attack McDoioell's Camp on North
Pacolct. — Captain Ilatnptons pursuit and defeat of the Tories.

CHAPTER V.

1780— July— August.

McDo7uell sends for the Over-Mountain Men. — Clarke joins him, and
pushes on to Sumter's Camp. — Capture and Escape of Captain
Patrick Moore. — Moore's Plunderers. — Story of fane Mcjunkin
and Bill Ilaynesworth. — Shelby and the Mountaineers arrive at
Me Doweir s Camp. — Capture of 'Thicketty Fort. — Expedition to
Brown s Creek and Fair Forest. — Fight at the Peach Orchard, near
Cedar Spring, and IVofford's Iron Works, and its Incidents. —
.'iaye's Account of the Action. — British Report. — Contradictory
Statements concerning the Conflict.

CHAPTER VI.

1780— August 18.

Musgrovc's MiU Expedition and Battle. — Rencontre of the Patrol Par-
ties. — British Alarm. — Information of the Enemy's Reinforcement.
■—Whigs thro^v up Breast-ieorks. — Captain In man's .Stratagem. —
Enemy drawn into the Net prepared for them. — Desperate Fight-
ing. — Junes and other British Leaders Wounded. — Tory Colonel
Clary's Escape. — Captain Inman Killed. — The Retreat and the
Rout. — Incidents at the Ford. — Sam Moore's Adventure. — The Brit-
ish and Tory Reserve. — A British Patrol Returns too late to share
in the Battle. — Burial of the Slain.—-Length and Severity of the
Action. — Respective Losses. — A{-7l's of Gates' Defeat— its Influence.
— Whigs' Retreat. — Anecdote of Paul IJinson. — The Prisoners. —
Williams' Reward. — Cornwallis' Confession. — Comparison of Au-
thorities.

CHAPTER VII.

1780— Summer and Autumn.

Incidents of the Up-country — Major Fdunird Musgro'-.'c. — Paddy Can-

and Beaks Musgrove. — The Story of Mary

Musgrove.-

-Samuel

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

August, 1780-Mareh, 1781.

Moves. -n^o Try on Gun J^^J,^ :^': ^';^' /--''— /vv,.. J.

CHAPTER IX.

July-October, 1780.

maud of Sumter's men~his ,l:']''~^^ '"'"'"■' Mlurc to ^ct com-
son sends a tkrcat /"/./ ^,^1/1 T ''"f '^ ^"""^^^Fergu.
forts to turn tk. scales l ^:^Zl^''"^^^^
ton and Campbell unite m /, ''Z ' ^'^' ^^^'^^^^. ^^^wip.

-Parson Doak connLj tl 7 T^^^^^^^^ '^"-- ^'^^'^^h.

^tl.r.--T,,,.,,^^. ;^f; '^ '] ^^"■P'-oterttonoftAeGood
and mnston.--CanMnJt "'^'^'"^'-''^--yoined by Cleveland

CHAPTER X.

September-October, 1780.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Moinitainccrs at tJicir South Mountain Camp. — Patriotic Ippcals
of the Officers t) i heir Men. — Resume of Fcrti^uson s Opoutions in
the Upper Catawba Valley. — Alarmin^t; Intelh[i(ence of the Ap-
proach jf the Back IVater Men. — Why Fcrs^uson 7'arricif so long
on the Frontiers. — British Scheme of Suppressing the Rebellion by
the Galloivi. — Ferguson Flees from Gilbert To-wn. — Seniis Messen-
gers for aid to Cornwallis and Cruger. — Frcncicd Appeal to the
Tories. — Ferguson's Breakfast .Stolen by Saucy .I'higs. — //is
Flight to '''''ite's Ferry. — Dispatch to Lord Corvwallis. — Takes
Tost on King's Mountain, and Description of it. -Motives for Ling-
ering there.

CHAPTER XI.

October, 1780.

Uncertainty of Ferguson' s Route of Retreat. — A small party of Georgians
join the Mountain Af<ii. — Whig forces over-estimated. — Report of a
P'atriot Spy from Ferguson's Camp. — Williams' attempt to Mislead
the Mountaineers. — Lacey sets them Right. — 'The South Carolinians
treatment of Williams. — Selecting the fittest JMen at Green river to
pursue Ferguson. — Arri7>al at the Cowpens. — The Tory, Saunders
— his ignorance of Ferguson, his Beeves and his Com. — Story of
Kerr, the cripple Spy — Gilmer, the cunfiing Scout, duping the
Tories. — The Co7vpens Council, further selection of Pursuers, and
their Number. — Night March to Cherokee Ford. — Straying of Camp-
bell's Men. — Groundless Fears of an Ambuscade. — Crossing of
Broad river. — Stormy Times. — faded Condition of Men and Horses.
— Tory Information. — Gilmer's Adventures.— Plan of attacking
Ferguson. — Colonel Graham Retires. — Chronical assigned Command
of the Lincoln Men. — Young Ponder Taken. — /u-rguson's Dress. —
Pressing toiuards the enemy's Camp.

CHAPTER XII.

King's Mountain Battle, October 7th, 1780.

Ferguson and his Men Resoh'c to Fight. — The Bayonet their Main Re-
liance. — British Strength. — Character of the Provincial Rangers. —
Different Classes of Loyalists Described. — Traits of the Mountain-
eers. — The I/olston Mot, and Frontier Ad7'etitures. — Assignment
of the Whig Corps to the Attack. — Campbell's Appeal to his Men.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

— U'iiis/on's mis- Ailvcnliircs. — Ch-wland no/ tJu- First /o Commence
the Action. — Siir/irisin<^ the Enemy's Picket. — .Shelby s Co/iiiiui . In-
noycd by the Enemy. — CamphelPs Men Rush into the Eit^ht — At-
tach on the British Main Guard. — The Viri^inians Ad^'ance u/) the
^lountain. — March of Cleveland's Men — Patriotic Speech of their
Commander. — Drive in a Picket. — Movements of Laccfs Men. —
Campbell's Corps Driven before the Bayonet — Rally, and Renex^>
the Contest. — .Shelby, too. Retired before the Charging Columns. —
The Right and Left Wings take part in the Action. — Culbertson's
Heroism. — Captain Moses Shelby Wounded. — Ensign Camp/'cll Ih's-
lodging Tories from their Rocky Ramparts. — Terrific Character of
the Conjlict. — .Imiising Incident of one of Lacey's Men. — Heroic
Efforts of Campbell and his Corps. — Ensign Campbell's U'ood Con-
duct.— Captain hdmiindson's Exploit and Death. — Lieutenant
Reece Bouen's Disdain of Danger, and his Lamented Fall. — Camp-
bell's Active Efforts and Heroic Appeals. — Death of Major Chron-
icle. — The South Fork Boys Charged, and Several Wounded. —
Robert Henry Transfi.xcd, and yet Survived all his Associates. —
William Tiuitty and Abram Forney. — Cleveland, and his Men. —
Lieutenant Samuel fohnson dnd other Wounded Of/icers. — Intre-
piditv of Charles Gordon and Da7>id Witherspoon. — Singular
Adventure of Charles Boiuen and Colonel Cleveland.

CHAPTER XIII.

The Battle— October 7th, 1780.

J-ltrther Progress and Incidents of the Contest. — Heroic Act of William
Robertson. — Thomas Robertson Shoots a Tricky Tory. — Treatment
of the Tory Branson, by Captain Withrow. — Captain Lenoir's
Part in the Battle. — Captain Robert Sevier Wounded. — Alarm
concerning Tarleton. — Mistake caused by Campbell's Bald Faced
Horse. — Campbell's Daring Reconnoiter. — Anecdote of Clc-t'cland.
— Colonel IVilliams Patriotic Conduct. — William Giles "Creased"
— RcT'ives, and Re/it'ii's the Fight.— -Thomas ]oung's Relation of
Colonel William.^:' Fall. — Major Hammond's Desperate Charge,
and singular Premonition of one of his Men. — Campbell and .Shelby
Renewing the Attack. — Lieutenant- Colonel Hambridge Wounded. —
Ferguson's Pride and Recklessness — Attempting to Escape, is
Mortally Wounded. — Various .Statements of Colonel Williams'
Fall. — Furious Charge of Campbell's and .Shelby's Men. — Several
Corps driven down the Mountain. — British Over-Shoot the Whigs.
— North Carolina Tories first to Weaken. — Colonel Graham's I'nex-

xii TAIU.E OF CONTENTS.

pcctcii Ritiirii. — Ft-rgitson s Fall — DcPeystcr Vindicated. — Whigs
sloTii to Rctognizi' the IV/u'tc Flag.— ) 'oiiitg Sri'iers Shooting
Paroxysm. — Efforts of .Shi'H>y and Cam/flxil to Quell the Firing of
the ll'higs. — Three Koitsing Cheers for the iireat I'ietory. —
Colonel IVilliains' Shot — an Exciting Scene. — Conjlicting Stories
of his Fatal Charge. — British Officers Surrender their Siuords. —
Ferguson's I/eroic Conduct in the Jiattle — Jiis Mistakes. — He was
Afortally ] Founded, not Killed Out- Fight. — Curiosity of the IVhigs
to l'ie7i> his Body. — His Mistresses. — Frii'ations and Sufferings of
the Mountaineers. — Strength of the Tones. — Absence of their
Leaders. — Their Fighting Qualities. — Dismay of the Southern
British Coiuinanders. — Their Tgnora>:ce of the Oiur- Mountain
Whig Settlements. — Boone not on the Campaign. — Duration of the
Battle. — Strength and flosses of the British and Tories.— Colonels
John and Patrick Moore. — Numln-r of Prisoners Taken. — Errors
in Report of I^osses.— Names of Whigs Killed and Wounded.—
Death of Captain Sevier.— William Moore Wounded.— Remarkable
Losses in Campbell's Regiment.— Captains Weir and Shannon
Arrive.— Counting the Dead.— Caring for the Wounded.— Guard-
ing the Prisoners.— .'scarcity of j'rovisions. — King's Mountain
Souvcnirs.—/Feart-Rcn(fing Scenes of the Battle Field.— The A'ight
after the miction.

CHAPTER XIV.

October, 1780.

Battle Tncidcnts.—Long Sam Abney Coerced into Ferguson's Army. —
Death of Arthur Patterson.— Drury Mathis' Rough Experience.—
A Tory Woman Finding her Slain Son.— Fatality of the Riff lemen.
— Preston Goforth and three Brothers Killed. — ./ Brother kills a
Brother.— The Whig and Toy Logans.— William Logan Noticed.

Preparing to Retire.— Burning Captured II "agons.— Horse-Litters

for the Wounded.— Gray's Kindness to a Wounded Tory.— A
Termasiant Prisoner Released.— Messengers sent to the Foot-Men.—
Arms Captured.— Tories made to Cany Them.— Trophies of I'ic-
fo,-y_—A Whig ]Voman Refusing to Share in the Plunder.— Rumor
of Farlcton's Approach.— Burial of the Whig and Tory Dead.—
Treatment of Ferguson Cvisidercd.— Re-Interment of Remains.—
March of the Armv.— Death of Col. Williams.— Camp at Broad
River.— Williams' Burial.— Discovery of his Long- Forgot ten Grave.
—Six Tory Brothers Escape.— Notice of Colonel Walker.— Bran-

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

xni

don's Barbarity. — Campbell rrotcctiiii^ tlu- Pri.uvurs. — Gray's Rt-t<>>i
ton Tory Vixen. — Gray's Smncfs. — Sitlfiriiii^^ for Food. — Fcediii^^
Prisoners on Corn and Pumpkins. — Billeting the Wounded, — March
to Bickerstajjf's Old Field.

CHAPTER XV.

October— November, 1780.

Colonel Catnpbell J)iiioitnres Plundering. — Complaints Agaijist Tory
Leaders. — T/ieir Outrages on the Whigs. — A Court Called to Con-
sider the Matter. — Retaliation for British Txeeutions Demanded. —
A Law Found to Meet the Case. — Charges against A/ills, Gilhey,
and A/eFall. — Colonel Davenport Noticed. — Number of Tories
Tried and Condemned .— Case of fames Craikford. — One of the
Prisoners Released. — Cleveland Favoring Severe Measures. —
Motives of the Patriots I 'indicated. — Shelby's Explanation. —
Tories Executed — their names and Residence. — Paddy Carr's
Remarks, and Notice of Him. — Bahkvin's Singular Fscape. —
Further Executions Stopped. — Tories Subsequently Hung. — Rumor
of Tarletons Approach. — Whigs Hasten to the Catawba. — A Hard
Day's March — Sufferings of Patriots and Prisoners. — Major Mc-
Dowell' s Kindness. — Mrs. Ale DowcW s Treatment of British Offi-
cers. — Some of the Whig Troops Retire. — Disposition of the ]]'ouiidcil.
— Prisoners Escape -One Re-taken and Hung. — March to the
Alorai'ian Settlements. — Bob Po^oell's Challenge. — Official Account
of the Battle Prepared. — Campbell and Shelby Visit General Gates.
— Cleveland Left in Command. — His Trial of Tories. — Escape of
Green and Langum. — Clevela/td .Issaults Doctor Johnson. — Colonel
Armstrong Succeeds to the Command. — Escape of British Officers.

CHAPTER XVI

October— December, 1780.

Disposition of King's A fountain Prisoners. — Proposition to Enlist Them
— Needed for Exchange. — Congress refers the Alatter to the States
where the Prisoners Belong. — ILnu They Dwindled Away. — Colonel
Armstrong Blamed. — Remnant Confined at Salisbury. — DePeyster
and Ryerson Paroled. — ./ Plucky Band of Wliigs Scare a Large
Tory Party. — Tarleton Frustrates Cornwallis' Design of Relieving
Ferguson.— Intercepting Ferguson's AFcssengers. — Tarleton at

XIV

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Li-ni^th in Motion. — //is Inslnictions. — /■^Jfctt of A7>/j,''.v .\/oii/iiiu'n
Victory. — Ewiii and /Utny Alarm the Xcittrals aiut tiny Alarm
Cornwallis. — Crowning of David I\nox. — Cornwallisjlcts to .Soiit/i
Carolina, with the Imaginary A/ountainiwrs in Pursuit. — ^/ Triclcy
Cuidc MisUading the lu tiring /roops. — A Panic. — //Iness of Corn-
wallis. — Sic'lcness and Patality among the Troops. — Privations and
Siifft-rings of the /^etrograders.- .\id luiidrred t>y the Tories. —
Ninety Six Safe. — Cornwallis Threatens /ietatiation for /Execution
of Kings Mountain Prisoners. — Gates and Jiandall on the Situa-
tion. — The Question Met />y General Greene. — Cornwallis I)ro/>s the
Matter. — Case of Adam Cusae/c. — 'The Widows and Orphans of
Ninety Six District. — Good Words for King's A/ountain Victory. —
Gates Thanks the Victors. — Washington Takes Courage. — /■resolves
ofCongi'ess. — Greene and /.ee Commend the Mountaineers. — Tossing,
Bancroft, and Irving on the Result. — The Ihitish Leaders Recognize
the Disastrous Effects of Ferguson s A/iscarriage. — Gates and fef-
ferson's /encomiums. — lung's Mountain Paves the IVay for York-
town and Inde/iendence.

CHAPTER XVII.

Gen. William Campbell.

//is Scotch-Irish Ancestry. — //is I'athcr an /•larly //olston Explorer. —
William Campbell's Birth and Education. — Settles on //olston. — A
Captain on Dunmore's Campaign. — Raised a Company for the first
Virginia Regiment in 1773. — /Return for the Defense of the /fron-
tiers. — I lis Military Appointu nts. — Rencounter with and Hanging
of the Bandit Hopkins. — .S' 'pressing Tories up lYcw Jii^'C)-. —
King's Mountain Expedition — his Brai'cry Vindicated. — Public
Thanks for his Services. — .Marches to Long Island of Holston. —
At Whitzell's Mills and Guilford. — Resigns from Ill-treatment. —
Made Brigadier-General. — Serves under TAiIuiyette. — Deatli and
Character. — Notices of his King's Mountain Officers ,

CHAPTER XVIII.

Cols. Shelby and Sevier, and their Officers.

Notice of Evan Shelby. — Isaac Shelby's Life and .Services. — Officers
under him at King's Mountain — E'lnin Shelby, fr. — Gilbert Chris-
tian — Moses .Shelby — fames Elliott— John Sawyers — George Max-
well, and George Rutledge. — fohn .S,-7'ier's Life and Services. —
His lung's Mountain OJficers — Jonathan Tipton— Valentine and
Robert Sevier — Christopher Taylor — Jacob Brown — Samuel Weir.

t't'

TABLE OF COXTRNTS.
CHAPTER XIX.

Col. Ben. Cleveland, Maj. Joseph Winston and their

Officers.

Cievc/aiti/' s /Utrcstry. — //is Early Life and I/unlin;^ Adventures. —
Trip to Kenttte/^y. — /Hl/c Hunt and Narrow /Cscapes. — /ievolution-
ary War. — Suppressiui^ Scotc/i Tories. — /■^ut/terford's C/iero/cee
Campaign. — A/are/ies to IVittauga. — .[^pointed Colonel. — Serves in
Georgia. — New River Seoul. — Kings A/ountain. — /Langs Coyle
and liro-iin. — Captured by Tories and Ins Reseue. — /Middle and
Wells Hung. — Other Tory Brigands Taken — Nie/iols, Tate, and
LLarrison. — Tliunthing t/ie Notelt. — Reforming Tories. — Removes to
Tugalo. — /Langs Dinkins. — Appointed fudge. — Anecdote, — Great
Size, Death, and Character.

Major Joseph Winston Noticed. — Ben. Herndon. — Micajah and foel
Lewis. — Robert and Ji'hn Cleveland. — fesse Franklin. — William
Lwnoir — John /hirton — William Meredith, and A/inor Smith. —
fohn Broicn and Samuel fohnson. — David and fohn Wither-
spoon. — fo. LLerndon, Richard Allen, and Elisha Reynolds.

CHAPTER XX.

Lacey and Other Whigs. — British and Tory Leaders.

L^acey, l/aivthorne, Tate, and A/offett. — Williams, LLauimond, L/ayes,
Dillard, Thompson, and Candler. — Brandon, Stccn, and Roebuck. —
Maj. McDoiocll, Capt. A/cDoiuell, /-Kennedy, Vance, and Wood. —
I/ampton, Singleton, Porter, Withrow, A/iller, and Watson. —
L/ambright, Graham, Chronicle, Dick'^on, fohnston. White,
Espey, Martin, and A/attocks. — British and Tory Leaders.

APPENDIX.

Allaire's Diary, and Other British Accounts. — Letters of Williams,
Davidson, and Gates. — Gates Thanks to the Victors. — Official /Re-
port of King's JS/ountain. — Shelby's and Campbell's L.etters. — Wash-
ington's General Order. — .Arthur Campbell and Unknown Writer's
Statements. — Col. CampbelFs General Orders. — Thanks of Virginia
Legislature. — Lee and Greene's L^ctters. — L^aFayette on CampbelFs
Death. — Monroe's Letter. — Robert Campbell, Shelby, Graham,
Lenoir, and Sharp's Naratives. — "jVarrator's" Charge. — Shelby
ami Sevier's Correspondence. — Shelby's J\imphlet. — .'synopsis of Re-
joinders. — / arious Certificates I 'indicating Col, Campbell. — Old
Ballads. — Lndex.

CHAPTER I.

1706 to May, 1780.

Caitsts of Iht- Ri'volution — Altcyiuxte Successes and Disasters of I he
Early Campaigns of the War — Siet^c and Reduction of Charleston.

For Ion years befdiv the outbreak of the American Revo-
hilion. the great (juestion oi taxation -u'il/iuid rcpi cscntatioii
agitated the miiuls of the American people. They rejected
the stanfps, because they implied a tax : they dcstro3cd
the tea, because it imposed a forced levy upon them without
their consent, to gratify the insatiate demands of their trans-
Atlanlic soveriM^n, and his tyrannical ^linislry and Parlia-
ment. Should thev basely yield one of their clearest ri'dits,
they well judged ihey might be required, little by little, to
\ield all. They, therefore, manfully resisted these inyasions
as unbecoming a free people. •

When, in 1775, Great Britain determined to cntbrce her
obnoxious laws, the people, under their chosen leaders,
seized their arms, forsook their homes and families, and
boldly asserted their God-giyen rights. A long and embit-
tered contest was commenced, inyohing. might}' interests.
Freedom was threatened — an empire was at stake. Sturdy
blows were giyen and receiyed, with various results. The
lirsl year of the war, the Americans beat back the I jrilish
from Lexington and Concord, and captured Crown Point,
but were worsted at Bunker Ilill ; they captured Chambly
and St. Johns, and repulsed the enemy near Longueil, but
the intrepid Montgomery failed to take Qiiebec, losing his
life in the eflort.

The sect)nd year of the contest, which brought forth the
immortal Declaration of Independence, proved varying in

(17)

KING'S MOUNTAIN

its fortunes. The Scotch Tories in North Carolina were
signally defoatecl at Moore's Creek, and the British, long
cooped up in Boston, were compelled to evacuate the place :
and were suhsequently repulsed at .Sullivan's Island, near
Charleston ; while the Americans, on the other hand, were
defeated at the Cedars, and were driven from Montreal,
Chambl}- and St. Johns, worsted at Long Island and White
Plains, and lost Fort Washington, on the Hudson. Mean-
while the frontier men of Virginia, the Carolinas, East Ten-
nessee, and Georgia, carried on successful expeditions against
the troublesome Cherokees, whom British emissaries had in-
veigled into hostilities against their white neiiihbors.

Yet the year closed with gloom}- prospects — despair sat
on many a brow, and saddened many a heart — the main
army was greatly reduced, and the British occupied New
York, and the neighboring Province of New Jersey. Wash-
ington made a desperate venture, cros.^ing the Delaware
amid lloating ice in December, attacking and defeating the
unsuspecting enemy at Trenton ; and. pushing his good
fortune, commenced the third yi-ar of the war, 1777, by
securing a \ietory at Princeton. While the enenw were, for
a while, held at bay at the Red Bank, yet the results of
the contests at Brandywine and Germantown were not
encouraging to the American arms, aiul the British gained
a firm foot-hold in Philadelphia. .\nd subsequently they
captured Forts Clinton and Montgomery, on tlie Hudson.

Farther north, better success attended the American
arms. St. Leger, with a strong British and Indian force,
laid siege to Fort Stanwix. on the Mohawk ; but after repel-
ling a relieving party under (Jen. 1 lerkimer, he was at length
compelled to relinquish his investiture, on learning of the
approach of a second arm\- of rclii'f, retiring precipitate!}-
from the country ; while the more formidable invading force
under Burgoyne met with successive reverses at Benning-
ton, Stillwater, and Saratoga, eventuating in its total sur-
render to the victorious Americans.

AND ITS HEROES.

liir-

In June, 1778, the fourth year of the war, the British
e\'acuated Phihidelphia, when Washinj^ton pursued their
retreating forces, overtaking- and vigorously attacking them
at Monmouth. A large Tory and Indian party defeated
the settlers, and laid waste the Wyoming settlements. As
the result of Burgoyne's signal discomliture. a treaty of alli-
ance between the new Republic and France brought troops
and fleets to the aid of the struggling Americans, and pro-
duced some indi'cisive ligliting on Rhode Island.

The adventurous expedition under (xeorge Rogers Clark,
from the vallevs of Virginia and West Pennsylvania, down
the Monongahela and Ohio, and into the country of the
Illinois, a distance of wi'll nigli liiteen hundred miles,
with limited means, di'stitute of military stores. [Kick-
horses and supplies — with only their bra\-e hearts and
trust}' rides, was a remarkable^ enterprise. Vi't with all
these obstacles, and K-ss than two hundred men, Clark fear-
lessly penetrated the western wilderness, killing his game
by the way. and cor.quered those distant settlements.
Though regTirded at the time as a hercvilean inulertaking,
and a most successful adventure, yet nont' foresaw the
mightv in flu* lice it was destined to exert on tlie subsequent
progress and extension of the Republic.

\'aried fortunes attended the military operations of 1779,
the fifth year of the strife. The gallant Clark and his intre-
pid followers, marched in winter season, from Kaskaskia
acrossthe submer'^ed lands of the Wabash, sometimes wad-
ing up to their arm-pits in water, and breaking tlu- ice before

em, surprised the garrison

at V

mcennes. and siiccee

ded

in its capture. The Britisli f'orce in Georgia, having defeated
General Ashe at Brier creek, projected an expedition against
Charleston, and progressed as far as Stono, whence they
were driven back to Savannah, where the combined French
and Americans were subsequently repulsed, losing, among
others, the chivalrous Count Pulaski. At the North. Stony
Point was cajitured at the point of the bayonet, and Paulus

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Hook surprised ; while General Sullivan's well-appointed
army over-ran the beautiful country of the Six Nations,
destroying their villages, and devastating their lields, as a
retributive chastisement for their repeated invasions of the
Mohawk and Minisin settlements, and laying waste the
lovely vale of Wyoming.

The war had now dragged its slow length along for live
:;uccessive campaigns, and the Britisli had gained but few
permanent foot-holds in the revolted Colonies. Instead of
the prompt and easy conquest they had promised themselves,
they had encountered determined opposition wherever tliey
had shown the red cross of St. George, or disphned their
red-coated soldiery. Repeated defeats on the part ot the
Americansihad tiiy;ved to inure them to tb.o hardships of
war, and KKftrwst them how to profit by their experiences and
disasters.

New efforts were demanded on the part of the British
Government to subdue their rebellious subjects ; and South
Carolina was chosen as the next field of extensive opera-
tions. Sir Henry Clinton, who had met so signal a repulse
at Charleston in 1776, and in whose breast still rankled the
mortifying recollections of that memorable failure, resolved
to head in person the new expedition against the Palmetto
Colony, and retrieve, if possible, the honor so conspicu-
ously tarnished there on his previous unlortunate enterprise.

Having enjo3'ed the Christmas holiday of 1779 in New
York harbor, Sir Henry, accompanied by Lord Cornwallis,
sailed tVom Sandy Hook the next day with the fleet under
Admiral Arbuthnot, transporting an army of o\er se\en
thousand five hundred men. Some of the vessels, however,
were lost by the way, having encountered stormy weather
in the gulf-stream — one bark, carrying Hessian trorps, was
dismasted and driven across the ocean, an ordnance vessel
was foundered, while several transports were cajitured by
bold and adventurous American privateers, and most of the
horses for the expedition perished. The place of rendez-

AND ITS HEROES.

vous was at T3'bee Bay, near the entrance to Savannah
river, whence Clinton, on his way towards Charleston, was
Joined hv the troops in Georj^na, making his force nine
thou5*find strong, besides the sailors in the fleet ; but to ren-
der his numbers invincible beyond all peradventure, he at
once ordered from New York Lord Rawdon's brigade,
amountini: to about two thousand live hundred more.

Charleston, against which this formidable British force
was destined, was an opulent city of some fifteen thousand
people, wliite and black, and was garrisoned by less than
four thousand men — not near enough to properly man the
extended works of defence, of nearly three miles in circum-
ference, as they demanded. Governor Rutledge, a man
of unquestioned patriotism, had conferred upon him by the
Legislature, in anticipation of this threatened attack, dicta-
torial powers, with the admonition, 'to do every thing
necessary for the public good ; " but he was, nevertheless,
practicalh' powerless. He had few or none of the sinews
of war ; and so depreciated had become the currency of
South Carolina, that it required seven hundred dollars to
jiurchase a pair of shoes for one of her needy soldiers. The
defeat of the combined French and American force at Savan-
nah the preceding autumn, in which the South Carolinians
largely particip;iled, had greatly dispirited the people ; and
the Governor's appeal to the militia produced very little effect.
The six old South Carolina regiments had been so depleted
by sickness and the casualties of war as to scarceb- number
eight Inmdred, all told ; and the defence of the city was
committed to these brave men, the local militia, and a few
regiments of Continental troops — the latter reluctantly
spared by Washington from the main army, and whicli. In
thought, was " putting much to nazard" in an attempt to
defend the city, and the result proved his military foresight.
It would have been wiser for General Lincoln and his
troops to have retired from the place, and engaged in a
Fabian warfare, harassing the enemy's marches by ambus-

.KING'S MOUNTAIN

Ciides, and cuttint^ oil" his foragini^ parties ; but the leading
citizens ot* Charleston, relvinij on their former success,
urged every argument in their power that the city sliould be
defended to the last extremity. Yet no experienced En-
gineer regarded the phice as tenable.

On the eleventli of February, 1780, the Britisli forces
landed on St. John's Island, within thirty miles of Charles-
ton, subsequently forming a depot, and building fortifications,
at Wappoo, on James" Isi lud ; and, on the twenty-sixth ot"
that month, tliey gained a distant view of the place and har-
bor. The dreaded da}' of danger approached nearer and
nearer; and on the twenty-seventh, the ollicers of the Con-
tinental squadron, which carried one hundred and tifty guns,
reported their inability to guard the harbor at the bar, where
the best defence could be made : and " then," as Wasliington
expressed it, "the attempt to defend the town ought to have
been relinquished." But no such thought was entertained.
Ever}' thing was done, that coidd be done, to strengtlien
and extend the lines of defence, dig ditches, erect redoubts
and plant abatis, with a strong citadel in the center.*

Preparations, too, were steadily progressing on the part
of the enemy. On the twenty-fourth of March, Lord Corn-
wallis and a Hessian ollicer were seen with their spy-
glasses making observations; and on the twenty-ninth, the
British passed Ashley river, breaking ground, on the tirst
of April, at a distance of eleven himdred yards Irom the
American lines. At successive periods they erected five
batteries on Charleston Neck.

Late in the evening of March thirtieth, General Charles

* There was published, first in a Williamshurgli, \'a., paper of April 8th, 1780, copied
i ito Dunlap's Pennsylvania Packet o( April iStli, and into the New York Koyal Gazette 01
~ ime date, an account of a Colonel Hamilton Ilallendine havinp made drawings of Cliarlesion
and its fortifications, was directing his course to the enemy, when an American pi( kct
guard sent out to Stono. captured him; he. thereupon, exhihited his dr:ifts, supposing that
the party belonced to the Uritish army. They soon clisahuscd him of his error, carried
him to General Lincoln, who ordered him for execution, and he was accordingly hanged on
the 5th of March. As none of the South Carolina historians, nor any of the Charleston
diarists or letter writers during the siege, make the slightest refer.Micc to any such person
or circiimstance, there could have been no foundation for the story.

AND ITS HEROES.

Scott, commandiiio- one of the Mrginia Continental bri-
gade, arrived, accompanied by his stall", and some other
otlicers. "The next morning," says Major Croghan, "I
accompanied Generals Linc(jln and Scott to view the batteries
and works around town ; Ibund those on the Cooper river side
in prettv good order, and chielly manned by sailors ; but the
greater part of the remainder not complete, and stood in
need of a great deal of work. General Scott was very par-
ticular in in(|uiring of General Lincoln as to the quantity of
provisions in tlie garrison, when the General informed him
there were se\eral months' supplv, b\' a return he had re-
ceived from the Commissary. General Scott urged the
necessit}' of having officers to examine it, and, as he ex-
pressed \\.^for them to hw tJtcir hands on it.''*

A sortie was planned on the fourth of April, to be com-
manded by General Scott — one battalion led by Colonel
Clarke ,. d Major Hogg, of North Carolina; another by
Colonel Parker and Major Croghan, of Virginia, and the
light infantry by Lieutenant-Colonel Laurens ; but the wind
proved unfavorable, which prevented the shipping from
going up Town creek, to lire on the enemy, and give the
sallying parly such assistance as they might be able to ren-
der, and thus it failed of execution. General Woodford's
Virginia brigade of Continentals arrived on the sixth, and
some North Carolina militia under the command of Colonel
Harrington. They were greeted by the firing of a /cti de
j'oic, and the ringing of the bells all night. f

Admiral Arbuthnot's near approach to the bar, on the
seventh of April, induced Commodore Whipple, who com-
manded the American na\-al force, to retire without firing a
gun, lirst to Fort Moultrie, and afterward to Charleston ; and
the British fleet passed the fort without stopping to engage
it — the passage having been made, savs the New Jersey

* MS. Journal of Major William Croghan, of the Virginia Line. Siejje of Charles-
ton, ijj.

■fCroshan's MS. Journal.

J-S)

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Gazcltv* while a severe thuiuler slorni was raging, which
caused the ships to be "•invisible near hall" the time of their
passing.'' Colonel Charles C. Pinckney, who commanded
there, with three hundred men, kept up a heavy cannon-
ade on the British ships dining their passage, which was
returned by each of the vessels as they passed — the enemy
losing fourteen men killed, and lifteen wounded, while not
a man was hurt in the garrison. f One ship had its fore-
topmast shot away, and others sustained damage. The
Acteus transport ran aground near Iladdrell's Point, when
Captain Thomas Gadsden, a brother of Colonel Gadsden,
who was detached with two field pieces for the purpose, lired
into her with such effect, that the crew set her on lire, and
retreated in boats to the other vessels. The Royal fleet, in
about two hours, came to anchor within long shot of the
American batteries.

By the tenth of April, the enemy had completed their
first parallel, when Clinton and Arbuthnot summoned the
town to surrender. Lincoln answered : ''From duty and
inclination I shall support the town to the last extremity."
A severe skirmish had previously taken place between
Lieutenant-Colonel John Laurens and the advance guard of
the enemy, in which the Americans lost Captain Bowman
killed, and Major Ilyrne and seven privates wounded. On the
twelfth, the batteries on both sides were opened, keeping up
an almost incessant lire. The British had the decided ad-
vantage in the number and strength of their mortars and
royals, having twentN'-one, while the Americans possessed
only two \\ and the lines of the latter soon began to crumble
under tlie powerful and constant cannonade maintained
against them. On the thirteenth. Governor Rutledge was

* May i2th, 1700.

t Croyh.in's MS. Journal.

JSiu,h is tile staicinent of Dr. R.nms.iy, who was present, during the siege. The
British olTicial returns show nine mortars, ranging from four to ten-inch caliber, and one
eight-incli howitzer, surrondcreil at Charlesion. and a ten-inch mortar taken at Fort Moul-
trie; but probably the most of these were either unfit for use, or more likely, the limited
quantity of shells enabled the defenders to make use of only two of this class of ordnance.

AND ITS HEROES.

persiiacled to withdraw from the garrison, whilo exit was
yet attainable, leaving Lieutenant-Governor (ladsilen with
five members of the Council.

On the same day. General Lincoln, in a council of war,
revealed to its members his w ant ot ri'sources, and suggested
an evacuation. '• In such circumstances," said General Mc-
intosh, '• we should lose not an hour in attempting to get
the Continental troops, at least, over Cooper ri\er ; for on
their safet\-, depends the salvation of the State." Hut Lin-
coln only wished them to give the matter mature consider-
ation, and he would consult them further about it. lietbre
he met them again, the American cavalry at Monk's Corner,
which had been relied on to keep open the communication
between the city and the country, were surprised and dis-
persed on the Iburteenth ; and li\e days later, the expected
British reinforcements of two thousand li\e hundred men
arrived from New York, when Clinton was enabled more
completel}- to environ the devoted city, and cut otT all chance
of escape.

A stormy council was held on the nineteenth, when the
heads of the several military dej^artments reported their
respective conditions — of course, anvthini{ but llatlerinir in
their character. Several of the members still inclined to an
evacuation, notwithstanding the increased dilliculties of
eflecling it since it was iirst suggested. In the midst of the
conference, Lieutenant-Governor Gadsden happened to come
in — whether by accident, or design, was not known — and
General Lincoln "curteously proposed that he be allowed to
take part in the council. He appeared surprised and dis-
pkajedthat a thought had been entertained of either evacu-
ation or capitulation, and acknowledged himself entirelv
ignorant of the state of the provisions, etc., but would con-
sult his Council in regard to the proposals suggested.

In the evening, an adjourned meeting was held, when
Colonel Laumoy, of the engineer department, reported the
insulhciency of the fortilications, the improbability of holdin<'-

A'/A'US MOUNTAIN

out iiianv clays lonjjjer, and llu- impracticability nf making
a retreat : and closed by siigi^estin^' that terms of" iionorable
capitulation be souijht from tlie eiu'iuy. Lu'utenant-(]tov-
ernor ( iailsden, with tour ofhis Councilors, coming in shorti\-
atli-r. treated the military gentlemen very rudely, the Lieut-
i'nant-(ro\ ernor declaring that he would protest against their
proci'edings ; that tlie militia were willing to li\e upon rice
alone, rather than give up the town on any terms ; and that
even the old women had become so accustomed to the ene-
my's shot, that they traveled the streets without tear or
dread : but it" the council were determined to capitulate, he
had his terms ready in his pocket.

Mr. Thomas Ferguson, one of the Councilors, declared
that the inhabitants ot'the city had observed the boats col-
lected to carry olV the Continental troops ; and that they
would keep a good watch upon the army, and should any
attempt at exacuation ever be made, he would be among
the tirst to open the gates for the admission of the enemy,
and assist them in attacking the retiring troops Colonel C.
C. Pinckney soon after came in abruptly — probably having
been apprised by the Lieulenanl-Goxernor of the subject
under discussion — and, forgetting his usual politeness, ad-
dressed General Lincoln with great warmth, and in much the
same strain as General Gadsden. addin<>- that those who were
lor business needed no cc)uncil, and that he came over on
purpose from Fort Moultrie, to prevent any terms being
oftered to the enemy, or any evacuation of the garrison at-
tempted : and particularly charged Colonel Laumoy and his
department with being the sole authors and promoters of
such proposals.*

It is very certain, that these suggestions of evacuation or
capitulation, occasioned at the time great discontent among
both the regulars and militia, who wished to defend the city

*The details of tins military council arc taken from Major Crnclian's MS. Trmnial ; and
from General Mc'ntosli's Journal, piibli-hed entire hi the Muf^iiii/M Mncazine, Dec. 1842, and
cited in Simms' South Carolina in tin Jievolution, 127-129, both of which are, in this case,
identical in language.

AND ITS HEROES.

to the hist extnniil\- , ami who it>()I\i'i1. in view ofcontiiiu
in<>- tlu' lU'k'iK-e, llial llu-v woulil In- *.(>iUciU. if lU'i'i'ssarv,
will) oiilv hair raliDUS daily.* All iIk-sl- ^ooil prople had
llu'ir wishes gralitifd — Uk' sioor was prucrastinatod, and
many an addiuonal death, siitlrrin^. sorrow, and anguish,
wort.' the consriincncL'.

General Linioln must liave l\ll hurl, il not sorely nelUed.
hv these repealed insults — as General Melnlosii aeknow I-
edges that he did. When matters of ^real pulilic eoneern
result disastrously, scape-goi-.ts are always souj^ht, and all
participants are apt to feel more or less unamiable and
faull-frndiuLj on such occasions. Or, as Washington ex-
pressed il. referring to another alFair. "mutual reproaches
too often follow the failure of enterprises depending upon the
cooperation of troops of dilleront grades." Looking at these
bickerings in the light of history, a ciMUury after their oc-
currence, one is struck with General Lincoln's magnanimous
forbearance, when he coulessedly made great sacrilices in
defending the place st) long against his belter jiulgment, in
deference to the wishes ot" the peojile, who, we may well
conclude, were ver\- unfit judges of military allairs.

At another council of ollkHM-s. held on tlie twentieth and
twenl\-lirst, the important subject of an evacuation was again
under ileliberation : and the conclusion n'ached was, '•that it
was imad\-isable. because of the ()]iposiliun made l(j it by
the ci\il authority and the inhabitants, and because, even if
the\- should succeed in defeating a large bod\- of the enem\'
posted in their way. they hatl not a sutFiciencN' of boats to
cross the Santee before they might be o\ertaken by the
whole British army. '"I Tt was then proi^osed to give Sir

••'Ms. letter <if J''hii Lcwi^i Oervais, cilcil in Simnis. 1^9.

t The enemy were c<Mistantly 1)11 the watch f.ir any attempti'd evacnntion tin the [i.crt
' f the Anicricaiis. Capt J. R. Ruusselet. of 'I'arleton's cavalry, has left this MS. note,
written on the margin of a copy of Steadman's American ll'ur. referrinj to the closing
period 01 the siege: "Some small vessels, taken from the .■\mcrlcans. were armed, manr.ed
with troops, and stationed off Town Creek, to prevent the escape of the garrison should
they attempt to evacuate the town by that channel, Capt. Roussclet commanded ail
armed sloop, with his company on board, under Capt. Salisbury, Royal Navy."

( \

A'/A'G S MOUNTAIN

IIiMiry Clinton (luii-t jiossi-ssion of the city, with its fortifi-
cations ami (K'prn(lt.'nci(.'s. on condition that tlK' security of
tlio inluihitants. ami a salr. unimiK-sli'd retreat for the /gar-
rison, with haiijiLjanc ami licld pii'crs. to the norlh-i'ast of
Chark'ston sIkuiKI bo granted. 'These terms wen- instantly
rejected. On searchini^^ t-very house in town, it was found
that the private suppHes of pro\isions were as m-arly ex-
hausted as were the public mai^a/mes.

On the twenty-fourth, at daybreak. Lieutenant-Ct)lonel
Ilendt'rson sallied out with two humln-d men. chii'lly from
Generals Wot)dford's and Scott's brigades, surprising" and
vigorously attackin<r i1k> advance llankini;" party (A the
enemy, bayoneting- tifleen of them in their trenches, ami
capturini;" a do/.en prisoners, of whom seven were wounded,
losiujLj; in tlu- brilliant allair, the brave Captain Thomas Gads-
den and one or two privates. A considi'rabU' body of tlie
enemy, under Major Hall, of the se\ I'lUy-fourth n-i^inu'nl,
attempted to support tlie part}- in the trenches; but were
oblij^ed to retire on receiving a shower of grape from the
Anu-rican batteries.'* A successful enterprise of this kind
proved onl\ a momentary advantage, having no perceptibk'
inlluence on the linal result.

It is said Colonel C. C. Pinckney, and Lieutenant-Cok)nel
Laurens, assured General Lincoln they could supply the gar-
rison with plenty of beef from Lempriere's Point, if they were
permitted to remain on that side of Coo|-)er river with the ibrce
then under their commaml : upon which the Commissary was
ordered to issue a full allowance again. But unfortunately
the fn-sl and onl\- cattle butchered at Lempriere's for the use
of the garrison were altogether spoiled through neglect or
mismanagement before they came over. These gentlemen,
are said, also, to have promised that the communication on
the Cooper side could, and W(mld, be kept open. Being in-
habitants of Charleston, and knowing the country well, per-
haps the General, with some reason, might be inclined to the

*Croghau's MS. Journal.

-:^*

AND ITS iri'.ROFS.

snme opinion ; and besidrs rinnishini,^ thr irarrison with beef,
tlu'v were to send a sulliiii'nl numlnT of lU'irroes over to
town for the niililary works, who wimv much wanted. I>iit
Colonel Pinckney witli the nrralcr pari, or ahnosl tlu' whole
of his lirst Soiilii Carolina reginienl. and Lieuttiiant-Coloiu-I
Laurens with the linht infantry were recalled iVotn Fort Moul-
trit- and Leiii]irii're"s * — aiul thusended this spasmodic hope.
I'rohablv this t'ailure caused a strict search to he made,
ahoul this tinu', in the houses ol" the citizens tor provisions;
'• some was found," says Major Cro^ifhan, •• but a much less

mtit\- than was supposed.""

The Americans were not slow in perccivini^ the utter

ess of their situalion. Onllie twent\'-si.\th, Cieneral

nopelessn

Dul'ortail, an able J^'rench ollicer and En^ineer-in-Cliief
of the American army, arrived from i'hiladelpliia, having
been sent by Washington to supervise the engineer depart-
ment. He frankly inlormed General Lincoln that there was
no prospect of getting any reinforcements very soon from the
grand army — that Congress had proposed to General Wash-
ington to send the Maryland Line to their relief.+ As soon
as General Dul'ortail came into the garrison, examined the
military works, and obser\ed the enemy, he declared the
defences were not tenable — that the\- were only field lines;
and that the British might have taken the place ten da\ s ago.
" I found the town," wrote DuPortail to Washington, " in
a desperate state. '"| He wished to leave the garrison imme-
diately, while it was possible; butGeneral Lincoln would not
allow him to do so. as it would dispirit the troops. On
learning General 1 )uPortairs opinion, a council was called the
same day, and a proposition made lor the Continental troops
to make anight retreat : and when the citizens were inf(M-med
of the subject under delibi-ration. some of them came into
the council, warmly declaring to General Lincoln, thatif he
attempted to withdraw the troops and abandon the citizens,

*CrnBhan's MS. Journal ; ami Mcintosh's Diary.

t Croj;lian's MS. Journal.

{ Letters to Washington, ii, 450.

■

til

KING'S AWUNTAIN

they would cut up his boats, aud open the f^'atcs to the enemy,
This put au L'ud to all l'iiitlu>r thouj^hts of an evacuation.*

As lati> as tin- Iwi'uty-i'ii^litli, a supernumerary ollicer
left town to join the forces in the country ; but the next da\- the
small party reiuainini;- at Lmipricre's I'oiiU was recallrd,
the I'neuiy at once occupyiuLf it with alarj^e force ; and thus
the last avenue betwi'i>n the city and country was closed.
General Lincoln infortned the j^eneral oflicers. privately, this
day, that Ik- intended thf horn work as a ]ilace of retreat
for the whole army in case tlu'y w ere dri\ (.-n from the lines.
General Mcintosh observinjr to him the imjiossibilit}- of those
then stationed at South Bay and .\shley river, in such a
contingi'ucy, beini;- able to retreat there, he replied that thev
might secure themselves as best they could. And on the
thirtieth, in some way, (iovernor Rutledj^e managed to con-
vey a letter to General Lincoln, upon which the General con-
gratulated the army, in general orders, on /icar/iii>uix\ large
reinforcement, which iiKtv again open the comnumication
with the coiuury.f It was the old story of drowning men
catching at straws.

It is unnecessary to dwell upon the daily di-lails of the
protracted siege. Some of" the more unusual occurri'uces
only need be briefly noticed, so that we may hasten on to the
melancholv catastrophe. I'^cniui vessels were sunk in the
channel U) ]")re\rnt the Royal lleet h^om passing up Cooper
ri\er, and eulilading the American lines on that si(U> of the
place ; while a iVigate and two galleys were j^laced above
the sunken obstructions, to cix'iperate with the shore batter-
ies in thwarting any attempt on the part ot" tlu> enemy for
their removal.

But the work of destruction went steadily on. Cannon
balls by day and by night went streaking through the air.
and crashing through the bouses. One morning, a shell
burst ver}'^ near Colonel Parker, a large piece of which fell

* Moultrie's Memoirs, i. 80.
tCrogliau's MS. Juiir[ial.

AND ITS HEROES.

harmless at his feet, when he said, willi much composure,
"a miss is as ^ood as a mile:"* aiul, that very evenin;^,
while the gallant Colonel was lookin;^^ oNir llie parapet, he
was shot (lead. Shells, liri'-balls, and carcasses, ingen-
iously packed with condnistihlcs, loaded pistol barrels, and
other (U'struclive missiles, were thrown into tlu- city, setting
many buildings on lire, and maiming and destroying not a
few of the citizens and soldiery. Gn one occasioji, when ii
pastor and a tew worshipers, mostly women and in\alids,
were gathered in a ciunch, supplicating llie mercies of
heaven on themselves and sullering people, a bomb-shell
fell in the chuch-yard. when all (.|uickly dispersed, retiring
to their several places of abode.

Some of the cases of fatality were ([uite uncommon.
Meyer Moses' young child was killed while in the arms of
its nurse, and die house burned down. A man and his wife
were killed at the same time, and in the same bed. A sol-
dier who had been relieved from serving at his post in the
defence of the city, entered his humbU' domicil. and while in
the act of embracing his anxious wife, witli tears of gladness,
a cannon ball passed thrt)ugh the house, killing them both
instantly. Many sought safety in their cellars; but e\ en
when protected for ihe moment from the constantly falling
missiles of death and destruction, they began to suiTer for
want of food, since all the avenues to the city for country
sujiplies. had been cut olT.

General Moultrie has left us a vivid picture of this period of
the siege : " Mr. Lord and Mr. Basquin, two volunteers, were
sleeping upon the mattress together, in the advanced redoubt,
when Mr. Lord was killed by a shell falling upon liini. and
Mr Basquin at the same time had the hair of his head Inu-nl,
and did not awake until he was aroused from his slumbers by
his fellow soldiers. The fatigue in that advanced redoul)t was
so great for want of slecj. . that many faces were so swelled
they could scarcely see out of their eyes. I was obliged to re-

* Virginia Gazette, May i6, 17S0.

KING'S MOUNTAIN

lieve Major INIitchell, the commanding officer. Thej'- were
constantly on thi' lookout for the t-hclls that were continually
falling among them. It was b}' far the most dangerous post
(jn the lines. On my visit to the battery, not having been
there for a day or two, I Look, the usual way of gtiing in,
which was a bridge that crossed our ditch, quite exposed to
the enem}-, who, in the meantime, had advanced their works
within seventy or eighty yards of the bridge, which I did
r.ot know. As soon as 1 had stepped upon the bridge, an
uncommon number of bullets whistled about me ; and on
looking to my right, I could just see the heads of about
twelve or fifteen men firing upon me from behind a breast-
work — I moved on, 1 got in. When Major Mitchell saw
me, he asked me which wa}- 1 came in? I told him over
the bridge. He was astonished, and said, ' Sir, it isathou-
sand to one that you were not killed,' and told me that he
had a covered way through which to pass, by which he con-
ducted me on niv return. I staid in this battery about a
quarter of an hour, giving the necessar}' orders, during which
we were constantly skipping about to get out of the wav of
the shells tlr.\<\\ n from their howitzers. They were not more
than one hunilred vards from our works, and wert; throwincr
their shells in bushels on our front and left flank.''*

Under date of die second of May, Major Croghan records
in his Journal, which is corroborated by General Mcintosh's
Diary, that the enemy threw shells charged with rice and
sucfar. Simms tell, us. that tradition has it, that it was not
rice and sugar with which the shells of the British v.'ere
thus ironically charged, but wheat flour and molasses — with
an inscription addressed: *•^^) the Yankee officers in
Charleston," courteously informing them that it contained a
.^ippl}' of the commodities of which the}' were supposed to
stand most in need. But the garrison could still jest amid
sufTering. volcanoes and death. Having ascertained that
the shell was sent them from a battery manned exclusively

^Moultrie's Memoirs, i, 83.

AND ITS HEROES.

by :i Scottisli force, they cmptii'd the shell of its contents ;
and rilling it with lard and sulphur, to cure them of the
itch, and sent it back to their courteous assailants, with the
same inscription which originally accompanied it. " It was
understood," says Garden, " after the sie^j^e, that the note
was received, but not with that good humor that might have
been expecled, had it been considered as '<\- jcn iVcsfrit^ re-
sulting from I'ustiiiable retaliation."

'* Provisions," as we learn from Johnson's Traditions^
"now failed among the besieged. A sufliciencv had been
provided for llie occasion: but the beef and pork had be-
come tainted and unlit for food." But tlie Iiritish "were
misinformed,"" says Moultrie, '* if they supposed us in want
of rice and sugar." Of the latter ardcle, at least during
the earlier stages of the siege, such was its plentifulness
that it was a favorite amusement to piu'sue the spent hot
shot of die enemy, in order, by ilinging sugar upon the
balls, to con\ert it into candy. But towards the close of
the siege, the supply of sugar must have become limited.
"On the fourth of May," sa}s Major Croghan, '• we received
from the Commissary, with our usual allowance of rice, six
ounces of extremely bad meat, and a little colTee and sugar.
It has been very disagreeable to the northern oOicers and
soldiers to be undei the necessitj' of living without wheat or
Indian bread, which has been the case during the whole
siegi\" So that the Scotch jokers who sent their shot,
laden wiUi either rice and sugar, or Hour and molasses, iron-
ically iiinting at the deficiencies of the beleaguered garri-
^;on, did not, after all, hit very wide of the mark.

Clinton, on the sixth of May, renewed his former terms
for the sm'render of the garrison. With the limited store
of provisions on hand, with no prospects of receiving fur-
ther supplies or reinforcements, and with the admission on
the part of the Engineers that the lines could not be main-
^^ ined ten days longer, and were liable to be carried by as-
sault at any time, General Lincoln was disposed to accept the

KING'S MOUNTAIN

terms tendered ; but he was opposed by the citizens, as the}^
were required by CHnton to be prisoners on parole, when
they wished to be regarded as non-combatants, and not
subject to the rigorous huvs of war It was only putting
ofl'the evil day tor a brief period; and again the twenty-
four and thirty-two pound carronades, the mortars and
howitzers, belched forth their shot, shell and carcasses upon
die devoted town and garrison, setting many buildings on
fire, and keeping up the most intense excitement. So near
were now the opposing parties, that they coi Id speak words
of bravado to each other; and the rifles of the Hessian Ya-
gers were so unerring, tliat a defender could no longer show
himself above the lines with safety ; and even a hat raised
upon a ramrod, was instantlv riddled with bullets.

Captain Hudson, of the British Navy, on the fifth of May,
summoned Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island to surrender ;
the larger portion of its garrison ha\ing pre\i()usly retired
to Charleston. Lieutenant-Colonel William Scott,* who com-
manded, sent for answer a rollicking reply : " Tol, lol, de rol,
lol — Fort Moultrie will be defended to the last extremity."
The next day, Hudson repeated his demand, threatening that
if he did not receive an answer in fifteen minutes, he would
storm the fort, and put everv man to the sword. Scott, it
would seem, was at first disjiosed to resort to bravado of
the "last extremity" character; but recalled the oflicer
bearing it, saying on further reflection the garrison thought
better of it — the disparity of force was far too great — and
begging for a cessation of hostilities, proposed terms of sur-
render, which were granted by Captain Hudson. The sur-
render formally took place on the seventh. f Thus the historic

* Scott was a lirave. experienced olTicer. He serveil as a Captain during tlic attack on
Charleston, in 177O. and died in that city in June, 1807.

f Gordon's History of the ReTolutioii. iii. 354; Moultrie's Mctuoirs, ii, 84; Ramsay's
Revolution in South Carolina, ii, 56. Dancroft. x, 305. and others, give May 6th as the date
of surrender, but that the 7th was the true date of this occurrence mr.y he seen by com-
paring Tarleton's Campaign, 53-55; Botta's Rn'ohifioii. New Haven edition, i?43. ii. ;?4g ;
Johnson's Trniiifions. 259; Sinims' South Carolina in the Revolution, 146; and Sie^e oj
Charleston. Munsell, 1867, p. 167.

! \

AND ITS HE ROES.

s
|te

Fort jMoultrie, whicli four years before had si;:^nally repulsed
a powerful JJritish lleet under Admiral Sir Hyde Parker,
now surrendered to the enemy without firing a gun.

Tiie seventh of May was further noted by an unfortunate
disaster — the partial destrucdon of the principal magazine
of the garrison, by the bursting of a shell. General MoiUtrie
had most of the powder — ten thousand pounds — removed tr)
the nortli-east corner of the exchange, where it was carefullv
bricked up, and remained undiscovered b}- the British during
the two years and seven months they occupied the city.
Another summons was sent in by Clinton on the eighth — a
truce was granted till the next day ; when Lincoln endeav-
ored to secure the militia from being considered as prisoners
of war, and the protection of the citizens of Souih Carolina
in their lives and property, w ith twelve months allowance
of time in which to determine whether to remain under
British rule, or dispose of their effects and remove else-
where. These articles were promptl}^ rejected, with the
announcement on the part of Clinton that hostilities would
be re-commenced at eight o'clock that e\ening.

"After receiving his letter.*' says Moultrie, "we re-
mained near an hour silent, all calm and ready, each \vait-
ing for the other to begin. At length, wo fired the first gun,
and immediately followed a tremendous cannonade — about
one hundred and eighty, or two hundred pieces of heavy
cannon were discharged at the same moment. The mortars
from both sides threw out an immense number of shells. It
was a glorious sight to see them, like meteors, crossing
each other, and bursting in the air. It appeared as if tlie
stars were tumbling down. The Hre was incessant almost
the whole night, cannon balls whizzing, and shells hissing,
continually among us, ammunition chests and temporary
magazines blowing up, great guns bursting, and wounded
men groaning along die lines. It was a dreadful night ! It
was our last great effort, but it availed us nothing. After it,
our military ardor was much abated, and we began to cool.''

w \\

KING'S MOUNTAIN

III (J

When, on the eleventh of May, the British had crossed the
wet ditch hy sap, and were within twcnty-iivo yards of the
American linos, all fartlior defense was hopeless. The militia
refused to do duty.* It was no longer a question of expedi-
ency ; but stern necessity demanded a speedy surrender, and
the stoppage of farther carnage and sullering. General Lin-
coln had proved himself brave, judicious and unwearied in his
exertions for three anxious months in ballling the t'reatlv
superior force of Sir Henry Clinton and Admiral Arbuth-
not. Hitherto the civil aulliorities, and citizens of Charles-
ton, had stoutly contended that the city should be defended
to the last extremity ; but now, when all hope was lost, a
large majority of the inliabitants, and of the militia, peti-
tioned General Lincoln to accede to the terms ofi'ered by the
enemy. The next da}- articles of capitulation were signed.

The loss of the Americans during the siege was ninetv-
eight oll'cers and soldiers killed, and one hundred and forty-
six wounded; and about twenty of the citizens were killed
by the random shots of the eneni}-. Upward of thirty
houses were burned, and many others greatly damaged.
Besides the Continental troops, less than two thousand, of
whom five hundred were in hospitals, and a considerable
number of sailors. Sir Henry Clinton managed to enumer-
ate among the prisoners surrendered, all the free male
adults of Charleston, including the aged, the iniirm, and
even the Loyalists, so as to swell the number of his formid-
able conquest. In this way, his report was made to boast
of over live thousand six hundred prisoners, wiien the Lo3'al-
ist pordon but a few days afterwards otlered tlieir congratu-
lations on the reducdon of South Carolina. The regular
troops and sailors became prisoners of war until exchanged ;
the militia from the country were permitted to return home
on parole, and to be secured in their property so long as
their parole should be obser\-ed.

* Du Portail to Washington, Miy 17th, 1780.

AND ITS HEROES.

CHAPTER II.

May, 1780.

Further Incidents Connected with ///e Sici^e. — Tyranny of the British
Leaders. — Subjugation of South Carolina.

A sad accident occurred shortly after the surrendci'.
Tlie arms taken iVom the troops and inhabitants, amounting
to some live thousand, were lodged in a laboratory, near a
large quantity of cartridges and loose powder. A number
of the British ollicers desiring some of the handsome mounted
swords and pistols, went to the place of deposit to select
such as pleased their fancy, when through carelessness in
snapping the guns and pistols, the loose powder was ig-
nited, which communicated to the cartridges, blew up the
building, and, in an instant, guards, officers, arms, colors,
drums and fifes were sent hio-h into the air — the mangled
bodies of the victims were dashed by the violent explosion
against the neighboring hcnises, and, in one instance, against
the steeple of a contiguous church edifice. The work-house,
jail, and old barracks were destroA'ed. Captain Collins,
Lieutenants Gordon and T^IcLeod, together with some fifty
uf the British guard, and upward of fifty of the citizens, lost
their lives bv this unhappy occurrence.*

It is a singular fact, that at least during a portion of the
siege, Major John Andrd. Deputy iVdjutant-General of the
British army, managed in some way to get into the city,
and made his home with Edward Shrewsberry, on the east
side of East Bay street. William Johnson, a prominent
Whig, and others, saw the }'oung man at Shrewsberry 's
home?

spur

!'i:.

■ \\ \-

" Uams:iys Ri-voliition. ii 62-63 ; MoiiItiiL-'s A/,'iii,'i>-s ii. 109-112 ; Pennsyivania Journal.
July 5tl), 1780; Simms' South Carolina in the Revolution. 156-157; Mackeniie's Stritturis, 24.

KIA'G'S MOUNTAIN

iii

back countryman, connected with ilu- \'iri,nnia troops, and
had brought down cattle for tlie <^arrison. \\\ this cattle-
drover ruse, lie probably gained access to the city. lie
was, ol" coursi\ there for a ]')urpose — to make observaiions,
and gain intelligence, and in some secret way, communicate
the result to Sir Henry Clinton The historian, Ramsay,
who was present during the siege, admits that there were
secret friends of the Royal Government in the city, foment-
ing disaflection, and working on the fears of the timid : and
Moultrie, another e^e-witness, tells us that when the British
marched in. to take possession of the citv. Captain Roch-
fort said to him, '• Sir, you have made a gallant defence;
but you had a great many rascals among you, (and men-
tioned names,) who came out t'\ ery night and gave us in-
formation of what was passing in your garrison."*

Stephen Shrewsberry becoming sick, stopped with his
brother Edward awhile, and repeatedly saw Andrd there —
of course, bearing some assumed name ; and after his re-
covery, and the surrender of the city, he was introduced to
the same person at his brother's as Major Andrd. Stephen
Shrewsberr}' mentioned this singular circumstance to his
brother Edward, who frankly acknowledged that he was
the same person ; but asserted his own ignorance of it at the
time of his brother's illness. Marion's men subsequently
sought the life of Edward Shrewsberry, charging him with
treacber}' to the American cause : but lie survived the war,
leaving a daughter, a very amiable lady, who lived till 18^4,
dying childless.

Certain it is, that Andrt^ was the devoted friend and pro-
tcgd of Sir Ilenrv Clinton, who made him his Aid, and pro-
moted him to the position of Deputy Adjutant-General of the
British army in America ; and it is equally certain, as
shown by Beatson's Memoirs, that "Adjutant-General, Ma-
jor John Andrd " was with the "force that embarked at
New York under Clinton anil Arbuthnot." Tarleton shows

* Kamsay s Revolution, ii, 5S ; Moullric's /Ihiiioirs. ii. loS.

AND ITS HEROES.

that Andre was porrormiiifr service in front of Charleston
prior to Arhuthnol's passaj^e of Fort Moultrie c.rly in April ;
a letter of Andr«i's is in print, dated at " Headquarters, be-
fore Charleston," on the thirteenth of April, 1780, while
the schedule of Charleston prisoners, in May, was reported
by him in his official capacity — all .i(oin<jf to show, beyond a
question, that he was at or near Charleston durinif tlie whole
period of its investment. It was far less dangerous for him
to pass to and from the city durinuf the siege, than it was to
visit West Point on his subsequent mission to tempt the
Judas of the American Revolution.

However fascinating his talents and deportment, he was
not entitled to the commiseration of the American people as
an honorable but unfortunate foe. Twice he acted th-e part
of an insidious spy, corrupting and deceiving with falsehoods
and mean dissimulation; and he was twice, at least, guilty of
theft — once while stationed in Philadelphia, plundering from
the library of the University of Pennsylvania, a complete
set of that vahuible work, L' Encyclopedia, received as a
present from the French Academy of Science b}' the hands
of Dr. Franklin ; on the other occasion, taking from Dr.
Franklin's residence, which he occupied a while, a portrait
of the philosopher.*

An incident connected with the siege and surrender of
Charleston, serving to illustrate the peculiarities and perils
of the times, will verv appropriately find a place here. Rev.
Dr. Percy resided on a plantation not very iar from Monk's
Corner, with Mrs. Thomas Legare for a near neighbor.
One day — probably the thirteenth of May — while Mrs. Le-
gart^ was present, Mrs. Gibson, a poor woman, was an-
nounced while the family and their visitor was at their meal.
As she was usuallv the bearer of ill news, her visit verv natur-

* Johnsons ^//(•o/"Cnr«<'. i. note 2t8-2og ; Johnson's Tradittovs c/ the iKn'oltil/on,
*55-'57; Sirgent's l.iYe of Anil re, 225-2^8; Almon's l\^mei>i'>ranccr. x, 76-77; Dawson's
Btitlhs of ikf United St.it^s. i, 578; C irrinijtois liittlfs of the Revoluiinn. 457; Tirlcton's
Ciim/'aigiis. 12.64; Heathens KnVtil itml Milllary .Miinoirs. vi. 2o!-2ot; Moore's /Jya>>
0/ ti^i Rc-.'olution. ii, 4S4 ; and Lossin;;'!. Fichi JJooli v/tlii: Revolution, ii, 104.

t !

KING'S MOUNTAIN

all)' cxcitc^d the anxiety ofall. Sho exclaimed, " Good mnrn-
in^; piM.plc ; have you heard the news? Charleston has fallen,
and the devilish lirilish soldiers have cnt to pieces all the
men. all the cats, all the do^s, and now they are coming to
kill all the women and children." Terrilied by her excited
and incoherent statement, the ladit's looki-d ready to faint;
and Dr. Percy cried out, "For shame, Mrs. Gibson : do you
not know that Mrs. Legare's husband and son are in
CharK'siou, and you will frighten her to death by your wild
talk." " Bless you, good woman," replied Mrs. Gibson,
turning to Mrs. Legard, " I have a husband and four sons
there, too. and God only knows if any ot' them li\'e." In
the course of a few days. Mrs. Gilxson recei\-ed the sad in-
telligence that her husband and lour sons had all becm killed
during the siege.* Such are some of die vicissitudes of
war.

It may well be asked, why did such militarv men as
Lincoln, Moultrie. Mcintosh, Scott, Woodford and others,
suffer themseh'es, with a body of brave troops, to be cooped
up in a city which they were not capable of successfully de-
fending ? At lirst they relied on the promises of Congress
and tlie Executive authorities of North and South Carolina of
sending near ten thousand men. one-half of whom should
be ri>gulars, foi- tlu" defence of the placet In the latter
part of February it was reported that General Ilogan was
advancing with troops from North Carolina : that General
Moultrie was forming a camp at Bacon's Bridge, which was
subsequently transferred to die command of General I luger ;
that a thousand men were expected from General William-
son's brigade in the region of Ninety Six : and that the
veteran General Richardson, and Colonel Kershaw, were
embod}'ing the militia of the Camden region.'!; General
Richardson sickened and died ; General Moultrie from ill-

* Howe's Hist. Presh. Ch. of South Carolina, 471.

t Ramsay's Revolution, ii, 5^; Gordon's American War, iii, 348; MarshaM's Washing-
ton, iv, 141-42;

J Colonel Laurens, in Alinon, x, 53 : Moore's Materials Jor History,, 17^.

AND ITS HEROES.

ncss had to rolurn to the city. Coloiu-l Sumter at that lime
liad no cominancl, ami Marion was liidiniLf away for the
recovery of a broken Hmb. To enthuse the uiiHtia. and
expedite their movements, Governor Rutled^c. the Patrick
Ilenrv of South Carolina, and a part ot' his Councilors, left
the beleaijuered city in April ; but they met with little suc-
cess. The people relied too much upon succors from the
North : besides, they were almost destitute of' amnnuiition.

Iloiran's nartv finallv reacheil the cit\- : and about that
time another North Carolina contin<i[ent under General
Lillin(;ton, whose term of enlistment expired, mostly
availed themselves of their privilege and retired before the
serious part of the sie^e had connnenced : and less than
two hundred of the South Carf)lina militia, probably mostly
from the Charleston region, shared in the defence of the
place. Congress and the States were alike crippled in
resoinres. and everything moved tardilv. General De Kalb
had started, past the middle of April, with fourteen hundred
Continentals from head (juarters in New Jersey ; Colonel
Arniand's corps, and Major Nelson's horse, were on the
way ; and. as late as the second of May, General Caswell,
of North Carolina, had reached Lanneau's Feriy, on the
Santee, with eight or nine hundred Continentals and militia ;
some militia were being gathered at Orangeburg : and Col-
onel Ikiford's and Lieutenant-Colonel Porterfield's ^"'ir<]fin^a
detachments, were within the borders of the State. Gen-
eral Huger. widi Colonel I lorry's cav.ilrv, and the remnants
of Colonel White's and Colonel Washington's dragoons,
were scattered somewhere about the country. There was
no concert or unity of action, and probably not sutllcient
suppliers to admit of their concentration. But all these
hopes of succor to the sutlering garrison were as illusive in
the end as the i^^-iiis-falnus to the benighted traveler.

General Lincoln was not altogether destitute of military
supplies ; for he had four hundred pieces of ordnance of
various caliber, for the defence of the citv and the neighbor-

■ ( ■

KJNG S MOUNTAIN

I' I

i '

iti
ii

iiig works ; bill tlie morUirs were few, and of shell there
would seein to have been a veiy limited supplv. Powder
was so pk'iity that liiere wen^ lifly thousand jKUinds at the
surrender, besides ten thousand pounds more bricked up at
the Exchan<;e. But even with the aid ot" six hundred ne-
jrroes, the defensive works, from their j^reat extent, were
tcjtally inad(.'(jiiate to the purpose ; and had there been tbrce
enough to have properly manned them — of which there was
a sad dellciency — the scanty supply of provisions would
have been all the sooner exhausted. Food supplies had
been stored, in lai\ire quantities, to the north eastward of
Charleston ; but from the little value of the depreciated paper
currency, the want of carriages and horses, together with
the bad condition of the roads, they could not be transported
to town betbre the investiture was completed. With all
these disappointments and discouragements, and the power-
ful army and navy, with all the appliances of war, con-
fronting them for nearly thrive months, it is not a little sur-
prising that General Lincoln and his brave garrison were
able to hold out so long.

Nor were the whites the only sufiferers.- As in Prevost's
invasi(jn of 1779, so in Clinton's of 1780, the negro servants
flocked in large numbers to the British army, and were
employed in throwing up their defences and other laborious
ojierations. Crowded together, the\- were visited by the
camp fever; and tlie small-pox, which had not been in the
Province for seventeen years, broke out among them, and
spread rapidly. From these two diseases, and the impos-
sibility of their being provided with proper accommodations
and attendance in the British encampments, they were left
to die in great numbers in the woods, where they remained
unburied. A few instances occurred, in which infants were
found in unfrequented retreats, drawing the breasts of their
deceased mothers some tiirn' after life had expired.*

The reduction of Charleston struck the people with pro-

• Kamsay's Revolution, ii, C7.

Ill

I in

AND ITS HEROES.

found ama/rment. coupled willi somiMliin;; akin to di'spair.
The liitilo allcmpts of Uu> nrilisli against llic city iu 1776,
and again in 1779. liad uispircd nearly all classes with a latal
confidence that then- capital city would again escape the
snares of the enemy — to be accomplished in some Providen-
tial way, of which they had no very dear conception. Hut
m matters of war, as of peace, (Jod helps those who help
themselves. Had the people of South Carolina repaired in
large numbers to their cajiital, with proper supplies ibr a
lono-sieire ; or had the\ , while their fellows were cooped up
within the devoted city, embodied imder such men as vSum-
ter, Williamson, Pickens, Kershaw, Williams and other
popular leadi'rs. harassed the besieging army, cut oil" its
foraging jiarlies, kepi the comnnmicalion open, and encour-
aged the beleaguered garrison to make sordes, and perhaps
capture supplies from their enemies, the approaches of the
British might have been retarded, and the siege proloivged
till, perhaps, the arri\al of DeKalb ami other Ibrces trom
the North.

Could the enemy ha\e thus been retarded. lhe\' would
soon have encountered a yet more dangerous Ibe in the
rapidly approaching hot season, when cani]i life and expos-
ure in lliat malarial climate, would have rajiidK' decimated
their Ibrces. And there was, perhaps, still another end to
be gained by prolonging the«siege On the second of May,
a large French llei^t. under the Chevalier de Ternay, trans-
porting an army of nearly six thousand of the choicest troops
of France, commanded by the Count do Rochambeau, had
sailed from Brest, destined to aid the young Republic in its
struggle Ibr independence. On the twentieth of Juni'. they
encountered a British fleet, in latitude 30°. a little south
of the Bermuda Islands, when some distant exchanging
of shots occurred between them. Several davs before this
event, the French fleet had captured a British cutter con-
veying several British officers from Charleston to tlie Ber-
mudas, by whom they learned of the siege and capture of

K J NO'S MOUNTAIN

Charleston ^ ^ soon aCti-r taking another vessel, one of
A(hniral Ai .not's licet, on its return to New York, the\'
learned by us papi-rs and passengers a full conlirnialion
of the fall of the devott'd eily.*

According to Moultrie, it was tlic |)lan of Ternay and
Rochaniheau to have attempted the reliit" <>t" Charleston,
had they not have learned of its capture. 'i'heir intention
was, to have iMiti-ri'd Hall's Hay, huuU-d the troops at Sevi-e's
IiaN', then niarchi'd down to lladdri'll's I'oinl, crossing
thence o\rr to Charleston : " whieh," says -Moultrie, "they
could very easily havt' dmie, and would iiiixe ellectuallv
raised the siege, and taken the Hrilish lleet in Charleston
harl)or and in Stono Inlet, and. in ;ill probahilitv, tlu-ir
whok' army I lad tlie news of tiiis aiiproaching lleet

been knowi 'me bv General Lincoln, and the people of

the surrounan.y, country, the defence of the city might have
been proU)nged. and. perhaps, tlie niorlification of surren-
der averted— and the salvation of Charleston been celebrated
in history as one of the grandest achievements of the Revo-
lution. -f

Hut all this misadventure was not without its compensa-
tions ; for Rochambeau's fine arm\ landed safely at New-
port, and. in lime, joiutnl Washington, giving new life anil
hope to the American cause, and sharing in llie capture of
Cornwallis the following year. It was a knowledge ol' the
fitting out of Ternay's Heel, ami its probable American des-
tination, that prompted Sir Henry Clinton to hasten the
capture of Charleston.' and then to exjx'dite the larger part
of his forces to the northward, lest New York should be
attacked and taken bv the combined French and American

* Rocli.imboau's Memoirs, Paris, 1824, i. 241-343; Almon's Retiifiiilramer. x, 273

t Moultrie's Memoirs, ii, 202-203; Jolinson's Traditions 2C2.

t The liritlsh ('lovernmeiit liad kept a close watch on this larye French fleet cliirinR the
long period of its tltliiit; o\u at ISrcst; and, no doubt apprised Sir Henry Clinton of the
approaLhiiiR d:in^'er. The Virginia Cazette of May 31st. 1780 has a Philadelphia item
under d.\te of May 9th. saying a (jcntlcman from New VorU stated, that it was reported in
that city that a French and Spanish fleet was expected upon tlie American coast, and that
the enterprise against Charleston was tu be abandoned.

AND ITS HEROES.

troops and navy ; and tlnis woiv the Southern Colonies left
with Cornwallis' crippled arniv, renderin<r po.ssihie tiie noble
services of Greene, Sumter, and Marion.

Takinjf advaiUa^e of the cahn, IJritish detachments
were sent out in all din-ctions to plant the Royal stauilard,
over-awe the [H'ople, and reipiire them to taki> pioti-ction.
Conspicuousiv observable was the ;^n-eediness ot" the con-
(|iKM-ors for plunder. The value of the spoil, which was
(lislributed b\ ICnylish and Hessian Comniissaries of cap-
tures, amounted to about three hundred thousand pounds
sterling; the dividend of a Major-CieiU'ral excei'ded over
four thousand ^^uineas — or tw enty ihousauil dollars. There
was no restraint upon private rapine; the silver plate of the
planters was carrii'd olT: all ne<rroes liiat had belonged to
Rebels were seized, even though they had themselves sought
an asvlum within the British lines ; and, at a single embark-
ation, two thousand were shipped to a market in the West
Indies. British and Gennan officers thought more of
amassing fortunes than of re-uniting the empire. The pa-
triots were not allowtnl to appoint attorneys to manage or
sell their estates. A sentence of confiscation hung oxer the
whole land, and British protection was granted only in
return for the unconditional promise of loyalty.*

The dashing Colonel Tarleton had been dispatched w ith
his cavalry in pursuit of Colonel l^uford's regiment, which
had arrived too late to join the Charleston gf.rrison ; and
\vhich were overtaken near the Waxhaw settlement, and
many of them cut to pieces with savage cruelty. One hun-
dred and thirteen of liuford's men were cut dow n and killed
outright ; a hundred and fifU' too badlv hacked to be re-
moved, w^hile only fifty-three could be brought as prisoners
to Camden. If anything at this time could have added to
the general depression so prevalent amcmg all classes of
people, it was just such a barbarous butchery as this of

*K;inis)y's Kiin'liition.W. b^i-by; (JurJuii s .liin-n\,tH // .(r, iii, 38^ ; lluncrofl's History
Uitiletl Stittcs, X, 305-6.

AV.VG'S MOUNTAIN

Tarleton's. Tlu' hiirlicsl cnconii

luiis were

besU

)\\0{l

by
Cornwallis upon tiu' hero ot this sickening' massacre.

On llie twenU -second day of May, it was proclaimed that
all who should thereafter oppose the Kinuj in arms, or hinder
any one iVun joinini;' his lorces, should have his property con-
fiscated, and be otherwise severel}' punished ; and, on the lirst
of June, Clinton and Arbnthnot, as Royal Commissioners,
oOered by proclamation, pardon to the penitent, on condition
of their immediate return to allegiance ; and to the loyal, the
pledge of their former political immunities, including free-
dom from taxation, save by their own ciiosen Legislature.
On the third of that month, another proclamation by Clinton,
required all the inhabitants of the Pro\ince, " who \'.;'-e now
prisoners on parole" to take an active part in niaintain-
inir the Royal Government: and they were assured, that
"•should they neglect to return to their allegiance, they will
be treated as rebels to the Goveniment of the King."

Thus tyrannical measures were advanced step b\' step
till the poor paroled peojik' could no longer be protected, as
they had been promised, by remaining quietly at home : but
must take up arms in defence of the Government they ab-
horred, and which was forging chains for their perpetual
enslavement. On the eve of his di'partiu-e for New York,
leaving the Southern command under Lord Cornwallis,
Clinton reported to his Royal masters in England: "The
inhabitants from every tjuarter declare their allegiance to
the King, and ofler their ser\ices in arms. There are few
men in South du-olina who are not either our prisoners or
in arms with ns."

A few weeks later, when two prominent men, one who
had filled a high position, and both prominently concerned
in the rebellion, went to Cornwallis to surr«;:u'.er themselves
under the provisions of Clinton and Arbuthnot's procla-
mation, the noble Earl could only answer that he had no
knowledge of its exlsttMCc. And thus his Lordship com-
menced his career as Commander-in-Chief of the South-

\\ W

AND ITS HEROES.

em department, ignoring all ideas and promises of a policy
of moderation. lie sowed tlie wind, and in the end reaped
the whirlwind.

The people of Souch Carolina, as we have seen, were
not sutlicienLly arous'-d to a sense of their danger, until it
was too late to avert it — if, indeed, they, alone and single-
handed, could by any possibility have warded oft' the great
public calamity. When they learned the appallin<>" news
of the siuTender of Charleston, they had little heart t -make
any further show of opposirion to the power of the British
Government. Many of the country leaders, when detach-
ments of the conquering troops were sent among them, un-
resistingly gave up their arms, and took Royal protection
— among whom were General Andrew Williamson. Gen-
eral Isaac linger. Colonel Andrew Pickens, Colonel Peter
Horry, Colonel James Mayson, Colonel LeRoy Hammond,
Colonel John Tliomas. Sr., Colonel Isaac Ilaync, Major
John Postell, Major John Purvis, and nian\' others. Sumter
braved the popular tide for submission, retired alone before
the advancing foe, leaving his home to the torch of die
enemy, and his helpless family widiout a roof to cover
their defenceless heads, or a morsel o(V<wd for their susten-
ance ; while Marion, who was accidenj^ly injured at Charles-
ton, was conveyed from the city before its linal environment,
and was quietly recuperating in scjme sequestered place in
the swamps of the lower part of the country. And, so far
as South Carolina wa^^ concerned,

'• Hope for a sea.ioii I'ailc llie vvuilil fajcwcU.''

KING'S MOUNTAIN

CHAPTER III

111

1741 to May, 1780.

Early fjfr of Paffick Ju'ri^iisou. — Jiraiulyiviiu- JhUtlc — Refrains from
Shootiiii^ 1 1 'ashiii^^^/oit — Woiiiu/t-ii. — C \>iidiii/s Little E^y Harl>or Ex-
pedition .—Nearly Killed by an .Iccidental .Ittack by his own Friends.
— I^^.?^^"^ l^ridge and Monk's Corner Affair. — Resents Insults to
Eidies. — Siege of Cliarleston.

No man. perhaps, of his rank and years, ever attained
more niihtary distinction in his day than Patrick Fergnson.
As liis name will hereafter tignre so prominently in this
narrative, it is bnt simple justice to his miniory, and alike
due to the natural curiosity of the reader, that his career
should be as fully and imparlially portrayed as the materials
will permit.

lie was the second son of James Ferguson, afterward
Lord Pitfour, of Pitfour. an eminent adxocate, and for
iwelve years one of the Scotch Judges, and was born in
Aberdeenshire, ScoUand, in 1744. His mother was Anne
Murrav. daughter of Alexander, Lord Elibank. His father,
and his uncle, James Murray, Lord Elibank. wt>re regarded
as men of large culture, equal, in erudition and genius, to
the authors of the Scottish Augustan age. Having acquired
an early education, "young Ferguson,"' says a British
writer, "•sought fame by a dinerer*^ direction, httt icas of
cqnallv vigoyous and hrilliant foiucrs."' When only in his
fifteenth vear, a commission was purchased for him, and he
entered the army July twelfth. 1759, as a Cornet, in die second
or Roval Xortli British Dragoons, serving in the wars of
Flanders and Germany, wherein he distinguished himself
bv :i courage as cool as it was determined. He soon

AND ITS HEROES.

evinced tlu' j^reat purpose of liis life — lo brcome conspic-
uously beneficial by professional skill and etlbrt.

Young Ferguson joined the army in Germany soon
after the engagement on the plains of Minden. Some skir-
mishing took place in the subsequent part of that year. On
the tliirtieth of June, 1760, the Dragoons, to which he was
attached, with other corps, drove the French cavalry from
the iield, and chased their infantry in disorder througli
Warbourg, and across the Rymel river, gaining from the
Commander-in-Chief the compliment of having performed
" prodigies of valor." On the twenty-second of August, die
Dragoons defeated a French party near Zierenberg. making
a brilliant charge, and deciding the contest. In the follow-
ing month they captured Zit^renberg, with two cannon and
three hundred prisoners. During the }ear 1761, the
Dragoons were similarly emploved ; but sutfered much
from the bad quality of the water. Ferguson becoming dis-
abled by sickness, was sent home, and remained the most
of the time in England and Scotland from 1762 until 1768.

On the first of September, in the latter vear, a commis-
sion of Captain was purchased for him in the sevendeth
regiment of foot, then stationed in the Caribbee Islands, in
the West Indies, whither he repaired, and performed im-
portant service in cjuelling an insurrection of the Caribs on
the Island of St. ^'incent. These Caribs were a mixture of
the African with the native Indian tribes : thev were brave,
expert in the use of tire-arms, and their native fastnesses
had greatly aided them in their resistance to the Govern-
ment. The troops suftered much in this service.

The regiment remained in the Caribbee Islands till 1773.
About this periotl. Captain Ferguson was stationed a while
in the peaceful garrison of Halifax, in Xova Scotia : and
disdaining inglorious ease, he embarked for England, w here
he assiduouslv employed his time in acquiring military
knowledge and science. When the disputes between the
Mother countrv and her Coloni';s were verging toward

il:!

KING'S MOUNTAIN

hostilities, the boasted skill of the Americans in the use of
the rifle, was regarded as an object of terror to the British
troops. These rumors operated on the genius of Ferguson,
and he invented a new species of rifle, which could be
loaded with greater celerity, and fu'ed with more precision
than any then in use. He could load his newly constructed
gun at the breech, without using the ramrod, and with such
quickness and repetition as to Are seven times in a minute,
lie was regarded as the best rifle shot in the British
army, if not the best marksman li\ing — excepting, possi-
bly, his old associate, George Hanger;*' and in adroitness
and celerity in loading and liring, whether prostrate or

*Tlns possible exccplion should be somewhat qualified. The British writers, including
several who knew whereof they wrote, unite in ascribing this high character to Fergnson's
skill in the use of his improved rifle. Major Hanger, in his Li/(' and Opinions, written
after Ferguson had been twenty years in his grave, claims not simply equal, hut superior
skill. The redoubtable .Major relates, with no little naivete, this ludicrous anecdote, as
occurring in New Yi.rk City, in 178^, when Sir Guy Carleton had become Commander in-
Chief of the Urilish forces. Sitting opposite the Major at dinner one day. Sir Guy said :
" Major Uanger, I have been told that you are a most skilful marksman with a rifle-gun — I
have heard of astonishing feats that you have performed in shooting." Tlianking him for
the compliment, I told his li.xcellency. that "I was vain enough to say, with truth, that
many officers in the army had witnessed my adroitness. I then began to inform Sir Guy
how my old deceased friend. Colonel Ferguson, and myself, had practiced together, who, for
skill and knowledge of that weapon, had been so celebrated, and that Ferguson had ever
acknowledged the superiority of my skill to his. after one particular day's practice, wlien
I had shot three halls into one hole." Sir Guy replied to this : " I know you are very
e.xpert in this art." Now. had I been quiet, and satisfied with the compliment the Com-
mander-in-Chief paid me. and not pushed the matter further it had been well for me; but I
replied: "Yes, Sir Guy. I really have reduced the art of shooting with a rifle to such a
nicety, that, at a moderate distance, I c.in kill a flea with a single ball." At this. Sir Guy
began to stare not a little, and seemed to indicate from the smile on his countenance, that he
thought I had rather out-stepped my usual oiitdoings in the art. Observing this, I respect-
fully replied: "I see by your Excellency's countenance that you seem doublful of the
singularity and perfection of my art ; hut if 1 may presume so much, as to dare offer a wager
to my Commaiiderin Chief, I will bet your Excellency five truineas that I kill a flea with a
single ball once in eisht shots, at eight yards." Sir Guy replieil : " My dear Major. I am
not given to lav wafers, but for once 1 will bet vou five guineas. prr>vided you will let the
flea hof>." A loud laugh ensued at the table; and. after laughing heartily myself. 1 placed
my knuckle under the table, and striking it from beneath, said : "Sir f>uy, I knock under,
and will never speak fif my skill in shnotin.g with a rifle-gun ag.iin before you,"

Neither Ferguson nor Hanger were aware of a remarkable youth at that time in the
Wheeling region. Lewis Wetzel, who had learned to load but a cinimon rifle as he sped
swiftly through the woods with a pack of Indians at his heels. Killing one of a party, four
others singled out. determined to catch alive the bold young warrior First, one fell a vic-
tim to his unerring rifle, then another, and finally a third, in the race for life; when the
only survivor stopped short, gave a yell of despair and disappointment, saying: ''No
catch dat man— gun always loaded."

AND ITS Hl'JWES.

erect, he is said to have excelled the best American fron-
tiersman, or even the expert Indian of the tbre^t. He often
practiced, and exhibited his dexterity in the use of the rifle,
both at Black lli-ath and Woolwich. Such was his exe-
cution in lirinL,f, that it almost exceeded the bounds of
credibilitN . ha\ino- very nearly- brought his aim at an ob-
jective point almost to a mathematical certainty.

On the lirst of June. 1776, Captain Ferguson made some
riile experiments at Woolwich, in the presence of Lord
Townshend, master of ordnance. Generals Amherst and
lia\vle\-. and otlu-r otlicers of high rank and large militarx'
experience. Notwithstanding a heavy rain, and a high wind,
lie lired during the space of four or live minutes, at the rate of
four shots ]ier minute, at a target two hundred yards distance.
1 le next lired six shots in a minute. lie also lired, while
advancing at the rate of four miles per hour, four times in a
iiiinule. lie then poured a bottle of water into the pan and
barrel of the rille when loaded, so as to wet every grain of
powder; and, in less than half a minute, he fired it olT, as
well as ever, without extracting the ball. Lastlv. he hit the
l)uirs eye target, lying'on his back on the ground. Incredi-
ble as it might seem, considering the variations of the wind,
and the wetness of the weather, he missed the target only
three times during the wliole scries of experiments. These
military dignitaries were not only satisfied but astonished
at the perfection of both his rifle and his practice. On one
of these occasions. George the Third honored him with his
presence: and. towards the chjse of the year, a patent was
grank'd tor all his improvements.

According to the testimony of eye-witnesses, he would
check his horse, let tlie reins fall upon the animal's neck,
draw a pistol from his holster, toss it aloft, catch it as it fell,
aim. and shoot the head oil' a bird on an adjacent fence.*
"It is not certain," says the British Aiiiuml Ixcuktcr for

■.y\

* General J. \V. D. DePcystcr's King's Mountain, in Historical Magazine March i86g,
p. lew,

KING 'S MO UNTAIN

1 781, " tliat thevSe improvements produced all the eftect in
real service, which had been expected from those astonishing
specimens of tliem tiuit were displayed in England.*'

Anxious to take an active part in the American war, a
hundred select men were chosen for his command, whom
he took unwearied pains to instruct in tlie dextrous use of
his newly invented rifle. In the spring of 1777, he was
sent to America — to him, a much coveted service. Joining
the main army under Sir Henry Clinton, he was placed at
the head of a corps of riflemen, picked iVom the diflerent
regiments, and soon after participated, under Sir William
Howe, in the battle of Brandywine, on the eleventh of
September. ■' General Knyphausen," says a British writer,
" with another division, marched to Chad's Ford, against
the Provincials who were placed there. In this service the
German General experienced ver}- important assistance from
a corps of riflemen commanded by Captain Patrick Fer-
guson- whose meritorious conduct was acknowledged by
the whole British army.''

In a private letter from Captain Ferguson, to his kins-
man. Dr. Adam Ferguson, he details a ver}' curious incident,
which occurred while he lay, with his riflemen, in the skirt
of a wood, in front of Kn\'phausen's division. '' We had
not lain long," says Captain Ferguson, " when a Rebel of-
ficer, remarkable by a hussar dress, passed towards our
army, within a hundred yards of my right flank, not per-
ceiving us. He was followed by another, dressed in dark
green andMue. mounted on a bay horse, with a remarkably
high cocked hat. I ordered three good sliots to steal near
to and fire at them ; but the idea disgusting me, I recalled
the order. The hussar, in returning, made a circuit, but
the other passed within a hundred yards of us, upon which
I advanced from the wood towards him. Upon my calling,
he stopped; but after looking at me, he proceeded. I again
drew his attention, and made signs to him to stop, levelling
my piece at him ; but he slowly cantered awa}-. As I was

AND ITS HEROES.

within that distance, at which, in the quickest tirin<^f, I
could have iud<red halt" a dozen balls in or about him, betbre
he was out of m^- reach, I had only to deterinine ; but it
was not pleasant to tire at the back of an unortending in-
dividuid, who was acquitting himself very coolly of his
duty — so I let him alone. The day after, I had been telling
this story to some wounded officers who hu' in the same
room with me, when one of the surgeons, who had been
dressing the wounded Rebel officers, came in, and told us,
that they had been informing him that General Washington
was all the morning with the light troops, and only attended
by a French officer in hussar dress, he himself dressed and
mounted in every point as above described. [ am not sorry
that I did not knozv at the time zvho it zva$y*

A British writer suggestively remarks, in this connection,
that, " unfortunately Ferguson did not personally know
Washington, otherwise the Rebels would have had a new
General to seek." Had Washington fallen, it is difficult to
calculate its probable etfect upon the result of the struggle of
the American people. I low slight, oftentimes, are the inci-
dents which, in the course of events, seem to give direction to
the most momentous concerns of the human race. This sin-
gular impulse of Ferguson, illustrates, in a forcible manner,
the over-ruling hand of Providence in directing the operation
of a man's mind when he himself is least of all aware of it.

There is, however, some doubt whether it was really
Washington whom Ferguson was loo generous to profit by
his advantage. James Fenimore Cooper relates, in the
New York Mirror., of April sixteentli, 183 1 , on the authority
of his late father-in-law. Major John P. DeLancey, some
interesting facts, corroborating the main features of the
storv. DeLancev was the second in command of Feriju-
son's rirtemen, and had seen Washington in Philadelphia

* Percy Anecdotes, Harper's edition, !i, 52; ISritish Annual Keffisier, 17S1, 51 ; Political
Mn^azine. 1781. 60; /list, of War in America, iii. 149; Andrews' Hist 0/ the War. iv. 84 ;
James" Life of Marion. 76-77 ; Irvine's Washington, iv. 51-52 ; Days Pennsyhiania Hist,
Colls., 213; National Intelligencer, May, 1851.

;i'

i-^W

KJNG'S A/OUNTAIN

the year before the comnieiu'einent of the war. " Duriiij^
tlie luaiKi'iivres which pri'ceck'cl ihi' battle of IhaiulN u inr."
said Mr. Cooper, " tlie.sc riileineii were ke|U skirmishing
in advance of one of tlie British coknnns. 'J'hi'\ had crossed
some open ground, in \\ hich Ferguson was woimded in the
arm, and had taken a position in liie skirls ol' a thick wood.
While Cajitain UeJ^ancey was occupied in arranging a shng
f(jr Fergiison's wounded arm. it was reported that an Ameri-
can othcer of rank, attended onh- by a mounted orderly,
had ridden into the open groimd, and was dien within point-
blank riile shot. Two or three of the best marksmen
stepped forward, and asked leave to bring him down. Fer-
guson peremptorily refused ; but he went to the wood, and
showing himself, menaced the Amt-rican with several rifles,
while he called to him, and made signs to him to come in.
^rhe mounted olFicer saw his enemies, drew his reins, and
sat lookintr at them attentively for a few moments.

"A sergeant/' ccnitinues Mr. Cooper, "now olTered to
hit the horse without injuring the rider, but Ferguson still
withlield his consent, alllrming that it was Washington re-
connoitermg, and that he would not be the instrument of
placing the lil'e of so great a man in jeopardy by so unfair
means. The horseman tiu'ned and rode slowly awa^'. To
his last moment, Ferguson maintained that the ollicer whose
life he had spared was W^ashington. I have often iieard
Captain DeLancvw relate these circumstances, and though
he never pretended to be sure of the person of the unknown
horseman, it was his opinion, iVom some particulars of dress
and stature, that it was thu Count Pulaski. Though in
error as (o the person ol' the individual whom he sparixl,
the merit of Major Ferguson is not at all diminished "' by
its supposed correction.

Captain Ferguson, as we have seen, encoimtered some
American sharp-shooters in the battle as keen and skilllul
as himself in the use of the rifle, and received a dangerous
wound which so shattered his right arm, as to forever after

AND ITS IFEROES.

render it useless.* During the period of his unfitness for
service, General Howe distrihuled his rillemen among other
corps; hut on his recovery, he again embodied them, and
renewed his former active career. When satistied that he
would nevt'r regain the use of his right hand, he practiced,
and soon ac(|uired the use of his sword, with the left. A
writer in tlie Pol it ir a! Maouniiie for 1781, states that Fer-
guson was in the battle of Germantown, on the fourth of
October ensuing — was tliere wounded, and there canie near
bringing his rille to bear on Washington ; but it is not prob-
abh' that he was sulliciently recovered of his SL'Vt're wound
received at I>randywine, to have taken the lield three weeks
afterwards — j-jesides, the autliorities show, tliat it was at
Brandy wine whert." \\v so narrowly escaped the temptation
to try the acciu'acy of his rille on the American Commander-
in-Chief, or some other prominent ollicer, making observa-
tions, and where he was so griex'ously wounded.

When the British evacuated Philadelphia, in June, 1778,
Captain Ferguson acccjmpanied the retiring forces to New
York, and, of course, participated in the battle of Mon-
mouth on the way. It was fought on one of the hottest days
of the summer, when many of the British soldiers died from
the etlects of the heat. For some time at'ter reaching New
York, Captain Ferguson and his rille corps were not called
on to engage in an}- active service.

Little Fgg Harbor, on the eastern coast of New Jersey,
had long been noted as a place of rendezvous for American
privateers, which preyed largely upon British commerce.
A vast amount of property had been brought into this port,
captured iVom the enemy. " To destroy this nest of rebel
pirates," as a British writer termed it, an expedition was
litted out from New York, the close of September, 1778,
composed of three hiuulred regulars, and a body of one
hundred Royalist volunteers, all under the command of Cap-

* Beatson's Navtil anti Mili'/ary Afemot'rs, vi, 83; Mackenzie's Slruiures on Tarle-
ton. 23,

III

KING ' S MO UNTA IN

tain Fcrj^usnn. Captain Ili-nry Colins, of the Navy, trans-
porli'd tlu' troops in ritrht or ten armed vessels, and shared
in the enterprise. From initoward weather, they were lonjL^
at sea. General Washington, hearinjLj of the expetlition,
dispatched Count Pulaski and his Le<,non cavalry, and at
tlu' same time sent an express to Tuckerton, as did also
Governor LiviniLfston, givini^r information, so that four pri\a-
teers put to sea and escapi'd. while others took refuLje \\\t
\\\v Little I'v^g Harbor river. Fer<ruson's party reached tlu'
Harbor on the afternoon of the lifth of October, and,
taking his smaller craft, pushed twenty miles up the stream
to Chestnut Neck, where wt're st'veral \essels, about a dozen
houses, with stores for the reception of the prize j^oods,
and accommodations lor the privateers men. Here were
some works erectt'tl for the protection of the place, and a
few men occupying them ; but no artillery had 3'et been
placed there The prize vessels were hastily scuttled and
dismantled, and the small American party easily driven into
the woods, when Captain Ferguson's force demolished the
batteries, burning ten vessels and the houses in the village.
Tlu> ])ritish in this alVair had none killed, and but a single
soldier wounded. Had he arrived sooner, Ferguson in-
tended to have pushed forward with celerity twenty miles
fardier, to "The Forks," which was accounted only thirty-
live miles from Philadelphia. IJut the alarm had been
spread through the country, and the local militia had been
reinforced bv Pulaski's cavalry, and live Held pieces of
Colonel Proctor's artillerv : so die idea of reachino- and
destro\inu the stores and small craft there, had to be aban-
doned.

Returning the next day, October the seventh, down the
river, they reached two of dieir armed sloops, which had got
aground on their upward passage, and were still fast.
Thev were lightened, and got oil' the next mornin<f. Dur-
ing the delay. Captain Fergu.son employed his troops,
under cover of the gunboats, in an excursion on the north

AND ITS JIEROJ'S.

shore, to destroy soino principal salt works, also some
stores, (l\velliii<fs, and Tucker's Mill ; these were sacked
and laid in ashes — all, as was asserted by the British, being
the property of persons concerned in privateering, or
"whose activity in the cause of America, and unrelenting
persecution of the Loyalists, marked them out as the
objects (jf vengeance." As those persons wen- pointed out
b\' the New lersev Torv volunteers, who accompanied the
expedition, we may well imagine that private pique, and
neighborhood feuds, entered largely into these proscriptions.

To cover Ferguson's expedition, and distract the attention
of Washington, Sir Henry Clinton had detached Lord Corn-
wallis with live thousand men into New Jersey, and General
Knyphausen with three thousand into Wes^ .ic-ier county.
Learning of Colonel Baylor's dragoons bei.ig at old Tappan.
Cornwallis selected General Grey to siu'prise them which he
etlected much in the same manner as Ferguson subsequently
siiuck Pulaski's infantry, unawares — eleven having l^een
killed outright, twenty-tivi' mangled with repeati'd thrusts,
some receiving ten, twelve, and even sixteen wounds. It
was a merciless treatment of men who sued for quarter.
Among the wounded were Colonel Baylor and Major Clough
— the latter, mortally ; and about forty prisoners taken,
mostly through die humane interposition of one of Grey's
Captains, wliose feelings revolted at the orders of his san-
guinary connnander — the same commander who had, the
year before, performed a similarly bloody enterprise against
Wayne, at Paoli.

Recalling these predatory parties to New York, Sir
Henry Clinton directed Admiral Gambler to write Captain
Colins in their joint behalf, that they thought it nnsafe for
him and Captain Ferguson to remain longer in New Jersey.
But Captain Colins' vessels being wind-bound for several
days, gave Captain Ferguson time for another enterprise.
r)n the evening of the thirteenth of October, some deserters
from l*ulaski's Legion gave information of that corps being

KimrS MOUNTAIN

posli'd, within strii^iiitj ilislaiici', i-U'vcn niik's up thr river;
wlu'ii l'\igiis()ii lonm.'cl llu- tU'si^n of ;Uli.'mj)liii^ ihcir sur-
prise.

The chii r of ihi'se deserters was oiu" Juliet, a renej^ade
from the I lessians the preeecUui; winter, who was sent by the
Hoard of War to Puhiski, without a coinniission indi-i'd,
hut with orders to ju'rinil hini to do llu* (hitv ol a Sul)-IJeu-
tenant in the Le^don. This man was treated with such cHs-
respect by Lieutenant-Colonel Jiaron l)t« Hosen, whose hii,di
sense of honor led him to despise a person, wiio, even thouifji
a commissioned otiicer, could hi' guilty ol' desertintr his
colors, that the culprit determini'd to reveni(i' himself in a
manner that could not ha\e been fori'seiMi or imaiL(ined.
Uniler pretence of fishing', In; one da\' left the camp with
live others, and as the\ did not return at the proper time,
and it could not In- suppnsed that Juliet would have tin- har-
dihood to rejoin the eneniw lhe\ weri' thought to ha\e been
drowned. Hut Juliet had thi' duplicity to di-bauch three of
the soldiers, and the otiu'r two were ibrced to ljo with them.

Pulaski's corps, as ihe deserters correctly stated, con-
sisted of three companies ol'infantry. ()ccup\inif thrc^e houses
by thernsel\-es, under the Lieutenant-Colonel Haron De
IJosen : while Pulaski, with a troop of cavalrv. was sta-
tioned some distance beyond, with a detachment ot" artillery,
havini^ a brass lield piece. Accordingly I'^erguson selected
two hundred and lil'ty men. partly marines, leaving in boats
at eleven o'clock on the night of the fourteenth ; and, at'ter
rowing ten miles, lluy reached a bridge at tour o'clock the
next morning, within a mile of Pulaski's infantrv. The
bridge was seized, so as to cover their retreat, and lift)- men
left for its defence. Deliosen's inl'antry companies were sur-
rounded and completely surprisi'd, and attacked as they
emerged from their houses. "It being a night attack,"
says Ferguson, in his report, "■little quarter could, of course,
be given" — so they cut, and slashed, and bayoneted, killing
all who came in their way. and taking only live prisoners.

AND ITS HEROES.

'J'lu- Amrr'u'ans, rousril iVoin lluir sluinlHTs, loiiglit as wi'll
as tlu'\' loiiUl.

Tlu' hapli'ss liaroii Df Uosi'ti. (Hi llic tlrsi alarm, nisla-d
out. arnu'd willi liis swurtl and pistols ; ami lli<)ii;^h he was a
ri'inarkahl}' sloiil tnati. and loiiiL^dit liki- a liuii, he was soon
nvcrjiowiTi'd by laiinhiTs and kilk-d. S(» far, at K-ast, as
llu- doublf-lraiLor. Juliet,* was coiitrrncd. rcvi-n^r on
Do IJoscn si'i'Uis to lia\r hern his ohji-el ; and his \'oiee
was distinel'y lu'ard exchiiniinif. amid llu- din and eont'usion
of the strife : '* This is tlie Colonel — kill him \" l)e liosen's
body was found pierced with bayom-ts. Lii'uli'uant I)e
La Borderie, toyi'ther with sonu; forty ol the nu-n, were also
amoUjLf the slain. It was a sad and sanguinary occurrence.

On the first alarm, i'ulaski hastened with his cavalry to
the support of his unfortunate intantr\-, when the British,
hearin^r the clatterinu;- hoofs, <j;i\ in^" note of their approach,
lied in dis(jrder. leavinij behind them arms, accoutrements,
hats, blades, etc. I'ulaski captured a fi'w prisoners ; liut
between tlu' place ol" conllict and the bridge was very
swampv, over which llu" ca\alry could scarcely walk.
Reachini;" the bridm'. llu'y lounil llu' plank thrown oil', to
]irevent pursuit by tlie ca\alry. The rilK-men, and some of
the inl"antr\ , however, passed over on the strinL^-jMeces, and
lired somi' xoUeys on the rear of the retreating' Ibe, which
thev returni'd. '"\Ve had the advantau'e." savs I'ulaski,
"and made them run again, although they out-iuunbered
us." As llie ca\ahy coulil not pass the stream. Pulaski
recalled his pioneers: and he adds, in his report, that his
partv cut otr about twentv-five of Feriiuson's nn-n in their
retreat, who took refuge in the woods, and doubtless subse-
quently rejoined their friends. Ferguson's loss, as he
reported it, was two killed, three wounded, and one missing.

* Juliet seems imt to have lieun iruwned witli lioiiors l)y llit Hrilisli 'H Ins roliirn. A
I'.ritisli Dinry "f the Revolution, piihlished in Vnl. iv of the IIistori<.il .Mni^miin: |). ' {0.
under dale Xewi)ort. R. I., January nth. 1779, states: "In tlie fleet from Lony island
arrived several Hessians, anions them is one Lieutenant Juliet, of the I.andgravj ri-siment
who deserted to tlie Provincials when the Island was besieged by them, and tlicn went
back to New York. J/e is uiHiiraii nrrest,"

I- a: I*. ' . ; r

KING'S MOUNTAIN

lie attempted to excuse tlie butchery of Pulaski's unsus-
pecting iniantrv, In' alleging that he learned from the
deserters, who came to iiim, that the Count had, \n public
orders, forbade all granting of quarters — information which
proved to be false, and w hich Ferguson should never have
trusted, especially on the word of deserters. It is credit-
able, however, to his humanity, amid the excitements and
horrors of war, that he refrained iVom wantonly destroying
the houses of non-combatants, though thev sheltered the
personal etiects of his enemies. " We had an opportunity,"
says Ferguson, in his report to Sir llcnry Clinton, ** of
destroying part of the baggage and equipage of Pulaski's
Legion, by burning their quarters, but, as the houses
belonged to some inoffensive C^^iakers, who, I am afraid,
have sutliciently sullered already in the confusion of a night's
scramble, I know. Sir, that you will think with us, that the
injury to be thereby done to the enemy, would not have
compensated for the sullerings of these innocent people."

As the lleet were going out of Litde Egg Ilarbtjr, the
Zebra, the flag-ship, grounded, and to prevent her from
falling into the haiuls of the Americans, Captain Colins
ordered her set on lire : and as tlie tire reached her guns,
they were discharged, much to the amusement of the Amer-
icans, who beheld the conflagration. Besides their military
operati jns. Judge Jones, the Royalist historian of New
York, states of lu-rguson and his men, that they "plun-
dered the inhabitants, burnt their houses, their churches,
and their barns ; ruined their farms ; stole 'Jieir cattle, hogs,
horses, and sheep, and then triumphantb, returned to New
York " — evidendy conveying the idea that this mode of
warfare was not honorable to those who ordered, nor to
those who were engaged in it.

Irving denounces Ferguson's enterprise as "a marauding
expedition, worthy of die times of the buccaneers." Sir
Henry Clinton, on the other hand, reported it to the Home
Government, as a " success, under the direction of tliat

AND ITS HEROES.

very active and zealous ofllcer, Ferguson," whilt" Admiral _
Gambier pronounced it '• a spirited service." Ferjifuson fidly
accomplisiied the purpose for which he set out — the destruc-
tion of the vessels, stores, and works at Little E;^,t^ Harbor;
and, in addition, inllicted a severe blow on a portion of
Pulaski's Le!4"ion.*

During the campaign of 1779, Captain Ferguson was
engaged in sexcral predatory incursions along the coast,
and on the Hudson — having been stationed awhile at Ston}'
Point before its captiu'e by Wayne; steadily increasing the
contidence of his superiors, and extorting the respect of the
Americans for his valor and enterprise. On the twenty-tifth
of October, in this year, he was promoted to the rank of
Major in the second battalion of the seventy-first regiment,
or Highland Light Infantry, composed of Frasers, Camp-
Ik'IIs. McArthurs. McDonalds, McLeods, and man\- others
ofthelinest Scotch laddies in the l^ritish service.

When Sir Henry Clinton fitted out his expedition against
Charleston, at the close of 1779, he very naturally selected
Major Ferguson to share in the important enterprit','. A
corps of diree hundred men. called the American Voli nteers,
was assigned for his command — he having the choice of
bf)th otlicers and soldiers ; and for this special service, he
had given him, the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. At his
request. Major Hanger's corps of two bundled Hessians
were to be joined to Ferguson's. Early in February, the
seventy-first regiment and Ferguson's corps were sent from
Savannah to Augusta : and, early in March, the American
\'()lunteers formed a part of the Georgia troops, who were
ordered, under (General Patterson, to march towards Charles-
ton, and join the main force under Sir Henrv Clinton.

*Toiirliinij this Little Ej;i; Harbor expedition, sec reports of Sir Henry Clintnii. Ailmi-
ral CianihiLr, Captains Kerens. m and Ccilins, in Almon x, fsi>-5''): I'niaski's repuri. Pennsyl-
vania f'lii/ict. October 2», 1778; Uivinylon's Koynl Cit:ft/i\ Oct'iber 24. 1778; Political
M<ii^,izini\ 1781. p. fio; MarshalTs U^nshinfffiui, rcvisetl edition, i. 'J70-71 ; Rt'^/y to Judt^f
Johnson, vindiiaiing ("onnt I'niaski. by Paul I'entalmi. sonii r 1 aptain in Pnlaski's Lcgiuii,
iSift. 36-37; Irving's ll'iislihigton, iii, 472-75; Bancroft's History, x, 15s; Lossing's Fii/it
P'i'l:. ii. S2y ; Harber S: Howes' A :u Jersey, 108-9; and Jcnes' History of Ne;^' York
During the Kevolutionary War, ij-'S;.

' J

li '

KING'S J/Oi WTAJN

On tliL* thirteenth of the month, Lieutenant-Colonel Fcr-
<j^us()n. with liis Volunteers, and Major Cochrane, with the
intantr\- of Tarleton's Legion, were ordered forward to
secure llie passes at Bee Creek, Coosahatchie, and Tully
Finny bridges, about twenty-six miles in athance of the
army, which w as as promptly eifected as the obstacles in
the way would jiermit. It was a toilsome march through
swanijis and diliicult passes, having frequent skirmishes
witii tlie opposing militia of tiie country. These active olll-
cers, with tlieir light troops, received intelligence of two
parlies ol inounted Americans at some distance in achance.
and at once n-sohod to surprise them by a night attack — a
kind of service lor which Colonel Ferguson luul an especial
lilness, and in which he took unusual di'light.

Arri\ing at nine o'clock in liu' exening near the spot
iVom which ho meant to dislodge tlie Americans, at Mc-
Piierson's ])lantation, Ferguson discovered tliat the\ had
decamped, and he consequently took possession of tiu-ir
abandoned position, camping there for the night, aiul
awaiting the arrival of the main British force, who were to
pass near it the next morning. Major Cochrane, w itli his
party, piloted by another route, througii swamps and b}--
wavs, arrived, before morning, just in front of Ferguson's
camp; and, judging by die fires that the Americans were
still diere. led his men t(^ the attack witii li.xed bayonets.
Ferguson, expecting that the iVmerican party miglit return,
had his picket guard out. who, seeing tlu' approach of what
they regarded as an enemy, gave the alarm, when the
Legion rushed upon them, driving them pell-mell to Fergu-
son's camp, w here the aroused American \'olunteers were
ready > recei\e them. "Charge I" was the word on both
sides : md, for a little season, the conflict raged. Ferguson,
wielding his sword in his left hand, di'fendfd himself", as
well as he could, against three assailants, who opposed him
with fixed bayonets, one of which was unfortunately thrust
through his left arm. When on the point of falling, amid

AND ITS HEROES.

(i3

the confusion and clashin::^ of arms, Major Cochrane and
Colonel Ferguson, almost at tlie same moment, recognized
each other's voices, and exerted themselves to jiut a stop to
the mistaken contlict. Two ol" Ferguson's men, and one of
tlie Legion, were killed in this unliappy alVair. and several
wounded on both sides. Lieutenant McIMu-rson, ot' the
Legion, received ha\-onet wounds in the hand and shoulder.

Hut tor the timely recognition, on the part of the com-
manders, of the nnitual mistake, Colonel Ferguson would
most likely have lost his life — "a life," says iNLijor Hanger,
'•equally valuable to the wlujle arm\-, and to his friends."

*' It was melancholy enough," wrote a participant in tlie
allair, near three weeks afterwards, " to see Colonel Fergu-
son disabled in both arms : but, thank God, lie is perfectly
recovered again." Tarleton comiricnds " the intrepiditv
and presence of mind of the leaders," in this casual engage-
ment, as having saved their respective parties from a more
fatal termination. "The whole army felt for the gallant
Ferguson," says Hanger; and the peculiar circumstances
attending this unlucky conflict, long furnished the camp and
bivouac with a melancholy topic of conversation.*

The fleet having crossed the bar, and gained the water
command thence to Charleston, enabled Sir Henr\- Clinton
to bestow more attention than he had hitherto done, to cut-
ting otT the connnunications of the Americans between the
city and country. A body of militia, together with the
remains of three Continental regiments of liglit drauoons,
k-d by Colonel Washington and otIu>rs. and all under tlie
command of General Huger. were stationed at Iliggin
J3ridge, near Monk's Corner, about thirty miles from
Charleston. To destroy or disperse this partv. and thus
inevent supplies of food and rc-inforcenients of men to the
beleaguered city, was a capital object with .Sir Henr\ Clin-
lon ; and its immediate execution was assigned to Colonel

*Trirleton's C<rw/.t/."/.f. 7-8; Marken?ic's ,SV;7V7«;« «,, /;(;•/,/,.«, 2j ; Hanger's Reply

10 jlAi, /.(V/i/,', ^4--; : Sii-iie of C/iar/fif,<ii, •;L!-;g.

fi4

K/NCrS MOUXTAfN

Tarlcton and liis l-,c'i,n()n, to be secoiuk'd liy Lioulfnant-
ColoiH'l FiT^uson and his ritk'tiu'ii. Tarleton was dashing,
tireless, and unmerciful. "Ferguson," says Irving, "was
a tit associate for Tarleton, in hard}-, scrambling, partisan
enterprise ; equally intrepid and determined, but cooler, and
more open to impulses of humanity."

As a night march had been judged the most advisable,
"^Farleton and Ferguson moved, on the evening of April
thirteenth, from Goose creek, half way from Chark'ston, to
strike, if possible, an effective blow at Iluger's camp. Some
distance beyond, a negro was descried attempting to leave
the road, and avoid notice. He was seized, and was dis-
covered to be a servant of one of Iluger's olbcers. A letter
was taken from his pocket, written by his master the pre-
ceding afternoon, which, with the negro's intelligence, pur-
chased lor a few dollars, proved a fortunate circimistance for
the advancing party. They learned the relative positions of
Iluger's forces, on both sides of Cooper river, and had in
him a guide to direct them there, through unfrequented
paths and by-ways.

Destitute of patrols, linger was, in ell'ect, taki-n com-
pletely by surprise ; and the bold and sudden onset, about
three o'clock in the morning of the fourteenth. c|uickly
scattered the astonished Americans. They had. indeed,
some slight notice of the attack : but they were not properK'
prepared for it. The cavalry was posted on the side of the
river where the tirst approach was made, and the infantry on
the opposite bank. "Although," says Ramsay, "the com-
manding otlicer of the American cavalry had taken the pre-
caution ol having his horses saddled and bridled, and the
alarm was given by his videttes, posted at the distance of a
mile in front : yet, being entirely unsupported bv infantrv,
the British advanced so raj'jidlv. notwithstanding the opjiosi-
tion of the advanced guard, that thev began tlu-ir attack on
the main body before they could put themselves in a postinx*
of defence." Then Major Cochrane, with Tarleton's Legion,

AND ITS HEROES.

quickly /orccd the passage of Biggin Bridge, and drove
General linger and the intantr^' before him. " In diis
allair," says James, "Major James Conyers, of the Ameri-
cans, distinguished himself by a skillful retreat, and by call-
ing otV the attention of the enemy tVom his sleeping friends
to himself. In this surprise, the British made tree use of
tile bayonet ; the houses in Monk's Corner, then a village,
were afterwards deserted, but long bore the marks of deadly
thrust and much blood-shed."

Several otlicers, who attempted to defend themselves,
were killed or wounded. The assailing party lost but one
ollicer and two privates woiuuled, with live horses killed or
disabled. General linger, Ct)lonel Washington, and Major
Jameson, witli most of their troops, fled to the adjacent
s\\ amps and thickets ; while three Captains, one Lieutenant,
and ten privates were killed ; one Major, one Captain, two
Lieutenants, and fifteen privates were wounded, and sixtv-
four ofiicers and men, including the woimded, were made
prisoners. Some two lumdred horses, from thirtv to forty
wagons, and (juite a supply of pro\isions and military
stores, were among tb' trophies ">f the victors. U it was
not a " shameful surjirise," as General Moultrie pro-
nounced it, it was, at least, a very distressing atVair for the
Americans. Poor General linger, and his aid, John Izard,
remained in the swamp from Friday morning, the time of
tlie surprise, till die succeeding Monday : it was a long fast,
and the exposure produced severe sickness on the part of
the General, causing him to retire awhile from the service.*

Among the American wounded was Major Vernier, a
b'reiich. ollicer, who commanded the remains of the Legion
of Count Casimir Pulaski, wlu) had lost his life at Savan-
nah tlu- preceding autumn. " The Major," says Steadman,
a British historian and eve-witness, '* was mangled in the
most shocking manner ; lie had several wounds, a severe

* Ramsny's Ixet'oliitwii, ii. 64; Moiillrie's Afeiiioirs, ii, 7a: Tarleton's Campaigns, 15-17;
Steadniaii's Aimticah II ur. ii. 182-81: J.imes' f.i/e 0/ Marion, 16-J7; Siege 0/ Charleston,
i.'4, 1O4 ; Simm's South Carolina in the Kerolution. 125. 138; Irving's Washington, iv, 51-52.

■ I

KING'S MOUNTAIN

ilii

11 'i
J

one behind his oar. This iinforlunatp ofllcor lived several
hours, reprolialiii!^ ihi' Americans for their conduct on this
occasion, and even in his last moments cursing tlie British
for their barbarity, in having ret'used quarter after he had
surrendered. The writer of this, who was ordered on this
expedition, allbrded ever}- assistance in his power, and liad
the Major put upon a table, in a public house in the village,
and a blanket thrown over him. In his last moments,
the Major was frecjuently insulted b\- tiie prnati's of the
Legion." Such mercik'ss treatment of a d\ing foe, was
eniinentU bellttiui'" the sa\aiie character of "^Farleton and
his men.

liritish historians repel, with indignant language, the
charge of permitting the violation or abusc> of females to
go unpunished ; yet Connnissary Steadman ri'lates a case
hiiiiilv deroi^atorv of the ct)nduct of some of Tarleton's
Legion. In the course of this maraud, several of the dra-
goons broke into the iiouse of Sir John Colleton, in
the neighborliood of Monk's Corner, and maltreatt'd and
attempted \iolence ujion three ladies residing there — one, tlu'
wife of a Charleston pliysician, a most delicate and b(,>auti-
ful woman, was most barbarously treated; another lath'
rt'ceived one or two sword wountls ; while an luunarried
lady, a sister of a prominent American Major, was also
shamefulh" misused. They all succeedt'd in making tiieir
escape to Monks Corner, where they were protected ; and
a carriage being provided, they were escorted to a house in
that region. The guilty dragoons were apprehended, and
brought to camp. whert\ by this time. Colonel Webster had
arri\H'd and taken tlu' command. "Colonel Ferguson,"
savs Sti'adman. "was for putting the dragoons to instant
death : but Coloni'l Webster did not conceiv(> that liis jiow-
ers exltMided lo that of holding a geni>ral court-ma.tial.*

Il nnisi lint l)c inferred lliat Ciiloiiel Wulister, who w.is the next year kille<l ;il
OiiiMuril. was iiulifTerciit lo such nfTences: for. we are assured, that to an officer under his
< oniiiiaiid. who had so fir forKotteii liiniself as lo offer an insult to a lady, he hurled many
a hitler iinprecation. and had him immediately turned out of the regiment. — Political
Mtigiiziiie, 1781, 34a.

AND ITS HEROES.

r.7

The prisoners were, however, sent to head-qiuirters, and, I
hclicvt\ were afterwards tried and whipped." Tliis decisive
action on the part ot" Colonel Ferguson was liighly credit-
able to his head and his heart. '"We honor," sa3s Irvinj^^,
" the rou<jfh soldier, Ferguson, for the flat of ' instant di'ath,'
with which he would have nHjuited the most infamous
and dastardly outrage that brutalizes warfare." "^rarleton,
possessing none of the finer feelings of human nature,
failed to second ^^erguson's efVorts to bring the culprits
to punishment; for, "afterwards, in England, he had the
ertronter}' to boast, in the presence of a lady of respecta-
bility, that he had killed more men, and ravished more
women, than any man in America."*

The long protracted siege of Charleston was now draw-
ing to a close. In the latter part of April, Colonel Fer-
guson marched down with a party, and captured a small
redoubt at lladdrelTs Point, half a mile above Sullivan's
Island ; and, on the seventh of May, he obtained permission
to attack Fort jMt)ultrie, and while upon the march for that
object, he received intelligence of the surrender of the Fort
to Captain Hudson, who was relieved of the command
by Colonel Ferguson. f And shortly thereafter. General
Lincoln gave up the city he had so long and so valiantl}-
defended.

♦Steadinani .Jwcr/iYin War, ii, 183: Irvine's Washington, iv. 52-53: Garden's Ancc-
doti\t. Field's lirooklj'n edition, 18-5, ii, App'x viii: Mrs. Warren's Hist. \m. Revolution,

ii, 197.

\ Siege 0/ Charleston, i6j-66; I'arleton's Cain/'aigns, 50.

t 1

liii

I il

KnVG'S MOUi\TAIN

CHAPTER IV.

1780- May- July.

Colonel l-'rri^iison soil to tlic D/'.a/n) f of A/jtr/f S/.v.— ( )ri^'<rf//:;//ii^'- the
Loeal Mi/ilia. — Afirjor //(jnxrr'x lueoiint of the iip-eoiiiitrv iiihuhi-
tiiiits^h/s 070/1 luut refiulation. — /■'eri^iisoii's seductiiu- promises to
(he people. — The Tory, Dainil /■'iiiiii/!i_i;.--J-'e)i;iiso)!'s lu/nptotioii to
his Mission — Mrs. JiUie Thomas lutv, iitiire. — Colonel 'f homos repels
ti 'Tory ossoitit ot ( 'ediir .S'/>rini^': — /-eixiisoit oitv,inees to I'oir l-'orest.
— Charaeter oj the lories — Stories of their pliimh-rini^s. — Colonels
Clarke ami Jones of Ceort^ia — ///,• latter surprises a 'Tory eamp. —
Dunlap an, I .Mills attoek .]/e Don'elTs eamp on \orth Pacolet.—
Captain Hampton' s puisiiit and defeat of the Tories.

On IIk' reduction of Charleston, Sir nenr\- Clinton
was, for the ensuinj4" lew weeks, busily employed in issuing;
proclamations and lbrmin;jf plans lor the conijiUMA- subjui^a-
tion of the Carolinas and Georjuia. He had on the eitjjh-
teenth of May, dispatched Lord Connvallis with a strouif
force on the nordi-east side of the Santi-e to Camden ; while
Coloui'l Fi\rguson, at the same time, with a hundred and
fifty to two hundred men of the Pro\incial corps, marched
from Nelson's Ferry via Colonel Thomson's, Beaver creek,
and the Con^aree Store, crossin.^" the Saluda above the
mouth of Jiroad river ; thence on to Little river and Ninety
Six, where they arrived on the twenty-second of June. '^I'hey
performed their marches in the cool of tlu- morniny;, and now
and lluMi apiirehended prominent Whiles on the route. His
orders were to tia\e a watch-care over the extended district
of country from the Wateree to the Saluda, well niirh a
hundred miles. Resuniin<^ his march he passed on to
Ninety Six, whence, after a fortnight's rest, he advanced
some sixteen miles, and selected a good location on LitUc

AND ITS rrP.ROFS.

river where he erected soiiu" lii'ld works, while most of
his r"*rovincials pushetl on to the h'air I"^)rest iH'iL,non.* This
ciuiip was at the phmtation of Colonel James Williams,
in what is now Laurens County, near the Newberry line,
where the Hritish i.ncl Tories loni;- maintained a post, a jiart
of the time under Cieneral Cunningham, till the enemy
evacuated Ninety Six the following year.f

Sir Henry Clinton hail directed Major Hanger to repair
with Colonel Ferguson to the interior settU-ments, and,
jointly or separately, to organize, muster, and regulate all
volunteer corps, and inspect the (piantity of grain and num-
ber of cattle, etc., belonging to the inhabitants, and report
to Lord Cornwallis, who would be left in command of the
Southern Provinces.^ The powers of this warrant were
very extensive to meet the exigencies of the case. It
was ni'cdful that commissioners should lii' sent out prop-
I'rh' authorized to receive the submission of the people,
administer oaths of fealty, and exact pledges of faithtul
Royal service. I': was needful, also, that the \oung men of
the country should be thoroughly drilled and fitted for recmits
for Cornwallis' diminished forces ; and it was equally neces-
sary for that commander to know where the necessary sup-
plies of grain and meat could be found. It will thus be
seen how comprehensive was this mission and its purposes.

Nor were these the only powers vested in these oHlcers.
All Royal authority had, for several vears, been superseded
by enactments and appointments of tiie newh created
Stati", and these^ o: i.ecessity, mus, be ignored. So Colonel

*T;irleton's Memoirs, 36, Ro, 87. 100: ONeall's llht. 0/ Xcwherry, 107.

i Williams' place was ahuiit a mile wesi <if Little river, and bctwern that stream and
Mnu I.iok crjvk, on the ol ! Island F rd road, follw d by General Onenc when lie
retreated fri>Mi Ninety Six. in 17'ji. Ferguson's camp was near ilic intersection f a rn.id
le.idmt; to I.anrens C H.. about si.\t( jn miles distant. MS. letters of General A C.
C.arliiigton. July igih and 2Rth. 1880, on antbority ..f Colonel James W. Watts, a descendant
of Colon. I Williamsand Major 'r. K. Vance and oibcrs. D. R Crawford of Martin's Depot,
S. f:., states that thr e miles above the old Williams' |ilare, nn ibe W'';r side of T.itlle river,
opposite the old Milton store, must have been ai\ em anipnient, as old ynn barrels and yuii
)o. ks have been found there.

J llaniLjer's I.ife iimi (^/i/tiioiis, ii. .(01-2.

KING'S .VOUNTA/N

Ferguson and Major flangrr had superadded to Uieir mili-
tary jiowers, authority to perform the marriage service.
Whether they had occasions to otliciate, we are not
informed. However this may have been, tlie Major
evidcntl\- formeil no liigh estimate of the beautii-s of the
up-country region. '• In the back parts of CaroHua," says
Major Hanger, "you may search after an angel with as
much chance of linding oni> as a parson : there is no such
thing — 1 mean, when I was there. What thev are now. I
know not. It is not impossi])le, but they may have become
more religious, moral, and virtuous, since the great allec-
tion thev liave imbibed for the French. In mv time, you
might travel sixty or seventy' miles, and not see a church,
or even a schism shop — meeting-house. I have often
called at a dog-house in the Avoods, inhabited !'>v eight or
ten persons, merely from curiositv. I have asked the
master of tlie house: ' Pra\', u\y frit-nd. of what religion
are you?' 'Of what religion, sir?' 'Yes, my friend, of
what religion are 3'ou — or, to what sect do you belong?'
'Oh! now I understand you; why, for tlu- nuitter of that,
religion docs not trouble its much in these parts'

"This distinguished race of men," continues Hanger,
"are more savage than the Indians, and possess evcrx one
of their \ices, but not one of tlu'ir virtues. I have known
one of these fellows travel two hundred miles through the
woods, never keeping anv road or path, guided by the sun
by day, and the stars by night, to kill a particular person
belonging to the opposite party. He would shoot him
before his own door, and ride away to boast of what he had
done on his return. I speak only of back-woodsmen, not
of the inliabitants in general of South Carolina ; lor, in all
America, there are not better educated or better bred men
than the planters. Indeed, Charleston is celebrated for the
splendor, luxury, and education of its inhabitants : I speak
only of that heathen race known by the name of Crachers."" *

Such were Major Hanger's representations of the back-

♦ HaiijL'er's I. iff iinii O/'i'm'iois, ii, 403-5.

|1 '

1'^ f

LY/) /7'S III: ROES.

woods pi'opli" ol' Carolina in liis n-iordi-d ri-niinisiciu'cs ol'
twi-nlv-ont- \car.s lluTcaricr. I lis slurs and insinuations on

n<r

llu' virtues and morals of tin- •• an^i'ls," probably ri-li-rri
to llir ll'niaic's of tiu' lountry. may well l)f taken with
many grains of allowanci'. (.■omiiin', as tlu-y do, from the
intimali' iVicnd and associate of the protli^ate I'rinee Kt'j^ent
of J'viiuliind, and Colonel Tarlelon. both in turn the keeper

)!' the beautilul, but fallen •' I'erdila

uicl, moreover, nis

i\\ n rt'|Mitation m

Ameriea was that of a sensualist. 'J'he

pro

babil

Uies ai'e. lliat lie met w itli ui

■ll-d

eservecl \\

buti;-

an(

rebuki's iVom the ladies of the u|i-eounlry of Carolina, and
did not Ioul; remain there to thrust his msults upon a virtu-
ous peojile. As il" antiiipatini; his own rich di-si-rvings, he
^i\t's, in his "Lire," and *'Ad\ici' to ye Lovi'ly Cyprians,"
a portrait of himst'll". dresst'd in his reginu'Utals, and sus-
pendi'd from a gibbet, ^'el. in the end, he •• robbed the
haniiinan ol' his lees."" and die gallows ol" its \ielim.

In a letter Iroin

)rd Cornwallis to Sir IIenr\' Clint

on,

|une thirtieth, i ySo, lu' mentioned having dispersed I^ieu-
t('nant-CoIoni'l Halioiu's (U'taehmenl from the l<^)rks of the
Santee, by the Congarei'S, to Xiin-ty Si.\, whih" he and
Lieutenant-Colonel Imies. and Major Ciraham. are gixing
orders for the militia of those dislriels ; ami then adds, eon-

linnatoiA' o

f Ml

i|or

lang

(.•rs represt'utation of the mixiH

character of Colonel l^erguson's services: "• I haw ordered
Major l'\'rg"uson," says his Lordshi]), "to visit evt'r\- district
in the I'roxince as fast as ihev iTct the militia established, to

procure

list

s ol eacn,

anc

1 t

o see

that

mv onk-rs are carru'i

into execution. I ajipreheml that his commission of Majoi-
Commandant of a regiment of militia, can onK take place;

iss snouki he ca

1 b

died

out lor

in cas(.> a part of the second-cl;
service, the home duly being mort' that of a Justice of Pi'ace
lan of a soldier."" *

Major Hanger did not remam many weeks with Colonel
Ferguson in the Little river region; for, early in August,

* Li/e aiiii Cur, of J^prd ConiwalWs, i, 4S6.

Ir.i

KING'S MOUNTAIN

ho ontcrorl Tarloton's Lofjion as Major, tn which ho had
ri'ioiilly been ap|)(>iiUi'(l. and iiailiiipalrd in llic I'Jallli- ol"
Caindfii, and in thi- all'air al C'iiailoiic. In iiis lockli'ss
niannor of oxprossion. tlic Major roniarks. tiial had lio
remaiju'd witii l'\'r;4iis()n. lu- ini^lit lia\r sliarcd iho .sanic
fall- as hi' did al Kind's .Nh)untain ; and. "it', indoi'd, as
Maiioini't is said to iia\o done, I could have laki-n my lli,i;ht
to Paradise on a jackass, thai woidd ha\e heen a pUasant
ride; hut Fate ik-stined me lor oilier ihinns."

"We come not," (k'chired Ferguson, "to make war on
women and chikh'en, but to reht'\ e their chstresscs." This
sounded "grateful and pleasant to the ears of the people — a
ku-ife majority of whom, under the leatU'rship of the Cun-
ninghams, Fletchall, Roliinson, and IVaris, wi-re at heart
Loyalists, and honored tlu' Kinif anil Parlianu-nt. 'i'o
Colonel Ferjfuson's standard, whik' encamped at I>ittle
river, the Tories of the country llocki'd in large nundx-rs.
Companies and regiments were organized, and many olli-
cers commissioned for the Royal service. David Fanning,
who had long resided in Orange ami Chatham Counties, in
the North Province, subsequi'ntly so notorious as a "^Fory
leader for his dare-devil adventures and bloody work gener-
ally, was among those who repaired to Ferguson's encamp-
ment ; and evidenlh, on his personal reconnnendation and
induence, secured, in Julv, from Colonel I'erguson, com-
missions, from ICnsign to Captain, for no less than sixty-two
persons in the live Counties of Anson. Chatham. Cumber-
land, Orange, and Randolph, in North Carolina, whosi'
names and residence lu' ri'cords in his published A'arnf/irc.
Fanning and Captain. Richard Pearis had receivi-d General
Williamson's submission, and granted proti-ction to him
and his followers, and three days thereafter to Coloni'i
Pickens. Colonel Robert Cunningham had taken the com-
mand in the Ninet\- Six region, and formed a camp ot
Loyalists ; * and British authoritv was fully recognized in
all the up-country of South Carolina.

*V:inTn\.%'s Nnrrath'c. 12, 11, 19-21,

AND ITS HEROES.

The younger men wiTi' tlioroiirrlily flrillcd by Colonel
Formison aiul his siihordinati's in inililar\ lactiis. and littt-d
lor ailivf si'i\ ill". Xo one (.ould luive Ivcn bfttcr (jualilk'd
tor tliis husiiu'ss ihan llii" distiniLjuislu'd partisan whom Sir
Ili'ni'v Clinton luul scivili'd Ibr tlu' purposi*. lie sei-nu'd
ahnost a born i-onunancUr. His hir^c expt'rience in war,
and partiality lor n)ilitary thscipline, superadded to his
personal maL,nu'tisin o\t'r othi-rs. eminently fitted liim for
nnlimiti'd inllnenci' o\er his men. and the comnKjn people
wiliiin his n'^ion. lie was not favored, however, with a
lommandiiiL; personal prt'sence. lie was of middle stature,
slender make, j^ossessin^r a serious countenance ; yet it was
his peculiar characteristic to i^ain the allections of the men
under his command. lie would sit down foi" hours, and
converse with the country people on the state of public
aOairs, and point out to them, from his view, the ruinous
effects of the disloyalty of the rint^-leaders of the rebellion
— erroneously supposing that it was the leaders only who
jifave impulse to the popular up-risint( throu<^hout the Colo-
nies. Ik- was as indefati^'ible in training them to his way
of thinking, as lie was in instructing them in military exer-
cises. This condescension on his part was regarded as
wonderful in a King's ollicer, and \ery naturally went far
to secure the respect and obedience of all who came within
the sphere of his almost magic inllucnce.*

Parties were sent out to .scour the north-western portion
of South Carolina, and apprehend all the Rebel leaders
who could be found. AnK>ng those who had taken protec-
tion, and were yet hurried ofl' as prisoners to Ninety Six,
was Colonel John Thomas. Sr.. of die Fair Forest setUe-
nient, then cpiite advanced in life. ITis devoted wife rode
nearly sixty miles to visit him, and convey to him such com-
forts as she had it in lu-r power to bestow. While thiM-e,
Mrs. Thomas overheard a conversation between some T()ry
women, of which her quick ear caught these ominous

* Political Ma i^,i : i II I- , M;irili. 17S1, 125,

:i|

K/Axrs A/orxy.i/.Y

words : "''l^lu- Tvoyalists iiitcMul. to-morrow iiiijlit. to siirprisi'
'.lu- Rrln-ls ill Cedar S|>riii<^."" 'I'liis iiilclli^i'iKr was cnoiii^h
to llirill a mollu'i-'s heart, lor Cedar Spriiii;' was hut a lew
miles hevond her I'^iir h'oiesl home, and willi tlie W liijn"
force wi're man\- ol lier Irieiids and nei^hhors, and sonu'
i'\ en of lu-r own tliihhi'ii. No time was to he lost — sht'
iiitiiitiveh' resoKcd to do her hesi lo apprise ihem ol tiie
(.•nt'iny's intention helore tlie mechlatetl hlow eouhl hi'
struck. Slie started early tlie next morning;-, and readied
Cedar .Spring' liiat i'\'eninn' in lime to ,i;"i\e them winning;
of tlie impi'udini^ danger, w len she quietly repaired to her
home, conscious ol' having ilone her duty lo her i'oimtr\', as
Well as perlormed an act ol the nohlest humanitw*

This was on the Uvf^Ifth day of July, f Colonel John
Thomas, Jr., the sun (jf our heroine, had succei'di'd his
fathi-r in command of the Fair Forest ri'i^iment, and headi'd
the small band, some sixty in lunniH'r, now eiicamptd at
the Cellar .Spring-. [; Joseph Alcjunkin was one of llu>
party. It sei-ms to havi- been u camp ibrmed lor collecting;-
the regiment, and drilling" them, |')reparalor\- 'o joining'
Sumter. (3n receivinj^ the timely intelligence of tlu'
inti^nded IJritish attack. Colonel Thomas and h.is nuii. alli'r
a brief consultation, redred a small distance in tiu' lear ol"
their camp liri's, and awaited tlu- imiieiidini; onset. The
eneniN', one hundred and lifty stronif, rushed u]ion the
camp, where they expected to liiul the luckless l^ebels |iio-

*Iii rrccliliriH Mrs. j:ciio TliDiniis with this Ucrnir. iicl, wc arc aw.irc that Mills, in liis
St,)t:.ti-s o/ South C.iyoliiiii. lias acroidcd it to Mrs. M.nry Oill.inl ; but llie iinifMirii u-Mi
niony Ol ilip 'rii"iiias faiiiily, iniluiliim Major M( Itiiikin, wlin marricil a iliiiinlilrr of Col-
(inc'l TlKitnas. (jiv. s tlic narrativi: as w<; have suhstantially r latcd it. 'riie oi i asioii of her
vivil lo Niiirly Six, anil rcsidiiii; in ilie nci^hhnrhooil r)f Cedar SpriiiK. Ko far lo sustain this
virw of the matter. Mrs. Dillard, on the other hand, lived fnlly thirty miles southeast ■!(
Cellar Sjirini;, and sontli of tin- F.norec river, in Lauren's Distrii t - and on tlo- route 'I'arU
ton pursued when on his way to attark Sumter at niarkstork's on I'yKcr ; and I'.irleton
relates, th.it "a woman on horschai k had viewrd the line of inarch from a wood, .nid, l>y a
ni.-.irer road, had civen inlelliuenc c ' lo Sunitir. Th.it woman was Mrs. I>illard.

•|-('ompare McCall's (ieorgin. ii. iio ; Moore's l^i'itty, ii, j^ji : and .Allaire's Piitry, July
14th and i.sll>.

} Odar Sprin,i; deii\i il its n,iiiic from a l.-ir^e eed.ir tree, tl .11 lorinirl) orn.inieiiii il the
hanks of this tim- spring, whic h is ahout fifty feet in tin iinifereiiee It has three prinripal
fountains or snnries of supplv. wlii' li forrc the water from tlo- howels of il.r earth forming
II Ijeaulifnl hasin three feel tlcep. 'I'll'; \\ater is imjirej^n.itt-d with a s.iiall portion of lime.

AND ITS IFEROES.

founclly riiw r;i|")|X'(l in ,sluinl)cr ; but, oi^ the lontrarw llu-y
\V(.Ti> \vi(U' a\vak(.\ and astonislunl the assailaiils with a
v()lk'\' of rilK' balls. .Si'wral wtTt- slain, ami the survixors
i-ii'anipcri'il oil' badly deinoralizcd. It was a shorl, (|iiii.k,
and dcfisixc allair. Amoni;' llu' slain was a 'i'oiy named
|()hn While, well known Id Major Mejunkii and who,
in tlu' early pari ot ihe war, had deelimd bearing arms
aj^ainsl ihe Indians, on ihe irumped-up plea ol" lu'lni;' a non-
coinbatanl.* Il was IbrlunaU- tor Thomas" |iari\, thai
this was a nii;ht attack, as the eni-my had no ()p|)orlunilv
of discovering' iheii decided sn|-)eriority ; and donbtless
ri'tired with llu- beiit't" that the Americans nnist Iuin ■ num-
bered sevi'ral lumdri'd. "I'his eml)od\ in^ ot' the tViiMicb' of
liberlN' in the l^'air h'orest settlement. jirobabK- hastened the
movenu'nt ol" I^'er^uson to that quarti-r.

When Colonel [''erifuson K'tt his (.amii on I^itde rixcr,
he crossed the ,'Onoree at Kelly's Ford, and encampetl in ihc
Fork, at the plantation of Colonel Jami-s I^yles, who was
lIuMi in service farther east, with Sumler. John Robison
and others ot this re^'ion were |ihiiulered b\ l'\'ri;"uson\s
men. The des|ierate, the idle, the \ indicti\t.', who souLjht
])lunder or re\eni;'e, as well as the \(>utht'ul Loxalists, whost-
zeal or amliition prompted them to takt- up ai"ms, all tound
a warm rece]ition at tlu' Hritish camj) ; and their pro^.x-ss
ihroui^h the countr\- was "• marki'd with blood, and K^l W^
wy with contlan'ration." Ir\ini;' graphically describes the
character ot' these Toin- reciuits : *• Feri^uson," says Irving',
" had a loyal hatred ot" W'hij^s, and to his staiulard flocked
many i^ancorous Tories, beside outlaws and desperadoes, so
that with all liis conciliating" inliMitions. his proi^ress throuifh
the I'ounlry was attended b\- man\- cvxasperatini; exci'sses."

To (.otMce the \\'hiL;s to submission, a»ul embod\- the
Tories, and ti-ain them t'or war, Ihm'^'usou kejit moxii.g
about the country, and sending- out his detachments in ex-ery

'■Major Mrjiinkin's MS. Slalcinrnt. .unoiiK lliu S.iye piipcrs; Mr. Sayc\ Mrinnir i\\
Mcjiinkiii, alvo JihIkl- O'Ncall's. ill tlic Mitgnoliii Magazine lor J.m,, iS,(j; ///.>/. I'res'yte-
tiiin III. of So. Caritiiiia, 5J4.

'«

KING 'S MO I WTAfN

direction. In the prosecution ofthesi' desiirns, ho miirched
into Union District, ciinpin<4 on tlie south side of 'r\^er
ri\er, about iiaU" a n'ile below Hhickstock's Ford, where
the cripple spy, Joseph Kerr, made such observations as he
could, anil ri'turned with tlie inteUiL'-'Uce to Colonel Mc-
Dowell, that about lil'lecn hunch-cd of the enein\- were
pent'tratiui;' the country ;* and thence Feriruson passed into
the settlement then called "The (^j^iaker iM'.muIow.'" but
since known as the Meadow Woods. On Su^'ar creek,
a southern tributar\- of" I"'air l^'orest creek. + resided a
number ol" (klermined Whigs named Blasin<^anu', oiu' of
whom was arrested. 'I'hence Feri^uson moved up into
the Fair r"ort"-L settlement, on the main cri-ek ot' that
name, campin;^ at dilVerent times at McClendon's old Held ;
then between \\here J. Mcllwaine and f. II. Kelso since
lived ; thence to where Cjist resided a few years since, and
thence to Cunninirham's. lie camped a while at l^'air Forist
Shoal, in I>randon"s .St'itlrineut : and subsequently for three
wei'ks on a hill, on tlu' present plantation of the lion. John
WinsmiUi, eleven miles south of Cedar SpriiiL;,", and two
south of Glenn's Sprin<i,s. During' this pi'riod of sev'eial
weeks, the Tories scon,red all that region of country dail\ .
plundering the people of their cattle, horses, beds, wearing
apparel, bee-gums, and \egetables of all kinds — e\en wrest-
ing tlu- rings from the lingers of the females. Major Dun-
lap ami Lieutenant Taylor, with lort\ or lifty soldiers, calk-il
at a Mrs. Thomson's, and taking down the family IJible
from its .shelf, ri-ad in it, and I'vpressed great surjirise that
persons having such a book, teaching them to honor the
King and obey magistrates, should n-bt'l against ihi-ir King
and country ; but amid these expressions of holy horror.

♦Kerr's MS. pcrsniKil slatununt. cninmiinii atrd l)y rnlnii. I J. U. Wliorln ; Uiiiilir's
Sketches of Western Xorth Ciroliiiit, 120-21.

f " What a fair forest x'^ this!" exciaimcd ilic fl^^l sctilirs. The Maine attacluil itself
\n the plac i\ anil then to the hc.hl am lovely inniintain stream, wlui h sweeps on till its
waters mingle with those of liroad rive ■.— Kcv. J imes H. Saye's .Menterr of M,>fny fiise/'i,
yr !iinl;iii. aiul Sketches uf the l\-7;i/:itwn,t>y Histery ef South (aro/iiia. .in interest »>,'
ucwspuper aeries piibliblicd over thirty years ago.

AND ITS UliROES.

these oIlkcTs sufl'ered their troops to engage in ransacking
and ]-)kni(lerin<jf hetbre tluir very eyes.

From what we have seen, it is not wf)n(U'rrul that the
Tories were soon as heartily despised liy the Ihitisli otlicers
as l")y their own counlrynien, the Whigs. lUit Ferguson
was not tlie man to I)i' diverted from his jMirpose b^' an}'
aets of theirs of treaehc>ry and inininiaiiity. 'V\\v crown
had iionors anil rewards to lii'stow, and his v\v ri'sled upon
them. He knew that "the del'endi'r of the faith" generallv
gave much more casli and more honors, for a single yi-ar of
devoted service in military enterprises, than for a lifi'-time
spent in such pursuits as exalt and ennolile human natmc.

The horses of Ferguson's men wen' turiud loost' in to .iiiy
lields of grain that might he most conwnient. I'^oraging
parties brought in cattle to cam]) for slaught(.>r, or wantonh-
shot them down in the woods and left them. .\s many
Whigs as could Iv fnmd were apprehencK'il, not <'vi'n
excepting those who iiad i-»rc\'iously taken protection. A
fe\, had been pn)m|)UHl to take ])rotection, rather than for-
sakt> their families, trusting therein' to Urilish honor to
secure them from molestation ; but they were soon hurried
olV to Ninety Si ', and incarcerated in a loathsome |irison,
when' tliey well nigh perished for watit of sustenance. Ihit
niost of those, at this time, capabU- of bi'aring arms, had
ri'tired to North Carolina, or were ser\ing in Sumter's
arm\' : so that Ferguson had an excellent op|>ortnnity to
drill his ni'w n,'cruits, an*, sujiport his men by |iillaging the
peopie. Occasionally small parties of Whigs would \enture
into the neighborhood — about often enough to ;ilTord the
I'nemy good exercise in pursuing them w hile within striking
distance.*

vSuch an in\asion as Ferguson's, with its ti'rrors and
aggravations, and the up-rising of the Tories in llu" wi'stciii
part of Xorth Carolina, under the Moores. and l>ryan. soon
led to blows, with all the sutVerings atti'udanl on war and

*Saye's MSS., aiu. Meiiioh '•/ Mi Jinikhi.

!l III! Ill

A'/¥G'S A/OUiYV'/l/JV

cainau'c'

Til

harhai itu's im

lod out to the Americans at

Hiilorcrs (U'l't-at. ,sai"fastitall\- di'iioininatt'd liy tlu' Wliij^s as
Tdrliioii' $ i/iK/r/crSy \v\\ naturally Il'IuU'cI to t'lnbilter
tin- aniniositit'S ot" iIk' people. Tiie Moores were signally
(lelea'ed, in June, at Ranisour's Mill, and Urxan and his
tollowers sul)se(|uently drivi'n iVoni the country.

A noted partisan ot' (ieornia. Colonel JCIijah Clarkt-. now
eonies u|ion tlu- sei'ue. A nali\c' ol' Virginia, he earl\' siitled
on the Paeolet, whence he ]-)ushed into Wilkes County.
Georgia, where tin- Revolutionary out-break found liiin
lie was one ot" those sturd}' patriots, well lilted lor a
leader ot' the pi'ojile — oni' who woulil scorn to take protec-
tion, or \ield one iota to arbitrary power. U'hen British
detaclunents wen- sent into \arious parts oi Georgia, it
became unsafe lor such unllinching Whigs as Clarke longer
to remain there. IK' and his associates resoh'cd to scatter
for a I'l'W days, \isit their families onci' mori>, and then rt'tirt'
into .South Carolina, wlu-re they hoped to llnd otlu-r heroic
sjiirits ready to co-o]ierati' with them in making a stand
against the connnon enemv. .Some small parties had aln-adv
left ( leorgia, and passing along (he western frontiers of
South Carolina, had sought tlu' cam]-) of Colont'l CharU>s
McDoWi'll, who was then embodying a forct' on the south-
western borders of tlu' North Province.

On tlu' eleventh of July, one hunchx'd anil forty well-
mounted and w cll-iMnu'd men met at the appointed placi' of
rendezvous: and, aftv'r crossing the Saxannah at a private
ford in lln' night, llu'\' learni'd that the British and Loyalists
wert' in force on their front. Clarke's men concluded that
it would be hazardous to ccjntinue their retreat on that routt'
ith their present numbers. As ihev weri- Nolunteers, and

not subject to coi'i

I ion. Colonel Clarke was induced to retur

to Georgia, sull'er liis men to disperse for a while, and await
a nion- favorable opjiorlunily to ri'Ui'w the enterprise. '^Fhe
majority of the party returned.

Colonel John Junes, of I3urke County, however, objected

AX/) J 'IS HEROES.

to a ri'trotrriuU' inoxoiiu'iil, and pi"()|)()si'il lo It-ad tliosi' who
woiikl _i;'o willi him, i1ii"()iil;1i ihr woods to dir liordcrs ol
North Carohiia. and join thi- Anu>ri(.-an loixc in thai (|nailrr.
Thirty-live humi uniti-il witii liini, chdosinn' liim tor thfir
loadi'r, and Joiin l^'ri'i'inan loi- srcond in loiinnand, |>ii'di;"-
iny' inijilicit ohi'dii'iu'i- to tiirir orders. JnMijamin Law riMu-e,

a snpi'rior woodsman, and wh'I! ar-

of South Carolina,

(luamti'd ni

th tl

u' countr\ , now jonu'd llir com]KUi\ , a

ind

rcn

(KM\'d liu m vahiahle servioi' as tiieir miidi'

issmiT

through a disalltnti'd region, tiioy ach'oitly |>almt'(l ihom-
schcs oil" as a Lo^'aHst party, eni^aged in the Iving's ser-

vice

md. nnd(>r this liiiise. the\- wt>ri' in se\t'ral instanci'

rurnislied with pilots, and tliri'Cted (Mi tluMr route.

When the\- had passed the head-wati-rs ol" the Saluda,
in the iiorth-eastcMTi part of die presi'iil county ol' (in-eii-

ville, one ol

hese uuuk'S mIoinuH

1 i:

u'ln.

that

a parly o

I'lHMs Had

the I

ireii'ding ni^hl, allacked some Lo\ahsls

a short distance in front, and deleati'd them — douJHless the
IJritish repulse at Cedar Spring, as a!r(.>ad\' I'l'laU-d, and
which occurrei'. some twi>ntv-livi" or ihirt}' miU's awa\ . [oiu-s

I'xpri'ssed a wish

to h

I' conducU'd

to tl

le camp ol tiiose un-

tortiinate Lo\aiisl liieiids, that he miiihl aid tluMii in lakinu"

rex-eiiiie on those who

sn(

(1 the blood ot" the

jn!"" s

fail hful subjects. Alxuit eleven o'clock on ihal night, |ul\'
thirteenth. Jones and his little party were conducted to the
Loyalist camp, where sonu' IbrtN' men were collected lo
pursue till- Americans who had n-treated lo llu> North.
Choosing twenly-two of his Ibllowers, and leaving the bag-
gage and horses in c-harge of tin- others. Colonel fones
resolvtnl lo surprise the Tory camjK A|>pi-oaching llu'
eiu'my with guns, swords, and lu'll-pistols, the\' tbund them
in a state of s<>ir-seciirity, and generally aslei'p. '.'losing
(juickly around them, they tired upon the camp, killing
one and wounding three, when ihirtv-lwo, includiii" the

wouncU

ed, calli'd lor ijuarti-r, and surrendered. Destroxing
the useless guns, aiul solocting the best horses, the Loval-

ll'!

KING'S MOUNTAIN

ists were paroled as prisoners of war ; when tlie pilot, who
did not disco\t'r llu' real character of the men he was
conducting until loo late to have even attempted to jire-
vent the consecpu-nces. was now required to guide the
Americans to ICarK's Ford on North Pacolet river, where a
junction was formed the tu'xt day with Colonel McDowell's
forces. As McDowell had that day made a tedious march
with his thr(>e hundred mi>n. they, too. were in a fatigued
condition.

Within striking distance of McDowell's camping ground,
soini' Iwentv miles in a nearly soutlu-rn direction, was Prince's
Fort, originalK a place of neighborhood resort in time of
danger from the Indians, in the early settlement of the
countrv. some twent}- }'ears before. This fort, now occu-
pied by a British and Tory force, under Colonel Innes, was
located upon a connnanding height of land, near the head
of one of the liranclu's of the North Fork of TALjer, se\ I'n
miles n(>rth of west from the present village of Spartanburg.
Innes, unapprised of McDowell's approach, detached Major
Dunlap. with sevt'uty dragoons, accompanied by Colonel
Ambrose Mills, with a part}' of Loyalists, in pursuit of
Jones, of whose audacious operations he had just received
intelligence.

McDowell's camp was on rising ground on the eastern
side of tiie North Pacolet, in the present count}' of Polk,
North Carolina, near the South Carolina line, and about
twenty miles south-west of Rutherfordton : and Dunlap
reiiching the vicinity on the (^pp(xsite side of the stream dur-
ing the night, and supposing that Jones' party only was en-
camped there, commenced crossing the river, which was
narrow at that point, when an American sentinel fled to camp
and gave the first notice of the enemy's presence.* Dunlap,
with his Dragoons and To' -s. dashed instantlv. with drawn
swords, among McDowell's men, while but few of them

* McCall, in bis ffhl. of Georgia, asserts that the ■iciuiiiel fireil '.fis utin, but James
■I'hnMipson, one of Joseph MiDowell's party, states as in the ti-xt, whii-h seems to be cor-
rubiirated by the complaint of Col. Hampton, and the sencral surprise of the camp.

''^ir

AND ITS HEROES.

were yet roused out of sleep. The Georgians being nearest
to the forr!, were the finst attacked, losing two killed and six
wounded ; among the latter was Colonel Jones, who received
eight cuts on his head rrt)m the enemy's sabres. Freeman,
with the remainder, fell back about a hundred 3ards, where
he joined Major Singleton, who was forming his men behind
a fence; while Colonels McDowell and Hampton soon
formed the main body on Singleton's right. Being thus
rallied, the Americans were ordered to advance, when Dun-
lap discovering his mistake as to their numbers, quickly re-
treated across the river, which was fordable in many places,
and retired without much loss ; its extent, however, was un-
known, be\ ond a single wounded man who was left upon
the ground.

Besides the loss sustained by the Georgians, six of Mc-
Dowell's men were killed, and twenty-four wounded.
Among the killed were Noah Iliimpton, a son of Colonel
Hampton, with a comrade named Andrew Dunn Young
Hampton, when roused from his slumbers, was asked his
name ; he simply replied " Hampton," one of a numerous
family and connection of Whigs, too well known, and too
active in opposition to British rule, to meet with the least
forbearance at the hands of enraged Tories ; and though he
begged for his life, they cursed him for a Rebel, and ran him
through with a bayonet. Young Dunn also suffered the
same cruel treatment. Colonel Hampton felt hard towards
Colonel McDowell, his superior otllcer, as he wished to
have placed videttcs beyond the ford, which McDowell
opposed, believing it entirely unnecessary. Had this been
done, due notice would in all probability have bc^n given,
and most of the loss and saflerin<r have been averted.*

* McCall's Hist, of Georgia, ii. 308-ic: S.iye's MSS. ; MS. pension statements of Gen-
er.il Thumas Kennedy, of Kentucky, Rooert Henderson, and Robert McDowell ; Moore's
/'/itr(' ()/■//«' A'<'7v'/«i'/o«, ii, 351, gives the date of the I acolet fight as occnrring "in the
night of July fifteenth," and this on the authority of Govennr Rutledge, who was then at
Charlotte. Judging from Allaire's Diary it must have been the night before. The par-
ticulars of the killing uf young H;iinpton and Dunn are derived from the MS. communi-
cations of Adam, Jonaihau, and James J. Hampton, grandsons of Colonel Hampton,

1 ^^Bi

' \ '■

!■

>^^n

liL

A'/.VC;\S M0L'X7'.l/N

Till' ivason. pivsumablx , uliy Colonel McDowell was
over-coniick'iu of security was. that he liad. the day before,
detaclu'd his brother. Major Joseph McDowi'il, with a parl\-
to <ro on a scout, and ascertain, it' possible, where tlu* Tories
lay ; but taking a wrong din-ction. he had consi'quentlv
made no discovery.* Not returning. Colonel McDowell
very naturally concluded that liiere was no portion ot" the
enemy ver)- near, and that he and his weary men could,
with reason. d)K' assurance of safety, take some needed
rejjose. It was that very night, while Major McDowell
was blundering on the wrong route, that Dunlap was able
to advance undiscovered, and make his sudden attack.

Before sunrise the ensuing morning, liftytwo of the
most active men. including Freeman and fourti-en of his
l)arty. mounted upon the best horses in the camp, were
ordered to pursue the retreating foe. under tlu' command
of Captain Edward Hampton. After a rapiil pursuit of two
hours, they overtook the enemy, fifteen miles awav : and
making a sudden an<l unexpected attack, completely routed
them, killing eight of them at the lirst Ih-e. Unable to ralh
his demoralized men, who had been taken unawares. Dun-
lap made a precijiitate, helter-skelter retreat towards Fort
Prince, during which several of his soldiers were killed and
woundi'd. The pursuit was continued within three hundred
yards of the British tort, in which three hundred men were
securelv posted. At two o'clock in the afternoon, Hamp-
ton and his men retinmed to McDowell's camp, with thirty-
five good horses, dragoon equipage, and a considerable
portion of the enemy's baggage, as the trophies of \ictory,
and without the loss of a single man. It was a bold and
successful adventure, worthy of the heroic leader and his
intrepid followers.

It is not a little remarkable, that three successive night
fiffhts should have occurred within a few miles of each

* Statement of Captain Janie-. ThiiTnpsnn. cf Madison t^ounty, Gcurgia, unu of Major
McDowelTs party, preserved anions the Sayc MSS.

..1.

'!«<:

f'M

AND ITS IfEROES.

otluT, ami tlu> two latter as military sec|uences of the former.
First, the Tory attack on Colonel Thomas, at Cellar Spring,
on the evening of the thirteenth of July ; then Colonel Jones'
surprise of the remnant ot" this Loyalist party, on the night
of llie tburteenth : antl fnially, the attack of Dunlap and
Mills, in retaliation, on Colonel .McDowell's camp, at
Earle'vS Ford of North Facijlet, on the night of the lifteenth.
And in all three of these atfairs, the Tories got the worst
of it.

i \

McCaU's Georgia, ii, 312-13; and MS. pensimi statement of Jesse Nevillt;, one of
Hampton's parly. It may not lie inappr(i|iriaie, in this connection, to ailil a few words
relative to the liero of lliis conrageiuis exploit. Captain Hampton was a brother of I'olonels
Waile. Richard, and Henry ll.inipton. of Snmter's army. He was a very active partisan,
and reputed one of the hest horsemen of his lime. In May. 1775. with his hrotlier, I'reston
Hainjiton, he was delegated hy ihe people of the frontiers <if South Carolina to visit the
Cherokecs. and see if liy a siiitahle "talk," they could not he made to comprehend the
causes of the growing dilTirences hetween the Colonies and the mother country. They
met with a rude reception. Cameron and Ihe British emissaries instigating the Indians to
oppose their views; and Cameron made them prisoners, giving their hirses, a gun, a case
of pistols and holsters, to the Indians. Hy some means, they escaped with their lives.

The following year. 1776. while Edward Hampton was, with his wife, on a visit to her
father, liaylis Earle. on North Pacolet, the Cherokecs made an incursion into the valleys
of Tyger, massai ring I'reston Haini)ton. his aged parents, and a young grandchild of
theirs. Edward Hamplon served on Williamson's expedilion again»t the C'herokees. in the
summer and autumn of that year ; and though only a Lieutenant, he had the command of
his ( iinipany. and ihstingtiished himself in a battle with the enemv, receiving the special
thanks of his General for his bravery ;iml gnr d conduct on the occasion.

After the destruction of the Hampton family, on the Middle Fork of Tyger. where he
resided, he seems to have made his home for a season on a plantation he possessed at
Karle's Ford, where his father-in-law. Mr. Earle, resided. That he was the Captain
ll.unpton who led the dashing foray against Dunlap on his retreat to Prince's Fort, is par-
tially corroborated by Dr. Howe, in his History 0/ the Preslyterinn Church in South
Carolina, p, 542, though erroneous as to the place of the occurrence; but Jesse Neville's
pension statement renders the matter conclusive, supplying the first name of his Captain,
which McCal! fails to give in his details of that affair.

Captain Hampton was killed tlie ensuing October, at or near Fair Forest creek, in the
bosom of his family, by P.ill Cunningh.im's notoiioiis "Dloody S-oiit," He was in the
prime of life, and in his death his country lost a bold cavalier. He was the idol of his
family and friends. His ilescendants in Georgia. Mississippi, and Texas, are among the
worthiest of people. I'aylis F.arle became one of the early judges of Spartanburg District,
and was living in 1826. in his eighty-ninth year — MS. statement of Colonel John Carter,
Watauga, May 30th. 1775: MS. letter of Colonel Elijah Clarke to General Sumter, October
.■9th. 1780; Governor Perry's sketch of the Haiiif>ton I'amily, in the Afagnolia Magazine,
June, 1843, with a continualion, which appeared in the Smith Carolina papers, in 1843,
written by Colonel Wade Hampton, Sr., father of the present Senator Hampton, of that
.State.

iMi:;

KING'S MOUNTAIN

CHAPTER V.

ill

III

^'"1!!

t780— July August.

McDowt'll scuds for the 07'ti-Mi>uittaiit Men. — Clarkf joins /liiii, and
pushes on to Stinifrr's Camp. — Capture and Escape of Captain
Patrick Moore. — Moore's Plunderers.— Story of Jane Mcfunkin
and Pill IlaynesiLiorth. — .Shclliy and tlie Mountaineers arrii'c at
McDouuirs Canip.— Capture of Tliicketty J-'ort. — Expedition to
Brown's Creek and luiir l-'orest. — Eiii/it at the Peach Orchard, near
Cedar Sprint^; and Wojford's Iron Works, ami its incidents. —
.Saye's Account of the .Iction. — British Report. — Contradictory
Statements concerning the Conjiict.

WIk'H ColoiK'l McDowell bucanir lonvinci'cl that Fer-
guson's movement to the north-western portion of South
Carolina, ihrt-atc^ned tlie imasion of tlie North Province
also, he not only promptly raised what force he could from
the sparsely pojiulatcd settlements, on the heads of Catawba,
Broad and Pacolet rivers, to take post in the enem3'\s front
and watch his operations ; but dispatched a messenger with
this alarming intelligence to Colonels John Sevier and Isaac
Shelby, on Watauga and Ilolston, those over-mountain
regions, then a portion of North Carolina, but now of East
Ti'unessee : urging those noted border leaders to bring to
his aid all the riflemen they could, and as soon as possible.
Sevier, unable to leave his trontier exposed to the inroads
of the Cherokees, responded at once to the appeal, by send-
ing a part of his regiment under Major Charles Robertson ;
and Shelby, being more remote, and having been absent on
a surveying tour, was a few days later, but joined McDow-
ell, at the head of two hundred mounted riflemen, about the
twenty-fifth of July, at his camp near the Cherokee Ford
of Broad river.

Iiawili:! •!!

AND ITS JlEKOr.S.

Sf)

Colonel Clarkc> did not long ivmain in Georjjia. While
then;, \\v and his associatt's were necessarily compelled to
secrete themselves in the woods, privately supplied with food
bv their friends. This mode of life was irksome, and soon
ht'caiiu' almost insiipportahli', without the least prosjiect of
aeeomplishiui;" anylliinj4" beneticial to the pul)lic. The retji-
ment was re-assem'oletl, in auifuu'iited numln'rs, when, by
a general desire, Colonel Clark*.' leil tiiem alon<^ the eastern
slope ol' the mountains, directinij their course towards
North Carolina, wlu-ri' tlH>y could unite with others, and
render their services uset'ul to their country. Without mis-
hap or ad\t'nture. thev were joined b\' Coloni'l Jones, as
they neared the rei,non where tluw expt-cted to thid friends in
the field. Clarke was soon after joined by the brave Ca|i-
tain James McCall. with a])oul twenl\ men, iVom the region
of Ninety Six. T'or want of confidence in Ccjlonel Mc-
Dowell's actixity, or from some otlu-r cause, Clarke pushed
on, and joinetl Sumter on or near the Catawba.

The story of the captivity of Captain Patrick Moore, a
noted Loyalist, now claims our attention. lie had probably
escaju'd from liu> slaughter at Ramsour's Mill, on the
twentieth of June, when his lirother. Colonel John Moore
safel)' retired to Camden. Anxious lor the capture of Cap- ,,
tain Moore, Major Jose])h Dickson and Captain Wittk«o-tAtA«-^
Johnston were sent out, in the fore part of J 'y, with a
party to apprehend this noted Tory leader, and others of
his ilk, if thi'y couhl be founil. "^riie veteran Captain
Samuel Martin, who had ser\ed in tlie old Fn^nch and
Indian war, was one of the partv. On Lawson's Fork, of
Pacolet river, near the Old Iron Works, since Bivingsville,
and now known as Glendale.* the parties met. and a
skirmish ensued, in which Captain Johnston and the Tory
leader had a personal rencontre. Moore was at length

*Glenclali! is Incited on the Southern side of Lawson's Fork, while the Old Iron Works
were on the same hank, fully half a mile above, where tlie old road once crossed the stream.
" These Works.'says Mills, in iSl'6 " were burnt by the Tories, and never rebuilt. "

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KING 'S MO UNTA FN

overpowered and captured ; but in the desperate contest,
Johnston received several sword wounds on his head, and
on the thumb ot'his riglit liand. While bearing his prisoner
towards the Wliig lines, a slioit distance away, he was rap-
idly approached by several British troopers. Qiiickh-
attempting to lire his loaded musket at his pursuers, it unfor-
tunatel}'^ missed, in consequence of the blood flowing from
his wounded thumb, and wetting his priming. This mis-
fortune on his part enabled his prisoner to escape ; and,
perceiving his own dangerous and defenceless condition, he
promptly availed himself of a friendly thicket at his side,
eluded his pursuers, and shortly after joined his command.*

At this time, or soon after, Moore had command of Fort
Anderson, or Thicketty Fort, as it was more generally
called, situated a quarter of a mile north of Goucher Creek,
and two and a half miles above the mouth of this small
water-coiu'se, which empties into Thicketty Creek, a west-
ern tributary of Broad river, uniting with that stream a lew
miles above its junction widi Pacolet. It was a strong for-
tress, built a few years before for defence against the Chero-
kees, and wao surrounded by a strong abatis, well litted for
a vigorous defence. It became a great place of resort and
protection for Tory parties. They would sally forth from
Thicketty Fort, and plunder Whig families in every direc-
tion — so that women and children were often left without
clothing, shoes, bread, meat, or salt.

In the absence of Captain Nathaniel Jeffries, of that
region, one of these phmdering parties \isited his house,
appropriated such articles as thev chose, built a tire on the
floor, abused Mrs. JeflVies as the meanest of all Rc'bels,
and drove off the horses and cattle. On another occasion,
the house of Samuel Mcjunkin. in Union District, a
warm patriot, but too oUl for active military service, was
visited by a p;irty under Patrick Moore. Thev stayed all

♦Hunter's Sketches rf ll',s/,-rii Xoit/t Cdrolhin. 24-'; .MS. I'cnsidii SlatcniLiu uf Cap-
tain Samuel Martin.

AND ITS If/'. ROES.

night ; and, when about to cU'part, stripped the family of
Ix'd-clotliL's and wearing apparel. A noted Tory, Jiill
Ilaynesworth, seized a bed-quilt, and placed it upon his
horse, when iMcJunkin's sturdy daughter, Jane, snatched it,
and a struggle ensued for the possession. The soldiers
anuised themselves by exclaiming — " Well done, woman !"
— "Well done. Bill ! " For once Moore's gallantry predomi-
nated over his loveof plunder ; and he swore roundly if Jane
could take the quilt from Ilaynesworth, she should have it.
Presently in the fierce contest, Bill's feet came in contact
with some dirt\- slime in the yard, and slipped from under
him, and he lay prostrate and panting on the ground.
Jane, quick as thought, placed one foot upon his breast, and
wresting the quilt from his grasp, retired in triumph, while
poor Bill sneaked otT defeated and crest-fallen. This brave
woman was the sister of Major Mcjunkin.

Nor was Miss Nanc\^ Jackson, who lived in the Irish
Settlement, near Fair Forest creek, less demonstrative in
defence of her rights ; for she kicked a Toiy down the
stairs as he was descending,, loaded with plunder. In his
rage, he tlu-eatened to send the Hessian troops there the
next day. which obliged the heroic girl to take refuge with
an acquaintance several miles distant.*

The intrepid Sumter, hearing of Ferguson's inroads
beyond Broad river, directed Colonel Clarke and his
Georgians, together with such persons in his camp as
resided in that region, and dt'sired to aid in its protection,
to repair to that quarter. Captain William Smith, of
Spartanl)urg. and his com]iany. availed them.selves of this
privilege. Arriving at llie Cherokee Ford, they mef. Colo-
nel McDowell, when Colonel Shelby, together with Colonel
Clarke, Colonel Andrew Hampton and Major Charles
Robertson, of Sevier's regiment, were detached with six
hundred men, to surprise Thicketty Fort, some twenty

•MS. S.-,ye papers; S^.ycs Memoir of M,J„nkh, ^ Mr.,. Kllcl ^ H\n„en of the Kevolu-
lion, 1 .ii>a.

■

■5 J

KING'S MOUNTAIN

miles distant. They took up the line ol marcla at sunset,
and surrounded the post at day -break tlie next morning.
Colonel Shelby sent in Captain William Cocke, a volun-
teer — in after years, a United States Senator from Ten-
nessee — to make a peremptory demand for the surrender
of the garrison ; to which Moore replied that he would
defend the place to the last extremity. Shelby then
drew in his lines to within musket shot of the enemy all
around, with a full determination to make an assault.

Shelby's gallant '* six hundred " made so formidable an
appearance, that on a second message, accomjianied, we
may well suppose, with words of intimidation. Moore, per-
haps fearing another Rambour's Mill onslaught, relented,
and proposed to surrender, on condition that the garrison be
paroled not to serve again during the war, imless exchanged,
which was acceded to — the more readily, as the xVmeri-
cans did not care to be encumbered with prisoners. Thus
ninety-three Loyalists, with one British Sergcant-^^aior,
stationed there to discipline them, surrendered themselves
without firing a gun ; and among the trophies of \ictory
were two hundred and fifty* stand of arms, all loaded with
ball and buck-shot, and so arranged at the port-holes, with
their abundant supplies, that they could, had a Ferguson, ''
Dunlap, or a De Peyster been at their head, have resisted
double the number of their assailants. f

Among the spoils taken at King's Mountain, was th-*
fragment of a letter, without date or signature — probably a

*This is Shelby's stntcmcnt ; the MS. Cocke papers s.iy "one hiiinirecl anj fifty stand
of arms were taken."

tThe leading f.uts relative to the capture of Thickctty Fcrt are taken from Haywood's
History of Tentuss,','. 64; Ramsey's Annals 0/ Vfiiiirssi-e, 214; Memoir of Sh'.lhy, in
X,xli\>nnl Portrait Galhry. written by Colonel Charles S Todd Shelby's s'.n inlaw, .tnd
which appeared, revised, in the Wcsinn Monthly Magizine. in i8j6; Urea/cales Lift as
it Is. 50— all which statements closely folKiw a MS, acconnt written by Shelby himself; MS.
5t,itcment, preserved among the Save papers of John Jeffrie-, son of the phiiidered woman
mentioned in the narrative; MS papers of Hon, William C'orke fnrnish the name of the
fort; MS. pension statements of Willi im Smith, of Lincoln conniy. Tennessee. .Alex. Mc-
Fadden, of Knthcrford county. North Carolina, and John Clark, of W,ishingloii county,
Tennessee, corrob iraling, ii .1 general way, the facts of the capture; nnd in a personal
interview with Silas Mcllee. of Pontotoc county. Mississippi, in 1842. he confirmed Shelby's
statement that ninety-four was the number of Moore's party captured. Mcllee hvedon
Thickettv at the time of the capture of .Moore and his men.

AND ITS HEROES.

copy of a dispiitcli from I"\'rgi'.s(>n to Lord Cornwallis — in
which this account is given of Thicketty Fort, Moore, antl
his surrender of the phice : " It had an upper Hue of" hiop-
holes, and was surrounded In' a very strouL;; abatis, witli
only a small wicket to enter by. It had been put in thor-
ough repair at the request of the j^arrison, which consisted
of neighborin:^ militia tiiat had come to [tlie fort] : and was
defended bv eighty men against two or threi- lunulred ban-
ditti without cannon, and each man was of opinion that it
was impossible [for the Rebels to take it. 1 The ollicer next
in command, and all the others, gave their opinion for de-
fending it. and agree in their account that Patrick Moore,
after proposing a surrender, accpiiesced in their opinion, and
offered to iro and siiinifv as mucli to the Ri>bels. but re-
turned with some Rebel odlcers, whom he put in possession
of the gate and place, who were instantly followed by their
men, and the fort full of Rebels, to the surprise of the gar-
rison, lie plead cowardice, I understand.!"

The capture of Thicketty Fort occurri'd on Sunday, the
thirtieth of July, as the connecting circumstances indicate,
and Lieutenant Allaire's Diary proves. Shelby and his
miMi. loat'ed with the spoils of \ ictory. returned at once to
McDowelTs camji near the Cherokee Ford.

McDowell's force at this time could not have exceeded a
thousand men, whik' Ferguson's nuisl have reached lifteen to
cigliteen hundred. It was, therefore, the policy of the Ameri-
cans to maintain their position near Cherokee Ford, guard
against surprise, and harass their adversaries, until they
should be able, with augmented numbers, to expel them
from the country. Shortly after the Thicketty expedition,
Colonel McDowell again detached Colonels Shelbv. and
Clarke, with Colonel William Graham, with ;' combined
force of six hundred momit(>d men. to watch the movements
of Ferguson's troojis. aiul w tu'ne\er jiossible. to cut otf his
foraging parties. They directed their course down Broad

f Ramsey's Tt'fnwssei', 215.

^:-'-

KING'S MOUNT ATM

rive." some twenty-live miles to Urown's creek, in now
Union county, where it was agret'd lluy should assemble,
and which was a better situation tiuin die Cherokee Ford,
to observe the operations of the British and Tories. But
when only a lew of the parties faii'v began to collect at
that point, a superior force of the enemy torced them to
retire, when they bore olF some thirt}- or forty miles to the
ujiper portion of the Fair Forest settlement, within the
present limits of Spartanburg". On the way, they seem to
have gptten their force together. By watching their op-
portunity, the}' hoptul to gain some decided advantage
over their oppt)nents, whom they well knew the}- would
encounter in large numbers in that quarter. Hearing
of these bold Rebel troopers, Ferguson uuule several in-
effectual attempts to siu-prise them. But our frontier heroes
were too watchful to be caugiil napping. Clarke and
Shelly-, with their men. were constantly on the alert — hav-
ing no lixed camp, so that they were dillicult to lind.

On tl J evening of August seventh', Clarke and vShelby,
with then- troops, stopped tor refreshnn-ul — and, if not dis-
turbed, for a night's repose — on Fair Forest creek, nearly
two miles west of Cedar Spring, at a point where the old
road crossed that stream, leading .hence to Wollbrd's Iron
Works, and thence onward to the Cherokee Ford. Several
trusty scouts were sent out to make discoveries, who re-
turned before day the next morning, with the intelligence
that the enemy were within half a mile of them. About
the same moment, the report of a gun was heard, in the
direction of the liritish party, which was afterward ascer-
tained to have been fu'ed by one of Dunlap's men — one who
telt some compunctions of conscience at the idea of surpris-
ing and massacring his countrymen, but who. protesting
that it was accidental, was not suspected of treachery.
The Americans, from prudential motives, retreated toward
the old Iron Works, on Lawson's Fork of Pacolet, leaving
Cedar Spring apparently a mile to the right : and taking

AND ITS HEROES.

position not very far from tlio old orcliard on the Thompson
place, which was some three or four miles from the ford over
Fair Forest, and something like a mile and a half from the
Iron Works, and about a mile from Cedar Spring. 1 lere

@ SPARTANBURG

PLAT OF REGION NEAR CKDAR SPRING.

A— Thomp';on's Plare nnti Pc:n-li Orchard. R —Where one part of the hattle is said
tn have hoeii fn\iglit. C — Ohl Iron Works, D — Gleiulale or niviiigsville. E— Peach Tree
Grave. K — Pacolct Hill. G — Cedar Spring.

suitable ground was chosen, and the men formed for battle,
when the spies came running in with the information that
the enemy's horse were almost in sight. Before their re-
tirement from their former temporary camp at Fair Forest,
Josiah Culbertson, one of the bravest of young men. who
had recenUy joined Shelby, had obtained permission to
return home, two or three miles distant on Fair Forest,
spend the night, and make such observations as he might,
of an\' enem\' in that quarter. About da^-light the next
morning, he rode fearlessly into the encampment he had
lelt the evening before, supposing it still to be occupied

K/NG'S MOUNTAIN

In !iis Anicrican friciuls. iiol knowing" that thc}' had dc-
cumpi'd. and Diinlap had just taki-ii posst'ssion of it. Hul
Cull^iTtson was c{(ual to tlic oiiu igoncy, for, st'i'inif cvcry-
iWnv^ so ditlrri'tit from what it was tht- prrvious t-vi'tiinj^, he
was ([iiick to (HscoNcr his mistake : and with i-xtraorcUnarv
coolness and presence of mind, hi' rock' \erv leisureh' out
of the encampment, with his trusty rilk- resting on the pom-
mel of his saddle before him. As lie passed ak)niL;'. he ol)-
ser\ed the drairoons jiettin*'- ihi-ir horses in readiness, and
makin<r other preparations indicating an immediate renewal
of their line of march. No particular notice was taken of
him in the British camp, as it was supposed that he was one
of their own men, who had L,^ot ready for the onward m()V(>-
ment before his fellows. But when out of sii;ht, lu' ilaslied
oir with good speed in the direction he inferred that Clarke
and Shelby had gon(\ and soon overtook his friends, and
found they had chosen their ground, and were prepared for
the onslaught.

Major Dunlap was an ofllcer of much energy and
promptitude, and soon n^ade his appearance, with a strong
force, part Colonial dragoons and part mounted militia,
and commenced the conilict. The Whigs were as eag(M-
for the fray as the over-confident Britons. The action
lasted half an hour, and was severely contested. Dun-
lap's mounted volunteer ritlemen, it is said, who were in
front, recoiled, giving back at the very first fire of their op-
ponents, and their commander found it difilcult to rally
them. 1 laving at length succeeded, he placed himself at
the head of his dragoons, and led them on to renew the
contest, followed by the mounted rifiemen, who were, how-
ever, averse to coming into ^ery close quarters. Dunlap's
dragoons, with their broad-swords, played a prominent part
in the action ; and from the disproportion of Tories killed
over the dragoons, according to the British account, which
is doubtful, it would appear that Clarke and Shelby's rifle-
men must have been busy in picking them oil'. During the^

AND ITS HEROES.

mi'ntioned the circunibtancL! of liis Cfiisinjjf, in the midst of
tlae hattle, to witness, with astoiiislimeiit and admiration, the
remarkable and unequal struggle Clarke was maintaining
with his foes. In the fierce hand-to-hand contest, he re-
ceived two sabre wounds, one on the back of his neck, and
the other on his head — his stock-buckle saving his life ; and
he was even, for a few minutes, a prisoner, in charge of two
stout IJrilons ; but, taking advantage of his strength and
activit}-, he knocked one of lliem down, when the other
quickly lied out of the reach of this famous back-woods
Titan. Clarke was every inch a hero, and was indebted
to his own good paick and prowess for his escape from his
enemies, with only sliglit wounds, and the loss of his hat, in
the iiiiidc*

Culbertson, with his characteristic daring, had a personal
adventure worthy of notice. Meeting a dragoon, some
distance from support, who imperiously demanded his sur-
render, the intrepid American replied by whijiping his rifle
to his shoulder and felling the haughty Ih'iton from his
horse. When the dead were buried the next day, this
dragoon was thrown into a hole near where he lay, and
covered with earth, lie happened to have at the time some
peaches in his pocket, from which a peach tree grew, and
for many years after, bore successive crops of Iruit. The
grave is yet pointed out, but the peach tree has long since
disappeared. A worthy person m that region receiul\- died
ni'arly a hundred years of age, who used to relate that he
had, in early life, eaten tVuit trom that tree.f The graves of
some twenty or thirty others, who tell in this engagement,
says Governor Perry, were yet to be seen as late as 1842.

* McCall miMitinns that ("nloiiel CInrku and his son were wounded boili at WcifTord's
lri>n Works and at Miisgrove s. giving the particidars as occniriiig at the hitler; while
Shelby notices their Slaving been wounded only at the former, instancing his heroic ren-
contre there ; and an eye-witness. William Smith, of Tennessee, relates that Clarke received
a sword wound in the neck, and lost his hat near WofTord's, returning to McDowell's camp
bare-headed.

fMS, letters of N. F. Walker, Esq., of Cedar Sprinjj, June 15th and July 7th, 1880.

KING'S MOUNTAIN

It is qiu'stionab'i'. liowevcr, il'so tiumy, on both sides, were
killed ill \\\v action.*

I5y sonic adroit nianaii;i'tnont, a number of British pris-
oiuM's were captureil, and at U'li^lli Dutilap was In-aten
back with considerable loss. Mills stati's that he was pur-
sued a mile, but eould not be overtaken. About two miles
below till' battle-nround, Dunlap's ru<riti\i's were met bv
Feri^uson with his whole ibree, who together adxanced
to the Iron Works, tVoiii whieii, as tlii'V eaine in si;4lit,
a lew hours alter the action, Clarke and Slu'lby were
compelled to make a hasty retreat, leavin<r one or two of
their woundetl behind them — not haviuiT time or conveni-
ences to conve\' them away ; but thev were treated by
Ferguson with humanity, and left tlu-re when he ri'tired.
As Clarki' and Shelby expected, Fery;uson now pursued
them, with the hope ot' regainiui;" the prisoners. The
American leaders retired slowly, rorniing riH'([ui'ntly on the
most advantageous ground to give battle, and so retarding
the pursuit, that the nnsoners were llnally placed beyond
recapture.

Three miles north-east of the old Iron Works, they
came to Pacolet ; just be\ ond w liich, skirling its north-
east border, rises a steep, rocky hill, llftv to sixty feet high,
so steep where the road passed up at that day, that the
men, in some cases, had to help th 'ir horses up its dillicult
ascent. Along the crest of this liiJl or ridge, Shelby and
Clarke disphu'ed their littK- force : and w hen Ferguson and
his mini came in \ iew. evincing a disinclination to pursue
any farther, the patriots, from their vantage-ground, ban-
tered and ridiculed them to their hearts' content. But
Ferguson, having maintained the chase four or live miles,

niwii

*M.ijor A. F- Wells, of Mnnlev.illo, Alibama. a native cf Spartanburg, narrates a
siiiRul.ir incident which must relate to this battle. After the war, the wiilow of a Tory
came to the neglected b\iri,al place, and had the fallen dead disinterred, from which .she
readily selected the remains of her husband, for he was si.v and n half feet high, und piously
bore them to her distant hunu fur j more Christian inicruiciit.

AND ITS nr.ROES.

now abandoned il, with nolhinLj to boast of, save his
superior niunbers.*

Mr. Sayt'\s account of tliis allair, as ^aliicrod iVoiu tiie
traditions ol" tlic neighborhood, and pubHshed thirty-tlu\'0
\ears ago, inav \ery properly suppleineiU tiie narrative just
riihiti'd — with tlie jiassing rt'Piark, lliat what lie descril)es as
the liaUli> at the pi>ach-orchard. was probalily but one of
thi- ej)isodes of that day's hemic exploits, and yet it may
have been the jirincipal one : Shelby's Ibrce occupied a
position lU'ar the present site of l)ivingsville. Various
attein|ns wei-e made to tall u|i(in llu- Americans by snrj-)risc> ;
but thi'se schemes were baHU'd. About Ibur miles I'rom
Spartanburg Court House, on the main road to rnionville,
is an ancient plantation known as •Thompson's Old I'lace.'
It is an elevated tract of country, lying between the tribu-
tarii's of h'air I'orest Ci\H'k on oiu- side, and those ot Law-
son's l"'()rk ot' Pacolet on tlu> other — ami about michvay
between Cedar Spring and the Iron Works.

A road leading iVom North Carolina to Georgia, by the
way of the Cherokee I'ord of l>road river, passed through
this place, and thence by or lu-ar the Cedar Spring. A
person passing from the direction of luiionvilK' towards
Spartanburg Court House, crosses this ancii-nt highway,
after passing which, by looking to the right, the eye rests
upon a parcel o!' land extending down a holk)w, which was
cleared and planted in fruit trees jirior to the Revolutionary
war. T?ey(Mul this hollow, jasi where the road enters a
body of woodland, there are yet some traces of a human
habitation. In this orchard, two patrol parties met from the
adverse armies. The party trom Dunlap's camp were in
the orchard gathering peaches : the Libertv men tired on
them, and drove them ("rom the place. In turn, the victors
entered the orchard, but the report of their guns brought out

* MS notes of conversations with the late Colonel GcorRe Wilson, of Nashville. T<-n-
nessee, who derived the facts from his father-in-law, Alexander Orcer. cine i.f Major
Rohertson's men on the expedition MS. letters of Hon. Simpson Hobo and A, II.
Twichell. showing the locality of the 1'" olct hill.

:lJt

{JO

A'/ATG'S MOUNTAIN

a stronj^ dotachniiMit from the Cedar Spring, as well as a
iH-infoiveiiU'iU iVotn Slu'lby. Tlie commaiuler of the patrol,
wlu'U lie saw the enemy approacliing, drew up his men
under cover of the fence along the ridge, just where the old
Held and woodland now meet, and where traces of an old
residence are now barely visible. Here he awaited their
approach.

The onset was furious, but vigorously met. The conflict
was uuiintained against fearful odds till the arrival of
reinforcements from Shelby's camp. The scale now
turned, and the assailants now fell back. The whole force
of Shelby and Clarke were soon in battle array, confronted
by the whole British advance, numbering six or seven lum-
dred men. The struGf'de was renewed with redoubled furv.
The Liberty men drove back their foes, when the whole
British army came up. A retreat was now a matter of
necessity. Such is the local tradition; but local tradition,
especially in this case, is I'xtremely liable to error and con-
fusion, from the fact that but lew of the people of that quar-
ter were present in the action — for the actors were mostly
from other States, and probably strangers to the neighbor-
hood, '^riuis far, Mr. Sa3'e's narrative.

Onl\- two British accouiUs of the action at Cedar Spring
have come to our knowledge — one bears date Savannah,
Georgia, August twenty-fourth, 1780. It appeared in Riv-
mgton's XciL' I'ork Royal (ra:ctlt'^ of Septetuber fourtt-enth,
copied into the London Chronicle, of No\ember sixteenth,
ensuing. It has every appearance of being a one-sided and
diminuitve statement of tin' afTair : '• We learn from Augusta,
that a Captain of the Qiieen's Rangers, with twenty-four
dragoons, and about thirty militia, lately charged about
three hundred Rebels above Ninet}' Six. Whilst they were
engaged, Colonel Ferguson happily got up with some men
to the assistance of our small party, which obliged the
enemy to take to their heels. Fifty of the Rebels were
killed and wounded ; a Major Smith was among the slain,

'f. !.

m'M

AhW rrs HEROES.

and a Lifiitcnaiit-Cokjiiel Clarke was wouiulod, and iliod
noxt dav. Our loss is said to be one dragoon and seven
militia killed."

Allaire supplies the other account : " Got to the ground
the Rebels were encamped on, at four o'clock on Tuesday
morning, August eighth. They had intelligence of our
move, and were likewise iilarmed by the firing of a gun in
our ranks ; they sneaked from their ground about half an
hour before we arrived. Learning that the Rebel wagons
were three miles in front of us at Cedar Springs, Captain
Dunlap, with fourteen mounted men, and a iuindred and
thirtv militia, were dispatched to take the wagons. lie met
three Rtbels coming to reconnoitre our camp ; he pursued,
took two of them, the other escaped, giving the Rebi'ls the
alarm. In pursuit of this man, Dunlap and his party
rushed into the centre of the Rebel camp, where they lay
in ambush, before he was aware of their presence. A
skirmish ensued, in which Dunlap got slightly wounded,
and had between twenty and thirty killed and wounded —
Ensign McFarland and one private caken priso lers The
Rebel loss is uncertain — a Major Smith, Captain Potts, and
two privates were left dead on the lield. Colonel Clarke,
Johnson [Robertson.] and twenty privates were seen
wounded. We pursued them live miles, to the Iron Works ;
but were not able to overtake them, they being all mounted."

Among the slain was Major Hurweli Smith, who had
contributed greatly to the settlement of the frontier portion
of Georgia, where he liad been an activt' and successful
partisan in Indian warfare, and his fall was deeply lamented
by Colonel Clarke and his associates. Captain John Potts*
and Thomas Scott were also among the slain. Besides
Colonel Clarke's slight wounds with a sabre. Major Charles
Robertson, a volunteer Irom the Watauga troops, and Cap-

''This is stuted on the authority of Coh)Mol Graliam. who pnrticlpnteil in the action,
corrohorateil liy Lieutenant Allaire's Pi.try, A. H. Twli-hell, I'.sq , <if (lleniJale, states as
the trailitioTi of an ohl resilient of that region, that an Anieriean offieer nanieil Potter was
sh"' out of a peaeh tree at Thonipsou s plaee. This doubtless refers to Captain I'otls,

KING'S MOUNTAIN

tain Jolm Clarke, the youthl'ul son of the Colonel, yet in his
teens, and several others, were also wounded in the same
manner. This close hand-to-hand sabre lighting, which
McCall describes, contradicts his previous description of the
action as il' it were simply a " distant lirinw " upon each
other. It shows, too, that the back-woods ritlemen did not
take to their heels on the approach of the dragoons with
their glittering broad-swords.

It is not easy to determine the actual strength of the
parties engaged in this spirited contest, nor their respective
losses. McCall does not specify how many on either side
took part in the conflict — only that the Americans were out-
numbered : erroneously naming Innes as the British com-
mander ; and states that the eneni}' pursued Colonel Clarke
to Woflbrd's Iron Works, where he had chosen a strong
position from which the British endeavored to draw
him, and that a distant firing continued during the after-
noon, until near night; that the Americans lost four killed
and live or six wounded, while the eneni}- lost five killed
and eleven wounded. Mills mentions m one place in his
work, that Clarke's force was one hundred and sixty-eight,
in anolher, one hundred and ninetN'-eight, evidently ignorant
of the presence of Colonels Shelby and Graham, with their
followers; that Ferguson and Dunlap combined, numbered
between four and six hundred, of which Dun]aj:)\s advance
consisted of sixtv dragoons and one hundred and. liftv
mounted volunteer rifiemen ; that the Americans had four
killed and twenty-three wounded, all bv the broad-sword ;
while Dunlap lost twenty-eight of his dragoons, and six or
seven of his Tory volunteers killed, and several wounded.
Shelby, in Haywood, states Ferguson's full force at about
two thousand strong — which Todd augments to twentv-fivc
hundred — of which Dunlap's advance was reputed at six or
seven hundred ; that the strength of the Americans was six
hundred; and acknowledges that ten or twelve of the
latter were killed and wounded, but does not state the loss

AND ITS HEROES.

of their assailants. Colonel Graham gives no numbers, but
asserts that many of the enemy were killed. These several
statements diller very much from the British reports, and
from each other.

In Shelby's account as originally published in Hay-
wood's Tennessee, and then in Ramse3'"s, the number of
prisoners taken is stated at '* twent\', with two British offi-
cers," which in Todd's memoir of Shelby, are increased to
" fifty, mostlv British, including two oflicers ; " and Colonel
Graham in his pension statement, places the number at
onl^- half a dozen, and Allaire at only two.

As to the particular time in the da}- in which the contest
took place, there is also quite a variety of statements.
Mills places it before day, when so dark that it was hard to
distinguish friend from foe — his informant doubtless refer-
ring, not to Dunlap's fight, but to the prior attack upon
Colonel Thomas, at Cedar Spring, which he so signally
repe! ed. .

McCall states that it occurred in the afternoon; Shelby
is silent on this point ; while Governor Perry's traditions
conve}' the idea that it was in the morning or fore part of
the da}', and in this he is corroborated by Captain William
Snnth,* as well as by the MS. Diary of Lieutenant
Allaire.

Colonel Graham onlv refers to the lime of d;iv inferen-

\\ '

If ; ,*

iiti

* 4

•Captain Smith was horn in Hiicks Cmnty. Pennsylvania, September 20th, 1751. and
early settled in what is now Spartanhurg Connty, South Carolina, He served in Captain
Joseph Woflonl's company on the Snow tainpaiun, in 1775; and the next year as Lieuten-
ant on Williamson's expedition against the Cherokees. In 1777, he was made a Captain in
the militia and was stationed in Wood's I'ort on Tyger. In Deceniher. 1778, he was
ordered to (ieorgia, serving under General Lincoln; and shared in the battle of Stono, in
June, 1779: in the contests, as we have seen, near WolTord's Iron Works, Hanging Rock,
and Mnsgrivc's Mill, in August. 17S0 ; and subsequently at the b.Utle of lilackstocks. in the
siege of Fort Granby, at Guilford Court House, Quinliy Hridge. the affair at the Juniper.
and the capture of some llritish vessels at Walboo Landing under Colonel Wade Hampton,
In the latter part of the war he ranked as Major. After the war, he was chosen County
Judge, member of Congress from 1797 to 1799, and State Senator f )r twenty years. I'ew
men served the public longer or more faithfully in military and civil life than Jiidgc Smith.
He died June ?jd. r.837, in the eighty-sixth year of his .age. His widow survived till
C>ctobcr 2d, 1842,

\\ ■■■ \ ,

100

KING'S MOUNTAIN

tially, by stating that it was "several liours" after the
action before Ferguson, with his combined force, came in
sight, when Shelby and his men precipitately retired.

Precisel}' where the tight took place has also been
a subject of dispute — the result, no doubt, of the general
vagueness of the descriptions. Mills says it occurred at
tlie Green Springs, meaning Cedar Spring, near Woftbrd's
old Iron Works ; Shelby says a' Cedar Spring, as does
Samuel Espy, of North Carolina, who was also in the
action. Had these two men, and Mills' informant, stated the
locality with more exactitude, they might, and probably
would, have said, that they named the Cedar Spring as a
permanent landmark, near which the contest transpired,
and so located it — the same as Gates' defeat is frequently
referred to as having occurred at Camden, when it really
took place some seven miles distant. Colonel Graham, one
of the prominent officers in that affair, refers to it as " at
Wotlbrd's Iron Works ;" Alexander McFaddcn. a survivor
of the contest, speaks of it as "the battle of Wofford's Iron
Works ;" while McCall, the historian, says the enemy pur-
sued the Americans "to Wofford's Iron Works, where they
chose their ground, and awaited the attack."

W^illiam Smith, of Tennessee, another survivor of the
contest says, " we had a battle near WofTord's Iron Works ; "
and Captain William Smith, of Spartanburg, who was an
intelligent officer in the fight, and resided within a few miles
of the battle-ground the most of his long lite, states that the
contest took place " near the old Iron Works." His son,
Hon. John Winsmith, in a historical address he made at
Cedar Spring, in 1855, and verbally repeated to the writer
in 1871. describes the hill, tlien covered w'th timber, nearly
half a mile north-east of Cedar Spring, as the Ii>cality of
the battle. It is possible that the first half-hour's contest,
where Clarke had his desperate personal rencontre with
unequal odds, may have taken place near this hill, as Dr.
Winsmith believes. " On this locality," says N. F. Walker,

AND ITS HEROES.

101

" within m}' recillection, a muskot-barrel was found, and
near where we think tlie dead were buried."*

But as Cedar Spring seems not to have been on the
old route pursued by the contending parties, the weiglit
of evidence, and all the circumstances, go to show that
die chief flighting was "near the old Iron Works," as
Captain \\'illiam Smith positively asserts. Mr. Saye's
traditions of the neighborhood, collected there prior to
1848, fix the locality of, at least, one portion of the con-
test, at the old orchard on the Thompson place, between the
Cedar Spring and the old Iron Works, about one mile from
the former, and nearly two from the latter. The fact that
the graves of the Tory dead, including the one from which
the peach tree sprimg, are near the old Tliompson orchard,
and between it and Cedar Spring, sufficiently attest tlie
locality where, at least, the principal part of this notable
passage at arms occurred.

More space has been devoted to these two somewhat
blended aflairs — the one at the Cedar Spring, where Colo-
nel Thomas repulsed the enemy, and the other near Thomp-
son's peach-orchard — than, perliaps, their real importance
in history would seem to warrant. At the period of their
occurrence, they exerted a marked influence on the people
of the upper region of Carolina, as demonstrating what
brave and determined men could accomplish in defense of
their own and their country's rights ; and how successfully
they could meet an insolent foe, alike in ambush, or on the
battle-field. As no contemporary- records of these events
have come down to us, save the vague and unsatisfactory
Bridsh ones which we have given entire, and the tradition-
:UT accounts have become more or less intermixed and con-
fused, it seemed proper to sift them as thoroughly as possi-
ble, and present the simple narrative of the occurrences as
the facts seem to indicate.

♦It may well have been at this hill where the previous Tory attack was made on
Colonel Thomas. It was a fit place, then covered with timber, to have formed his success-
ful ambuscade

102

KING'S MOUNTAIN

The difficulty has hitherto heen, on the part of histori-
cal writers, in attempts to blend the two affairs, when the
time, details, and different commanding otlicers, all go very
clearly to prove that they were entirely distinct, and had
no connection whatever with each other. It is due to the
Rev. Mr. Saje, to state that he was the first person who
discovered the incongruity of applying the details to a sin-
gle action ; but he was unable to fix their respective dates,
or determine which took the precedence of the other in
point of time. McCalls Ilisiory of Georgia has furnished
the key to unlock the ditliculty with reference to the time
of the attack on Thomas' force at Cedar Spring, and all the
circumstances go to confirm it ; while the hitherto unpub-
lished Diary of Lieutenant Allaire determines tlie date of'
the affair near Wofford's Iron Works.*

*The authorities consulted i'l the preparation of this notice of the action near Cedar
Spring and WolToid's Iron Works, are; McCall's Georgia, ii, 314; Haywood's Tenmssie.
64-65; Mills' Sluiisii'ts c/ South Carolina, 256.738-39; Todd's l\Iemoir of Shelby : Governor
Perry's account in the Magnolia Magazine, August, 1842 ; New York Royal Cazittc. Sep-
tember 14th, 1780; Lotidon Ckivniclf. November lOth, 1780; Saye's Memoir of Mijunkir..
and the Sayi; MSS ; MiiS. of L)r. John H. Logan ; Allaire's MS. Diary; Win.«mitli's Ad-
drtss, 1853; together with the MS. pension statements of Colonel William Graham, Cap-
tain William Smith, of Spartanburg, Samuel Espy, Alexander McKadden, and William
Smith, of Tennessee, all participants in the action ; also MS. notes of conversations with
ColoTie) George Wilson, of Tennessee. 1 am indebted to N. F. Walker, Esq., of Cedar
Spring, and A. H. Twichcll. Esq., of Glendale, for traditions, and descriptions of the
localities cnnnerled with the battle and the retreat.

Ramaay, Moultrie. Lee's A!eMioir\ Johnson's Greene, and other early writers, do not
oven notice this action; nor such modern historians as Bancroft, Hildreth, and Stevens.
Lossing. Wheeler, Simms. Ramsey's Tennessee, and O'Neall's Newberry briefly refer to it ;
while Mrs. Ellet, in her Women c/ the Revolution, and her Domestic History 0/ the Rei'o-
lution, simply copies from Mills, misapplying the story of Mrs. Ddlard's adventure.

I have not cited what passes for Colonel Hammond^, .ccount of the battle, in a new.s-
paper series, and also in Johnson's Traditions 0/ the Revolution, simply because he could
not liave written it; but it was evidently mannfictured from Mills' Statistics, with some
imaginary intcrlardings, to give it a new appearance. Dawson, in his I^attles 0/ the United'
States^ has given a chapter on this affair, based on the pretended Hammond narrative.

AND lis HEROES.

103

CHAPTER VI.

1780— August 18.

Musgrovcs Mill Expedition and Battle. — Rencontre of the Patrol Par-
ties. — British Alarm. — Information of the Enemy's Reinforcement.
— IVhigs throw up Breast-works.— Captain Inman's Stratagem. —
Enemy Drawn into the Net prepared for them. — Desperate Fight-
ing. — Innes and other British Leaders IVoiinded. — Tory Colonel
Clary's Escape. — Captain Inman Killed. — The Retreat and the
Rout. — Incidents at the Ford. — Sam Moore's Adventure. — The Brit-
ish and Tory Reserve. — A British Patrol Returns too late to share
in the Battle. — Burial of the slain. — Length and severity of the Action.
— Respective Losses. — News of Gates' Defeat — its Influence. — Whigs'
Retreat. — Anecdote of Paul Hinson. — 77/^? Prisoners. — Williams' Re-
ward. — Cornwallis' Confession. — Comparison of Authorities.

Returning from their Fair Forest expedition, Clarke
and Shelby's men needed a little repose. McDowell soon
after removed his camp from the Cherokee Ford, taking
post, some ten miles below, on the eastern bank of
Broad River, at Smith's Ford. By his faithful scouts,
Colonel McDowell was kept well informed of Ferguson's
movements and out-posts. Learning that a body of some
two hundred Loyalists were stationed at Musgrove's Mill,
some forty miles distant on the Enoree, to guard the rocky
ford at that place, it w'as regarded as a vulnerable point —
all the more so, since Ferguson, with his main force, was
stationed considerably in advance, between that place and
the American encampment, thus tending to lull into security
those in their rear.

The term of enlistment of Colonel Shelby's regiment
was about to expire, and that enterprising officer was
desirous of engaging in another active service before retir-
ing to his home on the Holston. Colonels Shelbv and

104

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Clarke were appointed to lead a party of mounted men to
surprise or attack the Loyalists at MusLjrove's. Witli Clarke
was Captain James McCall and Captain Samuel I lammond.
Colonel James Williams, whose home was in that region,
but who had been driven from it, had, on the sixteenth of
August, joined McDowell with a few Ibliowers — prominent
among whom wereColonel Thomas Brandon, Colonel James
Steen, and Major Mcjunkin ; and these united with Shelby
and Clarke, together with several other experienced oflicers,
who volunteered to share in the enterprise, among whom
were Major Joseph McDowell, the brother of the Colonel,
Captain David Vance, and Captain Valentine Sevier, and
with the latter, a number of Watauga and Nolachucky rifle-
men.

It was largely rumored, that a military chest was either
at Musgrove's, or was being conveyed from Ninety Six to
Ferguson's camp ; and the Whigs hoped to intercept it on
the way. Whatever influence this prospect of obtaining
British treasure may have exerted on the volunteers, as we
hear no more of the chest, we may conclude that it was a
camp 3'arn, gotten up for the occasion ; or, if a reality, it
certainly eluded the grasp of the adventurers.

Secrec}' and dispatch were necessary to success. A
night march was therefore chosen, when less likely to be
observed, and cooler for the horses to travel, Shelb}- and
his two hundred adventurous followers left camp an hour
before sun-down, on the seventeenth of August. Williams,
Brandon, and their men, were well acquainted with the
country, and knew the best route to effect their purpose.
They traveled through die woods until dark, when they fell
into a road, and proceeded on all night, much of the way in
a canter, and without making a single stop — crossing
Gilkv's and Thicketty creeks, Pacolet, Fair Forest, and
Tyger, with other lesser streams, and passing within three
or four miles of Ferguson's camp on their left, which was,
at this time, at Fair Forest Shoal, in Brandon's settlement.

AXD ITS JIERO/iS.

105

•* ;

some t\vcnt\-si\ miles from Smith's Ford ; and from Fair
Forest Shoal, it was slill twelve or fourteen miles to Mus-
grove's. It was a hard night's ride.

Arriving, near the dawn of day, within a mile nearly
north of Miisgrove's Ford, tiie Whig parly halted at an old
Indian iield, and sent out a party of live or six scouts to
reconnoitre the situation. They crossed the mouth of Cedar
Shoal Creek, close to the Spartanhurg line, a short distance
below Musgrove's Mill, and then passed up a by-road to
Head's Ford, a mile above IMusgrove's, where they forded
the Enoree, and stealthily approached sufliciently near the
Tory camp to make observations. Returning the same
route, \vhen on the top of the river ridge, west of Cedar
Shoal creek, they encountered a small Tory patrol, which
had passed over at Musgrove's Ford, during their absence
above, and thus gained their rear. A sharp firing ensued,
when one of the enemy was killed, two wounded, and two
fled precipitately to the Tory camp. Two of the Ameri-
cans were slightly wounded, who, with their fellows, now
promptly returned to Shelby and Clarke's halting place,
with the intelligence they had gained, and the particulars
of their skirmish.

This firing, and the speed}' arrival of the two patrol-
men, put the Tory camp in wild commotion. Colonel
Innes, Major Fraser, and other officers who had their head-
quarters at Edward Musgrove's residence, held a hurried
council. Innes was for marching over the river at once,
and catching the Rebels before they had time to retreat ;
while others contended for delay, at least till after break-
fast, by which time, it was hoped, a part}' of one hundred
mounted men, who had gone on a patrol, eight miles below,
near Jones' Ford, would return, and thus add very materi-
ally to their strength. But Innes' counsels prevailed, lest
they should miss so fine an opportunity "to bag" a scurvy-
lot of ragamuffins, as they regarded the adventurous Ameri-
cans. So leaving one hundred men in camp as a reserve,

ilMfl

lOH

KING'S MOUNTAIN

1 H i. I i

preparations wore made for an immediate advance to meet
the unexpected invaders.

Meanwhile, Shelhy and Chirke had taken position on a
timbered rid^^e, some little distance east of Cedar Shoal
creek, and within about half a mile of Musj»"rove's Ford and
Mill. At this juncture, a countryman, who lived near by,
came up, ^ivin<( information that the IJritish had been rein-
forced the precedin<^r i:venin<^, by the arrival of Colonel
Alexander Junes, from Ninety Six, with two hundred men
of the Provincial regiments, and one hundred Tories, des-
tined to join Colonel Ferguson. A British writer represents,
that Innes' detachment consisted of a light infantry com-
pany of the New Jersey Volunteers, under Captain Peter
Campbell ; a company of De Lancey's Provincial Battalion,
under Captain James Kerr, together with about one hundred
mounted men of his own regiment, the South Carolina
Royalists. This could not have included the regular garri-
son previously stationed there, apparently under the com-
mand of Major Fraser. Captain Abraham Ue Peyster, of
the King's American regiment, as well as the noted Loyalist
partisan, Captain David Fanning, were also there; while
Colonel Daniel Clary was encamped there, at the head of
the Tories of that region.

So minute were the circumstances of the information
communicated by the countryman, that no doubt was enter-
tained of its truth ; and to march on and attack the enemy
appeared rash, and to attempt a successful retreat, wearied
and broken down as the horses were, seemed almost im-
possible. Colonel Shelby and his associates instantly con-
cluded, that they had no alternative — light they must.
Securing their horses in their rear, they resolved to impro-
vise a breast-work of logs and brush, and make the best
defense possible. Their lines were Ibrmed across the road,
at least three hundred yards in length, along the ridge, in
a semi-circle, and both protected and concealed by a wood.
Old logs, fallen trees and brush were hurried into place, so

AND ITS HEROES.

107

that in thirty minutes they had a \ rry ivspcctahle protection,
breast-lii^h. vSliolhy occupied the rij^ht — Chu'ke the left;
and WiUiains in the center, tliough with no special com-
mand, for the whole force Ibrmed one extended line. A
party of some twent}- horsemen were placed on each flank,
shii'lded, as much as possil)le. from the enemy's observa-
tion — Josiah Culbertson ha\inf^ the command of that on
Shelby's right ; and Colonel Clarke had a reserve of forty
men within calling distance.

Captain Shadrach Inman, who had figured prominently
in l)atding the British and Tories in Georgia, was sent for-
ward, with about twenty-live mounted men, with orders to
fire upon, and provoke the enemy to cross the ford, and
skirmish wilh them, at his discretion ; and retire, drawing
the British into the net which Shelby and Clarke had so
adroitly prepared for them. This stratagem, which was the
suggestion of the Captain himself, worked admirably, for
the British infantry seemed elated widi their success in
driving Inman at the point of the bayonet ; but the Whig
Captain kept up a show of fighting and retreating. While
the enemy were yet two hundred yards distant from the
American breast-w^orks, they hastily formed into line of
Ixittle ; and as they advanced lift}' yards nearer, they opened
a heavy fire, pretty generally over-shooting their antago-
nists. When trees were convenient, the fronticrmcn made
use of them, while others were shielded behind their rudely
constructed barrier, and, to some extent, availed themselves
also of a fence extending along the road. The Americans
had been cautioned to reserve their fire "till they could see
the whites of tlie Tories' eyes ;" or, as another has it, "till
they could distinguish the buttons on their clothes" — nor
even then to discharge their rifles, until orders were given,
when each man was "to take his object sure." These
orders were strictly obeyed.

The British center, on whom Inman made his feigned
attacks, seeing him retire in apparent confusion, pressed

n«:^

108

KLYG 'S A/0 UNTAIN

forwartl, untlcr W\\\. of drum aiul bii^lo char^fis in pursuit,
but in consitlerablo disoriliT, slututiti^r; " Ilu/./.a tor King
Georj^e ! " On approachin*^ within seventy yards of the
American lines, thi-y were unexpectedly met w ilh a di-adly
Hre, from which they at lirst recoiled. But their superi-
ority in numbers enabled them to continue their attack,
notwithstanding the advantage which the breast-work
gave the Americans. A strong force, composed of the
I'rovincials, led on by Innes and Fraser, forming the
enemy's left wing, drove, at the point of the bayonet,
the riirht win<r under Shelby from their breast-work.
It was a desperate struggle — Shelby's men contending
against large odds, and the right flank of his right wing
gradually giving away, whilst his left Hank maintained its
connection with the centre at the breast-work. The lelt
wing, opposed by the Tories, retained its position ; and, see-
ing Shelby in need of vsuccor, Clarke sent his small reserve
to his aid, which proved a most timely relief. At this criti-
cal moment, as Innes was forcing Shelby's right flank., the
British leader was badly disabled, fell from his charger, and
was carried back — shot, it was reported, by one of the
Watauga volunteers, William Smith, who exultingly ex-
claimed, '• Ive killed their commander," when Slu'lby
rallied his men, who raised a regular frontier Indian yell,
and rushed furiously upon the enemy, who were gradually
forced back before tlie exasperated riflemen. Culbertson's
flanking party acted a conspicuous part on this occasion.

It was unfortunate for the enemy, thai, in this desperate
contest, one Captain was killed, and five out of seven of the
surviving officers of their Provincial corps were wounded.
Besides Innes, shot down by Smith, another Watauga rifle-
man, Robert Beene, wounded Major Fraser, who was seen
to reel iVom his horse. Captain Campbell, together with
Lieutenants Camp and William Chew, were also among
the wounded.*

-'Colonel Iniies was n Scotchman. He was probably a /ro/c^c of his countryman, Alex-
ander Cameron, the British Indian Agent among x\ • t hcrokees ; ami was, ii woulj appear,

AND ITS niUiOI'S.

109

These; lieavy losses had a \ cry cUshearteniiiff clVect upon
the Hritish troops. And Uie Tories, failiiii,' to make any
impression on Clarke's line, and ha\ ini^ aln-ady lost sevi>ral
of their ollieers, and many ofllu-ir men, bej^an to show sij^ns
ot" wavering, when Captain Ilawsi'v, a noted leader among
them, who was striving to re-animate the Loyalists, and

In di

retrieve the fortimes of the day, was shot down, in the
midst of the confusion that followed, Clarke and his brave
nu'n, following Shelby's example, pushed forth from their
barrier, yelling, shooting and slashing on everv hand. It
was in the nic!6i\ when the liritish defeat was too appare-nt,
that the Tory Colonel Clary had the opposite bits of ids
horse's bridle seized at the same moment by two stalwart
Whigs. lie had, however, the ingenuity anil presence of
mind to extricate himself tVom his perilous situation by
exclaituing — " I) — n you, don't you know ^our own
olFicers I " lie was instantly released, and lU-d at full speed.*
The British and Tories were now in full retreat, closely
followed by the intrepid mountaineers. It was in this excit-
ing jiursuit that die courageous Captain Inman was killed,
while pressing the enemy, and lighting them hand-to-
hand, lie received seven shots from the Tories, one,
a nuisketball, piercing his forehead. He fell near the base
of a Spanish oak that stood where the modern road leaves
till' old mill road, and where his grave was still pointed

.111 assistant commissary at tlie I.nn;; Island nf Ilnlstnn, at one time; and in the fall of
1777. ri-'liirncd to the Chcrnkee nation, taking up liis iiiiarttrs with Cameron. He was
commissioned Colonel of the South Carolina Royalists, J.uiuary 20, 1780; in 17S2, he was
Inspector (Jeiicral of the Loyalist forces. Colonel llanyer, in his Ri'/'ly to Mackcn/ie's
Struturcs states that Innes was living retired in 1789, prohahly on half-pay.

Of Major Frascr, who was wonndcd in this engagement, wc have no further knowl-
edge. Captain Camphell was of Trenton, New Jersey, settled in New Brunswick, after
pe.ice was declared, on half-pay, dying in Maiigersvillc in that Colony in 1822, and was
hiiried at Frcdcrickton. Lieutenant Chew retired at the close of the war, on half-pay, to
New Brunswick, dying at Frcdcrickton, in 1812, aged sixty-four. Of Lieutenant Camp's
career, before or after the affair at Musgrove's Mill, we have no information.

* Colonel Clarey was a prominent citizen of Ninety Si.x District; and surviving the
war, remained in the country. Notwithstanding his great error in siding with the Tories,
he was greatly beloveil. and. in after life, performed all the duties of a good citizen, until
peacefully gathered to his fithcrs. Ilir had, a few years since, a grandson, Colonel Clary,
living in Edgefield County, and other decendants.

. I

110

KING'S MOUNTAfN

BATTLE RIOGE

NOREE PIVER

out huL ;i lew 3-ciirs since. Groat credit is justly due to
Capliiiu lunuui for liie suici'ssful manner in whicli he
bn)u<;lit on the action, and the aid he rendered in con-
ducting it to a triumphant issue.

The yells and screeches
of tile retreating iJrilish and
Tories as they ran through
tlu' woods, anil over the hills
to the river — loudly inter-
mingK>d witli the shouts of
thi'ir pursuiMs, togctlu'r vvitli
the groans of the d}ing and
wounded, were terrilic and
heart-rending in the ex-
triMue. '^The smoke, as well

Plat nfRocionn.-arMi.scrovcs Mill, '^■'^ ••'l'-' ^^''^ '"*'' COUlusion,

A. (Ir.ivis. It. \Vlier<- C|. tain linii;iii wan ,.,.^,,, l,:,fl, .,K,n-, > j Iw. ,. vi-i I iii.r
kilkcl.aHlic junction of the old and new roads, l**^*^ '''t>'' 'IDON l IIU, CXLlling

scene, '^Fiie Toiies ceased to niakt' any show of defcMise
when half w:>v from the breast-works to the ford. The
retreat tiien becinie a jH-rlect rout : and now, witii ri'ck-
less s|)eed. tliev hastem-d to the ri\-er, througii which they
rusheil with the wildest fury, hotl\- pursued by the victorious
Am.Micans with sword and rille, killing, wounding or cap-
turing all who came in their wa\'.

Many of the British and Tories were shot down as tlu^y
were hastening, jiell-mell, acrt)ss the Enoree at the rocky
forth Atu-r tiu'v were fairly o\er. oiu', not yet too weary
to e.in.i- iiis bravado, and attract altiMition for tlu' moment,
turned up his buttock in derision at the Americans ; when
otie of (he Wiiig ollicers, probably l»randon or Steen, said

to Golding Tinsley

L'an"t vou turn that insolent brag-

\^nv,f\ service in the up country of South C.irolinn
n '.'ulprper County, Vir^;inia. in or about 175''), as stated iti
his pension papers, and settled in South Carolina about 1771. Ue early served in the

♦'I'his old snldier, who did
dnrii>L; the Ucvolulion, was born i

RanRcrs. Uo participated iu the battle of Stouo, the sci^c o

;.f Sa

nab, and look an active

p.irl in the actions at Miis^;rovc's Mill. K.inn's M(Mintain, and lilacKstocks, lie had tw(

Irothcrs killed by the I'nri'

llir I'.

ircsl region during the war. Me lived to enjoy

a pension, dyin^ in Spartanburg County, May nth, 1IS51, aged about nineiy-nve yean.

AND ITS Iff. ROES.

Ill

gart

over :

T can try," ri-spoiukd l^inslcy, who was

>n()wn to possess a Lfood nlk-, wlicii, siuliiii;'

u' action to

the word, he took prompt aim, and lirinl — and snre enoni^h,
Itirncd him r^zw, when some- of his eonuades picked the
fellow np, and carried him oil'. Another instance of sharp-
shootiniT '^i mentioned: One of tiic eneiin, who iiad re-
crossed the ford, betook himself to a convenient tre(>, which,
however, did not fully protect his person, for 'i'homas
GilK's|-»ie, one of tlie \Vatan<:ja rilleinen, brouglit his rillc to
bear on tlie Tory's partially exposed body, and the next
moment lie liit the dnst.

it is related, that while the llrini;- was yet kej^t np, on
the noilhsitle of the Enoree, an intrepid iVontierman, Cap-
tain vSam Moore, led a small party of ten or twelve nu-n
lip the river, and crossing;" the stream at Heads I'ord,
rushed down upon a portion ol" the encm\' with such im-
pelu(>sit\' and audacity as to impress them with tlu' bi'lief
that tliev wi're hut the vanguard of a nuicli laii^er force,
when they incontinently fled, and Moore rejoined his
victorious friiMids over the ri\i'r.

Some inlerestin;^ incidents connecteil with, ami follow-
intj the battle, deservi' a place in this connection. So many
of tlu' Ih-itish and 'i'ory reserve as could, mounted to the
top of AFus^rovt-'s house, that tlu'\- mii^ht witness the con-
test, not doubtin<^ for a momi'ut that King George's men
could and would bear down all before them. They saw the
heroic Imnan deliver his successive (ires and retri'at. fol-
hnvt'd closely by Innes' pursuers ; and su]")posi'd this little
hand constituted the whole of tlu' Rebel jiarty. To liieso
house-lop obsi'rvt>rs, the bold inv;;ders were beaten back —
routed ; when the)- threw up tlu'lr hats, indulging in shouts
that iTiade the old hill in the rear of Musgrove's resound
again, witli (>choes and re-echoes, in connni'moration of
their imaginary victory. At length, reaching the conceaK'd
Whigs, a tremendous fu'e biu'st upon their pursuits, which
caused a deathly paleness on the countenance of some fifty

112

KING'S MOUNTAIN

of the reserve party, who \vore it was saici, paroled British
prisoners, doing duty contrary to the huvs of war — they,
especially, dreading the consequences of a possible capture
at the hands of the Americans. Their shoutings ceased —
thev peered anxiously, with bated breath, towards the con-
tending parties. At length they raised the cry of despair:
"We are beaten — our men are retreating;" and long
before the Tories had re-crossed the river, these demoral-
ized Britons had seized their knap-sacks, and were scam-
pering otT towards Ninety Six at their liveliest speed.

The large patrolling party which had been down the
river near Jones' Ford, heard the liring, and came dashing
back at full speed ; and while Jescending the steep hill,
east of the old Musgrove domicile, their bright uniforms
and flashing blades and scabbards reflected the rays of the
morning sun just rising in its splendor. They reined up
their panting steeds betbre Musgrove's, the commanding
ollicer eagerly iiu[uiring what was the matter. A hurried
account of the battle was given, which had terminated so
disastrously some thirty minutes betbre ; when, rising in his
stirrups, and uttering deep and loud imprecations, the cav-
alry commander ordered his men to cross the river. They
daslied at full speed over the rocky ford, splashing the
water, \\'hich, with the resplendent sun-rays, produced
miniature rainbows around the horses. The}- were too late,
for the victorious Americans had retired with their prison-
ers, leaving the Britisli troopers the melancholy duty of
conveying their wounded fellons to the hospital at Mus-
grove's.

For many miles around, every woman and child of the
surrounding country, who were able to leave their homes,
visited the battle-ground — some for plunder, some from
curiosity, and others for a diflerent purpose. It was chiefly
a Tory region, the few Whigs having retired from motives
of personal safety, joining Sumter and other popular lead-
ers. The most of these visitors were of Loyalist families ;

AND ITS HEROES.

113

and it was interesting to witness them, as well as the few
Whig ladies present, turning over the bodies of the slain,
earnestly examining their faces, to see if they could recog-
nize a father, husband, son, or brother. Not a few went
away with saddened hearts, and eyes bedewed with tears.

Sixteen Tories were said to have been buried in one
grave, near the mouth of Cedar Shoal creek — the particular
spot long since defaced and forgotten. Several were in-
terred between the battle-ground and ford, but a stone's
throw below where George Gordon resided some thirt}- }ears
since, on the west side of the old road ; while others were
buried in the yard of the late Captain Philemon Waters,
midway between the ford and battle-field, opposite the dog-
wood spring, and others yet were buried in a grave-yard,
just below Musgrove's house. A burial spot is still pointed
out on the battle-ridge, just east of the old road.

It was a complete rout on the part of the British and
Tories. They seem to have apprehended, that the Whig
forces, in the flush of victor}-, might push on to Ninety Six,
then believed to be in a weak and defenceless condition.
The Tory leader. Fanning, states, that after the battle, the
British retreated a mile and a quarter, where they encamped
for the remainder of the day ; and, in the night, marclied
off towards Ninety Six, under the command of Captain
De Peyster. This probably refers to only a part of the
enemy ; for the larger portion must have remained, if for
nothing else, at least to take care of their wounded.
Another British writer, INIackenzie, represents, that in the
retreat from the battle-ground, they were conducted by
Captain Kerr to the southern bank of die Enoree, where
they remained till reinforced by Lieutenant-Colonel Cruger
from Ninety Six, " Captain Kerr," says the Georgia his-
torian, McCall, "finding that resistance would be in vain,
and without hope of success, ordered a retreat, which was
effected in close order for four miles, resorting to the bayo-
net for defence in flank and rear. The pursuit was con-

114

KIXG'S MOUNTAIN

tinned by ^lie victors, until the enemy took refuge in Mus-
grove's Mill," which \\;is on the south side of the Enoree, in
the north-east corner of the present county of Laurens,
noted on Mills' A/ /as of South Carol/' lui as Gordon's Mill.

Colonel Williams' oflicial account represents that the
main WA\i — the one at the breast-work — lasted only lifteen
minutes, when the enemy were obliged to retreat, and were
pursued two miles ; and that Colonel Innes was reported to
be wounded by two balls — one in the neck and the other
breaking the thigh — and that three Tory Captains were
slain. "The enemy declared they sutTered exceedingly in
the action with Colonel Williams ; that Captain Campbell,
an officer in high repute, of the regulars, among others,
was killed,"* and Governor Rutledge confirms the fact that
*• one British Captain " was among tue slain.

Shelby states, that the action continued an hour before
the enemy were repulsed in front of the breast-work ; while
McCall asserts, that it was "but a few minutes after the
contest began, when so many of the Provincial ofiicers were
either killed or wounded, and "the men tumbled down in
heaps, without the power of resistance," when the survivors
retreated under Captain Kerr.f Probably Colonel Williams'
recollection of the length of the battle before the retreat,
written within a few days thereafter, is approximately cor-
rect ; and possibly well nigh an hour may have been con-
sumed by the time the enemy were driven across the ford, and
took refuge in the mill. "This action," says Colonel Hill's
manuscript, " was one of the hardest ever fought in the
country with small arms alone ; the smoke was so thick as

♦Statement in I'lrginiit Cizette. September 27th. 1780. of Willi.im Allmnn. of Colonel
Sliihtilcfield's regiment of Virijinia militi:i, who was captured al Gates' defeat, and subse-
quently escaped from Camden.

t Captain James Kerr was probably a resident of Long Island or Connecticut, from
whose refu,i;ees most of tlie Queen's Rangers were raised, in which corps he was a Captain.
After the war, he retired on half pay, first to New Brunswick, and then 10 Kings i:oiinty.
Nova Scotia, where he was made Colonel of the militia. He died at Amherst, in that
Province, in 1S30, at the .age of seventy-six. leaving a widow, who survived him ten years,
dying at seventy-four. Three sons and a daughter preceded him to the grave, but twelve
children survived him.

'.f" w

AND ITS HEROES.

115

to hide II man at the distance of twent}' rods." Shelby
described this battle as "the hardest and best fought action
he ever was in " — attributing this valor and persistency to
"the great number of officers who were with him as volun-
teers."

It must be confessed, that the Provincials and Tories,
before their final rout, fought braveh'. Their dragoons,
but lately raised, and indifferently disciplined, behaved with
much gallantry, figlUing on the left with Innes. They all
exhibited, more or less, the training they had received
under that superior master, Ferguson. Tiie British loss, in
this afTair, was sixty-three killed, about ninety woimded,
and seventy prisoners — a total of not far from two hundred
and twenty-three, out of four or five hundred, which is an
unusually large proportion for the number engaged in the
action. The American loss was only four killed and eight
or nine wounded. This disparity in killed and woundeu,
resulted largely from over-shooting* on the part of the
enemy, and the decided advantage which the trees and
breast-works afforded the Whigs for their protection. The
skill of the fronticrmen in the use of their rifles was never
better displayed nor more effective ; while, in the retreat,
the loss fell almost exclusively on the panic-stricken Britisli
and Tories.

Anxious to impro\e the advantage they had so signally
gained, Shelby and his heroic compeers at once resolved to
pursue the demoralized Tories, and make a dash for Ninety
Six, which they iearned was in a weak condition ; and

* Richard Thompson, of Fair Forest, when a boy of some twelve or fourteen years,
while on liis way with liis mother to visit his father, tlien imprisoned at Ninety Six. passed
over the hatlle-ground at M nsgrove's a few days after its octurreme, and ohserved the
hnllet marks on the trees — those of the Ilrilish and Tories generally indicating an aim ahovc
the heads of tlie:r antagonists, while tlmse f>f the Whigs were from three to five feet ahovc
the gronnd. He learned from his father and other prisoners at Ninety Six. that the fugi-
tives reported the Whig strengtli in that action as five thousand; and sui h was the con-
sternation of the ga-rison of Ninety Six on receipt of the news of the hattle, that had the
victorious Whigs showed themselves there, it would have heen dilTicult for Colonel Cruger
and his officers to have prevented a general stampede. — Saye's MSB., and Memoir of
Mcjunkin,

KING ' S J/0 UNTALV

being only some twenty-five miles distant, they could easily
teach there before night. Returning to their horses, and
momiting them, while Shelby was consulting Colonel
Clarke, Francis Jones, an express from Colonel McDowell,
rode up, in great haste, with a letter in his hand from Gen-
eral Caswell, who had, on the sixteenth, shared in General
Gates' total defeat near Camden, apprising McDowell of
the great disaster, and advising him and all officers com-
manding detachments to get out of me way, or they would
be cut off; McDowell sending word that he would at once
move towards Gilbert Town. General Caswell's hand-
writing was fortunately familiar to Colonel Shelby, so he
knew it was no Tory trick attempted to be played ofl' upon
them. He and his associates instantly saw the difficulty of
their situation ; they could not retire to McDowell's camp,
for his force was no lonijer there — Gates' army was killed,
captured and scattered — and Sumter's, too, was soon desdned
to meet the same fate ; in their rear was Cruger, with what-
ever of Innes' and Eraser's detachments remained, with
Ferguson's strong force on their flank. There was no
clioice — further conquests were out of tlie quesdon. So
Ninety Six was left unvisited by the mountaineers — doubt-
less for them, a fortunate circumstance, as they were with-
out cannon, and Colonel Cruger, who commanded there,
was no Patrick Moore, as his brave defence of that garri-
son against General Greene and his thousands, the following
year, sufficiently attested. It was, therefore, determined in
a hasty council on horseback, that they would take a back-
woods route, to avoid and escape Ferguson, and join Colo-
nel McDowell on his retreat towards Gilbert Town.

Hurriedly gathering the prisoners together, and dis-
tributing one to every three of the Americans, who conveyed
them alternately on horseback, requiring each captive to
carry his gun, divested of its ffint, the whole cavalcade
were ready in a few minutes to beat a retreat, as they knew
full well that Ferguson would be speedily apprised of their

AND ITS HEROES.

11'

success, and make a strenuous effort, as he did at Wotlbrd's
Iron Works, to regain the prisoners. Here an amusing
incident occurred. Riding along the ranks, viewing the
prisoners, Colonel Williams recognized among them an old
acquaintance in the person of Saul Ilinson, ver}' diminutive
in size, who had the previous year served under his com-
mand at the battle of Stono, when the Colonel pleasantly
exclaimed: "Ah I my little Sauly, have we caught you?""
"Yes, Colonel," replied the little man, " and no d — d great
catch either ! '" Saul's repartee only caused a laugh, and
neither that nor his false position subjected him to any thing
beyond the common restraint of a prisoner.

Some of the few wounded, who were not able to ride,
were necessarily left ; and, it is pleasant to add, the}- were
humanely cared for by the British, and especially by the
Musgrove family. Among them was one Miller, shot
through the body, whose injuries were believed to be mortal.
A silk handkerchief was drawn through the wound to cleanse
it. His parents, from the lower part of the present county
of Laurens, obtained the services of an old physician. Dr.
Ross, to attend to their wounded son, though it is believed
the British surgeons were not wanting in their professional
attentions. He at length recovered.

The Whig troopers, encumbered with their prisoners,
now hurried rapidly away in a north-westerly direction,
instead of a north-easterly one towards their old encamp-
ment. The}- passed over a rough, broken country, crossing
the forks of Tj-ger, leaving Ferguson on the right, and
headinji their course towards their own friendlv mountains.
As they expected, they were rapidly piu\sued by a strong
detachment of Ferguson's men.* Wearied as the mountain-
eers and their horses were, with scarcely any refreshment
for either, yet Shelby's indomitable energy permitted them

♦This detachment could not have been led by Captain De Peyster. as supposed by
Colonel Shelby, for that officer, as the Tory annalist, Fanning, asserts, accompanied him
from Miisgrove's to Ninety Six the night after the battle, doubtless to notify Cruger of the
disaster, and obtain reinforcements.

■mk

; *

'f-i
ml

I' I

Im'm

KING'S MOUNTAIN

no rest while clangor lurkod in the way. Once or twice
only they tarried a hrief period to feed tlieir faithful
horses ; relyinj^f, for their own sustenance, on peaches and
green corn — the latter pulled from the stalks, and eaten in
its raw state as the}- took their turn on horse-back, or trotted
on foot along the trail, and which, in their hungry condi-
tion, they pronounced delicious. They were enabled, now
and then, to snatch a' refreshing draught frotn the rocky
streams which they forded.

Late in the evening of the eighteenth, Ferguson's party
reached the spot where the Whigs hud, less than thirty min-
utes before, fed their weary liorses ; but not knowing how
long they had been gone, and their own detachment being
exhausted, they relinquished further pursuit. Not aware of
this, the Americans kept on their tedious retreat all night,
and the following day, passing the North IVger, and into
the confmes of North Carolina — sixty miles from the battle-
iield, and one hundred from Smith's Ford, from which they
had started, without making a stop, save long enough to
defeat the enemy at Musgrove's. It was a remarkable
instance of unflagging endurance, in the heat of a south-
ern summer, and encumbered, as they were, with seventy
prisoners. No wonder, that after forty-eight hours of such
excessive fadgue, nearly all the oflicers and soldiers became
so exhausted, that their faces and eyes were swollen and
bloated to that degree that they were scarcely able to see.

Reaching the mountain region in safety, they met Colo-
nel McDowell's party, considerably diminislied in numbers,
as we may well suppose. Colonel Slielby, with the appro-
bation of Major Robertson, now proposed that an army of
volunteers be raised on both sides of the mountains, in suffi-
cient numbers, to cope with Ferguson. All of the officers,
and some of the privates, were consulted, and all heartily
united in the propriety and feasibility of the undertaking.
It was agreed that the Musgrove prisoners should be sent
to a place of security ; that the over-mountain men should

AND ITS HEROES.

119

return home to recruit and strcngthtMi llieir numbers ; wliile
Colonel McDowell should send an express to Colonels
Cleveland and Ilerndon, of Wilkes, and Major Winston, of
Surry, inviting and urging them to raise volunteers, and
join in the enterprise ; and that Colonel McDowell should,
furthermore, devise the best means to preserve the beef
stock of the Whigs of the Upper Catawba valleys and
coves, which would undoubtedly be an early object of Fer-
guson's attention ; and McDowell was, moreover, to obtain
information of the enemy's movements, and keep the over-
mountain men constantly apprised of them.*

As the term of service of their men having expired,
Colonel Shelby and Major Robertson, with their Holston
and Watauga volunteers, parted company with Colonel
Clarke, leaving the prisoners in his charge, and took the
trail which led to their homes over the Alleghanies. Colo-
nels McDowell and Hampton, with their Burke and Ruth-
erford followers, now less than two hundred in number,
remained in the Gilbert Town region till forced back b}- the
arrival of Ferguson shortly alter. Colonel Clarke, after
continuing some distance on his route, concluded to take
the mountain trails and return to Georgia, transferring the
prisoners to Colonel Williams, who, with Captain Ham-
mond, conducted them safely to Hillsboro. There, meeting
Governor Rutledge, of South Carolina, who supposing
Williams had the chief command of the expedition, as his
report was so worded as to convey that idea, conferred on
him as a reward for the gallant achievement, the commis-
sion of a Briijadier-General in the South Carolina militia
service, and, at the same time, promoted Captain Ham-
mond to the rank of a Major. Rut Shelby, Clarke, Bran-
don, Steen, McCall, McDowell, and Mcjunkin, wlio battled
so manfully at Musgrove's, were kept in the back-ground,
receiving no merited honors for their services and their suf-

♦MS. Statements of Major Joseph McDowell, and Captain David Vance, preserved by
the late Robert Henry, of Buncombe Co., N. C, and both participants in this expedition.

120

KING ' S xMO UNTAIN

fcririf^'s ; yet they, nevertheless, continued faithfully to serve
their country without a murmur.

Lord Cornvvallis, on the twenty-ninth of August, wrote
to Sir Henry Clinton: "Ferguson is to move into Tryon
count}' with some militia, whom he says he is sure he can
depend upon for doing their dut}', and fighting well ; but I
am sorry to say, that li.'s ozvn i\\pcricnct\ as well as that of
every other othcer, is totally against him."* This is a tacit
acknowledgment, that Ferguson's detachments were deci-
dedly worsted in the several affairs at Cedar Spring, with
Colonel Jones beyond the head-waters of Saluda, at Earle's
Ford, near Wofford's Iron Works, and at Musgrove's. So
good a judge of military matters as Lord Cornvvallis would
not have made such a report, had not the disastrous results
extorted the reluctant confession.

Some comparison of the principal authorities consulted,
which appear more or less contradictory in their character,
ma}' not inappropriately be made in concluding this chap-
ter. Dawson, vaguely referring to the Shelby statements,
says they " difTer so much from the contemporary reports,
that I have not noticed them." Colonel Shelby was in
every sense a real hero in war, and the details he furnishes
are no doubt reliable. But in after life, he appears, perhaps
imperceptibly, little by little, to have magnified the num-
bers, losses and prisoners in some of the contests in which
he was engaged — notably so of the Musgrove affair. The
venerable historian of Tennessee, Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey,
states in a letter before the writer, that he closely followed
a manuscript narrative of Governor Shelby in what he
records of the battle at Musgrove's — the same that Hay-
wood had used before him ; in which the British force is
given as four or five hundred, reinforced by six hundred
under Colonel Innes from Ninety Six, not, however, stating
the strength of the Whigs ; that more than two hundred
prisoners were taken, with a loss on the part of the victors of
only six or seven killed. In his statement to Hardin, Colonel

♦Correspondence of Connvallis. i, 58-59,

AND ITS HEROES.

121

Shelby puts botli the British and American strength at about
seven huiuh'ed — the former reinforced by six or seven hun-
dred more ; that over two hundred of the enemy were killed,
and two hundred made prisoners, with a Whij^f loss of Cap-
tain Tniiian and thirty others. Colonel Todd, in his sketch
of his fatlier-in-law. Governor Shelby, <^ives the enemy's
force at Musgrove's at five or six hundred, reinforced by
six hundred under Innes ; but discards Shelby's exaggerated
account of losses and prisoners, adopting McCall's instead.
Colonel Williams' report, on the other hand, gives the
American force at two hundred, and the British originally
the same, rcinibrced by three hundred, killing sixty of the
enemy, and taking seventy prisoners, while the Americans
sustained a loss of onlv four killed, and seven or ei<rht
wounded. Governor Abner Nash, of North Carolina,
writing September tenth, 1780, says: "Colonel Williams,
of South Carolina, two da3-s after this (Gates') defeat, with
two hundred men, engaged four hundred of the British
cavalry, in a fair open field light, and completely defeated
and routed them, killing sixt3'-threc on the spot, and taking
seventy-odd prisoners, mostly British." Orondates Davis,
a prominent public character, writing from Halifax, North
Carolina, September twenty-seventh, 17S0, states: "Colo-
nel Williams, of South Carolina, three [two] days after
Gates' defeat, fell in with a party of the enemy near Ninety
Six, and gave them a complete drubbing, killing seventy
on the spot, and taking between sixty and seventy prison-
ers, mostly British, with the loss of four men only." These
two statements, written, doubtless, on Williams' inf(>rm-
ation, appear in the JVorth Carolina University Magazine
for March, 1855. McCall speaks of the British force as
three hundred and fifty, and the Americans about equal,
stating the British loss at sixty-three killed, and one hun-
dred and sixty w^ounded and taken, the Americans losing
only four killed and nine wounded ; while Mills, who does
not report the numbers engaged, gives the British loss at

122

KING'S MOUiXTAIN.

eighty-six killed, and seventy -six taken. Major James
Sevier stated the Whiir force at two hinuhcd and lilly, as
he learned it from iii.s neighbors who partieipaled in the
action innnediately alter their return home ; and Major
Mcjunkin placed the British strength at three hundred, and
the Americans at half the number.

Siielby's accounts, and those who follow them, give the
date of the action as August nineteenth ; but the eighteenth
has the weight of authority to sustain it — Williams' report.
Governor Nash's letter, Si-ptember tenth, 1780, Ramsay's
Rcvoliilion in South Carolina, '7^5' Moidtrie, Gordon,
McCall, Mills, Lossing, O'Neall, and Dawson.

A'tf/r— Authorities for the MiiSKrovu's Mill expedition: Colonel Williams' report
which (ieneral Oates, September 5, 17S0, forwarded to the President of Congress, pnb-
lishcil in rcnnsylvaniiX Packet, September 23, Massinliusetts S/>y, October u. London
Chronicle, December 21, 1780, Scots' Mus'i^inc, December, 1780; Almon's Rtincmbyancer.
xi, 87, and the substance, evidently communicated by Governor Rutledge, in Virginia
dazctte, September 13, 1780. Ramsay's I\e\iolution, ii, 137: Moiilirie's Memoirs, ii, 220;
Mackenzie's Strictures, 25-86; Fanninf^'s .XarratiTe, i:!-i3; Oordon's Hiatory, iii, 449;
McCall's (7('ori'/(j, ii, 315-17, Shelby's accounts in Haywood's ienmssee, d^-dT, Ramsey's
I'eniiessee. 217-19; American U'/iig A'ct/i'ki, December, 1848; Todd's memoir of Shelby
in National Portrait Gallery, and in Western Monthly Magazine August 1836; llrca/oale's
Li/e as it is, 51-52; Wheeler's North Carolina, 11,57-58, ito; Hunter's Sketches 1/ Western
North Carolina, 337-39. Mills' Statistics, 255-56. 764; O'Neall's History Ne'.nlerry, 71, 265,
312-13; Lossing's Field Book, ii, 444-45; Dawson's Battles, \, 620-22; Howe's History
Presbyterian Church cf South Carolina, 526. MS, papers of Robert Henry. Also Sayc's
Memoir 0/ Mcjiinkin, and Saye MSS; MSB of Dr. John H. Logan, furnishing many
traditions from the Miisgrove family; Colonel William Mill's MS. Narrative of the Mus-
grove atTair. derived ft om "an officer of high standing" who participated in the cng.ige-
ment— the date and details going to show that Colonel Shelby was his authority: they
had met on the King's Mountain campaign. Pension statement of Captain Joseph
Hughes. MS. notes of conversations with M.njor James Sevier, son of Colonel John Sevier;
also with Major Tliom.ns H. Shelby, son of Colonel Isaac Shelby, and Colonel George
Wilson, of Tennessee.

The pretended narrative of Colonel Samuel Hammond, in Johnson's Traditions, has
not been relied on. It, for instance, refers to the express, who brought intelligence of
Gates' defeat, also bringing news of Sumter's disaster at Fishing Creek, when, in fact, it
did not occur, until several hours Inter of the same day, and in a distant county. Colonel
Hammond, of course, never wrote anything of the kind.

AND ITS HEROES

12;\

CHATTER VTI.

1780— Summer and Autumn.

Incidents of the I'p-iountry. — M,tjor Edward Musc^rovc. — Paddy Carr
and Ihahs Afus^/oxic. — 7 /it- S/oty of Mary Afiisi^roiu-. — Sainuci
Cloiuncy's Adiunliirc. — W'illiain h',nnidy's I-'orays A}:;ainst the
Tories. — foseph Ifiii^lies' Escape. — William .Sharp Baggini^ a
Ihitish and Tory Tarty.— Tories' .Ittack on Woods, and hoxo dearly
he sold his life. — Plundering .Sam. Iho'a'n.

Sevoral intiTL'stin^f incidents transpired durini; the sum-
mer and early autunui of 1780, in the region of the present
counties of Laurens, Spartanburg, and Union, while Col<j-
nel Ferguson yet held sway in that quarter. The more
striking of them deserve to be preserved in the history of
the times, as exhibiting something of the rancor and bitter-
ness engendered by civil warfare.

Edward Musgrove, whose name has been perpetuated
by the battle just narrated, fought near his residence, was a
native of England, and one of the earliest settlers of the
upper country of South Carolina. lie had received a good
education, and was bred to the law. Possessing line abili-
ties, large hospitality and benevolence, he was a practical
surveyor, giving legal advice, and drawing business papers
for all who needed them, for many miles around. He was
very popular, and exceedingly useful, in all the region, of
which his noted mill on the Enoree was the center.

Major Musgrove, for he bore that title, was a man a
little above medium height, of slender lorm, prematurely
gray, and possessed much lirmness and decision of charac-
ter. He had passed the period of active life when the
Revolutionary war commenced, and was then living with
his third wife — too old to take any part in the bloody strife ;

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124

KING'S MOUNTAIN

JQrqu

but with trembling lips, he plead each night for a speedy
return of peace and good will among men. He lived to
see his prayers answered, dying in 1792, in the sevent}'-
sixth year of his age, and was buried in the little grave-
yard, just behind the site of his house, near the old mill.

Beaks Musgrove was a son of the Major's b}' his lirst
wife. Partaking of the spirit of the times, and inspired by
such British leaders as the Cunninghams and Colonel Fer-
guson, he was induced to join the King's standard. Pat-
rick Carr, better known as Paddy Carr, was one of the
fearless Captains who served under Colonel Clarkt?, of
Georgia. He had been an Indian trader on the front' ers of
that Province, and wa.s, on occasion, quite as reckless and
brutal as the worst specimens among the Red Men of the
forest. Hunting for Beaks Musgrove, he suddenly darted
into Major Musgrove's, at a moment when Beaks had come
in to change his clothing, and get some refreshments, and
had leaned his sword against the door-post, while his pretty
sister, Mary, was engaged in preparing him a meal. Can-
had dodged in so quietly and unexpectedly, that Beaks was
taken entirely by surprise, and without a moment's notice
to enable him to attempt his escape.

"Are 30U Beaks Musgrove?" inquired Carr.

" I am, sir," was the frank and manly reply.

"You are the man, sir, I have long been seeking," was
the stern response of the Whig Captain..

Mary Musgro/e, seeing the drawn sword of her brother
in Carr's possession, earnestly inquired: "Are \'ou Paddy

arr

" I am," he replied.

" I am I\Iary Musgrove, Mr. Carr, and you must not
kill my brother, " at the same time imploringly throwing
herself between them.

Carr was evidently touched by the plea of artless beauty,
and struck with young Musgrove's manliness and fine sol-
dierly appearance, and said: " Musgrove, you look like a
man who would fight."

AND ITS HEROES.

125

"Yes," responded MusgiX)ve, "there are circumstances
under which I would do my best."

" Had I come upon you alone," said Carr, "in possess-
ion of your arms, would you have fought me? "

"Yes — sword in hand," rejoined Musgrove.

Carr seemed pleased with his new acquaintance, who
was now so completely in his power, and boldly proposed
to him to become a member of his scout at once, and swear
never again to bear arms against the Americans. By this
time, Carr's men, w^ho had been stationed in the cedar
grove some distance from the house, came up, to observe
what was transpiring, and, if need be, to render aid to their
leader.

Mar}' Musgrove, seeing her brother disposed to accede
to Carr's proposition, with a view, probably, of saving his
life, still had her fears awakened for his safety, and boldly
challenged the Captain's motives. "Captain Carr," she
asked, " I hope you do not intend to persuade m}'^ brother
to leave me, and then, when the presence of his sister is no
longer a restraint, butcher him in cold blood — pledge me,
sir, that such is not \our purpose."

" I '11 swear it," replied Carr, solemnly. Beaks Mus-
grove joined his part}', but at heart he was a Tory still.
He, however, continued some time with Carr, constantly
gaining upon that bold leader's confidence ; but there is no
record or tradition tendin^j to show how long the native
baseness of his heart permitted him to sustain his new char-
acter. There is no evidence that he ever after be. e arms
against his country- — perhaps he feared the terrible retribu-
tion Carr would certainly have visited upon him, had
he falsified the solemn oath he had taken. About the close
of the war, ho quit the coimtry, and never returned. He
left a son, who became a Baptist preacher, displaying, it is
said, much of the eccentricity and acuteness o( the cele-
brated Lorenzo Dow.

By his second marriage, to a Miss Fancher, Major Mus-

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126

KIA'G'S MOUNTAIN

grove had two dauglitors, Mar}- and Susan, aged respect-
ively sonie twenty-five and twenty-three jears, at the period
of the war troubles of 17S0-81 ; and both were akin to the
angels in their unwearied acts of mercy to the wounded and
the suflering in those trying times. They were young
women of marked attractions, both of mind and bod}- ;
Mary, cspecialh', was a young lady of rare beauty of per-
son, possessing a bright intellect, and much energy of char-
acter. She was the renowned heroine of Kennedy's popu-
lar stor}- of *• Ilorse-Shoe Robinson;" and, in all the up-
countr}' of South Carolina, he could not have chosen a more
beaudful character in real life with which to adorn the
charming pages of his historical romance. In Mary Mus-
grove's case —

" Dcmity unadorned is adorned the most."
Both of these noble sisters fell early viciims to the con-
simiption — Mary dying about one year, and Susan about
two years, after the war — both unmarried, and both quietly
repose in the little grave-yard beside their revered parents.

When Mary Musgrove was about passing away, she
selected her sister, and tl ree other young ladies of the
neighborhood, to be her pall-bearers. Her body being verv
light, they bore it to its final resting-place on silk handker-
chiefs. Just as they were lowering the coflin into the grave,
u kind-hearted lad\' present, the wife of a noted Tory, came
forward to render some little assistance, when a member of
the family, knowing Mary's devoted Whig principles,
gently interposed and prevented it. Sucli was the tender
respect shown to the memory of the worth}' heroine of the
Enoree.*

A remarkable adventure of Samuel Clowney will next

* AmonR Dr. I.ogan''; MSS.. is an interesting statement, to which we are iiulchtcd for
these particulars, from the late Captain P. Ri. Waters, son of Margaret Musgrove, the
oldest daughter, by his last marriage, of Major Musgrove— a girl of twelve summers at the
time of the memorable battle near her father's, in 17S0. She married I.adon Waters, and
survived till 1834; and by her retentive memory these traditions, and several of those
rel.ited in the preceding chapter, were preserved.

AND ITS HEROES.

127

demand our attention. He was a native of Ireland, and
first settled on the Catawba river, in North Carolina, ilnally
locating in South Carolina. He was a most determined
Whig, and had joined Colonel Thomas at the Cedar Spring,
earl}' in July. Obtaining with several others a brief leave
of absence, to visit their friends, and procure a change
of clothing, they set off f<ir the settlement on the waters
of Fa.ir Forest, known as Ireland or the Irish Settle-
ment, on account of the large number of settlers from
the E'nerald Isle. On their route, the party left, with a
Mrs. Foster, some garments to be washed, and appointed a
particular hour, and an out-of-the-way place, where they
should meet her, and get them, on their return to camp.

In accordance with this arrangement, when the party
reached Kelso's creek, about five miles from Cedar Spring,
they diverged from the road through the woods to the ap-
poiuied place, leaving Clowney, and a negro named Paul,
to take charge of their horses until they should return with
the washing. Present]}- five Tories, making their way to a
Loyalist encampment in that quarter, came to the creek ;
when Clowney, conceiving himself equal to the occasion,
and giving the negro subdued directions of the part he was
to act, yelled out in a commanding tone: "Cock your
guns, boys, and tire at the word ; " and then advancing to
the bank of the stream, as the Tories were passing through
it, demanded who they were? Thev answered : "Friends
to the King.'' To their utter astonishment, not dreaming
of a Whig party in the country, they were peremptorily
ordered by Clowney to come upon the bank, lay down their
arms, and surrender, or "every b; gger of them would be
instantly cut to pieces.'' Being somewhat slow in sliowing
signs of yielding, Clowney sternly repeated his demand,
threatening them, with his well-poised rifle, of the fatal
consequences of disobedience ; when the terror-stricken
Tories, believing that a large force was upon them, quietly
surrendered without uttering a word.

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128

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Paul took charije of their guns, when Clowney, giving
some directions to his imaginary soldiers to follow in the
rear, ordered tlie prisoners "right about wheel," when
he marched them across the creek, directly before him,
till he at length reached the rest of his party at Mrs. Foster's
washing camp. They were then conducted to Colonel
Thomas' quarters. The prisoners were not a little cha-
grined, when they learned that their captors consisted of
only two persons — one of whom was an unarmed negro.
After arriving safely at Cedar Spring, his Colonel, when
told that Clowney and the negro alone had captured the
whole party, seemed at first a little incredulous that they
could accomplish such a feat.

"Why, Paddy," said the Colonel, "how did you take
all these men?"

''May it plase yer honor," he replied, exultingly, "by
me faith, I surrounded them I "

Clowney was a real hero. This achievement of his at
Kelso's creek is well attested by man}- who knew him.
One of h's acquaintances, in his terse way, described him
as " a little dry Irishman ; " and though he belonged to the
Presbyterian Church, like all of his Celtic race of that day,
without being intemperate, he could not refrain from getting
dry once in a while, and dearly loved "a wee bit of the
crathure" occasionally. He possessed a remarkable talent
for sarcasm and invective ; but he was, nevertheless, a most
kind-hearted, benevolent man, greatly beloved by all who
knew him. Ilis brogue wn'^ quite rich, and this, combined
with a fund of genial Irisli wit, made him a fascinating
companion. He died September twenty-seventh, 1824, in
his eighty-second j-ear. His son, William K. Clowney,
who was a graduate of South Carolina College, and became
a prominent lawA'er, represented his native district four
years in Congress.*

* MS. I-ngan papers; MS. notes of conversations with Dr. Alexander Q. nradley, of
Alabama, and deneral James K. Means, a son-in-law of Clowney'?, in 1871; Howe's ffis-
ttiry 0/ Prcshytcriaii Church in South Carolina, 534-35: Dr. Moore's Life of Lacey 32.

AND ITS HEROES.

129

Five miles south of Unionville, in the present county of
Union, was Fair Forest Shoal. There Colonel Thomas
Brandon resided ; but his military position required his
presenee elsewhere much of the time during tlie active
period of the Revolution. His place, during his absence,
was well t:upplied by a few resolute Whigs, among whom
were old 'Squire Kennedy, his son William, Joseph Hughes,
William Sharp, Thomas Young, Joseph Mcjunkin, and
Christopher Brandon.

Among these brave and active patriots, William Ken-
nedy stood conspicuous. He was of French Huguenot
descent — the race to which Marion belonged. He was tall,
handsome, and athletic. His perception was quick, his
sagacity equal to any emergency, and his ability sufficient
for a great commander. But he persistently refused to
accept any office, choosing ratlicr to serve as a common
soldier. He was regarded as the best shot with his rifle of
anv person in all that region. Whether on foot or horse-
back, at half-speed or a stand-still, he was never known to
miss his aim. His rifle had a peculiar crack when fired,
which his acquaintances could recognize ; and when its
well-known report was heard, it was a common remark —
'* t/icrc /.s" a not her Tory less.'''

Although he held no commission, yet the men of the
neigliborhood acknowledged him as their leader when dan-
ger was nigh, and their feet were ever in the stirrup at his
bidding. His efforts were often called into requisition by
the plundering excursions of the Tories sent out under the
auspices of Ferguson, Dunlap, and their subordinate ofll
cers. He and his comrades often saved their settlement from
being over-run by these scouting parties. The crack of
Kennedy's rifle was sure to be heard whenever a Tory was
found ; and it was the well-known signal for his friends to
hasten to his assistance. He seemed almost to "snuff the
battle from afar;" and the flush of determination would suf-
fuse his manlv countenance whenever he had reason to
b<'lieve the enemy were near.

m ■ :'=!

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130

KING'S MOUNTAIN.

On one occasion, a British and Tory scouting party
penetrated the settlement, and began their custoniar}' work
of phindering the women and children ot" every thing they
possessed, whether to eat or to wear. One of Kennedy's
runners went to the hiding-place of Christopher I^randon
and two companions — for they were, in the language of the
times, out-lyers, and could not with safety stay at home for
fear of being massacred by the Tories — and notified them
of an enterprise on foot. They mounted their horses, and
hastened at half-speed to the place of rendezvous. Pursu-
ing an unfrequented cow-path through a dense forest, they
stopped a moment at a small branch crossing their trail, to
permit their jaded horses to quench their thirst, and then
renew their journey. The crack of a rifle scattered the
brains of one of Brandon's companions on his clothes and
in his face, the same ball grazing his cheek, the dead body
of the victim tumbling into the brook beneath. The two
survivors put spurs to their horses, when more than a dozen
rifles were fired at them from an unseen enemy behind the
trees ; but they fortunately escaped uninjiu'ed. The Tory
party had heard the galloping of the horses of Brandon and
his friends, and laid in wait for them.

Reaching the place of meeting, some fifteen or twenty-
had assembled under their bold leader, Kennedy, and were
ready for a hot pursuit. They overtook the Tory band a
few minutes before sunset. They were plundering a house
in a field a few rods from the public road ; and the Whig
pursuers had their attention first attracted by the cries of the
woman and her children. The Tories had a sentinel out-
side, who fired as the Whigs came near ; and, on the alarm,
those within instantly dashed out, mounted their horses, and
fled. The Whigs divided, each pursuing his man at full
speed. Kenned}' directed 3'oung Brandon, who was inex-
perienced, to keep near him, and only fire when told to do
so. The leader of the Tory party, w hose name was Neal,
was the one singled out and pursued by Kennedy. lie fled

AND ITS HEROES.

131

through an open field, towards the woods, at some distance
awa}' ; but Kenned}' kept the road, running nearly parallel
with the fugitive, till he reached an open space in the hedge-
row of bushes that had partially obstructed the view, when
he suddenly called out whoa! to his horse, who had been
trained instanth' to obe}' ; and, as quick as thought, the
crack of Kennedy's rifle brouglit Neal tumbling to the
groimd. He was stone-dead when Kennedy and Brandon
came up, having been shot through the body in a vital part.
The distance of Kennedy's fire was one hundred and forty
yards. More than half of the Tory party was killed.
"Not one was taken prisoner," as Brandon related the
adventure in his old age, " for it occurred but seldom — our
rifles usuallv saved us that trouble." Re-takin<jf the Tory
booty, it was all faithfully restored to the distressed woman
and children.*

On the heights at Fair Forest Shoal was an old stockatle
fort or block-house. Many tragic incidents occurred there,
and in its nei<diborhood. A Tory, whose name has been
forgotten, had, with his band, done much mischief in that
region ; and, among other unpardonable sins, had killed
one of William Kennedy's dearest friends. The latter
learned that the culprit was within striking distance, and
called his friends together, who went in search of him.
The two parties met some two or three miles from the
block-house, when a severe contest ensued. The Tories
were routed ; and the leader, wlio was the prize Kenned}'
sought, fled. Kennedy, Hughes, Sharp, Mcjunkin and
others pursued. The chase was one of life or death. The
Tory approached the bank of Fair Forest at a point, on a
high bluff, where the stream at low water was perhaps
twenty or thirty yards over, and quite deep. The fleeing

*MS, notes of Hon. Daniel Wallace, communicated to William Gilmore Simms, the
distinguished novelist and historian of South Carolina, and kindly furnished the writer by
Mr. Simms' daughter, Mrs. Edward Roach, of Charleston. Mr. Wallace was a native of
the up-country of South Carolina, and represented his district in Congress from 1S47 to
1853. He died a few years since.

182

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Lo^^alist, hemmed around by his pursuers on t'^e bhifT, just
where they aimed to drive him, hesitated not a moment,
but spurred his horse, and phm<fed over the bank, and into
the stream below — a Tearful leap. I lis pursuers followed,
and at the opposite bank they made him their prisoner.

Their powder being wet by its contact with the water,
the}'^ resolved to take their captive below to the block-house
and hang him. When they arrived there, the officer in
command w^ould not permit him to be disposed of in that
summary manner, but ordered him to be taken to Colonel
Brandon's camp, a considerable distance away, to be tried
by a court martial. Kennedy was placed at the head of the
guard, but the Tory begged that Kennedy might not be
permitted to go, as he apprehended he w^ould take occasion
to kill him on the way. Evidently intending to make an
etlbrt to escape, he did not wish the presence of so skillful
a shot as Kennedy. Ilis request, however, was not heeded.
He took an ear^/ occasion to dash oft' at full speed; but
Kennedy's unerring rifle soon stopped his flight, and his
remains were brought back to the foot of the hill, near the
block-house, and there buried. The Tory's jjrave was
still pointed out within a few years past.*

The name of Joseph Hughes has been mentioned as one
of the faithful followers of William Kennedy. Both were
proverbially brave — Hughes was probably' the more reckless
of the two — possessed more of a dare-devil character.
Early one morning, he left his hiding-place, as one of the
honored band of out-lycrs, who preferred freedom at \\\\y
sacrifice rather than tamel}' yield to the oppression around
them, and visited his humble domicile, to see his little family,
residing on the west side of Broad river, near the locality
of the present village of Pinckneyville. He approached his
house cautiously on horse-back, and when within a rod,
three Tories suddenly sprang out of the door, and present-
ing their guns, said exultingly : —

* Wallace Manuscript.

AND ITS HEROES.

133

•'You d — (I Rebel, you are our prisoner! "

" You are d — d liars I " defiandy yelled Hughes, as he
instandy spurred his horse to his full speed. As he cleared
the gate at a single leap, all three fired, but missed their
mark, and he escaped without a scratch. Those Tories had
watched for him all night, and had just entered the house to
get their breakfast as he rode up. They were naturally
quite chop-fallen, when, having taken so much pains to
secure so plucky an enemy of the King, they found them-
selves, in the end, so completel}- foiled in their purpose.*

On another occasion, when a scouting party of British
and Tories was passing through what is now Union County,
committing robberies, as was their wont, when they little
suspected it, their footsteps were dogged by William Sharp,
one of Kennedy's fearless heroes, with two associates. At
Grindal Shoals, a notable ford of Pacolet, they came upon
the enemy. It was in the night, and \ery dark, which con-
cealed their numbers, and favored their daring enterprise.
The first intimation the British and Tories had of danger,
was a bold demand on the part of Sharp and his associates
for them to siu'render instantly, or the}' would be blown into
a region reputed prett}' hot. In the surprise of the moment,
they begged for quarter, and laid down their arms, to the
number of twenty. The victors threw their guns into the
river, before their prisoners discovered their mistake, and
drove the captives to the nearest Whig encampment in that
region, f

In a quiet nook in Spartanburg lived a man named
Woods — on one of the Forks of Tyger, we believe. He
was not known as particularly demonstrative or combative
among his neighbors, but was a true patriot, and unflinch-
ing in times of danger. One day, when at home with his
wife, he found his house surrounded In' a party of deter-
mined Tories. Seeing so overwhelming a superiority of

* Wallace Manuscript,
t Wallace Manuscript.

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134

KING'S MOUNTAIN

numbers against him, Woods, who had closed his house
against them, proposed if tliey would, in good faith, agree
to spare his own and wife's lives, they might come in un-
opposed, and take whatever they wanted, otherwise, as he
had two guns, he would sell his life as dearly as possible.
They would make no promises, but demanded an uncon-
ditional surrender. Woods commenced the unequal battle,
availing himself of a crack between his house-logs, which
served him as a port-hole, and kept up a brisk liring, his
heroic wife loading his guns for him as fast as either was
empty, till he had killed three of his assailants. They now
becanie more desperate than ever, and, through the same
crack, managed to send a ball which broke Mrs. Woods'
arm. In the confusion of the moment, while Woods was
assisting his wife, the Tories seeing his fire had slackened,
rushed up to the door which they battered down, and cap-
tured the intrepid defender. They took him a lew rods
away, into a copse of wood, where they soon beat him to
death with clubs. Mrs. Woods was spared, and recovered.*
In what was originally' a part of Tryon, now Lincoln
County, North Carolina, were many Loyalists. Among
them was Samuel Brown, who had been reared there, and
proved himself not only an inveterate Tory, but a bold and
unscrupulous plunderer. lie had a sister, Charit\- Brown,
who must have been a rough, reckless, bad woman. For
quite a period, the two carried on very successful plunder-
ing operations — including horses, bed-clotbes, wearing ap-
parel, pewter-ware, mone}^ and other valuable articles.
Sometimes they had confederates, but oftener they went
forth alone on their pillaging forays. About fifteen miles
west of Statesville, North Carolina, three miles above the
Island Ford, there is a high bluff' on the western side of the
Catawba river, risin?^ three hundred feet high, at a place
known as the Look-Out Shoals. About sixty feet from the

*MS. notes of conversations, in 1871. with Major A. J. Wells, of Montcvallo, Alabama,
a native of Spartanburg County. South Carolina.

AND ITS HEROES,

1:5.5

base of this blufT, under an over-hani^infr clitr, was a cave
of considerable dimensions, sutTicienl to accommodate sev-
eral persons, but the opening to which is now partially
closed by a mass of rock sliding down from above. This
cave was the depository for the plunder taken by stealti^ or
violence from the poverty-stricken j^eople in the country for
manv miles around ; for Uieir depredations extended from
the Shallow Ford of Yadkin to the region embracing the
several counties of the north-western portion of South Caro-
lina.

Sam Brown was once married to the daugbtev of a man
residing near the Island Ford, but his wife, disliking the man,
or his treatment of her. left him and returned to her father;
and in revenge for harboring and protecting her. Brown
went one night and killed all his father-in-law's stock. A
poor old blind man, named David Beard, living on Fourth
creek, near wbat is now called Beard's bridge, about seven
miles east of Statesville, had a few dollars in silver laid up,
which Brown unfeelingly filched from him. Beard re-
proached him for his wrongs and cruelties, and reminded
him that he woidd have a hard account to render at the day
of judgment for robbing a person in his poor and helpless
condition,

"It's a long trust," retorted Brown; "but sure pay,"
promptly rejoined Beard.

So notorious had become the robber's achievements,
that he was known in all that region as Pliindcn'n^- Sam
Droivn. Among the Tories, he was designated as Captain
Sam Brown. As early as the Spring of 1778, he was
associated with the Tory leader, David Fanning ; and they
were hiding in the woods together on Reaburn's creek, in
now Laurens County, South Carolina, for the space of six
weeks, living entirely upon what they killed in the wilder-
ness, without bread or salt. There were too many watchful
Whigs in this region to suit Brown's notions, so he wended
his way to Green river, in what is now Polk County, in the
south-western part of North Carolina.

136

KING'S MOUNTAIN

The advent of Colonel Ferjfuson to the up-cfintry of
South Carolina proved a perfect God-send to siiel .lened

wretches as Brown. They could now di^Miify thei. plunder-
ing with the sanction of his iMajesty's faithful servant;-,
Colonel Ferguson, Colonel Iinies, and Major Dunlap. To
such an extent had the people of the Spartanburg region
been raided and over-run, during the summer of 1780, by
these persistent pillagers, that the men had been conijH'lled
to fly to the distant bodies of Whigs under McDowell or
Sumter, or become out-lyers in the wilderni'ss. This left
a comparatively open field for the nuu'auders, and they
were not slow to avail themselves of it. Captain Brown
and his followers made frequent incursions in that quarter.
He ventured, on one otjcasion, to the house of Jot' di Cul-
bertson, on Fair Forest, acciMup-uiied by a singU ')ciate
named Butler, and inquired of Mrs. Culbertson f hus-

band. But this young woman, the daughter of the heroic
Mrs. Colonel Thomas, gave him some pretty curt and un-
satisfactcjry answers. Brown became very much provoked
by this spirited woma.), and retorted '"n much abusive and
indecent language ; assuring her, furthermore, that he
would, in a few days, return with his company, lay her
house in ashes, kill her husband, and plunder and murder
the principal Whigs of the neighborhood. After a good
deal of longuc lashings and bravado of this character,
Brown and Butler rode off, leaving Mrs. Culbertson to
brood over her painful apprehensions.

Brown's cup of iniquity was running over, and the day
of retribution was at hand. Fortunately^ Culbertson re-
turned home that night, accompanied by a friend, Charles
Ilolloway, who was as brave and fearless as himself. The
story of Brown's visit, his threats and insolence, very
naturally roused Culbertson's feelings — indignation and re-
sentment pervaded his whole nature. Beside this disgrace-
ful treatment of his wife. Brown had apprehended the elder
Colonel Thomas, the father of Mrs. Culbertson, soon after

ir 1
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AND IIS HEROES.

187

the fall of Charleston, am! carried him, two of his sons,
and his ncffroes and horsos, to the liritish, at Ninety Six.
Culhertson deti'rmined to capturi' the redoubtahli' plun-
derer, or rid the coinitry of so gn-at a scourge. Ilolloway
was equ.'dly ready for tiie enterprise.

Early the next morning, reinforced by William Neel,
William Mcllhaney, and one Steedman,* they followed the
tracks of the two marauders some ten or twelve miles, when
they discovered Brown's and Hutler's horses in a stable on
the road-side, belonging to Dr. Andrew Tliompson, in the
region of Tvger river, when- they had stopped for rest and
refreshment. Culbertson's party now retraced their steps
some distance, hitched their horses out of sight, and crept
up within shot of Thompson's, posting themselves behind
the stable, and eagerly watched the appearance of the Tory
free-booters. At length Brown stepped out of the house
into the yard, followed b}- Butler; and as the Tory Captain
was enjoying lazily a rustic yawn, with his hands locked
over his head, he received a shot from Culbertson's deadly
rifle, at a distance of about two hundred yards. The ball
passed directly through his body, just below his shoulders,
and making a desperate bound, he fell dead against the door-
yard fence. Ilolloway ''s fire missed Butler, the ball lodging
in the door-jamb, just behind him ; but without waiting to
learn the fate of his leader, or to secure his horse, he fled
to the woods and escaped. Brown was an active, shrewd,
heartless man — the terror of women and children wherever
his name was known. Butler, it is believed, took the hint,
and never re-appeared in Spartanburg.

One tradition has it, that Brown's life of robbery and
out-la wry commenced even before the Revolution, which
may very well have been so. The amount of money cou-
sin a MS. letter of Colonel Elijah Clarke to General Sumter, October 29th, 1780. occurs
this statement : " I am to inform you, that the 'l'orii:s killcil Captains Hampton and Stid-
man, at or near Fair Forest " —the latter, perhaps, the associate of Culhertson, in his suc-
cessful foray against Hrown, and for that very reason he probably lost bis life, in retaliation,
on the part of Brown's friends.

:!!,

13S

KING'S MOUNTAIN

cealed by him was supposed to be large — the fruits of his
predator}^ life ; anil frequent searches have been made to
find the hidden treasure. In his secluded cave, he kept a
mistress, but she professed ignorance of his localities of de-
posit. A small sum only has been discovered by accident.
The probabilities are, he never accumulated much money,
as the frontier people whom he plundered were poor, and
but little specie was in circulation beyond the immediate
neighborhood of the British troops.

After the de.'ith of her despicable brother, poor Charity
Brown fled westward to the mountain region of what is now
Buncombe and Haywood, and before her death, it is related,
she made some revelations wdiere to find valuables buried in
the vicinity of the cave at the Look-Out Shoals ; rnd among
articles subsequently discovered, were twelve sets of pewter-
ware, which had been concealed in a large hollow tree.
This, in the course of* time, had been blown down by the
wind, and thus revealed this long hidden booty of the rob-
bers of the Catawba. It is currently stated by the super-
stitious of that region, that when one comes near the cave,
and tries to bring his balteau to land at the base of the clitf,
he hears a fearful noise — not proceeding from the cave, so
far above the water, but from the rock at the bottom.

However this mav be, Culbertson and Mollowav. after
their successful work at Thompson's, deliberately wiped
their guns, reloaded them, and were again prepared for any
piirilous adventiu'e. Not very long after Brown's death,
which was a r.ource of rejoicing among the Whigs in all
that region, Culbertson received word, that a noted Tory,
whom he knew, then in North Carolina, threatened to kill
him, in retaliation for Brown's death. They met one dajj^
unexpectedly, and instanUy recognized each other, when
both fired their rifles almost simidtaneouslv ; Culbertson's
cracked a moment first — the Tory fell dead, while the Whig
rifleman escaped unhurt.

Such sanguinary relations of civil warfare make one's

AND ITS HEROES.

139

blood almost curdle in the veins. The unmerciful conduct
ol'Tarleton at Buford's defeat, had engendered a feeling of
savage furv on the part of the Whigs, and as bitterly recipro-
cated on the part of the Tories, whicli, in time, amounted
to the almost utter refusal of all quarter. So that in the
CaroHnas and Georgia, the contest became, to a fearful
extent, a war of ruthless bloodshed and extermination.*
General Greene, a few months later, wrote thus freely of
these hand-to-hand strifes: "The animosit}-,'' he said,
"between tlie Whigs and Tories, rendered their situation
truly deplorable. Tliere is not a day passes but there are
more or less who fall a sacritice to this savage disposition.
The Whigs seem determined to extirpate the Tories, and
Uie Tories the Whigs. Some thousands have fallen in this
vay in this quarter, and the evil rages with more A'iolence
than ever. If a stop can not be put to these massacres, the
country will be depopulated in a few months more, as
neither Whig nor Tory can live."f

*The authorities for the story of Plundering Sam lirown are : Fanning's Narrative;
obituary notice of Josiah Culburtson. in the Wasliingtoii. Indiana. Weekly Register, Octo-
ber 17th, 1839, with comments thereon, ^y Major Mcjunkin, preserved among the Saye
MSS.; Ex-Governor H. F. Perry's sketch of Culbertsun. in the Orion Magazine, June.
1S44; Johnson's TraJifioiis, 423; and sketch of Sam lirown. by Kev. E. R. Rockwell, of
North Carohna, in the Historical Magazine, October, 1873.

t Greene'; ti/a 0/ Greene, iii, 227.

'Hil

f'tl

140

KING'S MOUMTAJN

CHAPTER VIII.

August, 1780— March, 1781.

Cormvallis Han^iug Propcnsil/rs. — Sumter a thorn in his Lordship's
side. — Dispersion of Whig Bands. — Ferguson s Success in Training
the Loyal Militia. — Action of the Alarmed Tory Ij;adcrs. — In-rguson
Moves into Tryon County. — Colonel Graham Repels a Party of Plun-
derers. — Ruse for Saving Whig Stock. — Mrs. Lytic and her Beaver
Hat. — Engagement on Cane Creek, and Major Dunlap ivounded. —
Apprehension of Jonathan Hampton. — Dunlap' s Insolence. — Sketch
of Dunlap' s Career and Death.

Lord Cornvvallis' success at Camden had, like the
mastilT fed on meat and blood, made him all the more
fierce for further strife and carnafje. Two days after
Gates' defeat, his Lordship wrote to Lieutenant-Colonel
Cruger, at Ninet}' Six : "I Lave given orders that all the
inhabitants of this Province, who had submitted, and who
have taken part in this revolt, should be punished with the
greatest rigor ; that they should be imprisoned, and their
whole property taken from them or destroyed ; I have like-
wise directed that compensation should be made out of
their effects to the persons who have been plundered and
oppressed b}' them. I have ordered, in the most positive
manner, that every militia man who had borne arms with
us, and had afterwards joined the enemy, shotihl be iniiiic-
dialcly hono-ed. I have now, sir, only to desire that you
will take the most vigorous measures to extinguish the
rebellion, in the district in which you command, and that
you will obe}', in the strictest manner, the directions I have
given in this letter, relative to the treatment of the country."*

*This is the l.inguagc of his Lordship's letter to LiciiteiiantColonel Cnigcr, as Rivtii in
the Cornwallis' Corresfomience, i, 56-57. His Lordship scciris to have eiiiiivocatcd about

A.VD ITS HEROES.

141

These sanguinary orders were, in man}- cases, most faith-
fully obeyed — Tarleton, Rawdon, Balfour and Browne, par-
ticularly demonstrating their fitness for carrNing into eftect
these tyrannical measures.

Sumter, by his pluck}- and frequent attacks on several
British detachments, had proved himself a thorn in his
Lordship's side. He had made a bold push against Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Turnbull at Rocky Mount ; then practically
defeated Major Garden and the Tor}^ Colonel Bryan, at
Hanging Rock ; and fmally captured Fort Carey, and a
large convoy, below Camden. These were audacious
things to do, evincing great contempt of his Majesty's
Government, and of his Lordship's power and consideration
in the Province. 1 urnbull, after Sumter's attack, had re-
tired to Ferguson's quarters, on Little river ; and Ferguson
meanwhile, had pushed further north to the Fair Forest
region. On his great victory over Gates, Cornwallis direc-
ted Turnbull and Ferguson to immediately put their corps
in motion, and push on, if possible, to intercept Sumter's
retreat towards No' th Carolina with his prisoners and spoils
of victory. Tarleton was also sent in his pursuit, overtak-
ing and surprising him at the mouth of Fishing creek, onlv
two da3s after Gates' melancholy disaster near Camden.

As we hear nothing more of Turnbull in the Ninety Six
region, it is to be presumed that he was, not long afte/,
recalled to the eastern part of South Carolina. The orders
of Lord Cornwallis, which must have reached Colonel Fer-
guson shortly after die affair at Musgrove's Mill, seem to
have set that officer's forces in motion. After driving
Clarke, Shelby, and Williams out of the Province, it only
remained to pay his attention to McDowell's party, at
Smith's Ford, on Broad river. On receipt of General Cas-
well's letter, announcing the disaster of Gates, and advising

3 '-hV

the subject-matter of this letter; Init lie wrote a similar one, the same mouth, fully as
hlooil thirsty in its tone, to Lieutenant-Colonel Balfour, which is given in Sparks' If^ash-
ington, vii, 555-6.

'IS"-'

ill

142

KING'S MOUNTAIN

the iiulependGnt detiiclinicnts to retire beyond the reach of
the victorious l>ritish, IvIcDoweirs force mosll}- disbanded
and scattered — some of them, perhaps, hke Shelby's men,
because their term of service had expired ; while others, it
may be, like Clarke's Georgians, because they were volun-
teers at pleasure. What was left of McDowell's command
— less than two hundred, apparently —retired to their own
mountain region of North Carolina, in the counties of
Rutherford and Burke.

That Ferguson, during the period he held command in
the up-country, had been both imliring and successful, is
well attested by a report of Lord Cornwallis to the 1 lome
Government, August twentieth, 1780: "In the district of
Ninety Six," says his Lordship, "by far the most populous
and powerful of the Province, Lieutenant-Colonel Balfour,
by his great attention and diligence, and b}- the active
assistance of Major Ferguson, who was appointed Inspector-
General of the militia of this Province by Sir Henry Clin-
ton, had formed seven battalions of militia, consisting of
abo\e four thousand men, and entirely composed of persons
well-affected to the British Government, which were so
regulated, that they could, with ease, furnish fifteen hundred
men, at a short notice, for the defense of the frontier, or
any other home service. But I must take this opportunity
of observing, that this militia can be of little use for distant
military operations, as they will not stir without a horse ; and,
on that account, your Lordship will see the impossibility of
keeping a number of them together without destroying the
coimtry." Turning their horses into ili>kls of grain, and eat-
ing out one settlement, they w'ould soon necessarily have
to remove to another.

Only five days before the action at Musgrove's, while
Ferguson and his troops were encamped at Fair Forest
Shoal, in Brandon's Settlement, an important meeting
was held there by the Loyalist ofllcers and their men.
The North Carolina battalion under Colonel Ambrose Mills,

AND ITS HEROES.

143

and the six South Carolina battalions — Cunningham's, Kirk-
land's, Clary's, King's, Gibbs' and Plumnicr's were there in
camp, while Lieutenant-Colonel John Philips, battalion, and
another, were stationed at Edward Mobley s settlement, in
the adjoining county of Fairiield, some twenty-tive miles
distant. All the Colonels seem to have been absent — Clary
at Musgrove's ; but all the battalions were represented at
the meeting. Lieutenant-Colonel Philips, Lieutenant-Colo-
nel W. T. Turner, Majors Daniel Plummer, Zachariah
Gibbs. and John Hamilton, and x\djutant Thomas D. Hill,
Jr., being present.

These Loyalist chiefs, who had flattered themselves that
the Rebellion was, to all intents and purposes, quelleil, and
that the}- would soon be made lords and masters over the con-
quered communities, now began to realize that the Whigs of
the country would not "down" at their bidding — that Sum-
ter, Marion. McDowell, WMliams, Shelby, Clarke, Thomas,
lirandon, Mcjunkin, and other leaders, were in arms, boldly
attacking Tory parties whenever they could meet them on
an3-thing like an equal footing. The Loyal militia, when
danger began to stare them in the face, showed signs of
weakening and lagging. It was, therefore, hnportant, as
"the Rebels were again in the field." as they expressed it,
that they should provide severe punishments for all of their
Loyalist delinquents; that their horses, cattle, grain, aaid
arms should be forfeited, and they should bo brought to
trial, and punished in person as they deserved. They
furthermore gave it as their imanimous expression, that
whoever should act a treacherous part bv abandoning the
Royal cause, desertmg his battali<jn, or disobeying the
orders of his comnuuuling ollicers, is a worse enemy to the
King and country than even the Rebels themselves, and
that all good Loyalists should assist in the defense of the
country, and that whoever neglects to assemble, and do

f:!

!:i

144

KING'S MOUNTAIN

service in the Loyal militia, should be made to serve in the
regular army.*

Lord Cornwallis, on the twenty-ninth of August, an-
nounced to Sir IIenr\- Clinton: "Ferguson is to move
into Tr3-on county with some militia, whom, he says, he
can depend upon for doing their duty and fighting well ;
but I am sorry to say that his own experience, as well as
that of every other officer is totally against him." It is not
a little singular, that his Lordship, with his poor opinion of
the fighting qualities of the Tories, should have ordered
Ferguson so far Heyond the reach of succor, in case of
danger. As he could not spare any detachment of regulars
to give them countenance, he probably hoped that the
Whigs were so far cowed and dispersed, that they would
not give Ferguson any serious opposition.

As McDowell, Clarke, Shelby, and Williams had retired
to the back parts of North. Carolina, Ferguson, after awhile,
followed into that quarter. His detachments, however,
during the heats of summer, performed many of their move-
ments at night, and kept beating about in various direc-
tions, sometimes in the North Province and sometimes in
the South, in search of prominent Whig leaders, over-awing
all opposition, pluiuioring whenever they found anything
which they needed or coveted, and administering the oath
of allegiance to all who would take it, with liberal tenders
of pardon to those who had been active and prominent par-
ticipators in the rebellion. Many submissions were made ;
but oftener, when Ferguson's and Dunlap's parties would
call for the head of a Whig family, he was pretty certain,
nine cases out of ten, not to be found at home — where he
was, his wife and children could not say, for, in truth, they
seldom knew, for the patriots and out-lyers beat about quite
as much as those in quest of them.

In consequence of this state of affairs, the old people,

*MS. record obtained by Colonel Sevier from a Tory Colonel at King's Mountain, as
given in Ramsey's Tennessee, 216-17.

AND ITS HEROES.

together witli the women and children, would frequently
gather at the strongest and largest house in their region,
taking with them all their arms, ammunition, and sucli housi;-
hold goods as they needed, or cou d not conceal, with some-
times a few men in vigorous life f )r their protection. Such
a gathering in Colonel Wiliiam Graham's neighborhood
took place at his residence, near the west bank of Buflalo
creek, in then Lincoln, now Cleveland county, about eight
miles north of King's Mountain, and about seven miles
south-east of the present village of Shelby. It was a large,
hewn-log-house, weather-boarded, and, to some extent, forti-
fied ; well fitted for a successful defence against any party
with small arms alone, and who were not prepared to prose-
cute a regular siege.

Sometime in September, one of these Tory marauding
parties, consisdng of about twenty-three in number, sud-
denly made their appearance before Graham's Fort. The
onl}' persons there capable of bearing arms, lor the defence
of the man}' helpless people, old and yoimg, congregated
there, were Colonel Graham, David Dickey, and the Colo-
nel's step-son, William Twitty, a brave youth of nineteen ;
but the}- were fearless and vigilant. The Tory party
demanded admittance, but were promptly refused by Colo-
nel Graham and his associates. A warm attack \\ as com-
menced, the Tories firing several volleys, without doing
mucli damage, yelling out at tiie top of their voices, after
each discharge, "d — n you, wont you surrender now?''

One fellow, John Burke, more venturesome than the
rest, ran up to the house, and through a crack aimed at
young Twitty, when Susan Twitty, the sister of the }"oung
soldier, seeing his peril, jerked her brother down just as
the gun fired, the ball penetrating the opposite wall. She
then looked out of the aperture, and saw Burke, not
far olT, on his knees, re-loading for anotlier fire ; and
quickly comprehending the situation, exclaimed: "brother
William, now's vour chance — shoot the rascal ! " The next

ill

\ '

■fi 1

li-

146

KING'S MOUNTAIN

insUmt young Tvvitty's gun ciacked, and the bold Tory was
shot through the head. So eager was Miss Twitty to ren-
der the good cause any service in her power, that she at
once unbarred tiie door, darted out, and brought in, amid
a shower of Tory bullets, Burke's gun and ammunition, as
trophies of victory. She fortunately escaped unhurt. It
was a heroic act for a voun<j <;irl of seventeen.* LosiniT
one of their number killed, and three wounded, the Tories
at length beat a retreat. Anticipating that the enemy,
smarting imdcr their repulse, would return with increased
nunjbers. Colonel Graham and friends retired to a more dis-
tant place of safety, when a large Tory party re-appeared,
with no one to oppose them, and plundered the house of
clothing and other valuables, and carried olT six of Colo-
nel Graham's negroes. f

Another instance where a party of the enemy fared no
better, occurred during the Tory ascendency in 1780.
Adam Reep, a staunch Whig, returning home, after a tour
of service under Colonel Graham, to visit his famih', on the
western bank of the Catawba river, in Lincoln Countv,
had scared}' reached his humble domicile, when a party of
ten or twelve Tories, under the leadership of a British offi-
cer, made their appearance just at the gray of the evening.
Reep, who, like a good minute man, was always on the
watch, had bareh- time to close and bar his doors, when he
mounted his ladder with his faithful rifle ; and through some
port-holes in the loft of his house, he blazed away at his
enemies, wounding two of them, when the part}- fell back

* This noble heroine suliseqiiently married John Miller, and died the 14th of April. 1825,
at the age of sixty-two years. Her son, Hon. W.J. T. Miller, represented Rutherford
County, in the Legislature of North Carolina, in 1836-40, and subsequently Cleveland
County, wl-.cn it was organized, and where he still resides an honored and useful citizen.

Mrs. Miller's brother, William Twitty, who aided so gallantly in the defense of (Jr.i-
ham's Fort, was born in South Carolina, July i3tli, 1761; he served at King's Mountain,
and lived atTwitty's Ford, on Broad river, where he died February 2d, 1816, in his fifty-
fifth year. He has njany worthy decendants. among them William L. and Dr. T. B. Twitty,
grands<ins, the latter residing at the old homestead.

t MS. pension statement of Colonel Ciraham, and MS. correspondence of Hon. W. J.
T. Miller, William L. Twitty, and Dr. T. U. Twitty.

AND ITS HEROES.

147

to a safer distance, and finally retired with their disabled
comrades.*

Colonel Ferguson encamped awhile at Gilbert Town,
some three miles north of the present village of Rutherford-
ton. For m; ny miles around people wended their way to
the head-quarters of this noted representative of the British
crown; thinking, as Charleston had fallen, Gates been
defeated, Sumter surprised and dispersed, and the various
detachments latel}' in force in the Sj^artanburg region were
disbanded or scattered, that the Whig cause was now utterly
prostrate and hopeless. Many of those who now took the
oath of allegiance to the British Government, subsequently
excused their conduct on the plea that the countrj' was over-
run, and that this was the only course by which the}' could
save their property, secure themselves and families from
molestation, and at the same time preserve the stock of the
country for tlie supply of the needy patriots thereafter.

While in this mountain region, Ferguson found he had
a case of small-pox developing itself. It was one of his
officers, who was left in a deserted house, taking his favor-
ite charger with him. And there the poor fellow died in
this lonely situation ; and it is said his neglected horse ■
lingered around till he at length died also. It was a long
time before an}- of the country people would venture to
visit the solitary pest-house —

"And there lay the rider, distorted and pale,
With the dew on his hrow and the rust on his mail."

Finall}^ some one ventured there and carried off the sword,
liolsters, and pistols, selling them to John Ramsour, who
gave tliem, nearl}^ thirty years after, to Michael Reinhardt.f
Ferguson led a detachment to surprise Colonel McDow-
ell at the head of Cane creek. An engagement took place
with McDowell's troops, who had been beating about the

■* MS. stntement of W. M. Reinhardt. Esq.. of LIncolnton, North Carolina, who many
years ago had the facts from Reep himself.

IMS. statement of W. M. Reinhardt, son of Michael, who yet preserves these relics
•if a century ago.

148

KING'S MOUNTAIN

mountain country, since retiring (Votn Smith's Ford on
Broad river, and were now retreating- towards the Watauga
in East Tennessee. The Britisli force encamped at the noted
White Oak Spring, a mile and a half east of the present
village of Brindletown, in Uie south-eastern part of Burke
County as now constituted, and on the direct road from
Morganton to Gilbert Town. McDowell leaniing their
position, and too weak to meet the enemy on anything like
equal terms, concluded to waylay them on renewing their
southward march. lie, therefore, selected a litting spot for
an ambuscade at Bedford's Hill, some three miles south-
west of Brindletown, in the south-eastern corner of
>rcDowell County, and something like llfteen miles from
Gilbert Town. This hill was a small round elevation about
a quarter of a mile from the base of the South Mountains
then covered with timber and surrounded by a soft swamp ;
located on the eastern side, and just below, the Upper
Crossing of Cane creek, now known as Cowan's Ford —
which ford the hill commanded. If forced to retire, the
Whigs had an easv access to the mountains close bv, where
they would be safe against almost any force that the enemy
• could send against them.

Here McDowell's part}' awaited the coming of the British
force, and, as they were passing the ford, an indecisive fight
transpired. The enemy, after receiving the unexpected
tire of McDowell's backwoodsmen, rallied, and beat back
the Americans, killing, among others, one Scott, of Burke
Count}', while standing beside the late James Murphy, of
that region. B\' the heroic efforts especially of Major
Joseph McDowell — the Colonel's brother. Captain Thomas
Kennedy, and one McKay, the Whigs were again brought
into action. Major McDowx^ll was particularly active,
swearing roundly that he would never yield, nor should his
Burke boys — appealing to them to stand by and die with
him, if need be. B}- their united bravery and good bush-
whacking management, in which their real wick«f4ness was

AND ITS HEROES.

140

concealed, and by their activity and well directed rifle-sliois
they succeeded in inllictinir considerable execution on tlieir
antaj^onists — killing several, and, among others, wounding
Major Dunlap. The British now retired to Gilbert Town,
conveying their disabled commander with them, who was
severely wounded in the leg; while McDowell's parly,
numbering about one hundred and sixty only, directed their
retreat up the Catawba valley, and over the mountains,
for the friendly Watauga setUements.

Qiiite a number of human bones were brought to light,
some fort}' years ago, at the point where this Cane creek
fight occurred — the remains of the British and Tories who
fell in this spirited contest. This action occurred, according
to Lieutenant Allaire's MS. Diary, on the twelfth of Sep-
tember ; and had its influence, as the sequel will show, in
rousing the people over the mountaius, as well as in Wilke .
and Surry, to embody under their gallant leaders, and strike
a decisive blow against the bold invader, Ferguson.*

It has been stated, near the close of the chapter on the
Musgrove's Mill expedition, that Shelby and his associates
on that service had agreed, that as soon as they could col-
lect the necessary force, they would embody their several
detachments, and attack Ferguson. It was correctly antici-
pated that so soon as that British leader and his forces
should exhaust the beef supply in the Spartanburg region.
he would be quite certain to advance into Rutherford and
Burke Counties, in Nordi Carolina, where, in the latter
especially, diere were large stocks of fine cattle ; and it was

*MS. letter of Colonel Isaac T. Avery, October 19th, i860, to Hon. D. L. Swain; MS.
pension statements if General Thomas Kennedy, Colonel William Graham, James r>lair,
William Walker, and Matthew Knykendall; General Lenoir's Account 0/ King s Mountain.
appended to this volume; MS. correspondence of Colonel S. McDowell Tate, of Morganloii ;
T. A. Lewis, of Rrindletown; M. O. Oickerson and A D. K. Wallace, of Riitherfordton,
North Carolina; the venerable Andrew I!. Long, of Rutherford County, whose father, at
the time of this action a hoy of ten years, resided on Cane creek ; and Wm. L. and Dr
T. B. Twitty also of Rutherford County.

Lieutenant Allaire's Diary not only s\i|iplies the date of this little engagement, but
serves to corroborate the tradition of the country, that McDowell's men were drawn up
"on an eminence" — Ijedfonl's Hill apparently; that, according to this account, the Whigs
were worsted, losing one priv.ite killed, Captain White wounded, sev uteen prisoners, and
twenty pounds of powder while the liritish had one killed, and two wounded— Captain
Dunlap, one of them, receiving two wounds.

\ *

160

KING'S MOUNTAIN

onjoinod on Coloni-l Charli-s MfDowi'll, to doviso the host
nu'iuis possible* to pri'sorvc thesi.' stocks from the grasp of
the British and Tories.

Coh)nel McDowell called the leading men of the Upper
Catawba valley together, and suggested, simply to meet the
present emergency, that they should repair to Gilbert Town,
take Hritish protection, and thereby save the Whig stock,
so necessary for the support of the country, from being
approjiriated by the eneiu) ; that no man would thereby
become a Tory at heart, but would merely exercise a wise
stroke of public policy — that the end would justify the
means and render the country a good service. Uaniel
Smith, afterwards Colonel, Captains Tliomas Lytic and
Thomas Hemphill, Robert Patton, and John McDowell, of
Pleasant Garden — better known as I halting John McDowell
— absolutely refused to engage in any such course, {ind
stated that they would drive all the stock they could collect
into the deep coves at the base of the Black Mountain ; that
others might, if they would, take protection and save the
remainder that could not be readily collected and concealed.
Captain John Carson, a distinguished Indian tighter, after-
wards known as Colonel Carson, Benjamin and William
Davidson, and otlters, were designated to take protection,
a\id thus save many valuable herds of cattle from the grasp
of the enemy.* It was a very ungracious act on their part ;
but Carson and his associates deemed it justifiable under
the circumstances — suggested and urged, as it was, by
Colonel Mci)owell, in behalf of the Whij; cause. While
they accomplished the object they had in view, their
motives, in the course of time, were unjustly misjudged
and impugned. f

* MS. statements of General Joseph McDowell and Colonel David Vance, made in 1797,
and preserved by the late Hon. Robert Henry — all participants in the King's Mountain
campaign.

f Hon. Samuel P. Carson, a distinguished member of Congress, and son of Colonel Car-
son, resented an .ispersion on his venerable father's character, when charged with having
been a Tory, which resulted in an unfortunate duel, and the death of his antagonist.

AND ITS HEROES.

151

As hud been untiiipated by tlie patriots, Ferguson, eitlier
in full force, or witli a stron<;' detachment, penetrated into
the very heart of liurke County — as far as Davidson's
" Old Fort," in tlie extreme western part of then Burke,
now iMcDowt'ii county ; * and a few miles farthi-r north, up
the Catawba Valley, as far as the old ICdmondson ]ilace,
since McEntyre's, on Muck creek at the foot of the lilue
Ridjfe. On their way thither, the Hrilish force was supplied
with beef, corn, and other necessaries, by one Wilson, an
Irishman, who afterwards mi<(rated to Tennessee, and for
which he received a drat't on the British (jovernment from
which, probably, he never received any avails. \

While in the rej^ion of Old Fort, a detachment of the
enemy, under the command, it is believed, of Col. Fergu-
son, concluded to pay a visit to Captain Thomas Lytle, a
noted Whig leader, who resided some four miles south-west
of that locality on Crooked creek. Mrs. Lytle, a spirited
woman, heard of this intended visitation a little in ad\ance
of the approach of the party, and concluded she would
don her nice new gown and beaver hat, in procuring which
for his young wife, Captain Lytle had spent n^uirly all his
Continental money. It was pardonable of Mrs. Lytle to
make this display', for there were no meetings or public
gatherings, in that Irontier mountain region, in those troub-
lous times, where she could appear in her gaudy arra}' of
new finery. She naturally felt a secret satisfaction, as her
husband was not in the way of danger, that this occasion
had presented itself, in which she could gratify the feelings
of a woman's pride in making what she regarded as an
uncommonly attractive appearance. She took unusual
pains in making up her toilet ; for though she was no Tory,
she yet supposed that Colonel Ferguson was a gentleman,
as well as a prominent British officer.

*MS, Correspondence of Colonel Silas McDowell.

+ MS. letter of Colonel Isaac T. Avery, November 2d, i860, on authority of Major Ben
Biirgi;i, whose memory went back to the Revolution.

•tl:

lii.

152

A'/JVG 'S MO UNTAIN

At length, the Colonel, at the head of his squadron, leis-
urely rtxle up toward the house. He halted in front t)f the
door, and inquired if he could ha\e the pleasure t)f a few
moments' conversation with Captain Lytle? Mrs. Lytle
stepped to the door in full costume — probably the best
dressed lady the Colonel had seen since he left Charles-
ton — and dropping him a polite coiu'tesy, in accordance
with the fashion of that day, invited him to alight and
come in. He thanked her, but his business, he said,
required haste ; that the King's army had restored his
authorit}^ in all the Southern Provinces, and that the rebel-
lion was virtually quelled ; that he had come up the Valley
to see Captains Lytle and Hemphill, and a few others, who
had served in the Rebel army against the King, and that
he was the bearer of pardons for each of them.

"My husband," Mrs. Lytle replied, " is from home."

"Madame," inquired the Colonel, earnestly, "do you
know where he is ? "

"To be candid with you, Colonel," said Mrs. Lytle, " I
really do not ; I only know that he is out with others of his
friends whom you call Rebels."

" Well, madame," replied Ferguson, deprecatingly, " I
have discharged m}' duty ; I felt anxious to sa\e Captain
Lytle, because I learn that \\q, is both brave and honorable.
If he persists in rebellion, and comes to harm, his blood
be upon his own head."

"Colonel Ferguson," she responded, thoughtfully but
firmly, " I don't know how this war may end ; it is not un-
unlikely that my husband may fall in battle ; all I positively
know is, that he will never prove a traitor to his countr}-."

" Mrs. Lytle," said the Colon.'l, patronizingly, "I admire
you as the handsomest woman I have seen in North Caro-
lina — I even half zvav admire vour zeal in a bad cause ;
but, take my word for it, the rebellion has had its day, and
is now virtually put down. Give m}- kind regards to Cap-
tain Lytle, and tell him to come in. He will not be asked

AND ITS HEROES.

153

to compromise his lionor ; his verbal pledge not again to
take up arms against the King, is all that will he asked of
him." He then bowed to Mrs. Lytle, and led oft' his
troop. A straggler in the rear rode back, and taking otT
his old slouched hat, made her a low bow, and with his left
hand lifted her splendid beaver from her head, replacing it
with his wretched apology, observing with mock gravity,
"Mrs. Lyile, I can not leave so handsome a lady without
something by which to remember you." As he rode oft',
she hallooed after him: "You'll bite the dust for that, you
villain ! " Thus Mrs. Lytle momentarily enjoyed the occa-
sion of arraying herself in her best ; but, as she afterwards
confessed, she paid dearly for the gratification of her pride,
and long mourned the loss of her beautiful beaver hat.*

Colonel McDowell had completely outwitted Ferguson
and his plundering Tory followers ; and the hungr}^ horde,
who invaded the Upper Catawba Valley with high hopes
and expectations, returned to their camps near Gilbert
Town loithont any beef cattle as a recompense for all tlicir
toils and troubles.

After the aft'.tir at Cane creek, and the final retirement
beyond the mountains of the last remnant of embodied
Whig forces in the western region of the Carolinas, Fergu-
son thouirht the matter decided. When William Green
rode up with a troop of cavahy, and tendered his and their
services for the defense of the King's cause, Ferguson
thanked diem for their loyalty ; but declined their accept-
ance, as the country was subdued, and everything was quiet.

It was reported to Colonel Ferguson, that Jonathan
Hampton, a son of Colonel Andrew Hampton, residing in
the vicinity of Gilbert Town, held the King's authority in

'■' MS. corrcspDiulciice with the late Colimel Silas McPrwell. of Macon County, North
Carolina, in 1873-74, who had these particulars from Mrs. Lytic herself. Colonel McDowell
thought it was Tarlelon who visiteil Captain Lytle's, but it could nut have been, as his
"Campaigns" and map of the route of his excursions show that he was never above
Covan's Ford on the Catawba, while it is certain that Co;i)nel Ferguson was in Kurke
County. Captain I-ytle ilicil not very far from iSjj, at the age of about ciKlitythrce years;
and his venerable ccmipaniun gently passed away about the same time.

\> V

U-

154

A'/A'G • S MO UNTAIN

ill

great contempt ; that he had the hardihood to accept a com-
mission of Justice of the Peace from the Rebel Government
of North Carolina, and had, only recently, ventured, b}-
virtue of that instrument, to unite Thomas Fleming and
a neighboring young lady in the holy bonds of wedlock.
It was a high crime and misdemeanor in British and Tory
eyes. So a party of four or live hundred men were dis-
patched, under Majors Plummer and Lee, to visit the
Hampton settlement, four or five miles south-west of Gil-
bert I'ovvn, to apprehend young Hampton, and possibh'
.entrap his father at the same time. But the Colonel had
lelt the day before, and re-united with McDowell's forces.
Riding up to young Hampton's cabin, they found him sit-
ting at the door, fastening on his leggings, and getting
himself in readiness to follow his father to the Whig camp
in some secluded localit}- in the mountain coves of that
region.

At this moment, James Miller, and Andrew and David
Dickey, three Whig friends, came within hailing distance,
and hallooed: "Jonathan, are those men in the yard,
friends or foes ! "

Hampton, without exercising ordinary prudence, re-
plied : " Boys, whoever you are, they are d — d Red Coals
and Tories — clear yourselves ! "

As they started to run, the Tories fired two or three vol-
leys at them ; but they fortunately escaped unhurt. Per-
haps Hampton presumed somewhat upon his partially
crippled condition that forbearance would be shown him,
for he was reel-footed ; yet he managed to perform many a
good service for his country, and, as in this case, would
lose sight of self, when he could hope to beneiit his friends.
Mrs. Hampton chided him for his imi 'udence, saying:
"Why, Jo. ihan, you are the most ungi rded man I ever
saw\"

The Tory party cursed him soundly for a d — d Rebel,
and Major Lee knocked him down, and tried to ride over

AND ITS HEROES.

165

him, but his horse jumped clear over his body without
toucliing him. Lee had just belbre appropriated Hamp-
ton's horse as better than his own, and it may be that tlie
animal recognized his master, and declined t(j be a party
to his injury. While Major Plummer was courteous and
considerate, Major Lee was rude and unfeeling in the
extreme. Hampton, and his wile's brother, Jacob Ilyder,
were made prisoners ; and those who had Hampton in
charge, swore that they would hang him on the spot, and
began to uncord his bed for a rope for the purpose, when
Mrs. Hampton ran to Major Plummer with the alarm, and
he prompU}' interposed to prevent the threatened execution.
Some of the disappointed Tories, who thirsted lor his
blood, declared in his presence, that Ferguson would put
so notorious a Rebel to death the moment he laid eyes on
him. Major Plummer informed Hampton if he could
give security for his appearance the next day at Gilbert
Town, he might remain over night at home. He tried
several Loyalists whom he knew, but they declined ; and
linally Major Plummer himself otlered to be his seccrily.
According to appointment, the next day Hampton pre-
sented himself to Ferguson, at Gilbert Town, who pro-
ceeded to examine his case. When asked his name, he
frankly told him, adding, that, though in the power of his
enemies, he would never deny the honored name of Hamp-
ton. Major Dunlap, then on crutches, entering the room,
inquired of Colonel Ferguson the name of the Rebel
on trial? " Hampton," replied Ferguson. This seemed to
rouse Dunlap's ire, who repeated thoughtfully: "Hamp-
ton — ^Hampton — that's the name of a d — d Hnc-looking
young Rebel I killed a while since, on the head of Paco-
let," referring to the alTair at Earle's Ford, when Noah
Hampton, a brother of the prisoner, was murdered in cold
blood. Dunlap added: "Yes; I now begin to recall
something of this fellow ; aRd though a cripple, he has done
more harm to the Ro}al ctuse than ten lighting men ; he is

■ .' i

' ■ '. n

M'r

'if

:-,

166

KING'S MOUNTAIN

one of the d — cUst Rebels in all the countiy, and ought to
be strung up at once, without fear or favor."

Jonathan Hampton had, indeed, been an unwearied
friend of the Wiiig cause. lie was a good talker ; he kept
up the spirits of the people, and helped to rally the men
when needed for militar}' service. E\en in his crippled
condition, he would cheerfully lend a helping hand in stand-
ing guard ; and, when apprehended, was about abandoning
his home to join his father and McDowell in their ilight to
Watauga. But Ferguson was more prudent and humane
than Dunlap, and dismissed both Hampton and Ilyder on
their parole. Hampton observed when Ferguson wrote the
paroles, he did so with his left hand ; for, it will be remem-
bered, his right arm had been badly shattered at Brandy wine,
the use of which he had never recovered, Hyder tore up
his parole, shortly after leaving Ferguson's presence ; but
Hampton retained his as long as he lived, but never had
occasion to use it, as Ferguson shortly after retired to
King's Mountain, and the region of Gilbert Town was
never after invaded by a British force.*

Major James Dunlap, who figured so prominently in the
military operations in Spartanburg during the summer of
1780, now claims at our hands a further and final notice.
Of his origin, we have no account. He must have been a
man of enterprise, for he was commissioned a Captain in
the Qiieen's Rangers, a partisan corps, November twenty-
seventh, 1776. This corps had been raised during the sum-
mer and autumn of that year, from native Loyalists, mostly
refugees from Connecticut, and from the vicinit}- of New

*MS. correspondence of Adam and James J, Hampton, sons of \ athaii Hampton, in
i87:!-74; MS. letter of Colonel Isaac T. Avery, October 19th, i860; and MS. leiter of Colo-
nel Silas M. |)ottcll, July 13th, 1873.

This sterlinu; iiatriot, Jonathan Hampton, was born on Dutchman's creek, Lincoln
County, near the Catawba river. North Carolina, in 1751; and when nearly urow". he
removed with his father, and settled on Mountain creek, four or five miles south-west of
Ciilbert Town. He was many years clerk of the Rutherford court, and five years repre>
scntcd the County in the State Senate in the early part of the present century. He died
at Gilbert Town, October 3d 1S43. at the venerable age of ninety-two years. Of his large
family, but one son survives — Jonathan Hampton, Jr., now eighty-five years of age.

AND ITS HEROES.

157

York, by Colonel Robert Rogers, who had distiniruishecl
himself with a corps ot" Rangers on tJie frontiers of New
York and Canada, during the French and Indian war of
1755-60. The month before Dunlap had become a Captain
in the corps, Rogers had been surprised at Mamoroneck,
on Long Island Sound, losing nearly eighty killed and cap-
tured, together with sixty stand of arms.*

Such was the daring and good service of the Qiieen's
Rangers at Brandy wine, September eleventh, 1777, that
the British Commander-in-chief particularh' complimented
them " for their spirited and gallant behavior in the engage-
ment," f in which they suOered severel}'. The ensuing
ve .r they shared in the operations around Philadelphia,
and in New Jersey. In the affair at Hancock's House,
near Salem, New Jersey, on the night of the twentieth of
March, 1778, Captain Dunlap bore a prominent part. The
order was a most sanguinary one: — " Go — spare no one —
■put (ill to death — give no quarters!"' The house was gar-
risoned by twent}' men, under Captain Carleton Sheppard ;
and with them were four Loyalist prisoners — ^Judge Han-
cock, the owner of the house, and three other C^iakers —
one of whom was Charles Fogg, "a very aged ""lan." All
were asleep, and the work of death by the sword and bayo-
net was quick and terrible. Some accounts represent that
all. others two-thirds, of the occupants, garrison and prison-
ers, were horribly mangled by Dunlap and his fiendish as-
sociates — among them were Judge Hancock and some of
his Qiiaker brethren. Simcoe, of the Rangers, speaks of
this undesigned destruction of their friends as "among the
real miseries of war," though he had no tears to shed for
the score or two of patriots who fell without resistance.;);

Dunlap and the Qiieen's Rangers shared in the British
retreat from Philadelphia to New York, and in the battle of

* Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, ii, 615.
t Simcoe's /c«r«(7.', 310-

J Johnson's History of Salem. New Jersey; I!arl>er and Howe's Historical Collections
cf Xc-kO Jersey, 426-28; I.ossing's Field Book, ii, 139; 'ii\n\coti's Journal, 51-52.

fffe

168

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Monmouth, in June, 1778. On the tliirty-first of Au^ifust
ensuing, the Rangers participated in a bloody afl'air near
King's Bridge, on the Hudson. A party of Americans and
friendly Stockbridge Indians were drawn into an ambus-
cade, which resulted in the loss of nearly- forty — fully twenty
of whom were Indians, either killed or desperately woim-
ded, and among the slain were Ninham, their chief, and his
son of the same name/" The following year, besides some
garrison duty at Oyster Ba}', the Rangers served on forag-
ing and scouting parties, during which they encountered
some occasional skirmishing. In one of these forays, at
Brunswick, New Jersey, they were unexpectedly fired upon
by the Americans in ambush ; and among other casualties,
their commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe, was t:iken
prisoner. Sir Henry Clinton, early in 1780, declared that
the history of the corps had been a "series of gallant, skil-
ful, and successful enterprises against the enemy, without a
reverse, and have killed and taken twice their own num-
bers." f

Such were the services of the Qiieen's Rangers, and the
experience of Captain Dunlap, prior to his engaging in the
expedition against Charleston, in December, 1779. He
would seem to have been one of the picked officers of Colo-
nel Ferguson, for his select partisan corps for this new
enterprise. Dunlap shared in the siege and capture of
Charleston, doubtless in the same operations, as described
in a previous chapter, in which Ferguson's corps was
engaged, and was sent to the western borders of South
Carolina, under Ferguson, immediately after the fall of
Charleston. His attack on McDowell's force at Earle's
Ford, on Nordi Pacolet, and the affair near Cedar Spring
and WolTord's Iron Works, together with the engagement
at Cane creek, where he was severely wounded, have
already been related.

*> Continental Journal, September 17th, 1778; Simcoe's Military Journal, 83-86, and
accompanying iliagrnm: Massacre 0/ the Stockbridge Indians, by Thomas F. De Vne, in
Magazine of American History, September, 1880.

f Simcoc'syo«r>;n/| introductory memoir, x.

AND ITS HEROES.

159

Major Dunlap has left behind liim an unenviable repu-
tation. Tiie bloody \voik he performed at the Hancock
House, and his share in the destruction of Ninham and his
Stockbridi(e warriors, would appear to have been in the
line of his taste and character. "He had," says Judge
Johnson, in his Life of Greene, " rendered himself infamous
by his barbarity." "His severities," said Major James
Sevier, one of the King's Mountain men. "incensed the
people against him." It is certain he was an advocate for
hanging Whigs for no other crime than sympathizing with
their si;tTering countrv ; his brutal language to this etlect,
in the presence of, and concerning Jonathan Hampton, must
be fresh in the reader's remembrance. That such a man,
characterized by such practices, should, sooner or later,
come to an untimely end, is neither strange nor unexpected.

Snuffing the approaching storm, Ferguson suddenly
abandoned his camp at Gilbert Town to avoid the approach
of the over-mountain men. Dunlap, upon his crutches, and
in such a hurried retreat, was in no condition to accompany
the retiring forces. William Gilbert, with whom he was
stopping while recovering from his wound, was a 103'al
friend of King George ; and while he himself seems to have
gone oft' with Ferguson, Mrs. Gilbert and the familv re-
mained to take proper care of the invalid. A soldier of the
name of Coates was left to wait upon him, but who, not
long after, pro\ oking the mortal ire of a negro of Gilbert's,
was killed by him, and his remains consumed in a coal-pit.

This event of ill-omen was speedily followed by an almost
tragic occur'^^nce. ''^ iie avenger of blood was nigh. Two
or three men from vSpartanburg rode to the door of the Gil-
bert house, shortly after Ferguson had commenced his
retreat for King's Mountain, when the leader, Cap^^-vln Gil-
lespie, asked Mrs. Gilbert if Major Dunlap was not up
stairs? She frankl}' replied that he was, probably supposing
that the party were Lo\-a]ists, and had some important com-
munication for him. They soon disabused her of their

ii mix

lii

IGO

KING'S MOUNTAIN

characttT and mission, for they declarod that ho liad been
instrutncntal in piittin<^ sonio of their f'-icnds to di-alli, and,
mort'oxcr, liad alKhutcd the beautiful Mary McRi-a, the alli-
anced of Captain Gillespie, as she would not encourage his
amorous advances, and kept her in confinement, trusting
that she would in time }ield to his wishes ; but death came
to her relief, she probably dying broken-hearted. They
had now come for revenge ; Gillespie, particularly, uttering
his imprecations on the head of the cruel destroyer of all
his earthly hopes. So saving, thi'y mounted the stairs,
when Gillespie abruptly approached Dunlap, as he lav in
bed, with the inquiry: '' Where is Mary McRea?" "In
heaven," was tlu' reply ; whereupon the injured Captain
shot him througli the body ; and quicklv remounting iheir
horses, GilK'spie and his associates bounded away towards
their Spartanburg homes. This is the tradition, sifted and
collated, as preserved in the Hampton famil}-.*

Colonel Silas McDowell, who visited his old friend, Jona-
than Hampton, in 183 r. heard him relate the story of Dun-
lap being shot, but could only recall the main fact, that the
perpetrator of the act, some friend of Noah Hp.mpton, whon;
Dunlap had boasted of slaying, had rushed to the Major's
up-stairs room, and shot him through the body as he lay on
his couch. M. O. Dickerson. Esq., of Rutherfordton, has
had substantially the same relation from Mr. Hampton.
The old Gilbert house was then standing, and Hampton
pointed out t(j both these visitors the stain of Dunlap's blood
still discernible upon the floor ; and there are others, still
living, who have seen it also. This venerable building,
in which the earlv courts of the County were held, when
about to fall from age, was taken down some four or five
years since, by its present owner, J. A. Forney, Esq., who

*MS. correspondente witli the late venerable Adam and James J. Hampton, in 1S73-
74 ; and the present venerable Jnnathan Hanipt<m. in 18S0, sons of the patriot, Jonathan
Hampton. Sr.

M. O. Dickerson states that it lias been handed down as tlie o|iinion of some of the old
people of that rcj^ion, tnat Mrs. Gilbert and her son made way with the nnfortunate Major
Dunlap ; but this seems to have been a cruel and baseless suspicion.

■y

o
w

;,:iiii iiliillillllillilllliiilillilllllllliillllilillillillll^^

AND ITS HEROES.

IGI

has preserved the hlood-stained floor-plank. While these
traditi(ms difVer somewhat in their details, all having a com-
mon origin from the old patriarch, Jonathan Ilamjiton, Sr.,
the}' all agree in the general conclusion, that Dunlap was
shot in retaliation for alleged cruelties — either in killing
Whigs, or abducting Miss McRea, or both ; and all coin-
cide in the belief, that the redoubtable Major was killed
outright, and buried about three hundred 3ards south of the
Gilbert house, the grave being still pointed out, marked by
a granite rock at the head and foot.*

Major James Holland lived at Gilbert Town for many
years, and was a prominent character. In 1783, he repre-
sented Rutherford County in the State Senate ; in 1786 and
1789, he was in the House of Commtnis, and served a term
in Congress from 1795 to 1797. In this latter year, he was
again chosen to a seat in the State Senate, and then served
live consecutive terms in Congress, from 1801 imtil iSii.
The late venerable Adam Ilaiiij^ton wrote in 1873 : '-I will
relate to 3'ou what I heard Major James Holland sa}- in
reference to Major Dunlap's grave. He said that in 1809,
while serving as a member of Congress at Washington, he
dreamed that a quantitx' of gold was buried with Dunlap,
and, on his return home, he opened the grave, and found
sixty-one guineas."

From all these traditions and relations, it would ordi-
narily be concluded, that Dunlap assuredly died of the
wound inflicted by Captain Gillespie. It is quite clear,
however, that he did not. W\' can only suppose that, when
shot, he was left unconscious, or feigned death ; and when
Gillespie's partv departed, it was reported, for his safet\-,
that he was killed and buried near In* ; and it is possible,
that the Major may have had his servant, Coates, secrete
his money there before the latter was murdered bv the
ne£{ro. ThouLrh in a Tcm-v reirion, it would not have been

*MS. letters of Adam, James J., ;\iul Jimatlian Hampton. Jr.. and M. O. Dickerson,
W. L. and Dr. T. B. Twitty, and Miss N. M. McDowell.

1G2

KING'S MOUNTAIN

safo to have hail it known that Diinhip was still alive ; for
Gillespie, or others, would surely have come to make the
work of death more certain next time. He was too feeble,
with this additional wound, to be removed at once to Ninety
Six — the nearest IJritish fort, after Cornwallis had lied from
Charlotte ; and it was fully ninety miles from Ciilhert Town
to Ninety Six, in a direct coursi>, and consitlerabh more by
such by-ways as it would have been necessary to pursue, in
order to avoid the intervening Whig settlements. Hence
the necessity of circulating this report of his death, which
must have been well kept, and which the Hampton family
fully credited, and which Major James Sevier corroborated,
in a general way, to the writer, in 1S44, by asserting, that
for his cruellies, Dunlap had been killed by a parly of
Whigs at Gilbert Town. But as Major Sevier made no
mention of having heard anything concerning Dunlap on
the night of the third of October, when he and his fellow-
mountaineers were at Gilbert Town, the wounded Major
must, at that time, have been secreted somewhere in the
neighboring hills or fastnesses for safety. And even after
the war, as Gilbert was well known, and had figured some-
what in public life, he may have deemed it good policy to
refrain from revealing the fact that he or his family had so
long concealed Dunlap, and perhaps secretly aided him in
efiecting his escape to Ninety Six.

As soon as he was able to ride, it w'ould seem, he was
conveyed to Ninety Six ; and if any gold had been buried
by Coates in his behalf, near by, for safe keeping. Major
Dunlap must have been unable to find it, for had the Gil-
berts isi'creted it for him, they would have known the place
of its concealment. W";' find him at Ninety Six, in March,
17S1, and sufficiently recovered for active service. He was
sent with a party of seventy-six dragoons on a foraging
expedition. Receiving intelligence of this plundering ma-
raud. General Pickens detached Colonel Clarke and Major
McCall with a sufiicient force to attack him. On the

AND ITS HEROES.

iflii

twcnty-fnurtli of March, tlicv came up with him encanipi'd
at ni-atlir's Mill, on LiltU' river, some twenty-two miles
from Ninety Si.\. Dispatching a party to take possi'ssion
of a bridge over which Dunlap would necessarily pass on
his return, the main body advanced and took him by sur-
prise. I le retired into the mill and some neighboring out-
houses, but which were too open for protection against rille-
men. '•Recollecting," as the historian, McCall, asserts,
•' his t)ulra<fe(Uis conduct to the families and friends t)f tiiose
b\ whom he was attacked, Dunlap resisted for several hours,
until thirty-four of his men were killed and wounded — him-
self among the latter — when a flag was hung out, and they
surrendered," else all would have been sooner or later
picked ofl' by Clarke's and McCall's unerring rillemen.
In General Pickens' report, as published by Congress, the
number is stated as thirty-four of the enemy killed, and
forty-two taken ; so the wounded must have been included
among the captives. The prisoners were sent to Watauga
setdement, in East Tennessee, for safe keeping.

"The British account of this aflair," adds McCall,
"stated that Dunlap was murdered by the guard having
him in charge, after his surn-nder ; but such was not the
fact — for he died of his wounds the ensuing night." It is
evident from General Greene's general order of the subse-
quent sixteenth of April, that Dunlap was taken prisoner,
and nothing could have been said in Pickens' first report of
the action relative to the Major's death ; hence it could
hardly have occurred so soon afler his surrender as McCall
states. But McCall errs in supposing that Dunlap was not
killed by liis guard, or by some one with their connivance.
It was covered up, as much as possible, by those wlio per-
petrated the act ; but General Pickens, whose high sense of
honor revolted against such turpitude, even against an offi-
cer of Dunlap's infamous character, "ofl'ered a hand-
some rew^ard for the murderers," as General Greene sub-
sequently testifies in a letter to the British Colonel Balfour,

164

KING'S MOUNTAIN

accompanied with a cop}^ of Pi.-kens' order proclaiming
the reward.

Thus wretchedly perished, at the hands of his enemies,
Major James Dunlap. While the manner of his taking oft'
is to be regretted, it must be confessed that he had little
reason to expect better treatment. He had led a life of
military savagery, and his "outrageous conduct" to the
families of Clarke's and McCall's men, was perfectly in
keeping with his previous acdons, and very naturall}- pro-
voked the retaliation of those whom he had so grievously
wronged.*

His rank was Captain in the Qiieen's Rangers, and ap-
parently Major in the special service to which he was
assigned in Ferguson's corps. As the commission of his
successor in the Rangers — Bennet Walpole — bore date
March twenty-ninth, 1781, that very likely fixes the time of
Dunlap's death. His name last appears in the Royal Arm}'
List, published in New York in 1781, which was probabl}'-
issued before his death in March had been learned. Had
he been killed in the preceding October at Gilbert Town,
his name would doubtless have disappeared, and that of his
successor taken its place. It is certain that Dunlap belonged
to the Qiieen's Rangers, and there was no other person of
his name and rank either in the Rangers or any other Pro-
vincial corps ; so it is not possible that there could have
been two Major Dunlaps killed — one at Gilbert Town, and
the other at or near Beattie's Mill.

* Marylaiiii Jou nal. May ist and 8tli. 17S1 ; Massa^ ''iiselts S/>y, June 14th. 1781 ; Mc-
Call's Georgia, ii. 361: Goruon's Am. Rev., iv, 167; John.^^'.'s Li/i' 0/ Greene, ii. 107, 135,
105; Gil]lies' Doe. History, 1781-8^, idg; Greene's Greene, iii, 232; MS. pension statements
of Alisalom Tlioinpson and Jnel Darcy,

Mi-rall gives the dale of the aff.iir at Reattic's Mill as March 21st; Init Pickens' report,
as puMislied b" Congress says it occurred on the 24th of that month, and his authority
would seem to lie most rcliahlo.

Credit is due to Charles R. Hildeluirn. Esq., of Phihulelphia. for the christian name of
Majoi Punlap, with the date of his commission in tlie Rangers, and that of his successor.
Mr. Ilildeburn has given spcial attention to the leaders in the Loyalist corps, and learned
the ficts in question from the rare Royal Army Lists, published in New York from 1777 to
1783.

AiYD ITS HEROES.

lUo

CHAPTER IX

July— October, 1780.

Gather iii}^ of tlw King's Mountain Clans.— Williaiits failitrc to fi^i-t coni-
niand of Sumter's i/icn — //is tricky treatment of Sumter. — Jurt^u-
son sends a threat to the over-mountain men. — Shelby's patriotic
efforts to turn the scales on Ju-ri^uson.—Sci'ier, McDowell, Hamp-
ton, and Campbell unite in the Enterprise — C.eveland invited to
join them. — Sevier's success in proi'idini^-.S'up/ilies for the E.xfediti, n.
— Kende::vous at the Sycamore Shoals. — Preparations for the March.
— Parson Doalc commends the men to the protection of the Good
Father. — Their March over the mountains. — Jo ned by Cleveland
and Winston. — Campbell chosen to the Chief Command. — Mc-
Doivell's mission for a General Officer.

Colonel Williams, as \ve havu seen, a as honored by
Govemor Rutledge, in September, with a commission of
Brigadier-General in the Soutli Carolina militia, in recog-
nition of liis having been, as the Govemor was led to
believe, the chief commander of the Whigs at the battle of
Musgrove's Mill. Govrri>':;r Nash, of North Carolina, had
given him permission to recruit, within that Slate, not to
exceed a hundred horsemen. With his commission in his
pocket, he at once repaired to Sumter's camp, on the
Catawba Reservation, east of the river of that name. lie
had It publicly read, and then ordered the ollicers ai.d men
to recognize his right to command them, declaring that
Sumter had no proper authority to do so.

. Here a serious ditliculty arose. At this period, Sumter
bore the title and performed the office of a General ; but
he had, in fact, no commission. He had been chosen by
his ov.ii men, who, forced to leave their homes, had banded
together for their mutual safety, and the better, as occasion
should offer, to strike an effective blow at an insolent enemy.

^i h

1G6

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Thus gathered together, acting pretty much on their own
voHtion, rather than by any special authorit}', they chose
Sumter their leader, which the}' believed they had a perfect
right to do, as South Carolina, in its then inchoate con-
dition, was unable to grant t!:em any pir> , or lurnish them
supplies of any kind. Governor Rutledge, for safet}-, had
retired to North Carolina,

]jut they had another reason why they declined to recog-
"nize Williams as their commander. They cherished an old
grudge against him. While Sumter was organizing his
force, in the early summer, on Clem's Branch of Sugar
creek, east of the Catawba, Williams and some of his
neighbors of the Little river region, had retired to the
northward with such of their moveable propert\- as they
could convey to a place of safet}- till more quiet times —
].>robably to Granville County, North Carolina, .here the
Colonel had formerly lived, and where he hr.d family
relations still residing. On his return, he repaired to Sum-
ter's camp, and frankly confessed, as he had brought no
men, he could claim no command ; but he, nevertheless,
wished to serve his countr}' in some position of usefulness.
Colonel Hill, who knew him, suggested that General Sum-
ter needed an i^fficient Commissary ; and upon mentioning
the matter to the General, he accordintrlv commissioned
Williams to serve in that capacity.

Major Charles Mil(\s, with twenty-five men and four
teams and wagons, was assigned to this service under
Colonel Williams. So matters went along smoothly
enough, and satisfactorily to all concerned, to all outward
appearances, till after the battle of Hanging Rock, on the
sixth of August. While Sumter \\ as encamped on Cane
creek, in Lancaster District, one morning, about the
twelfth of that month, it was discovered that Williams had
decamped, without dropping a hint to Sumter on the sub-
ject, taking with him Colonel Brandon and a small party
of tbllowers, rnostl}- of the Fair Forest region, together

AND ITS HEROES.

167

with a number of public horses, and considerable provisions
and camp equipage.

Sumter and his subordinates were not a little vexed at
this treatment. As the}' regarded it, Williams had been
not (Hily ungrateful for the posidon conferred upon him,
but had betrayed a public trust. Colonel Lace\'. one of
Sumter's best officers, a man of much personal prowess,
was dispatched, with a small guard, in pursuit of the
fugitives, with a view at least of recovering the public
property. He overtook them encamped on the west side
of the Catawba, but iinding Williams' party too strong to
attempt coercive measures, Lacey resorted to other means
to accomplisli his purpose. Inviting Williams to take a
walk with hini, he suddenh', when out of reach of the
camp, presented a pistol at his breast, threatening him with
instant death if he should make the least noise, or call for
assistance. With his pisto! still aimed, Lacey expostu-
lated with him on the baseness of his conduct, when Wil-
liams pledged his word and honor that he would take back
all the public property, and as many of the men rs he could
prevail upon to return . ith him. Not confiding in his word,
Lacey exacted an oath to the same purpose, widi which
Williams readil}^ complied. But once free from restraint,
he neithe • regarded the one nor the ofliv.r, but retired to
Smitli's Ford, on Broad river, where he joined Colonel Mc-
Dowell's forces, and participated, immediately thereafter,
in the successful expedition against the enemy at Mus-
grove's Mill. *

During the summer, Sumter had been operating mostly
east of the Catawba. Williams' home was considerably to
the southwest of that stream, and he tried to justify himself,
no doubt, by arguing that his oUn jiarticular region had
the strongest claim upon his attention, and a man who
would not provide for his own family and people was worse
tlian an infidel. However this may be, there can be no good

* Tlie details of this aflfair are taken from Colonel \Vm. Hill's MS. narrative.

, . !-i

168

A'/iVG'S MOUNTAIN

excuse for his conduct. He should have souirht a more
manly and honorable way of eftecting his object, as Colonel
Clarke had done before him.

Sumter, his otticers and men, were unanimous in resol\ -
ing to have nothing to do with Williams. They regarded
his conduct in leaving the camp as he did the preceding
month, as treacherous, and unbecoming an honorable offi-
cer. Williams, meeting with such a reception — and he
could hardl}' have expected any other — was not slow to
take his departure. A council of the lield officers of Sum-
ter's command was soon after convened, in which it was
judged best to make a full representation to Governor Rut-
ledge of the condition of the brigade, and their reasons for
refusing to accept Williams as their commander. Five
prominent officers were accordingly selected to wait upon
the Governor, at Ilillsboro, four of whom were Colonels
Richard Winn, Ilenr^- Hampton, John Thomas, Jr., and
Charles S. Myddelton ; Colonel Thomas Taylor was prob-
ably the other. Meanwhile, it was agreed that Sumter
should retire until a decision was reached and the difficulty
settled. Colonels Lacey and Hill to command the troops
during the interim.*

W^illiams seems to hdve received some intimation, while
in Sumter's camp, that his conduct would soon be properly
represented to Governor Rutledge ; and ha\ing claimed
more with regai'd to his command at Musgrove's than the
facts would warrant, he probably deeuied it best not to lay
his new grie\-ances before the Governor, but repair at once
to the field, and endeavor, by brilliant service, to cause his
past derelictions to be overlooked and forgotten.

It is now necessary to give a succinct account of the
circumstances which led the over-mountain men so soon
again to re-pass the Alleghanies, and appear on their
eastern border. Though separated b}- high mountains
and broad forests from their brethren of the Carolinas,

♦Colonel Hill's MS. narrative.

AND ITS HEROES.

169

they hcartil}' S3mpathizecl with them, and were even
ready to aid them in their struggles against the common
enemy. Shelby, the McDowells and their compeers, it
will be remembered, while retiring, in August, before
Ferguson's pursuers, from the Musgrove's Mill expedi-
tion, resolved that as soon as they could have a needed
rest, and strengthen their numbers, they Would re-cross the
mountains, and ''beard the lion in his den." The summer
heats and exposures had retarded their renewal of the
enterprise ; their crops had doubtless demanded their at-
tention ; and, above all, the neighboring Cherokees were
inimical and threatening. And so they tarried, watching
on the borders.

But a circumstance transpired that tended to arouse
them from their ease and sense of security. When Fer-
guson took post at Gilbert Town, in the early part of Sep-
tember, remembering how the mountain men had annoyed
him and his detachments on the Pacolet, at Thicketty Fort,
near Wollord's iron works, and at Musgroxe's, he paroled
Samuel Philips, a distant relative of Colonel Isaac Shelby,
whom he had taken prisoner — perhaps one of the wounded
left at Wortord's or Musgrove's, now recovered — with a
verbal message to the ofilcers on the Western waters of
Watauga, Nolachuck}-, and Ilolston, that "if they did not
desist from their opposition to the British arms, he would
march his army over the mountains, hang their leaders,
and lay their country waste widi fire and sword."*

This threat accomplished more than Ferguson bargained
for. Philips, i-esiding near Shelby's, went directly to him
v;ith the message, giving him, in addition, such intelligence
as he could impart concerning the strength, locality, and
intentions of the enemy. Of the Loyalists composing the
major part of Ferguson's command, some had previously

'•)• I'f

rA'\

'■'Sliel!>y's Kinij's Mountain Narrative, 1823; Haywood's Hist. Teni.cssee. 67; Shelby's
statement, in the American Whig RiVie:v, Dec, 1846, 580; General Joseph Graham's
account, in the Southern Literary Mcsicnger, September, 1845.

170

KING'S MOTTNTAIN

|i n

been on the Western waters, and were familiar with the
Watauga settlements, and the mountain passes b}- which
they were reached. One of them had been subjected, the
past summer, to the inc ^nity of a coat of tar and feathers,
by the light-horsemen of Captain Robert Sevier, on
Nolachucky ; and, in resentment, proposed to act as
pilot to Ferguson.*

In a few da}s, Shelby went some forty miles to a horse-
race, near the present village of Jonesboro, to see Colonel
Sevier, the efficient commander of the militia of Washiuif-
ton County, embracing the Watauga and Nolachucky settle-
ments, to inform him of Ferguson's threatening message,
and concert measures for their mutual action. The result
was that these brave leaders resolved to carry into eflect the
plan Shelby and associates had formed the previous month,
when east of the mountains — lO raise all the men thev
could, and attempt, with proper assistance, to surprise
Ferguson by attacking him in his camp ; or, at any rate,
before he should be prepared to meet them. If this was
not practicable, they would unite with an}' corps of patriots
they might meet, and wage war against the enemies of
their country ; and should the}' fail, and the country
eventual!}' be over-run and subdued by die British, tliey
could take water, float down the Ilolston, Tennessee, Ohio,
and Mississippi, and find a home among the Spaniards in
Louisiana. It was known to them, that Colonel Charles
McDowell and Colonel iVndrew Hampton with about one
hundred and sixty men, had retired before Ferguson's forces
from Cane creek and Ilpper Catiiwba, arriving at Colonel
John . .trter's on the eighteenth of September, and
were now refugees mostly encamped on the Watauga. f
Some of McDowellV, officers were seen and consulted by
Shelby and Sevier before lliC}' parted. Colonel Sevier
engaged to see others of them, and bring them all into the

* Ramsey's Tennessee. 223,

■|-MS. letter Colonel Joseph Martin, Long Island of Holston, Sept. 22, 1780.

AND ITS HEROES.

171

measure ; while Shelby, on his part, undertook to procure
the aid and co-operation of Colonel William Campbell,
of the neighboring County of Washington, in Virginia, with
a Ibrce from that region, if practicable. A time and place
for the general rendezvous were appointed — the twenty-
liflh of September, at the Sycamore Flats or Shoals, on
the Watauga.

Colonel Shelby had necessarily much to do in getting
his own regiment of Sullivan County men in readiness
for the expedition. He wrote to Colonel Campbell, who
resided lorty miles distant, explaining tiie nature of the
prop )sed service, and urging him to join in it with all the
men !ie could raise for that purpose. The letter wa'-. sent
by the Colonel's brother, Captain Moses Shelby. It was
the plan of Lord Cornwallis to lead his army from Char-
lotte to Salisbury, there to form a junction with Ferguson's
corps ; and, preliminary to the further invasion of North
Carolina and Virginia, to incite the Southern Indians not
only to invade the Ilolston and Watauga settlements, but
proceed, if possible, as liigh up in South-West Virginia as
Chiswell's Lead INIiues, and destroy the works and stores
at that place, where large quantities of lead were pro-
duced for the supply of the American armies. And as the
destruction of the Mines and their product was a capital
object with the British, the Tories high up New river, and
in the region of the Lead Mines, had also been encouraged
to make an attempt in that direction. Colonel Campbell
had been diligently engaged, for several weeks, with a
part of his regiment, in suppressing this Tor}- insurrection,
and had just returned from that service when Colonel
Shelby's letter arrived.

Campbell replied, that he had determined to raise what
men he could, and march down by the F'.our Gap, on the
southern borders of Virginia, to be in readiness to oppose
Lord Cornwallis when he should advance from Charlotte,
and approach that State ; that he still thought this the

[

172

KING'S MOUNTAIN

better policy, and declined uniting with Sevier and
Shelby on the proposed expedition. Colonel Shelby
promptly notilied Colonel Sevier of Canipbell's determin-
ation, and at the same time issued an order for all the
militia of Sullivan County to hold themselves in readi-
ness to march at the time appointed. As the Cherokee
towns were not to exceed eighty to one hundred miles from
the frontiers of Sullivan, and much less from the Watauga
settlements ; and as it was known that the Cherokccs were
preparing to make a formidable attack on the bordei* people,
in the course of a few weeks, Colonel Shelby fell an
unwillingness to draw off, for a distant service, all the dis-
posable force of the counties of Sullivan and Washington
at so critical a period, and leave hundreds of helpless
families exposed to the tomahawk and scalping-kiiife.

lie, therefore, immediately wrote a second letter to
Colonel Campbell by the same messenger, urging his
views more fully, and stating that without his aid, he
and Sevier could not leave sufficient force to protect their
frontiers, and at the same time lead forth a party strong
enough to cope with Ferguson. About the same time
he wrote also lo Colonel Arthur Campbell, the cousin and
brother-in-law of Colonel William Campbell, and who was
the County Lieutenant or superior military officer of the
County, informing him of Ferguson's progress and threats,
lUd telling the touching story of McDowell's party, driven
from their homes and families ; and appealing to the County
Lieutenant, whether it would not be possible to make an
effort to escort and protect the exiles on their retiun to their
homes and kindred, and drive Ferguson from the country.
Colonel Arthur Campbell had just returned from Rich-
mond, where he had an interview with Governor JelVerson.
and learned that vigorous efforts were being made to re-
trieve the late misfortunes near Camden, and repel the
advances of the enemy now flushed with victory.

Both Colonels Arthur and W^illiam Campbell, on full

■'■ i

AND ITS HEROES.

173

reflection, rogardod the proposed expedition with favor, and
sent back word tluit they would co-operate with Colonels
Shelby and Sevier to aid their friends to return to their
homes beyond the mountains, and punish their Tory oppress-
ors ; Colonel Arthur Campbell informing Shelby, through
the messenger, Mr. Adair, of the Governor's sentiment,
and the etlbrts that would soon be made by Congress to
check the progress of the enemy. "The tale of iMcDowell's
men," says Colonel Arthur Campbell, "was a doleful one,
and tended to excite the resentment of the people, who of
late had become inured to danger by lighting the Indians,
and who had an utter detestation of the tyranny of the Brit-
ish Government."*

At a consultation of the field odicers of Washington
County, it wiis agreed to call out one-half of the militia,
under Colonel William Campbell, for this over-mountain
service. That day, the twenty-second of September, the
order was made for the men, who seemed animated with a
spirit of patriotism, and speedily prepared lor the expedi-
tion. An express was, at the same time, sent to Cohjnel
Cleveland, of Wilkes County, North Carolina, to apprise
him of the designs and movements of the men on the
Western waters, and request him to meet them, with all the
troops he could raise, at an appointed place on the east side
of the mountains. The express di)ubtless took the shortest
route, crossing ICcw river not far from the Virginia and
North Carolina line, and thence to Wilkes Countv ; and
probably the thirtieth of September, and die (^laker
Meadows, were the time and place of meeting. Colonel
Campbell went to the place of rendezvous b\' way of
Colonel Shelby's, while his men, who had assembled at the
first creek below Abingdon, marched down a nearer way
— by the Watauga road.

The whole country was animated by the same glowing
spirit, to do something to put down Ferguson and his Tory
gang, who threatened their leaders with the halter, and

*MS. statement of Colonel Arthur Campbell.

174

KING'S MOUNTAIN

IINI

their homes vvilli the torch. " Here," exclaimed \.\w youiii^
second wife of Colonel vSevier, pointing to a youth of nearly
sixteen, "Here, Mr. Sevier, is another of your boys who
wants to go with his father and brother Joseph to the war ;
but we have no horse for him, and, poor fellow, it is too
great a distance for him to walk." Horses, indeed, were
scarce, the Indians having stolen many of them from the
settlers,' but young James Sevier, with or without a horse,
went on the expedition.

Colonel Sevier endeavored to borrow money on his
private responsibility, to lit out his men for this distant
service — for there were a few traders in the country who
had small supplies of goods. What litUe money the people
had saved, had been expended to the last dollar to the
Entry Taker of Sullivan County, John Adair, the State
oflicer, for the sate of the North Carolina lands — Uie same
person, doubtless, whom Colonel Shelby had sent as his
express to Colonel Arthur Campbell. Sevier waited upon
him, and suggested that the public money in his possession
be advanced to meet the military exigencies at this critical
juncture. His reply was worthy of t'le man and the times:
"Colonel Sevier," said' he, " 1 have no authority by law to
make that disposition of this mone}' ; it belongs to the
impoverished treasury of North Carolina, and I dare not
appropriate^ a cent of it to any purpose ; but, if the country is
over-run by the British, our liberty is gone. Let the money
go, too. Take it. If the enemy, by its use, is driven from
the country, I can trust that country to justify and vindicate
mv conduct — so take it."* Thus between twel\-e and thirteen
thousand dollars were obtained, ammunition and necessary
equipments secured. Colonels Sevier and Shelby pledging
themselves to see the loan refunded or legalized by an act
of the Legislature, which they elTected at the earliest prac-
ticable moment. t

♦This sturdy patriot subsetiucntly Rettled in Knfx County, Tennessee, where he died
in April. 1S27. at the ajic «( ninety-five years.
fRamsey's Tennessee, 226.

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AND ITS HEROES.

175

On Monday, the twenty-fifth of September, at the pUice
of rendezvous, at the Sycamore Fhits or Shoals, at the foot
of the Yellow Mountain, on the Watauga, about three miles
below tlie present village of Elizabethtown, Colonel Camp-
bell's two hundred men assembled, together with Colonel
Shelby's and Lieutenant-Colonel Sevier's regiments of two
hundred and forty men each. There McDowell's party had
been for some time in camp ; but Colonel McDowell him-
self, as soon as the expedition had been resolved on, hurried
with die glad news over the mountains, to encourage the
people, obtain intelligence of Ferguson's movements, and
hasten the march of Colonel Cleveland and the gallant men
of Wilkes and Surr}'. While yet in camp, all hearts were
gladilened by the unexpected arrival of Colonel Arthur
Campbell, with two hundred more men from his County,
fearinix the assembled force mii-ht not be sullicient for the
important service they had undertaken ; and uniting these
new recruits with the others, this patriotic officer imniedi-
atel}- returned home to anxiously watch the frontiers of
Holslon, now so largely stripped of their natural defenders.*

Mostly armed with the Deckardf riffe, in the use of
wliicli they were expert alike against Indians and beasts of
the forest, they regarded themselves the equals of Ferguson
and his practiced riflemen and musketeers. They were
little encumbered with baggage — each with a blanket, a
cup Iw his side, with which to quench his thirst from the
mountain streams, and a wallet of provisions, the latter
principally of parched corn meal, mixed, as it generally
was, with maple sugar, making a very agreeable repast,
and withal full of nourishment. An occasional skillet was
taken along for a mess, in which to warm up in water their
parched meal, and cook such wild or other meat as fortune

'■''MS. statement of the Kinf' ^[ollnt;lill Kvpedition. by one of Camphcll's men— the
writer nut known — sent nie l)y the hue (Invern'ir Daviil Ciinpln-ll. of Aliin.i;(lon. Virginia.

■j- A rentnry .tgo the Deckarii or Dickert rifle was larjjely manufactured at I.ancaster,
Pennsylvania, by a person of that name. It was, for that period, a gun of rcm.irkalile pre-
cisimi for a long shot, spiral grooved, with a barrel .some thirty inches long, and with its
stock some three and a half or four feet, carrying bullets varying from thirty to seventy
to the pound of lead. The owner of a Deckard rifle at that day rejoiced in its possession.

ill'

■ V' :

176

KING'S MOUNTAIN

should throw in their wuv. The horses, of course, had to
pick tlieir Hving, and were hoppled out, of nights, to kee»>
them from straying away. A few bee\es were driven along
the rear f )r subsistence, but impeding the rapidity of the
march, the}- were abandoned after the first day's journey.

Early on the twenty-sixth of September, the little army
was ready to take up its line of march over mountains and
through forests, and the Rev. Samuel Doak, the pioneer
clergyman of the Watauga settlements, being present, in-
voked, betbre their departiux', the Divine protection and
guidance, accompanied with a few stirring remarks befitting
the occasion, closing with the Bible quotation, "The sword
of the Lord and of Gideon ;" when the sturdy, Scotch-
Irish Presbyterians ai'ound him, clodied in their tidy hunting-
shirts, and leaning upon their rilles in an attitude of respect-
ful attention, shouted in patriotic acclaim: "The sword
of the Lord and of our Gideons ! " *

Then mounting their horses, for the most of them were
prfivided with hardy animals, they commenced their long
and diflicult march. They would appear to have had some
trouble in getting their beeves started, and probabh^ tarried
for Uieir mid-day lunch, at Matthew Talbot's Mill, now
kn(!wn as Clark's Mill, on Gap creek, only three miles
from the Sycamore Shoals. Thence up Gap creek to its
head, when they bore somewhat to the left, crossing Little
Doe river, reaching the noted "Resting Place," at the
Shelving Rock, about a mile beyond the Crab Orchard,
where, after a march of some twenty miles that day, they
took up their camp for the night. Big Doe river, a bold
and limjMd mountain stream, flowing hard b}-, aflbrded the
campers, their horses and beef cattle, abundance of pure
and refreshing water. f Here, a man of the name Miller
resided, who shod several of the horses of the part}-.

<"■ This,'" writes the venerable historian, Dr. J. (j. M. Ramsey, "is the tradition of
the country, and I fully believe it."— MS. Icttir. June ii.st, iS8o

vlt is not altogether certain that the over-moiint.iin men campecl here the first night ;
but such is the tradition, and such the probabilities. If they did not, then they went on
beyond the mountain summit, accomplishing some twenty-eight miles, which, with the
trouble of driving cattli., would seem quite impml able. It is only by concluding that

AND ITS HEROES.

177

The next morning, Wednesda}-, the twenty-seventh,
probably weary of driving the cattle, some ot" which had
stampeded, they killed such as were necessary lor a tempo-
rary supply ot" meat, thus considerably delaying the march
that day. Relieved of this encumbrance, they pressed for-
ward some four miles, when they reached the base of
the Yellow and Roan Mountains. "The next day"
— evidently after leaving the Sycamore Shoals, — says
Ensign Robert Campbell's diary, "we ascended the moun-
tain ;" which they did, following tile well-known Bright" s
Trace, throogh a gap between the Yellow Mountain on the
north, and Roan Mountain on the south. The ascent was
not very didicult along a common foot-path. As the}'
receded from the lovely and verdant Crab Orchard valley,
" they found," sa\'s Campbell's diary, "the sides and top
of the mountain covered with snow, shoe-mouth deep ; and
on the summit," adds the same diarist, "there were about
a hundred acres of beautii'ul table-land, in which a spring
issued, ran through it, and over into the Watauga." Here
the volunteers paraded, under their respective commanders,
and were ordered to discharge their rifles ; and such was
the rarity of the atmosphere, that there was little or no
report.* This body of table-land on die summit of the
mountain has long been known as " The Bald Place, ^^ or,
" The Bald of the I'elhnvr

An incident transpired while the troops were at "the
Bald" that exerted no small influence on the campaign.
Two of Sevier's men, James Crawford and Samuel Cham-
bers, here deserted ; and when they were missed, and their
object suspected — that of apprising F rgus i? of the ap-
proach of the mountain men — instead of bearing to the

they camped nt (he celebrated "Resting Place," nn the ihrIu nf the twenty-sixth, th.it
wo can reconcile Camphell's diary and the traditions of "'.le oldest and best informed
people alcin;; the route, as to the other campint; places ti'.l they reached the Catawba, on
the nij,'ht f the thirtieth, as stated by Campbell. Shelby, and Cleveland, in the ofTiciaJ
report of the expedition, and by Shelby in hi-; sev'eral narratives.

*MS. letter of Dr. J. C. M. Ramsey, Inly 13, i83o. "This fact," adds the Doctor,
"was related to me by several of the old King's Mountain soldiers,"
12

•:l 1

178

KING ' 5 MO UNTAIN

right, as they had designed, the troops took the left hand,
or more nordierly route, hoping thereby to confuse the
enemy should they send spies on the southern trail, and
make no discoveries.*

After the parade and refreshments,! the day was well-nigh
spent, and the mountaineers passed on a couple of miles de-
scending the eastern slope of the mountains into Elk Hollow
— a slight depression between the Yellow and Roan moun-
tains, rather than a gap ; and here, at a fine spring flowing
into Roaring creek, the}- took up their camp for the night. +

Descending Roaring creek, on the twenty-eighth, four
miles, they reached its confluence with the North Toe
river, and a mile below they passed Bright's place, now
Avery's ; and thence down the Toe to the noted spring
on the Davenport place, since Tate's, and now known as
Child's place, a little distance west of the stream, where
they probably rested at noonday. Some thirty years ago
an old sword was found near this spring, supposed to have
been lost by some of the mountaineers. § As they de-
scended from the moimtains, they reached a country
covered with verdure, where the}'^ enjoyed an atmosphere
of almost summer mildness. The\" followed the ravines
along the streams the most of the way, but over a very
rough, ston}- route — exceedingh' difficult, and not unfre-
quently dangerous, for horses to pursue.

The mountain scenerv alonu their route is scarcelv ex-
ceeded for wildness and romantic grandeur, in any other
part of the countrv — several of the towering peaks, among
the loftiest in the United States, exceeding six thousand

♦Haywood's Tennessee, on aiitliority of Colonel Sl-.ell)y, says this desertion occurred
on "the top" of the mountain ; and Itohert Campbell, in his King's Mountain Narratives,
states that the deserters "left the army on the Yellow mountain;" and Dr. Ramsey
practically confirms these statements by assertini; that it transpired on the sccnnd day.

t Captain Christopher Taylor, of Sevier's regiment, states, in his [icnsion deposition,
that in a conference of the officers, held on Yellow Mountain. Colonel Campbell was ap-
pointed to the chief command. No other acco\int confirms this st.itement. and Captain
Taylor must ha\c had in mind the subsequent action to that effect.

t Campbell's diary; MS. correspondence of the late ci-Governor David Campbell,
and of Hon. \Vm. H. Carter.

I MS. letter of W. A. McC.all. Aug. 15, 1880.

AND ITS HEROES.

179

five hundred feet in height. The bright, rushing waters
lumbhng over tlieir rocky beds, and the lofty bhie moun-
tains in the distance, present a weird, dreamy, bewilderirig
appearance. " Here," says a graphic writer on the mountain
region of Nortli CaroHna, "if we were to meet an army
with music and banners, we would hardly notice it; man,
and all his works, and all his devices, are sinking into
insignificance. We feel that we are approaching nearer
and nearer to the Almighty Architect. We feel in all
things about us the presence of the great Creator. A sense
of awe and reverence comes over us, and we expect to lind
in this stupendous temple we are approaching, none but
men of pure hearts and benignant minds. But, by degrees,
as we clamber up the winding hill, the sensation of awe
gives way — new scenes of beauty and grandeur open upon
our ravished vision — and a midtitude of emotions swell
within our hearts. We are dazzled, bewildered, and ex-
cited, we know not how, nor w^hy ; our souls expand and
swim through the immensit}^ before and around us, and our
being seems merged in the infinite and glorious works of
God. This is the country of the fairies ; and here they
have their shaded dells, their mock mountains, and their
green valleys, thrown into ten thousand shapes of beaut}-.
But higher up are the Titan hills ; and when we get among
them, we will find the diflercnce between the abodes of the
sjiants and their elfin neiirhbors."

After a hard day's march fen- man and beast, they at
length reached Cathey's, or Cathoo's, plantation — since
Cathey's mill, at the mouth of Grassy creek, a small
eastern tributary of North Toe river ; and here they rested
for the night. t Some twenty miles were accomplished this
day. Their parched corn meal, and, peradventure. some

* C. H. Wiley's Xorth Carolina Render, 68, 77.

vCampliell's diary. The MS. correspondence of Thomas D. Vance. W. A. McCall,
Hon. Wm R. Carter, \V H, Allis, O. W. Crawford. Dr. J. C. Newland, Hon. J. C. Har-
per, Colonel Samuel McPowcll Tate. Hon. C. A. Cilley, Mrs. Mary A. Chamhers, Dr. J.
Cf. M. Ramsey, and M.ajor T. S. Webb, lias been of essential importance in helping to de-
termine and describe the route and its localities of the King's Mountain men.

180

KING'S MOUNTAIN

remaining beef rations, formed a refreshing repast, with
appetites sharpened by the rough exercise of so tedious
a jaunt ov'.ir hills and dales, and rocks, and mountain
streams.

On Friday, the t\vent\- ninth, the patriot army pursued
its \vindin<>" wav up the valley of Grassv creek to its
head, some eight or nine miles, when they passed through
Gillespie's Gap in the Blue Ridge ; emerging from which
they joyfully beheld, here and there, in the distance, in
the mountain coves and rich valleys of the heads of the
Upper Catawba, the advanced settlements of the adven-
turous pioneers. Mere the troops divided — Campbell's men,
at least, going six or seven miles south to Henry Gillespie's,
and a little below to Colonel William Woflbrd's Fort, both
in Turke}' Cove ; while the others pursued the old trace in
an easterly direction, about the same distance, to the North
Cove, on the North Fork of the Catawba, where they
camped ft>r the night in the woods, on the bank of that
stream, just above the mouth of Hunnycut's creek. On a
large beech tree, at this camp, several of the oflicers cut
their names,* among them Colonel Charles McDowell ;
who had, by arrangement, st^veral days preceded tlie troops
from the camp of the Burke and Rutherford fugitives on the
Watauga.

At this point Colonel McDowell rejoined his over-
mountain friends, imparting to them such vague and un-
certain intelligence as he had been able to learn of Fergu-
son and his movements. Cohmel McDowell had repaired
to his Qiiaker Meadow home, and exerted himself, by
sending messengers in every direction, to rouse the people ;
he had despatched James Blair, as an express, to hasten
forward Colonel Cleveland with die men of Wilkes and
Surrv. Blair reached Fort Detiance, a distance of some
thirty miles, where he probably met Cleveland and his men

*This venerRble tree, :il)Out 1835, was accidentally charred l)y burning logs, in clear-
ing land, cansing it to die. W. A. McCall. who still resides there, saw the tree and read
the names many times.

Ilr'^ii

AND ITS HEROES.

181

advancing ; but he did not accomplish Ids ndssion without
inipeiiiHn<^ his life, for he was wounded by a stealthy Tor}'
by the wa}-.*

Colonel Campbell's party visited the Turkey Cove settle-
ment, though some miles out of the way, with a view to
ifainiuL^ inlelliiience. llenrv Gillespie, near whose cabin
some of the troops camped, a hardy Irishman, who had
perhaps been a dozen years in the country, and from
whom the neighboring Gap took its name, w\^s acting a
neutral part in i e war — probabh', i» mti his exposed situa-
tion, as his only recourse to save himself and family from
destruction by the Indians, instigated, as the}' were, by
British emissaries stationed among them. Gillespie was
kept at camp during the night ; but he really had no secrets
to reveal and was set at liberty the following morning. f

Ensign Campbell's diary states: "The fourth night, the
twent\-ninth, \\e rested at a rich Tory's, where we obtained
an abundance of ever}' necessary refreshment." This evi-
dently refers to Colonel WotTord, for he was wealthy, and
well-to-do for that da}' : while his near neighbor, Gillespie,
was poor, and his little cabin and small surrounding im-
provements, were suflicient evidence of it. But this is a
cruel and unjust imputation upon the memory of so worthy
a man as William Wollbrd. Descended from ancestry trom
llie north of England, lie was born near Rock creek, in
then Prince George, now Montgomery County, Maryland,
about twi^lve miles above Washington City, on the twenty-
fifth of October, 1728. ( his early life, we have no
knowledge; but he most likely served among the Mary-
land troops in the French and Indian war raging on the
frontiers of that and the neighboring Colonies in his
yoimger days.

Colonel Woilbrd was a man of enterprise, earl}- mi-

*Iilair's MS. pension statement.

■f Henry Gillespie died at tlie Turkey Cove, ahout 1812, at the age of well-nigh eighty
years, leaving two sons, David and William.

182

KING'S MOUNTAIN

grating to the upper country of South CaroHna, where, on
Pacolet river, he erected noted iron works. lie was one
of the leading patriots ot that region, and served as Lieu-
tenant-Colonel on Williamson's Cherokee campaign of
1776.* Early in 1779, he was in service in pursuit of the
fugiti\e Tory party under Colonel John Moore, when flee-
ing from North Carolina to Georgia ; and, in the spring
and summer of that year, he served in Georgia and South
Carolina, under General Lincoln,! and doubtless shared in
the battle of Stono.

It was probabh- on the fall of Charleston, when his
ironworks were destroyed, that he, to avoid thu I>riti.''i
and Tories who were over-running South Carolina, retired
to the Upper Catawba, purchasing a Hue tract of nine
hundred acres, with improvements, of one Armstrong, an
enterprising pioneer in the Turkey Cove. At his new
home, he erected a fort for his own and neighbors' pro-
tection against the Indians, and built a snudl grist-mill. It
is barely possible that Colonel Wollbrd may have been
prevailed upon by the frontier settlers of Burke count}', to
imite with Captain John Carson and others, to take pro-
tection from Colonel Ferguson when he invaded the
Ujiper Catawba valley, mereh- as a temporary rnsc to pre-
serve their stock and other property from those rapacious
plunderers. But of this, there is no evidence, save the
vague allusion of Ensign Campbell. At all events. Colonel
WoHbrd was no Tory, and never lifted a linger against his
countr}'. It is quite evident, that Colonel Campbell gained
no important intelligence from either Colonel Woflbrd or
Henry Gillespie, simply because the}- were not the men to
have confided to them the secrets of the Loyalists, and con-
sequently had nothing to impart. +

*Dr. John Whclchel's MS. pension statement.

tCapt. Mattlicw Patton's MS. pension statement.

J Colonel WofTorcl suliseqiienily K'^ve much attention to the surveying of lands ; and,
several years after the war, removed to what is now Habersham county, denrgia, where he
became an influential citizen, and died near Toccoa Falls, about 1823, at the age of about

a a

AND ITS HEROES.

188

The respective divisions — tlie one at the Turkey Cove,
and the other at the North Cove — had marched soinelifteen
miles this day. Colonel Charles McDowell must have been
able to inform the troops, whom he happily m(.'t at the
North Cove, that Ferguson was jet at and near Gilbert
Town ; that Cleveland and Winston, at the head of the
Wilkes and Surry men, were approaching in strong force;
and that the South Carolina parties under Lace}' and
Ilill, and Williams' separate corps, were at no great dis-
tance. That Ferguson was still reposing in fancied se-
curity within striking distance, and that strong Whig re-
inforcements were at Land, were matters of good omen ;
and tended, in no small degree, to encourage and inspirit
the patriots in their combined efforts and self-denials to
rid their suHering country of a powerful, invading foe.

On Saturday morning, the thirtieth of the mo. ''i,
the troops at the North Cove took up t'leir line of march,
passing over Silver and Linville mountains, then along a
dividing ridge, and down Paddie's creek to the Catawba.
They probably rested at mid-day, delaying a while for the
detachment from Turkc}' Cove, who had several miles
farther to mi rch in order to overtake thcj. When re-
united, and refreshed, they pushed on, as the old trail then
ran, from die mouUi of Paddie's creek, down the north-
west bank of the Catawba, crossing the mouth of Linville
river,* and thence to the Qiuiker Meadows, the noted home

ninety-five years, being alile to read and write without spectacles to the last. Oeneral
Wm T. WofTord. of n.irtnw county, Georfiia, is liis great grandson.

A daimhter of Colonel WofTords was, in after years, married to David Gillespie, the old-
est son of Henry C,illP5pie. David C.illespie was a youth of some fourteen years when the
over-mountain men marched to Kind's Mountain. All throuRh life he was very observant,
and possessed a most retentive memory ; and from him these facts were derived ahout a
portion of the mountaineers goinR to Turkey Cove, ami the others to the North Cove, and
ahout the detention of his father in camp over ni^ht. We are indebted to Wm. A,
McCall. of North Cove, for these traditions which he had from his grandfather, David
C.illcsjiie, and to some extent, corroborated by Arthur MrF.\l!. an old hunter of the Kevo-
lutionary period, who frequently made his home with ('■illespie. At the venerable age
of about ninety-two, David Ciillesiiie died in Turkey Cove, in 1859.

*This fine mount.iin stream was named from this circumstance. In the latter part of
the summer of 1766, William Linville, his son. and a voung man, had gone from the lower
Yadkin to this river to hunt, where they were surprised by a party of Indians, the two

184

KING'S MOUNTAIN

of Colonel Charles and Maior Joseph McDowell. Here
they encamped for thi> night, after a lonj^ and wearisome
march, especially on the part of Campbell's corps, who had
accomplished well-ni<(h thirty-one miles this day, and the
others about twenty-three.* Tlie McDowells did all within
their power to render the mountaineers comfortable around
their cheerful camp-fuvs — Major McDowell particularl}-
bi(Ulin<,r them to freely avail themselves of his drv rails
in kindlinn; their lires for their evening repast, and for their
night's enjoyment. t

Here they had the joyous satisfaction of being joined
by the troops from Wilkes and Surry, under the leader-
ship of Cleveland and Winston — reported at the time, for
effect, at eight hundred, but really numbering only three
hundred and lifty. When the people of the Yadkin region
heard of Ferguson's advance into Burke count}-, and of
the engagement so near them, at the head of Cane creek,
between McDowell and the British and Tory forces, it
exerted a powerful influence in arousing them for active ser-
vice. Some of them, under Colonel Cleveland, had been
on the head of New river, suppressing the Tory insurrec-
tion in that quarter ; and when they received tidings of the
approach of the over-mountain men, they were already em-
bodied, waiting to march at the tap of the dnim — if not,
indeed, actuall}- en route to join their dii-tant brethren.
WVst from Wilkesboro, some eight or ten miles, they crossed
the Yadkin at the mouth of W^arrior creek; thence bearing
to the south-west, some eighteen or twcnt}' miles, thej'

I.iiiviUcs killed, tho otlier person, thoiijjh bailly wonnded, effecting his escape. 'I'lie Lin-
villes were rel.ited to the famous Daniel Iloone.

* "iVe are indebted to Mr. McCall for the route of march of the King's Mniint.iin men
from the North Cove to the Qiialter Meadows, derived from his grandfather, David Gilles-
pie. Beside Mr. McCall's tradition, John Spelts and the venerable Major Samuel G,
BLiloclc, declare that they marched by way of Quaker Meadows and Morganton. Captain A.
Burgin ;;.'d J. C. Whitson both of McDowell County, North Carolina, state, on the author-
ity of aged people of the Upper Catawba valley, related to them many years since, that
the over-mountain men assuredly took the route by the (Quaker Meadows on tlieir outward
march.

tMS. notes of conversations wiih John Spelts, of Marshall county, Miss., in 1844,
a venerable survivor of Major McUowell's King's Mountain men.

AND ITS HEROES.

ISo

reached old Fort Dt'tiancc ; and tlu'nco soirje t'i^dit or ten
miles across Warrior mountain, to Crider's Fort,* where
the village of Lenoir is now located. Here Philip Evans,
one of the Surry men, received a severe injur \- by a fall
from his horse, which nuidered it necessary to lea\e him
there for recovery.!

Hut :i worse accident befell Lieutenant Larkin CK'\e-
land, a younger brother of the Colonel, ll was some ti-n
miles from Crider's Fort, crossing the lirushy mountain, to
Lovelady's Ford of the Catawba. While crossing the liver,
Twieutenant Cleveland, with the advance, after having
passed a narrow defile between a rocky clifVand the stream,
was shot by some concealed Tories in the clilV, severely
wounding him in the thigh. The Loyalists had learned
of Colonel Cleveland's march, and had resolved on his
destruction, hoping thereby to cripple the expedition and
possil")ly defeat its object. Colonel Cleveland and his
brother very much resembled each other in size and
general appearance ; and the Tories probably mistook
the latter tor the Colonel.

Till' men in the rear, on hearing the volley, rushed for-
ward to surround the daring party in ambush, and, if
possible, to elVect their capture ; but the birds had llown.
Sending the wounded Lieutenant in a canoe up the river,
the troops forded the stream without further trouble, and ad-
vancing half a dozen miles, passed through Morganton — or
what was shortK' after so named in honor of General Daniel
Morgan, the hero of the Cowpens ; and, about two miles west

* Hon. J. C. Harper, of Patterson, Caldwell County, N C, writes: ''Fort Crider
was situated on a small eminence within the present limits of F.enoir. It had a hill on the
east, and another on the west. Some forty years ago, I heard old Henry Sumter relate,
that when the fort was built, a hunter came along, and declared it was not safe, as he could
shoot a man in it from either of the hills. On this being disputed, a coat was hung on a
stick within the stockade, and the hunter, at the first fire, sent his ball through it from the
top of the western hill. It was a remarkable shot for a gun of those days.''

t Evans' MS. pension statement. \\x. Evans recovered in good season to aid in
guarding the prisoners on the return of the King's Mountain men ; and to share under
Major McDowell, in Morgan's glorious victory at the Cowpens, January 17. 1781. He
was a native of Rowan County, N. C, born June 17, 1759! ai"l died in Greenville County,
S. C, June 10, 1849. at the age of ninety years.

I '

ili

186

KING'S MOUNTAIN

:!'

If:!

of tliiit point, they again reached and re-crossed the Catawba,
meeting with a joyful rect-ption h\' the INIcDovvells and the
mountaineers at the (^laker Meadows. I lere Lieutenant
Clexehuid was confided lo the care of the widowed molhi-r
of the McDowells, wlio bi-siowed ever\' attention upon the
unfortunate otlicer. Though lie in time recovered, he was
a cripple tor life.*

Sunday morning, October die lirst, dawned brightly
upon the mountaineers at tlu-ir camp, at the (^laki-r Mead-
ows — a uratifvini'" contimialion ol the line weather that had
enabli'd them so conilorlahly. and with such satisfactory
progress, to pass the mountain ranges. Resuming tiieir
march, with a better roaci, they made a more rapid advance,
passing the Pilot mountain, near the present village of Brin-
dletown — a noted beacon for travelers, prominently discern-
ihli' tor many miles away. In the afternoon a rain storm
set in, and they early encamped in a gap of the South
mountain, near where the heads of Cane and Sihcr creeks
interlock each other, and not very fu" Irom the scene of the
light thrive wi'i'ks beforr, betwi'en the l?ritish and "^Pory
forces and Colonel McDowell's party. This day's march
numbered some eighteen miles.

So wet did the next day, Monda\', prove, that the army
remained in their camp. The little disordi-rs and irregu-
larities which began io prevail among tlu' tror)ps, imaccus-
tomed to discipline and restraint, occasiont-c'i no little un-
easiness among the commanding ollicers. As if b\ instinct,
the tleld otlicers of the st-veral corps met that evening for
consultation. Colonel McDowell, as the senior ollicer, pre-
sided. It was suggested that inasmuch as the troops were
from ditVerent States, no one properly had the right to com-
mand the whole, and it was important that there should be
a military head to their organization ; and, to this end,

*MS. statement of Klijali Callaway; and MS. letters of Sliailrach FranHin ami Jere-
miali Cleveland — the two latter nephews of the wcinndcd Lieutenant, Callaway was a
stout lad of some elfven years at that time, a resident of Wilkes county, and well
aciiiiaiiiteJ with the Clevclands.

AND ITS HEROES.

187

that a messenger be sent to General Gates, at his iu'ad-
quarti-rs, \vhere\er they niijjfht be, inforniinfjf him ol' their
situation, and recjuestinj^f liim to send forward a general olli-
cer to take the command. 'Phis was agreed to.

Anything looking liki- delay was not in accordance with
the views ot 8helb\' anil his associate olhcers — i'.\|H'dition
and dispatch were all-important at this critical juncture. It
was now proposed, to meet tlu' emergency, that llie corps
commanders should conxi'Ue in council daily, to deti'rmine
on till" measures to be pursued the ensuing da}', and appoint
one ol" their riumlu'r as ollicer of llu> d.i\'. to jnit them in
execution, until tliey should otherwise determine. Colonel
Shelby, not (juite satisfied with this suggestion, observed
that they were then within sixteen or eighteen miles of (lil-
biMl Town, where they supposed Ferguson to be, w ho would
ci'rtaiidy attack them if strong enough to do so, or avoid
them, it" too weak, until he could collect more men, or ob-
tain a reinforcemi-nt, with which they would not dari' to co]ie,
and hence it behooved them to act with decision and
pinmiititnde. They needed, he continued, an I'lhcient hea.d,
anil \igorous movements; that all the commanding ollicers
were North Carolinians save Colonel Campbell, who was
from \'irginia ; thai he knew him to be a man of good
sense, and warmly attached to the cause of his countr}' ;
thai lie connnanded the largest regiment, and closed by
proposing to make Camjibell conunanding ofllcer, until a
general ollicer should arrive from head-quarters, and that
they march immediately against the enemy.

Colonel Campbell thereupon took Colonel Shelby aside
and requested him to withdraw his name, and consent to
serve himself. Slielbv replied that he was the youngest
Colonel presetit — w hich was true : that he had served under
Colonel McDowell, who was too slow for such an enter-
prise, who would naturally take oflence should he be ele-
vated to the connnand over him ; that while he (Shelby)
ranked Campbell, and as the latter was the only ofllcer from

" 1

■.Ui

188

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Virginia, if he pressed liis appointment, no one would
object. Colonel Campbell felt the force of this reasoning,
and consented to serve. The proposition was approved and
adopted.

Shelby's object in suggesting Colonel Campbell's ap-
poinment, is best explained by himself. " I made the
proposition," says L-^helby in his pamphlet, in 1823, " to
silence the expectations of Colonel McDowell to command
us — he being the commanding oOicer of the district we
w^ere then in, and had commanded the armies of militia
assembled in that quarter all the summer before against
the same enemy. He was a brave and patriotic man, but
we considered him too far advanced in life, and too inactive
for the command of such an enterprise as we were engaged
in. I was sure he would not serve under a younger oflicer
from his own State, and hoped that his feelings would,
in some degree, be saved by the appointment of Colonel
Campbell." In his narrati^'e, in the American Review^
December, 1848, Governor Shelby makes no reference to
McDowell's age, but simply states, that he "was too slow
an officer" for the enterprise.

Though Colonel Shelby speaks of McDowell's age as
objectionable for such a service, it really deserved little, if
anv, consideration. He was then only some thirty-seven
years of age* — Colonel Cleveland was some years older,
and Shelby himself, the yoimgest of the Colonels, was only
seven years his junior. It may be curious to note, that
"Old Put," then in active service, was twenty-five years
older than McDowell, General Evan Shelby, the Colonel's
father, who, the year before, commanded an important
expedition against the Chicamauga Indian towns, was

* There is much diversity in the authorities as to General McDowell's hirth-year.
It is assumed, in this connection, tliat he was horn in 1743, as stated in Wheeler s Hist, of
North Cnroliiiii, piihlished while Captain Charles Mcnowcll, a son of the C.eneral. was
still livinR, and who is helicved to have furnished the statement. Other accounts, of a tra-
ditional character, place his birth, one in 1740, and another in 1742 ; while his tomli-stone,
givinK the date of his death, March 31. 1S15. says he was "about seventy years of .age."
If this latter be true, then he was still younger, born about 1745.

1 .■ .

AND ITS HEROES.

189

twenty-three 3'ears older, General Stark fifteen, Washing-
ton eleven, Marion ten, Sumter at least four, and General
Greene one. The real objection to Colonel McDowell was
not so much his age, as his hick of tact and elllciency for
such a command ; and, it has been hinted, moreo\er, that
his conduct at the Cane creek allair was not without its
iiilluence in producing the general distrust entertained of
his litness to lead the mountain men on this important ser-
vice. The expression was quite general, that General
Morgan or General Davidson should be sent to take the
command ; the former, especially, who had gained such
renown at Saratoga, and had recently joined General
Gates, was highly esteemed by the mountaineers.*

Colonel McDowell, who had the good of his countr}''
at heart more than any title to command, submitted grace-
fully to what was done ; but observed, that as he could not
be permitted to command, he would, if agreeable, convey
to head-quarters the request for a general ofllcer. This
was warmly approved, as it was justly declared that he was
well acquainted with the situation of the country, and could,
better than any other, concert with General Gates a plan of
future operations, and they would await his retin^n. The
manner in which this was presented gratified McDowell,
who at once set oft' on his mission, leaving his men under
the command of his brother, Major Joseph McDowell. f
Passing through Burke count}-, McDowell's command, par-
ticularly, was considerably increased]: b}'^ relatives, friends

*Tliis stntement of the action of the officers in f oiincil at the South Mountain camp is
made up hiri;ely frJni Shelby's narratives; that in Haywoml and Ramsey's Histories o/
I'cnnessi'c, his pamphlet of 1823. and his Hardin arcount in the AiiiericiDi Rc7'if:i> of Decem-
ber. 1848. The late Colonel \Vm. Martin, of Tennessee, also furnished his recollections
as derived in conversations with Cok>nel Cleveland. John Spelts, one of the King's
Mountain men, related several facts connected with this council.

■j- Of the result of McDowell's mission, we have no information, save that he called at
the camp of Lacey and Mill, and their South Carolinians, and Williams and his corps, at
Flint Hill, a dozen miles or so to the eastward of the head of Cane creek He doubtless
visiteil Oeneral Gates, at Hillsboro; but as the news of the King's Mountain victory
reached there nearly as early as Colonel McDowell, there was no occasion for any action
ill the premises.

J Shelby's narrative, 1823.

190

KING'S MOUNTAIN

and neighbors; and there John Spe''!:3,§ or Continental
Jack, as he was familiarly called b\- his associates, first
joined Shelbys regiment, but fought under McDowell.
Colonel Campbell now assumed tiie chief command; in
which, however, he was to be directed and regulated by tliC
determination of the Colonels, who were to meet every day
for consultation.

Everything was now arranged quite satisfactorily to the
Whig chiefs ; and their men were full of martial ardor,
anxious to meet the foe, coniulent of their ability, with
their unerring rifles, to overthrow Ferguson and his Loyal-
ist followers, even were their numbers far greater than they
were represented.

g MS. notes of coiiversntions wiih Spoils, in 1844. He w.ts a jolly old soldier, then in
his ninoty-rnurth year, anU from him were derived many interesting reminiscences of the
Revolution,

It I

AND ITS HEROES.

191

CHAPTER X.

September— October, 1780.

Further Gathering of the Kings Mountain Men. — Williams' North
Carolina Recruits. — Movements of Sumter's Force under Hill and
Lacey. — Troubles with Williams. — Manh to Flint Hill. — The
Mountaineers at their South Mountain Camp. — Talriotic Appeals
of the Officers to their Men. — Resuml: of Ferguson s Operations in
the Upper Catawba Valley. — Alarming Intelligence of the Ap-
proach of the Back Water A/en — Why Ferguson Tarried so long
on the Frontiers. — British Scheme of Suppressing the Rebellion by
the Gallows. — Ferguson Flees from Gilbert Town. — Sends Messen-
gers for aid to Cornwallis and Cruger. — Frenzied Appeal to the
Tories. — Ferguson's Breakfast Stolen by Saucy Whigs. — His
Flight to Tate's Ferry. — Dispatch to Lord Cornwallis. — Takes
Post on King's Alountain, and Description of it. — Motives for
Lingering there.

It will be remembered, that Governor Nash had granted
to Colonel Williams, a South Carolinian, the privilege of
organizing a corps of mounted men within the North Prov-
ince. Under this authority , he enlisted about seventy, chiefly
while encamped at Iliggin's plantation, 'n Rowan Count}'.
Colonel Brandon and Major Hammond were quite active
in this service. The call for recruits was dated September
twenty-third; and was headed: "A call to arms I — Beef,
bread, and potatoes." These implied promises of good
fare were more easily made than fulfilled — probably based
on the fact that Governor Nash had given orders to the
commissaries of that State to furnish the party "such sup-
plies as may be necessar}-." Colonel Hill tells us, that
these North Carolinians who enrolled under Williams, were
men who shirked dut}' under their own local officers : and
besides the tempting offer of "beef, bread, and potatoes,"
Colonel Williams had furthermore promised what was re-

tfl

192

KING'S MOUNTAIN

gardod as still bettor in the estimation of men of easy
virtue — the privilege of plundering the Tories of South
Carolina of "as many negroes and horses as they might
choose to take."

This little force, as Major Hammond states in his pen-
sion application, constituted "the largest portion of Wil-
liams' conuuand at King's Mountain;" and with them the
Colonel pushed lorward some sixty or seventy miles south-
west of Salisbury, where, after crossing the Catawba at the
Tuckasegie Ford, on the second of October, he found
Sumter's command under Colonels Hill and Lacey, in the
forks of the main ancf south branches of that stream.* This
part}-, to the number of about two hundred and seventy, had
retired from South Caroliiui for their own safety, and to be
in readiness to form a junction with others whenever they
could hope thereby to render useful service to their sufl'er-
ing country. Williams marched into the camp of Sumter's
men ; and as Sumter himself, and the most of his principal
officers were still absent — the latter, endeavoring to arrange
with Governor Rutledge with reference to the command,
Williams probably thought it a favorable opportunity to
read again, as he did, his commission of Brigadier, and
with an imperious air, commanded the officers and men to
submit to his authority. Colonel Hill frankly told him, in
no gingerly language, that there was not an officer nor a
man in the whole body who would, for a moment, yield
obedience to him ; that commissioners had been sent to the
Governor with proofs of the baseness of his conduct, as
they regarded it, whose return was soon expected. Evi-
dently fearing, from what he saw around him, that he
might be subjected to worse treatment than a mere I'enunci-

*C<iIoneI Hill's Manuscript Narrative; Major Hammond's and Andrew Floyd's pen-
sion statements : Ci)lonel Williams' letter to General Gates, October 2, 1780, in the gazettes
of the day, and Almon's Remevibrancer. xi. 158.

By some unaccountable mistake, or misprint, this letter of Colonel Williams, is dated
" Rurke County; " when all the other antliorities, Hill. Floyd. Hammond and Whelchel—
the two latter of Williams' party— combine to show, beyond a doubt, that they were at this
time in Lintuln County, west or south-west of Tuckasegie Ford.

AND ITS HEROES.

193

ation of words, Williams thought it prudent to beat a sale
retreat, which he did, forming his camp some distance
apart from the other.

Colonels Hill and Lacey had previously designed to
form a junction with General Davidson, of North Carolina,
to whom they had sent an express, who gave them, in re-
turn, information, probably derived through a niessenger from
Colonel McDowell on his earliest return from Watauga, that
there was, by this time, a considerable body of men from
both sides of the mountains, marching with a view of
measurintj swords and rilles with the redoubtable Fermison.
With this gratifying intelligence, they crossed the Catawba
at Beattie's Ford, and that evening received the call already
related, from Colonel Williams. That day Colonels Gra-
ham and Ilambright had joined the South Carolinians, with
a small party of some sixty men from Lincoln Count}-.

On that evening Colonel Hill suggested to Colonel
Lacey, that, as they might have to encounter a superior
force in a short time, they had better conciliate Colonel
Williams, though his followers were but few, if they could
do so without recoiinizin<r his vi<A\\. to command them.
Lacey coincided with this view. It was therefore proposed
that the troops shcnild be arranged into three divisions
— the South Carolinians proper, Graham and Ilambrlghts
party, and Williams" Ibllowers, who, by this time, would
seem to have been joined by Captain Roebuck's company- —
perhaps some twenty or thirty in number ; and choose a
commanding otTicer for the whole, the orders and move-
ments of the corps to be determined b}- all the oflicers.
When the matter was submitted to him the next morning,
he "spurned " the offer, as Colonel Hill informs us, renew-
ing the intimation, that by virtue of his Brigadier's com-
mission, he would command the whole. He was plainly
told, that if he would not accept the honorable offer made
him, he should absent himself, and not attempt to march
with the South Carolina and Lincoln County men, or the

;j I

194

AVJVG'S MOUNTAIN

consequences might be more serious thiin would be agree-
able to him. Seeing no prospect of carrying his point,
Williams linally acceded to tlie proposition, and an ollicer
was chosen to command the whole. That day the spies
came in with the intelligence, that the mountaiti men were
advancing through a valli>v between a lari^e and small
mountain — probably referring to the South Mountain, at
the head of Cane creek.

This party of South Carolinians and their associates
marched through Lincoln County, crossing the upper forks
of Dutchman's creek, proceeding on to Ramsour's Mill,
on the South Fork of Catawba ; thence bearing some-
what south-westwardly, crossing BulTalo and First Broad
rivers, to Flint Hill* — now sometimes known as Cherry
Mountain, in the eastern part of Rutherford County — a
great place of modern siunmer resort, where cherries in
their season abound. f From the flinty rocks along the
mountain sides gush many clear and cool springs, the
heads of neighboring streams. The hill was covered with
timber, as was doubtless the surrounding countr}-, rendering
the locality a most inviting camping ground. X Here, on the
third of Octobc the South Carolinians, the Lincoln men,
and Williams' J^rty, took up their temporary quarters. On
the da}- of their arrival at Flint Hill, Colonel McDowell
called on them while on his mission to IIillsboro;§ but the
designs of the mountain men to make a push for Ferguson
were not fully resolved on till after the Colonel's departure.
Ilis intelligence, therefore, was not sufficiently decisive to
warrant them in taking up their line of march in an}- direc-
tion ; and so they patiently awaited furdier developments
of the plans and movements of the mountaineers.

Let us return to the mountain men whom we left in camp

*MS. pensinn statements nf Dr. John \V)ickhel. of Williams' party, an J Andrew
Floyd, of Gralinm's men.

t Colonel J. R Logan's MS. correspondence.

JMS. letter of W.T.Twitty.

g Shelby's narrative in AiiirHcan Rn'ie-.v, December, 1848.

AND /TS HEROES.

195

in the ^'ap al South Mountain, some sixteen or eighteen
miles north of (lilhert Town. It was now supposed tliat
the decisive contest between tlie Tories of liie VV'esiern
Carolinas and their \Vhi<^ antai^onists woukl be fought at
that phice. Tlie ollicers of the mountaineers were more or
less experienced, and felt an abiding confidence of success.
Thinking it a good occasion, before taking up the line of
march on the morning of October the third, to address a
few stirring words to the patriotic ami}-. Colonel Cleve-
land requested the troops to form a circle, and he "would
tell them the news," as he expressed it. Though a rough,
uncouth frontiersman, and weighing at this time full}- two
lumdreil .md lifty pounds, Cleveland possessed the happy
facult}' of inspiring men with much of his own indomitable
spirit. Colonel Sevier was active in getting the men into
form, assuring them that they would hear something that
would interest them. Cleveland came within the circle,
accompanied by Campbell, Shelby, Sevier, McDowell,
Winston, and other oflicers ; and taking ofl' his hat, said
with much freedom and eflect :

" Now, m}- brave fellovs, I have come to tell you the
news. The eneni}- is at hand, and we must up and at
them. Now is the time for every man of ^ ou to do his
country a priceless service — such as shall lead your
children to exult in the fact that their fathers were the
conquerors of Ferguson. When the pinch comes, I shaH
be with you. But if any of you shrink from sharing in the
batde and the glory, you can now have the opportunity
of backing out, and leaving ; and you shall have a few
minutes for considering the matter."'

"Well, my good fellows." inquired Major McDowell,
with a winning smile on his countenance, "what kind of a
story will you, who back out, have to relate when you get
home, leaving your braver comrades to fight the battle, and
gain the victory?"

"You have all been informed of the ofFer." said Shelby ;

I'Jd

KING'S MOUNTAIN

*' you who desire to decline it, will, when the word is j^iven,
march three steps to llie rear, and stand, prior to which a
lew more mimiti'S will he granted you lor consideration."
At lenj^th the word was given hy tlu' ollicers to their re-
spective commands, that "those who desin-d to hack out
would step three paces in the rear." Not a man accepted
the unjKilriotic privilege. A murmur of applause arose
from the men on every hand, who seemed to he proud of
each other, that there weri' no slinks nor cowards among
their numher. " I am heartily glad," said Shelhy, "to see
you to a man resolve to meet and light your country's foes.
When we encounter the enemy, don't wait for the word of
command. Let each one of you be your own oflicer, and
do the very best you can, taking every care you can of
yourselves, and availing yourselves of every advantage that
chance may throw in your way. If in the woods, shelter
yoiu'selves, and give them Indian play ; advance from tree
to tree, pressing the enemy and killing and disabling all
vou can. Your ollicers will shrink fiom no danger — they
will be constantly with you, and the moment the enemy give
way, be on the alert, and strictly obe}' orders." *

These appeals to the mountain men were adroitly put,
and had a good eflect. Each soldier felt that he could im-
plicitly rely on his fellows to stand by him to the last. The
troops were now dismissed, with directions to be read}' to
march in three hours — and have provisions pri'pareil for
two meals, and placed in their knapsacks. Cleveland and
McDowell seem to have obtained some liquor, and added
that " when the men were ready for the march, they should
have a 'treat.' " f They marched down Cane creek a few
mile?, making slow progress, and encamped for the night
with the usual muirds on dutv. The next dav, October the
fourth, they renewed the march, fording and re-fording
Cane creek many times, as the trail then ran, and at night

■■'MS. notes of conversations with John Spelts, whose inLinory of this gathering, and
llic remark-, of Cleveland, McDowell and Shelby, was clear and vivid,
t Spelts' recollections.

AND ITS HEROES.

11)7

roaclu'd tho noighborhond of its mouth, iti the roifion of
GilbiTl Town. "^I'lu-y k-arnccl lliis iliiy iVoin Jonatlian
Hampton, that Ft'ij^uson had retreated from (Jilbert Town :
and also received information tliat it was his purpose to
evade an engagement with them.*

In order 'o give a proper view of tlie movements of the
opposing parties, it is now necessary to recur to l'\'rguson
and his Tory folh)wers. It will be remembered, that Fi-rgu-
son's troops made an excursion, during tiie month of S«pleiii-
ber, into the Upper Catawba Valley, in then IJurke, now
McDowell County ; and that several of the patriots, Captain
John Carson among them, were prevailed on b\' tlu' ^Vilig
leaders to take protection, simplv as a ruse by which to
save as much of the slock of the country as possible. Tiie
scheme worked to a charm, not merely in benetiling the
Whigs, but by Captain Carson's shrewd management, it
produced, in the end, a telling ellect on the few Tories of
that region. Ferguson began to suspect that Carson and
his frii'iuls were deceiving him, and saving more cattle than
probably belonged to them, and resolved thai lie would nt)t
be thus foiled by such backwooils diplomacy. So he
fitted out a party from camp to go in quest of bee\i's thus
attempted to be smuggled out of harm's way, and lav in a
good supply of meat. Carson accompanied the foraging
expediticni. A large herd was found roaming about the
extensive cane-brakes, where David Grei-nlee since ri'sided :
but Carson was close-moulhetl about their ownershij) until
the Tory party had slaughtered over a hundred head of tine
young cattle, when he quietly observed, ihat he expected
that they were the property of Joseph Brown, Dement, and
Johnstone, who had joined Ferguson, and were then in his
camj-). These men got wind of the transaction, made in-
quiries, and ascertained that it was indeed their stock that
had been so unceremoniously appropriated for his Majestv's
troops. They were not a little chop-fallen and disgusted,

♦General Joseph Graham's narrative; MS. correspondence with Jonathan lii^inpton, Jr.

> '-%«?<)(*■;■

II i

n I

1!).S

KING'S MOUNTAIN

ami tilt! aHliir was soon noised abroad, and had quite a
dispiriting elll-ct upon the LoyaHsts of the country. Fer-
guson cleclari'd that tiie Rebels had out witteil him.*

A htlle incident, worthy of rehition, occurred while the
JJritish troops were encamped at i)avidst>n's place, since
Mclntyre's, two niiles wist of Captain Carson's. A soldier
was tempted to kill a chicken and enjoy a savory meal, but
lu- liappened to be discovered by Mrs. Davidson, who
promptly rejiorled the theft to I'^ertruson. The IJritish
commauiler had tlu- culi^rit immediati-h- punished, and tra^e

the good lady a dollar in compensation for the loss.f This
act was certaiidy creditable to Ferguson's sense of justice ;
but it was, like an oasis in the di'scrt. a circumstance of
very unlVequent occurrence.

Returning from this excursion, Ferguson and his Tory
marauders campinl a while at the Whiti" Oak vSpiing. near
Brindletown. Their camp was in close proximity to the
lofty peak known in al' that region "is Pilot Mountain, almost
isolated in the midst of a comparatively level country —
so named, as tradition has it, from its having been the land-
mark of the Indians in their wanderings, and the guide by
which the Torv foraging parties, in 1780, directed tluir
course when returning iVom their plundering expeditions.
One of these parties captured Robert Campbell, too old for
active service, while at breakfast, at his home on Camp
Creek, twelve miles north-east of Rutherfordton, and con-
veyed him to the camp at White Oak vSpring.

Reference has heretofore been made to the light at
Cowan's Ford, on -Cane creek. One traditon* places die

* MS. narrative of Vance and McDowell, preserved hy Robert Henry.

vMS. letter of Governor D. L. Swain, nfCliapel Hill. North t'arolina. Fchrnary 8th.
1854, to General John G. I'.yniini, on authority of O. M. Smith, of Asheville. North Caro-
lina, a grandson of ^trs Davidson, communicated hy Rev. W. S. I'ynuni, of Winston,
Nortli Carolina.

} MS. correspondence of Wm. I,. Twitty. who derived the tradition from W'ni. Mon-
teith. and he from Wni. Watson, a worthy Revolutionary hero who was in the fi«ht, and
who died in 1S34, at the vunerahle a^e of ninety-five years. It may l>c added, in this con-
nection. th.Tt old Wm. Marshall, in his lifetime pl.iced several lartje blocks of granite on
the spot where this contest is said to have taken placL', to identify the locality, and com-
memorate the occurrence. This would go to prove, that some Revolutionary event must
have transpired at that point.

AND ITS HEROES.

191)

locality of this contest some throe miles above Cowan's
Ford, at the oUl Marshall place, now Jonathan Walker's, on
the west branch of that stream. One Hemphill was killed ;
Captain Josi-ph White, Jolm Criswell, and Peter liranks
were wounded in this allair.* It was a sort of drawn
biAlle, on a small scale, neither party caring to renew the
conllict. Fergnson and his otlicers seemed to prefer camp-
ing on or near some iiill or elevation ; so while prosecnting
their retreat, they took post on Uio top of a high hill at
Samuel Amlrews' phice, twelve miles north of Gilbert
Town. Here the stock, poultry, and every thing they
could make nse of, were unfeelingly appropriated ; while
the unfortunate owner, Andrews, and his Whig neighbors,
had fled for safety to the neighboring Cane creek moun-
tains.! At length the jaded troops, with their disabled
Major, Dimlap, reached their old locality at Gilbert Town
— the men encamping on Ferguson's Ilill, while Dunlap
was conveyed to Gilbert's residence.

On tlu; thirtieth of September,* little dreaming of any
impending danger, Ferguson was snddenly awakened from
his sense of security. The two Whig deserters, Crawford
and Chambers, arrived from the camp of the mountaineers
on the top of the Yellow Mountain, with the alarming
intelligence of the rapid approach of " the Back Water
men," as Ferguson termed them. He rightly judged, that
if his threats of hanging, lire, and sword had no clTect on
them, they were coming with a full determination to fight
him with desperation. He had furloughed man^- (jf his
Tory followers to visit their tamilies, under promise of
rejoining him on short notice. He had been tarrying
longer than he odierwise would, in the hope of intercepting
Colonel Clarke, who had laid siege to Augusta, Georgia,

* MS. pension statements of Captain James Withrow and Richard Ballew.

fMS. correspondence of A. H. Long and \V. L. rwitty.

IColoncl Criigers letter to Fergiison, of 3d Octolier, 1780, refers to the latter's dis-
patch of September lolh, with the alarming news of " so considerable a force as you under-
stand is coming from the mountains. '•' '■• '•' I don't see how yon can possibly [defend]
the country and the neighborhood you are now in. The game from the mountains is just
what I expected." — Ramsey's Tennesste, 242.

200

k'/Au"S MOUNTAIN

from tla- (burlcotUh to the- .sixtc-rnth of Si'pti'inbri-, and
NVoulcl have I'ompK'ti'ly siuxi'i'ili'd, liatl not Coloiu'l L"iui;i'r
ariivc'il iVoin JNiiu-ty Six wilii a party ol' ii'licl', wIk'II Claikc
was conipt'lk'il to make his \\a\ northwaid, along' the east-
ern basi' ol" till' nionntains.

Crugor promptly apprisril lu'rj^nson of Clarki-'s opt^r-
ations and rotirrmcnl. In llu' puisuil, quilo a nnmbcr ot'
till' Whigs were taki-n prisi)ners by iIk" J5iitisli anil tlu'ir
n\)ry ami Indian allies, and si-vi-ral were sralju'il. Captain
Asliby antl twebt' otlu'r eaplives were hangi'd niuU'r (he
eyes ot C'olo'iel Browne, tlu' Jjritish eommandant ol Au-
j^iista, who was t\\ iee disableil ilurin;^" the ^ei^l•, and was
smartini;" niuler the I'lleet ol his wounds; thirtei-n who weii'
delivered to the Cheroket's were killed by the tomahaw k,
or b\' tortnri\s, or thiow ii into lires. ^'hirty altogi'ther weri>
put to death by orders ol' the vindietive and inlamous
Brow ui'. Lieutenant William Sti'\enson, one oi' Ferj^uson's
eorps, in writing" frouj (iilbert Town, on tin- twi'nty-lilih ot"
Seplemln'r, pi"obabl\ g'a\e wwK to tlu" |>ii'\aU'nt I'eelings of
Ferguson's men when In- said, referring to tlu" |)ursuit and
eipture of Clarki''s miMi : "Several ol" whom tI.eN iiiiii/r-
it/iift'/v /nnii^ri/, (iiid //(ixw (I i^rnif nuniv inert' vrt lo /lan^-.
ITr have iio:i< i^ot a iiirl/ioii I hut ii'ill mhui f>/if uu cud to the
rchcllioii ill a short iiiiii\ hv hiiiii^'iii^' rz'cry iiitiii thiit has
taken prctritidii, ami is foiiiut acting aiiiiinst ks.*"' I lang-
ing men '' iinincitiatc/v" after they were made prisoners,
plainlv implies that no op|iortiniit}- was giwu to prove or
dis|irove wiiether they had e\er taken proti>etion or not.
liut this ]iraetice of mwrrZ/V/A' /i a n^iii^- was simply carrying
into elfeet Lord Cornwallis' inlnunan ordi-rs lo Cruger and
Jialfour.

I"\'rguson was quite as anxious to waylay the ri'tiinant
of Clarke's partisans as wi'n* Crugi'r and Browne to have
him ill) so. It is not improbable, that in lurloughing so
many of his Tory recruits, as ho had recently done, lo visit

♦Alinon's KemfmbruHier fur 1781, xi, .(80-81.

4 il

fia

f V

ii\

ANP /'IS ///:ro/:s.

201

their homes, C'oloiu-l l'\'r^us()ii may havi' hail in view , ihal
the'r scattered ioeaUlies mio-lii riiahle llu'in to olilain eaflv
notiie of thi- approaih of CMaiki-'s fiij^itivi's, ami promptly
api^rise him of it. Thus watehin;^' and (li'i;i\ inu- in oider
to e.ntrap the ( ieori^ia patriots, proved his own spi'i'dy de-
struction. When (he two desertiMs t"i )m Se\ iei's regiment
hronj^ht him imellii^eiRH- of his Ihri-ali^netl dan^i'r from the
monnlaineers, he was not slow to reali/i' iiis sitnation. lie
sent out e.\|)ri'ssi's in all diri'Clions, slron^h' a|ipealiu<4' to
the Royalists to liasten to his standard with a'l |->ossihle ex-
jii'ilition, anil to lender him c\ery assistance in their power
in this critical i'mer^enc\ .

lie evidently had a triple ohjecl in view hv taking' this
circuitous coiU'se. lie hoped still, peradveiiluie, to inter-
cept Clarke; lu' anxiouly tlesiri'd to slii-n^theu his own
force In re-inforcenK'nts, antl to tollecl on his ronti' his lur-
loni;heil South L^arolina Loyalists, and |irevenl their heini;
cut up in del'.il ; ami he attemjUed, moreover, to play oil" a
piece ol" str.itei;v, which, il successful, would relieve him
ot" the danj^er of too close a pro.ximily to those swarminnf
mountaineers — liy misleading- tiiein as to the ohji;cti\e point
t)f his retreat, and thus iiululi;in;;' the hope that they miuht
make a dash, by the nearest routi', to inteiccpl him before
his expected arrival at Ninety vSi\. Had I'V-rguson, with
his three or loin- davs' start, taken the most direct easterly
course to C'harlotte, he could easil\' ha\e accom|ilisheil his
purpose, as il wasonh' some si.\t\ miles distant in a straight
line, and could not ha\e exceeiled ei';hty by the then /i^-zauj
routes of travel.

Leavinjif Gilbert Town on the twenty-sewnlh ol'
September, Fer«^uson moved to tliv (ireen liver rei^iou
in ijuest ol' Clarke. Three days later, while in camp
at James Step's phue, reci'ivinj^ the alarmiui; iiUelli-
<;ence of the rapid approach ot" the Back Water men, in
strong- force, he promptly notilied Lord Cornwallis ol" his
tlan^er, ami of the conseijuent necessity ol" his hasteninj/

202

KING'S MOUNTAIN

' If I

:ii'

<> U-\

towards his Lordship's head-quarters ; and probably hinting
that a re-inforcenient or escort adequate to tlie orcasion,
would pro\e a most opportune occiu'rence. This dispatch
was contided to Abram Collins and Peter Qiiinn, who
resided on the borders of the two Carolinas, and were well
acquainted with the route. I lis injunctions to them were to
make the utmost expedition, and deliver the letter as soon
as possible. They took the most direct course, crossing
Second Broad ri\'er at Webb's Ford ; thence by way of
what is now Mooresboro to First Broad ri\er at Stice's
Shoal ; and thence on to Collins' Mill on Butfalo, when
they bore south-east to King's Mountain. Proceeding on
to Alexander Henry's, a good Whig, they disguised their
true character and mission, and there obtained refresh-
ments. Immediately renewing their journey, with undue
haste, excited the suspicions of Mr. Henry's family, that
the\- were engaged in some mischief boding no good to the
public weliare. Mr. Henry's sons, inspired by a patriotic
feeling, proposed to follow and apprehend them ; and pur-
sued so closely on their trail, that the miscreants got wind
of it in the vicinity of the present Bethel Presbyterian
Church, and secreted themselves by day, and tra\eled
stealthih- by night, crossing the Catawba at Mason's P'erry.
Thus was the dispatch dela3ed, so that it did not reach
Cornwallis till the morning of the seventh of October— the
day of Ferguson's final overthrow.* These details are
interestinir as showin*; the cause of Cornwallis' failure to
re-inforce Ferguson in his time of peril and need.

In addition to this dispatch to Lord Cornwallis for suc-
cor, Ferguson also wrote on the thirtieth of September to

*CJcneral Joseph Ornliam's Kind's Mountain narrative gives this statement in hrief;
many of the particulars were fiirnisliei! fur this work hy Colonel J. R. T ogan, of Cleveland
County. North Carolina. "Collins," adds Colonel I.ogan, " after the war. entered very valu-
able lands on Buffalo Creek in this County. He was often in jeopardy on account of his noto-
rious connterfeitinK practices, and frequently in jail ; but always had friends enough to
help him out. He died in poverty near Stice's Shoal on First Broad rivtr. Peter Quinn
led a worthier life, and became the proiienitor of very numerous descendants— some of
them, in this County, and in the West, highly respectable people."

AND ITS HEROES.

203

Colonel Criigor, commandiiijr at Ninety Six, callint^ for a
large militia re-inforcement — how large is not stated, but
several regiments ; when Cruger replied that there were only
half that number* all told. And as a riisCy Ferguson gave
out word, that he was iioinji to Ninety Six, and to give coun-
tenance to the deception, started in that direction, making
quite a detour southwardly from a direct course to Charlotte.
The fond hope of capturing Clarke and his intrepid fol-
owers was, it would seem, almost an infatuation widi
Fer<rus(;n. lie could not bear the thought of leaving the
country without accomplishing this important object, if it
were possible to do so. He had his scouts oat in the direc-
tion of the mountains, and was vigilant in seeking information
from the quarter where Clarke was supposed to be directing
his course. On ^Sunday, the lirst of October, while beating
about the country, he visited Baylis Earlc's, on North
Pacolet, a dozen miles south-west of Denard's Ford.
Captain William Green and his company made up a part of
this force ; and while at I'^arle's, they killed a steer,
destroyed four or five hundred dozen sheaves of oats, and
plundered at their pleasure, f They then marched to
Denard's Ford,+ making their camp there for the night.
While at this Ford, the old crossing of Broad river, half a
mile below the present Twitt3''s Ford, and sofne eight miles
from Gilbert Town, Ferguson issued the following energetic
appeal — apparently almost a wail of despair — addressed
" to the inhabitants of North Carolina," and, doubtless,
similar ones to the Loyalists of SouUi Carolina also :

"' Ramsey's Tennessee, 242.

f MS. letter of Hiylis I'.arle, Septemljer nth, 1814, to Mnjur John Lewis and Jonathan

Hampton, cc

iiicateil by Hon. W. P. liyniim.

J MS. letters of Hon. W. J, T. Miller, Dr. J. B. rwitty, W. L. Twitty, \. Y>. K. Miller,
.Tnd Colonel J. R. Logan fi.\ the locality of Denard's Ford as wciirthc present Twitty's
Ford ; and the venerable Samuel Twitty, a colored man, now eighty-six years old, and
raised in that neighborhood, says the old ford, half a mile below the present Twitty's
Ford and under a large oak tree that long stood there, was often pointed cut to him in hiii
boyhood as Ferguson's crossing place. The MS. McDowell-Vance narrative says Ferguson
crossed at Twitty's Ford, which practically conlirins these traditions. The I'lrginia
Gazette and the old land records of Rutherford County determine the orthography of the
name Denard, instead of Donard, as Wheeler has it in his History 0/ Xortli Cuiolina.
Allaire's Vi'iiy also confirms this mode of spelling the name.

204

KING'S MOUNTAIN

" DenarcVs Ford, Broad River,

Tryon County, October i, 1780.

" Gendcmen : — Unless you wish to be eat up by an in-
undation of barbarians, who have begun by murdering- an
unarmed son before the aged latiier, and afterwards lopped
ofThis arms, and who by their shocking crueldes and irregu-
larities, give the best proof of their cowardice and want of
discipline; I say, if you wish to be pinioned, robbed, and
murdered, and .^ce your wives and daughters, in four days,
abused by the dregs of mankind — in short, if you wish or
deserve to live, and be;'r the name of men, grasp your
arms in a moment and run to camp,

"The Back Water men have crossed the mountains;

McDowell, Hampton, Shelby, and Cleveland are at their

head, so that 3'ou know what you have to depend upon.

If you choose to be degraded forever and ever by a

set of mongrels, say so at once, and let your women turn

their backs upon you, and look out for real men to protect

them.

"Pat. Fjjrguson, Major 71st Regiment. '" *

An amusing incident occurred in this neighborhood. The
British had captured Andrew Miller, and were conveying
him along with them. Lewis Musick, who had just returned
from the unfortunate attack on Augusta, joined Anthony
Twitty, an elder brother of the William Twitty who con-
ducted himself so bravely in tlie defence of Graham's Fort,
as formerly related ; and being well mounted, they conclu-
ded to take a scout, and see what discoveries thev could
make. Coming to the main road, it seemed to them as
though the whole line of travel for more than a mile was
alive with Red Coats, Ferguson and his dragoons among

•■■" I'irginia Gazette, November ii, 1780; Wheeler's Xorth Ccralinn, ii, 103; Ramsey's
Tennessee, 253. It is exceedingly climl)tfiil if any sm !i Ijarbari'ies were perpetrateil upon
tlie Tories as Ferguson's proclamation asserts. It must have been a figment of the imagi'
nation, invented for effect.

AND ITS HEROES.

205

them. The "Whig scouts had a good view of tlicm, and as
they passed David Miller's place, one of the enemy and a
negro remained behind, the latter going to the spring
to catch his horse. The soldier — or Red Coat, as
Twitty preferred to call him — proved to be Ferguson's
cook ; and, it seems, was completing the preparation of
a savory meal, to take along for the Colonel's breakfast,
who had been too busy in getting his troops started to enjoy
his morning's repast. Twitty and Musick retired behind a
field, where the}' hitched their horses in some bushes, de-
termined to get ahead of the two loiterers and capture them.
Beside the road, there was a fallen tree, the top of which
was yet thickl}' covered with leaves, where they secreted
themselves, awaiting the advance oi the supposed oflicer
and his servant. The negro, in about fifteen minutes, came
dashing along some fift)^ yards in front. Twitty was to
rush out and take the negro, while INIusick was to prevent
the Red Coat in the rear from shooting him ; and the colored
fellow was seized so suddenly that he made no defei.ce.
Musick demanded the Red Coat to surrender, who seeming
unwilling to do so, Twitty leveled his gun at him, with a
severe threat if he did not instantly obey. At this moment
the negro put spurs to his horse and escaped.

But the white captive was dismounted, antl hurried oft'
half a mile or more, and talking loudly by the way, as if to
attract the attention of pursuers, he was plainly admonished
that another utterance would forfeit his life. After that, he
was quiet enough. Once out of danger of being overtaken,
the Whig scouts examined their prisoner, and ascertained
that he was Ferguson's cook — not so much of a dignitary,
after all, as diey had supposed, and learned that Ferguson
was then on the lookout to intercept Colonel Clarke and his
men on their retreat from August:i. Twitty and his com-
panion paroled the soldier-cook, retaining the captured meal,
which they appropriated to their own use, and Ferguson lost
his breakfast.

206

KING 'S A/0 UNTAIN

Bofote releasing their prir.oner, however, the Whig
scouts found means to pen a hurried note to Ferguson, in-
forming liim, that when they ascertained tliat the person
they had taken was Iiis cook, tliey conchided that the British
conunander could not well dispense with so important a
personage, and fheu accordingly sent him back, trusting
that he would restore him to his butlcrship. Overtaking
the Colonel, the cook delivered the note, cursing his eyes
if he had not been taken prisoner by a couple of Rebel
buggers, as he termed them, and proceeded to curse and
denounce them at a terrible rate. Ferguson quietly re-
strained his temper, and told him he was wrong to speak of
them so harshly, as the}' had used him well, and permitted
him to return after a ver^- brief captivity. Thus Andrew
Miller, who was present, subsequently reported the inter-

view.^

From Denard's Ford, Ferguson and his troops, accord-
ing to Allaire's Diary, marched on Monday afternoon, the
second, only four miles, where the}' formed a line of
action, and lay on their arms all niglit. But the enemy they
so coniklently expected, did not make their appearance.
Much precious time was thus spent to no purpose. All
this, under ordinary circumstances, would indicate in-
decision ; but the British commander, it seems, still lingered,
hoping to intercept Clarke and his Georgia patriots, and
delayed for the return of his men whom he had furloughed
to visit their families, and the hoped-for militia from the
region of Ninety Six, and, after crossing Broad river at
Denard's, purposely bore off to the left, instead of continu-
ing on the direct road south to Green river en route for
either Cowpens or Ninety Six, hoping thereby to elude the
vi'dlance of the Back Water men.

*MS. narrative of Anthony Twitty, written in September, 1832; MS. letters of Drs. T.
ri. and W. L. Twitty. on authority of Mrs. Jane Toms ind others. Twitty was born in
Chester County, Pennsylvania, November 29th, 1745, and was much engaged ir scouting
service during the Revolution. Judge W. P. Bynuni, of Charlotte, North Carolina, kindly
communicated Twitty's .MS. narrative.

AND ITS HEROES.

207

It is possibli*, moreover, tliat Ferguson niiglit have felt the
necessity of feeling his wa}' cautiously out of his dilliculties ;
that while evading the mountaineers on the one hand, he
should not run recklessly into other dangers, "SS might be
equally as formidable ; for Lord Cornwallis had, on the
twenty-third of September, apprised him that Colonel
Davie's part}' of Whig cavalry had marched against him,
which Ferguson's apprehensions, and Tory fears, may have
maguilied into a much larger body than eighty dragocms.
Notliing, however, was gained b\' these tardy operations ;
and, in these fruitless efibrts at strategy, Ferguson, luul he
realized it, might ha\e exclaimed, with the Roman digni-
tary, "I have lost a day!" For he could have marched
from Denard's Ford to the neighborhood north of Cowpens
from sunrise to sunset, instead of consuming two days in its
accomplishment.

Allaire's Diary informs us, that on the third, Ferguson
marched six miles to Camp's Ford of Second Broad river,
thence six farther to Armstrong's, on Sandy Run, where the
troops refreshed ; then, as they reckoned distance, pushed
on seven miles to Buffalo creek, a mile beyond whicii they
reached Tate's plantation — making twenty miles this da}',
the route being north of main Broad river. At Tate's,
Ferguson tarried two full days, probably awaiting in-
telligence as to the movements of the Whigs, which he
doubtless received on the evening of the fifth, lor the army
renewed its march at four o'clock on Friday morning, the
sixth. During this day Colonel Ferguson sent the following
dispatch to Lord Cornwallis, without date ; but the con-
nectinj; facts fix the time as here indicated :

"My Lord : — A doubt does not remain with regard to
the intelligence T sent your I>ordsliip. They are since
joined bv Clarke and Sumter * — of course are become an

*A smnll squall of Clarke's men did. alioiit tliis time, join the mountain men; and Sum-
ter's force, under Colonel I.acey. soon after effected ajiinction. Ferguson, probably from
his spies and scouts, learned of those parties and their intentions.

208

KING'S MOUNTAIN

object of some consequence. Happily their leaders are
obliged to leed their followers -widi such hopes, and so to
flatter them with accounts of our weakness and fear, that,
if necessary, I should hope for success against them myself;
but numbers compared, that must be but doubtful.

"1 am on m\' march towards you, by a road leading
from Cherokee Ford, north of King's Mountain. Three
or four hundred good soldiers, part dragoons, would finish
the business. Soviet king must be done soon. This is their
last push in this quarter, etc.

"Patrick Ferguson."*

It is evident from this di;f{-)atch, that Ferguson, when
penning it, had no other design than to march resoluleh-
forward and join his Lordship at Cliarlotte. Had he then
in contemplation the taking post on King's Mountain, and
there awaiting succor, and there deciding the mastery with
his tireless pursuers, he would likely have indicated it in
his letter. So he simply said : " I am on my march towards
you, by a road leading north of King's Mountain;" and,
at the same time, taciUy plead for a rc-inforccment, appar-
ently aware by this time, that tlfbugh he had succeeded in
his strategic etlbrt to throw the Back Water men off his
trail, they were yet doggedly pursuing him.

Lieutenant Allaire says it was sixteen miles from Tate's
place to "Little King's Mountain." Ferguson marched
up the old Cherokee Fcrr}- road, between the waters of
Buffalo and King's creeks, crossing the western branch of
this latter stream where Whisnant's mill is now situated ;
thence on the old Qiiarry road to main King's creek ; and
soon after crossing which, he bore off to King's Mountain.
Or, as Reverend Robert Lathan describes it, Ferguson
"pushed on up the ridge road between King's and Buflalo
creeks, until he came to the forks, near Whitaker's Station,
on the present Air-Line railroad. There he took the right
prong, leading across King's creek, through a pass in the

♦Almon's Remembrancer {oi 1781, xi, 280; Tarleton's CamfiaisHS, quarto edition, 193.

M
*!^
U
>'.

Lj
O

i-i
o

AND ITS HEROES.

209

mountain, and on in the direction of Yorkville. Here, a short
(lislanie after crossing the creek, on liie ri^ht of tiie road,
about two hundred and lil'ty ^ards from the pass,"'* he canie
to King's Mountain. Ferguson's dispatch to Cornwallis,
ah-eady cited, and written during the day before the battle,
shows conclusively, that this mountain bore its prefix of
'•King's" at that time,f antl that its subsequent occupancy
by the King's troops had nothing to do in giving to it this
appellation.

That portion of it where the action was fought, has little
or no claim to the distinction of a mountain. The King's
Mountain range is about sixteen miles in length, extending
generally from the north-east, in North Carolina, in a south-
westerly course, sending out lateral spurs in various direc-
tions. The principal elevation in this range, a sort of lofty,
rocky tower, called 77/6* Pinnacle., is some six miles dis-
tant from the battle ground. That portion of the oblong
hill or stony ridge, now historically famous, is in York
Count}', South Carolina, about a mile and a half south of
the North Carolina line. It is some six hundred ^ards long,
and about two hundred and fift}' from one base across tt) the
other; or from sixty to one hundred and twenty wide on
the top, tapering to the South — '-so narrow," says Mills'
Statistics., "that a man standing on it may be shot from
either side." Its summit was some sixty feet above the
level of the surrounding tountry.

Ferguson's observing eye was attracted to this com-
manding eminence ; and regarding it as a fit camping
place, he concluded to tarry there. This was on the even-
ing of the sixth of October. lie apparently awaited the
expected return of furloughed parties of Loyalists under
Major Gibbs and others ; and he fondly hoped, too, to be
soon re-inforced by Tarleton, and the militia from the dis-

* Pamphlet Historical Sketch of tht Battle of King's Afoiinfu'ii. Yorkville, South
Carolina, 1880.

t " It timk its name " says Moultrie's Mnuoiys. " from one Kini;. who lived at the foof
of the mount with his family." I'he name of King's Creek had also the same origin.
14

'.\;-

^10

a'Jjvg's mountain

trict of Niiu'ty Six. Rejoined by his Loyalist forces, and
strengthened by ri'-inlbrcenienls, lie no doiil)! IhiUered
hiinseh' with j^ainin^r a crushinjf victory over the liack
Water men, whom he never tailed to belittle, and wlioni
he heartily ilespiseil. lie had tor monlh.s iinlirin<;l\-
tlrilled the men under his banner ; his detachments under
Patrick Moore, Inncs and Dunlaj), had met with
repeated disasters, which he anxiously desired a suit-
able opportunity to retrieve betoie joining; his Tvordship
at Charlotti'. He pridi'd himselt" in his skill in tlu- use ol"
lire-arms, and his success in inspiring' others with st)methin<r
of his own feelings of invincibility ; and, above all things,
he coveted a fitting occasit)n to put to the test his long and
patiently drilled Loyalists, as soon as he could do so with
a reasonable hope of success. This hope he saw in
the expected "three or four hundred gocul soldiers — part
dragoons" — hinting, doubtless, at Tarleton's Legion cav-
alry,' even if the expected militia shoukl fail him ; when he
could, in his own estimation, do up the business lor the
daring Back Water men, and extricate himself from his
impending danger. Cherishing such hopes, he thought it
imwise to retire too precipitatelv to Charlotte. Such a
retreat might betray signs of fear — suggesting, perhaps,
that he shirked the opportunity he had long pretended to
court, and he might thereby lose the chance of a life-time
of disdniruishinij himself on the iflorious field of Mars, and
winning undying honors and fame from his King and
country. These visions of glory were too tempting, and he
yielded to their si'ductive inlluences. "The siiuation of
King's Mountain," said Arthur McFall, one of his Loyalist
followers, "was so pleasing that he concluded to take post
there, stoudy affirming that he would be able to destroy or
capture any force the Whigs could bring against him."* '• So
contident," says Shelby, " was Ferguson in the strength of
his position, that he declared that the Almighty could not

<'MS. letter of \Vm. A. McCall, to wlioni McFall made the statement,

AND ITS HEROES,

211

drive him from it." * Tin- McDowcll-Vaiici' narrative
states, that Fertriison declareil, that "he was on Kiii'^'s
iM(»iiiitaiii, that hf was kiiijf of that nioimtaiii, and (»od
Ahiiighty coukl not drive him from it." This impious
boast was tlouhtless made to encourage Ids confiding fol-
lowers.

'Inhere was a spring on the nortli-west si(U' of the moun-
tain, one of l!ie sources of Chu'lv's Fork of IJulloek's creek,
from winch a needful supply of water coukl he obtained,
though not verv convenient: but tlie countrv, wild as it
then was, was unable to furnish anvthing like the necessarv
amount of provisions requisite' for such a body of mi'n. It
was a stony spot, where lines coukl not easily be thrown
up; there was, however, an abundance of wood on tlu' hill
with which to form abatis, and defend his camp ; but Fergu-
son took none of these ordinary military precautions, anil
only placed his baggage-wagons along the north-eastern
part of the mountain, in the neighborhood of his heail-
quarters, so as to form some slight apjiearance of protection.
And thus he remaiiuul j^uarly a whole dav, ami as Mills
states, "inactive and exposed,"! iiwaiting the return of his
furloughed men, and the expected succors ; but these anx-

♦iSheUiy's narrative in Aiin-ricnn RfT'ietv. Dcccmhcr iS.(8. rorrr>hor:itef1 hvTndrt's mpitl-
oir iif Shelby ; Colonel Hill's MS. statement; MS. notes nf conversations with James
Sevitr and John Spelts, hoth Kind's Mountain men and (ieneral Lenoir's narrative.

Since this chapter was put in type, Ceorge U Moore, I.I.. I)., of the Lenox Library, has
called the authors attention to, and kindly loaned him .-» copy of a rare, if not hitherto un-
known pamphlet, lliognifiliicil SK\-I.h, or .Uemoir of Ucitteiiixiit Coloiu-l Patrick Ferguson,
hy Ai/aiit /•'■■rgnson, LL D., EdinburRh. 1817, in which this paragraph, relative to Colt.nel
rerguson's retreat occurs: •• He dispatched a messenger to Lord fornwallis. to inform his
Lordship of what had passed,— of the enemies he had to deal with,— of the route lie had
taken to avoid them ; earnestly c.vpressinc liis wish, that hr mi'.'ht h*- enalleil to cover a
country in which there were so many well afforted inhabitants; addinulhat for this purpose,
he shoul I halt at King's Mountain liopinq that he might he ther^- supported by a detach,
ment from his Lordship, and saved the necessity of anv further retreat. This letter having
been intercepted, gave notice to the enemy of the place where Ferguson was to be foi'nd :
and though a duplicate s.-nl oti the following day was received by I-ord Cornwallis, it cauw
toolate to prevent the disaster which followed."

If such a dispatch was sent to Lord Cornwallis, it must have been written .iftcr
Ferguson had arrived at King's Mountain, and concluded to take post there. Certain it is,
that Ferguson sent several dispatches to Lord Cornwallis after he commenced hi> retreat
from (Gilbert 'rown, the burthen of which evidently was to express his great anxiety for a
re-inforcemcnt.

T Statistics 0/ South Carcliiia, i8,:6. p. 778.

212

A'/A'G'S MOUNTAIN

ions hopes were dooim-d to bittrr tlisappoiiitnu'iil. Iiistoad
oftlu' coveted le-inlorci'inents, as the sihiiu'I will show, eanie
the lialcd Haek Watt-r men, worse, it" possibK-. than were
the MeeklenbiiriL,f iioiiu-ts to L'ornwallis and iiis army.

His inl'atnation tor militarv ji^lorv is the (>nl\ explanation
that can hi' given lor I't-rj^uson's conduct in iinyerin/.;- at
King's Mountain. When he left (Jrein river, he knew
full wi'U thai till' mountaineers, in strong force, were jiress-
ing hard upon him, and he marched tow uds L'harlotte,
hut not expeditiously, lie knew, too, inat the IJack
Water men had, by their various unions, become " ol' some
consequence," as he frankly admilled in his dispatch to
Lord (.'<" mvallis. Concluding, therefore, thai "something
nuist b> lone," as he expressed it, to check (he onward
progress ol the mountain men that this was " liieii- last
push in this ipiarter," he was not slow in properlv isti-
mating tiie strength and prowess of his enemy ; and
keetilv reali/ed iiis pressing need for "three or four
hundred good soldiers," if he ho|H'd to meet and van-
(piish the coming horde of Hack Water "barbarians."
The possible failure of his l^ordship to receive his dis-
patches, seems not to have entered into lu'rguson's calcula-
tions : and he did not fully realize the dangers besetting
him— the meshes with which the patiiots were preparing to
entrap him. He knew, indeed, that "the Campbells were
coming;" but the haughty Scotsman relied this time loo
much >n the pluck and luck which had hitherto attended
him. In his own expressive language, a direful " inunda-
tion " was impending. Unprepared, as he was, to meet it,
ordinary militarv prudence would have dictated that he
should make good his retreat to Charlotte without a mo-
ment's delay. Within some thirty-live iiiles of his Lord-
ship's camp, he could easily have accomplished the dis-
tance in a few hours : yet he lingered two days at Tate's,
and one on King's Mountain, ileluded with the hope of
trainin<f undvinir laurels, when I'ate, the lickle goddess, had
onlv in store for him ilefeat, disaster, and death.

AM) ITS ///:a'i)/:s.

21:?

CIIArTKR XI

October, I780.

ritK-rtiiiiity i]f /'rriiiison' s Roufr of Nr/irdf. — A siitit// l\ufy of (!<o>\i;iiVis
join till- Mounlniii Mm.- -U7/(i; f'riiw (<7'rr r\//>//<t/ii/.- /\',/>i»/ <>! ,t
ptitt tot Spy from IVy^iisoii' s i'liiiif. Williaiiis attrmpt to Mi\l(,t<t
till- Mountoinrois. -I.iuiy sris tliiii /\i\i;/it. Thr Soutli ( ',i/(>//)i/<ni.\'

txaliiititt oj Williams.-' Silii tiny, tin- Jittrst Mi
pumir J-c/xitaoii.-.hii.'iil tit tiio ( owprns.

II lit (.irriii riror to
III' 'lorv, Soiiiiili IS

-/lis ii^

iioiiiiiir o

•}f Juii^iiioii, /lis lii

iiiiii /lis (oni. Stoi V of'

h'lrr, t/ir iiipplr Spy.- ililiiicr, t/ir iiiiiniiit;- Si out, itiipiiii^ tlir
'lorirs.- -'//ir i'oic/uiis i otiiuil, fiii t/iir srlirtioii of Put suns, it iid
t/icir iXuiiiliir. — .V/j,'/// Afitn /i to ( '/inoker /•'on/. — Stmyiiii; of ( 'iuii/>-
i>i//'s Mill. — (ifcuntilli'ss I-Viirs of iiii Amhusnuti-. — (rossiiit^ of
liiviid ri:'ir.-.'<tormy '/iiiic — fiii/ii/ ( onttitioii of Moii unit //oi srs.

— 'lorv liijoi iihitioii. {.'lilmn's .\iiviiiluii

/Villi of .Ittihkiiii.

/•'iij^iisoii. ( 'o/oiii'l (,'iit/iiim /\'itiiYS. ( liionii lo iissiyjiril ( omiiiiii/il
of t/ir I.iiuolii Mill. ]'ouiii; /'oiii/if '/ii/'iii.-J'i'i'^usoii's />iyss. —
J'/rssiiiy toH'iVil'i t/ii- /-.iiiiiiy's ( niiip.

Leaviii}^ lUT^iisoii, lor the lime li'-iiii>. at his cliostii
position on KiiiLj's MoiiiUiiiii. \vc will ivtiirii to the moiiii-
taiiit'iTs, wlioin we li'll nuamprd, on tlu' nielli ol'tlif lonilli
oi" ( )(.tolH'r. nt-ar llu- moulli ol' Ciinc ir«'«'k, in the mM!.;lihor-
liood ol ( lilbcit 'I'own. 'I'lu- ;,'V^;//<* tlit'N liati ln-i-ii scrkiiiff
had lied. it was pMicrally icporlfd that l'\'ii;nson hail
goni' sonic lilh oi- sixty mill's soulliwardlx , and later assur-
anii's iVom two nn'n, irpri'siMiti'd that hr had diifitcd his

coursr to

ini'tv Six, wi

•11-

in<"li a lMMulrc(

1 mil

i's awa\

T\n' (U'ttiuH's ol" that foil had In-rn itii-ntlv rcpairi'd and
strcn^thiMU'd, t and it was slicMi^ly ufanisontul, it was said,
with loin' hnndrrd n-ffnlars and some militia. Tin* proba-
bility was that it wonid resist an assault by .small aims, and

* Moore's /.//»' i>/ I mry, \(<.

t 'l^irlclon's ( '<i»«/ii/'x'«.r, i'«), iH|.

214

KING'S MOUNTAIN

i 'I

the mountaineers had none others ; but they were not to be
thwarted in their purpose, for they had made many a sacri-
fice of personal comfort, and had traveled many a weary
mile, in order to vanquish, if possible, tlie great Tor}-
leader of the South. They, however, learned Ferguson's
real strength, and were determined to pursue him to Ninety
Six, or wherever else he might see fit to go. Here, before
renewing their march, the mountain men killed some beeves
for a supply of fresh food.

While Colonel Clarke, of Georgia, and his followers,
were retreating from that unhappy country-, with their fami-
lies, and were aiming to cross the mountains to the friendly
Nolachucky settlements, they were met by Captain Edward
Hampton, who informed them that Campbell, Shelby,
Sevier, and McDowell were collecting a force with which
to attack Ferguson. Major William Candler and Captain
Johnston, of Clarke's part}-, filed oiV with thirty men and
formed a junction with the mountaineers, near Gilbert
Town.* Not very long thereafter, at what was called
Probit's place, on Broad river. Major Chronicle, with a party
of t\\ enty men from the South Fork of Catawba, joined the
mountain men.f Every such addition to their numbers was
hailed with delight ; and the whole force was, for purposes
of policy, greatly exaggerated by the leaders, to inspire both
their own men and the enemy with the idea of their great
strengtli and invincibility.*

* McCall's History of Georgia, ii, 33d. McCall mistakes in stating that Colonel Clarke
and his OenrKia fiiKitives retired to Kentucky for the safety of their families, That is of
itself improbable; but a MS. letter of Clarke to (General Sumter, of October 29th, 1780.
asserts that it was to the Nulachucky settlement (hey repaired.

t VanceMcnowcU narrative, and MS. letter of R. C. Gillam. of Ashcville, North
Carolina, to Dr. J. H. Loyan, communicaiini; an interview with the venerable Robert
Henry, one of Chroniile's men.

J MS. statement of General Joseph McDowell and Colonel Pavid Vance, preserved by
the late Hon. Robert Henry, of Buncombe county. North Carolina,

Supposing the numbers reported correctly, the whole force assembled for the King's
Mountain expedition did not evceed eighteen hundred and forty men. viz : Campbell's
force. 400; Shelby's, 240; Sevier's, 240; McDowell's, 160, increased in Burke to pmliahly
180: Cleveland and Winston's, 350; Candler's, 30; I.accy's, 270; Williams'. 70; and Ham-
bright's, including Chronicle's, 60. Vet they were represented as numbering three thou-
sand by M.ajor T.itc, who was in the action. See General Davidson's letter, October loth.

AXD ITS HEROES.

215

Pursuing the same route Fer<ru.s()n liacl taken, they
passed over Mountain creek and Broad river, at Denard's
Ford, wlu-n tliey seem to have lost the trail of the fugitives,
wliose place of detour to the left they did not happen to
discover. They constantly sent out scouts, lest any parties
of Tories might be roving through the country, and take
them unawares. John Martin and Thomas Lankford, of
Captain Joseph Cloud's company, of Cleveland's regiment,
while out spying, were waylaid near Broad ri\er, by a
party in ambush, who fired at them, severel}- wounding
Martin in the head. Lankford escaped unhurt. The Tories
captured their horses and Martin's gun, leaving Martin for
dead. At length recovering his senses, the wounded soldier
managed to reach the camp of his friends. The shot had
fortunately been broken of their force by his hat, and onlv
penetrated through the skin of his temples, and John Death-
eridge succeeded in picking them all out of the wound.
Unfit for further service at that time, Martin was con\eyed
home.*

1780, Gordon's ./wcr;V(i« /fVir says, they " amounted to near three thniisand ; " and this
was copied into the first edition of Marshall's Li/i- of II ashington. In Steadinan's Ameri-
can War, the number is given as " upward of three thousand." Governor Shelby, in his
Aiiierhun Reriew narrative, states that "a Whig prisoner taken by Lord Cornwallis repre-
sented to him that the patriot force numbered three thousand riflemen ; " and other reports
to the British at this period made the number still larger. Judge Johnson, in liis Li/e 0/
Grctnc, has magnified it to "near si,\ thousand."

There is, after all, some reason to suppose that the Whig force was over-estimated in
the ofTicial report of Campbell, Shelby, and Cleveland. Campbell's regiment, ai cording to
Knsign Robert Campbell, one of the officers of that corps, amounted to "near four hun-
dreil, " and Shelby'sand Sevier's together to only three hundred. The MS. account hereto-
fore cited, written by one of Campbell's men, whose name is unknown, states that Shelby
and Sevier's united force numbered three hundred and fifty, and McDowell's one hundred
and fifty; that Williams', the South Carolinians, and the few Georgia troops, amounted to
about three hundred and fifty; placing Campbell's at four hundred and fifty, and tleve-
'ind and Winston's at four hundred— making a total of sixteen hundred. Colonel Arthur
(."ampbell's manuscript only gives the number of McDowell's party at one hundred and
fifty. In Shelby's narr.ilive. in the American Rerie^i', it is stated that the Williams party
numbered " from two to three hundred refugees" which, united with the others, " made a
muster roll of about sixteen h.indred." It was. perhaps, this total number that Major
Tate reported to General Davidson, and which the Cieneral misunderstood as the selected
portion for the battle.

'■'M.'^. pension statement of Thomas Shipp. John Martin, one of the heroic soldiers of
that part of Surry County, now constituting Stokes. North Carolina, was born in Essex
County. Virginia, in 1756; and. in 1768, his parents settled near the Saura Mountain, in
Stokes. During the devolution, Martin was very active, sometimes serving as a private

Ill

216

X7JVG ' S MO UNTAIN

The mountain men, after crossing Broad river, went on
some two and a half miles, to what is now Alexander's Ford
ofGreen river, accomplishing not over twelve or thirteen miles
this ilay,the lifth of Ocloher, Many of the horses had become
weak, crippled, and exhausted, and not a few of the Iramp-
ers foot-sore and weary. Their progress was provokinglv
slow, and Campbell and his fellow leaders began to realize
it. They determined to select their best men, best horses,
and best rifles ; and, with this chosen corps, pursue Fergu-
son unremittingly, and overtake him, if possible, before he
could reach any post, or receive au}^ re-inforcements. The
Whig chiefs were not a little perplexed as to the course of
Ferguson's retreat, and the objective point he had in view ;
and some of the men began to exhibit signs of getting
somewhat discouraged. But all doubts and perplexities
were soon happily dissipated,- as we shall presently learn.

While Ferguson was encamped at Tate's place, an old
gentleman called on him, who disguised the object of his
visit. The next morning, October fifth, after traveling all
night, some twenty miles or more, Ferguson's visitor, well
known to many of the troops as a person of veracity,
arrived at the camp of the South Carolinians at Flint Hill,
and iiave the followinjx information : that he had been
several days with Colonel Ferguson, and had, by his plausi-
ble address, succeeded in impressing the British commander

volunteer, and sometimes as a lieiitemit, in fiKhting the British and Tories. In February,
1776, he served a tour under Colonel Joseph Williams against the Scotch-Tories, at Cross
creek, who were defeated just before their arriv.nl ; and in the fall of that year, he went on
General Rutherford's expedition against the Cherokees. In a skirmish with the Tories,
he wounded and captured one of their leaders, Morton, who died shortly afterwards. In
July, 1780, he went in pu -nit of the fleeing Tory leader. Colonel Samuel I'ryan. and par-
ticipated in the fight at Colson's. under Colonel William Lee Davidson. lint for the griev-
ous wound he received near I'road river, he would have shared in the dangers and glories
of King's Mount.iin. He was stationed, in September, 1781. at Guilford, and shortly after
at Wilmington, where he heiird the joyful news of Cornwallis' surrender.

After the war, he became a colonel in the militia ; in 1798 and 1799, he served as a mem-
ber in the House of Commons; and was long a magistrate, presiding for thirty years in the
County Court. He was a man of infinite humor and irony, possessing a keen perception
of the ludicrous. Several characteristic anecdotes are preserved of him in Wheeler's
History of Xfirth Carolina. He died at his home, near the Saura Mountain, April 5th,
1823, leaving many children ,to inherit his virtues. The late General John Gray Bynum
was his grandson, as is the Hon. William P. Hynuni, of Charlotte.

AND ITS HEROES.

217

with the belief that his aged visitor was a great friend to
the Royal cause; that Ferguson, the evening before, had
sent an express to Lord Cornwallis, at Charlotte, announc-
ing that he knew full well that the Back Water men were
in hot pursuit ; that he should select his ground, and boldl}'
meet them ; that he defied God Almighty himself and all
the Rebels out of h — 1 to overcome him ; that he had
completed the business of his mission, in collecting and
training the friends of the King in that quarter, so that he
could now bring a re-inforcemtnt of upwards of a thousand
men to the Royal army ; but as the intervening distance,
thirty to forty miles to Charlotte, Wc^s through a d — d rebel-
lious country, and as the Rebels were such cowardly rascals,
that instead of meeting him in an open field, they would
resort to ambuscades, he would, therefore, be glad if his
Lordship woidd send Tarleton with his horse and infantry
to escort him to head-quarters.*

During the day, Williams and Brandon were missed
from the camp, and Colonel Mill was informed that they
had taken a pathway that led to the mountains. After sun-
set they were seen to return. Colonel Ilill, who had been
on the watch for them, now inquired where the}- had been,
as they had not been seen the greater part of the day. At
first, they appeared unwilling to give any satisfactory infor-
mation. Colonel Hill insisting that the\- should, like honor-
able men, impart whatever knowledge they may have gained,
for the good of the whole, Williams at length acknowl-
edged that they had visited the mountain men on their
march south from the neighborhood of Gilbert Town, and
had Ibund them a fine set of fellows, well armed. When asked
further by Colonel Hill where they were to form a junction
with them, he answered, "At the Old Iron Works, on Law-
son's Fork." Hill remarked, that that would be marching
directly out of the way from Ferguson ; that it was undoubt-

* Hill's MS. narrative. Colonel Hill, recording his recollections thirty-four years after
this event, makes the evident mistake that the old man visited Ferguson on King s
Mountain.

1 Kl^i. '

1 ' : i;i

i»;ii

:£

i* ii

218

KING'S MOUNTAIN

edly the purpose of the mounUiin men to fight Ferguson,
who had sent to CornwalHs lor Tarleton's horse and infantry
to go to his rehet", and this re-inforcement might be expected
in a day a two ; that, if the battle was not Ibught before
Tarleton"s arrival, it was very certain it would not be fought
at all ; that Ferguson, who had been liitter and cruel in his
eflbrts to crush out the Whigs and their cause, was now in
South Carolina, within striking distance, and it appeared as
if Heaven had, in mercy, sent these mountain men to
punisli this arch-enemy of the people.

Colonel Hill states, that Williams seemed for some
moments to labor under a sense of embarrassment ; but
finally confessed, that he had made use of deception in
order to direct the attention of the mountaineers to Ninety
Six. Hill then inquired if they had any cannon with them.
Williams said "no," and then added, that such men with
their rifles would soon reduce that post. Colonel Hill
relates: "I then used the freedom to tell him, that I plainl}'
saw through his design, which was to get the armv into
his own settlement, secure his remaining property, and
plunder the Tories.'' In the course of the conversation,
Williams said, with a considerable degree of warmth, that
the North Carolinians might fight Ferguson or let it alone ;
but it was the business of the South Carolinians to fight for
their own country. Colonel Hill took the occasion further
to int'orm him, that, notwithstanding he had taken such un-
warrantable means to avoid an action with Ferguson, b\' his
eftbrts to mislead the mountain men, he would endeavor to
thwart his purposes.

Leaving Williams to his own reflections. Colonel Hill at
once inlbrmed Colonel Lace\' what the former had done —
that, to use a huntsman's phrase, he had been putting
their friends on the wrong scent ; that should they not be
correctlv informed before the ensuing dav, Fermison
might escape; and as he. Colonel Hill, was unfit to make
a night ride, with his arm still in a sling Irom the severe

AND ITS HEROES.

219

wound he received at Hanging Rock, he desired Colonel
Lacey to go at once to the camp of the mountaineers, as he
was better able to travel, and give them a just representa-
tion of Ferguson's locality, and the necessit}- for the great-
est expedition in attacking him while yet within reach, and
before 'J'arletcjn could come to his aid.

Taking Colonel Hill's horse, who was a good night
traveler, with a person for pilot who was acquainted with
the country, Lacey started on his mission at about eight
o'clock in the evening ; and on crossing the spur of a moun-
tain, they unfortunately strayed from the trail, and Lacev
began to be suspicious that his guide was playing him false,
and was endea /oring to betray him into the hands of the
enemy. So strong was this conviction, that he twice cocked
his gun to kill the suspected traitor ; but the pilot's earnest
pleas of innocence prevailed.

At length they regained the path, and, after a devious
journey of some eighteen or twenty miles, reached the camp
of the mountain men, at Green river, before day. Lacey was
at once taken in charge, blind-folded, and conducted to the
Colonels' quarters, where he introduced himself as Colonel
Lacev. They at first repulsed his advances, taking him to
be a Tory spy. He had the address, however, to convince
them that he was no impostor. He informed them of Fer-
guson's position, his strength, and urged them, b}' all
means, to push forward immediately, and that, by combin-
ing: the Whi"' forces, thev could undoubtedlv overwhelm
the Tory arm v, while delay might prove fatal to their success,
as Ferguson had appealed to Lord Cornwallis for re-inforce-
ments.* These views met \\ith a hearty response from the
sturdy mountaineers.

* Hills MS. narrative, and Dr. M. A. Moore's pamphlet Life of General Ed:vard
Lacey. pp. 16-17. P""- Moore states that Lacey's jonrncy from the camp of tlie South
Carolinians to that of the mountaineers was sixty miles; but from Colonel Hills repre-
sentation of the time consumed by Lacey and his pilot, it is an evident mistake. The dis-
tance from Flint Hill, across a somewhat rough and broken country, to the old ford on
Green river, is as stated in the text.

It sluiuld be added, in this connection, that M.ijor Chronicle, who probably personally
knew Colonel Lacey, must, on this visit of the latter, have been absent on a scout or with
a foraging party.

220

KING'S MOUNTAIN-

Colonel Lacey learned from the Whig leaders that Wil-
liams and I3randt)n had represented to them that Ferguson
had gone to Ninety Six ; and that by agreement, the
mountain men were to form a junction with the South Caro-
linians at the Old Iron Works, on Lawson's Fork of Pacolet.
This tallied precisely with the opinion Colonel Hill had
formed, judging from Williams' confession of deception, in
order to lead the mountaineers to the region of Ninety Six,
where his own interests were centered. When Campbell
and his r.ssociates learned of the ruse Williams had attempt-
ed to palm ort' upon them, they felt not a little indignant,
as they had come so far, and suffered so many privations,
for the sole purpose, if possible, of crushing Ferguson.
The Cowpens was agreed on as the proper place for the
junction of the forces the ensuing evening.

Williams seemed intent on carrying his point of getting
control of Sumter's men, and marching them towards
Ninety Six. On the morning of Friday, the sixth of Octo-
ber, he went the rounds of the camp of the South Caroli-
nians, ordering the officers and men to prepare to march
for the Old Iron Works ; but Colonel Mill followed quickly
upon his heels, exposing his designs, and directing the men
to await Colonel Lace3''s return, that they might know to
a certainty to what point to march, in order to form
the expected union with their friends from the West.
Colonel Hill animadverted upon the folly of making a
foray into the region of Ninety Si simply for the sake of
Tory booty, wlicn Ferguson, with his strong force, would
be left in their rear, thoroughly acquainted with all the
mountain gaps, and fords of the streams, to entrap and cut
them ofT. Colonel Hill then ordered all wlio loved tlieir
country, and were read}- to stand firmly by it in its hour of
distress, t(. form a line on the right ; and those who pre-
ferred to plunder, rather than courageously to meet the
enemy, to form a line on the left. Colonel Hill adds, that
he was happy that the greater portion took their places on

AND ITS HEROES.

221

the nj]fht, leaving but the tew tbllovvers of Williams to oc-
cupy the otlier position.

Upon the return of Colonel Lacey, about ten o'clock,
the troops renewed their march, with the expectation of
uniting with the mountaineers at the Cowpens that evening.
Colonel Williams, with his followers, hung upon the rear,
as if he thought it unsafe to march by himself at a distance ;
and when the pinch came, h" abandoned the idea of going
with his party alone to the region of Ninety Six. By this
time, such was the spirit of animosity cherished by the
Sumter men against Williams and his followers, that they
shouted back affronting words — even throwing stones at
them, the whole day.* About sunset, after a march of
some twenty miles, the South Carolinians arrived at the
place of their destination.

The over-mountain men now demand our attention.
The}' reached the lord of Green river on the evening of
the tifth of October. Strong giuirds were placed around
the camp, relieved ever}- two hours — " mighty little sleep
that night," said Continental Jack sixty-four years thereafter.
The whole night was spent in making a selection of the
fittest men, horses, and equipments for a forced march, and
successful attack on the enemy. The number chosen was
about seven hundred;! thus leaving of the lootmen and
those having weak horses, judging from the aggregate
given in the official report of the campaign, about six

♦These details of the movements nnd differences nf Sumter's corps aiul Williams
and his party, arc taken from the interestinK MS. narrative of Colonel William Mill. See-
in;:; no reas(m to discredit the statements of tliis sturdy patriot, they have been used freely,
the better to illustrate the difficulties of the times, and especially those attending the Kings
Mountain campaign.

t Narrative of Ensign Robert Campbell, who served on the expedition; corroborated
by Elijah Callaway's MS. narrative, in 184 ; Ocneral Wm. I.enoir says " five or six hun-
dred " Campbell's and Callaway's statements in this case seem the most probable. Gen-
eral Lenoir's recollections as to the number of footmen is very erroneous, placing them at
about fifteen hundred.

Spelts stated, that some fifty odd footmen followed in the rear, he among the number;
and i>ld 'Continental Jack" insisted that thou.ijh at first they were not able to keep up
with the horsemen, yet they overtook them, before reaching King's Mountain, and share<l
in the fight. James Sevier testified to the fact, that a number of footmen actually followed
and took part in the action.

222

A'LVG'S MOUNTAIN-

luiiulrL'd and niiu'fy, and soim'what less, accordinLj to the
statiMiuMit of the unknown incmbor ol" Camphill's regiment.
These were phiced under the command of Major Joseph
Herndon, an excellent ofiicer of Cleveland's regiment, while
Captain William Neal was left in special charge of Camp-
helTs men. Colonel Campbell, realizing that the footmen
might yet be neeiled in his operations, and knowing that
Neal was an ofiicer of much energy of character, had
selected him for this service; and gave directions to him,

IIernd(

also, to d<

in th

and to Major lien

power to expedite the march of the troops confided to their

charge, by urging them forward as rapidly as possible.

Colonel Lacey's opportune visit to the camp of the
mountaineers was fortunate. Some, at least, of the Whig
leaders, as tradition has it, began to doubt the policy of con-
tinuing the uncertain pursuit, lest by being led too far away,
their prolonged absence from their over-mountain homes
might invite a raid from the hostile Cherokees upon their
feel^ly protected families. Lacey's information and sjiirited
appeals reassured the timid, and imparted new courage to
the hopeful.* Instead of directing their course, as they
otherwise would have done, to the Old Iron Works, on
Lawson's Fork of Pacolet, some fifteen miles out of their
way, they marched direct for the Cowpens, starting about
daybreak on the morning of the sixth of October. The}'
took a southerly direction to Sandy Plains, following a
ridge road well adapted for travel ;t thence bearing .south-
easterh' to the Cowpens. a distance of some twenty-one
miles altogether, reaching the place of rendezvous soon
after sunset, a short time after the arrival of tlie South
Carolinians and their associates, under Colonels Hill, Lacey,
Williams, and Graham. t On the way, they passed near
where several large bodies of Tories were assembled : one,

*MS. letter of the late Dr. Alex. Q. Bradley. Marion. Ala., neceniher ?9, 1S71.

+ MS. letter of Dr. T. 11. Twitty. of Twitty's FortI of Hroad river.

X Hill's MS. narrative. In the narrative of Major Thomas Yonnp. one of Williams'
party, in the Orwn magazine, the idea is conveyed that the mountaineers arrived first
and were engaged in killing hecvcs.

AND ITS HEROES.

223

numberinfj six Iwindrt'd, at Major Gihbs', abcnit four miles
to the ri;^ht ot' tlu' Cuwpeiis. wlio \vt.Tc iiiteiidin;^ to join
Ferguson the next (.lay ; but the mountain men were after
Ferj^uson. and would not be diverted from their jnirpose,
and losi' jireiious time, to strike at these lesser parties.*
The riflemen from the mountains had tnrned out /o catch
/'"cri^/tso/i, and this was tlieir rallyinu^ cry from the day they
had U'ft the S\camore Shoals, on the Watauga. f

While the main object was kept steadily in view — not to
be tempted away from the direct pursuit of Ferguson, yet
it was deemed of sutFicient importance to endeavor to make
a night attack on this party at Major Gibbs'. The onh* ac-
count we have of this enterprise is preserved in Ensign
Campbell's diar\' : "On passing near the Cowpens, we
heard of a large body of Tories about eight miles dis-
tant, and, although the main enterprise was not to be
delayed a single moment, a party of eighty volunteers,
imder Ensign Robert Campbell, was dispatched in pursuit
of them during the night. They had, however, removed
before the mountaineers came to the place, and who. after
riding all night, came up with the main body the next
day." Ensign Campbell adds, that "a similar expedition
was conducted by Captain Colvill, with no better success,
but without causing delay," — and this, too, must have been
the same night, though he places it as occurring on the
following one.*

For an hour or two on the evening of the sixth, there was
a stirring bivouac at the Cowpens. A wealthy English Tory,
named Saunders, resided there, who reared large num-
bers of cattle, and having many pens in which to herd his
stock — hence the derivation of Cow-pens. Saunders, was,

■She

.IS cited in Haywnoil's Tennessee. 70; a

id R

amsey s

Tennessee, 2

34.

Dr.

his SA-e/i/ies.

n'lves the niimhcr of the Tory party at Major Gibbs' as "four

or five hundred." which is perhaps quite as large as it really was.

V Hunter's Sieti/ies,

J MS. Diary of Knsign Robert Campbell, kindly communicated by Rev. D. C. Kelley,
D. D., of Lecvillc. Tenn. This diary is a different document from the King's Mountain

, by th

e satn* writer.

2'24

KING'S MOUNTAIN

iff'

: J(

at tlje time, in bed— pt'iliaps not vny wi'll, or f(>irfnin^ sick-
ness ; from which he was uneeri'moniously pulled out, and
treated pretty roughly. When commanded lo tell at what
time Ferguson had passed that place, he declared that tlie
Hritish Colonel and his army had not passed there at all ;
that there was plenty of torch pine in his liouse, which they
coukl light, and search carefully, and if tiiey could find any
track or sign of an army, they might hang him, or ilo what-
ever else they pleased with him ; but if they made no such
discoveries, he trusted they would treat him more leniently.
Search was accordingly made, but no evidence of an army
passing there ccnild be found.* Several of the old Tory's
cattle were e[uickly shot down and slaughtered for the sup-
ply of the hungry soldiers ; and the bright camp lires were
everywhere seen lighting up the gloomy surroundings, and
strips of beef were quickh' roasted upon the coals and
embers ; while (Ifty acres of corn found there were har-
vested in about ten minutes. f The weary men and horses
were refreshed — save a few laggards who were too tardy in
cooking their repast.

Joseph Kerr, the cripple spy, was at this time a member
of Colonel Williams' command. Either from Flint Hill,
or shortly before reaching there, he had been sent to gain
intelligence of Ferguson, and found him encamped — appar^
ently at noon-day, on the sixth of October — at Peter
Qiiinn's, six or seven miles from King's Mountain ; and
designed marching to that point during the afternoon of that
day. It was a region of many Tories, and Kerr found no
ditliculty in gaining access to Ferguson's camp ; and hav-
ing been a cripple from his infancy, passed unsuspected of
his true character, making anxious inquiries relative to
taking protection, and was professedl}' gratitied on learning

'■'MS, narrative of Vance anil McDowell, preserved liy the late Hon. Robert Henry.

7 Silas Mcliee's statement to the author in 1842, Mr. McHce was born Noveinhei 24,
1765, and was consequently not quite fifteen when he served on this campaign. He died
In Pontotoc County, Mississippi. January 6th, 1845, in his eightieth year. He was a mem-
ber of the first lesislature of Alabama, and was a man much respected by all who knew him.

WW m '

AND ITS HEROES.

225

good lU'Ws eonccrniiii,' the King's ciuiso and prospi'Cts.
AfliT nvmaging, l)y liis natural shrewdness and good sense,
to make all the observations he coukl, he tiuietly retired,
making his way, probably in a somewhat circuitous course,
to rejoin his countrymen. As they were on the wing, he
did not overtake them till the evening of that dav, at the
Cowpens, when he was able to report to the Whig chiefs
Ferguson's movements and position, and that his numbers
did not exceed fifteen hundred men.* This information
was much more recent than had come througli the old
man who made his report at Flint Hill, on the morning
of the lifth ; and it tended to corroborate the correctness of
the ireneral tenor of the intelli<;ence. And it served to
strengthen the faith of the mountain men, that with proper
energy on their part, and the blessing of Providence, they
would yet overtake and cliastise the wily British leader and
his Tory allies, after whom they were so anxiously seeking.
It was deemed important to gain the latest intelligence
of Ferguson's present position, for he might not now be
where he was when seim by Kerr. Among others,
Enoch Gilmer, of the South Fork of Catawba, was pro-
posed by Major Chronicle, of Graham's men. It was
objected that Gilmer was not acquainted with the country
throuah which Ferguson was believed to have marched.
Chronicle replied, that Gilmer could acquire informaticm
beltt-r than those familiar wiUi the region, for he could
readily assume any character that the occasion might re-
quire ; that he could cry and laugh in the same breath, and
all who witnessed him would llnnh- believe that he was in
earnest in both : that he could act the part of a lunatic so
appropriately that even those best acquainted with him, if
not let into the secret, would not hesitate a moment to
believe that he was actually deranged ; that he was a

*MS. pension statement of Joseph Kerr; \\\mK<^x'% Sketches of Wtstern Korth Carolina,
121. After the war, Kerr rcntovcd to White (.ounty. Tennessee, where lie reteived a pen-
iion in 1S3J for his Revolutionary servites, and subsequently died at a good old age.
15

^^ %

BJiV

[fj Ti 1

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n''

22G

A'/JVG ' 6" J/C> UNTAIN

slirowd, cunning' follow, iind a stranger to fear. He was
selected among others, and started oft' on his mission.

lie called at a Tory's house not many miles in advance,
and represented to him that he had been waiting on Fergu-
son's supposed route from Denard's Ford to Ninet}' Six,
intending to join his forces ; but not marching in that direc-
tion, he was now seeking his camp. The Tory, not sus-
pecting Gilmer's true character, frankh- related all he knew
or had learned of Ferguson's UKnements and intentions ;
that, after he had crossed Broad river at Penard's Ford, he
had received a dispatch from Lord Coruwallis, ordering him
to rejoin the main army : that his Lordship was calling in his
outposts, making n^ady to give Gates a second defeat, reduce
North Carolina, stamping out all Rebel opposition as in
Georgia and South Carolina, when he would enter Virginia
with a larger army than had yet marched over American
soil.* Gilmer returned to the Cowpens before the troops
took up their line of march that evening. All this was about
on a par with the ordinary British boasting of the times ;
but did not furnish the Whig leaders with the intelligence
they more particularly desired relative to Ferguson's present
plans and whereabouts.

Meanwhile a council was held, in which the newlv joiiu'd
officers, save Colonel Williams, participated : and Colonel
Campbell was retained in the chief command — "in courte-
s}-," says Colonel Hill, " to him and his regiment, who liad
marched the greatest distance." Men and horses refreshed,
they started about nine o'clock on their night's march in
quest of Ferguson. To what extent the North and South
Carolinians, who joined the mountain men at the Cowpens,
added to their numbers, is not certainly known : but
as they were less jaded than the others, they probably
reached about their full quota of four lumdred. as is
generaMy understood — Williams had, a few days before,
called them in round numbers, four hundred and llfty,

*Vaiice and McDowell n.irr.itive, as iirescrvcil liy Rnhcrt Ilciiry.

|t^

AND ITS HEROES.

227

indudin^ his own corps; while Colonel Hill is silent
in his niii-nilivo as to their strength. Thus the coni'niiied
force at tlie Cowpens was ahout eleven hundreil. and
nearly all well armed with rifles. Here a prompt selec-
tion was made h}' the oHicers from the several parties just
arrived from Flint Ilill — so that the whole number of
mounted men fnially chosen to pursue and attack Ferguson,
was ahout nine hundred and en, besides the squad of un-
ctnmted footmen, wlio were probably not so numerous as
Spelts supposed. They may be estimated, pro rata, accord-
ing to the relative strength of their respective corps, about
as follows: Chosen at Green ri\er — Campbell's men. two
hundred ; Shelby's, one hundred and twenty ; Sevier's, one
hundred and twenty; Cleveland's, one hundred ami ten;
McDowell's, ninety; and Winston's, sixty; — total, ^even
hundred. Additi<mal troops selected at the Cowpens:
Lacey's, one hundred ; Williams', sixty ; and Graham and
Ilambright's, lifty ; — total, two Inmdred and ten : and mak-
insi altowther nine hundred and ten mounted men.* Hie
squad of uncounted footmen should be added to thi' lunuber.
The little party of Georgians seem to have been united
with Williams' men, and served to swell that small corps ;
Chronicle's South Fork boys helped to make up the Lincoln
force under Graham ; while the feu footmiMi douhlless
generally joined their respective corps, though some, like
Spelts, united with the column mo:*^ convenient to them
when die lime of trial arrived.

*The official report signed by Campbell, Shelby and Cleveland, says nine hundred was
the number selected ; Shelby's account in Haywood and Katnscy, and in the American
Kmieto says nine hundred and ten; Colonel Hill's MS, narrative gives nine hundred
and thirty-three as the ruiniber, Ramsey's Kinotution in S>ii/h Ctiiolimi, 17S5 ; Gordon's
Aiiieriiiiit ll'iir, 1788; and Moultrie's Meiiioirs, 1802, .ill yive the number as nine hundred
and ten. So docs General Graham in his King s .Mountain narrati-'e. General Davidson,
in his letter til General Siimnor, October 10. 1780. says sixteen hundred wa^ tln^ luiniber
selected — a palpable error, or evaggeralion — which was copieil by Marshall into ilie first
edition of his I.i/c 0/ li'ashiitgL'ii

" It is not easy." says Rev. Mr. I.athan. " to determine with any degree of certainty,
the cvact numlierof Americans enRaged in the baiile of Kmg's Mountain." It is as acLuraiely
known as the numbers are in military operations generally, by following the olVh i.d and
other reliable reports, and discarding palpable errors nnd exaggerations — such for in-iance,
as that which this writer gives that the South Carolinians under Hill and Lacey " .iin.'unted
(0 near two thousand."

228

KING'S MOUNTAIN

It proved a very dark night, and to add to the un-
pleasantness and ditllcuhy of the march, a drizzly rain soon
set in, which, Shelby says, was, at least part of the time,
excessively hard. While the road was pretty good, as
Silas McBee represents, who was raised on Thicketty creek
in that region, 3'et, from the darkness brooding over them,
the pilots of Campbell's men lost their way, and that corps
became much confused, and dispersed through the woods,
so when morning appeared the rear portion were not more
than five miles from the Cowpens, as Hill's manuscript
informs us. Discovering the absence of the Virginians,
and divining the cause, men were sent from the front at the
dawn of day, in all directions, till the wanderers were found,
who had taken a wrong trail, and were now put on the
right road.

Once reunited, with the light of day to guide them, the}^
pushed forward uncommonly hard. They had designed
crossing Broad river at Tate's, since Deer's Ferry, as the
most direct route to Kin<j's ^Mountain : and. as thev neared
tluit locality, they concluded to bear down the river, some
two and a half miles, to the Cherokee Ford, lest the enemy,
peradventure, or some portion of them, might be in posses-
sion of the eastern bank of the stream at Tate's crossing,
and oppose their passage.* It was near davlight. when on
the river hills, in the neigliborhood of the Cherokee Ford,
Gilmer was sent forward to reconnoitre at the Ford, and
discover, if possible, whether the enemy might not have
waylaid the crossing at that point, with a design of attack-
ing their pursuers in the river. While awaiting Gilmer's
return, orders were gi.en to the men to keep their guns drv,
for it was yet raining. After some little time. Gilmer's well-
known voice was heard in the hollow near by. singing Bar-
ney Linn, a favorite jolly song of the times, which was sufTi-

'•' Shelby \n Amcricnn Review: Hill's MS. narrative; Vance and McDowell's state-
ment; General Joseph Graham's sketch in Sniilhrrn Literary Messenai'r. September. 1845;
(jenern! Lenoir's narrative in Wheeler's North Carolina, ii, 106 ; MS. notes of conversa-
tions with Silas McHee.

AND ITS HEROES.

'220

cient notice that the way was clear. As they reached the
river, it was about sunrise. Orders were given, that those
having the hirgest horses sliould stem the current on the
upper side of the stream. Not much attention was paid to
the order. Thougli the river was deep, it was remarked
that not a soHtary soldier met with a ducking.* They had
now marched some eighteen miles since leaving the Cow-
pens, and were yet some fifteen miles iVom Kings
Mountain.

After passing the river, Gilmer was again sent forw ard
to make discoveries, and dashed oft' at full gallop. The
officers rode at a slow gait in front of their men — the latier.
as if getting somewhat wearied of the pursuit, would some-
times indulge in an oath, adding that if they were to have a
battle, they could wish to engage in it, and have it soon over.
Some three miles above the Cherokee Ford, thev came to
Ferguson's former encampment, where the}' halted a short
time, taking such a snack as their wallets and saddle-
bairs aftbrded — scantv at best, and manv entirelv destitute.
Coming to a cornfield by the roadside, the mountain men
would soon pull it, cutting some of tl raw corn from the
cob for their own sustenance, and hauling a supply fijr their
horses.

The rain continued to fall so heavily during the forenoon,
that Colonels Campbell, Sevier and Cleveland concluded
from the weary and jaded condition of both men and beasts,
that it was best to halt and retresh. Many of the horses
had given out. Riding up to Shelby, and apprising him of
their views, he roughh^ replied with an oath: "I will not
stop until niglit, if I follow Ferguson into Cornwallis"
lines." Without replying, the other Colonels returned to
their respective commands, and continued the march.
The men could only keep their guns dry by wrapping
their bags, blankets, and hunting shirts around the locks,

''MS notes nf conversations w':h Silas McHce ; Lenoir's narrative; and Penjamin
Sharp's statement in the American Pioneer.

' \ 1

1 H

. BR

II! "

230

KING'S MOUNTAIN

thus leaving their own persons unpleasantly exposed to the
almost incessant storm}- weather which they had encountered
since leaving the Cowpens. Proceeding but a mile after the
proposed halt, the}' came to Solomon Reason's, who was a
half- Whig, half-Loyalist, as occasion required, where they
learned that Ferguson was onl}- eight miles in advance ; and
there, too, they had the good fortune to capture a couple of
Tories, who, at the peril of their lives, were made to pilot the
army to King's Mountain — one, as related by McBee, ac-
companying Shelb}-, the other Cleveland. The}' gave some
account of the situation of the enemy, which revived the
hopes of all, that they would soon gain the object they were
so anxiously seeking. Another gratifying circumstance
was, that the rain ceased about noon, and cleared off with
a tine cool breeze. When the mountaineers had advanced
five miles further, some of Sevier's men called at the house
of a Loyalist, seeking information, when the men would only
say that Ferguson was not far away. As they departed,
a girl followed the riflemen out of the building, and in-
quired : "How many are there of you?" ''Enough," was
the reply, " to whip Ferguson, if we can find him." "lie
is on that mountain," she said, pointing to the eminence
three miles distant.*

After traveling several miles, the officers in front de-
scried the horse of Gilmer, the scout, fastened at a gate
about three-fourths of a mih ahead. They gave whip to
their steeds, and rode at fi;il speed to the place ; and on
going into the house, found Gilmer sitting at the table eat-
ing. "You d — d rascal," exclaimed Colonel Campbell,
"we have got you!" "A true King's man, by G — ," re-
plied Gilmer. In order to test the scout's ability to sustain his
assumed character, Campbell had provided himself with a
rope, with a running noose on it after the style of a lasso,

*MS, notes of conversations with Colonel George Wilson, of Nashville, Tennessee, in
1S44. derived from AIex.indcr Greer, one of Sevier's men. Greer was a noble specimen
of the pioneer soldier ; liecame a Colonel of militia in after years, and died on Dutk river,
Bedford County, Tenncsgcc, in February, i8to.

AND ITS HEROES.

231

and threw it over Gilmer's neck, swearing that they would
hang him on the bow of the gate. Chronicle begged that
he should not be hung there, for his ghost would haunt the
women, who were present and in tears. Campbell acqui-
esced, saying they would reserve him for the lirst conveni-
ent over-hanirinir Hmb that thev should come across on the
road. Once fairly beyond sight of the house, a few hundred
yards, the rope was detached from Gilmer's neck, and he
permitted to remount his horse. He then stated the intelli-
gence he had gained : That on reaching the house, and
finding it occupied by a Tor}- family, he declared that he was
a true King's man ; and wished to ascertain Ferguson's
camp, as he desired to join him. Finding the two women at
the house warmly attached to the King's cause, he could not
repress his joy, so gave each a hearty sympathizing smack ;
the youngest of whom now freely related, that she had been
in Ferguson's camp that very morning, which was only
about three miles away, and had carried the British com-
mander some chickens ; that he was posted on a ridge
between two branches where some deer hunters had a camp
the previous autumn. Major Chror.icle and Captain Mat-
tocks stated that the camp referred to was theirs, and that
they well knew the ground on which Ferguson had taken
post — a spur of King's Mountain.

As they now had recent knowledge of Ferguson's posi-
tion, the officers led by Campbell rode n j,liort distance by
themselves, agreeing upon a plan of attack, and freely re-
ported it to the men for their encouragement ; assuring them
that by surrounding Ferguson's army, and shooting at them
on their part up-hill, there would consequently be no danger
of our men destroying each other, and every prospect of
success would be theirs. It was a question, whether the
moimtaineers were numerous enough to surround the entire
ridiie on all sides — for thev did not then know its exact
length. But the scheme was heartily approved by all. The
officers without stopping, began to agree upon the position
each corps was to occupy in the attack.

i I

I (

iif

y',l'

1 V

ill

''ittt

232

JC/NG ' 5 MO UNTAIN

Colonel William Graham, who was at the head of the
I^incoln men, and had rendered good service the past sum-
mer in connection with Shelby in the Spartanburg region,
and had so successfully defended his fort on Bullalo creek,
received at this point certain intelligence that his wife was
in a precarious condition, some sixteen miles away, near
Armstrong's Fonl on the South Fork, and his presence was
imperatively demanded at the earliest possible moment.
When he stated the case to Colonel Campbell, the latter
replied tluit if he could venture to remain, share in the im-
pending battle, and carry the tidings (jf victory to his com-
panion, it would prove the best possible intelligence to her.
Turning to Chronicle, also from the South Fork, Campbell
inquired, as if the Major knew something of the urgency
of the case — " Ouiiht Colonel Graham to have leave of
absence?" "I think so. Colonel," responded Chronicle;
'•as it is a w^oman atlair, let him go." Leave of absence
was accordingly granted ; and David Dickey, much against
his washes, was assigned as an escort. Campbell, judging
that Major Chronicle was a younger and more active oflicer
than Lieutenant-Colonel Hambright, observed to the Major
— "Now you must take Graham's place;" and turning to
Hambright, Campbell asked if lie liad any objections. lie
generously said, it was his wish that Chronicle should do
so, as he best knew the ground. As this was sadsfactorily
arranged. Chronicle exclaimed, "Come on, m^' South ji^ork
boys," and took the lead.*

When within two or three miles of King's Mountain,
Sevier's advance managed to capture two or three more
Tories, who were out spying, from whom corroborati\-e
information was derived of the position of Ferguson's camp,
and of the locality of his picket guard. f Soon after, a

*This statement conceriilnR rFllmer's adventures the plan of the battle, and Colonel
liraham. is taken from the MS Vance-McDowell narrative, and no doubt this portion was
furnished by Robert Henry, one of Chronicle's party.

t Ilenjamin Sharp's statement ; MS. notes of conversations with Colonel George Wilson,
derived from Alexander Greer; Lathan's Sketch, 14.

AND ITS HEROES.

238

youth, named Jolin Ponder,* some fourteen years of age,
was met riding in great haste, while another account says
he was captured in an old field — probably taking a circuit-
ous course for Charlotte. Colonel IIambriy;ht knowinjj; that
this lad had a brother and other relatives in Ferguson's
camp, caused his prompt arrest. On searching him, a fresh
dispatcli from Fergus(jn to Cornwallis was found, manifest-
ing great anxiety as to his situation, and earnestly renew-
ing his request for immediate assistance. The substance
of the dispatch was made known to the men, without, how-
ever, mentioning Ferguson's strength, which he seems to
have given, lest his numbers should tend to discourage them.
Interro<;atin<f youni; l\)nder as to tlie kind of dress Ferj>"u-
son wore, he replied that while that ofhcer was the best
uniformed man on the mountain, they could not see his
military suit, as he wore a checked shirt, or duster, over it.
Colonel IIambri<rht at once called the attention of his men
to this peculiarity of Ferguson's dress: " J[?//, ^^j-.v," said
he, in his broken Pennsylvania German accent, '■'■zuhcti you
sec dot man iii// a pig- shirt on over his clothes, you may know
who him is, a)id mark him mil your rifles.'" \

As they approaclied within a mile of the enemy, tlie}'
met George Watkins, a good Wliig, who had been a
prisoner with Ferguson ; and having hi-en released on
parole, was now on his way home. He was able to give
the very latest information, with the assurance that the
enenn- sdll maintained tlieir position on the mountain.
Here a brief halt was made. Hitherto the men had
been mostly unembodied — marching singly, or in squads,

♦General Joseph Graham, in his King's Mountain narrative, gives the name as Fonde-
rin, which Dr. Hunter in his Sketches xsiieMs. liut Colonel J. R. Logan, who has lived
all his life cif some seventy years in the King's Mountain region, and whose grandfalhcr,
William Logan, was in the battle, states that all the aged persons of that section of country
unite in declaring that the youth s name was John Ponder. A Mr. Dover, says Colonel
Logan, was likewise met on the march, and impart':d some information to the Whig
leatlers of Ferguson's movements and whereabouts; and the families of the Ponders and
Dovcrs still reside in Vork County, South Carolina, ami Cleveland County, North Caro-
lina, while Ponder's Branch of King's creek is a well-known stream in that quarter,

•rOeneral Graham's King's ^^ollntain narrative; MS, correspondence of Abram Hardinj
Hunter's IVestern Xorth Carolina, 306-7.

1 f

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234

A'/JVG ' S A/0 UNTAIN

as mi^ht best suit their convenience; " but little subordi-
nation," says Colonel Hill, *' had been required or ex-
pected." The men were now formed into two lines, two
men deep — Colonel Campbell leading the right line, and
Colonel Cleveland the left.* The ollicers renewedly adopted
the plan of attack already suggested, to surround the enemy ;
but Williams, as Colonel Hill states, dared not appear at the
council, in consequence of his recent eflbrt to mislead the
Wliig Colonels. The strictest orders were given that no
talking would be allowed on the march, which was faithfully
obeyed, every mail seeming as dumb as the poor brute that he
rode.f It was somewhere near this point, that Major Winston
was detached, with a portion of the Wilkes and Surry troops,
to make a detour, apparently south of the Qiiarry I'oad, to
gain the right of Ferguson. J

After passing Whistnant's Mill creek, the mountaineers
followed the ridge road past what is now the Antioch Bap-
tist church, thence northerly till they intersected the road
leading from North Carolina to Yorkville, along which
latter they marched to the right, a nearly south-easterly
course, crossing Ponder's Branch, and another upper prong
of King's creek, by wa}^ of Colonel Ilambright's subsequent
improvements, and through a gap in the moimtain to the
battle hill. Or, as General Graham describes the line of
March after passing King's creek, "they moved up a branch
and ravine, between t\vo rocky knobs ; be^-ond which the
top of the mountain and the enemy's camp upon it, were in
full view, about a hundred poles in front."

This route by way of Antioch church and Ponder's
Branch was quite circuitous, north of the old Qiiarry road.
The traditions of the King's Mountain region are more or
less contradictory ; but the statements of the best informed
indicate this as the course pursued ; § and probably this

* James Crow's statement.

T Statement of Hon. John F. Darby of St. Louis, derived from his grandfather, one of
Campliell's men.

J General Lenoir's narrative.

§ MS. statement of Colonel J. R, Logan,

^rnfrnifc.

AND ITS HEROES.

235

indirect way was taken in order to cut off the enemy's retreat,
.should the}' atU-iript a flii^ht towards Charhjtte when the
Whigs shoukl make their forniidahk' appearance. In tlie
rear of trees and huslies, on the east side of King's creek,
a little aboN'e where the Q^iarry road passes that stream, the
mountaineers arrived at about three o'clock in the afternoon,
when the word " halt " was given. Then they were ordered
to " dismount and tie horses ; " next to " take off and tie up
great-coats, blankets, etc., to your saddles," as it had been
rainy the preceding night, and till within the past three
hours ; luul a fi'W men were designated to take charge of
the horses. Then came the fmal general order: "Fresh
prinw your guns, and evor\' man go into battle iirmly re-
solving to fighl till he dies'."' * No such word as fail entered
into tlie composition or calculations of Campbell and his
men. Never was the war-cry of the ancient Romans more
ceaseless and determined, that Carthage must he destroyed,
than was that of the mountaineers — to catch and destroy
Ferguson !

■•'Hon. J. F. Darby's narrative; General Graham's statement; Shelby's memoir in
American Review ; Latham's Sketch of Kitts s Mountain.

23G

A JAG'S MOUNTAIN

i|!

CHAPTER XIT.

King's Mountain Battle, October 7ih, 1780.

Fi-rgtisou iiiid /lis Mill Urso/iu- to /•/{,'///. — T/ir Bayonet t/irir Mai)i Re-
liance. — liritis/i Stre/ix//i. — Character of the Provincial Rani^ers. —
Different Classes of Loyalists />escril>e(f. — Traits of the Mountain-
eers. — The Holston Men, and Frontier AiiTentitres. — .Issii^'/tinent
of the IVhii,'- Corps to the Attack.— Campbeirs Appeal to his Men.
— Winston's niis-.ldventiires. — Cleveland not the I'irst to Conintence
the Action. — Siirpn'sini^ the J-lneiny's Piclcet. — Shelby s Colinnn An-
noyed by the Enemy. — Campbell's Men Kt/sh into the Fii:;ht — At-
tack on the British Main Guard. — 'The \'iry;inians Advance up the
Mountain. — March of Cleveland' s Men — Patriotic Speech of their
Commander — Drive in a Picket. — Movements of Lacey's Men. —
Campbell's Corps Driven before the Bayonet — Rally, and Renau
the Contest. — Shelby, too. Retired before the C/'<?;;i,'7;/;'- Columns. —
The Rii^ht and Left JVin^s take part in the Action. — Culbertson's
Heroism — Captain Moses Shelby Wounded. — Ensign Campbell Dis-
lodi:;ini^ Tories from their Rocky Ramparts. — Terrific Character of
the ConJIiet. — .Imusinc; Incident of one of Lacey's Men. — Heroic
Efforts of Campbell and his Corps. — Ensign Campbell's Good Con-
duct. — Captain Ju/inondson's Exploit and Death. — Lieutenant
Recce Bo7i'en's Disdain of Danger, and his Lamented Fall. — Camp-
bells Active Efforts and Heroic Appeals. — Death of Major Chron-
icle. — The South Fork Boys Charged, and Several Wounded. —
Robert Henry Transfixed, and yet Sunnved all his Associates. —
William Twitty and Abram Forney. — Clei'cland and his Men. —
Lieutenant Samuel Johnson and other Wounded Officers. — Intre-
pidity of Charles Gordon and Dai'id Wither.spoon. — Singular
Adventure of Charles Boiuen and Colonel Cleveland.

Ferguson had caret'ully posted his Provincial corps and
drilled Loyalists alon<r the crest of the mountain, exlendin<f
from nearly one end to the other. They had no thought of
retreatin<r from their pursuers. We have, indeed, no evi-
dence that thev really knew that the Back Water men were

$!i

pM)

AND /TS HEROES.

237

so closi'ly upon them. It is true that one account states,
that the liritisli descried in the far distance "u thick cloud
of cavahy,"* apparently referring' to thick clouds of dust
prochiced hy ;i hu"^e l)ody of horsemen ; but this could
not ha\e been so, for the country was then covered with
timber, whicli would have prevented any such discovery ;
and it had, moreover, rained many successive hours during
the preceding night and the fore part of Uiat day, so that
there was no dust from which any clouds could arise. At
any rate, the enemy maintained their position, either 'ope-
fully or sullenly determined to fight to the last.

Ferguson's Provincials — or Rangers, as Tarleton terms
them — were not a jK-rmanent corps, but made up for special
service, from other Provincial bodies — die King's American
Regim(Mit, raised in and around New York, the Qiieen's
Rangers, and the New Jersey Volunteers. These Colonial
troops were clad, in the early part of the war, in green ;
afterwards, as a rule, they wore scarlet coats. f The
Provincials were well trained, and Ferguson relied largely
upon them in consequence of their practised skill in
the use of the bayonet; and, in case of necessity, for such
of his Tory troops as were without that implement, he had
provided each wiUi a long knife, made by the blacksmiths
of the country, the butt end of the handle of which was
fitted the proper size to insert snugly in the muzzle of the
rifle, with a shoulder or button two inches or more from
the end, so that it could be used as an eflective substitute
for a bayonet.

What was the exact strcngdi of I'i'erguson's force cannot
with certainly be determined. Tarleton says, beside his
corps of Rangers — which numbered about one hundred —
he had not far from one thousand Loyal MiliUa,t while
some British accounts put the number as low as eight hun-

* History i^f the War in America. TVublin. 1785, iii. 149.
t MS. Corrcspnnclencc of Gen. J. W. DePeyster.
X Southern Cuiii/nii^iis, 156.

^^^^ ^f^^^ ' M ^ iA y » "nnw.is

=31

238

KING'S MOUNTAIN

iii^

clred. The American oflicial report, professing to gain the
information from the enemy's provision returns of that day,
gives the number as eleven hundred and twenty-live ; and
this tallies pretty closely with Tarleton's statement. There
is. however, some reason to suppose that about two hundred
Tories left camp that day, perhaps on a scout, but more
likely on a foraging expedition.

It is litting, in this connection, to speak of the character
of these Loyalists, here arrayed on King's Mountain, and
about to engage in a memorable conflict against tlieir com-
mon countrv — for they were all, or nearly all, save Fergu-
son himself, natives of tlie Colonies. Now that Dunlap was
separated from them, Ferguson's corps of Rangers seem to
have been quite as unobjectionable a class of men as the
temptations and unrestrained recklessness of war ordinarily
permit the military to be ; and, though they had fled betbre
Captain Hampton in their retreat from Earle's Ford of North
PacoleU and had recoiled before the galling fire of Shelby
and Clarke near Cedar Spring, the summer preceding, yet
they were experienced soldiers, and were by many account-
ed as brave and reliable as any British troops in America.

iUit who were the Tories proper? They were made up
of dillerent classes of citizens wlio .sympathized witli, or
took up arms for the King, and fouglit against their fellow-
citizens who were bravely contending for the liberties o(
their country. Those of them who remained after the war,
in their old localities, were sadlv abu.sed and villilied as lonir
as they lived. They hardly dared to ofler an apologv for
their conduct. They were numerous in many of the States,
and have left many descendants, not a few of whom are
among the most worthy and respected in the communities
where they reside ; yet none of them boast of their relation-
ship to the Lo\'alists. It lias been the fashion to stigmatize
the Tories without stint and without discrimination, heap-
ing all manner of reproaches upon them and their class
generally. The issue of tlie war, and the general \erdict

AND ITS JIEJWES.

239

of the Whigs, who had suHercd not a Httle in the seven
years' conlhct, seemed to jiistily these severe judgments.
No one now supposes that he would have been a l'or\ , had
it been tiie will ol I'rovidence that he should have been an
actor in the scenes of the Revolution a century ago. As
he reads the history oi the stirring events connected with
the war, he concludes, that had he been there, he would,
as a matter of course, have been on the right side, periling
life and fortune at every hazard in the cause offreidom.

It is easy enough for us to imagine, wh.en we read of
deeds of humanity, generosity, and noble daring, that we,
too, would have acted in a similar manner had we been in
the same situation as those persons were who perlbrmed
them. Few know, till they are tried, what they would do
under certain circumstances. One's associations, surround-
. ings, and temptations oftentimes exert an overpowering in-
fluence. Let us judge even the Tories with as much char-
ity and leniency as we can. Some of them were cajoled
into the British service, and not a few^ forced into it under
various pretenses and intimidations.

Rev. James II. Save, who has spent his life of over
seventy years in Georg a and South Carolina, and had
much intercourse with the survivors of the Revolution in his
day, made the various classes of Tories a special subject of
study and inquiry, including the influences that prompted
their unhappy choice, and grouped them into six principal
divisions :

I. There were some men in the country conscientiously
opposed to war, and every sort of revolution w hich led to
it, or invoked its aid. They Ix-lieved that they ouglit to
be in subjection to the powers that be ; and hence they main-
tained their allegiance to the British crown. The (^lakers
were of this class. They were then far more numerous in
the Carolinas than now. They wen*, religiously, non-com-
batants : and the weight of Uieir influence naturally fell on
the wrong side.

iMPHH

'f:f

1 i:|

^' !i

■: r'i

I- 4

240

KING'S MOUXTA/N

2. There were many persons who reall}' knew nothing
of the questions at issue in the contest. The worhl has
always been cursed with too hu^fre a stock of men of this
class, whose clays are passed in profound ignorance of every-
thing which requires an exertion of intellect, yd often the
most self-conceited beings that wear the human form — per-
fect moles, delighting in nothing so much as dirt and dark-
ness. This class followed their cunning and intri'niinij
leaders in the Revolution, and were easily and naturally
led into the camp of the Lo\'alists.

3. Another class thought the Government of George
the Third too good to exchange for an uncertainty. They
praciically said : " Let well enough alone ; a little tax on
tea won't hurt us ; and as for principles and doctrines, leave
them to the lawyers and parsons."

4. Another class thought that, however desirable the
right of self-government might be, it was then quite out of
the question, unless his most gracious Majesty might be
pleased to grant it : and they believed that the fleets and
armies of Great Britain were pCifectly invincible, while de-
feat and utter ruin to all en<ra«ied in it must follow rebellion
against the King.

5. There was another class who claimed no little cred-
it for shrewdness and management ; who prided themselves
on being genteel and philosophical. If they ever had scru-
ples of conscience, they amounted to very little ; if an}- re-
ligious principles, they imposed no self-denial, and forbade
no sensual gratification. If they had a spa'-k of patriotism
or love for their King, it could onlv be kindled by fuel from
the Government coffers. The needle is no truer to the
pole than were these people to the prospect of gain. War
is usually a great distributor of money ; they wanted a lib-
eral share, and wanted to acquire it easily. On the fall of
Charleston, when Sir Henry Clinton issued his proclama-
tioii, these money-worshipers discovered in it a bow of
promise. Pardon was offered to all rebels with one excep-

AND ITS HEROES.

241

tion ; and tliat exception embraced many persons of large
estates, and a still greater number possessing comfortable
means. Here the shadow of a golden harvest ilitted before
their longing eyes. The excepted Wliigs had property
enough to make many rich, if inlbrmed against by the zeal-
ous advocates of the crown ; or, if plundered and appropri-
ated without taking the trouble of making any report of the
matter. Feelings of humanity and tenderness were not
cultivated or regarded — it was enough tluit the proscribed
Whigs had well-cultivated farms, negroes, horses, cattle,
or other desirable property, and that they had, in their esti-
mation, justly forfeited all by rebellii' ; against the King and
his Government. This class became liie s^xophants to Roval
authority, and the army of plundereis during the war; . nd
once hardened in pillaging, they soon became reckless of
life and virtue.

6. There was yet another class v.hich had a large fol-
lowing among the Tories — a class, too, which either on ac-
count of its numbers, industry, or general influence, ga"\e
character to a large portion of the whole fraternit} . When
a Revolutionary soldier was asked, " What sort of men were
the Tories?'' The almost invariable reply was, '■•A pack
of rogues." An eminent c-xample of this class was found
in the person of Plundering Sam Brown, already described,
a notorious robber years before the war commenced ; yet,
like otlier men who had wealth or the means of acquiring
it, he had numerous friends and followers. He had the
shrewdness to perceive that the field was well suited to his
tastes and habits ; and accordingly rallied his retainers,
joined Ferguson, and for a time proved an efhcient ally.
Th(nigh he had been an outlaw for many years, yet few
brought to the Royal standard a larger share of talent for
cunning and inhumanity for the position assigned him. He
now enjoyed the liberty of plundering under the sanction
of law and authority, and of arresting, for the sake of re-
ward, those who had long been known as the stanch de-

mmm

242

KJNG ' S MO UN TAIN

fenders of honesty and justice. The notorious Captain
David Fanning, IJloody Bill Bates, and Bloody Bill Cun-
niuiiliam were men of the same infamous character — un-
feeling, avaricious, revengeful, and bloody.

Here, then, were the conscientious class of Loyalists ;
an ignorant class ; an inditlerent class ; a cowardly class ;
a covetous, mouL-y-making class ; and a disappointed, ro-
guish, revengeful class. It must not be supposed that these
characteristics were never combined. Several of them had
a natural aflinity for each other, and were almost invariably
found united in the same person. The non-combatants, the
cowards, and the indifferent were not found among those
arrayed on King's Mountain; but Ferguson's force, aside
from the young men who had enlisted under his standard,
and a few wortliy but misguided people, was largely made
up of the worst characters which war evolves from the dregs
of mankind.*

In the confronting ranks was a very different class of
men. Those from the Holston, under Campbell, were a
peculiar people — somewhat of the character of Cromwell's
soldiery. They were, almost to a man, Presbyterians, In
their homes, in the Holston Valley, they were settled in
prettv compact congregations ; quite tenacious of their re-
ligious and civil liberties, as handed down from father to
son from their Scotch-Irish ancestcn-s. Their preacher,
Rev. Charles Cummins, was well fitted for the times ; a
man of piety and sterling patriotism, who constantly exerted
himself to encourage his people to make every needed sac-
rifice, and put forth every possible exertion in defense of the
liberties of their country. They were a remarkable body
of men, both physically and mentally. Inured to frontier
life, raised mosdy in Augusta and Rockbridge Counties,
Virginia, a frontier region in the French and Indian war, they
early settled on the Holston, and were accustomed from their
childhood to border life and hardships ; ever ready at the tap

* Saye's Memoir of Mcjunkin.

AND ITS HEROES.

243

of the drum to turn out on military service ; if, in the busiest
crop season, their wives, sisters, and daughters could, in their
absence, plant, and sow, and harvest. They were better
educated than most of the frontier settlers, and had a more
thorough understanding of the questions at issue between
the Colonies and their mother country. These men went
forth to strike their country's foes, as did the patriarchs of
old, feeling assured that the God of battles was with them,
and that He would surely crown their efforts with success.
They had no doubts nor fears. The}' trusted in God — and
kept their powder dry. Such a tiling as a coward was not
known among them. How fitting it was, that to such a
band of men should have been assigned, by Campbell's
own good judgment, the attack on Ferguson's choicest
troops — his Provincial Rangers. It was a happy omen of
success — literally the forlorn hope — the right men in the
right place.

Lacey's men, mostly from York and Chester Counties,
South Carolina, and some of those under Shelby, Sevier,
Cleveland, Williams, Winston, and McDowell, were of the
same character — Scotch-Irish Presbyterians ; but man}- of
them, especiall}' those from the Nolachucky, Watauga, and
lower Holston, who had not been very long settled on the
frontiers, were more of a mixed race, somewhat rough, but
brave, fearless, and full of adventure. They were not a
whit less patriotic than the Virginians ; and were ever ready
to hug a bear, scalp an Indian, or beard the fiercest Tories
wherever they could find them. Such, in brief, were the
salient characteristics of the mountaineers, and the men of
the up-country of the Carolinas, who were about to engage
in deadly conflict with Ferguson and his motle}' followers.

The decisive moment was now at hand, and the moun-
taineers were eager for the fray. Campbell and his corps
commanders had arranged their forces into two divisions, as
nearly equal as they could conveniently form them, each
party to attack opposite sides of the mountain. Campbell

244

KING'S MOUNTAIN

was to lend his Virginians across the southern end of the
ridge, and sf)uth-east side, which Shelby designates as tlie
cohimn of the right center ; then Sevier's regiment, Mc-
Dowell's and Winston's battalions, were to form a column
on the right wing, north-east of Campbell, and in the order
named, imder the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sevier.
Of these, Winston had, it will be remembered, made a
detour some distance to the south of Ferguson, in order the
more promptly to gain the position assigned him, and per-
adventure lend a helping hand in retarding tlie enemy,
should the}' conclude that a hasty retreat was the better
part of vaU)r.

Shelln-'s regiment was to take position on the left of the
mountain, directly oj)posite to Campbell, and form the left
center — Campbell's left and Shelby's right coming together ;
and beyond Shelby were respectively Williams' command,
including Brandon, Hammond, and Candler ; then the South
Carolinians under Lacey, Hathorne, and Steen, with the
remainder of the Wilkes and Surry men under Cleveland,
together with the Lincoln troops under Chronicle and Ilam-
bright, all under the direction of Colonel Cleveland. B}^
this disj")osition was the patriot force arranged in four col-
umns — two on either side of the mountain, led respectively
by Colonels Campbell and Sevier on the right, and Shelby
and Cleveland on the left. It is reasonable to presume that,
as Winston had been detached, when a mile awav, to gain
his assigned position on the right, that Chronicle and Ham-
bright were also early ordered to gain the extreme left por-
tion of the mountain, so that these two parties should meet
each other, and thus encompass the enemy on that end of
the ridge.

Before taking up the line of march, Campbell and the
leading olllcers earnestly appealed to their soldiers — to the
higher instincts of their natures, by all that was patriotic
and noble among men, to fight like heroes, and give not an
inch of ground, save only from the sheerest necessity, and

AND ITS HEROES.

245

then only to retrace and recover their lost ground at the
earliest possihle moment. Campbell personally \isited all
the corps ; and said to Cleveland's men, as he did to all,
" that if any of them, men or officers, were afraid, to quit
the ranks and go home ; that he wished no man to engage
in the action who could not fight ; that, as for himself, he
was determined to light the enemy a week, if need be, to
gain the victor}-."* Colonel Campbell also gave the neces-
sary orders to all the principal officers, and repeated them,
so as to be heard by a large portion of the line, and then
placed himself at the head of his own regiment, as the
other officers did at the head of their respective commands.!
Many of the men threw aside their hats, tying handker-
chiefs around their heads, so as to be less likelv to be
retarded by limbs and bushes when dashing up the moun-
tain. \

At length the several corps started for the scene of con-
flict, marching two men deep, led on by their gallant ofii-
cers. Both the right and left wings were somewhat longer
in reaching their designated places than had been expected.
When Winston's party had marched about a mile, they
reached a steep hill, losing sight of the other columns, and
evidently of King's Mountain also. Some men riding in
view directed them to dismount from their horses, and
march up the hill, which was immediately done, with the
anticipation of meeting the eneni}- on its summit ; but, be-
fore they had advanced two hundred paces, they were again
hailed, disabused of their error, and directed to re-mount
their horses and push on, as King's Mountain was ^et a
mile away. They now ran down the declivity with great
precipitation to their horses, and, mounting them, rode, like
so many fox hunters, at an almost break-neck speed,
through rough woods and brambles, leaping branches and

■X

"■f

'■'Statement nf Joseph Phillips, one of CleveKinti's men.

fMS. n.nrrativc of Gov. Campl)ell,

t Mrs. Ellet's Women of the Revolution, iii, 293,

24G

KING'S MOUNTAIN

crossing ridges, without a proper guide who had a personal
knowledge of the countr}-. But they soon fell upon the
enemy, as good luck would have it, at the very point of
their intended destination.

It was an erroneous idea of the South Carolina historian,
Ramsay, that Cleveland's men, who had been compelled
to make something of a circuit to reach their appointed po-
sition in the arrangement for the onslaught, were the first
to commence the action, and the lirst to receive a bayonet
charge from the enemy. The official report, to which
Cleveland gave the sanction of his signature, stutes that
Shelb}' and Campbell's regiments began the attack. Such
was the nature of the ground, and the thick, intervening
foliage of the trees, that the Whigs were not discovered till
within a quarter of a mile of Ferguson ; when the enemy's
drums beat to arms, and the shrill whistle of their comman-
der was distinctly heard, notifying his followers to repair to
their places in the ranks, and be ready for liot work, for
they well knew that no child's play was in reserve for them.

A select party of Shelby's men undertook to siu-prise a
picket \){ the enemy, of whose position they had previous
knowledge and accomplished their purpose without firing
a gun or giving the least alarm. This exploit seems to
have occurred some distance from the mountain, and was
hailed by the army as a good omen.* Orders had been
given to the right and left wings, that when the center col-
umns were ready for the attack, they were to give the signal
by raising a regular frontier war-whoop, after the Indian
stvle, and rush forward, doing the enemy a'l the injury
possible ; and the others hearing the battle-shout and the
reports of the rifles, were to follow suit. The first firing
was heard on the north side of the mountain f — evidently
made by the ene?riy upon Shelby's column, before they
were in position to engage in the acdon. It was galling in

♦Sharp's n?.rrative in the American Pioneer.

f Young's auto-biography in the Orion magazine.

AND ITS HEROES.

247

its efFect, and not a little annoying to the mountaineers,
some of whom, in their impatience, complained that it
would ne\er do to be shot down without returning the lire.
Shelby coolly replied, "'press on to your places, and then
your lire will not be lost." *

But before Shelby's men could gain their position. Col-
onel Campbell had thrown otT his coat, and while leading
his men to the attack, he exclaimed at the top of his voice,
— "'Here they are, my brave boys; s/ioitt like Ji—h and
fight like devils!'" The woods immediately resounded
with the shouts of the line, in which they were heartil}'
joined, first by Shelby's corps, and then instantly caught
up by the others along the two wings. f When Captain
De Peyster heard these almost deafening yells — the same
in kind he too well remembered hearing from Shelby's men
at Musgrove's Mill, — he remarked to Ferguson: "These
things are ominous — these are the d — d yelling boys ! "J
And when these terrific shouts saluted Ferguson's ears, he
expressed fears for the result. §

About the time the Virginians advanced to the conflict.
Major Micajah Lewis, with his brother, Captain Joel Lewis,
both of the Wilkes and Surry troops, with Captain Andrew
Colvill, of the Virginia regiment, had been designated by
Colonel Campbell to make a dash on horseback upon the
British main guard, half way up the spur of the mountain ;
and having swept them out of the way, to fall back, dis-
mount, and join the others in the general advance. Here
the first heav}' firing took place between the contending
parties, the guard commencing it. The mountaineers raised
the Indian war-whoop and rushed upon the foe, who soon
retreated, leaving some of their men to crimson the earth
with their blood. 11

■^Graham's sketch in /he Southern Literary Messenger, and Foote's North Carolina.

•J- Statement of Jolin Craig, one of CanipbeU's men ; conver!>ations with Gov, David
Campbell, in 1844

J Statement, in 1844. of Col George Wilson.

^Gov. Campbell's statement.

1 MS. statement of J. L. Gray, and his communication in the Rutherford Enquirer.
May 24th, 1859.

! ;

■iT , . ■

nv "

24S

KING'S MOUNTAIN

One of the mountaineers came within rille shot of a
Britisli sentinel before tiie latter perceived him ; on discov-
erinL,f the American, he discharj^ecl his musket, and ran
vvitli all his speed towards the camp on the hill. This ad-
venturous Whig, who had pressed forward considerably in
advance of his fellows, quickly dismounted, leveled his rifle,
hring at the retreating Briton, the ball striking him in the
back of the head, when he fell ami expired.* Among the
slain of the Virginians wjis Lieutenant Robert Edmondson,
and John Beatty, the ensign of ColvilTs company, while
Lieutenant vSamuel Newell, also of Colvill's corps, was
wounded. Retiring down the hill, Newell passed Colonel
Campbell and Major Edmondson hurrying on the regiment
into action.

But Newell was too good a soldier to give up at the very
commencement of the tight ; and returning some distance,
he came across a horse, mounting which he rode back to
the lines to perlbrm his share in the conflict.!

What terse, patriotic utterances were made by the se\--
eral Whig leaders to their heroic followers, have been main-
ly lost to history. Such words had their intended effect at
the time : but all were too intent on the exciting scenes be-
tbre them, to treasure up in their memories these outbursts
of patriotism. Cleveland and his men, while passing
around to the left of the mountain, were somewhat retarded
by a swamp\^ piece of ground then saturated with water ; +
but, getting clear of this, Cleveland discovered an advance
picket of the enemy, when he made the following charac-
teristic speech to his troops — nut, under the circumstances,
in a very formal manner we may well conclude, but, most
likely, by piece-meal, as he rode along the lines:

"My brave fellows, we have beaten the Tories, and we
can beat them again. They are all cowards : if they had

♦This incident is given on authority of a writer in the Rutherford Enquirer, May 24th,
1859 signing liimself "J. L. fl." — J. L. Gray.

+ Statements of Lieutenant Newell and Ensign Robert Campbell.
J Sharp's narrative.

I '!

AND ITS HEROES.

249

the spirit of men, they would join with their fellow-citizens
in supportiiiif the independence of their country. Wlien
you are eiiL,Mged, you are not to wait for the word of com-
mand from me. I will show you, by my example, how to
I'ght ; I can undertake no more. Every man must consider
himself an ollicer, and act from his own judgment. Fire
as quick as \()u can, and stand your ground as long as you
can. When you can do no better, get behind trees, or
retreat; but I beg you not to run quite ofV. If we are
repulsed, let us make a point of returning, and rencN^ing
the light ; perhaps we may have better luck in the second
attempt than the first. If any of you are afraid, such sliall
have leave to retire, and they are requested immediately to
take themselves otV." * But a single man, John Judd,
intimated a preference to remain behind — " to hold the
horses," as he expressed it ; while, to redeem the honor of
the family, his brother, Rowland Judd, went forward, and
acted die part of a brave soldier in the trying conllict.f
The distance that Cleveland's men had to march, with the
swampy nature of their route, delayed them some ten min-
utes in reaching the place assigned them. But they nobly
made amends for their delay by their heroic conduct in the
action. The picket that the}- attacked soon gave way, and
they were rapidly pursued up the mountain.

Doctor Moore asserts, that it has always been the tradi-
tion in the Kind's Mountain reijion, that inasmuch as Col-
onel Lacey rode the express, and gave the patriots at Green
river the true sitiuidon of Ferguson, Colonel Campbell gave
him the honor of commencing the battle — the friends of
Campbell, Shelb}', Sevier, Winston, and Roebuck have for
each also claimed the same honor ; that Lacey led on his
men from the north-western and most level side of the
mountain, engaging the attention of the foe, while Cleve-

* Ramsay's R,-;'olution in South CaroUnn, 1785,11,182-83. This speech was derived
apparcnily from Colimel Cleveland himself.

+ MS. correspondiiue of Col. H. A. Brown, formerly of Wilkes County, N. C, now of
Maury County, Tennessee.

t ■

.am

250

KING'S MO UX TAIN

huul and the other leaders marched to their respective
phices of assignment, completely encircling Ferguson's
army. * Judging tVom the ollicial report, this tradidon has
no substantial foundation ; yet Lacey, no doubt, anticipated
Cleveland, and perluips some of the other regimental ami
battalion commandants, in engaging the attention of the
enemy, and taking part in the conflict.

Where Campbell's men ascended the mountain to com-
mence the attack was rough, craggy, and rather abrupt — the
most dillicult of ascent of any part of the ridge ; but these
resolute mountaineers permitted no obstacles to prevent
them from advancing upon the foe, creeping up the accliv-
ity, little by little, and from tree to tree, till they were
nearly at the top — the action commencing at long fire, f
The Virginians were the first upon whom Ferguson ordered
his Rangers, with doubtless a part of his Loyali 's, to make
a fixed bayonet charge. Some of the Virginians obsti-
nately stood their ground till a few of them were thrust
through the body ; but being unable, with rifles only, to
withstand such a charge, they broke and fled down the
mountain — further, indeed, than was necessary. ;J In this
rapid charge, Lieuten.mt Allaire, of Ferguson's corps, over-
took an oflicer of the mountaineers, fully six feet high ; and
the British Lieutenant being mounted, dashed up beside his
adversar}-, and killed him with a single blow of his sword. §
But the British chargers did not venture quite to the bottom
of the hill, before they wheeled, and quickly retired to the
summit. Campbell's men ran across the narrow interven-
ing valley to the top of die next ridge. Colonel Campbell
and Major Edmondson, about half way between their men
and the enemy, were loudly vociferating to their Virginians
to halt and rally ; and Lieutenant Newell, now mounted,
joined them in this effort. The men were soon formed, and

* Life of Lacey, 17-18.

t Statement of James Crow, of Campbell's men.

J Statement of Lieutenant Newell.

'i Lieutenant Allaires' narrative in the New York Royal Gazette, Feb. 24, 1781.

It-;---

AND ITS HEROES.

251

■

again led up by their heroic commaiuU'r to renew the con-
test. * It was during' this attack that Lieutenant Robert
Echnondson, the younger, of Captain Uavid Ikallie's com-
pany — for tliere were two Lieutenants of tlie Virginians of
that name — was wounded in the arm. lie then siieltered
himself behind a tree, with one of his soldiers, John Craig,
who bandaged up his limb. By this time Campbell's men
were successfully rallied, and were returning to the charge,
when Edmondson exclaimed, " Let us at it again I " f Of
such grit was Campbell's Ibjlston soldiers composed ; and
as long as there was any iighting to be done for their
country, and they could stand upon their feet, they never
failed to share largely in it. ,

Colonel Shelbv has briefly stated his knowledire of this
heroic m(nement of Campbell and his men. "On the iirst
onset," says Shelby, " the Washington militia attempted
rapidly to ascend the mountain ; but were met by the British
regulars with fixed bayonets, and forced to retreat. They
were soon r.illied by their gallant commander, and some of
his active oflicers, and by a constant and well-directed fire
of our rifles we drove them back in our turn, and reached
the sumir.itof the mountain."* Or, as cited by Haywood,
and understood to be also from a statement by Shelb}- :
"Campbell, with his division, ascended the hill, killing all
that came in his way, till coming near enough to the main
body of the enemy, who were posted upon the summit, he
poured in upon them a most deadly fire. The enemy, with
fixed bayonets, advanced upon his troops, who gave way
and went down the hill, where they rallied and formed, and
again advanced. The monntain was covered with ftiane
aud smoke, and seemed to thiinder.^''%

While Ferguson's Rangers were thus employed in their
dashing bayonet charge against Campbell's column, Shelby

i'rt

♦Statements of Newell, and David Campbell, afterwards of Campbell's Station, Tenn.

f John Craig's statement.

t Shelby's letter to Col. Arthur Campbell Oct. I2, 1780.

g Haywood's Tenncstee, 71.

i«:!l

! Ill

252

KLYG ' .^ MO UNTA IN

was pressinjif tlie enemy on the ojiposite side and south-
western end of the mountain ; so that tlie Provincials found
it necessary to turn their attention to tliis body of tlie
mountaineers. "Shelby, a man of the hardiest make, stilV
as iron, among the dauntless singled out for dauntlessness,
went right onward and upward like a man who had but one
thing to do, and but one thouglit — to <\o it. " '■ But bra\e
as he and his men were, they, too, had to retreat before the
charging column, yet slowly liring as they retired. When,
at the bottom of the hill, Shelby wanted to bring his men to
order, he would cry out — '* Now, boys, quickly re-load vour
rifles, and let's advance upon them, and give them
another h — 1 of a fire ! " f

Thus were Campbell's and Shelby's men hotly engaged
some ten minutes before the right and left wings reached
their points of destination, when, at length, they shared in
completely encompassing the enemy, and joined in the
deadly *ray. Ferguson soon found that he had nc^t somach
the advantage in position as he had anticipated ; for the sum-
mit of the mountain was bare of timber, exposing his men to
the assaults of the bac c-woods riflemen, who, as they
pressed up the ridge, a\'ailed themseKes of the trees on its
sides, which aflbrded lliem protection, and which served to
retard the movements of the British charging parties. As
the enem^' were drawn up in close cokunn on the crest of
the mountain, they presented a fair mark for the rifles of the
mountaineers, t and the\- suflered severely by the exposure,
'^riie famous cavahy Colonel, Harry Lee, well observed of
Ferguson's chosen place for battle — it was '* uKjre assailable
by the rifle than defensible with the bayonet." «$ /^.^,, rjc

Among the keenest of the sharp-shooters imder^^Wl^
was Josiah Culbertson, so favorably noticed elsewhere in
this work. He had been selected with others to get pos-

'•' nanrroft. x. 338.

t MS. statement of Gen Thomas I.ove, il:rivcil from Captain David Vance,

\ Shelby's narrative in ttic American A'?wc;i<.

JI.ec's Memoirs of the War, revised edition, N. V., 1872, p 200.

I '

r~"~t^r^^

AND ITS HEROES.

253

session of an elevuti'd position, for which a Tory Captain
and a party under liim stoutly contended ; bnt Culbertson
and his riflemen were too alert for their antagonists, and
pressinj^ closely upon them, forced them to retire to some
large rocks, where Culbertson at length shot their leader in
the head, when the survivors fled, and soon after with their
fellows were compelled to surrender. *

Captain Moses Shelby, a brother of the Colonel, received
two wounds in the acti(jn — the last through his thigh near
his body, disabling it, so that he could not stand without help.
He was assisted down to a branch, some distance from the
foot of the mountain, and was left with his rifle for his de-
fence, should 'le need it. Seeing one of the soldiers coming
down too frequently to tlie branch under plea of thirst.
Captain Shelby admonished him if he repeated his visit he
would shoot him ; that it was no time to shirk duty, f

But a portion of the Tories had concealed themselves
behind a chain of rocks in that quarter, from which they
kept up a destructive lire on the Americans. As Camp-
bell's and Shelby's men came in contact at the south-
western end of the ridge, Shelby directed Ensign Robert
Campbell, of the Viginians, to move to the right, with a
small party, and endeavor to dislodge the enemv from
their rocky ramparts. Ensign Campbell led his men,
under lire of the British and Tory lines, within forty steps
of them ; but discovering that the Whigs had been driven
down the hill, he gave orders to his party to post them-
selves, as securely as possible, opposite to the rocks and
near to the enemy, while he himself went to the assistance
of Campbell and his fellow ofllcers in bringing the regiment
to, order, and renewing the contest. These directions were
punctually obeyed, and the watching part}- kept up so gall-
ing a fire with their well-plied rifle shots, as to compel

* Washing'oii. Imliana, Weekly Register, Oct. 17, 1339.

+ Captain Mosus Shelby's SMtemcnt. Conversation with Maj. Thomas H. Shelby,
son of Governor Shelby, in i86j.

254

KINGS MOUNTAIN

iili

FergiKson to order a stronger force to cover and strengthen
his men behind their rocky defence ; but, towards the close
of the action, they were forced to retire, with tlieir demor-
ahzed associates, to the north-eastern portion of the moun-
tain.*

The battle now raging all around the mountain was almost
terrific. '• When that conflict began," exclaimed the late
eloquent Bailie Peyton, of Tennessee, " the mountain
appeared volcanic ; there flashed along its summit, and
around its base, and up its sides, one long sulphurous
blaze." t The shouts of the mountaineers, the peals of
hundreds of rifles and muskets, the loud commands and
encouraging words of the respective officers, with every
now and then the shrill screech of Ferguson's silver
whistle high above the din and confusion of the battle,
intermingled with the groans of the wounded in every part
of the line, combined to convey the idea of another pande-
monium.

Colonel Lacey and his gallant South Carolinians, who
had seen hard service under Sumter on manv a well-fought
field, rushed forward to share in the contest. At the very
first fire of the enemy. Colonel Lacey 's fine horse was shot
from under him. With a single exception these South
Carolinians, mosth' from York and Chester, proved them-
selves worthy of the high reputation they had gained on
other fields. That exception was an amusing one — a man
who, at heart, was as true a patriot as could be fi)und in the
Carolinas : but who constitutionally could not stand the smell
of powder, and invariabh- ran iti the very first fire,
W^hen about going into action to fight Ferguson and his
Tories, his friends, knowing his weakness, advised him to
remain behind. "No," said he, indignantly, "I am
determined to stand my ground to-day, live or die.'" True
to his instinct, at the very first fire he took to his heels, as

* Ensign CampbelVs narr.itivc ; liis statement, also, as published in i8a3.
+ Mr. Peyton's speech in Congress, January i6th, 1834.

AND ITS HEROES.

255

usual. After the battle was over, when he returned, his
friends chided him for his conduct. " From the lirst tire,"
said he, by way of apolojf\-, " I knew nothing whatever
till I was gone about a hundred and fifty yards ; and when
I came to myself, recollecting my resolves, I tried to stop;
but my confounded legs would carry nic off!'' * But for-
tunately his associates were made up of better material,
and rendered tlieir c<)untr\ i^ood service on this occasion.

No regiment had their courage and endurance more
severely tested than Campbell's. They were the lirst in
the onset — the lirst to be charged down the declivity by
Ferjjuson's Rany^ers — and the first to ralh" and retiu-n to
the contest. Everything depended upon successfully rally-
ing the men when lirst driven down the mountain. Had
they have become demoralized as did the troops at Gates'
defeat near Camden, and as did some of Greene's militia
at Guilford, thev would have brouijht disgrace and disaster
upon the Whig cause. When repulsed at the point of the
bayonet, the well-known voice of their heroic commander
bade them " lialt I — return my brave fellows, and you will
drive the enemy immediately I "f lie was promptly obeyed,
for Campbell and his otlicers had the full confidence and
control of their mountaineers. They bravely faced about,
and drove the enemy, in turn, up the mountain. In these
desperate attacks, many a hand-to-hand fight occurred, and
many an act of heroism transpired, the wonder and admir-
ation of all beholders ; but there were so many such heroic
incidents, where all were heroes, that only the particulars
of here and there one have been handed down to us.
Ensign Robert Campbell, at the head of a charging party,
with singular boldness and address, killed Lieutenant
McGinnis, a brave ofllcer of Ferguson's Rangers. I

Captain William Edmondson, also of Campbell's regi-
ment, remarked to John McCrosky, one of his men, that

* Moore's /.//"c i?/" I.ncey, i8.

fSiatement of David Campbell, of Campbell's Station, who shared in the action.

X Ramsey's Tennesste, 240.

! r'

anBiMMi

256

A'/NG 'S J/0 UXTAIN

he was not satisfied with his position, and dashed forward
into the hottest part of the battle, and ,there received the
charge of UePeyster's Rangers, discharged his gun, then
clubbed it and knocked the rille out of the grasp of one
of tlie Britons. Seizing him by the neck, he made him his
prisoner, and brouglit him to the foot of the hill. Returning
again up the mountain, he bravely fell fighting in front of
his company, near his beloved Colonel. His faithful
soldier, McCrosky, when the contest was ended, went in
search of his Captain, found him, and related the great
victory gained, when the dying man nodded his salifaclion
of tlie result. The stern Colonel Campbell was seen to
brush away a tear, when he saw his good friend and heroic
Captain stretched upon the ground under a tree, with one
hand clutching his side, as if to restrain his life blood from
ebbing away until tlie battle was over. lie heard the sliout
of victory as his commander and friend grasped his other
hand. He was past speaking ; but he kissed his Colonel's
hand, smiled, loosed his feeble hold on life, and the
Christian patriot went to his reward.*

Lieutenant Reece Bowen, who commanded one of the
companies of the Virginia regiment, was observed while
marchinti forward to attack tlie enemv, to make a hazard-
ous and unnecessary exposure of his person. Some friend
kindly remonstrated with him — "Why Bowen, do you not
take a tree — why rashly present }ourself to the deliberate
aim of the Provincial and Tory riflemen, concealed beliind
every rock and bush before you? — death will inevitably
follow, if you persist." "Take to a tree," he indignantly
replied — " no I— never shall it be said, that I sought safety
by hiding my person, or dodging from a Briton or Tory
who opposed me in the field." Well iijid it been for liim
and his countiy, had he been more prudent, and, as his

* Ramsey's Tennessee. 240-41 ; GenernI John S. Preston's Address at the King's Moun-
tain Celebration in October. 1855 p. (Vi. Ramsey states, th.it Captain F.dmon(!=on received
a mortal wound in the breast, while Charles Rmven, one of his soldiers, says he was shot
in the head. He may have been shut both in the head and body.

[

AND ITS HEROES.

25';

superiors had advised, taken slielter whenever it could be
found, for lie had scarcely concluded his brave utterance,
when a riile ball struck him in the breast, lie fell and
expired. *

The " red-haired Campbell — the claymore of the Arg^de
gleaming in his hand, and his blue eye glittering with a
lurid llame," wherever he was, dashing here and there
along the line, was himself a host. His clarion voice rang
out above the clash of resounding arms and the peals of
successive riflery, encouraging his heroic mountaineers to
victor}-. And thus the battle raged with increased fury — the
mountain men constantly gaining more confidence, and
steadily lessening the number of their foes.

Nor were the other columns idle. Major Chronicle
and Lieutenant Colonel Ilambright led their litde band of
South Fork boys up the north-east end of the mountain,
where the ascent was more abrupt than elsewhere, save
where Campbell's men made their attack. As they reached
the base of the ridge, with Chronicle some ten paces in
advance of his men, he raised his military hat, crying out —
"Face to the hill I " He had scarcely uttered his conmiand,
when a ball struck him, and he fell ; and William Rabb,
within some six feet of Chronicle, was killed almost in-
stantly thereat'ter. The men steadily pressed on, under the
leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Ilambright, Major Joseph
Dickson, and Captains Mattocks, Johnston, White, Espey
and Martin — a formidable list of oflicers for so small a body
of men : but they all took their places in the line, and f(Hight
with determined heroism. Before they reached the crest of
the mountain, the enem^^ charged bayonet — said to have
been led by DePeyster — first firing ofi' their guns, by which
Robert Henry supposed that Captain Mattocks and John
Boyd vvere killed, and W^illiam Gilmer, a brother of the

''Garden's Anecdotes, second series, p. 212. presumably communicated for that work
by JiiciRe Peter Johnston, of Ahin(»don, Virginia, a distinguished uiriuer of Lee's Legion
during the Revnhition, and the ancestor of the present Oen. Joseph E. Johnston, and
Hon. John W. Johnston, United States Stnator from that State.
17

mmmm

258

KING'S MOUNTAIN

1 I

noted scout, and John Chittim wounded — the latter of
Captain Martin's company, was shot in his side, makini^ an
orifice, tlu'ough which, according to tradition, a silk hand-
kerchief could be drawn, and yet he recovered, living to a
good old age. *

One gallant young felk)W, B'.obert Henry, then in his
sixteenth year, had taken his position behind a log stretched
across a hollow ; and was getting ready to give the enemy
another shot, when the bayonet chargers came dashing
along. One of the enemy was advancing rapidly on
young Henry, who was in the act of cocking his gun, when
his antagonist's bayonet glanced along Henry's gun-barrel,
passing clear through one of his hands, and penetrating into
his thigh. Ilenr}-, in the viclii\ had shot the Tory, and
both fell to the ground — the young Whig hero completely
transfixed. Henry was pretty well enveloped in powder-
smoke ; but sad and helpless as was his condition, he could
not help observing that man}^ of his South Fork friends
were not more than a gun's length ahead of the Tory b.13'-
onets, and the farthest could not have exceeded twenty feet,
when they fired, with deadly efiect, upon their pursuers,
and retired to the bottom of the hill, quickl3' re-loading, and
in turn chasing their enemies up the mountain.

William Caldwell, one of Henry's companions, seeing
his situation, pulled the bayonet out of his thigh ; but find-
injx it vet stickini; fast to the young soldier's hand, cfave the
wounded limb a kick with his boot, which loosened the
bloody instrument from its hold. Henry suffered more in
the operation of extracting the bayonet, thuii when the
Briton made the eflective thrust, driving it through his hand
and into his thigh. Again upon his feet, he picked up his
gun with his lUiinjured hand, and found it empty — how, he
could not tell ; but supposed, as he received the terrible
bayonet thrust, that he must, almost instinctivel}', have
touched the trigger, and discharged his rifle, and that the

■MS. letter of Dr. C, L. Hunter.

AND ITS HEROES.

259

ball must have cut .some main artery of his antagonist, as
he bled profusely.*

Another incicU-nt of the battle : Wlien William Twitty,
who behaved so gallantly in the defence of Graham's Fort
the preceding summer, and now serving among the South
Fork or Lincoln bo3S, discovered that his most intimate
crou}- had been shot down by his side, he believed that he
knew from the powder-smoke, from behind which tree the
fatal ball had sped ; and watching his oppoi tunit}- to avenge
the death of his friend, he had not long to wait, for soon he
observed a head puking itself out from its shelter, when li<>
quick)}' fired, and the Tory fell. After the battle, Twitty
repaired to the tree and found one of his neighbors, a well-
known Loyalist, with his brains blown out.f ,^«itN^-«^

Abram Forney, a brave soldier of Captain rWiH4it«>
Johnston's company, of the Lincoln men, used in after
years to relate this inci'lent of tlu' battle: When the contest
had become warm and well-maintained on both sides, a
small party of Whigs, not relishing the abundance of lead
flying all around them, and occasionally cutting down some
gallant comrade at their side, concluded to take temporary
slieker behind an old hollow chestnut tree — a mere shell —
which stood near, and from its walls to pour tbrth a
destructive lire upon the enemy. The" British, however,
presently observed the quarter whence this galling fire
proceeded, and immediateh' returned their compliments in

*MS. narrntivc of Robert Henry; MS. li:t cr of Robert C. Oill.im, Sept 29th. 1358,
givinff statement ■ derived from .in interview with Mr. Henry.

Mr. Henry was burn in .1 rail pen, in then Rowan, now Iredall Coun'.y. North Carolina,
January 10th, 1765. Full of patriotism, though youn,i;. he shared in the triaK anti perils of
the Revolution, and in due time recovered from the severe wounds he rei eived at King s
Mountain. In 1795. he was one of the party who ran the boundary line between North
Carolina and Tennessee. He subsequently studied law, and practised his profession many
years in Buncombe County. He served in the House of Commons in 1833 and 1834. He
was a clear anil forcible pnl)!ic speaker ; and his memory deserves to be held in j;ratefu!
remembrance for preserving the narrative of the King's Mountain cantpaii;n and battle, so
frequently cited in this work. He died in the new County of Clay, Noith Carolina,
January 6th, 1863, within four days of attaining the patriarchal age of ninety-eight years,
and he was undoubtedly the last of the heroes of King's Mountain.

•J- MS. correspondence of Wm. L. Twitty, grandson of William Twitty.

11 i

2G0

A'/A(;S MOUNTAIN

the shape- of «'i few well-aimed volleys at the old shell, com-
pletely perforating it with balls, and finally shivering it in
pieces.*

When Cleveland's regiment hastened to their appointed
place of attack, under a heavy lire while on tlio wa)-, their
brave commander exclaimed, pointing signilicantly to the
mountain, "Yonder is your enemy, and the enemy of
mankind!" They were soon hoUy engagetl with the
Lo3'alists lining tlie brow of the eminence before them.
From the Colonel dt)wn to the humblest private they all
heartily detestt'd Tories, and fouglU them with a resolute
determination to subdue tliem at all hazards. They souglit
all natural places of protection — trees, logs, rocks, and
bushes; when Cleveland would, ever and anon, vocifer-
ously urge onward and upward his troops— "a little nearer
to them, my brave men I " And the men of Wilkes and
Surry would then dart from their places of concealment, and
make a dasli for more advanced positions. Occasionally
one of their number wouUl fall, which only served to nerve
on the survivors to punish the Tories yet more efTectually.

In one of these bold and dashing forays, Lieutenant
Samuel Johnson, of Captain Joel Lewis' company, was more
adventurous than prudent, and found himself and men in a
most dangerous and exposed position, wliicli resulted in the
loss of several of his soldiers, and receiving himself a severe
wound in the abdomen. Three bullet holes were made in
one skirt of his coat, and four in the other. After Lieuten-
ant Johnson had fallen, and while the contest was yet
fiercely raging around him, he repeatedly threw up his
hands, shouting — '^ Ilitzza., boys!'''' The salvation of his
life was attributed to the scanty amount of food he had taken
during the three days preceding the battle, so difficult had
it been to obtain it. f Of his fellow officers of Cleveland's
regiment who were also among the wounded, were Major

♦ Dr. C. L. Hunter, in Wheeler's North Carolina, ii, 245.

f Pension statement of Johnson's widow, substanti- ted by surviving witnesses.

AND ITS HEROES.

2(>l

Miciijiih Li'wis, Captain Joel Lewis, Captain Minor Smith,
and Lieutenant James AL Lewis ; the three wounded Lewises
were brothers, and a noble triumvirate they were. Danii'l
Siske and Thomas Bicknell were amon<^ the killed of the
Wilkes regiment, as the manuscript records ot' that county
show.

Many a mortal combat and hand-to-hand rencontre,
took place in this part of the line. Charles Gordon, appar-
ently a young otlicer, made a cjuick, bold movement into
the midst of the enemy, seizing a Tory ollicer by his cue.
and connnenced dragging him down the mountain, when
the fellow suddenly drew and discharged his pistol, break-
ing Gordon's left arm ; whereupon the latter, with his sword
in hand, killed the ollicer outright. The whole allair was
but the work of a moment, and was regarded at the lime as
an intrepid act — a prodigy of valor. * David Witherspoon,
also of Cle\eland's regiment, in getting into close quarters,
discovered one of the enemy prostrate on the groimd,
loading and firing in rapid succession. Witherspoon drew
his rifle on him and llred, when the Red Coat, wounded,
pitched the butt of his gun, in submission, towards his
antagonist, thrcnving up his hands imploring meixx- ; and
when Witherspoon reached him. he found his mouth full of
balls, chewing them so as to make ihein jagged, and rendt r
the wounds they might inilict more fatal, f

Early in ..e engagement. Colonel Cleveland's noble
•steed, "Roebuck," received two wounds, and he had to dis-
mount ; vet, nnwieldly as he was, he managed under the
excitement surrounding him, to keep fully up with his men,

*MS. statci.u:nts of Rev. Z. H. Gordon, and Mrs Sarah C, Law, nephew and niece of
the hero of this alvenlnre. Charles Gordon was a native of the Frcdcrickshnri; region, in
Virginia, early set. ling in wliat suhsequenlly liecanie Wilkes (.'ounty, Nnrtli Carolina,
where he filled pnhlic positions, anil hecanie a Major in the militia. He married a dauyliter
of General Lenoir, dyini; near what is now Patterson, Caldwell Connty, in that Slate.
March 24, 1799. ^' '''^ •''Se" of ahont thirty-seven years Charles (1, McDowell, of Shnfords-
ville. N. C, and the l.idy of Hon James C. Harper of I'atterson, are his grandchildren,
and Mr'!. C. A. Cilloy. of Lenoir, N C, is his great sranddanghtcr.

v MS. letter of Ciil. J, W. Witlierspoon, a son of David Witherspoon, Nov. J5, iSSo,
giving the incident as related to him by his father.

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KING'S MOUNTAIN

and, with rifle in hand, galhintly fulfilHng all the duties of
the occasion ; until he was at length reino uited, one of his
men bringing him another horse. * An incicitit occurred,
near the close of the contest, of an exciting character, and
which very nearly cost the heroic Colonel his life. Charles
Bowen, of Captain William Edmondson's company, of
Campbell's regiment, heard vaguely that his brother, Lieu-
tenant Reece Bowen, had been killed, and was much dis-
tressed and exasperated in consequence. On the spur of
the moment, and without due consivl«_i"ation of the danger
he incurred, he commenced a wild and hurried search for
liis brother, hoping he might yet find him in a wounded
condition onl}'. He soon came across his own fallen Cap-
tain Edmondson, shot in the head, and dying ; and hurry-
ing from one point to another, he at length found himself
within fifteen or twenty paces of the enemy, and near to
Colonel Cleveland, when he slipped behind a tree.

At this time, the eneni}- began to waver, and show
signs of surrendering. Bowen promptly shot down the first
man among them who hoisted a flag ; and immediately, as
the custom was, turned his back to the tree, to re-load,
when Cleveland advanced on foot, suspecting from the
wildness of his actions that he was a Tory, and demanded
the countersign, which Bowen, in his half-bewildered state
of mind, had, for the time being, forgotten. Cleveland,
now confirmed in his conjectures, instantly levelled his rifle
at Bowen's breast, and attempted to shoot ; but fortunately
it missed fu'e. Bowen enraged, and perhaps hardly aware
of his own act, jumped at and seized Cleveland by the
collar, snatched his tomahawk from his belt, and would in
anotlier moment have buried it in the Colonel's brains, had
not his arm been arrested by a soldier, named Buchanan, who
knew both parties. Bowen, now coming to himself, recol-
lected the countersign, and gave it — " Buford ;" when
Cleveland dropped his gun, and clasped Bowen in his arms

* Sharp's narrative.

AND ITS HEROES.

263

for joy, tliat each had so narrowly and unwittingly been re-
strained Irom sacrificing tlie other.* Well has a noble
South Carolina orator, a grandson of the illustrious Camp-
bell, described him-" Cleveland, so brave and yet so
gentle !" f

♦Bowen's MS. pension statement, 1832, then of Rlonnt County, Tenn
f Ocn. John S. Preston's King's Mountain Address.iSss, p. 60.

204

KING'S MOUNTAIN

CHAPTER XIII.

The Battle.— October 7th, 1780.

Furtlier Progress and Incidents of ilic Contest. — Heroic Act of William
Robertson. — Thomas Robertson Shoots a Tricky Tory, — Treatrient
of the Tory, Branson, by Captain Withroiu. — Captain Lenoir s
Part in the Battle. — Captain Robert Sevier Wounded. — Alarm
concerning Tarleton. — Mistake caused by Campbell's Bald Faced
Horse. — CamphelTs Daring Reconnoitre. — Anecdote of Cleveland.
— Colonel Williams' Patriotic Conduct. — William Giles "Creased"
— Revives, and Renews the Fight. — Thomas Young's Relation of
Colonel Williams' I-'all. — Major Hammond's Desperate Charge,
and singular Premonition of one of his Men. — Campbell and .Shelby
Reneiving the Attack. — Lieutenant- Colonel Hambright Wounded. —
Ferguson's Pride and Recklessness — Attempting to Fscape, is
Mortally {Founded. — Various Statements of Colonel Williams'
Fall. — Furious Charge of Campbell's and Shelby's Men. Several
Corps driven down the Mountain. — British Over-Shoot the Whigs. —
North Carolina Tories first to Weaken. — Colonel Graham's Cnex-
pectcd Return. — Ferguson's Fall — DePeyster Vindicated. — U 'higs
slow to Recognise the White Flag. — 3 oung Ser'ier's .Shooting
Paroxysm. — Efforts of Shelby and Campbell to (Juell the Firing of
the Whigs. — Three Rousing Cheers for the Great Victory. —
Colonel Williams' Shot — an Exciting Scene. — Conflicting Stories
of his Fatal Charge. — British Ofjicers Surrender their Swords. —
Ferguson's Heroic Conduct in the Battle — his Mistakes. — He was
Mortally Wounded, not Killed Out- Right. — Curiosity of the Whigs
to Vie7v his Body. — His Mistresses. — Privations and .Sufferings of
the Mountaineers. — Strength of the Tories — Absence of their
Leaders. — Their Fighting (Jnalities. — Dismay of the Southern
British Commanders. — Their Ignorance of the Over-Mountain
Whig Settlements. — Boone not on the Campaign. — Duration of the
Battle. — Strength and Lttsses of the British and Tories. — Colonels
yohn and Patrick Moore. — Number of Prisoners Taken. — Errors
in Reports of Losses. — Names of Whigs Killed and Wounded. —
Death of Captain Sevier. — William Moore Wounded. — Remarkable
Losses in Campbell's Regiment. — Captains Weir and Shannon

AND ITS HEROES.

2G5

Arrii'c — Counting the Dnu/. — Caring for tlie Wounded. — Guard-
ing the I'i isoners. — Seareify of Provisions. — Kings Mountain
Sou:'enirr. — Heart-Rending .Scenes of the Patile-Field. — The
JSight ajier the Action.

All the dincrent corps fought Avell at King's Mountain.
The 15urkc and Ruthcn-ford battalion, under McDowell and
Hampton, performed their lull share in the engagement.
Among Hampton's men was William Robertson, who
during the light was sliot completeh- through the body, the
ball entering at one side, and passing out at the other.
He fell quite helpless to the ground. His wound was
apparently mortal, and chancing to recognize one of his
neighbors lying down near him, he anxiously inquired if he,
too, was wounded. The reply was, that his gun was choked,
or something of tiic kind, and would not lire. Robertson
then gave him his rifle. "Give me 3'our shot-bag, also,
old fellow," he added, for his own supply was exhausted.
With his own liiiUd the fallen patriot delivered him
his ammunition. But God was better to the woundinl
hero than his fears ; for in due time he recovered, and raised
a family, living near Britti.in, in Rutherford Count}-, on
the farm now occupied by ^^^illiam L. Twitty. *

Thomas Robertson, a brother of the wounded man, was
posted behind a tree, whiMi a Tory neighbor, named
Lallerty, discovering him, called him by name; and Rob-
ertson peering around the tree to see, if he could, who had
spoken to him, when a ball sped quickly past him, cutting
the bark of the tree near his head. Rol; -Ison instantly
fired back, before his antagonist could regain his position,
mortally wounding the tricky Tory, who was near enough
to exclaim, and be heard, '^ Robertson, you have ruined
me I" " The d — 1 help you," respo..ded the Whig, and then
re-loading his rifle, renewed tht; fight for freedom. A Tory
named Branson was wounded and fell : and seeing his

*Gen. Lenoir, ill Wheeler's Nortli CnroHnn. ii, 107; MS. correspondence ol Wm. L.
Twitty, who derived the incidLMit from A. 13. Lung.

■ti,

\f»'--

2GG

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Wlii^ brothcr-iii-law, Captain James Witliro\v,of TTampton's
men, boLT^od liis relation to assist him. "Look to your
friends lb) helo," was the response, evincive of the bitter-
ness that existed between the Whigs and Loyalists in those
times. *

All of Captain William Lenoir's company- of Cleveland's
regiment, save half a dozen, remained behind with the other
footmen at Green river, while the Captain himself went
forward in a private capacity, falling into line wherever he
Ibund it most convenient — liiihtinjj; *' on his own hook."
He fell in immediately behind Winston's men, in front of
the right hand column, where he could see what was going
on under McDowell and Hampton. He says he advanced
the nearest wa\' toward the enemy, under a hea\}' tire,
until he got within thirty paces. He noticed the particular
instance of bravery- just related of William Robertson.
"About that time," he adds, "I received a slight wound
in my side, and another in my left arm ; and, after that, a
bullet went through my hair above where it was tied, and
my clothes were cut in several places. "f Participating in
this close and hotly-contested action, it is sutlicienUy evident,
was no child's play to those engaged in it.

Sevier's column at length gained the summit of the hill,
driving the enemy's left fiank upon his center. \ But they
were not subjected to an^^ bayonet charges — save a portion
of the left, who hastened to the support of Campbell's regi-
ment, when hard pressed, and became intermingled with
them. Captain Robert Sevier was mortally wounded
towards the close of the action, and becoming faint and
thirsty, was assisted, by his brother, Joseph Sevier, some
distance to a hollow, where there was a spring of water.

The last time Campbell and Shelby's men were driven
down the declivity, the mountaineers learned in some way —

* MS. correspondence of W. L. Twitty, who .ndds. that the gun that Thomas Robert-
son used in the liattle. is in the possession of one of his decemlants.

i" General I, enojr's narrative, in Wheeler's North Carolina, i'l, 107.
I Onicial report of the Colonels to General Gates,

AND ITS HEROES.

2G7

perhaps by deceptive sliouting on the part of tlie enemy —
that Tarleton with his horse had come, which seemed tor tlie
moment to have a dispiriting etlect ; when the officers, inchid-
ing Colonel Sevier, rode along the line, calling upon the
men to halt, assuring them that Tarleton was not there ; and
if he were, they could also make him, like Ferguson's
Rangers, turn their backs, and flee up the mountain. This
time the riflemen pressed upon the enemy widi the utmost
lirmness and determination. *

In the beginning of the action. Colonel Campbell's
famous Biud F'acc, a black horse, proving skittish, he ex-
changed him with his namesake, a Mr. Campbell, of his
own corps, for a bay animal ; and Bald Fare was sent to
the rear, and placed in charge of the Colonel's servant,
John Broddy, who was a tall, well-proportioned mulatto,
and in the distance very much resembled his master, f
Broddy's curiosity prompted him to ride up within t\\o
hundred yards of the raging batUe, saying " he had come
to see what his inaster and the rest were doing." \ Broddy,
with his coat off, and sitting upon Bald Fare, unwittingly
deceived Colonels Shelby and Sevier, Captain Moses
Shelby, and perhaps others, into the belief that it was Col-
onel Campbell himself, intently watching at a respecttul
distance, Uie progress of the engagement. But Campbell wixs
all this time in the thickest of the fight, riding his bay

* Conversations with Colonel G. W. ''eviei, son of Colonel Sevier.

f Colonel Cleveland was something of a wag. While in camp, en route lor King's
Mountain, the obese and jolly Cnlonul walked up t" Canipbell's markee, and seeing him
at the entrance and very much rescmliling liis servant, pretended to mistake him for the
latter, and accosted him with—" Halloo, Jack, did yon take good caro of my nohle Roe-
bnck when you feil your master's horse '.'— .Ah ! I ask your pardon. Colonel Caniphcll ; you
and vour servant look so much alike, led to the mistake!" The joke was received, as it

was given, in

the I

lesc ot goo

d humor, and was much enjoyed among the officers.

This

anecdote was related to the author in i8(i by r.cujamin Starritt, of Fayette County, Tenn.,
who was one of Lee's Legion in the Revolution, and Lee's and Camphv-il's corps fought
together at the battle of Guilford: and Starritt personally knew Cleveland, and had two
brothers-in-law under Sevier at King's Mountain.

X No doubt other

nf the sons of Africa, beside Broddy, aided in menial occupations

loun-

on the campaign. It is worthy of record, that " there is a tradition in the King's Mo
tain region,'" says Colonel J. R Logan, " that something more than a do/..-n negroes we
under arms in the battle, in behalf of liberty, and demeaned themselves bravely."

I "

n—TiMfmi

2G8

KIA'G'S MOUNTAIN

horse till he became exhausted, when he abandoned him,
and was ihe remainder of the batde at the head of his men,
on foot, with his coat ofl'and liis sliirt colhir open.*

>It was durini^ that critical period of the battle, when the
final rally of the V^irginians had been made, and after Col-
onel Campbell's horse had given out, that the intrepid chief
ascended the mountain on foot, several paces in advance of
...o men ; and, having reached the point of the ridge, he
climbed over a steep rock, and took a view of the position
of tho enemy within a ver}- short distance of their lines, and
discovered that they were retreating from behind the rocky
rampart they had hitherto occupied with so much security
to themselves, and injury to the mountaineers, when he
rejoined his men unharmed, f

Colonel Williams, who felt offended that his merit — and
his superior rank, also — had not been recognized by the other
Colonels, at lirsL re^'used to take part in the battle ;+ but he
could not, after all, when the pinch came, resist so glorious
an opportunity to do his country service, and redeem, it
may be, the errors of the past. Williams wheeled chival-
rously into line on the left of Shelb}-, exclaiming to his
followers, " Come on, my boys — the old wag(mer never yet
backed out." § Though his numbers were few', Williams

* Statements of Lieutenant Newell ami James Snodgrass. of Campbell's regiment, and
Thomas Maxwell of Shelby's men, together with the published account f f General John
Campbell, in the Richmond Etujuirer, June 24. 1823, with the appended letter of "J. C,"
dated Washington County, Virginia, June 13, 1823; corroborated by statements of Ex-
Governor David Campbell, of Abingdon, Va., to the author. General Campbell asserts in
his article, that Andrew Evins also declared that Colonel Campbell rode his bay horse in
the action until he gave out.

William Moore, Israel Hayter, James Keyes, Benjamin White, William Anderson, of
Campbell's regiment; Jacob Norris, James Pierce, and Gideon Harrison of Sevier's ; and
Joseph Pliilli\)S, of Cleveland's, also te<;tify to the fact that it was Colonel Campbell's bay,
not his t..\Id faced horse that be rode in the action. Much confusion grew out of the
mistake lh;it it was /.'.i('</ Fare tliat C.impbell rode on the field, and on which bewas suppi'std
to have retired to a place of safety long before the conclusion of the battle. Sever. d of
Campbells own men, and those who were nearest to him, an<l bad the best means of 'kuov -
ing. unite in declaring that ibis is a grievous error Sec. also. Southern Literary Messenger
September, 1845 ; and Fonte's Sketches of Ki>rth Carolina. 271.

+ Ensign Robert Campbell's narrative; //o/s/on Intelligencer, October, 1810.

J MS. letter of Dr. M. A. Moore to Dr. J. H. Logan.

J Dr. C L. Hunter, in Wheeler's North Carolina, ii, 246,

AND ITS HEROES.

2G9

had several good and experienced partisan ofllccrs —
Brandon, Ilanimond, IIa3es, Roebuck and DiUard among
them ; and their intrepid example had an inspiring eflect
upon the men under their command.

Among the " bravest of the brave "who fought imder
Williams and Brandon, was William Giles, some of whose
heroic adventures in the Union region in South Carolina,
have aln^ady been related. The b.tttle-field of King's
Mountain was a fitting scene for such a fearless spirit.
During the contest, into which he entered widi his accus-
tomed zeal, he received a ball through the back of his neck,
and fell as if dead. William Sharp, his fellow-hero, his neigh-
bor, his friend and relation, stopped a moment, brushed away
a tear from his eye, saying — •' Poor fellow, he is dead ; but
if I am spared a little longer, I will avenge his fall." After
firing his rifle several times, Sharp, to his astonishment, saw
Giles raise himself up, rest upon his elbow, and commence
loading his gun. lie liad got crcasccU as it is said of horses
when shot through the upper part of the neck, and falling
helpless to the ground, after a while recover. Giles was soon
upon his feet again, fought through the batde, and lived to
a "food old aiie. I lis son of the same name, in after years
represented both York and Union Counties in the South
Carolina Legislature.*

Thomas Young, also under Williams and Brandon, re-
lates a touching incident. An uncle of his, one McCrarj-,
was then a prisoner with the British on Edisto Island ; and
his wife, for fear her husband would be hung, compelled
her youthful son, Matthew McCrary, to turn out and join
Ferguson. "Just after we had reached the top of the hill,"
says Young, "Matthew discovered me, and ran from the
British line, and threw his arms around me for jo\-. I told
him to get a gun and fight ; he said he could not ; when I
bade him let me go, that I might fight." Whether young
McCrary found a gun, and shared in the engagement, we

1 1

'h'

'ShI'

■ MS. notes of Hon. Daniel Wallace.

K* <.)

i I

270

KING'S MOUNTAIN

ari' not infonnod ; but certain it is, the lad had thrown
away his 15ritish ride, and the enemy had one less follower
amon<^ their number. *

"I wi'll remember," continues Young, "how I behaved.
Ben llollingsuorth and I took right up the side of the
mountain, and ibught our way, from tree to tree, up to the
summit. I recollect 1 stood behind one tree, ami lired
until the bark was nearly all knocked ufl', and my eyes
pretty well fdled with it. One fellow slnn'ed me pretty
close, for his bullet took a piece out of my gun-stock.
Before I was aware of it, I found myself apparently between
my own regiment and the enemy, as I judged from seeing
the paper which the Whigs wore in their hats, and the pine
twigs the Tories wore in theirs, these being the badges of
distinction.

'-On the top of tlie mountain," Mr. Young adds, "in
the thickest of the fight, I saw Colonel Williams fall, and a
braver or a better man never died upon the field of battle.
1 had seen him but once before, that day — it was in the
beginning of the action, as he charged by me at full speed
around the mountain. Toward the summit a ball struck
his horse under the jaw, when he commenced stamping as
if he were in a nest of yellow jackets. Colonel Williams
threw the reins over the animal's neck — sprang to the
ground, and dashed onward. The moment I heard the
cr}' that Colonel Williams was shot, I ran to his assistance,
for I loved him as a father, he had ever been so kind to me,
almost always carr}ing a cake in his pocket for me and his
litde son, Joseph. They carried him into a tent, and
sprinkled some water in his face. As he revived, his first
words were, ' For God's sake, boys, don't give up the hill !'
I remember it as well as if it had occurred yesterday. I
left him in the arms of his son Daniel, and returned to die
field to avenge his fall."f

'• Sayc's Memoir of Mcjunkiit.

7 N.irrative of Major Tlionias Voiiiig, drawn up by Col. R.J. Gage, of Union County,
S. C, and puliiishcd in tlie Orion magazine, Oct. 1843.

*t:-«T>

AND ITS HEROES.

271

In one of the char^a's on tlie enemy. Major I laniniond,
of Williams' corps, full of his usual clash and intrepidity,
broke through the British lines with a small squad of brave
followers, when the enemy attempted to intercept tlu-ir
return. Seeinj^ his own and solilit-rs" perilous situation,
Hammond instantly fact-d about, orderinj,^ his men to join
him in cutting their way back, which, by dint of the most
heroic eilbrts, they successfully cflected. *

A singular incident occurred, which Major Hammond
used to relate in connection with the contest. One of the
men in his conunand had fought in many a battle, and had
always proved himself true as steel. On the night preced-
ing the action — in some snatch of sleep, perhaps, while on
the march — he had a presentiment, that if he took part in
the impending battle he would be killed. Before reaching
King's Mountain, he concluded that he would, for once in
his life, be justiliable, uiuler the circumstances, in skulk-
ing from danger, and thereby, as he believed, preserve his
life for futiux' usefulness to his country. So he stole oil',
and hid himself. lie was missed, when an orderly wi'Ut
in search of him, and fmally discovered him in an out-of-
the-way place, all covered up, head and body, with his
blanket. Though taken to the front, he soon found means
to absent himself again ; but his lurking place was again
found, and he once more hurried to the front, just before
the iinal attack. He evidently now made up his mind to
do his duty, and let consequences take care of themselves ;
and during the aclion he had posted himself behiml a stump
or tree, and evidently peering liis head out to get a shot,
received a fatal bullet in his forehead, killing him instantly.
Subsequently learning the cause of his singular conduct in
endeavoring to evade taking part in the contest. Major Ham-
mond regretted that he had not known it at the time, so that
he could have respected the soldier's conscientious cf)nvic-

* Olnliiary notice of Col. Samuel Hammoml, Soptcmher. 1842. written liy his son-in-
law, James II. R. Washington, corroborated by Mrs. Washington to the author, as related
to her by her father.

272

A'/NG'S MOUNTAIN

I •'

tions ; but, at the moniiMit, suspiMiing tliat lie was undor the
cowardly iiiniu'nctM)r iVar, tlu' Major could iiol, and would
not, tok'rati> anyUiing oflhokind in liis comtnaiul.*

And thus ihc battle wa^'i-d with alternate advances and
repulses, tbe columns of Campbell and Shelb}' having been
two or three times driven down the mountain at the point
of the bayonet — the last one almost a rout ; but the brave
niountaini'ers had learned from experience when to stop in
their retri-at, face about, and pusli back their assailants.
In this last desperate repulse, some of the Whig rillemen
were transfixed, while others fell head-long over the cHft's.f
When one colunm would dri\e the enemy back to their
starting place, the next regiment would raise the battle-cry
— " Come on, men, the enemy are retreating ;" and wlien
the Provincials anil Loyalists would make a dash upon this
party of mountain men, anil would, in turn, be chased
back by them, then the other Whig riflemen, who had just
before been driven down the hill, would now advance, return-
ing die shout — " Come on, men, theenemv are retreating I" t
Thus, as one of Campbell's men expressed it — " When the
enemy turned, we turned." § " Three times," says Mills'
Sliii/'sl/rs, "did the Britons charge with bayonet down the
hill ; as otten did the Americans retreat ; and the moment
the Britons turned then* backs, the Americans shot from
behind every tree, and every rock, and laid them prostrate."
It was the happy fruition of Shelb3''s perpetual batde cry —
" Never shoot until you see an enemy, and never see an
enemy, witliout bringing him down."||

By this time the two wings of the mountaineers were
pressing the enemy on boUi sides of the mountain, so that
Ferguson's men had ample employment all around the emi-

* Dr. A. I.. Hammonirs sketch of King's Mountain hattlc, in Charleston Courier,
June 21. 1859.

f Hamilton's Republic of tlie United States, ii, 161.

\ Ocneral GralKini's narrative.

^ James Crow's statement.

II ^Wk.^' Xational Register, iv, 403.

m 'I

AND ITS HEROES.

278

nenco, without bcin^ able to repair to i-acli otlu'i's n-licf,
however much they noetU-d it. At li'iii,'lh the Pi()\iucial
Rau<fers aud their fellow ehar<rers, led bv the iutrepid De-
Peysler, be^an to t^row weary aud discoura^i'd- steadily
decreasing' in numbers, aud making no pernuiueul inroads
upon tluMr tireless opposers, who, when beaten down the
mountain, did not choose to stay there simply to oblige
their enemies. From the south-western portion of the
ridge, the Rangers and Tories began to give way, and were
doggedly driven by Campbell and Shelby, aided bv some of
Sevier's men, and perhaps otiiers, intermingled with tliem.

Near the close of the action, Lieutenant-Colonel 1 lam-
bright, while encouraging his men, received a shot through
his thigh, making an ugly wound — the ball passing between
the thigh bone and his saddle, cutting some arteries, and
filling his boot with blood. Discovering that the Colonel
was wounded, Samuel Moore, of York County, South Caro-
lina, proposed to assist him trom his horse, which he declined,
assigning as a reason, that it would distract tlie attention of
his men, and, as he did not feel sick nor faint, he preferred
to remain with them as long as he could sustain himself in
the saddle. Then pressing forward, he exclaimed in his
broken German: " Huzza, my prave poys, fight on a few
minutes more, and te battle will be over!" Hearing this
encouraging shout, Ferguson, it is said, responded : ''Huzza,
brave boys, the day is our own !" * It was among the last
of the British leader's utterances to animate his men in a
hopeless struggle.

Dr. Ramsay, in his History of Tennessee, asserts that the
Tories had begun to show flags in token of surrender, even
before Ferguson was disabled, seeing which, he rode up, in
two instances, and cut them down with his sword. It was

'■'MS correspondence of the venerable Abraham Hiirdin. who knew Colonel Ham-
bright, and of Gill. Hambright, his descendant. Colonel Hambright, during the ..ction.
had his hat perforated with three bullet holes, and this memorial of the battle was long
retained in the family. Though his wound was a serious one, he soon recovered ; but as
some of the sinews of his thigh were cut, he ever aft>jr bad a halt in his walk.
13

11!

\%\

274

AVA'c;.^ MOUNTAIN

suLTiiestcd to him h\ some of liis otlicers, tliat it was useless
to prolon;^ the contest, and throw their Hves away. The
slaujjjhter was great, the wounded were numerous, and
furtlu'r resistance would be unavailin<j^. But Fert^nison's
proud heart could not think ot' surrenilering : lie despised
his enemies, and swore " he never would yield to such a
d — d banditti." Captain DePeyster. his second in com-
mand, havint^ the courage ot" his convictions, and •• con-
vinced tVom the lirst of the utter tutility of resistance at the
point selected, ad\ised a surrender, as soon as he became
satistied that Ferguson would not fall back upon the (sup-
posed) rapidly advancing relief. He appears to have urged
the only course which could have saved the little army,
viz: a ]"irecipitate, but orderly. retre;it upon less exposed
points, lor the purpose of assisting the General-in-
Chief in his attempt to re-inforce the detaclinuMit — so im-
portant to future and ultimate success — bv drawing back,
nearer to some point, which alone, re-intbrcements could
reach, and where, alone, they could be made a\ailable.
This ad\ice was fornded on what the event proved : that
the British were about to be slaughtered to no purpose, like
' ducks in a coop,' without inflicting any commensurate loss.
The event proved the justice of this counsel." *

At le.igth, satisfied that all was lost, and firmly resolving
not to tall into the hands of the despised "Back-Water men,"
Ferguson, with a few chosen friends, made a desperate at-
tempt to break through the Whig lines, on the south-east-
ern side of the mountain, and escape. The intrepid Tiritish
leader nuule a bold dash for life and freedom, with his sword
in his lef't hand, cutting and slashing till he had broken it.
Colonel Shelby mentions the sword incident, and Benjamin
Sharp corroborates it ; while several others unite in testil\-
ing to the tact that he spin'red his horse, and rushed out,
attempting to escape, f liefore the action commenced, it

'■Gen. Dcl'eyster, in Historical Magazine. M;irch. 1869, 105,

f Shelby's narrative \\\ American Review; Slielliy. as cited in Haywood's Tenitessee,
71; Sharp's statenicnt in American /'ioncer, February, 1843: MS. account of King's

AND ITS HEROES.

275

was well known lluit Ferguson wielded his sword in his lell
hand, and that he wore a light or checked duster or hunt-
ing-shirt for an outer garment, and the admonition had
gone from soldier to soldier — " Look out for Ferguson with
his sword in his left hand, wearing a light lumiing-shirt !"' *

One of Sevier's men, named Gilleland, who had receivinl
several wounds, and was well-nigh exhausted, seeing
the advance of Ferguson and his party, attempted to arrest
the career of the great leader, but his gun snapped; wIumi
he called out to Robert Young, of the same regiment —
"There's Ferguson — shoot him !" f " I'll try and see what
Sweet-Lips can do," muttered Young, as he drew a sharp
sight, discharging his rille, when Ferguson fell from his
horse, and his associates were either killed or driven back.
Several rille bullets had taken elTect on Ferguson, appar-
ently about the same time, and a number claimed the
honor of having shot the fallen chief- — among them, one
Kusick, another of Sevier's sharp-shooters. \ Certain it is.
that Ferguson reci ived six or eight wounds, one of them
through the head. He was unconscious when he fell, and
did not long survive. It was in the region of Se/ier's col-
nmn that he recei\i'd his fatal shots: and not \ery far, it
would seem, from where Colonel Shelb}' had posted Ensign
Robert Campbell to watch the motions of the enemy so
strongly ensconced behind the range of rocks.

Ensign Campbell gives us some further insight into
Ferguson's attempt at flight. It was, as he represents, when

Mountain liy an unknown member of Camiibcll's corps ; Hon. Wm. C. Preston's Defence
of Colonel Campbell, \iii\ ^'S. correspondence of Kx-Governor David Campbell, anil Ur,
A. Q, Uradley; conversations with Colonel Thomas H. Shelby. Mills, in his Sintistics of
South Caioiina, asserts th,ax "Ferguson attempted to force his way : " and Wheeler's
Xorlh Carolir.i declares that " he made a desperate move to break through the .\mericnii
lines," The "oh'ticul Magazi'ie, for February, i73i, states while " advancing tn reconnoitr.
the enemy, vho were retiring, he fell by a random shot."

* Statements of James and Oeor^e W. Sevier ; Silas Mcllee, Colonel George Wilson
Colonel Thomas II. Shelby, and others Mrs. F.llet, in her If'omeii of thr Kir'nluiron.
iii, 293. speaks of the check-shirt disguise.

tOillel.ind recovered from his wounds, ami lived many years.

J Conversations with James and George W. Sevier, ai,d Colonel George Wilson; and
MS. correspondence of Dr. J. G. M. Ramsey.

!• *

!i V

■V'

270

KING'S MOUNTAIN

i i

:«:! I

Colonels Campbell and Shelby were pressing the enemy
from the south-western extremity of the mountain, and Fer-
guson's men were tailing fast on every hand. He had sent
DePevster with the Provincial Rangers to strengthen the
front : and in reaching the point assigned him, he had to
pass through a blaze of riflery, losing many of his men in
the ertbrt. Ferguson's small cavalry corps, under Lieuten-
ant Taylor — consisting of twenty men, made up from his
Rangers — were ordered to mount, and press forward to aid
Del^e3stcr in his heroic purpose ; but as fast as they mount-
ed, they were mostly picked oiV by the Whig marksmen.
nri\en to desperation, Ferguson endeavored to make
his escape, accompanied by two Loyalist Colonels, all
mounted, who charged on that part of the line which
they thought was most vulnerable — " in the quarter where
Sevier's men were," as related by James Sevier, one of
their number, and Benjamin Starritt, derived iVom his two
brotlKi-s-in-law, who served in Sevier's regiment ; and, as
Ensign Campbell stated, " on that part of the line defended
by his party." As soon as Ferguson reached the Whig
front, he fell : and the other two olTicers, attempting to
retreat, soon shared the same fate. One of these Tory
otlicers killed was, doubtless. Colonel Vezev Husband, and
the other — not a Colonel, as Ensign Campbell supposed — •
but Major Daniel Plummer.

Some accounts represent that Colonel Williams sought
a personal encounter with Ferguson, determined to kill him,
or die in the attempt. This is more romantic than prob-
able. It could hardly have been so, since Ferguson was
shot some distance from where Williams must have received
his wounds, and on the opposite side of the hill ; and the
accounts pretty well agree, that Williams was wounded at
the very close of the conflict, when the enemy had begun
to exhibit their white flaffs, * while Fermison was shot from

* Mills, in his Statistics of South Carolina, strile>i. that Colonel Williams "hail the
good fortune to encounter personally in battle Colonel Ferguson, who attempted to force

iii .1

AND ITS HEROES.

277

his horse some little time before. Tlie suggestion made by
Colonel Hill, in his manusriipt narrative, that Colonel
Williams was shot b}' some of Lacey's men, who were in-
imical to him, and had sworn to take his life, is hardly
credible ; and, for the honor of humanity, we are con-
strained to discard so improbable and unpatriotic a supposi-
tion.

The last desperate grapple between CampbelTs men —
assisted by Shelby's — and the enemy, just before the close
of the engagement, lasted twenty minutes* — and witiiin

his way at this point. Tliey both fell on the spot, being shot, it was supposeil, by a ball
from t! t Uritish side— it was the last gun fired."

Dr. Ramsay, the Tennessee historian, asserts that Colonel Williams ' fell a victim to
the true Palmetto spirit, and intemperate eagerness for battle. Toward the close of the
engagement, he espied Ferguson riding ne.ir the line, and dashed toward him with the
gallant determination of a person.d encoii.iter. ' I will l<ill FerLjuson, or die in tlie attempt!'
exclaimed Wdliams; and spurring his horse in the direction of the enemy, received a bul-
let as he crossed their line. He survived till he heard that his aiit.agonist w.is killed, and
his camp surrendered ; and amidst the shouts of victory by his triumphant countrymen,
said : ' 1 die contented ;' and with a smile on his cninteuance. expired."

The late Dr. A. L. Hammond, son of M.ajor Hamnioiul. in an article on King's Moun-
t.iin battle, in the Charleston Courier, June 21, 1859. stated that " Williams' horse, wound-
ed and snorting with foam and blood at every bound, dashed forward. Ferguson turned
to receive him ; their swords crossed — nothing more, for at that instant a deadly volley
came from both sides, and the two combatants fell mortally wounded."

Ensign Robert Campbell states, that " Colonel Willi, urfc was shot lhro,;gh the body,
near the close of tiic action, in making an attempt to ch irge on Ferguson; he lived long
enough to hear of the surrender of the liritish army, when he said: 1 die contented,
since we have gained the victory." "

Dr. John H. Logan, the historian of the I'fi-Ccmntry p/ South Carolina, has preserved
.imong the MS. traditions he gathered many years ago. this account of Colonel Williams
death: Williams and Ferguson fell nt'rlyatthe same time, on the eastern side of the
mountain. Williams, from a more favorable position than those occupied by Campbell
and Hambright. saw the magic influence of Ferguson s whistle Dashing to the front, his
horse throwing bloody foam from his mouth that had been struck by a lull, he was heaid
to exclaim — " I'll silence that whistle or die in the attempt!" Quickly Ferguson was no
more; and soon after, a ball from the enemy laid Williams mortally wounded on the hill-
side.

Still more romantic is Simms' statement in his History of South Carolina: " Tradition
reports that Williams and Fer:,'Uson perished by each other's hands ; that, after Ferguson
had fallen by the pistol of Williams, and l.iy wounded on the ground the latter approached
and offered him mercy ; and that his answer was a fatal bullet from tlie pistol of the dying

lit!

Much more prol>able is the statement of Dr, John Whelchel, of Willian

command

In hi

s pension

decia

doubtless an eye-witness, and a man of much intelligen

states that Colonel Williams received his fatal shot " immeiliately after the enemy had

hoisted a flag to surrender." Lieutenant Joseph Hughes, of Hrandon's men, makes a

similar statement The narrative of Thomas Young already cited, also tends to divest

cs? romances of any claim

to historic probability.

'■'"A I'lritish surgeon," says Lieutenant Newell, referring, doubtless, to Dr. Johnson,
'stated that he held his watch, and that the storm lasted twenty minutes. "

278

KING 'S MO UNTAIN

thirty or Vort}- \:ir(ls of each other ; and was the most hotly
contested part of the action. Campbell was on foot at the
heail of his rejriment — so much advanced in front as to be
in danger from the fu'e of his own men ; and his courageous
words wore — " Boys, remember 30ur liberty ! Come on I
come on ! my brave fellows ; another gun — another gun will
do it! D — m them, we must have them out of this!"* It
was on' incessant peal of hre-arms. The enemy made a
firm stand ; but after a while they were forced to retire some
distance along tlio crest of the mountain, towards their camp
at tlie north-eastern extremity, wiien ihev hailed airain for a
few moments. The brave men of Campbell and Shelby
were sensibly aided by the heroic bravery of the left wing-
under Cleveland, Lace}^ and Williams, who pressed, with
shouts of victory, upon the Tories in that quarter, which
tended to re-animate the Virginians and the Sullivan troops,
who, with re-doubled fury, fought like tigers. They drove
Ferguson's surviving Rangers and the Tories before them to
where their wagons were, behind which they made a rally ;
but they were soon driven from this covert, down into a
sunken or hollow place, by which time the Rangers were
mostly killed or disabled, and the Loyalists quite de-
moralized, f

Campbell's column was two or three times driven down,
or partly down the mountain ; Shelby says he was three
times repulsed — and Doctor Ferguson, in his Memoir of
his kinsman. Colonel Ferguson, declares that the Provin-
cials, with their bayonets " repulsed the enemy in three
several attacks." One part of Cleveland's line was charged
once in the flank, and another portion was twice driven
before the ^-yonet ; while Chronicle and Ilambright's
Lincoln men were once, at least, forced down the hill. Mc-
Dowell's corps received a bayonet charge, as Thomas Ken-

Newell's and Sharp's statements,
f Statements of Lieutenant Newell, James Crow, and Henry Dickenson, of Campbell's
regiment.

,.i

i ,■

i
i

1
■

^^H

^11

h
O

^A^^ ITS IlEJiOES.

^^^\y, one of the C-.Mf • "" ^^^

'"'■•"Srlhe action, „„,. „„/'•,■' "T"' "'^''^ "" charged
tLcs,. bayonet charg,s. ' '^°''"'>"» '"liored from

can., ,i;;" ";;;/;;;;™^^^^^^

«-t.";l,e termination ^ttoirr,'" ■"'•-■ '■'=—' "--i,.
<^liari;c.d their Htles, ,|,„. ,.,..'" i""?""; and l,avi„ , ,,,■.,.

«."" ; i>.n ^vhile ,)K.v were tin T'^'f ■"»'™«ions „rFer..n
«gh.ed rifle„,en bel , , ^ ^''T' ""■""«• "- ■^'>a°l -
*™ off at every n,o„,e ' Lo, !^ "«""^- -•™. would pij,
"? *.smen in a valley have dr*", '""■'""^'■' P'-'^es, that
""."..(irinyat each V '„.'■''"';'»'•-' '"' "«>»'-■ <>" a
terrestrial relVacdon. • TheV ,'" 1"-"''"W3- oh in., to the

°f "-<■-.. often .ho*ot t» .tht ""'r: '""'■"'■ ^•«"■■-
f"^™' Be this a., it „av, the E „ '"", "■^■"- "''Jeet .» bel„„
eads of the American, u,H^ ''"" "'"■^"«' «er the
;■■«"«■ t»igs, while thebtd ' t ,n,;"""= ""■ "■-•» »■' eut!
*ea<l,ul etrect-the Bridsh wl " "'.""""""-■«■» Pro.luced
;'"-, 'l.a. of their anta™,rtr I '■"""« '""''' "-^"h' Area
«.aul,e North Caroli„a°Le ah-.t!"'''''- "■''"' •^"^'"'^ ^""es
^"■^"..ded, and numbers bete / S^""' ""' "-T were
'he first to give way, wln-ci, , f„ '""^ ^""-unition, were
Tones ,nto confnsi'on.,. Th l' "'"' ""■' '•''■»' "I" the

he ofliciaJ report of Cam,,b 1 '-I ""'-' ^"-''' «°. »"d yet
"-; 'ha. the greater prTf ""„''" •'■""'-•'•••"- "e aC
render >vere still charged ""^^ *"""» at the sur.

_^!i^ "enry, of Hambrigbfs and Ch ■ , ■

• So James Sevier anH Q-, ,, "'*-'<- S paitv,

author. '^ ^''''■'' '^'"^nee, of those re •

,,. •^Con,.„n,-„,,, ,,,,, '""'="''• -^"-'^""y -aeed to the

ft Allaire's Mt; n'

Jfi

f :

280

KING 'S MO UN TAIN

who had been traiislixed by a Tory bayonet, was making
his way at the very close of tlie engagement to Chirke's
Brancli to quench his thirst, he unexpectedly met Colonel
Graham on his largt' black steed, accompanied by Uavid
Dicke}', who, wieliling his swt)rd around his head, exclaimed
— "D — m the Tories I" * He had heard the Uriiiir while
on his way to his sick wi»c, and could not resist the impulse
to return, and share in the battle, \ Just before the linal
surrender of the enemy, when there was much intermingling
of the mountaineers, Colonel Shelby had the hair on
the left side of his head scorched otV, which was noticed by
Colonel Sevier, who met him at this moment — so narrowly
did the heroic Shelby escape losing his life by Tory bullets.*
With their men forced into a huddle near their tents and
wagons, the surviving British oOicers could not form half a
dozen of them together ; and the denn)ralized Tories were
being shot down like sheep at the slaughter.

The fall of Ferguson is represented b}' Lieutenant
Allaire as having occurred "early in the action;" and
Captain RN'erson, another of his corps officers, onl}- states
that DePevster, after the loss of Ferguson, maintainei^ his
ground as long as it was possible to defend it. Ta eton
states, that when Ferguson was shot, after nearly an home's
fighting, '* his whole corps was thrown into total confusion ;
no efibrt was made after this event, to resist the enemy's
barbarit}-, or revenge the fall of their leader." In the
Memoir of General Sanmel Graham, a Captain under
Lord Cornwallis — a work prepared from the General's
manuscripts — it is stated, that after the fall of Ferguson,
and many of his men, " the remainder, alter a short resist-
ance, were overpowered, and compelled to surrender." A

* Robert Henry's MS. narrative, appended to the statements of Vance and McDowell.

T Tiiat night. Colonel Oraham's only child. Sarah, was horn, who, when she grew to
womanhood, bei ame the wife of Abram Irvine, who was several years Sheriff of Ruther-
ford County. The venerable Dr. O. R. Irvine, of Cireenville, S. C, is one of several
children of this marriatje.

J Shelby s letter, August 12, and Colonel John Sevier s, August 27, 1813,

I'll "'It

AND ITS HEROES.

281

writer in the London Political Ma!>(izinc, for February,
1 78 1, asserts that when Ferguson fell, Captain DePeyster,
the next in command, " immediately hoisted the while flag
— that is, his white handkerchief; an odlcer clore by him,
enraged at such timidity, made a stroke at him with his
sabre, and almost cut olV his hand ; nevertheless the surren-
der went on,"

Allaire and Rycrson, his fellow officers, not only acquit
DePeyster of the charge of timidity, but declare that his
conduct was, in all "respects, proper;" and Captain
R3'erson adds, that he "behaved like a brave good oflicer.''
Of course, the hand-cutting incident had no foundation.
Ramsay, the South Carolina historian, siatcs that "no
chance of escape being lef't, and all prospect of successful
resistance being at an end, the second in command sued for
quarter." Gordon, in his History, and Mackenzie, in his
Strictures, adopt this view of the matter: And Ensign
Robert Campbell, of the Virginia regiment observes, that as
soon as Ferguson tell, " Captain DePeyster raised a flag,
and called tor quarters ; it was soon taken out of his hand
by one of the officers on horseback, and raised so high that
it could be seen by our line."

But there were other white flags or emblems displayed
bv the enemv, either with or without the sanction of De-
Peyster. A man was mounted on horseback with a white
handkerchief as a token of submission ; but he was quickly
shot down bv the half-crazed Bovven, as alreadv related;
when another was mounted on the same horse, and set
out for the displa}' of the emblem of surrender, who soon
shared the same iate, but a third met with better success —
Major Evan Shelb}' received it, and, with others, pro-
claimed the surrender. By this time white handkerchiefs
were also displayed in various quarters on guns and ram-
rods. " Our men," says Shelb}-, " who had been scattered
in the battle, were continually C(^ming up, and continued to
tire, without comprehending, in the heat of the moment,

m<''\'

I v\i

1 ""^

fil

I? ;:■

282

KING'S MOUNTAIN

what hail happened." Many of the ^oungmen, it was said
for their apology, knew not the meaning of a white llag
under such circumstances ; while others had heconie embit-
tered, and were crying out — *^Give them Buford's play !"* —
nocjuarters, as Tarleton had, the preceding May, so savagely
treated Colonel Buford and his party. "When the
British," says Mills' Slatistics of South C'arol/iici, " found
themselves pressed on all sides, they hung out white hand-
kerchiefs upon guns and halberds. Few of the Americans
understood the signal, and the few that did, chose not to
know what it meant; so that, even after submission, the
slaughter continued, until the Americans were weary of
killing." This is a sad confession, but impartial truth de-
mands that the record be faithful, though, in this case, there
is reason to believe that the latter part of Mills' statement is
somewliat exaggerated.

Among those still engaged in this work of death was
young Joseph Sevier, who had heard that his father. Col-
onel Sevier, had been killed in the action — a false report,
originating, probably, from the fact of the Coloners brother,
Captain Robert Sevier, having been fatally wounded ; and
the young soldier kept up firing upon the huddled Tories,
until admonished to cease, when he excitedly cried out,
with the tears chasing each other doun his cheeks — " The
d — d rascals have killed my father, and I'll keep loading
and shooting till I kill every son of a b — h of them." Col-
onel Sevier now riding up, his son discovered the mistake
under which he had labored, and desisted, f

But the Whig leaders were active in their efforts to put
a stop to the further firing of the patriots. The subdued
Tories were everywhere cr\ing " quarters !" — " quarters !"
" D — m you," exclaimed Shelby, " if you want quarters,
throw down your arms !" J Benjamin Sharp, of Camp-

'•'" Shelby's narrative, 1823 ; General Graham's statement ; certificate of John Long, of
Shelby's men.

f Statement of Colonel George W. Sevier.

J Certificate of John Sharp, of Shelby's regiment, 1823,

AND ITS HF.ROFS.

283

bell's regiment, who witncssL'il this scene, thus describes it:
" At the close of the action, when the British were loudly
callin<^ for quarters, but uncertain whether they would bo
granted, I saw the intrepid Shelby rush his horse within
fifteen paces of tiieir lines, and command them to lay down
tinMr arms, and they should have quarters. Some would
cull this an imprudent act ; but it showed the daring bravery
of the man." *

Andrew Evins. a member of Captain William Edmond-
son's company, of the Virginia regiment, was, with others,
still firing on the demoralized Tories, when Colonel Camp-
bell came running up, and knocked up the soldier's gun,
exclaiming — *' Evins, for God's sake, don't shoot! It is
murder to kill them now, for they have raised the flag!"t
Campbell, as he rushed along, repeated the order — "Cease
firing ! — for God's sake, cease firing V'\ Thus was Colonel
Camiihell mercit'ullv engrailed in savin;; the discomfited
Loyalists fVom further eflusion of blooil — no ofiicer could
have acted more tender or humane ; and he passed on
around tlu' prisoners, on foot, still seeking to promote their
safety and protection.

Captain DePeyster, who had succeeded Ferguson in
the command, sitting on his grey horse, expostulated witii
Colonel Campbell, referring to the firing on hisfiag — "Col-
onel Campbell, it was d — d unfair," and then repeated it ;
but Campl^ell, probably thinking it no time to band}' words
with the British leader, simply ordered him to dismount ;
and called out, "officers, rank by yourselves; prisoners,
take ofT your hats, and sit down." § The enemy at this
time had been driven into a group of sixty vards in length,
and less than fort\' in width. || The mountaineers were
ordered to close up in surrounding the prisoners, first

* American Pioneer, February, 1843, 69.

•j- Evins' stalciiicnt, 1813.

t Letter of Oeiieral George Rutledge, May 27th, 1813,

\ James Crow's statement, May 6, 1813.

[ General Graham's narrative.

284

KING'S MOUNTAIN

\- 1

A i!

in one continiunis circle, then double <,aiards, and finally
four deep. * "Colonel Campbell then proposed to his troops
three liuz"as for JJhcrly, which were ;;iven in heartv
ucclaitn, inakin<^ the welkin ring, and the hills resound, with
their shouts of victory, f

An occurrence now transpired, that, for a few moments,
changed the whole scene in that quarter ; and threatened,
for a brief period, the most tragic conse([uences. It is
known, as a Ihilish account relates it, that '* a small party
of the Loyal militia returning from foraging, unac(juainted
with the surrender, happening to Hre on the Rebels, the
prisoners were immediately threatened with death, if the
firing should be repeated." J Whether it was the vollev
from this party, who probably scampered oil"; or whether
from some of tiie Tories in the general huddle, exasperated
perhaps that proper respect was not instantly paid to their
flag, now iired upon, and mortally wounded Colonel Wil-
liams, who was riding toward^ the British encampment ;
and, wheeling back, said to William Moore, one of Camp-
bell's regiment — ** I'm a gone man !" ^

Colonel Campbell was close at hand when this un-
happy event transpired ; and doubtless reasoned, that if the
fatal llring proceeded from an outside part}', it was the pre-
cursor of Tarleton's expected relief ; if from the surrendered
Tories, at least some considerable portion of tiiem were in-
clined to spring a trap on the Whigs, shoot down their leaders,
and make a bold attempt to escape, when the patriots were
measurably otf their guard, and least prepared for it ; and
acting on the spur of the moment, he resolved on stern

the intended mutiny, bv ins

qu(

tly

* Captain ChrUtopher Taylor's statement : conversations witli John Spelts.

V Statements tA John Craig ; MS. narrative of Rohert Henry.

I South Carolina Gazette, Deccniher =o. 1780; am! Scot's Mas;azi>!e, January, :7Si.
The editor of the Cazttle evidently derived his statement from Lieutenant All.iiie, of Fer-
guson's Rangers, judging from a comparison ttf the details there given, with a more elabor-
ate narrative in Rivington's Royal Gazette, New York, Fchruary 04. 1781, which General
J. Watts DePtyster attributes, from internal evidence, to that olTicer, and which Lieutenant
Allaire's MS. Diary fully corroborates.

J Statement of William Moore.

AND ITS HEROES.

28.5

orderiP''' the men near him — the men of Williams ..lul
Hrandon's command — to fire upon the enemy. The oihUt
was ([uiekly ()he\ ed hy the soldiers who had been so
treaeheroiisly di'prived of their intrepid leader ; " and," said
Lieutenant Joseph Ilu^dies, one of Brandon's party, "we
killed near a liuiulred of them." Hut the probaliililies are,
that tliose who fired, and those who .suflered from it, were
not very numerous. It was, however, a sad afVair : and in
the confusion of the niomi:nt, its origin and its immediate
cfte''ts were prol)abI}- little understood hy either party ; and
doubtless Colonel Campbell himself deeply regri-tted the
order he had given to hre upon an unresisting foe. *

* These particulars may l)C some wliat erroneous and exaggerated; but there m\\.s\. he
a basis of truth in ihem. It is due tu the high reputation tliat Colonel Hughes sustained in
liis day, to aecord candor and good intentions to his statements generally. In his pension
application, in 1833, he briefly slates: " Was at King's Mountai!), where General Willi.ims
was mortally wounded, after the liritish had raised their il.ig to 5urreiidtr. by a fire from
some Tories. Colonel Campbell then ordered a fire on the lories, and we killed near a
hundred of them alter the surrender of the liritish, and could hardly be restrained from
killing the wiiolo of them."

That Colonel Hughes' statements are worthy of respect, a brief reference to son^e of
the more salient points of his lUvohitionary services, and the good character he bore during
the war, and for more than half a century thereafter, are only necessary tti be cited. He
was born in what is now Chester County. South Carolina, in 1761, his parents having
retired thee tei.'porarily from the present region of Union County, on account of Indian
troubles. He served, in 1776, on Williamsons Cherokee expedition, and .subsequently in
Georgia, Cover lor Rutledge, early in 1780. commissioned him a Lieutenant, and he fouj:ht
under Sumter at I'.ocky Mount and Hanging Rock; and then shared in the heroic action at
Musgrove's Mill. His dare devil character, and adventurous scrv'cc . in the up-country
region of South Carolina, during the summer and autumn of 1780, have already been related.
In f:ne of these Tory encounters, Hughes had a lock of hair cut from his head, C.i|'tain
Samuel Otlerson a slight wound on his chin, while a third person received a cut acn^ss his
cheek — all from the same shot.

Then we find him taking part, in the memorable ergagements at King's Mount. lin,
Hammond's Store and Cowpens. Though yet a Lieutenant, he commanded his company
in this latter action. He was not only a man of great personal strength, hut of remarliable
fleetness on foot. As his men, with others, broke at the Cowpens, ami fled before Tarleton's
cavalry; and though receiving a sahre cut across hi'; right hand, yet with his drawn
sword, he would out-run his men, and passing them, lai:e about, and command them to
stand, striking right and left to enforce obedience to orders; often repeating with a loud
voice: '■ You d— d cowards, halt and fight— there is more d.ingcr in running than in fight-
ing, and if you don't step and fight, you will all be killed !" But most of them were for
awhile too demoralized to realize the situation, or obey the commands of their olTuers. As
they would scamper ofif. Hughes would renewedly pursue, and once more gaining their
front, would repeat his tactics to bring them to their duty. At length the company was
induced to make a stand, on the brow of a slope, some distance from the b,Tttle-Iine. be-
hind a clump of young pines that partially concealed and protected them from Tarleton's
cavalry. Others now joined them for self-protection. Their guns were quickly loaded,

:ii

1^^

I i

286

A'/A'G 'S MOUNTAIN

The firing upon tho British and Tories was at length
suppressed. Colonel Shelby, fearing that the enemy might
yet, perhaps, feel constrained, in vself-defence, to resume
their arms, and which they could with such facilit}- snatch
up as they lay before them, exclaimed : '' Good God ! what
can we do in this confusion ? " " We can order the prison-
ers from their arms " said Captain Sawyers. " Yes," re-
sponded Shelby, "that can be done "" ; and the prisoners
were accordingly forthwith marched to another place, with
a strong guard I'laced around them. *

The surviving British leaders were prompt to surrender
their swords to the lirst American oilicer that cami" near
them. Ferguson's sword was picked up on the ground ;
and, according to one account, it passed into Colonel
Cleveland's possession ; but with more probability, accord-
ing to odiers, it fell into the hands of Colonel Sevier. Cap-
tain DePeyster delivered his sword, as some assert, to
Colonel Campbell ; while others declare it was to Major
Evan Shelby. Captain Ryerson, who was wounded, ten-
dered his sword to Lieutenant Andrew Kincannon, of

and they were tliemselvos again. Morgan gallopetl up and spoke words of encourage-
ment to them. The next moment the I'rilish cavalry were at them ; but the Whigs re-
served their fire till the enemy were so near^ that it was tcrril)ly effectivo, enii>tying m.uiy
a British saddle, when the survivors recoiled. Now Colonel Washington gave them a
charge — the b.ittle was restored, when Howard and his Marylanders with the bayonet
swept thr ,"ield. Such is the account related by Christopher Ilrandon to Uaiiicl Wallace.
Tarleton acknowledges, that '' an une.xpected fire from the Americans, who came about as
the\' were retre.uing. stopped the Piritish, anil threw them into confusion," when a panic
ensued, antl ilicii a general fli:;ht. It was a hi(;h and wnithy compliment from bis old
commander. Colonel Hrandon, who declared, that, at the Cowpens, " Hughes suved the
/ate of the day."

As a deserved recognition of these meritorious ser\ices, ho was promoted to a Cap-
taincy early in 1781. when he was scarcely twenty years of age ; and led his company with
characteristic valor, at the battle of Kntaw Springs. The Tories had killed his father
during the war, and many a dear friend, and his animosity against the whole race was
alike bitter and unrelenting, In 1S25, he removed to Alabama, first to Green County, and
then to Pickens, where he died, in September, 1834, in his seventy-fourth year. For more
than twenty of the closing years of his life, he was an elder in the Presbyterian church ;
and the rough, and almost tii^cr-like partisan, became as humble and submissive as :i Iamb,
He rose to the rank of Colonel in the militia. He was tall and romni.'\n*ling in his appe:ir:ince,
jovial and affable in conversation ; yet his early military training rendered him, to the last,
stern and riL;id in discipline. In all that makes up the man, he was a noble specimen if ibi:
Revolutionary hero.

'■'Ramsey's Tennessee, 239; MS. correspondence of Dr. Ramsey.

AND ITS HEROES.

287

Campbell's regiment, who was, at that moment, endeavor-
ing to check the tiring on the surre.idered Tories ; but not
regarding himself as the proper officer to receive this ten-
der ot" submission, the Lieutenant, without due reflection,
courteously invited the British Captain to be seated ; who
looking around, and seeing no seat, promptly squatted
himself upon the ground, Kincannon entering into conver-
sation with him. Adjutant Franklin, of Cleveland's regi-
ment, now coming up, received Ryerson's sword, the latter
remarking: '"You deserve it, sir!"* Colonel Campbell
was stalkin<r around amoncf the enemy in his shirt sleeves,
and his collar open, and when some of the Americans
pointed him out as their commander, the Britisli, at first,
from his unmilitary plight, seemed to doubt it, but a number
of officers now surrendered their swords- to him, until he
had several in his hands, and under his arm.f

It is proper to adx'ert briefly to Ferguson's conduct in
the battle. It was that of a hero. lie did a^.l that mortal
man could have done, under the circumstances, to avert the
impending catastrophe. Me was almost ubiquitous — his
voice, his presence, and his whist/e everywhere animuted
his men, either to renew their bayonet charges, or maintain
a firm stand against the steadily encroaching mountaineers.
But he trusted too much to the bavonet against an enemv as
nimble as the antelope. \ "lie had," says Doctor Ferguson,
" tw(> horses killed under him, while he remained untouched
himself; but he afterwards received a number of wounds,
of which, it is said, any one was mortal, and dropping from
his horse, expired, while his loot 3'et hung in the stirrup." S
This, if we mav credit Lee's Memoirs of the H'ar in the

'■' Jiid^'e J. F, Graves' sketch of his grandfather. Josse J'ranklin, in the sciomi series of
Canithcrs Inci.lenis in the Old Xorih State, pp. .•03-4; MS. statement of Kiijah Callaway;
MS. correspondence of Dr. A. \. Kincannon. of Missoiir", and John L. Worth, of .Mt.
Airy. N. C.

t Lieutenant William Russell. James Snodgrass. James Keys, David Campbell, Henry
Dickenson, and David Dcaltie. of Campbell's regiment, and William King, and George
Riitlcdpe, of Shelhy's men.

X Johnson's Creene^ i. 306.

\ Memoir of Colonel Ferguson, 33,

i;H

!'•)

ill

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Souths and Burin's History of Virginia, liappencd after
fifty niiiuites' fighting ; or some ten or fifteen minutes before
the final close of the action ; and about three minutes before
the flag was displayed for surrender, according to Thomas
Maxwell, one of Shelby's men.

As long as Ferguson lived, his unyielding spirit scorned
to surrender. He persevered until he received his mortal
wounds. Ilis fall very naturally disheartened his followers.
For some time before that fatal event, there was really nothing
to encourage them, save the faintest hope which they vainly
cherished of momentary relief from Tarleton. Animated
by the brave example of their heroic leader, and still con-
fiding in his fruitful military resources, they had maintained
the unequal contest under all disadvantages. Losing his
inspiration, they lost all — with him perished the last hope
of success. *

Colonel Ferguson notonlv made a sad mistake in delav-
ing a single moment at King's mountain with a view to a
passage at arms with his pursuers ; but he committed, if pos-
sible, a still more grievous error in tlie supposed strength of
his posidon. •' His encampment," says the South Carolina
historian, Ramsay, " on the top of the mountain was not
well chosen, as it gave the Americans an opportunity of
covering themselves in their approaches. Had he pursued
his march on charging and driving the first part}' of the
militia which gave wa}', he might have got off' wiUi the
most of his men ; but his unconquerable spirit disdained
either to flee or to surrender." The historian, Gordon, takes
the same view: "Major Ferguson was overseen in making
his stand on the mountain, which, being much covered with
woods, gave the militia, who were all riflemen, the oppor-
timity of approaching wear, with greater safety to themselves
than if the}' had been upon plain, open ground. The Major,
however, might have made good his retreat, if not with the
whole, at least with a great part of his men, had he pursued

*Stedmaii'.s American H\tr, ii, 223,

AND ITS HEROES.

289

his march immediately upon his chargin^^ aiul dri\ing
the first detachment ; for thougli the militia acted with spirit
for undisciplined troops, it was with diiliculty that they could
he prevailed upon to renew their attack, after heinL( charged
with thehayonet. They kept aloof, and continued popping ;
then gathered round, and crept nearer, till, at length, they
leveled the Major with one of their shots."

General Simon Bernard, one of the most distinguished
engineers, and aids-de-camp of the great Napoleon, and sub-
sequently in the United States engineer service, on examin-
ing the batde-ground of King's Minmtain, said: ''The
Americans, by their victor}- in that engagement, erected a
monument to perpetuate the brave men who had fallen
there ; and the shape of the hill itself would be an eternal
monument of the military genius and skill of Colonel Fer-
guson, in selecting a position so well adapted for defence;
and that no other plan of assault but that pursued by the
mountain-men, could have succeeded against him."*

One of our best historical critics, General DePeyster,
observes: "Ferguson set an inordinate value on the posi-
tion which he had selected, wliich. howe\er strong against
a rcLTular attack, was not defensible against the attacks
which were about to be directed upon it. How grievously
he erred as to the intrinsic availabilit}' of King's Mountain
as a military position, was evinced In' his remark that ' all
the Rebels from h — 1 could not drive him from it.' It is true,
he was not driven from it; but its bald, rocky summit
merely served, like the sacrificial stone of the Aztecs, for
the imuKjlation of the victims." f

The historian, Lossing, who visited theballle-field thirty
odd years ago, justl}' observes: "It was a strange place
for an encampment or a battle, and to one acquainted with
the region, it is difiicult to understand why Ferguson and
his band were there at all." X

'•' RaTusey's History of Tennessee, 239.
t llislorical Afagasiiie. M;ircli, 1869. 194.
J Pictorial Field Book 0/ the Reiolution, ii, 4^3.
19

' ■ i

. \
\

A
i

•!

i \

. J,

290

K JAG'S MOUNTAIN

It is useless to speculate on what might have changed
the fate of the day ; yet a few suggestions may not be out of
place in this connection. Trivial circumstances, on critical
occasions, not imfretjuenth' produce the most momentous
consequences. Had Tarleton, for instance, suddenly- made
his appearance before or during the battle — had the detach-
ment at Gibbs' plantation, near the Cowpcns, or INIoore's
foraging party, vigorously attacked the mountaineers in the
rear, during the progress of the engagement, and especiall}'
during the confusion consequent upon the repulses of Camp-
bell's and Shelby's columns ; or had Ferguson chosen
suitable ground on the plains, and in the woods, where his
men could have availed themselves of shelter for their pro-
tection, and fought on an equality with their antagonists,
the resul*" might have been very diflerent, and Ferguson
have been the hero of the hour — and, it may be, the fate of
American Independence sealed. But in God's good
Providence, such a fatal blow was not in store for the
suffering patriots.

Most of the accounts represent that the British Colonel
was killed out-right. He is said to have received six or
eight bullet holes in his body — one penetrating his thigh,
another re-shattering his right arm just above the elbow ;
and ^■et he continued to raise his sword in his left hand,* till
a rifle ball piercing liis head, put an end to further lighting
or consciousness, f In falling from his I^orse, or while

'■'MS. stalement of Elijah Callawny. in i8.j2.

•|- Ramsay, (iordon, Smith, in his Anuyidin ll'ar, Moultrie, Judge James, Mills and
Foote arc among tlic .American writers, who unite in declaring that I'"erguson "received a
mortal woiiiid," Stedman, Mackenzie, and Lamb, Tritish writers, all ot whom were con-
nected with ihc Lritish service at the time, make the same assertion. The Ciyiuml'ian
Afiigrtzinc, Jyg^, p. 32-5, states also that he received a mortal wound. Dr. John Whelchel.
of Williams' men, asserts in his pension statement, that Ferguson " fell mortally wounded ; ''
and William White, of Lacey's regiment, in his pension application, says " he was mortally
wouiuleil, and died a short lime afterwards,"

The place where Ferguson fell is indicated on the diagrain of the baitle-field, near the
brow of the south eastern portion of the mountain, opposite to McDowell s column, but
probably where Sevier's men had advaiued at the close of the conflict, when the enemy
had been firced to that quarter. That locality was pointed out. f,illy fifty years ago, by
William Logan, a survivor of the battle, to his grandson, the present Col. J, U. Logan, and
in which. Arthur I'atlerson, a cotemporary of the Revolution, and familiar with King's
Mountain all his life, coincided.

AND ITS HEROES.

291

being conve3'ecl to tlie rear, ti silver whistle dropped from
his vest pocket, which was picked up by one of his soldiers,
Elias Powell, who preserved it many 3'ears ;* and Powell,
and three others, as John Spelts relates, were seen, at the
close of tlie surrender, bearing off, in a blanket, their fallen
chief to a spring near the mountain's brow, on the southern
side of tlie elevation ; and there gently bolstered him up
with rocks and blankets. One of the Tories, who had just
grounded his gun, taking in the situation, and true to his
plundering instincts, ran up, and was in the act of thrusting
his hand into the dving man's pockets, when the imfeeling
intruder was repelled by one of the attendants, who, rudel}^
pushing him away, exclaimed with a sarcastic oath — '• Are
you going to rob the dead ? " f A little after, Colonel Shelby
rode up, and thinking perhaps that Ferguson might yet be
sensible of what was said to him — though he evidentlv was
not — exclaimed : " Colonel, th fatal blow is struck — we've
Burgoyned you?";]; The life of this restless British leader
soon ebbed away. Some of the more dioughtless of the
Whig soldiery, it is said, committed an act which we would
lain be excused from the pain of recording. '* The moun-
taineers, it is reported, used every insult and indignity, after
the action, towards the dead body of Major Ferguson."^

So curious were the Whigs to see the fallen British
chief, that many repaired to the spot to view his body as it
la}- in its gore and glory. Lieutenant Samuel Johnson, of
Cleveland's regiment, who had been severely disabled in
the action, desired to be carried tliere, that he, too, miglit

'■'Powell was out of the ymmg men imliiced to enlist nniler FerRiison's banner, and
became much attached to his commander He was taken prisoner to Hillshoro, where
he was paroled, and returned to his widowed mother, who lived at what is known as
Powellton, two miles east of Lenoir, Caldwell County, on the western frontier of North
Carolina. There he lived until his death. May 5th. 1832. The silver whistle then went to
one of his decendaiits. who removed West, and having since died, the relic has been lost
sight of. John Spelts related, that FerKUson had a yet larger silver whistle, a foot in length,
which fell into the hands of Colonel Slielby.

fStateinent of S])elts.

t Related by Spelts and Thomas H. Shelby, a son of the Colonel.

'i Tarleton's C<tm/>.iig-its, 165.

.' )

■!

KING'S MOUNTAIN

look upon the dying or lifeless leader of the enemy whom he
had so valiantly fought ; when Colonel Cleveland, and two
of the soldiers, bore the wounded Lieutenant to the place
of pilgrimage : * and even the transfixed Robert IIenr\-, amid
his pains and sulVerings, could not repress his curiosity to
take a look at Ferguson. It was probably where he was
conveyed, and breathed his last, that he was buried — on
the south-eastern declivity of the mountain, where his mortal
remains, wrapped, not in a military cloak, or hero's coflln,
but in a raw beef's hide, f found a peaceful sepulture.

The tradition in that region has been rife for more than
lift}' years, tliat Ferguson had two mistresses with him, per-
haps nominally cooks — both fme looking ^oung women.
One of them, known as Virginia Sal, a red haired ladv, it is
related, was the first to fall in the battle, and was buried in
the same grave with Ferguson, as some assert : or, as others
have it, beside the British and Tory slain ; while the other,
Virginia Paul, survived the action ; and after it was over,
was seen to ride around ihe camp as unconcerned as though
nothing of unusual moment had happened. She was con-
veyed with the prisoners at least as far as Biu'ke Court
House, now Morganton, North Carolina, and subsequently
sent to Lord Cornwallis" army. *

That almost envenomed hate which the mountaineers
cherished towards Ferguson and his Tor}' followers, nerved
them to marvellous endurance while engaged in the battle.
They had eaten little or nothing since they left theCowpens
some eighteen hours before — much of the time in the rain,
protecting their rifles and ammunition by divesting them-
selves of tlieir blankets or portions of their clothing ; and they
had been, since leaving Green river, for over forty hours,
without rest or repose. " I had no shoes," said Thomas
Young, " and of course fought in the battle barefoot, and,

•■• Statement of Lewis Johnson, a son of the Lieutenant,
iMS. letter of Dr. W. J. T. Miller, July 30, 1880,

! MSS. of Dr, John U, Locan; MS. letters of James J. Hampton, Dr. C, L. Hunter,
Colonel J. R. Logan, an.l Dr. W. J. T. Miller.

I'- ' I

AND ITS HEROES.

2S)?,

when it was over, m}- feet were much lacerated and bleed-
Others, too, must have suflered from the llinty rocks

mg.

" *

over which they hurriedly passed and re-passed during the
enijaffement. As an instance of the all-absorbiu!^ clVect of
the excitements surroimding them, when tlie next morning
the mountaineers were directed to discharge their guns, '* I
fired my large old musket," said Young, " charged in time
of the battle with two musket balls, as T had done every time
during the engagement ; and the recoil, in this case, was
dreadful, but I had not noticed it in the action."!

Taking it for granted that the Loyalist force under
Ferguson at King's INIountain was eight hundred, it may
be interesting to state what little is known of the respective
numbers from the two Carolinas. In Lieutenant Allaire's
newspaper narrative, he refers to the North Carolina regi-
ment, commanded by Colonel Ambrose Mills, as number-
ing " about three hundred men." A Loyalist writer in the
London Political Mag-aziiic, for April, 1783, who appar-
ently once resided in the western part of North Carolina,
asserts that the Loyalists of the Salisbury district — which
embraced all the western portion of the North Province —
who were with Ferguson, mmibered four hundred and
eicrhtv. Deductiny the absent foratiin<; partv under Colonel
Moore, who was a Nortli Carolinian, and whose detachment
may be presumed to have been made up of men from that
Province, we shall have about the number mentioned by
Allaire remaining. This would suggest that about three
hundred and twenty was the strength of the South Canjlina
Loyalists.

As the North Carolina Tories were the first to give way,
according to Allaire, and precipitate the defeat that followed,
it only goes to prove that they were the hardest pressed by
Campbell and Shelby, which is quite probable ; or. that the
South Carolinians had been longest drilled for the service.

* Rev. James H. Saye's MS. conversatiuns with Thomas Young, of Union County,
South Carolina, March 27, 1S43.
f Saye's MSS.

jr.

III:

I ' '5

'iff '

291

KING'S MOUNTAIN

and wore consequently best prepared to maintain their
ground. It is not a little singular, th.it so lew ot"the promi-
nent Loyalist leaders, of tlu' Ninety Six district, were pre-
sent with Ferguson — only Colonel Vesey Husband, of
whom we have no knowledge, and who, we suppose, was
in some way associated with the South Carolina Tories, to-
gether with Majors Lee and Plummer. Where were the
other Loyalist leaders of that region — Colonels Cunningham,
Kirkland, and Clary, Lieutenant-Colonels Philips and
Turner, and Majors Gibbs, Hill, and Hamilton ? Some
were doubtless with the part}' w hom the Whigs had passed
at Major Gibbs' plantation, near the Cowpens, or possibly
with Colonel Moore's detachment ; others were scattered
here and there on furlough ; but they were not at King's
Mountain, when sorely needed, with all the strength they
could have brought to the indefatigable Ferguson. That
freebooter. Fanning, with his Tory foragers, who were
beating about the country, fell in with Ferguson live days
before his defeat ; * but preferring their independent bush-
whacking service, they escaped the King's Mountain
disaster.

Paine, in his American Crisis, berated the Loyalists as
wanting in manhood and bravery, declaring: " I should
not be afraid to go with an hundred Whigs against a thous-
and Tories. Every Tory is a coward, for a servile, slavish,
self-interested fear is the foundation of Toryism ; and a
man under such influence, though he may be cruel, can
never be brave." Yet, it must be confessed, that the
Loyalists evinced no little pluck and bravery at King's
Mountain. But they had been specially fitted for the
ser\ice. and under the eye of a superior drill-master, as few
Americans had been in either army ; and it had been justly
said, that, on this occasion, they fought with halters around
their necks ; and they, too. were expert riflemen.

The British Southern leaders were not only surprised

«' Fanniiig's Narrative, 13,

AND ITS JIKROES.

295

and cima/.ecl beyond measure, but were filled with alarm at
the unexpected appearance of so ibrniiilable a force —
larirelv exaiiLCeraled as it was — from border settlements
of wliich the\' had not so much as heard of their existence.
Lord Rawdon, in his letter of October twenty-fourth, 1780,
referrin<r to Ferguson's miscarriage, and the men who
confronted and defeated him, says: "A luunerous army
now appeared on the frontier, drawn from Xolachucky,
and other setUeinents beyontl the mountains, whose very
names had been imknown to us ; " and Mackenzie, one
of Tarleton's officers, probably mistaking Nolachucky, in
what is now East Tennessee, for Kentucky, states in his
Strictures: " The wild and iierce inhabitants of Kentucky,
and other settlements westward of die Alleghany mount-
ains, vmder Colonels Campbell and Boone," then naming
the other leaders, '• assembled sudilenly and silently ; " and
adding, that these mountaineers " advanced with the inten-
tion to seize upon a quantit}' of Indian presents, which they
understood were but slighdy guarded at Augusta, and which
were, about that time, to have been distributed among a
body of Creek and Cherokee Indians assembled at that
place."

This erroneous statement of Mackenzie's has been
adopted by Stedman in his History of tlic America n War,
and by Dr. Ferguson, in his iMoiioir of Colonel Ferguson.
So critical a student of American history as Gen. J. W.
DePeyster, has fallen into the error, that the "dark and
bloody ground" of Kentuck}- contributed her quota of
iighting men for King's Mountain battle.* But none of the
King's Mountain men came from that region, though many
of them subsequently became permanent settlers there ; and
so far from Colonel Boone having participated in the cam-
paign, he was hundreds of miles aw^av, in his beloved
Kentucky. The day before King's Mountain battle, while
he and his brother, Edward Boone, were out buflalo hunting,

UMl

* Historical Magazine, March, 1869. p. 190.

V ''■

I 1

I'Wr

-h

..I «,f

290

A'/A'GS MOUNTAIN

lli(j l.itter WHS shot doiul by ;i party of Indians, conccalinl in
a cane-l)rako, some liftoen or twenty miles from Hooncsboro,
and the former made good his escape to tliat settlement ;
and, the day of the contest on King's Mountain, he was with
a party in pursuit of tlie Indians who had killeil his brother.
Nor is it in any sense true, that the plunder of Indian goods
at Augusta was their object — all the facts go to disprove anv
such intention. Tiiis, however, seems to havt' been one t)f
the moti\e.s held out b}' Colonel Clarke to his men in his
attack on Augusta, as stated by Lee in his Jlfcuioirs.

There is no great discrepancy among the dilferent
authorities as to the length of time occupied by the engage-
ment — if we discard, as we must, Mills' inordinate mistake,
that "the battle began between eight and nine o'clock in
the morning, and lasted till night." A writer in the
Virgin/a Arg'iis, of December elex'enth, 1805, evidently a
survivor of Campbell's men, says, "in forty-two minutes wi'
made them beg for quarters," referring, doubtless, to die
time (jf Ferguson's fall, and the running up of the white
flag. General Davidson, in his lettc r to General Sunmer,
states, three days after the action, on the authorit}- of
Major Tate, of Lacey's corps, who was in the engage-
ment, that it lasted "forty-seven minutes." Lee, in his
History of the Southern Cani/xf/i^i/s, who was subsequently
associated in service with Campbell, declares that after
"the battle had raged fjr fifty minutes,'' Ferguson was
shot, when the fire of th(! enemv slackened, and their sur-
render followed. Burk, in his History of Virginia, makes
the same statement. This fixes the time, as nearly as we
can ascertain it, when Ferguson fell. There would seem
to have been but little resistance on the part of the enemy
after the loss of their commander ; it coidd have been pro-
longed a few minutes onlv at most. Both Tarleton and
Stedman, British authorides, state that the action lasted
" near an hour."

In Colonel Shelby's letter to his father, written October
twelfth, 1780, he says : " the batde continued warm for an

AND ITS JIEROFS.

297

hour ; " ;iiul he wrote the sumo chi}' to Colonel Arthur
Cunipl)cll, that *' the llrhig was kept up with fury, ou hoth
sitles, for near an hour." Hut Cainpl:)ell, Shelby, ami
Cleveland, in their olllcial account, assert that " a lla<^ was
hoistetl by Captain DePeyster, their coinnumdinjLj olFicer —
Major Ferguson having been killed a little while before ; "
that " the engagement lasted an hour and five minutes." The
British Captain Ryerson who shared in the contest, states in
his account in Rivingston's New York Royal Gazette^ of
March twenty-llrst, 1781 , that " the action lasted an hour and
five minutes, very hot indeed ; " and Lieutenant Allaire, an-
other British contestant, says, in his newspaper narrative,
that " the action was severe for upwards of an hour; " and,
in his MS. Diary ^ he is more explicit, staling that it lasted '■ an
hour and five minutes." The probabilities arc that Doctor
Johnson, who timed by his watch the last desperate attack
of Campbell's and Shelby's corps, also noted the duration
of the battle, from its commencement to the final suppression
of the firing on the Tories ; and that Campbell and his
associates derived from him their knowledi/e of the lenixth
of the engagement, and which ma\^ be regarded as correct.
The exact strength and losses of the British at King's
Mountain can only be approximately determined. Fer-
guson's Rangers may be set down at one hundred — though
they may have somewhat exceeded that figure. The
general esdmate is, in round numbers, one thousand militia
or Loyalists, w^hich would make a total of eleven hundred ;
or, perhaps eleven hundred and twenty-live, as the Amei-ican
oflicial report has it, ibunded on the provision returns of that
dav. In General Lenoir's account it is stated, that "not
a single man of them escaped that was in camp at die
commencement of the batde." This is probably true, and
goes to show that the party of foragers who returned at the
close of the batde and fired on the Americans, mortally-
wounding Colonel Williams, had left previously without
coming under this categor3^ It is pretty evident that
a detachment left camp that morning — doubtless on a for-

Ill

II .

298

AV.YG ' S .UO UXTAIN

;i<^nn<^ oxpcdition ; ami this ri'lurninj^ party were probably
a portion of the number. Gorilon, in his American liar,
usually ^ood authority, says four huiulretl and forty escaped ;
and lla\ wooil's Tc/Dwasrr ^ixes the same statement, evi-
dently eoj)ied from Gordon ; while Mills' Sfatisf/cs of South
Carolina gives the number as three hundred. Jnd^e
Johnson, in his Life of General Greene, says two hundred
escaped ; and this accords with the statement of Alexander
Greer, one of Sevier's men, who adds that ihey were under
Colonel iMoore,* perhaps the Tory commander at Ram-

* Whether Colonel John or r:4trick Mnorc is the one referred to, \* not certain— proh-
ahly the former, as Colonel Ferguson seemed not to have formed a good opinion of the
conduct of Patrick Moore in failing to defend Thicketty Fort the preceding July. Moses
Moore, the father of tolonel John Moore, was a native of Carlisle. Knglund, whence he
migrated to Virginia in 1745, marrying a Miss Winstdi:, mar Jame^-town, in that I'ro%incc;
and in 1753, settling in what is now Gaston County, North Carolina, eight miles west of
Lincolnton. Here Jidin Moore was born; and being a frontier country, when old enough
he was sent to Cirain ille Ci unty, in thai I'rovim c, fur Ins education, When the KevoUition
broke out, he hecaine a zealous Loyalist ; and led a party of Tories from Tryon County, in
Fehrii.iry, 1779, to Georgia, and uniting with Colonel lioyd on the way, they were defeated
by Colnncl Tiikens at Kettle Creek, I'.oyd was mortally wounded, and Moore escaped to
the itritish army in that quarter ; and is said to have participated in the defence uf Savan-
nah. In Decemher following, he v.'as in tlie service near Moscley's Ferry, on the Ogeechce.
lie subseiiuently returned to North Carolina, a I.ieutenant-Colonel in Hamilton's
corps of Loyalists, and prematurely embodied a Tory force, near Camp Branch, about half
a mile west of his father s residence ; thence marched about si.\ miles north to Tory
Branch, and thcnco to Ramsonr's Mill, on the South Fork, where he was disastrously
defeated. June 20th, 1780, escaping with thirty others to Camden. His regiment, the
Royal North Carolini.xns, participnteil in Gates' defeat, losing three killed and fourteen
wounded -among the latter. Colonel Hamilton. It is doubtful if Moore participated in the
action, as he was about that time tinder suspension, threatened with a court martial for
disiihedieiue of orders in raisin^- tlie Loyalists at Ramsonr's before the time appointed by
Lord Cornwallis; but it was at Icneth deemed impolitic to bring him to trial. F.scaping
from King's Mountain, we next find him with Captain W:'.ters, and a body of Tories,
defeated by Colonel Washington at Hammond's Store, South Carolina, December -'Sth,
1780. Thonch a family tradition cominc down from a sist.. • to her grandson, John H.
Roberts, of Gaston County, represents that Moore went to Carlisle, England, and was lost
track nf : vet the better opinion is founded on a statement by a North Carolina Loy.alist,
published in the Polftfn,/ Mnr'tr.t^r. London, April, \i^^. that he was taken prisoner by
Colonel Wade Hampton, near the Wateree, and hanged. He left no family.

A few words about Colonel Pntrirk Mnorr' may not be inappropriate in this connection.
He was of Irish descent, and a native of Virginia. He early settled on Thicketty creek in
the north western part of South Curolina. where he commanded Fort Anderson or Ihicketty
Fort, wbirh he surrendered, without firing a gun to Colonel Shelby and associates. He
was subsequently captured by a party of Americans, according to the tradition in his
family, near Ninety Sif. and was supposed to have been killed by his captors, as his remains
were af'urwards found, and recognised by his great height — six feet and seven inches. His
death probably occurred in itSi, He left a widow, who survived many years, a son and
three daughters; and his decendants in South Carolina and Georgia are very worthy
people.

li!

AND ITS JIKROES.

290

sour's Mill. Jos(>pli Kerr, ono of Williams' nn>n. after
enumerating the killed and prisontM.s of lln« t-nemv, adds — •
" the balanee escaped." (ieneral Alexaiidi-r Smythe, who
lived on the Ilolston, said in a speech in Congress, in iHic),
'• only twenty-one escaped " — referrin;^', perhaps, to that
party of foraj^t-rs who mortally wounded Colonel Williams.
Andrews, in his Jlislory of the War, says " vt>rv few
escaped ;" and Tarlelon mentions about picking up some
of the fugitives.

\\\' mav conclude that Moon-'s forairiuii' detachment
ninnbered about two luuuhx-d ; which would have left about
nine hundred alt(\gether under Ferguson with whom to
light the battle. 'V\\v British Lieutenant Allaire says, the
Loyalists consisted of eiglit hundred, and Ferguson's corps
of otu' hmulred,* which tallies pretty well with Tarleton's
account in his SonlJicni Caiiijxin^iis, of about one thousand
Loyal militia, supposing that two hundred of them were on
detached service at the time of the battle ; and it agrees
also with Lord Rawdon's statement, made towardtithe close
of October, that Ferguson had "about eight hundred
militia " in the engagement — to this, of course, should be
added his one hundred Provincial Rangers. Allaire, and
other British writers, assuming as true that the exaggerated
account of the entire Whig strength, including those in the
rear, was well-nigh three thousand, assign as a reason of
their overwhelming defeat, the great superiority of their
antagonists — three to one, as they assert, against them. In
point of fact, the numbers of the opposing forces were about
equal ; and it was their persistency, their pluck, and excel-
ling in the use of the rifle, that gave the mountaineers the
victory.

Both in Allaire's New York Ga~cllc and MS. Diar\

* Allaire's account in thti New Vork Royal Gazette, February 24. 1781 : aiul in his MS.
Diary, kindly cuniniiinicated by his yrandsun, J. DeLamcy Rubinson, of New lirunswick.
Stedman jjives Pergiison's as ninr hundred and sixty; Mrs. Warren, in her History 0/ the
Revolution, ei^lit hundred and fifty. The Urilisli historian. Andrews, in his History of the
War. still furilier diminishes the number — killed and wounded upwards of three hundred,
and four hundred prisoners.

800

A'/.W/'.V .]/iH'\/'.l/.V

iUiounts, lu- St, lies lli.il llu> Hiilisli losi on llu- licld .iiid
in prisoiicr.s, ;is loll )\\,s : ()t"llir rmviiiii.il viups. C'oloiul
1'\m"j;usoii, LiiMitrn.iiit Mt'lMiiiiis ami lii^iiirni piivaU's,
ttUal. twi'Uly killi-il ; (.'aptaiii Kyrfsoii aiul lliiil\-l\\i> Sri-
j.;'(>an(s .mil pi i\ alr.s, lolal, lliii l\ ihin- w miiulrd making; (lu>
kilii'tl ami wnuiulrd lo^i'llur, lllu -lliirc ; (wn C'aplaius,
loiif 1 ariiunanls. ilin-i' ICiisij^ns, onr Sui i;i-(>ii. ainl lill\-toiif
Sori^oants ami |n i\ atos, iiulmliiit;' llu- wdiiiulnl. inakm<; a
tutal ol .si\l\ -loui" luisoiu'i.s slmwiut;, ai vonliiij; to this
ai'i'ouiil. oii!\ thiily-oiii" ol" l'\'rmi,soir.s lorps \\ ho I'svapcil
bciii!.;' killi'il or woiiiulril. 'Tiiis. lio\vi'\rr, is a inaiiilrst
riroi', t'of tin- tlt*!\ -thioo killfil ami wouinlrd, ami thiil\-«)m'
iminjurrd im-n woiiKl aiKl up oiil\ i-i^l'' lour, wlun-as,
I ■

ii'iilcnau

I Al

anr i"oiu"i'ili"s tliat tluM'o w >

al till' roui-

lUvMUiMUcnl i>l llu' hatlK\ om- luiuihril ol" l-'on^'usou's I'oips.
In this I'siiiuali' ol" pri.souris, lu- iliil not prohaMx iui huK'
tho survivors of I afuli-naiit 'Paxloi's t\\iMit\ iliai;ooiis, auil
ton wa^ciiuTs. tak.ii Troiu tlu- l-iaum'is inoro than ououidi
to uiako up llio lull I'oiuplcuu'iil assi^iU'd to iho Pioxin-
lials b\' ihal oil!

liT

also stall's, that llu

.o\

lists

indivvl killed, uiuil\

koii.

ikOUUlLI

lost " \\\ i>!lu-ors ami pruati's, ouo lui
wouiulod, and about six hundroil prisotiois.
till' |>risom>rs at six luuulrod ami ton, aud iho killod and
aiio ii-|>iMts tlirin. would make up tlio lull

WOUIUlOl

1 as Al

amouul ol llio sup|>o;.aMr 'Torx toiio i'ii;lit luiiuhi'd.

It is slalod in llu- I'llioial lopoi t ol ^.'ainplu-ll and his
assoi-ialos. thai ol l'\'i;;iisou's oorps nir 'loon won
and thir!\ li\o woundod oxooodiin;- Allair
ono onl\ ; but Uiakinj^' rl" tho odioors ami pri\atos sixt\-
oiLjht piisonoi's, wliiili would .-ooui lo lia\o imlmlod oul\ a

.illoil,
o's aoiouut b\

nai't ol iho w ouuil

thai iho 1 Olios had two huudrod and

six l^llU'il, tuu

iuimhid auii 1\\ ont\ -oiyht woundod

ami

lorts-oii^lil ollii-i-rs ami sis humhod j>ri\alos mado |>i isoiu is

-thus ai'ooimtiui; lor a total ot I'io\ imial-
ot" oloxon hiiiulri'd ami llui'i-.

I I

o\ alisls

Unl\ li\o davs allor iho balllo, C'oloml Sliollw , in a

./A/) //'.v ///:a'0/s.

801

Kmu-i lo liis I'.ilhi'f, st.itnl tin- loss ol l'\'i|;usi>irs i-oips at
lliirlv killed. twiiiU c\rU\ Wiuiiulrj. .iiul lill\ srvcii piisoii-

kilK

ih.U lln

(U ir

II, ul

oiu-

liiiiulivHl .iiui i\\ riil\ -si'vcn

lull

hiiiuh'i'd

,111(1

uhril .iiiil twriilv li\«' womuK'il. .iiul six
l(>it\ niiu- prisiMU'is; o\ bolli iKissril lomilicr.

(Uir liiiiulii-tl .iiul liH\ si'Nt'il kilKil. owe

liiiiiili ril

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lillN-

llin-

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line llioiis.iiul

.iiul

siMeeu.

lere i:

.1 ililleieiue cl tlie

.IIU

tl ol llie Ttirii's .iliMie. ol se\ eiil \ -iriie, be!\\ eeu Slielln 's

.st.iiemeni !o liis l.illiei . ,mil llie ollui.il .u'eniiiU. whieli he i.s

suppeseil

lo 1

i.i\ e ilr,i\\ II

I up. .iiiil sii;iieil .1 lew

tl.i\

.Iter, III

I'oiijiiiu lion wilii ^.".iinpbe!! .iiul C"le\eKiiul. Tliis iliserep-

aii'N IS iiii;u'i'oiiul,ii>le. e\iepl oil

-ui>!ioMlioii lli.il (he

ollu'Kil sl,ileuieul w .is ili-sii; 'leiK as (. oloiiel .Slu'

.ilU'Ui'S

III Ills M.MialUl' ol I.S.'

iM\e tone lo pul^lie repi

aiul

I'ontessnu

w llll.li

lll.ll II W.I.'

m.uiuiale

Ml,

.uu

iiuleliiiile." 'Ilie piohabililii's .ire lli.il the lupines ol tlie
p.llriols, .IS to ihe e\lenl ol the losses i>l the eiieiii\ . \\ ei e

loiisiilei .iIm\ o\ er -(

liiii.ileil lor puhlie elleil ; aiul lli.il llie

111 isonei;

w r\c souiew li.it

iipw .lUl

si\ luiiulieil

.St. Ill

III ( leiier.i! ( n

eeiie s iiKliUiseripts

aiul w hull

.IS

.lire

praelie.iii\ ioiiluius h\ sl.ilm;; lh.it tlie\ weie •• .ihoiil si\
hiiiulrt\l.""

" l']\a^;;er.ilion ol siueesslul operulioiis. ' w roU- (.'oloiiel

lo ( ieiu r.il ( II eeiu

w as eh.ir.u'tenslie ol the limes

aiul

ihis w.is. peih.ips, e\eiis,ihle in this iuslaiu'e, siiue a
total ilele.it ol the eiuiuv . like tli.il ol' I'^emiison's .it Kiiii;".s
Moiinl.iiii. was a eireiiu. I.iiue i>t r.iie oei iii reuee, ami the
\\ hiL;s piohahly lluniqht il w a.s wi'll lo iiiaki- the most ol" it
|ore\i\e the ilroopiui;' spiiit.s t^f ihe people. l.o\e ot"
ioiiiiliv pieiiiuuiu.iU il o\ er ,iii\ mere ipieslious ol" e.isuis|i\ ;
aiul thus .'^iielhv .uul liis assoei.Ues w ei e not o\ ei-iiiee .ihoiit
the m.ilieidl tlu'eiiemv's mi'ubers. so tli.il llie\ were only

ii-presei

Ueil siillieieiil'x l.ir;';e to m.ike .i iKh ideil impn-ssioti

' ihrvnv't /.(/if ,</ X -Hrr,! •:>ttMr,

iii. 7S.

■ tiirriir'N (.'•

fi'ie. til, iii.

.|4 .

302

KING'S MO UN TAJ iV

on the minds of all classes, encouraging the friends of free
dom, and equally depressing their enemies.

Of the killed and wounded of the Americans, it is less
difficult to get at tlie facts; or at least they are not involved
in such contradictory statements as those relating to the
British losses. Colonel Shelby, in his letter to his father,
October twelfth, 1780, mentions six oflicers and twenty three
privates killed, and lifty-four wounded ; but adds, that he
believes, with more accurate returns, the killed will prove
to be thirt3'-live, and the wounded between fift}' and sixty.
Colonel Campbell, in his letter of October twentieth, places
the number at about thirt}- killed, and sixty wounded.
In the official report, made out apparently somewhat later,
and hence more reliable, the killed are stated at twenty-
eight, and the wounded at sixt3'-two.

In the command of Williams, Brandon, Steen and Ham-
mond, we have no record of any loss save that of their
gallant leader, and the person, whose name is unknown,
who had a presentiment of his death ; and William Giles,
as already related, slightly wounded. Among the South
Carolinians under Lacey and Hawthorn, no killed are
reported, save, perhaps, David DutT and William Watson,
who probably belonged to this corps, and but one wounded,
Robert Miller, of Chester County, who was badh' disabled
in his thigh. In both of these commands there were prob-
ablv other losses. Of the Rutherford men under Colonel
Hampton, John Smart* and Preston Goforth were killed,
and Major James Porter and William Robertson wounded ;
but of McPowell's Burke County men, we have no know-
ledge of any deaths or disabilities.

The Lincoln County men, considering their small num-
ber, suftered considerably in the engagement — Major
Chronicle, Captain Mattocks, William Rabb, John Boyd,
and Arthur Patterson, killed, and Moses Henry mortally

* Smart was killed by a Tory named Hiiijhe';. Inafter years, John Smart Jr. lipniinc
of Iliiqhcs in West Tennessee, started on a mission to seek the Tory's life, but never
returned. — W. L. Twitty.

AND ITS HEROES.

303

wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Ilambrijrht, Captain Espcy,
Robert Henry, William Gilmer, Jolm Chittim, * and
William Bradley, wounded. There must have been other
losses ; for ot' Captain Samuel Martin's company ot' about
twenty men, he relates in his pension statement, that lour
were killed, and two mortally wounded.

Of Sevier's regiment, William Steele, John Brown,
and Michael Mahoney, are known to have lost their li\es in
the contest ; while Captain Sevier was mortally, and one
Gilleland and Patrick Murphy se\'erely wounded. Near
the close of the action. Captain Sevier, while stooping to
pick up his ramrod, received a buck-shot wound near his
kidney; after the action, the British Surgeon, Doctor
Johnson, endeavored to extract the shot, but failed in the
effort; dressed his wound, savinjj if he would remain
quiet awhile, the shot could be extracted, and he would
probably recover ; but if he attempted to return home at
once, his kidneys would inflame, and about the nintli d<iy
he would expire. Fearing to be left behind, lest the Tories
might wreak their vengeance on him, he started on horse-
back for his Nolachucky home, accompanied b}^ his
nephew, James Sevier. On the ninth day, w'hen at Bright's
Place on tlie Yellow Mountain, preparing their frugal meal,
he was suddenly taken worse, and died within an hoiu% and
his remains, wrapped in his blanket, were interred beneath
a lofty mountain oak.

After the battle, among the stores captured from the
enem}' was a keg of rum, some of which was conveyed to
the wounded Pat Murpliy, with which to bathe his wound.
IIehad'''een shot across the windpipe in front, cutting it
considerably. Pat held the cup while a companion gave
the wound a f lithful bathmg : this done, he swallowed the
remainder, remarking with much saii^' /raid, "a little /;/
was as good as oiif.^' \

* Chittim w:is plnced on the iiivniid roll of pensioners in 1815, drawing seventy-two
dollars a year, till his death, Dei eniher 24, 1818.

f Statement of tlic late Major John Sevier, a son of Colonel Sevier.

•^mmm9

304

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Colonel Shelby's regiment no doubt suHcred from losses
in the action ; but the particulars are wanting, save that
Captain Shelby, William Cox, and John Fagon wore
wounded. As Shelby's men encountered hard fighting, and
were repeatedly charged do\\n the mountain, they must
necessarily have lost some of their number, and had more
wounded than the three whose names are mentioned.

Ot' the Wilkes and Surry men, imder Cleveland and
Winston, we have only the names of two men killed —
Thomas Ijicknell, and Daniel Siske, of W^ilkes County ;
Major Lewis, Captains Lewis, Sm.ith, and Lenoir, Lieu-
tv^nants Johnson and J. M. Smith, Charles Gordon, and
John Childers wounded — tlie latter badlv. Where so manv
officers were disabled, there must have been several otliers
of this gallant retriment killed and wounded.

Colonel Campbell's Virginians, who fought so noblv and
persistently throughout the action, met with severer losses
than an}' other regiment engaged in this hard day's contest.
Of the killed were Captain William Edmondson, Lieutenants
Reece Bowen, William Blackburn, and Robert Edmondson,
Sr., Ensigns Andrew Edmondson, John Beattie, James
Corry, Nathaniel Dry den, Nathaniel Gist, James Philips,
and Ilumberson Lyon, and private Henry Ilenigar.
Lieutenant Thomas jNIcCulloch, and Ensign James Laird,
who were mortally wounded, died a few da3-s thereafter.
Captain James Dvsart, Lieutenants Samuel Newell, Robert
Edmondson. Jr., and eighteen privates wounded,* of whom
were Fredrick Fisher. Jolm Skeggs Benoni Banning,
Charles Kilgore, William Bullen, Leonard Hyce, Israel
Hayter. and William Moore, who recovered. The names
of the other ten disabled "Virginians have not been preserved.

So badlv wounded was William Moore, that his leg had
to be amputated (m the field. lie was necessarily left at

* Samiiel Newcll's letter to neneral Francis Preston, states that Camiibell's regiment
held thirty-five killed and wounded. As fourteen were killed including two officers who
shortly after died of their wounds, it would leave twenty-one wounded, three of « lioni
were officers.

n r

AND ITS HEROES.

305

some good Samaritan's ; but when his associates returned
to their distant 1 lolston homes, and told the story of their
victor}', and its cost in hie and suiVering, iiis devoted wife,
on learning her husband's terrible misfortune, thougli in the
month of November, mounted her horse and rode all the
long and dreary journe}'^ to the neighborhood of King's
Mountain — such was the intrepidity of the fronder women,
as well as the men, of those trying times ; and having nursed
him until sufficiently recovered, she conveyed him home, and
he lived to a good old age, * dying in 1826, after having
received from the Government an invalid pension for thirty-
seven years.

It is remarkable, that thirteen officers to onl}- a single
private of Campbell's men, were killed or mortally wounded
during the battle — nearly one-half of the fatalities of the
whole Whig force engaged in the contest. This disparity of
losses between the leaders and privates is a striking proof
how fearlessly the officers exposed themselves in rallying
the regiment when broken, and leading on their men by
their valor and heroic examples to victory. One-third of
the wounded w^ere of Campbell's regiment. Another
remarkable fact is, that of eight Edmondsons of the
Virginia troops, engaged that da}-, three were killed, and
one was wounded — all prominent and efficient offiicers of
that corps ; the survivors having been William Edmondson,
the major of the regiment, and privates John, Samuel, and
William Edmondson.

Thus the names of those who fell and those who were
disabled, of the several Whig regiments, so far as we have
been able to collect them, number twenty-six killed, and
a nameless one of Hammond's men, who fell, who had a
premonition of his fate ; and thirty-six wounded. Thert-
must have been several others killed, beside those whose
names are given in the several lists, and some twenty-six

" MS. Statements of the late Ciovernor Pavid Campbell, and W'm. O. G. Lowry, Clerk
of the Court of Washington County, Viryinia — the latter a great grandson of this patriotic
couple.

\i]:\.\.

y \\

■\ I }\

i!il

30G

KING 'S A/0 UNTAIN

additional ones wounded. It does not appear that there was
a single Surgeon among the Americans, and Doctor Johnson
only, of three Surgeons of Ferguson's men, survived, who
seems to have generously attended the wounded of the
Whigs, as well as those of his own corps. But the frontier
people wire much accustomed, from necessity, with splints,
bandages, and slippery elm poultices, to treating gun-shot
wounds and other disabilities.

Not very long after the close of the action. Captain John
Weir, of that part of Lincoln now comprising Gaston
County, arrived with his company, having heard of the
advance of the mountaineers ; and may have heard, in the
distance, the reports of the eighteen hundred rillcs and
muskets of the Whigs and Tories that reverberated from
King's Mountain over the surrounding country.* Captain
Robert Shanncni, a brave Irishman, also of Lincoln County,
hastened with his company likewise to the Held of battle.
And not a few of the scattered settlers of that region, men
and women, repaired to the battle-ground to learn the news,
antl render whatever aid they could under the circum-
stances. Among them was Mrs. Ellen McDowell, and her
daughter Jane, having heard the ilring from their house,
went to the scene of strife, where they remained several
(lavs nursini!" and attendiuir to the wounded soldiers.

After the battle quite a number were appointed to count
up the losses ; but their reports were so contradictory that
little reliance could be placed in them — apparently repeating
the process of counting them, in some instances, so that

■'Captain Weir was born in Ireland, in 1743, where he early marrieil a Miss McKelvey.
Their eldest son was hum in Ireland, soon after which they emigrated to America, set-
tling on linlTalo Creek, at what is now known as Weir's P.ridge, in Gaston County, North
Carolina. Weir wa> early commissioned a Captain, and was much engaged in scouting
service during the Uevolution. His activity in the Whig cause excited the ire of the
Tories. Just liefore the hattle of the Cowpens. he was caught and severely whipped by a
Tory party, and left in the woods securely tied to a tree; hut was fortunately soon after
found, and released liy liis friends. On another oci asion. his wife was whipped by the
Tories f.>r refusing to divulge to them the place of lier husband's concealment. She died,
August II, iSi(), and he on the .}th of September following, in his seventy-si.xth year. Both
were long members of the Presbyterian church, and left many worthy descendants.

AND ITS HEROES.

;i07

the aggregate results greatly exceeded the facts in the case.
Among llie natural rocky defenses, where many of the
Tories had posted themselves, upwards of twenty of their
dead bodies were found, completely jammed in between the
rocks, who had been sliot directly through the head* —
so fatally accurate was the aim of the mountain-riflemen
when their antagonists ventured to peep out from their
chosen fastnesses.

Some considerable time was necessarily emplo3'ed in
getting the prisoners properly secured, and in giving such
attention to the wounded Whigs as the circumstances would
permit ; Colonel Williams being taken into one of the
British markees, as were doubtless many others. Doctor
Johnson, of Ferguson's corps, seems to have been the good
Samaritan of the occasion, rendering such professional
services as he could, alike to the Whigs and his brother
Provincials ; while the wounded of the poor Loyalists
appear to have been left pretty much to their fate.

The truth is, that rarely, if ever, did a body of eighteen
hundred lighting men come into conflict, with so litttle pro-
visions to supply their wants. Tire Americans, in their
desperate pursuit of the enemy, trusting to luck, had literally
nothing ; while Ferguson had been scarcely' anv more prov-
ident in securing needful supplies. The country in the
immediate vicinity of King's Mountain was but sparsely
settled at that period. " It was dark again we got the
prisoners under guard," says the unknown chronicler of
Campbell's regiment, who left us his narrative of the
campaign and battle.

Many a souvenir was appropriated by the victors.
Captain Joseph McDowell, of Pleasant Garden, secured
some of Ferguson's table service — six of his cliina dinner
plates, and a small coflfee cup and saucer; several of which
interesting war trophies are vet retained among his descend-
ants.! Colonel Shelby obtained the fallen Chieftain's

* Statements of Silas Mcnee and John Spelts to the author.

+ MS. letters of Mrs. R. M. I'earson, and Miss N. M. McIJowell. granddaughters, and
Miss Anna M. Woodfin, a great grand-daughter, of Captain McDowell,

! tfi

UJ»1

! !

■

308

KING'S MOUNTAIN

famous silver whistle, while the smaller one fell to the lot of
Elias Powell ; and Colonel Sevier secured his silken sash,
and Lieutenant-Coloners commission, and DePevster's
sword. Colonel Campbell secured at least a portion of his
correspondence. Fer^aison's white charger, who had
careered down the mountain when his niaster was shot from
his back, was, by general consent, assigned to the gallant
Colonel Cleveland, who was too unwieldy to travel on foot,
and who had lost his horse in the action. Samuel Talbot,
tj.rning over Ferguson's dead body, picked up his pistol,
which had dropped from his pocket. His large silver watch,
as round as a turnip, fell into the hands of one of Lacey's
men ; and Doctor Moore, in his I^i/c of Lacey, says he
frequently saw it ; that it traded for about forty-five or lifty
dollars as a curiosity.

" Awful, indeed," says Thomas Young, " was the scene
of the wounded, the dying and the dead, on the field, after
the carnage of that dreadful day." * " We had," observed
Benjamin Sharp, " to encamp on the ground with the dead
and wounded, and pass the night amid groans and lamen-
tations."! "My father, David Witherspoon," remarks his
son, " used to describe the scenes of the battle-ground the
ni<iht after the contest as heart-rendinsr in the extreme —
the groans of the dying, and the constant cry of "water!
water ! " \ "The groans of the wounded and dying on the
moimtain," said John Spelts, " were truly affecting —
begging piteoush' for a little water ; but in the hurr}', con-
fusion, and exhaustion of the Whigs, these cries, when
emanating from the Tories, were little heeded." §

"Tlie red rose grew pale at the blood that was shed,
And the white rose blushed at the shedding."

Such was the night on King's Mountain immediately

♦Young's Memoir \n tlie Orion magazine.
■j-Sh-irp's narrative in the American I'io'ieer.

t MS. letter of Colonel J. H. Witherspoon, of Lauderdale County, Alabama, No-
vember, iS3o.

§ Conversations witii Spelts, in December, 1843.

AND ITS HEROES.

309

succeeding the battle. While these surrounding sufTerings
touched many a heart, others had become more or less
hardened, believing, so far as the Tories were concerned,
that their wretched condition, brought upon themselves,
was a I'ust retribution from high heaven lor their unnatural
opposition to the eHorts of their countrymen to throw oft' the
chains of political bondage forged by the British Govern-
ment. The Whigs, weary as they were, had to take turns
in guarding the prisoners, with litdo or no refreshment ;
and caring, as best the}' could, for their own over three-
score wounded, with no little fear, withal, lest Tarleton
should suddenly dash upon them. It was a night of care,
anxiety and suffering, vividh' remembered, and feelingly
rehearsed, as long as any of the actors were permitted to
survive.

I ^ ■

ifffl

;' i

310

KING'S MOUNTAIN

CHAPTER xrv.

October, 1780.

Battle Incidents. — Lonc^ Sam Abncy Coerced into Ferguson's Army. —
Deatli of Arthur Patterson. — Drury A/at/iis' Ruiit^/i Experience. —
A Tory Woman Findini^ her Slain Son. — I'atality of the Rijlemcn, —
Preston Goforth and three Brothers Killed. — A Brother Kills a
Brother. — The IVhit^ and Tory Logans. — William Logan Noticed. —
Preparing to Retire — Burning Captured lVago)is — Horse- Litters
for the I founded. — Gray's Kindness to a Wounded Tory. — .1
Termagant Prisoner Released. — Messengers Sent to the P'oot-Men. —
Arms Captured — Tories made to Carry Them. — Trophies of Vic-
tory. — A Whig Woman Refusing to Share in the Plunder. — Rumor
of Tarleton s Approach. — Burial of the Whig and Tory Head. —
Treatment of Ferguson Considered. — Re- Interment of Remains. —
Alarc/i of the Army. — Death of Colonel Willams. — Camp at Broad
River. — Willams' Burial — Discovery of his Long-Iuirgotten Grave.
— Six Tory Brothers Escape. — Notice of Colonel ll'alker. — Bran-
don's Barbarity. — Campbell Protecting the Prisoners. — Gray's Retort
to a Tory Vixoi. — Gray's Services. — Suffering for Food. — Feeding
Prisoners on Corn and Pumpkins. — Billeting the Wounded. — March
to Bickerstaff's Old Fields.

In a contest like that on King's Mountain, lasting over
an hour, with eighteen hundred men engaged in mortal
combat, and with repeated charges and repulses, many a
battle-incident occurred of an interesting or exciting char-
acter. A number of them have already been related while
detailing tlie services of the several corps engaged in the
action ; but others, of a more general nature, or where Loy-
alists were referred to, may very appropriately be grouped
in this connection.

Samuel Abney — better known as Long Sam Abney, to
distinguish him from others of the name — a resident ot
Edgefield County, South Carolina, was a Whig both in

AND ITS HEROES.

311

principle and practice. Upon the fall of Charleston, and
the occupation of Ninety-Six and Augusta by a slnin<^
British force, the great body of tlie people were lorceil to
submit — to take protection, whicli they luulerstood to mean
neutralit\- ; but wiiich the British leaders construed verv
differently. They were treated as conquered Rebels, and,
in many instances, were compelled to take up arms in
defence of a Government which thev loathed, ami to li^lit
a<rainst their country's freedom to which their hearts were
devoted. Sucli was Abney's situation. He was forced
into Ferguson's Loyalist corps, and was marched to King's
Mountain.

At the commencement t)f the battle, he stationed him-
self behind a rock, where he would be secure from the balls
of either side, determined not to fight against his country-
men. He could not, and would not, take part in sh(n)ting
his own friends, was his secret thought and resolution. But
amid the shower of bullets fl3ing in every direction, he was
not so safe as he had flattered himself; for while leaning on
his rifle, and probably indulging in the curiosity of taking a
view of the combatants, he unintentionally exposed his
person more than he had designed, when a ball penetrated
the fleshy part of his arm. This made him " a little mad,"
as he expressed it ; still he had, as yet, no thought of taking
part in the contest. Presendy, however, he was struck
with anotiier ball; which made him "mighty mad," and
he then turned in and fought with the bravest and boldest
of Ferguson's troops. Before the action was over, he was
riddled with bullets, as he related the story of the fight —
seven balls taking eflect on his person. He was left in a
helpless, unconscions condition, among the slain and
wounded on the batUe-field ; but fortunately the frost of the
ensuing night revived him. He crawled to a neighboring
branch, and slacked his bin-ning thirst. He was sub-
sequently found by one of the people of tliat region, who
compassionately conveyed him to his home, and bound up

1 -t.^mr- ■■

312

KING 'S MOUXTAIX

111

his wounds ; :iiul, atu-r iiKiny tlays, he recovered, ;iiul
returned to his friends, lie \v ') a good okl age, anil
used merrily to relate how he shot, and how he was

provoked to shoot hack again, at King's Mountain. *

In the ni'ighborhootl of King's Mountain, on King's
creek, resided old Arthur Patterson, an Irishman, who
was devoted to the Whig cause, as well as his several sons
who were settled around him. On the morning preceding
the battle, a party of Ferguson's foragers ranging along
that stream, came across three of the young Pattersons,
Arthur, Jr., Thomas and William, together with James
Lindsa\- ; arrested and marched them to camp, where they
were placed under guard, awaiting trial. The same da},
learning of the apprehension of his sijus, the aged lather
of the Pattersons started for the Mip, to see il" he could do
anything towards effecting th lease. Mi-anwhile the

Whigs vsuddenly made their a^^ .arance, encircled the
mountain, and commenced their attack. During the prog-
ress of the action, while the Americans were pressing the
enomy, the guards were ordered to take their places in
the line of defence, and aid, if possible, in checking the
advance of the mountaineers. Left to themselves, amid the
confusion of the battle, the prisoners resolved to make a
push for freedom. Lindsay, together with William and
Arthiu" Patterson, Jr., ran through an opening in the British
lines, and escaped unharmed — Arthur with a portion of the
rope, with which he had been fastened, still dangling from
his neck. Thomas Patterson, possessing perhaps more of a
belligerent nature, watched his opportunity, between fires,
and made ;i bold dash for the Whig lines, reaching vShelby's
corps, where he picked iip the ritle of a wounded soldier,
and fought braveh^ until victory was proclaimed. His aged
father was less fortunate. His old Irish blood, as he came
in view of the noble army of patriots, was stirred witliin

* Random HeccUeciions of the /devolution, by Hon. J B. O'Neall, in the Southern
Literary Journal. August, 1838, pp. 106-7,

AND JTS JIEROrS.

813

him ; and hoping that lu' might aiil in Hheratmg both his
sons and his country, ho warmly joined in the Lay, and
was killi'd. *

Drury Mathis, who rcsidi'd at Saluda Old town, on the
Saluda, in South Carolina, some two and a halt" mih-s above
Iho mouth ot" I.iltk; river, hail uniteil his lorlunes w ith Fer-
guson. In the third charge w hich was made against Camp-
bell s men, INIathis was badly wounded, and fell to the
ground. ''I"'he spot when- he had fallen was halfway down
the mountain, wlu're the balls iVom the Virginians fell
around him almost as thick as hail. He used to relate, Uuit
as the mountaineers passed o\er him, he would play
possum ; hut he could plainly observe their faces and eyes;
and to him those bold, brave riflemen appeared like so
main' devils from the infernal regions, so full of excitement
were they as they dartetl like enraged lions up the mount-
ain, lie said they were the most powerful looking men he
ever beheld ; not over-burdened w ith lat, but tall, raw-boned,
and sinewy, with long matted hair — such men, as a body,
as were never before seen in the Carolinas. With his feet
down the declivity, he said he could not but observe that
his Loyalist friends were ver}' generally over-shooting the
Americans ; and that if ever a poor fellow hugged mother
earth closely, he did on that tr3ing occasion. After the battle
— the next day, probably — he was kindly taken to a house in
that region, and nursed till his wound had healed, when he
returned to Ninety-Six, an humbled, if not a wiser man.
He liveil to enjo\- a green old age ; but used stoutly to swear
that he never desired to see King's Mountain again. \

Thomas Mullineaux, a youth, lived with his mother,
some two miles from the mountain. He used to relate, in
his old age, that when the firing began, his mother and the
family were sitting down to a late dinner. Presently a
neighboring woman came running in, wringing her hands,

*MS. letters of Colonel J. R. Logan, Dr. W. J. T. Miller, Ahrah.im Hardin; Hunter's
Sketches. 311 ; Moore's Lacey, 18; The Carolinian, Hickory, North Carolina, Oct. ist, 1880,
■j- MS. papers of Dr, John H. Logan.

lit

Ill

314

KIXG 'S MOUXTAIN

iuul uttoring her doop himentalions over iho dangers sur-
rounding her son, who had enUsted under tlie banners of
Ferguson. Alter the thing had, at length, ceased, and
all was still again, as if nothing had occurred to disturb the
peace that had brooded over the mountain from time
immemorial, the poor woman hastened, with a heaw heart.
accompanied by young Mullineaux, to the scent' of action.
Turning up the faces of the dead and wounded Tories,
scattered along the sides, and upon the crest (->{ tlie moim-
tain, she at length discovered the gory body of lu'r son
pierced by a rille ball. It was a heart-rending scene.*

The fatality of the sharp-shooters at King's Mountain
almost surpasses belief. Riilemen took oil' rillemen with
such exactness, that tliey killed each other when taking
sight, so instantaneously that their eyes remained, after
they were dead, one slinl and the other open — in tlie usual
manner of marksmen when leveling at their object. f Wil-
k'nson, in his Jfen/o//s, refers to " the Southern States, rent
by civil feuds, bleeding by the hands of brothers ; " and cites
an incident in point at King's Mountain, related to him by
Colonel Shelby, '■' that t:ro hrothers, expert riflemen, -were
seen to present at each other, to fire ami J'ali at the same
instant — their names were given to me, but they have
escaped mv memory." \

It is not improbable that these two brothers who con-
fronted and killed each other, as related by Colonel Slu-lby,
were of the Goforth family, of Rutherford County, North
Carolina. At least, four brothers — Preston Goforth on the
Whig side, and John Goforth and two others in the Tory
ranks — all participated in the battle, and all were killed.
It was ;: remarkable fatality. §

Another instance of brother killing a brother, during the
engagement, is thus related : A Whig soldier noticed a

*Dr. J. H. Logan's manuRcripts.

f I,amt)'s/<iKr«rt/. 308.

J Wilkiiisdti's Memoirs, i, 11^.

g MS. Correspoiulcnce oT \V. L. Twitty.

AND ITS HEROES.

315

good (leal of exocution in a particular part of his line from a

certain direction on the other side

n close observation,

he discovered that the fatal firiui;' on the part of Ferguson's
men, proceeded from behiml a hollow chestnut tree, and
t/irou<>ha/io/cinif. He concluded to make an etl'ort to
silence that battery, and aimed liis rifle shots repeatedly at
the aperture. At length the liring from that quarter ceased.
After the batUe, his curiosity prompteil him io examine the
place, and discovereil that he had killed one of his own
brothers, and wounded another, who had joined the Loyalist
forces, and concealed themselves in tlu> rear of this tree.
So much dill the patriot brother taki' the circumstance to
heart, that he became almost deranged in consequence.*

There were four brothers, all of Lincoln County, North
Carolina, who shared in the battle — William and Joseph
Logan, on the Whig side, and John and Tliomas Logan
amon<; Ferijfuson's forces. William Logan belongeil to
Mattocks company, and was close by his Captain wlu-n he
fell — the fatal ball having passed a hollow dead clu'stnut
tree. Joseph Logan, the other Whig brother, was a IJaptist
preacher; and, during the iMigagement, he, with a Presby-
terian minister, wrestled with tlu' Lord in prayer, as in
olden times, to stay up the hands of their friends. Thomas
Logan, one of the Tor}- brothers, hail his thigh badly
broken, and was lel't on the Held of battle; while liis
brother, J(>hn Logan, was taken among the prisoners, and
afterwards died a pauper. f These political divisions in
families, which were not unfrequent, were exceedingl}''
unpleasant, engendering much bitterness and animosity.

•fV

ii\

*Rcv, F,. R. Uoikwoll, iif Cool Spriii;;. Nortli CiiroliiKi, in Ilistotical M,\i'-,iziiir,
ScptcMiilier, 18(17, !'• 'S'-

T MS. CorrcspomliMico of Colonel J. R I.ogan. His Kraiulfathcr, William l.iM;;m, wlio
shared in tlie glories of King's Mountain, was a native of Virginia, born in i;.).), ilesrcml-
ing from Scotch-Irish ancestry. Itefore the war, he niarrieil Jane lilack, .tml settlei! in
Lincoln Innnty, North Carolina He did giod service at Kinj^'s Monnt.iin, and rendered
himself useful during the lontinuance of the contest, for whic h in his ailvanccd yc;irs he
drew a iiciision. After the war h.' settled on main Ilnffalo creek, on the lionler of Vork
County, South Carolina, where he died in i8v'. at the ai;e of tii;lity-lhree years, having
dropped deail in the (icld while foedini; his cattle. lie left five sons .uul two daughters, and
was long a worthy nicmhcr of the H.ip'i u church.

iin

31G

KING'S MOUNTAIN

In the morning, after the battle, a man \vas discovered
on the top of the mountain — one of the Tories, it is beUeved
— with a bullet hole through his head, a rifle ball having
entered his forehead, and passed out at the back part of his
cranium ; and strange to say, he was still alive, and sitting
in an upright posture on the ground. Some of his brains
had oozed out on either side of his head ; and though
unconscious, he was yet breathing. It was proposed by
those who saw him, that they would gently lay him down ;
and, on doing so, he instantl}' expired.*

On Sabbath morning, October the eighth, the sun shone
brightly, the first time in several days, and the patriots
were early astir — prompted thereto by two very pressing
motives. One was, that they might get on their return
route as quickly as possible, to secure a mich needed sup-
plv of provisions ; the other to hasten beyond the reach ot
the dreaded Colonel Tarleton, an encounter with whom
was ver\' undesirable, encumbered as they were \\ith so
many prisoners, and the necessary care and convcNance of
their own wounded. Seventeen baggage wagons were,
according to Colonel Shelby's letter to his father, among
the trophies of victory ; and these, says Ramsey's Tennes-
see, were drawn by the men across their camp-fires and
consumed. To have attempted to carry them along, would
have retarded their march over a rough countr}- ; and the
wounded could be best borne on the journey on horse-litters,
by fastening two long poles on either side of two horses at
tandem, leaving a space of six or eight feet between them,
stretching tent-cloth or blankets between the poles, on which
to place a disabled ofllcer or soldier.

In rambling that morning among the Tory wounded,
who lay scattered about — all who could had crept to the
branch to quench their raging thirst — James Gray, of the
Rutherford troops, tiiscovered an old acquaintance wounded

■^J. L. Gray's MS. narrative, derived from James Gray, one of the King's Mountain
men.

-II ill

AND ITS HEROES.

317

in the ankle, and unable to walk, Gra}' was fully aware,
that the inifortunate man was not one of those disrepu-
table Tories who had joined the King's standard, like
Plundering Sam Brown, simply for the sake of being
protected in rapine and plunder. Tie had joined Fergu-
son from conscientious motives, believing it his duty
to fight for the Royal Government. Gray feeling kindly
towards his old friend, took out his pocket-hantlkerchief,
bound up his broken limb, and did whatever else he could
to ameliorate his unhappv condition. Nor was this kind-
ness tl'.rown away. Recovering from his wound, the
Loyalist became a useful citizen to his country ; and, as
long as he lived, he manifested the strongest friendship for
Gray, who had shown him compassion in the day of his

distress. *

Among the prisoners. Colonel Shelb}^ discovered some

officers who had fought under his banner, a few weeks pre-
viously, at Musgrove's Mill. They declared that they had
been forced to join Ferguson, or fare worse ; and when
their cases had been inquired into, and their representations
found to be correct, their misfortunes were commisserated,
and they were henceforth regarded as friends, f Here a
woman was liberated from captivity, who had been taken pris-
oner in Burke County during Colonel Ferguson's inva-
sion of that region in the mondi preceding. She was a regu-
lar termagant — especially excited bv the presence of Tories,
and in tliis instance, her ire had probably been provoked
by the reckless plunder of her property, and she had appar-
ently been ajiprehended because she gave them a piece of
her tongue, in a manner quite too loose and reckless to suit
the fastidious notions of his Majesty's representatives in the
backwoods of America. \ Once again free in body, as her
unruly member alwavs had been, she reneweill}' indulged
her propensity, we may well judge, of saying ugly things
of Ferjxuson and his men to her heart's content.

-r

•^.

*J. L. Gray's MS. stMement, and Rutht-rford Enquirer, May 24, 1859.

•f Shelby, in /lOTcr»Vrt« f!e7<ie:i\ Iliciniljer, 1848.

} MS. statement of W. L. Twitty, derived from Colonel W. H. Miller.

it;ii

!['l '

'm '

11 'i

318

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Earlj' that morning, Colonel Campbell ordered two of
his men, William Snodgrass and Edward Smith, to return
on the route on which the army had advanced, so as to
meet the party of footmen, and prevent their further
approach in the direction of King's Mountain. Declining
a guard, because, as the messengers said, the patriots already
had the whole population of that region, either as soldiers
or prisoners, they went on, without any mishap or adventure,
to Broad ri\'er — apparently at the Cherokee Ford — where
they met their countrymen. They imparted to them the
iovful tidings of victory, and turned their course, in
obedience to orders, up the stream. *

According to the official report of Colonel Camjibell
and associates, fifteen hundred stand of arms were cap-
tured ; but in Colonel Shelby's letter to his fadier, written
five davs after the battle, twelve hundred is the number
stated — and a portion of these were supernumerar}^ designed
for new recruits. " The prisoners," says Shelby, " were
made to carry their own arms, as they could not have been
carried in any other way." The flints were taken from the
locks ; and, to the more strong and health}' Tories, two guns
each were assigned for conveyance. When ready to start
on the day's journey, the prisoners were marched, in single
file, by the spot where the rifles and muskets were stacked,
and each was directed to shoulder and carry the arms
allotted to him. Colonel Shelby, with his sword drawn,
stood by, among others, to see that the order was strictly
obeyed. One old fellow came toddling by, and evinced a
determination not to encumber himself with a gun. Shelby
sternly ordered him to shoulder one without delay. The
old man demurred, declaring he was not able to carry it.
Shelby told him, with a curse, that he was able to bring
one there, and he should carry one away ; and, at the same
time gave him a smart slap across his shoulders with the
flat side of his sword-blade. The old fellow, discovering

* MS. letter of \Vm. Snodgrass to Ex-Governor David Campbell, August 15th, 1S42.

AND ITS HEROES.

319

lie

that he could not trifle witli such a man as Slielby, jumped
at the gun-pile, shouldered one, and marched away in
double-quick time. *

There were not a few other articles, military and per-
sonal, that fell into the hands of the victors. These seem
to have been retained by those who possessed themselves of
them — as the troops, be it remembered, had not engaged in
the service by any order of Congress, or of their respective
States. It was entirelv a volunteer movement — no bajf^age-
wagons, no commissaries, no pay, and no supplies. General
Lenoir adds, that by the victory of King's Mountain, " many
militia ofllcers procured swords who could not possibly get
any before ; neither was it possible to procure a good sup-
ply of ammunition."

If the soldiers, who had inarched so far and suffered so
much, in order to meet and conquer Ferguson and his arm}-,
were not unwilling to appropriate to Uieir own use the
trophies of victory, there is at least one recorded instance
in which a sturdy Whig woman of the country refused
to profit by the spoils of war. Two brothers, Moses and
James Henry, of the Lincoln troops, residing in what is
now Gaston County, fought bravely in the battle ; Moses
Henry sealing his devotion to his country with his life's
blood — dN'ing, not long thereafter, in the hospital at Char-
lotte, of the wound he received in the action. I lis brother,
James Henry, while passing through the woods near the
scene of the conflict, a few days after the engagement,
found a very fine horse, handsomely equipped with an
elegant saddle, the reins of the bridle being broken. The
horse and equipments had belonged, as he supposed, to
some oflker of the enemy. He took the animal home with
him, greatly elated with his good luck ; but his patriotic
mother meeting him at the gate, immediately inquired whose
horse it was? He replied, that he judged that it had be-

'^■Slielby's narrative in the American Kniii-w; Ramsey's Tennessee, 242; General
Lenoir's statement; T. L. Gray's MSS. ; Rutherford Enquirer, May 24th, 1859.

320

A'AVG'S MOUNTAIN

longed to some British oflicor. " Jumes," said the mother,
sternly, '* turn it loose, and drive it olV the place, tor I will
not have the hands of my household soiled with British
phnuler."' Colonel Moses Henry Hand, a wortliy citizen
of Gaston Count}', is a grandson of Moses Henry who was
mortally wounded at King's Mountain. *

At length the patriot army was ready to commence its
long and tedious return march, encumbered with their
wt)unded, and over six hundred prisoners. A report was
prevalent tluit morning, that Tarleton's cavalry was press-
ing on, and would attempt to rescue the prisoners,! and
indict punishment upon the audacious mountaineers ; but
while it was only camp rumor, brought in by people from
the surrounding countr}', whose curiosity had prompted
them to visit the battle-field, yet the Whig leaders deemed
it wise to waste no time unnecessarily. Much of the morn-
ing had been consumed in preparing litters for the wounded.

When the army marched, some ten o'clock in the fore-
noon, Colonel Campbell '"emained behind with a party of
men to burv their unfortunate countrymen.! The British
Lieutenant Allaire states, that before the troops moved,
orders were given to his men by Colonel Campbell, that
should they be attacked on the march, to fire on and destroy
the prisoners. We have no means of determining whether
such orders were given on the supposition of Tarleton's pos-
sible pursuit, and attempt to rescue the captives : or it may
be, if there was any foundation for the statement, it was
made in a modified form.

A place of sepulture was selected, upon a small eleva-
tion, some eighty or a hundred yards south-east of Fergu-
son's head-quarters ; large pits were dug, and a number of
the slain placed together, with blankets thrown over them,
and thus hurriedly buried. § Tarleton asserts, on some

* Hunter's Sketches, pp. 296-97.

+ MS. letter of Wm, Snodgr.iss to Governor Campbell; Mills' Statistics, J79 ', conver-
sations with Sil.15 Moike .mil John Spelts, survivors of the b.ittle.
] St.Ttement of Joseph Phillips, one of Clevel.'ind's men.
§ MS. letters of Wm. Snodgrass and John Craig, of CarnDbell's regiment.

B; i

AND ITS HEROES.

321

reports he liad lioard, tliat the mountaineers used every
insult and indignity towards the dead body of Ferguson ; *
and Hanger, an officer at that time in Tarleton's corps,
dechires that such was the inveteracy of the Americans
against the British leader, that while they buried all the
other bodies, they stripped Ferguson's of its clothes, and
left it naked on the Held of battle, to be devoured by the
turkey-buzzards of the countr}-. f

Colonel Ferguson's biographer repeats the statement
that his body was stripped, and his surviving comrades
were denied the privilege of bestowing upon his remains
the honors of a soldier's burial ; but that the neighboring
people subsequently accorded to him a decent interment. X
Mills, in his Slufistics of South Carolhicu remarks, that
the victors, dreading the arrival of Tarleton, "hastened from
the scene of action ; nor durst the}- atten. to the burial of
the dead, or to take care of the woundeci, man}- of whom
were seen ujion the ground, two days after the battle,
imploring a little water to cool their burning tongues ; but
they were left to perish there, and tliis long hill was
whitened with their bones."

That Ferguson's elegant clothing, under his duster or
hunting-shirt, ma}'^ have been taken, and that even some
indignities may have been shown by an excited soldiery,
towards the British leader's lifeless body, is quite possible ;
if so, it is strange that two ofllcers of his corps, much
devot 'd to him, Lieutenant Allaire and Captain Ryerson,
should make no mention of any such circumstance in
their narratives of King's Mountain battle. At all events,
when Colonel Campbell detailed a party of his troops
to remain behind to burv the American dead, he directed
a number of the British prisoners to dig pits for the
interment of their fallen companions, and at the same

* Tarleton's Camfiaigns. quarto etlition, 165.
f Hanger's Life ami Opinions, ii, 406.
J Dr. Ferguson's Memoir, 35.
21

.»4.J«y

I' '

I' -'

¥.

322

KING'S MOUNTAIN

time, detained Doctor Johnson to attend to the wounded of
the enein\- before his tinal departure.* That the grave-pits
were sliallow, and the work of .st-puUnre liastily performed,
is very HkeU-, for tlie reception of both the American and
British remains ; but all was undoiibtedlx' done that well
could be, under the circumstances, with such limited facil-
ties as they possessed, and in their half-starved condition,
and, witlial, threatened, as they supposed, with a visit from
Tarleton's Legion. The British dead were interred in two
pits — one a very large one, probably where the Tories were
laid, side by side; the other, a smaller one, where doubt-
less the men of Ferguson's corps were buried. f

The wolves of the surrounding countrv were soon
attracted to the spot by the smell of flesh and blood ; and
for several weeks they revelled upon the carcasses of the
slain — some of which had been overlooked and left un-
buried, while others were scratched out of their shallow
graves by these prowlers of the wiltferness. Vultures and
wolves divided the human plunder ; and so bold and
audacious did the latter grow, gorging on flesh, that they,
in some instances, showed a disposition to attack the living,
when visiting the scene of the battle. And long after the

war, it is said, that King's Mountain was the favorite resort

of the wolf-hunter ■*■

'■' MS. letter of Wm. Snodgrass to Governor Campbell, August 15th. 1843; Rcnjamin
Sharp's statement in the American Pioneer. These acts of kindness on the part of Colonel
Campbell, cfTectiially disprove the supposition of Carrington. in his Battles of the Revo-
lution, tli.ii the Tory wo\indcd were deliberately slaughtered by the victorious patriots,

■j-MS. correspondence of Abraham Hardin,

1 Doctor Logan's MSS, and his Ifistory 0/ i//>/>,r Sjtttk Carolina, 63 ; MS. corres-
pondence of Colonel J. R. Logan; Mills' Statistics, 779.

It may be added, in this connection, that in 1S15, through the instrumentality of Doctor
William McLean, of Linc-iln County, North Carolina, a day was set ajiart, and the
scattered luiman bones on the mountain, dragged away from their firmer resting places by
the voracious wolves were collected together, and re-interred; and the old nioriunient or
head-stone of dark slate rock erected at the expense of Doctor McLean, who delivered
a suitable address on the occ.ision. The monnment bears this inscription: f)n the east
side — "Sacred to the memory of M d >r Will' im ChronicK', Captain John Mattocks, William
Robb, and John Boyd, who were killed at this place on the 7th of October, i7?i, figbling
in defence of America, ' On the west side: "Colonel Ferguson, an ollicer of his
Hritannic .Majesty, was defeated and killed at this place, on the 7th of October. 1780," —
Mills' Statistics, 779; Hunter's .y^Wt/«rj, pp. 289, 311; MS. correspondence of Abraham
Hardin.

AND ITS HEROES.

323

When the army took up its line of march, strongly
guarding tlicir prisoners, the tenderest possible care was
bestowed on the sull'ering wounded, conveyed on the horse-
litters — and of none more so than on the heroic Colonel
Williams. In the early part of the afternoon, when about
three miles south-west of the battle ground, on the route
towards Deer's Ferry on Broad river, the little guard having
him in charge, discovering that life was fast ebbing away,
stopped by the road-side at Jacob Randall's place, since long
the homestead of Abraham Ilardin, where he quietly
breathed his last. His death was a matter of sincere grief to
the whole army. His friends resolved, at lirst, to carry his
remains to his old home, near Little river, in Laurens
County ; but soon after changed this determination. March-
ing some twelve miles from the battle ground, they en-
camped that night near the eastern bank of Broad river,
and a little north of Buffalo creek, on the road leading to
North Carolina, and witliin two or three miles of Boren's or
Bowen's river and known also as Camp's creek. Here
at the deserted plantation of a Tory named Waldron as
Allaire has it — or Fondren, as Silas McBee remembered
the name* — they found good camping ground, with plenty
of drj^ rails and poles for their evening fires, and happily
a sweet potato patch sufficiently large to supply the whole
army.

"This," says Benjamin Sharp, "was most fortunate,
for not one in fifty of us had tasted food for the last two
days and nights — since we left the Cowpens." During the
evening Colonel Campbell and party rejoined the patriots ;
and the footmen arrived whom they had left at the ford of
Green river, and who had made commendable progress in
following so closel}^ upon the mounted advance ; and who

*Col. J. R. Logan fully corroborates McDie's statement— that in-.tead of Waldron, as
Allaire has it, the name of the owner of the plantation where Williams was buried, was
Matthew Fondren, connected \>-ith the (^iiinns of that region — so states Mrs. Margaret
Roberts, vee Qninn. now nearly ninety years of age, and reared in that locality. I'ondren
was subsequently thrown from a chair or gig. and killed.

ii*

ill*

( .. t«

-■^ '1 --*'■■

324

KING 'S MO UNTAJN

ill

had, moreover, the good fortune to secure a teinporar}'
supply of food — live beef cattle, probably ; so that the
hungry mountaineers, almost famished, now enjoyed a
happy repast.*

The next morning, for want of suitable conveyance, the
friends of Colonel Williams concluded to bury his remains
were they were. They were accordingly interred with the
honors of war, between the camp of the patriots and the
river, a little above the mouth of Buffalo creek — on what
was long known as the Fondrcn, then the old Carnith
place, now belonging to Captain J. B. Mintz.f Having
performed this touching service, and fired a parting volley
over the newly made grave of one of the noted heroes of
the war of independence, the army, late in the day,
renewed its line of march apparent!}' up Broad river ; and
alter passing what Allaire calls Bullock's creek, but what
is evidently Borcn's river they took up quarters for the
pight on its northern bank, having accomplished only two
and a half miles. Beside the burial of Colonel Williams,
the precarious condition of the wounded, probably, re-
tarded the progress of this day's march, and time was
needed for recuperation.

Tuesda}'-, the tenth, was a busy day. The course pur-
sued would seem to have been still up main Brord river,
crossing First Broad and Sandy run, in a north-westerly
direction, towards Gilbert Town, and camping in the woods
that night, probably not very far from Second Broad
river, after having accomplished a march of twenty
miles. An incident occurred on this part of the route,

'■' Snodt;rnss MS. letter to Oovprnor Campbell; Sharp's n.irrative ; General Lenoir's
statement; Allaire's MS. Dinry : and conversations with Sil.is McHee.

V MS. correspondence of Colonel J. R. Logan and Abraham Hardin. Colonel Logan
adds, that he learned from Captain Mintz that a tradition had been handed down tb:U
Coliinel Williams was buried in that neighborhood, and no little pains had been taken to
identify the grave by various people, and even by some of Colonel Williams' descendants,
but without success. At length Captain Mintz employed some men to shrub offa field
long OTergrown, and requested them to watch for the long-forgotten grave ; and sure enough,
they found a grave with a bead and foot stone composed of a different kind of rock from
those abounding there, and well overgrown with grape vines. Though there was no in-
scription on the head-stone, there is no doubt it is the grave of "Old King's Mountain Jim."

AND ITS HEROES,

ly
Is

[e,

lir's

worth}' of notice. Among the prisoners were six brotliers
named Gage, who had joini>d Ferguson in coiisecjuence of
the Tory influences surroutuhng them. During the second
day's march, one of the Gages was taken ill, when the
ofllcer of the day, who probably could not proN'ide any
means for his conveyance, and possibly surmising Uiat he
was feigning sickness, in order to seek an ojiportuniiy to
escape, or delay the Whigs so that Tarleton migiu overtake
them, urged the sick prisoner to keep pace with the others.
His brothers, to save him from possible calamity, took turns
in carrying him on their backs ; and they adopted the plan
of availing themselves of their peculiar situation to lag as
much behind as possible, with a view of taking advantage
of the ih'st considerable stream they should have occasion ♦o
pass, in the night, to fall down in the water, and suflei tne
rear guard to ride over them. Their scheme succeeded,
and they thus escaped in the darkness unobserved.* T'he
Whigs kept up their march of evenings, so long as Uiey
thought it necessary to place themselves beyond the reach
of liritish pursuit.

During Wednesday, the eleventh, the army marched
twelve miles, and encamped at Colonel John Walker's,
according to Allaire's IJ/'arv. Colonel Walker, one of the
prominent Whig leaders of the country, resided some five
rriiles north-east of Gilbert Town, on the east side of Cane
creek, half a mile above its mouth, and a mile below the
present Brittain church. f There seems to have been

'■"Conversations witli Henjriinin Starritt, in iS.(3,

tColuncl Walker was luirti on Ilolieniia (reek. N'ew Castle County, Delaware, in 1728.
When j;rown. he settled on tlic South llranch of Potomac. Hampshire County. Virginia,
where he marricil Klizabelh Watson. He served as a volunteer under Colonel Washington,
and shared in ISraddock's disastrous defeat in 1755. He shortly after removed to North
Carolina, settling first on Leepcr's Creek, in now Lincoln County, and served on Colonel
Grant's campaign against the Cherokees in 1761. He subsequently located on Crowder's
Creek ; and, in 176S, at the month of Cane Creek, where he purchased a fine tract of four
hundred acres for a doubloon. He was a man of marked character and prominence, hold-
ing several commissions under the Colonial Government — Colonel Con\mandant of Tryon
County, and Judge of the Court for many years. On the breakin;: out of the Revolution,
sharing in the sympathies of the penjile, he resijjned his Loyal olh^es, and was among the
foremost in signing the Articles of Association, pledging resistance to British encroaclinients.

rill •

1: !

Hi i 1

[i ■'■ !i

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32(>

KING'S MOUNTAIN

individual cases of sava<fo severity, even to murder, exer-
cised towards the prisoners. Colonel Brandon, a rough,
impulsive Irisliman, discovering that one of the Tories, who
had been carrying a couple of the captured guns, had
dodged into a hollow sycamore In- the road-side, dragged
him from his hiding place, and completely hacked him to
pieces with his sword.* Hints and innuendoes have been
occasionally thrown out against Colonel Campbell himself
as guilty of heartless cruelty to tlu! Tory prisoners ; f but
the following extract from his (rciicral Order, at the camp
below Gilbert Town, October eleventh, i7iSo, probably in
the early part of the day, should be a complete vindication
of his memory and good name from such a charge: "I
must," he said, "request tlie ollicers of all ranks in the
army to endea\or to restrain the disorderly manner of
slaughtering and disturbing the prisoners. If it cannot be
prevented by moderate measures, such ellectual punishment
shall be executed upon delinquents as will put a stop to it." \
It would appear that the army, on its march this day,
passed through Gilbert Town ; and resting there awhile,
the prisoners were placed in a pen, in which Ferguson,
when stationed there, had confmed captured Whigs. When
the British held full swa}' in that quarter, a Tory woman
there was asked what tlie leaders were going to do w ith
their Rebel prisoners in the bull-pen? "We are going,"
she tartly replied, "to hang all the d — dold Rebels, and take
their wives, scrape their tongues, rmd let them go." This

in August, 1775; and. the same month, served as a member of the Convention at Hillsl)oro.
His sons took an active part in the war, one of whom, Feli.\ Walker, represented Ruther-
ford County seven years in the House of Commons, and six in Congress. Colonel Walker,
in 1787, removed to the mouth of Green river, in Rutherford County, where he died
January isth. 1796, in his sixty-eighth year. He was one of the pioneer fathers of Western
C;irolina. For most of the facts in this note, we al:know!l.•d^;e our imlubtcdness to tin'
Mijiwirs 0/ Hon. Felix M'alker. edited by his Rrandson, Samuel R Walker.

* Conversations with the late Dr. A. Q. liradley, who had this incident from one of
Brandon's men.

T Statements of Henry Ulcvins. John I-ang and Jacob Isely. appended to Shelby's
King's Mount.iin pamphlet. 1823; and W \. Henderson's published Lecture on Governor
John Sevier at Kno.wille, Tennessee, in January. 1873.

J Copied from the original, furnished by General John S. freston ; Bancroft, x, 340.

AND JTS HEROES.

327

same Loyiilist huly, nowwluMi llu- ch;ini^os dflortune had so
siulilciily reversed matters, a^aiii visited tlie prison-pen,
where her husband, wiio had joined Fer^aison's forces, was
ainon<f those in conlinenient ; .ind, with eyes lilk-d with
tears, touchiuLjly inquired of' James Gray, one of the
guard, ''What are you Whigs going to do with tliese
poor telh)ws? " Retorting in her own shmg hmguage, to
annoy and liumble lier, he repHed : " We are going to liang
all the d — d old Tories, and take their wives, scrape their
tongues, and let them go." This severe response com-
pletely confounded the termagant, against whose friends
and cause the battle liad gone, and she silently retired.*

Remaining in camp at Walker's during Thursday, the
twelfth, the baggage of the British leaders was divided
among the Whig officers, save a small portion granted to
Captain DePeyster and his associates for a change. Colonel
Shelby, referring to the tardy movements of the troops,
observes : " Owing to the number of wounded, and the des-
titution of the army of all conveyances, they traveled
slowly, and in one week had only marched about forty
miles." t Another trying circumstance was, that in conse-
quence of the contending armies having eidier occupied, or
repeatedl}' tniv^ersed, this sparsely settled region, during the
preceding two or three months, the people were completely

*^fS. statement of J. L. Gray, derived from his grandfather, James (>ray; Rutherford
Enquirer,. May 24th, 1859.

James Gray, whu (^ciierously bound up. witli his handkerchief, the broken ankle of a
Tory acquaintance at King's Mountain, and treated the Tory woman with a touch of his
bitinjj sarcasm, was a worthy Revolutionary soldier. He was born in Augusta County,
Virginia, in 1755, and settled in Tryon, since Rutherford County, North Carolina, prior to
the Revolution. He served throughout the war, a part of the time in Captain Miller's com-
pany. He took part in Rutherford's campaign against the Cherokees in 1776; in the fight
at Karle's on North Pacolet ; in chasing Dunlap to I'rince's Fort; and was in Captain
Edward Hampton's company at the capture of Fort Anderson, on Thicketty creek. It
was, as he used to relate, a matter of great satisfaction to him. that he aided in capturing
at King's NFountain some of his Tory acquaintances who had formerly pursued him when
unable to defend himself. He served in Captain Inman'^ company at the siege of Ninety
Six. in 1781 ; and not long after was appointed a Captain, and guarded the stations at
Earle's, Russell's, Waddlctons and White Oak. Captain Gray lived to enjoy a pension,
and died in Riit'i.^'rford County. October stst, iOj6. at the good old age of eighty-one years.

\ American Review, December. 1848.

In ^

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328

A'JiVG 'S MO UNTAIN

stripped of provisions, and both the patriots and their pris-
oners sullered greatly lor want of the necessaries of Hfe.
"The party," says the British Lieutenant AUaire, "was
kept marching two vlays without any kind of provisions."
Tliomas You'.ig, in his narrdtive, refers to the army
arriving on Cane creek with the prisoners, "where," he adds,
'•we all came near starving to death. The countr}- was
very thinly settled, and provisions could not be had for love
Or money. I thought green pumpkins, sliced and fried,
about the sweetest eating I ever had in my life. " * The poor
prisoners fared worse, for their food was uncooked. When
camped for the night, they were fed, while surrounded by a
cordon-guard, like so many farmers swine — corn upon the
car, and raw pumpkins, being thrown to them, which the
hungry fellows would seize with avidity, f To expedite the
march of the army. Colonel Campbell issued an order on
the thirteenth, while yet encamped at Walker's place,
directing that all the wounded who were not able to march
with the army, should be billeted in the best manner pos-
sible, the several companies to which they belonged provid-
ing the necessary assistance for their removal to places
selected for them. * This was probably int-nided to ligluen
the army of a part of its encumbrance ; but we judge, it was
found impra< ticable in that setdement, in consequence of
the scarcity of proxisions. Thatda}^ according to Allaire's
Diary, the troops moved, with their prisoners, 'Cwv. or six
miles, north-east of Walker's to Bickerstaff's, or Bigger-
stafT's Old Fields, since known as the Red Chimneys, where
a stack of chimneys long stood alter the house had deca}ed
and been demolished. This locality is on Robertson's
creek, some nine miles north-east of the present village of
Rutlieifordton.

''Orion Magazine. Octubcr, 1843.

f Conversations with Joiin Spelts, an eye-witness to these scenes ; ar J also with Ben-
jamin Starritt.

I Colonel Campbell's MS. order, preserved by General Preston.

AND ITS HEROES.

329

CHAPTER XV.

October— November, 1780.

Colonel Cauiphcll PrnoiiitiiS r/iiiiiltrin^-. — Coiiiplnints against Tory
LfUt/ers. — Their Ontrai^rs on ilw IV/tii^s. — A Court called to Con-
sider the Matter. — Retaliation for British Executions Demanded. —
A Law Found to Meet the Case. — Charges against Mills, Gil key,
and McFall. — Colonel Davenport Noticed. — Number of Tories
Tried and Condemned. — Case of fames Crawford. — One of the
Prisoners Released. — Cleveland Favoring Severe Measures. —
Motives of the Patriots I 'indicated. — Shelby s Explanation. —
Tories Executed— their Names and Residence. — Paddy Carr's
Remarks, and A'otice of Ilim. — lialdwin's Singular Escape. —
Further Executions Stopped. — Tories Subsequently Hung. — Rumor
of Tarleton's Approach. — ll'higs Hasten to the Catawba. — A Hard
Days March — -Sufferings of Patriots and Prisoners. — Major Mc-
Doivell's Kindness. — Mrs. Mc Do-oell' s Treatment of British Ofji-
ccs. — Some of the Whig Troops Retire. — Disposition of the J I 'ounded.
— Prisoners Escape — One Re-taken and Hung. — March to the
Mora-iUan Settlements. — Bob Powell's Challenge. — Ojjicial Account
of the Battle Prepared. — Campbell and Shelby Visit General Gates.
— Clei'cland left in Command. — His Trial of Tories. — Escaf)e of
Green and I.aiigum. — Cleveland Assaults Doctor Johnson. — Colonel
Armstrong Succeeds to the Command. — Escape of British Officers.

While encamped at Bickerstair's, on Saturday, the four-
teenth, Colonel Campbell issued a General Order, cU-^ilor-
ing the " many deserters from the army," and the felonies
committed by them on the po\erty-stricken people of the
country. " It is with anxiety," he adds, "that I hear the
complaints of the inhabitants on account of tlie plundering
parties who issue out of the camp, and indiscriminately rob
both Whig and Tory, leaving our friends, I believe, in a
worse situation than the enemy would have done:'" and
appeals to the officers "to exert themselves in suppressing

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830

KING'S MOUNTAIN

this abominable practice, degrading to the name of soldiers.''
He furtiier orders that none of the troops be discharged,
till the prisoners can be transferred to a proper guard. *
But some of the prisoners were soon to be disposed of in a
manner evident)}^ not anticipated when the order just issued
was made known to tlie army.

- During this day, an important occurrence transpired at
Bickerstaff's. The officers of the two Carolinas united in
presenting a complaint to Colonel Campbell, that there
were, among the prisoners, a number who were robbers,
house-burners, parole-breakers, and assassins. The British
victory near Camden had made, says General Preston,
" Cornwallis complete master of South Carolina. This
power he was using with cruelty, unparalleled in modern
civilized conquest ; binding down the conquered people
like malefactors, regarding each Rebel as a condemned
criminal, and checking every murmur, answering every
suspicion with the sword and the fire-brand. If a suspected
Whig fled from his house to escape the insult, the scourge
or the rope, the myrmidons of Ferguson and Tarleton
burned it down, and ravished his wife and daughters ; if a
son refused to betray his parent, he was hung like a dog ;
if aw'ife refused to tell the hiding-place ol' lar husband, her
belly was ripped open b)- the butcher-knife of the Tory ;
and to add double horror and infam}- to the deep damna-
tion of such deeds, Americans were forced to be the instru-
ments for perpetrating them. Tiaat which Tarleton (beast,
murderer, hypocrite, ravisher as he was,) was ashamed to
do, he had done by Americans — neighbors, kinsmen of his
victims. I draw no fancy picture — the truth is wilder far
than the fiibulist's imagination can feign." \

Bancroft touching! depicts the sad condition of the
people, where uncheckvd Toryism had borne sway : " The
sorrows of children and women,'' he says, "robbed and

*MS. Order preserved by General Preston,
t King's Mountain W./rfz-Wf, October, 1855,49.

AND ITS HEROES.

331

wronged, shelterless, stripped of all clothes hut those they
wore, nestling ahout iires they kindled on the ground, and
mourning lor their lathers and hushands," were witnessed
on every hand ; and these helpless suM'erers appealed to all
hearts for sympathy and prctection. Colonel Camphell, on
the strength of the complaints made to him, was induced to
order the convening of a court, to examine fully into the
matter. The Carolina officers urged, that, if diese men
should escape, exasperated, as they now were, in con-
sequence of their humiliating defeat, they would com-
mit other enormides worse than their former ones.*
The British leaders had, in a high-hand' d and summary
manner, hung not a few of the captured patriots at
Camden, and more recently at Ninety Six, and Augusta ;
and now that the Whigs had the means of retaliation at
their command, they began to consider whether it was
not their duty to exercise it ; thinking, probably, that it
would have a heaUhful influence upon the Loyalists — that
the disease of Toryism, in its worst aspects, was disastrous
in its effects, and heroic treatment had become necessary.

Colonel Shelby, with others, seems to have taken this
view of the subject. When the mountaineers " reached
Gilbert Town," says Shelby, " a week after the battle, they
were informed by a paroled officer, that he had seen eleven
patriots hung at Ninety Six a few days before, for being
Rebels. Similar cruel and uniusdfiable acts had been
committed before. In the opinion of the patriots, it required
retaliatory measures to put a stop to these atrocities. A
copy of the law of North Carolina was obtained, which
authorized two magistrates to summon a jury, and forthwith
to try, and, if found guilty, to execute persons who had
violated its precepts." \ This law providing capital punish-
ment, must have had reference to those guilty of murder,
arson, house-breaking, riots, and other criminal offences.

* Ensign Rolicrt CanipbcH's King's ^{ollnt<1in narrative,
+ Shelby, in American Kez'icw, December, 1848.

332

KING'S MOUNTAIN

"Colonel Campbell," sa3's Ensign Campbell, "complied,
and ordered a court-martial to sit immediately, composed of
the Held officers and Captains, who were ordered to inquire
into the complaints which had been made. Tiie court was
conducted orderh', and witnesses were called and examined
in each case — the consequence was, tluit tliirl\--t\vo were
condemned." *

Under the law as cited by Colonel Shelb}', while the
tribunal was, no doubt, practically, a court-martial, it was
nominalh", at least, a civil court, with two presiding justices.
There was no difficult}^ on this point, for most of the
North Carolina officers were magistrates at home — Colonel
Cleveland, and four or five others, of the Wilkes regiment
alone filling that position. The jury was composed of
twelve officers — Lieutei^int x\llaire, in his Diar\\ denouncing
it as " an infamous mock jury." " Under this law," says
Shelb}', "thirty-six men were tried, and found guilt}' of
breaking open houses, killing the men, turning the women
and children out of doors, and burning the houses. The
trial was concluded late at night; and the execution of the
law was as summary as the trial."

How much of the evidence, hurriedlv adduced, was one-
sided and prejudiced, it is not possible at this late day to
determine. Colonel Ambrose Mills, the principal person
of those condemned, was a man of fair reputation, and
must have been regarded chiefly in the light of being a
proper and prominent character upon whom to exercise
retaliatory measures ; and yet it was necessary to make
some specific charge against him — the only one coming
down to us, is that relat d by Silas McBee, one of the
King's Mountain men under Colonel Williams, that Mills
had, on some former occasion, instigated the Cherokees to
desolate the frontier of South Carolina, which was very
likely without foundation. It was proven against Captain
Walter Gilkey, that he had called at the house of a Whig ;

''Annals of the Army of Tennfssei\ 1878.

AND ITS HEROES.

333

and inquiring if he was at home, was informed b}' liis son,
a youth, that he was absent, when the Tory Captain
immediately drew liis pistol, discharged it, wounding the
lad in tlie arm, and taking his gun from him. Recovering
from his wound, this youth was now with the mountaineers,
and testified against his would-be murderer. Gilkey's aged
father was present, and otVered in vain his horse, saddle and
bridle, and a hundred dollars in money, as a ransom for
his son.*

Another case somewhat similar to Gilkev's, was that of
John McFall, a noted Tory leader of Burke Count\'. Head-
ing a party of mounted Loyalists, McFall dashed up to the
house of Martin Davenport, on John's river, hoping to
capture or kill him, as he was a prominent Whig, and had,
more than once, marched against the Tories, under Colonel
Cleveland and IMajor McDowell. But they tailed to find
him, as he was absent in the service. The Tory band vented
their spleen and- abuse on Mrs. Davenport, and directed her
to prepare breakfast for them ; and McFall ordered the lad,
William Davenport, then in his tenth year, to go to the corn
crib, procure some corn, and feed the horses in the trough
prepared for such use at the hitchi-.g post. After getting
their meal, and coming out to start of!', McFall discovered
that the horses had not been fed, and asked the little fellow
rouii'hh' whv he had not done as he had bidden him? The
spirited little Rebel replied: "If you want your horses fed,
feed them yourself." Flying into a passion, McFall cut a
switch and whipped him smartly.

At the trial at BickerstaiT's, when McFall's case was
reached. Major McDowell, as the proper representa-
tive of Burke County, whence the culprit hailed, was
called on to give his testimony- ; when, not probably regard-
ing McFall's Conduct as deserving of death, he was disposed

* Conversations with Silas Mcnee; narrative of Knsign Robert Campbell ; MS. corres-
pondence of W. L. Twitty, as related by the venerable John Gilkey, of Rutherford County,
N. C, in no way related to his Tory namesake.

834

KING \S MO UNTAIN

to be lenient towards him. Colonel Cleveland, who, it
would appear, was one of the presiding justices, had his
attention attracted from his paper, upon which he was mak-
ing some notes, bv hearing McFalTs name mentioned,
now spoke up — ''That man, McFall, went to the house
of Martin Davenport, one of my best soldiers, when he
was away from home, lighting for his country, insulted his
wife, and whipped his child ; and no such man ought to
be allowed to live."* His fate was scaled by this revela-
tion : but his brother. Arthur IMcFall, the old hunter of tlie
mountains, was saved through the kind intervention of Major
and Captain McDowell, believing, as he had been wounded
in the arm at King's Mountain, it would admonish him not
to be found in the future in bad compan}'. f

Benjamin Sharp represents that the number of Tories
condemned to the gallows was upwards of forty, Thomas
Maxwell and Governor David Campbell say thirty-nine,
Shelby thirty-six. General Lenoir and Ensign Campbell
thirty-two, while Ramsey's Tennessee, Lieutenant Allaire,
Benjamin Starritt and others, give the number as thirty.
Starritt asserts that those upon whom sentence of death had
been pronounced, were divided into three classes of ten each

*MS. pension statement of Riclinrd Ballew, of Knox County, Ky., formerly of Burke
County N C. ; MS. leitors of Hon. J. ('. H.irpor. antl Captain W. \V. Lenoir, who hail
the particulars from William Davenport liimsulf. Colonel Davenport was born in Culpeper
County. Virginia, Octoljer i2, 1770 His mother dying about the close of the Revolution
of small-pox, his father removed to tho mountain region, on Toe river, in now Mitchell
County ; a hunter's paradise, where he cotdd indulge himself in his favorite occupation
of hunting, and where his son William killed the last elk ever seen in North Carolina.
Colonel William Davenport became a man of prominence, representing Burke County in
the House of Commons in i3oo, and in the Senate in 1802. He possessed an extraordinary
memory, was a most excellent man ; and was the chief founder of Davenport Female Col-
lege at I.enoir. He married the widow of Major Charles Gordon, one of the KiTig\ Moun-
tain heroes; and lived for many years in the Happy Valley of the Yadkin, three and a
half miles above Fort Defiance, where he died August ig, 1859, in the eighty-ninth year of
his age.

•{•MS. coriespor.dcnce of \V. A. McC.ill, F,sq., of McDowell County, N, C, who knew
.•\rthur McFall very well. He used to speak kindly of the McDowells befriending him,
and said that Colonel (Cleveland hrid little mercy on Americans who were caut;ht fighting
with the British, Arthur McFall spent most of his life as a hiintcr in the mountains,
making his home, when in the settlements, with old acquaintances He was a man after
Daniel Boone's own heart; and died about the year 1835, on Grassy Creek, at the venerable
age of between ninety and a hundred years.

AND ITS HEROES.

335

— Colonel Mills heading the Hrst class, and James Crawford
the second class. It will be remembered that Crawford,
who lived at the head of French Broad river, belonged to
Sevier's regiment ; and while at " The Bald " of the Yellow
Mountain on their outward march, had enticed Samuel
Chambers, an inexperienced youth, to desert with him, and
thev gave Ferguson information of the plans and approach
of the mountaineers. It is said, that when Ferguson had
taken post on King's Mountain, and a week had elapsed
since the renegades brought the report, that he had caused
Crawford to be tried and condemned for briniring false in-
telliifence ; and the evenin^T of the seventh of Oct(-)ber had
been set for his execution. However this may have been,
Colonel Sevier interceded in Crawford's behalf, as he could
not bear to see his old neighbor and friend sufler an igno-
minious death, and had him pardoned. He subsequently
removed to Georgia. Young Chambers' guilt was excused
on account of his youthfulness. * Judged by the laws of
war, Crawford was a deserter ; and in view of the inj^uy he
tried to inflict on the Wliig cause, he as richl}' deserved the
halter as Andre, and doubtless much more than any of his
Tory associates.

As Abram Forney, one of the Lincoln troops, was sur-
veying the prisoners, through the guard surrounding them,
he discovered one of his neighbors, who only a short time
before King's Mountain battle, had been acting with the
Whigs ; but had been over-persuaded, by some of his Tory
acquaintances, to join the King's troops. Upon seeing h* n,
Forney exclaimed — *' Is that you, Simon?" "Yes," he
replied, quickly, " it is, Abram, and I beg you to get me out
of this bull-pen ; if you do. I will promise ne\'er to be
caught in such a scrape again." When it was, accordingly,
made to appear on the day of trial, that he had been untbrtu-
nateh' wrought upon by some Tcjr}' neighbors, such a miti-
gation of his disloyalt}^ was presented as to induce the court

' MS. notes of conversations with James and George \V. Sevier, and Benjamin Starritt,

KING 'S MO UNTAIN

to ovcM-look liis ofience, and set him at liberty. Soon aflor-
warcls, true to his promise, he joined his former Whig
comrades, marclied to tlie battle of Guilford, and made a
good soldier to the end of the war. *

So far as the evidence goes, Colonel Cleveland was
probably more active and determined than any other officer
in bringing about these severe measures ; though Colonel
Brandon, it was well known, was an inveterate hater of
Tories ; and Colonel Shelby seems to have aided in lind-
ing a State law that would meet these cases. It is said
that Cleveland had previously threatened to hang certain
Tories whenever he could catch them ; f and Governor
Rutledgc, shortly after this affair, ascribed to him the chief
merit of the execution of several " noted horse thieves and
Tories" taken at King's Mountain. +

The Southern country was then in a very critical condi-
tion, and there seemed to be a grave necessity for checking,
by stern and exemplary punishment, the Tory lawlessness
that largely over-spread the land, and impressing that
class with a proper sense of the power and detcrminivtion
of the Whigs to protect their patriot friends, and punish
their truiltv enemies. Referring to the action at Bicker-
staff's. Ensign Campbell well observes: "The officers on
that occasion acted from an honorable motive to do the
greatest good in their power ft)r the public service, and to
check those enormides so frequently committed in the States
of Nordi and South Carolina at that time, their distress
being almost unequalled in the annals of the American
Re\olution." The historian, Bancroft, errs in supposing
that these execudons were the work of lawless "private
soldiers." § The complaints against the Tory leaders were
made by the officers of the western armj- from the two
Carolinas, and the court and jury were composed exclu-

\^^^{

* Hunter's Sketches, pp. 266-67.

f Oordon's .I;;«'>-/V(i« !\c7roliituin,\v., ^66; Mrs. Warren's Revolution, '\\, 2^2,

J Russell's Magazine, 1857, i, 543.

g History 0/ the United States, x, 339.

Ill

AND ITS HEROES.

337

sively of officers — ami all was done under the form and
sanction of law.

While the jurist-historian, Johnson, could have wished
that the conquerors of Ferguson had been magnanimous,
and spared these miserable wretches from the gallows, yet
as an act of justice and public policy he vindicates their
conduct. Many severe animadversions, he observes, have
been showered on the brave men who fought at King's
Mountain for this instance of supposed severity. War, in
its mildest form, is so full of horrors, Unit the mind recoils
from vindicating any act that can, in the remotest degree,
increase its miseries. To these no act contributes more
than that of retaliation. Hence no act should be \'entured
upon with more solemn deliberation, and none so proper to
be confined to a commander-in-chief, or the civil power.
But tlie brave men who fought in the aP'.iir at King's
Mountain, arc not to be left loaded with unmerited censure.

The calmest and most dispassionate reflection upon
their conduct, on this occasion, will lead to the conviction,
that if they committed any offence, it was against their own
country — not against the enemy. That instead of being
instigated b}' a thirst of blood, they acted .■ jlely with a view
to put an end to its eft'usion ; and boldly, for this purpose,
took upon themselves all the dangers that a system of retalia-
tion could superinduce. The olHcers of the American army,
who, twelve months afterwards, hazarded their lives by
calling upon their General to avenge the death of Ilayne,
justly challenge the gratitude and admiration of their
country; but the men of King's Mountain (for it is avowed
as a popular act, and not that of their chief alone), merit
the additional reputation of having assumed on themselves
the entire responsibility, without wishing to involve the
regular ;.• ny in their dangers. And this was done in the
plenitude of British triumph, and when not a man of them
could count on safety for an hour, in anvthin<; but his own
bravery and \igilance.

K' \:-\

338

K/.VG'S MOUNTAIN

'.'

i I

But what was the prospect before them? They were
all proscribed men ; the measures of Lord CornwalHs had
put them out of the protection of civilized warfare; and the
spirit in which his proclamations ami instructions were
executed by his ollicers, had put them oul of the protection
of common humanity. The massacres at Camden had
occurred not six weeks before, and those of Brow ne. at
Augusta, scarcely half that time. Could they look on and
see this system of cruelty prosecuted, and not try the
only melanchol}' measure that could check it? The eflect
proved that there was as much of rellection as of passion in
the act ; for the little despots who then held the country,
dared prosecute the measure no farther. Another and an
incontestible proof that blind revenge did not preside over
the counsels that consigned these men to death, is drawn
from the deliberation with which the}' were selected, and
the mildness manifested to the residue of the prisom-rs.

It has been before observed, that, in the ranks of Col-
onel Ferguson, there were many individuals notorious as
habitual plunderers and murderers. What was to be done
with these? There were no courts of justice to punish their
oflences;* and, to d«."tain them as prisoners of war, was to
make them objects of exchange. Should sucli pests to
society be again enlarged, and su(Tered to renew their out-
rages? Capture in arms does not exempt the deserter from
the gallows; why should it the cold-blooded murderer?
There was no alternative left ; and the officers, with all the
attention to form that circumstances would permit, and
more — a great deal, it is believed — dian either Browne or

*Such was the distractian of the times, that Smith Carolina, during the period of
1780-S1, w.is without a civil government, Governor Kiiilcdge having been conipelled to
retire from tlie State, and the Lieutenant Governor and some of the Council were ])risoners
of war. Nor during a portion of the war did North Carolina fare much better. At one
time, one of her high judicial officers. Samuel Spencer, could only execute the laws
against Tories with threats and attempied intimidation ; the Governor, at one period, was
captured and carried away. When Cornwallis invaded the State, the prominent officials
fled, carrying the public records to Wa.shington County, Virginia, on the lower frontiers
of Holston, as a place of asylum and security, as is shown by a MS. letter of Colonel
Arthur Campbell to Hon. David Campbell, September 15, 1810.

AND ITS HEROES,

889

K'
id

1)1"

Cornwallis liiul I'xhibitcd, could only forma council, and
consii^Mi llu'in to llic falc that woulil lia\c awaited tlii-m in
the regular aihninislration ot" justice. *

It is but just and proper, in this connection, to i^ive the
views of Colonel Shelb}-, one of the conspiciu»us actors in
this whole alVair ; and he seems to justify it wholly as a
measure of retaliation: It is impossible, he obser\es, for
those who have not lived in its miilst, to conceive of the
exaspeiation which prevails in a civil war. The execution,
therefore, of the nine Tories at [near] Gilbert Town, will,
by many persons, be considered an act of retaliation unnec-
essarily cruel. It was believed by those who were on the
•ground to be both necessary and proper, for the purpose of
puttin<r a stop to the execution of the patriots in the Caro-
linas by the Tories and British. The event proved the
justice of the expectation of the patriots. The execution of
the Tories did stop the execution of the Whiijs. And it
ma}' be remarked of this cruel and lamentable mode of
retaliation, that, whatever excuse and jiretimses the Tories
ma}' have had for their atrocities, the British otllcers. who
often ordered the execution of Whigs, had none. Their
training to arms, and military education, should have pre-
vented them from violating the rules of civilized warfare in
so essential a point, f

Earlv in the evening, the trials havinix been broutrht to
a conclusion, a suitable oak was selected, upon a projecting
limb of which the executions were to take place. It was
by die roail side, near the camp, and is yet standing, known
in all that region as the Gci/lozvs Oak. ''i\)rch-lights were
procured, the condemned brought out, around wliom the
troops formed four deep. It was a singular and interesting
night scene, the dark old woods illuminated with the wild
glare of hundreds of pine-knot torches ; and quite a number
of the Loj-alist leaders of the Carolinas about to be launched

''Johnson's Life of Greene, i. pp. 309-11,

t Conversations with Govtrnor Shcil'y, in American Review, Decembei, 1848.

310

A'/X(;'S MOUXTAIN

into etornily. The namos oftlic coiuU'ninod Tories were —
Colonel Ambrose Mills, Captain Jaini-s Chitwood, Captain
Wilson, Captain Walter (xilki'v , Captain (Jriines, T^ieuti-n-
ant Lallerty, John McFall, Jolm Hibby, and Auiriisline
ll(jbbs. They were swun;^' oil" three at a lime, ami K-ft
suspended at the place of execution. According to Lieuten-
ant Allaire's account, they died like soldiers — like martyrs,
in their own and friends' estimation. " These brave but un-
fortunate Loyalists," says Allaire, " with their lati'st bn-ath
exjiressed tlu'ir uiuitleralile detestation of the Rebels, and
of their base and inl'amous proceedinijs ; and. as they were
being turned oil', extolled their King and the Ihilish Go\-
ernment. Mills, Wilson and Chitwood died like Romans." *
Among the small party of Georgians who served in the
campaign, was the noted Captain Paddy Carr, heretofore
introduced to the reader. Oevoid, as he was. of the liner
feelings of humanity, he was deeply interested in, and
greatly enjoyed these sickening executions. If there was

* A'.'aire's MS. Diary ; and his statements as ;;iven in the Scot's .tfagazinf anil Riving-
ton's Ki'yal Cazitte.

It may be well to yivo the authorities for the names of the Loyalist leaders who siilTcred
on this occasion. Lord Cornwallis, in his correspondence, names Colonel Mills, as do
several liistorians ; Allaire gives the names of I'aptain Wilson and C liilwood ; (lilkcy
is referred to liy Ensign Campbell, and siic ifically named by Silas Mcliee. and the vener-
alilc John Gilkey ; Captain (irimes is mentioned in Ramsey's Tennessn', and I'utnam's
Middli- Teniii'i^i'f : McFall's name has been preserved by Kichard llallew. Ji<hn Spelts,
.and Arthur Mi Kail — eye-witnesses, and his prior acts at Davenport's are r'l.ited liy Hon.
J. ('. H.irpcr .uid Captain \V. \V. Lenoir, whoderived them from William Davenport; the
nan\cs of LatTerty and I'.ibby have been communicated by W. L. Twitty, as the tradi-
tions of ,-tgcd people of Rutherford County, N, C, where they, as well as Chitwood lived,
whose name is likewise preserved in the memories of the aged inhabitants of that region ;
and the name of Hobbs is alone remembered by Silas Mcliee,

Colonel Mills resided on Green river, in Rutherford County ; Captain Wilson, in the
Ninety Six regi'in. South Carolina; Chitwood, Lafferty, liibby, and probably Uilkey, in
Rutherford; McFall. in Hurke C<junty ; Hobbs most likely in South Carolina; and Orimcs
in Kast PeiiTiessee, where he was a leader of a party of Tory hnrsc-thieves and highway-
men, and where some of his band were taken aiu'. hung. He lied to escape summary pun-
ishment, but Justice overtook him in tlie end. His baiulit career in Tennessee is noticed
in Ramsey's Ifistnry o^ that Slate, pp. 179. 243; and l*ntnam's Mitidlt* Tennt'ssfe^ 58.

General DePeyster, in his able Aiithvss on A'//:f's Mountain, before the New York
Historical Society. January, 4, iS3i, has inadvertently fallen into the error of including
Captain Oates as among those e.\ecnled with Colonel Mills, citing .Mrs. Warren's History
as authority. Lord Cornwalhs. in his letter to General Smallwood. No\ ember. 10. 17S0.
states that Captain Oates was taken by the .\mericans near the Ped ^e, in South Carolina,
and "lately put to death."

AXD ITS HEROES.

341

anything' he liiitcd more than aiiolher, it was a Tory ; ami.
it mav be, mucli of his extreme bitterness jfrew out ot' the
fact, tluit he knew full well how intensely 'le, in turn, was
hated by the Loyalists. Pointinj^ at the unfortunates, while
dandling in mid-air, Carr exclaimed: " WouKl to Ciod
every tree in the wiklerness bori' sucli I'ruit as that I'" *

After nine of the Loyalist leaders h.ul been execuled,
and three others w<M'e about to follow suit, an unexpected
incident occurred. Isaac Haldwin, oiu' of these condi-nmed
trio, had been a leader of a Tory yanjf in Burke County,
who had sacked many a house, strippin;^ the imfortunate
occupants of food, beds and clothin^r ; ;ind not unfri'C|uently,
after tyin^ tliem to trees, and whippini,f them seyerely,
would leaye them in their helpless and gory conditicm to
tlu'ir fate. While all eyes were directed to Baldw in and
his companions, pinioned, and awaiting the call of the exe-
cutioners, a brother of IjaUhyin's, a mere lad, approached,

'■''J. L. Cray's MS. st.-itcnient ; Rutlicrford yTwywm'v, May i.^, 1859.

The Ucvolmirinary war produced few cliaraclcrs so sinijular and so notorious as
Patrick Carr. lie was by birth an Irishman, and settled in Georgia before the commcnce-
munt of the war. It is only in the latter part of the contest we are able to trace him, Ue
shared as a Captain under Colonel Clarke in the heroic attack on Augusta, in September,
1780; then retired to the ('arolinas, and joined the mountaineers under AKijor Candler,
and fou.nht at Kings Mountain. The following niontli we find him under Sumter at Jilack-
stocks; in M.iy, 1731, en^jaged in forays against Ilrilish and Tory parties in Ocorgia. way-
laying and defeating them. e.\teniling little or no mercy to any of them. In November.

1781. when M.ijur Jackson surprised the Hrilish p"-t at Ogeechec. and its conciiKuuler.
Johnson, was in the act of surrendering his sword to Jackson, Carr treacherously killed
Captain Ooldsniilh. Johnson and his associates, judging that no (piarters would be given
them, instantly spr.ing into their place of defence, and compelled the Americans to retire
with ronsidiralile loss. .-V notorious Tory by the name of (lunu had concerted a plan to
kill Colonel Twiggs, and subseiiuently fell into the Colonel's bauds, when Carr insisted that
Gunn should be hung; But Twiggs, more humane, protected the prisoner from liariu. In

1782, Carr was made a Major, and. in the spring and early summer, marched with a force
over the Altamaha, where he had twoskirmishes with whites and Indians, On one occasion,
(".irr was praised for his bravery, when he replied that had not God given him too
merciful a heart he would have made a very good soldier. It is related that he killed
eighteen Tories on his way back from King's Mountain and Rlackstocks to Georgia ; and
one hundred altogether during ilie war, with his own hands! Certain it is, the Tones
stood in great awe of him. He was murdered, in August, 1802. in Jeffcrs(m County,
Georgia, where he long resided; and, it is said, the act was committed by descendants of
the Tories. In r)cccmber following, the JclTerson County troop of Light Horse asscmliled
at his place of inteiment, Lieutenant Robinson delivering a brief eulogy, when the milit.iry
fired a volley over his grave. Though "a honey of a patrii>t, " Paddy Carr left a name

'■ 10 other times,

Mixed with few virtues, and a thousand crimes."

J. \

KING'S MOUNTAIN

apparently in sincere affection, to take l.is parting leave. He
threw his arms around his brother, and set up a most piteous
screaming and lamentation as if' he would go into convul-
sions, or his heart would break of sorrow. While all were
witnessing this touching scene, the youth managed to cut
the cords confining his brother, who suddenly darted away,
breaking througli the line of soldiers, and easily escaping
under cover of the darkness, into the surrounding forest.
Although he had to make his way tlu-ough more than a
thousand of the best marksmen in the world, yet such was
the universal admiration or feeling on the occasion, that not
one would lift a hand to stop him. *

Whether the escape of Baldwin produced a softening
effect on the minds of the Whig leaders — any feelings of
forbearance towards the condemned survivors ; or whether,
so far as retaliation, or the hoped-for intimidating iniluence
on the Tories of the country, was concerned, it was diougiit
enough lives had been sacrificed, we are not informed.
Some of these men must have been tried withiii the scope of
the civil law, for crimes committed against society ; while
others must have been tried and condemned for violations
of the usages of war;f and yet, after all, the 7;/(^;v// (_;^tr/
would seem to ha\-e been the principal motive for these
cases of capital punishment.

Referring probably to the two companions of Baldwin
al"ter he hud efiected his escape, we have this statement on
the Puthority of Colonel Shelby: " Three more were lied,
ready to be swung off. Shelby interfered, and proposed to

*C"nvers.>tion'i with John Spelts nnd Benjamin Starritt; Memoir of Mnjor Thomas
Vonns; : lti\n^ox\'?< Life of Cenernl Greftir. i. 310.

Baldwin tiiade his way into his old region, in l?urkc County, where his father resided,
on Lower Creek ni Catawba ; where some two weeks aftrrw.irds, he was espied in the
woods by some scrnits who gave chase, and finally overtook him, one of the )iiirsners killing
him by a single blow over the head with his rifle. Some forty-five years after this iragedy,
a younger brother of Ike Haldwin -pr ib ibly the one who h.id so successfully planned liis
e-.c ipe at nil kerstaff's— made three inelTectual attempts to kill the man who had brained
the 'I'ory free-booter.

t Speech of General Alexander Smyth, in Cunyress, January 21, i8iy, Xilt's' Kfgister,
XV,. Supplement, 151,

AND ITS HEROES.

843

stop it. The other officers agreed ; and the three men who
supposed tliey hud seen their hist hour, were untied."* The
inference is, that the officers here referred to, who, with
Shelb}', exercised the pardoning power, or " put a stop"
to further executions, were the presiding officers of the
court, in their character of justices, of whom Colonel Camp-
bell could hardly have been one, though a magistrate at
home, for the civil court was acting under the laws of
North Carolina ; and yet Ensign Campbell, in his narrative,
speaks of the trials having been conducted before a court-
martial, and adds, that, after the nine were executed, *' the
others were pardoned by the commanding officer ; " while
another eye-witness, Benjainin Sharp, states that " a court
was detailed," and after the nine were hung, " the rest
were reprieved by the commanding officer." Nor is the
language of the late Governor Campbell less explici:: " A
court-martial was ordered and organized to try man\-of the
7\jrv officers, char<fed b'/ tli'> officers of North and South
Carolina with many offences — such as wiurdering unofTend-
ing citizens not in arms, and without motive, save the brutal
one of destroying human life. Thirty-nine were found
guilty, nine of whom were executed, anr^ thirty were par-
doned by the commanding officer.'' f \^ hether the surviv-
ors were pardoned by the court in its civil capacity, or by
the commanding officer at the instance of a court-martial,
the executions ceased. X

" Amencan Review, December, 1S4S.

fMS. statement by Gm.rnor Campbell,

J This, however, w.is nut the List of the Tory executions. A few tlnys after Kii,g's
Motiiitaiii battle, while s"me yoiiiiK men of the siirrcninilinK country — Thomas Patterson,
who escaped while a prisoner, and foMght so br.\vely in the action, is believed to have been
one of the party— were near the battle tjroiind, lookin)^ for horses in the range, they dis-
covircil I'lie of Kerniison's frragers, who was absent .it the time of the enga(,'ement. They
concluded to capture him ; but on showing such an intention, they were surprised at his
pluck, in tiring on them single-handed —the bullet whizzing close by them withoi.t harm.
The Tory then betook himself to his heels, but w.as soon overhauled, and, without much
ceremony, was suspended to the limb of a tree by means of one of the halters designed for
the horses Mis carcass was left hanging till it decayed, and dropped to the ground: while
the rope dangled from the limb for several years. So relates the venerable K. A. Patterson,
a grand-son ol youtig Arthur Patterson, who, while a prisoner on King's Mountain, escaped

««ftW>u»«.,,i,,.

t '

344

KIXG'S MOUNTAIN

One of the rcprie\ocl Tories, touched with a sense of the
obligation he was under lor sparing his Hfe, and perhaps
resolved thereafter to devote his energies totlieWhii; cause,
went to Colonel Shelby at two o'clock that night, and
made this revelation : " You have saved my life," said he,
" and I will tt'll you a secret. Tarleton will be here in die
morning — a woman has brought the news." * No ibt
intelligence came that Tarleton had been dispatclied bv
Lord Cornwallis with a strong force for the relief of Fergu-
son, if relief could be of any service ; but a« to the par-
ticular time of his arrival, that was the merest guess-work,
and, with the Tories, the wish was father to the thought.
But the Whig leaders, on receiving this information, deeming
it prudent to run no risk, but to retire with their prisoners to
a place of safety, instantly aroi jed the camp, picking up
everything, sending the wounded into secret places in the
mountains, and making every preparation for an early start
in the morning, f They marched, according to Allaire's
Diarw at tlie early hour of live o'clock, on Sunday, the
fifteenth of October.

Tlie poor LoNalist leaders had been left swinging from
the sturd}^ oak upon which tluw had been executed. No
sooner had the Whigs moved off, than Mrs. Martha Bicker-
staff, or Biggerstaff, the wife of Captain Aaron Bickerstall'
who had served under Ferguson, and been mortally
wounded at King's Mountain, with the assistance of an old
man who worked on the farm, cut down the nine dead
bodies. Eight of them were buried in a shallow trench,
some two feet deep ; while the remains of Captain Chitwood

diirinn the battle; cormhoratcd by the venerable Abraham Hardin. Colonel J. R.
Logan communicated Mi Patterson's tradition of the affair.

Not long after the action at King's Mountain, a ciuiple of Tories were caught aid
hung on an oak tree, near Sandy Plains Baptist Chnrch, in the edge of Cleveland County,
some four miles south-east of Flint Hill. Neither their names, nor the crimes with which
they were charged, have been preserved. The tree im which they were executed is Mill
standing, and like llint at the Bii ker-itaflT Red Chimneys, is known as the Gallows ( )ak ; it
has been dead several ye.irs. This tradition has been communicated by the aged father of
Daniel D. Martin, of liuthcrford County, and Colonel J. K. Logan.

*Shelby's account in American Review.

+ Shelby's account.

■m^

■A

AND ITS HEROES.

345

were conveyed b^- some of his friends, on ;i plank, half a
mile away to Benjamin BickerstafT's, where they were
interred on a hill still used as a grave-yard. About 1855,
a party of road-makers concluded to exhume the remains
of Colonel Mills and his companions, as the place of their
burial was well known. The graves of only four of the
number were opened, the bones soon crumbling on expo-
sure. Several articles were found in a ver^- good state of
preservation — a butcher knife, a small brass chain about five
inches in length, evidently used in attaching a powder-horn
to a shot-bag, a thumb lancet, a large musket flint, a goose-
quill, with a wooden stopper, in which were three or four
brass pins. These articles, save the knife, and a portion
of the pins, are preserved by M. O. Dickerson, Esq., of
Rutherfordton. *

Shortly after marching from Bickerstafl^'s, rain began to
fall in tt)rrents, and it never ceased Uie whole day. " In-
stead of halting," says Benjamin Sharp, "we rather mended
our pace in order to cross the Catawbariver before it should
rise to intert- pt us." It was regarded as essential to get
out of Tarleton's reach, and hence the straining of every
nerve, and the exercise of every self-denial, to accomplish
so important an object. The sanguinary character of that
impetuous British cavalry oHicer, and the celerity of his
movemeui.... as shown at Buford's defeat, at Monk's Corner,
and at Sumter's surprise at Fishing Creek, admonished
the Whig leaders of the enemy tl y might have to deal
with ; and impelled, on this occasioii, b)-^ the hope of rescu-
ing several hundred British and Tory prisoners was ver}'
naturallv regarded by the patriots as a powerful incentive
for Tarleton to push them to the utmost extremity, and play
cut and slash as usual — and hence the supposed necessity
of equal exertions on their part to avert so great a calamity.
It is not a little singular that, at this very moment, Ccrn-
wallis and Tarleton were retreating from Charlotte to

'MS. ciirrcspondeiice of W, L. Twitty and Mr Dickerson.

31G

KING '5 MO UNTAIN

e«ii ;.

Winnsboro, South Carolina, with all their might and main —
" with much fatigue," says Lord Rawdon, "occasioned by

iolent

fci

that the " th

ported
" It was

anis ; learmg tiiat tne " three tlious
victorious moimtaineers were in hot pursuit
amusing," said one of the King's Mountain men, "when
we learned the facts, how Lord Cornwallis was nmning in
fright in one direction, and we mountaineers as eagerly
fleeinu in the other."*

In Allaire's newspaper narrative, we have this account
— whether colored or distorted, we have no means of
determining: " On the morning of the fifteenth. Colonel
Campbell had intelligence that Colonel Tarleton was
approaching him, when he gave orders to his men, that
should Tarleton come up with them, they were immediately
to fire on Captain DePeyster and his officers, who were in
the front, and then a second volley on the men. During
this day's march, the men were obliged to give thirty-five
Continental dollars for a single ear of Indian corn, and forty
for a drink of water, they not being allowed to drink when
fording a river ; in short, the whole of the Rebels' conduct
from the surrender of the party into their hands, is incredible
to relate. Several of the militia that were worn out with
fatigue, not being able to keep up, were cut down and
trodden to death in the mire."

It was about ten o'clock at night, according to Allaire's
Diary ^ and as late as two o'clock, according to Shelby, when
the wearied troops and prisoners reached the Catawba, at
the Island Ford, where the river was breast deep as they
forded it. They bivouacked on the western bank of the
river at the Qiuiker Meadows — the home of Major Mc-
Dowell. "A distance of thirty-two miles," says Allaire,
'• v/as accomplished this day over a very disagreeable road,
all the men worn out with fatigue and fasting, the prisoners
having had no bread nor meat for two days" — and, appar-
ently, not even ravv corn or pumpkins. Nor had the Whigs

*MS. Notes of conversations with Silas McBee, in 1843.

■^••-■^. .

' !

■ .' "
■ 1
\

^ ; j

^ :^ A/ //o-Cf '■/<">

my'^-.

AND ITS HEROES.

347

fared an}' better, judging from the statement in the
American Rcvicxv, dictated by Colonel Shelby: "As an
evidence of the hardships undt-rgone by these brave and
hard}' patriots, Colonel Shelby says that he ate nothing
from Saturday morning until after they encamped Sunday
night — [or rather Monday morning] — at two o'clock."
Benjamin Sharp throws additional light on the privations
of the patriots: ^'During the whole of this expedition,"
he states, "except a few days at our outset, I neither tas'u'd
bread nor salt, and this was the case with nearly every man ;
when we could get meat, which was but seldom, we had to
roast and eat it without either ; sometimes we got a few
potatoes, but our standing and principal rations were ears
of corn, scorched in the fire or eaten raw. Such was
the price paid by the men of the Revolution for our
independence."

Here, at McDowell's, some provisions were obtained —
not much of a variety, but such as satisfied half-star\ed
men ; nor did they seek rest until the}- had dried themselves
by their camp fires, and enjoyed their simple repast.
" Major McDowell," says Sharp, "rode along the lines,
and informed us that the plantation belonged to him, and
kindly invited us to take rails from his fences, and make
fires to warm and dry us. I suppose that every one felt
grateful for this generous ofier ; for it was rather cold, it
being the last of October, and ever}' one, from the Com-
mander-in-chief to the meanest private, was as wet as if he
had just been dragged through the Catawba river."

It is evident from Allaire's Diary., that when it was pos-
sible, courtesies were extended to the British officers — even
when the Whig patriots themselves were camping out on
the ground. " We officers," he says, " were allowed to go
to Colonel McDowell's, where we lodged comfortably." A
little incident transpired on this occasion which the good
Lieutenant did not care, perhaps, to record in his Diary.
Seme of these very same officers had visited the residence

(■f.

348

A'nVG 'S A/0 UNTAIN

of the McDowell's, under very cliHerent circumstances, the
preceding month, when Ferguson had invaded tlu' llpper
Catawba Valley, and when the two brothers. Colonel
Charles and Major Joseph McDt)well, had retired with their
little band across the mountains. Their widowed mother
was the presiding hostess of the old homestead at the
Qiuiker Meadows; she was a woman of luicommon energy
and fearlessness of character — a native of the Emerald Isle.
She possessed a nice perception of right and wrong ; and,
withal, was not wanting in her share of quick temper
peculiar to her people.

Some of these visitors, having ransacked the house for
spoils, very coolly appropriated, among other things, the
best articles of clothing of her two noted Rebel sons ; and
took the occasion to tantalize the aged mother with what
would be the fate of her boys when they should catch them.
Charles should be killed out-right, but as for Joe, they
would first compel him, by way of humiliation, to plead on
his knees for his life, and then would slay him without
mercy. But these threats did not in the least intimidate
Mrs. McDowell ; but she talked hack at them in her quaint,
effective Irish style, intimating that in the whirligigs of life,
they might, sooner or later, have a little begging to do tor
themselves. The chanwd circumstances had been brouj^ht
about in one short month, quite as much, perhaps, to the
surprise of the good old lady, as to the proud officers of
Ferguson's Rangers. Now they appeared again, wet,
weary, and hungry : but Mrs. McDowell readily recognized
them, and it required not a little kind persuasion on the
part of Major McDowell to induce his mother to give those
" thieving vagabond Tories," as she termed them, shelter,
food, and nourishment. But the appeals of her filial son, of
whom she was justly proud, couphnl with the silent plea of
human beings in their needy, destitute condition, prevailed ;
and in her Christian charity, she returned good for e\il.*

* Related by the lady of Ex-Governor Lewis E. Parsons, of Alabama, who derived it from
her mother, a d.iiighter of Major Joseph McDowell, of Quaker Mead' vs.

AXD ITS HEROES.

349

It was fortunate for the mountaineers that they had suc-
ceeded in crossing the Catawha so opportunely, for the next
morning they found it liad risen so much as to be past
fording. Tins obstacU; would naturally j^revent, for some
time, all pursuit, if indeed any had been made. It was
now arranged that Colonel Lacey's men* should be per-
mitted to return to South Carolina, while most of Shelby's
and Sevier's regiments, with the footmen of the Virginians,
should take their home trail across the mountains. The
mounted men of Campbell's regiment, with the Wilkes and
Surry tnjops under Cleveland and Winston, and perhaps
McDowell's party, together with a few of Sevier's and
Shelby's young men who preferred to remain in the service,
and who had incorporated themselves into McDowell's
corps, now constituted the escort for the prisoners. Shelbv
states, that at'ter the several corps had retired at the Catawba,
there remained not more Whigs than tliey had prisoners to
guard — about five or six hundred.

The wounded Americans, who had been hid away in the
mountains when the troops marched so hurriedly from
BickerstatT's. were soon brought forward ; and man}- of them
were left in Burke Countv, eight or ten miles above Burke
Court House, where Doctor Dobson,of that neighborhood,
had eighteen of them under his care at one time ; four of
whom were Wilkes and Surry County officers billeted at
a Mr. Mackey's. \

After a needful rest, and the return of fair weather, the
patriots proceeded at two o'clock on Mi/uday afternoon,
October sixteenth, directing their course, by easy marches,
to the head of the Yadkin, and down the valle}- of that
stream. Fording Upper creek, or the North branch of
the Catawba, and John's river, they encamped that night at
a Tory plantation, not ver\- far beyond the latter stream.

While on the hurried and toilsome march from Bicker-

* Pension statements of William White of Lacey's regiment, and William Alexander
of Campbell s men.

t Lieutenant Ncwell's statement, 1823.

' m

; f
\ i

; \

350

KING'S MOUNTAIN

stafF's to tlie Catawba, and especially (liirinjT several hours of
the evening, amid rain and mud. it proved a favorable oppor-
tunity for many of the prisoners to give their guards the slip,
and ellect their escape. Allaire says the number reached a
hundred. To put a stop to these numerous desertions, the
Whig leaders promulgated severe admonitions of the con-
sequences of any further attempts in that direction ; but
they did not eff-X'tually restrain the daring and adventurous.
Having marched fit'teen miles during Tuesda}', passing
through ITappv Valley and over Warrior Mountain, the
troops, with their prisoners, camped that evening at Captain
Hatt's plantation, not very far from Fort Deliance ; and,
during the night, three of the prisoners attempted to evade
their guards, two of them succeeding, while the othiT was
shot dn-ough die body, retaken, and executed at live o'clock
on the following morning. *

During Wednesdav, the eighteendi, the troops forded
Elk and Warrior creeks, camping that night on the west-
ern bank of Moravian creek, a short distance west of
Wilkes Court House, having accomplished eighteen miles ;
and passing the next day through the Old Mulberry Fields,
or Wilkes Court House, they took \ip their camp at
Ilagoods' plantation, on Brier creek, having marched six-
teen miles this day. While in camp, on Brier creek.
Colonel Campbell appears to have discharged some of his
Virginians, for he wrote a letter on the twentieth, to his
brother-in-law, Colonel Arthur Campbell, giving him a
brief account of the battle, but was uncertain as yet what
disposition would be made of the prisoners. Taking a late
start on Friday, six miles only were accomplished, camping
that night at Sales' plantation. Proceeding' by slow
marches, the}^ passed Salem, arriving at Bethabara, or Old
Town, on the twent3--fourth — both Moravian villages —
whose people, according to Allaire, were stanch friends
of the King, and were verv kind to all the prisoners.

* Allaire's MS. Di,uy. Capt. Uatl may possibly be designed for Capt. Holt or Hall.

AND ITS HEROES

851

The very first nij^ht the Ihitisli ofllcers had beea
assigneil quarters at Betliahara, Lieutenant Alhiire and
Doctor Johnson, who were rooniini^f toj^ether, were driven
from thi'irbed by a violent WhiL,^ Captain named Campbell,
who, with drawn sword, threatenetl tlu-m with dcatli it' they
did not instantly obey him. Colonel Camjibell was notitied
of this rudeness, who had the unseasonable intrudir turned
out of the room ;* and this is but another instance of his
sense of justice towards helpless prisoners.

Amony; the Tory captivi's, was a notorious desperado
named Bob Powell. He was a man of unusual size, slroni^,
supple, and powerful. He boasted of his superior ability
and agility to out-hop, out-jump, out-wrestle, or out-tight
any Whig in tlie army. He seemed to possess a happier
faculty of getting into scrapes, than in getting out. Chained
with two accomplices for some bad conduct, he sent word
one morning that he wanted to see Colonels Campbell,
Shelby and Cleveland, on a matter of importance. When
waited on by those officers, he seemed to think that the
proposition he was about to submit was a matter of no small
consideration — no less than a challenge to wrestle or fight
with the best man they could produce from their army,
conditioned that, should he prove victor, his freedom should
be his reward; should he fail, he would regard his life as
forfeited, and they might hang him. Though a couple of
guineas were offered to any man who would successful!}
meet him — probably '^ore with a view of an exhibition of
the "manly art," as then regarded by tlie frontier people,
yet nc one saw fit to engage in the ofiored contest. Under
the circimistances, all knew full well that Powell would
fight with the desperation of a lion at bay ; and none cared
to run the risk of encountering a man of his herculean pro-
portions, with the stake of freedom to stimulate his efibrts.f

It was apparently while at Bethabara, that Colonels

' /

* Allaire's MS Diary, aiut his newspaper narrative.

f MS. Miites of conversation willi Jolin Spelts, an eye-witness.

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352

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Campbell, Shelby, and Cleveland made out their oflicial
report of King's Mountain battle. Had it been prepared
before Colonels Lacey and Sevier h:d retired at the Q^uiker
Meadows, the names of those two ofhc^rs would doubtless
have been attached to it also.* Colonel Shelby accom-
panied the troops to Bethabara. He had been deputed
to visit General Gates at Hillsboro, to tender the services
of a corps of mountaineers, mostly refugees, under Major
McDowell, to serve under General Morgan. Colonel
Campbell also had occasion to repair to head-quarters to
make arrangements for the disposition of the prisoners.

On the twenty-sixth of October, Colonel Campbell issued
a General Order, appointing Colonel Cleveland to the
command of the troops and prisoners until his expected
return, especially providing that lull rations be issued to the
prisoners ; adding, " it is to be hoped, no insult or violence
unmerited will be offered them ; no unnecessary injury be
done to the inhabitants, nor any liquor be sold or issued to
the troops without an order from the commanding officer," f
Here we have additional evidence, if any were needed,
of Campbell's humanity and good sense.

Colonels Campbell and Shelby had scarcely departed,
when new troubles arose in the treatment of the prisoners.
Allaire tells us, that one of the Whig soldiers was passing
the guard, where the captives were confined, when he rudely
accosted them: " Ah I d — n you, you'll all be hanged!"
One of die prisoners retorted — " Never mind that, it will be
your turn next I " For this trifling offence, the poor fellow

* Doctor Ramsey, in his History of Trnnessre. states that the three Colonels visited
Hillshoro, and thore made out their report. Colonel riovcland did not go there on that
occasion, having been left in command at Bethaliara. His name was signed to the report
ny himself, and not by another as a rnmparison of his pennine autograph with the/jc'-
j/»«/7(' signature to the report conclusively shows. Perhaps as a compliment, Colonel Cleve-
land was permitted to head the list, in si,i;nin!j the report, as shown in /ac stiiiile in
Lossings Field 3ook of the Re-i'olution : hut when C.cncral Gates sent a copy. November i,
1780. to Governor Jefferson, to forward 10 Conqrcss, he very properly placed Camphetl's
name first. Sliclhys nc.\t. and Cleveland's last— and so they appear as published in the
gazettes at the time hv order of Congress.

fMS. order, preserved by General Preston,

AND ITS HEROES.

353

was tried before Colonel Cleveland, and condemned to be
hung. Qiiite a number of people [gathered at Belhabara to
witness the e.\' cution of the unfortunate man ; " but,'' adds
Allaire, "Colonel Cleveland's goodness extended so far as
to reprieve him."

About this dme, Captain William Green and Lieutenant
William Langum, among the Tory prisoners, were tried
before Colonel Cleveland. The char'^e a-jainst Green
seems to have been, that he had violated the oath he had
taken as an ollicer to support the governments of the State
of North Carolina and of the United States, by accepting a
British commission, and lighting at King's Mountain. Some
of the British oilicers were present, and remonstrated at the
course taken, when Cleveland cut them short, saying :
"Gentlemen, you are British oHicers, and shall be treated
accordingly- — therefore give your paroles and march off
immediately ; the other person is a subject of the State.'' *
Green and Langum were condemned to be executed the
next morning. '' May be so," coolly remarked Green.

That night, as he and his conn'ade, Langum, were l\'ing
before the camp-iire, under a blanket, Green rolled over so
that his hands, fastened with buck-skin straps, came in con-
tact with Langum's lace, who seeming to comprehend his
companion's intention, worked away with his teeth till he
succeeded in unfastening the knot. Green was now able
to reach his pocket, containing a knife, with which he
severed the remaining cords, and those of Langum. lie
then whispered to Langum to be ready to jump up and run
wlu-n he should set the example. Green was above the
ordinarv size, strong and athletic. The guard who had
special watch of them, was in a sitting posture, with his
head resting upon his knees, and had fallen asleep. Mak-
nig a sudden leap, Green knocked the sentinel over, and
tried to snatch his gun from him ; but the latter caught th^
skirt of the fleeing man's coat, and Green had to make a

* Gordon's W;«*riVo« Revolution, iii, pp. 466-67.

ill J^

^.^11

r;-^'

354

A'/XUS MOUNTAIN

second clVort before he could release bimself from the sol-
dier's grasp, and gladly got otl'wilh the loss of a part of his
garrrient. In another moment both Green and Langum
were dashing down a declivit}', and though several shot:?
were lired at them, they escaped unhurt, and w^ere soon,
beyond the reach of their pursuers. Aided by the friendly
wilderness, and svmnalliizing Loyalists, thev in time reached
their old region of liuHalo creek, in now Cleveland County,
Green at least renouncing his brief, sad experience in the
Tory service, joined the Whigs, and battled manfully there-
after for his country. Both Green and Langum long sur-
vived the war, and were very worthy people. *

Allaire records an incident, involving, if correctly reported,
rash treatment on the part of Colonel Cleveland towards
Doctor Johnson, whose benevolent acts, it would be sup-
posed, would have commanded the respectful attention of all :
'•November the first,'" writes Lieutenant Allaire, "Doctor
Joimson was insulted and knocked down by Colonel Cleve-
land, for attempting to dress the wounds of a man whom
the Rebels had cut on the march. The Rebel oflicers
w( uld often go in amongst the prisoners, draw their swords,
cut and wound whom their wicked and savage minds
pr(.)mpted." \ There must have been something unex-
plained in Doctor Johnson's conduct — the motive is wanting
for an act so unotlicer-like as that imputed to Colonel Cleve-
land. While it is conceded tluit he was a rough frontier
man, and particularly inimical to thiexing and murderous
T(.)ries, vet he was kind-hearted, and his sympathies
as responsive to misfortune as those of the tenderest
woman. The same da}-. Colonel Cleveland was relieved
of his command by C(jlonel Martin Armstrong, his superior

* MS. Deposition of Colonel \Vm. Porter, 1S14. kindly communicated by Hon. W. P.
Bynnni ; MS. letters of Jonathan Hampton and Colonel J K. Logan, the latter giving the
recollections of the venerable Janie;; Pilanton. nciv eighty-two years of age. who was well
acqnainteil with both dreen and Lanqutn; statements of Benjamin Higgerstaff and J. W.
Ureen. furnished by \V. L. Twitty. Some of the traditions represent Langum's name as
l.ankfird.

t Allaire's MS, Diary, and his newspaper narrative.

AND ITS HEROES.

355

in rank, as well as the local commandant of Surry County,
where the troops and prisoners then were.

The British officers had been expecting to be paroled.
Colonel Cleveland's remark to them, at Green's trial, would
seem to indicate the early anticipation of such an event.
"After we were in the Moravian town about a fortnight,"
says Allaire, " we were told we could not get paroles to
return within the British lines ; neither were we to have any
till we were moved over the mountains in the back parts of
Virginia, where we were to live on hoe-cake and milk."
Large liberties had been accorded the officers, to enable
them to while away the tedium of captivity : so that they
sometimes visited the neighboring Moravian settlements, or
dined at their friends, in the country-.

When Lieutenants Taylor, Stevenson, and Allaire
lea;-ned tliat there was no immediate prospect of their
receiving paroles, they concluded that the}' would " rather
trust the hand of fate," as Allaire states it in his narrative,
and make a desperate etTort to reach their friends — taking
French leave of their American captors. Accordingly, on
Sunday evening, about six o'clock, the fifth of November,
they quieUy decamped, taking Captain William Gist, of the
Soutli Carolina Loyalists, with them; traveling fifteen
miles that night to the Yadkin, the fording of which they
found very disagreeable, and pushed on twenty miles
farther before daylight. Though pursued, the Whigs were
misled by false intelligence from Tory sources, and soon
gave up tlie chase.

Traveling by night, and resting by day ; sometimes
sleeping in fodder-houses, oftener in the woods ; with
snatches of food at times — hoe-cake and dried beef on one
occasion — supplied bv sympathizing friends by the way ;
encountering cold rain storms, and fording streams ; guided
some of the wear}- journey by Loya'.st pilots, and sometimes
following such directions as they could get ; passing over the
Brushy Mountain, crossing the Upper Catawba, thence over

•fez:.

350

K/NG 'S MO UNTA TN

the country to Camp's Ford of second Broad river, the
Island Ford of Main iJroad, and the old Iron Works
of Pacolet ; barely escaping Sumter's corps at Black-
stock's on Tyger, they at length reached Ninety Six, the
eighteenth day after taking their leave of Bethabara,
traveling, ds t'oe}' accounted distance, three hundred miles.
These resolute adventurers suffered imspeakable fatigues
and privations, but successfully accomplished the object of
all their toils and self-denials. After resting a day at Ninety
Six, the}' pursued their journey to Charleston.

Mll«illHT'

AND ITS HEROES.

357

CHAPTER XVI

October— December, 1780.

Disposition of Kini^'s Afounfain Prisoners. — Proposition to Enlist them.
— Ncfdcii for Exchange. — Congress Refers the Matter to the States
where the Prisoners Belong. — How they Dwindled Away. — Colonel
Armstrong lUamed. — Remnant Confined at Salisbury. — DePeysier
and Ryerson Paroled. — A Plucky Band of Whigs Scare a large
Tory Party. — Tarleton Frustrates Cormuallis Design of Relieving
Ferguson. — Intercipting Ferguson's Messengers. — Tarleton at
Length in Motion. — His Instructions. — Effect of King's Mountain
Victory. — Ewin and Barry Alarm the Neutrals, and they Alarm
Cornwallis. — Crowing of David Kno.v. — Cornwallis flees to South
Carolina, with the Imaginary Mountaineers in Pursuit. — A Tricky
Guide Misleading the Retiring Troops. — A Panic. — Illness of Corn-
wallis. — Sickness and Fatality among the Troops. — Privations and
Sufferings of the Retrograders. — Aid Rendered by the Tories. —
Ninety Six: Safe. — Cornwallis Threatens Retaliation for Execution
of King's Mountain Prisoners. — Gates and Randall on the Situa-
tion. — The Question Ml by General Greene. — Cornwallis Drops the
Matter. — Case of Adam Cusack. — The Widoivs and Orphans of
Ninety Six District. — Good Words for King's Mountain Victory. —
Gates Thanks the Victors. — Washington Takes Courage. — Resolves
of Congress. — Greene and Lee Commend the Mountaineers. — Tossing,
Bancroft, and Ir^'tw^ on the Result. — The British Leaders Recognise
the Disastrous Effects of Ferguson's Miscarriage.— Gates and Jef-
ferson's Encomiums. — King's Mountain Paves the Way for York-
town and Independence.

General Gates, on the twelfth of October, at llillsboro,
received the joyous intelligence of the victory of King's
Moiinlain ; and wrote the next da}- to Colonel William
Preston, near Fort Chiswell, or the Lead Mines, in the
Virginia Valle\', appointing him to prepare barracks or
other works for the reception of the prisoners, and to take
the superintendency of them, believing that locality a safe

358

K/iYG'S MOUNTAIN

ii|

quarter, and where the necessary ■^applies could be obtained
for their support. Colonel Preston assured General Gates
that the Lead Mines would be an unsafe place for the pris-
oners, as there were more Tories in that Count}-, Montgom-
ery, than any other known to him in Virginia ; he urged,
besides, the further objection of its proximity to Surr^- and
other disaflected regions in North Carolina, and the inimi-
cal Clierokees to the south-west. He, therefore, suggested
the County of Botetourt, liigher up the Valky, as more
suitable, and William ?.fadison as a proper and younger
person to undertake the service.*

It would seem that General Gates balanced between two
modes of disposing of the prisoners — one, to place them
where they would be secure from rescue, "■ to be ready for
exchange for our valuable citizens in the enemy's hands ;"
the other, a suggesti(jn of Colonel Campbell, to send them
to the North, and incorporate them with the army under
General Washington. Colonel Campbell was the bearer
of General Gates' dispatches on the subject to Governor
Jefl'erson, at Richmond, who finally referred the whole
matter to Congress. f That body, on the twentieth of Nov-
ember, recommended to Governor Jefl'erson to cause the
King's Mountain prisoners to be secured in such manner
and places as he might judge proper: "That a list <->{ the
names of the Tory prisoners be taken, distinguishing the
States, County or District to which they severally belong,
and transmitted to the Executives of their several States,
who are requested to take such order respecting them as the
public securit}-, and the laws of the respective States may
require." X

But various circumstances combined to render all such
arrangements of no avail. Starting from King's Mountain
with not to exceed six hundred prisoners, they rapidly

'•'MS. letter of Gates to Preston, O.nober 13, and of Preston to Gates, October 27, 1780;
Jefferson's Works, i, 273.

T MS. letter of Linna;us Smith 10 General Francis Preston, July 19, 1823.
J Journals of Congress, 1780, vi, 374,

AND ITS HEROES.

359

dwindled away ; tlie paroles of somt" of tlaem commenced
the second day after the battle ; * one hundred, Allaire tells
us, escaped durini,^ the march the stormy day, and part
of the niyhl, before' reaching- the C^iaker ^^eado\vs ; half a
dozen at another time ; Allaire and three associates escaping"
as already related, and still later sixteen soldiers succeeded
in getting away from the guard at Bcthabara, f while
doubdess many others evaded the vigilance of their guards
(jf which we have no record. According to the Moravian
accounts, there were never more than three hundred prison-
ers at Bethabara, fifty of whom were of Ferguson's
Provincial corps, and five hundred Whigs to guard them,
who remained at that place nineteen days, till all the
provisions were consumed. X Prior to the seventh of
November, one hundred and eightA'-eight, who were inhabit-
ants of the western coimtry of North Carolina, were taken
out of Colonel Armstrong's charge by the civil authorities,
and bound over, § inferenliall}' for their appearance at court,
or for their good behavior; some were dismissed, some
paroled, but most of them enlisted — some in the three
months' militia service, others in the North Carolina
Continentals, and others still in the ten months' men under
Sumter. So evident was it to General Gates, that neither
the military nor civil ofFicers of North Carolina had any
authority over these prisoners, many of whom had been
almost constantly in arms against their country since the
surrender of Charleston, that he remonstrated with the
State Board of War at Salisbury ; and Colonel Armstrong
was made to answer for the injiu'v thus done to the
American cause. The remaining prisoners were then
marched under a strong guard to Ilillsboro. ||

'•■MS. parole of Dennis McDiifT by Cnptain George I,e<'better, October 9th, 1780,
preserved by Hon. W. P. Byniim.

t Colonel Armstrong to Gen. Gates. November nth, 1780. among the Gates Papers in
the New York Historical Society.

IReichel's Moravians in IVorth Carolina, pp. 92-93.

Ji Colonel Armstrong to Gen Gates, November 7th and nth, 1780,

l{ burk's History 0/ Virginia, iv, 410.

;

'•*j;

1: ^„.a

860

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Incliuliiii; till' Provincials, only about one luiiulrcil and
thirty captives remained ; and General Greene, when he
took llu- command of the Southern department, early in
December, lami-nted the loss of so many of the Kind's
Mountain ]irisoiUMs, who, had they been retaini'd, woulil
have hiH-n the means of restoring' to the service many a noble
soldier lan^^uishiujr in nrilish prisons; nor was he without
suspicions of something more than folly on tin- part of those
who hatl taki'U such liberties to dispose of llu'in. * 'i'he
jail and a lo<^ house near it, at Salisbury, wire ordered by
General Greene to be picketed in, fur the reception of the
renuiininjjf prisoners, w ho were directed to erect huts within
the pickets, f fur their use as cooking and sleeping apart-
ments. " The North Carolina government," wrote Colonel
Henry Lee to General Wayne, January seventh, 1781,
"has in a great degree baOled thi" fruits of that victory.
The Tories captureil were enlisted into the militia or draft
service, and ha\e all rejoined the British ; I heard General
Greene say, yeslerda\', that his last return made out sixty in
jail, and his intelligence from the enemy declares that two
hinidred ot" them were actuall}- in arms against us.";]; In
Februar\- ensuing. Captains UePeyster and R}erson were
paroled to Charleston, and iound on their arri\al that they
were already exchanged. S

A singular incident occurred, in connection with the
King's ]\rountain campaign, Uiat shows what, with pluck
and bravery, a few fearless men may accomplish. Fergu-
son, it will be remembered, had tbraging, and perhaps
recruiting, parties out — under Colonel John Moore, Major
Zachariah Gibbs, and, ver_v likel3% odiers. One of these
parlies, estimated at above two hundred and fifty, though
probabl)- not so numerous, encamped a night or two pre-

■^'fircene to Washiriijton, December 7th, 1780.
h Oreene's Li/e of Greene, iii, pp. 78-79.

\ Li/c of Gen. Henry l.ee, by R. K. I.ce, |ii;ifi.\ecl to Lee's Memoirs, revised edition,
1872, p. 33.

^Captain Ryerson's statement in the Royal Gtisel.'e, Charleston, Oetober 27ih, 1781.

i i

AND ITS HEROES,

30)1

cedinj^ tlu> li;iUli', at a sihool-liousi', near Ilolluij^^swortirs
mill, on Ijiown's civt'k, in now I'nion CounlN', South
Carolina, some t\vcnly-ll\o miles south of Kin^r's INhtuntain.
Their cam]-) was on a lii<fh hill, thickly covered with lirnhi-r.

A small iiarty of eight or t(.n Whigs, who wi-re lurking
about till' thickets along l>rown"s creek, with a \irw of
gaining intelligence concerning l)oth frii'iuls and foes,
chanced to capture a solitary 'J^)rv, from whom tiiey
leanu'd d' the design of this large party of foragers to biv-
ouac that night at the school-house near Hollingsworth's.
Ready for adventiu'e, the pluck \- Whigs, though so few in
number compared w ilh their adversaries, thought the\' might
gain by strategy what they could not accomplisli b\ main
strength ; and conchuU'd to make an ellort to gi\e the 'I'ory
camp, at least, a first-rate scare. "^I'hey accordingly arranged
their plan of proceedings, which was natural and simple.
Some time after dark they approached the enemy's camp —
spread themsi-lves in open orcU-r, arounil the hill, at some
distance from each other, with the undtn'standinu; that thev
would advance till hailed by the sendnels, then lie down till
tlie guards llred, when they would arise and rush towards
the camp, liring and shouting as best they could.

The}' moved forward with great caution. llie Tor}'
camp-tires threw a glaring light towards the canopy of
heaven, and lit up the forest far and near. All was joy and
gladness in the camp. The jovial song, and merry laugh,
indicated to the approaching Whigs that good cheer
abounded in the camp among the friends of King George.
In a moment all this was suddenly changed — the sentinels
hailed — then tluy lired, when an imseen foe ruslu-d on
dirough the woods, yelling and screaming at the top of
their \()ices — ^and bang! bang I belched forth their rilles in
quick succession. The poor Tories were taken completely
b\' surprise — a panic ensued ; and crying "mercy ! merc}' I ''
they dashed tluough the bushes down the hill at their very
best speed. A frightened Tory was proverbially latnous in
such a race.

if- i\

111

^"^^•"■w

a- - k .

3(;j

A'/.VG'S MOUNTAIN

The victorious \Vhi<^s came into tho camp one after
another, and peered into die darkness, but could only hear
the retrealin;^ toragers darting through the woods ; tlie noise
growing fainter at each successive tnomiMil ; wliiU' the
skechiddlers, poor souls, were congratulating themselves (m
their fortunate escape from a formidable partv of Rebels, led
on, it might be, bv the untiring Sumter, or such a Tory-hater
as Tom Hrandon, of Fair Fori'st. The Whiles had now
gained full possession of the camp, with none to dispute
their victory. Forage wagons were standing hither and
thither, horses hitchetl to them and to the surrounding trees,
guns stacked, cooking utensils lying about the lires, with
hats, caps, and articles of clothing scattered in wild
confusion.

Till ihe grev twilight streaked the eastern sky on tlie
following morning, the little patriot band kept close guard,
expecting the mtjmentar}- return of the campers ; but
nothing of the kind transpired. The sun rose bright!}', and
mounted high above the hills, and still no report from the
fugitives. ^Vhat shoidd be done with the horses, arms,
baggage and baggage-wagons, was now discussed by the
fearless captors. They transported them from the camp,
around the liill to a secluded spot, and maintained a strict
watch over their new quarters, and the property thev had
so adr'iilly captured. It must have been the day succeed-
ing Ferguson's defeat, that one of the men on guard
discovert'd a party of a dozen u" fifteen horsemen rapidly
approaching. It was thouglit to be the van of an arniv' —
perhaps Ferguson's — coming to recover the spoils; but the
brave Whigs who had made the successful capture, and
had guarded the plunder with so much vigilance, resolved
to test the matter.

The}' boldly advanced in a body, hailed the vanguard,
while their horses were drinking at the creek. I^ut the
horsemen responded onl}- by a confused Right ; and upon
them the patriots discharged their rilles, vvhich disabled

AND ITS HEROES.

8fi:l

one of their horses, so that liis rider surrendered in dismay.
From him the Whigs learned that his party was just from
King's Mountain — prohahly the l^and who had returned
from a foray, and liri'd upon thi* niountainci'rs at the close of
the action, inorlallv wounchiiif Coh)nc"l Wilhanis — ami were
now making the hest of their wa}' to tlu-ir respective homes,
or to Ninety Six, having in view no other object than their
personal safety. Learning of Ferguson's total defeat, tlu'
Whig heroes now ventureil to leave their secluded camp,
and gather a party to convey away the spoils of war to a
place of safety, where they and their rViends couhl divide
and enjoy them. *

Lord Cornwallis' fine schemes of North Carolina and
Virginia concpiest, were destined to a speedy disappoint-
ment. Awaiting at Charlotte, for the reception of supplies,
and the return of the healthful season, to prosecute his
military enterprise, he had reluctantly yielded t(* the per-
suasions of Colonel Ferguson to make an excursion into the
western borders of North Carolina, to encourage tlie friends
of the Government in that quarter. Though Ferguson
gave Cornwallis the assurance that his trained militia could
be trusted, yet his Lordsliip had serious doubts on that head,
declaring that Fergust)n*s "own experience, as well as that
of every other oiliccr, was totally against him ;" but, in con-
sequence of Ferguson's entreaties, backed with the earnest
advice of Colonel Tarleton, the expedition was undertaken,
Ferguson promising to return should he hear of any superior
force approaching him.

Co.nwallis, failing for some time to receive any definite
informaUon from Ferguson, evidently commenced to feel
anxious concerninir his situation. In the VlrQi'iiia Gazette,
of October eleventh, 1780, we find among the latest items of
intelligence trom the southward, one to the eflect that " on
the thirtieth of September, about eight hundred of the enemy,
with two field pieces, were on their march, three miles in

^Sayc's Mfntoir o/ Mijunkin^

364

A'/NG'S MOCXT.UX

\ V

acVance from Cliarlotte, on tlio I'oad lcadin«^ to Bcattie's
Ford, on Catawba river, supposed to be intended to support
Major Feru^uson, wlio \v;is, with a party, in the neighbor-
hood ol' Durke Court House.""

If a rehet" force was sent at all, it was not pushed far
enough forward to aeconiplish the purpose. Tarleton's ill-
ness of a fe\er — yi'llow fever, as Major Hanger terms it —
may have caused procrastination. *' Tarleton is belter,"'
wrote Lord Cornwallis to Ferguson on the twenty-third of
September. As he recovered, he was pressed to engage in
this service, but found excuses for not undertaking it. " My
not sending relief to Ferguson," observed Lord Cornwal'is,
"although he was positively ordered to retire, was entirely
owing to Tarleton himself; lie pleaded weakness from the
remains of a fever, and refused to make the attempt,
although T used the most earnest entreaties." *

Tarleton informs us, that the County of Mecklenburg, in
which Charlotte was situated, and the adjoining Countv of
Rowan, were more hostile to England than any other por-
tion of America; that so vigilant were the Whig troops and
people of that region, that " very few, out of a great number
of messengers, could reach Charlotte, in the beginning of
October, to give intelligence of Ferguson's situation." At
length Cornwallis received confused reports of Ferguson's
misca'-riage. lie dispatched Tarleton on the tenth of that
month, with his Light Infantry, the British Legion, and a
three-pounder, to go to the assistance of Ferguson, as no
certain intelligence had arrived of his defeat : though it
was rumored, with much contidence, by the Americans in
the neighborhood of Charlotte, Tarleton's instructions
were to re-inforce Ferguson wherever he could iind him,
and to thaw his corps to the Catawba, if, after the junction,
advantage could not be obtained over the mountaineers j or,
upon the certaint}' of his defeat, at all events to oppose the
entrance of the victorious Americans into South Carolina — •

* Cornwallis' Comspundtnct, 1,59.

. I

AND ITS HEROES.

365

fearing they might seriously threaten Ninety Six and
Auiifusta.*

The elTect of King's "Mountain battle on the Tories ol'
the country, and on Lord Cornwallis and liis oflieers at
Charlotte, may be best interred from actual facts explana-
tory of the matter. Robert Ilemy, who had been so j-)ain-
fully transfixed in a I^ritish charge on Chronicle's men, was
conveyed to his home on the South Fork, a few miles of
the way on Saturday evening after the battle, and the
remainder on Sunday, Hugh Ewin and Andrew Barry, two
of his brave companions, acting as his escort. On Monday
morning these two friends came to see him, and learned the
happy elTects of a poultice of wet, warm ashes, applied to
his wounds by his good mother. While there, several
neutrals, as they termed themselves, but really Tories in
disguise, called to learn the news of the battle, when the
following dialogue took place between them and Ewin and
Barry :

'• Is it certain," inquired one of the Tories, "that Colonel
Ferguson is really killed, and his army defeated and taken
prisoners?"

" Yes, it is certain," replied the Whigs, "for we sav»
Ferguson after he was dead, and his army prisoners of
war."

" ITow many men had Ferguson?"

" Nearly, but not quite, twelve hundred," was the reply.

"Where," asked the Tories, "did the Whigs get men
enough to defeat him?"

"They had," responded the patriots, " the South Carolina
and Georgia refugees. Colonel Graham's Lincoln County
men, some froiii Virginia, some from tiie head of the Yad-
kin, some from the head of the Catawba, some from oxer
the mountains, and some pretty much from every whrre.''

" T«-'ll us," eagerly inquired the neutrals, "how it hap-
pened, and all about it."

* Tarlclon's Cumpiiigns, pp. i6o, i6i. 165.

3C6

KING'S MOUNTAIN

till

'•"Well," said Ewin and Barry, "we met near Gilbert
Town, and found that the foot troops could not overtake Fer-
guson, and we took between six and seven hundred horse-
men, leaving as many or more footmen to follow ; and we
overtook Ferguson at King's Mountain, where we sur-
rounded and defeated him."

" Ah I " said one of the Tories, "that will not do —
between six and seven hundred surrounding nearly twelve
hundred. It would have taken more than two thousand to
surround and take Colonel Ferguson."

" But," responded the Whigs, "we were all of us blue
hens' chickens — real fighters, and no mistake."

"There must have been," said the Tories, " of your
foot and horse over four thousand in all. We see what you
are about — that j'our aim is to catch Lord Cornwallis
napping."

Thus ended the dialogue, not more than two hours after
sunrise on Monday, the ninth of October ; and the neutrals
or Tories quickl}' took their departure. It was reported
that they immediately swam a horse across the swollen
Catavvba. bv the side of a canoe, and hastened to give Lord
Cornwallis the earliest news of Ferguson's defeat.

As soon as the intelligence reached Charlotte, it produced
a great excitement among all classes.

" Iriave you heard the news," inquired one ofiicer, of
the guard?

" No, what news?"

"Why," said the Hrst, " Colonel Ferguson is killed, and
his whole army defeated and taken prisoners."

" How can that be," said the doubter — " where did the
men come trom to accomplish such a feat?"

"Some of them." replied the man of news, "were
South Carolina and Georgia refugees, some from Virginia,
some from the heads of the Yadkin and Catawba, some from
over the mountains, and some from everywhere. They
met at or near Gilbert Town, about two thousand despera-

AND ITS HEROLS.

367

does on horseback, calling themselvc blue hens" ciiickens ;
and started in pursuit of Ferguson, having as many foot-
men to follow. They overtook Ferguson at a place called
King's Mountain, where thev surrounded his army, killed
that gallant ollicer, defeateii his men, and took the survivors
prisoners."

"Can this be true?" despondingly inquired the Ih-st
oiFicer.

" As true as the gospel," replied the other; "and we
may look t)ut lor breakers."

" God bless us I " ejaculated the dejected officer of the

guard.

Da\id Knox, a kinsman of President Polk, who was a
prisoner, but enjoyed the privilege of the town, a man full
of fun and frolic, hearing this colloquy, jumped upon a pile
of fire-wood beside the street, slapped his hands and thighs,
and crowed like a rooster, exclaiming. Day is at hand! *

It was accounts like these, largely colored and exagger-
ated by the fear-stricken Tories, that reached Cornwallis'
ears, and so alarmed him that he sent out Tarleton to aid
Ferguson, if yet in a condition to be relieved, and finally
induced his Lordship to depart iw hot haste from Charlotte,
with all his army. Tarleton proceeded a south-westerly
course, fifteen or twenty miles, to Smith's Ford, below the
Forks of the Catawba, where he received certain intelli-
gence of tlie melancholy fate of Ferguson, and crossed the
ri\'er "to give protection " as he says, "to the fugitives," —
a small number of whom, he adds, his light troops picked
up, all of which must have been the result of his vi-.id
imagination.

At length, while Tarleton was absent, Cornwallis re-
ceived definite information of Ferguson's downfall ; and
Tarleton gives a sombre picture of the unhappy influence
it exerted upon both the British and Tories. "Added,"

* MS. niirralivc of Rnherl Henry, \vlio licaril the ili.ilomie between the ncntrals and
Kwin and liarry, and had the particulars of the interview of the British otTicers, from David
Knox liimself.

•^111

iM.

368

KING'S MOUNTAIN

he saj'S, "to the depression and fear it coiiimiinicatod totlio
Loyalists upon the borders, and to the southward, the etlect
ot' such an important event was sensibly felt by Lord
Cornwallis at Charlotte Town. The weakness of his army,
the extent and poverty of North Carolina, tlie want of
knowledge of his enemy's designs, and the total ruin of his
militia, presented a gloomy jirost^<'ct at the commencement
ot the camjiaign. A farther progress by the route which
he liad undertaken, could not possibly remove, but would
undoubtedly increase his didlculties ; he, therefore, formed
a sudden determination to quit Cluirlotte Town, and pass
the Catawba river. The army was ordered to move, and
expresses were dispatched to recall Lieutenant-Colonel
Tarleton." *

About sunset, on the evening of the fourteenth of Octo-
ber, the British army took up its line of march towards
the Old Nation Ford on the Catawba. They had lor a
guitle William McCaflerty, an Irishman, who had for
several years been a merchant at Charlotte ; remaining
there when the enemy came, endeavoring to save his
property; but whatever were his professions to the British,
he phiNcd his new friends a sharp trick — a shabby one, no
doubt, in their estimation. About two miles below Char-
lotte, he led them on a wrong road towards Park's, since
Barnett's mill ; he at length suggested that they must be
out of the wa}', and he would ride a little to the left to get
righted ; but as soon as out of their sight, lie left them to
tlieir fate. The}' were two miles to the right of the road they
intended to have taken — the night was dark, and, being
near Cedar creek, they were intercepted by high hills and
deep ravines. Endeavoring to file to the lef't, to regain the
riglu road, tlie}- became separated into ditlerent parties,
and kept up a hallooing to learn which way their connades
had gone. By midnight they were three or fom* miles
apart, and appeared to be panic-struck, lest the Americans

"■■■Tarlctoiis Caiii/>aigns, 166.

wmm

/1ND ITS HEROES,

3G9

— tlie dreacled mountaineers — should come upon iliem in
their pitiful situation. They did not get together until noon
the next day, about seven miles from Charlotte. Owing to
the difficult passes tln-y took, and the darkness of the
night, together with the scare that befell them, the rear
guard left behind tliem near twenty wagons, says Tarleton
— forty, says General Graham — and considerable booty,
including a printing press and other stores, togeUier with the
baggage of Tarleton's Legion.*

Reaching the Old Nation Ford, the river was too high
to cross with safety. In consequence of a dangerous fever,
which suddenly attacked Lord Cornwallis, as the result of
heav}- rains and severe exposures, and the want of forage
and provisions, the army renuiined two days in an anxious
and miserable situation in the Catawba Indian settlement,
until his physicians declared that his Lordship's condition
would (.:ndure the motion of a wagon. Meanwhile, the
treacherous pilot, McCalVertv, had hastened to the Whig
Colonel Da\'ie's encampment, reaching there early in
the mornmg, and communicating the tidings of the
enemy's retreat. Davie, with his small squadron of
cavalry, hung upon their rear and flanks, but could
gain no advantage over them. Crossing the Catawba
near Twelve Mile creek, the army at length reached
Winnsboro, a distance of some seventv miles, on the
twenty-ninth of the month, after a two weeks' march;
encountering sickness, difficulties, and privations of the
most serious character.

Major Hanger relates, that he and ^wc other officers had
the yellow fe\-er, as he terms it, and were placed in wagons
when tlie army evacuated Charlotte ; that, in passing
swollen streams, the straw on which they lay in the
vehicles frequently became wet, which aggravated their
sickness, and all, save himself onlv, died of fatigiu' and

!!■■ '

; I

•General Graham's Revnlulio'niry History o/ Xnrth CaroliniX, in Xort/i Carolina,
Vnh'frsity Mtxgazine, April, 1830. pp. loi-a ; rarlctun's Caiii/'aigns, iby
24

'"■JiV«»*iMl«jv«4i»;

m I

370

/i:/NG 'S A/0 UNTAIN

exposure during the first week of the march, and were
buried in the woods, while the jaded troops were moving
forward as rapidly as possible. So low was Major Hanger
reduced, that his bones protruded through his skin, and his
life was only saved by the use of opium and port wine.*

But for their Tory associates, the suflerings of the army,
great as they were, would have been still more aggravated.
For several days in succession it rained without inter-
mission ; the soldiers had no tents, and the roads were over
their shoes in water and mud. At night the army en-
camped in the woods, in a most unhealthy climate, and for
many days, Stedman adds, the\' were entirely without rum.
The water they drank was frequently as thick as in puddles
by the road side. Sometimes they had beef and no bread ;
at other times bread, or corn, and no beef. For five days
the troops were supported upon Indian corn alone, which
was gathered as it stood in the field, five cars of which
were the allowance for two soldiers for twenty-four hours.
The Tory militia taught the regulars how best to adapt it for
use. Taking their tin canteens, they would cut them up, and
punch holes through the strips witli their bayonets, and then
use them as a rasp, or grater, on which to grate their corn,
and prepare it for cooking. The idea was communicated
to the Adjutant-General, and afterwards adopted through-
out the army. \

By their acquaintance with the countr}'. being mounted
on '^'M'seback, and inured to the climate, the Tor}' militia
would go forth daily inquest of provisions, being frequently
obliged to pass through rivers, creeks, woods and swamps,
to secure beef cattle for the support of the army. "With-
out their assistance," says Stedman, " it would have been
impossible to have supplied the troops in the field."
Some of these men, when a creek was reached, ditlieult,
from its steep banks, and its clayey, slippery soil, to cross,

* Life pf Hanger, ii, pp. 408-1 r.
f StL'dman's American War, ii, 224

AND ITS HEROES.

Oi 1

would take tlie place of the horses, beinj^^ harnessed in their
stead, and dra<,f the wagons through the stream. Sted-
man, one of Cornwallis' ofllcers, gives us some inklings of
the treatment of these Tory benefactors of their army, bv
the British oHicers; " We are sorr\' to say," observes this
candid historian, *' that in retiu'n for these exertions, the
militia vs'ere maltreated bv abusive language, and even beaten
b}' some officers in the Quarter-Master General's depart-
ment. In consequence of this ill usage, several of them
left the army the next morning forever, choosing to run
the risk of meeting the resentment of their enemies, rather
than submit to the derision and abuse of those to whom the}'
looked up as friends.*

Cornwallis, with his arm}-, was now at Winnsboro,
nearly midway between Camden and Ninety vSix. and
within supporting distance of either. According to Lord
Rawdon, the second in command, it is evident tliat the
British leaders were happy, after all their toils and sutTerings,
to fmd that "Ninety Six was safe " t — that the much-
dreaded mountaineers had fortunately turned their faces
northwardly, instead of towards the fortress where Cruger
commanded, and which they might easily have reached
long before it could possibly have been relieved by the
storm, mud, and sick-bound army en route from Charlotte to
Winnsboro.

Through the Tories, doubtless. Lord Cornwallis learned
in time of the executions by the mountaineers of the Lo3-al-
ists at Bickerstaff's, near Gilbert Town, and wrote to the
American commanders threatening retaliation. General
Gates, in transmitdng these complaints to Congress,
expressed the opinion that *' no person ought to be executed,
but after legal conviction, and by order of die supreme civil
or military authority, in the department where the offence
is committed ; but I must confess my astonishment at Lord

: ■ !^

- . '

, 1 'j

= !■

*Stedman, ii, 525.

■}■ Cornwallis' CoTetpondetiee, i, 496.

■J,.

872

A'/Xcrs MOCXTALY

C(M-n\vallis' finding fault with a cnu'lt\- he aiul his otllcers
are constantly praelisiiii;" — this is crvin;^' roi^iie lirst."

Ci)niinenlin<4" on this passant', Henry .S. Randall pertin-
ently observes: '• Supreme eivil or niilitarv authority " was
not much better than a name, in tlie locality and e.\iy;ency ;
and was quite as well represented, in our jud_n;ment, as it
C(nild elsewhere have been, in the intelligent and respon-
sible gentlemen — lor emphatically ihey were such — who,
by their own danger and exertions, had done what no
lormalK' constituted •• authority "' was able to do; and, if
the victors of King's Mountain hung fewer men than the
documents found on P>ritish officers clearh- pnni-d had
bei'U executed of Americans by their orders, they enforced
less, we believe, than the full measure of rightful and
proper retaliation. And there is not a doubt that Uie prac-
tical elVect of the measure was good, not only on the British
Lieutenant-General. but on the parricides who were so keen
to scent out. among their countrymen, the breakers of
enforced and withdrawn paroles. The hunt became less
intently amusing, wlu-n it was understood diat the hunter
placed the noose that had strangled his victim, around his
own neck, in the event of his capture. *

The threatened retaliation by Cornwall! .. addressoil in
the hrst instance to General Smallwood, and then to Gen-
er,d Gales, was left as a K-gacy for General Greene, on his
succeeding Gates in the command of the Southern depart-
ment : and he met it in a calm and clignilleil manner. " I
am,' he wrote to his Lordship. '* too much a stranger to the
transaclions at Gilbert Town to reply fully to that .--'.ibiect.
They must ha\e been committed betbre \\\\ anival in the
department, and by persons under the character of volun-
teers, wlio were indejiendent of the army. Ilowexer, if
there was anything done in that atVair contrary to the prin-
ciples of humanity and the law of nations, and for which
they had not the conduct of your armv as a precedent. I
.shall be ever ready to testify my disapprobation of it. The

* Life 0/ Jefferson, i, 282,

Tl!

i- r

Ill
n-
lis
•t-
I

K't.
le

(11-
if

Hi-
:h
. I
he

AXD ITS rrEROFS.

373

first exaiiijilc w.i.s I'm ni.shfil »)ii N uiii part, as ;ipin'ar.s by iho
list of unhappy siilU'rors enclosed ; and it might have been
expectoil, that tin- iViends of the unfortunate should follow
it. Puuishiuif tapitally for a brcaili ol" niiHtar\- paioK-, is
u severity that the principles of modern war will not author-
ize, unless till' inhabitants are to be treated as a concpu-red
people, and subji-ct to all the rijjfor of niilitarv ifoverniuent.
The feeliuirs of mankind will forewr decide, when the
rights of humanity are invaded. I lea\e tln'in to )ud};e of
the tendencv of your Lordship's order to Lieutenant-Col-
onel Balfour after the action near Camden, of Lord

Rawd(

Lawden's proclamation, and of Tarleton's layinj;' waslt
country, and distressing the inhabitants, who were taught
to expect protection and security, if tlu-y observed but a
neutrality. Sending the inhabitants of Charleston to St.
Augustine, contrary to the articles of capitulation, is a
violation which I have also to represent, and which I hope
3'our Lordship will think yourself bound to redress."

The enclosed list referred to was this : '* \Vi"iam Stroud
and INIr. Uowell, executed near Rock}' Blount, without a
trial, by order of Lieutent-Colonel Turnbull : Richard
Tucker, Samuel Andrews, and John Miles, hangetl at
Camden by order of Lord Cornwallis ; Mr. Ji)hns()ii. hanged
since the action of Blackstocks, by Lieutenant-Colonel
Tarleton ; about thirty persons hanged at Augusta by
Colonel Browne ; Adam Cusick hanged at Pedee by one
Colonel Mills."*

'■'Gordon's Amerkan Wnr. iv. pp. 2S-29.

The Ciilnncl Mills licrc rcfirred to, must not be confovindi.d with Colonel Ambrose
Mills, of King's Moiint.TJn iiuMiiory, one of the unfortunates executed at UickerstafT's.
\Villi.Tin Hinry Mills, mentioned by General Greene, belonged in the ("heraw region, and
served in (he- Smith Carolina Prnvinrial Consrcss. early in the rontesi ; but suh>.ei|uently
jiined the Ibiiish, and was made a Colonel, Siirvivini; the war, he retired to laniaica, and
then to England, where he <licd in 1R07.

P'Ut from ludce J.imes' Life of M.trion, and Grecg's Histi^ry 0/ iltr Chernivs. il is very
question. ihle if Colonel Mills was responsible for the execution of Cusack. 'riiosc well-
it, formed writers clearly charge that act upon Colonel Wemyss. Cusack was accused,
according to one account, of no other crime than refusing to transport some British ollicers
over a ferry, and shooting at them airross the river ; while another statement has it, that he
shot at the lil.uk servant of a Tory officer, John Brockinyton, whom he knew, across P.lack
crcjk. I'aken prisoner by the enemy, he was tried, and condemned on the evidence of
the negro.

I i

374

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Ik'iv liajipily imuUuI tlip lliri>atctu>(l retaliation on the
part of' Lord L'ornwallis tor tiie t-xocution of llu- Loyalist
leacKrs taki-ii at Kinj^'s Mountain. It was wi-ll tiiat his
Lordship ri'lraini'd from oxcri-isin;^^ a power that coidd only
iiavt- faiini'd llie llanu'S of desohition thnnigliout the south-
ern horders. The inhumanities praetiei'd on both sides in
that distracted quarter were aheady but too di-phirable in
their eharaeter, and nccckHl not fresh provocations to inten-
sity their brutality, or add to the fretjuetuy of their
occurrence. It was generally said, and bi'lieved, that in
the di>lrict of Ninety Six alone, fourteen hundred unhappy
widows and orphans were left to bemoan the fate of their
unfortunate fathers, husbands and brothers, killed and mur-
dered during tlie course of the war. *

Good words for the victory and victors of Kin<f's Moun-
tain have not been wanting. General Gates returned thanks,
through Colonel Campbell and his associates, "to the brave
oflici'is and soldiers under your command, for your and
their glorious behavior in the action ; the records of the
war will transmit your names and theirs to posterity, with
the highest honors and applause;" and he desired to
express the sense he enti-rtained of '' the great service they
had done their country." General Washington proclaimed
the result in General Orders to the army, as " an import-
ant object gained," and ''a proof of the spirit and resources
of the cuuntiy ; " while Congress expressed in its resolves,
'' a high sense of the spirited and military conduct of
Colonel Campbell, and the ofllcers and privates of the
militia under his command, displayed in the action of
October seventh, in which a complete victory was obtained."
This marked success over Ferguson, and the heroic conduct
of the riflemen at Guilford, convinced General Greene, that
" the militia of the back country are formidable." " Camp-
bell's glorious success at King's Mountain," was the terse
encomium of Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, of the Legion

*Moultrie's il/««o»Vf . ii, 343.

AND ITS HEROES,

375

Cavalry. " It was a sharp atlioii," said Chief Juslici'
Marshall, ^Milled by " tho victorious niouiilaincers."

" No battle," says Lossinj^, " diirin;^ llie war. was more
o])stinateIy contested than this ; it co'iiplelely crushed the
spirits of tlie Loyalists, anil weakened, beyond ri'coverv,
tlu' royal power in the Carolinas." * "The victory at
King's Mountain," observes Bancroft, " which in the spirit
of the American soldii'rs was like tlu- rising at Concord, in
its ellects like the success at Bennington, changed the
aspects of the war. The Loyalists of North Carolina no
longer dared rise. It fired the patriots of the two Caro-
linas with fresh zeal. It encouraged the fragments of the

defe

efeated and scattered American army to seek eacii other,
and organize themselves anew. It cjuickened the North
Carolina Le<iislature to earnest ellorts. It encoura<red
Virtfitiia to devote her resources to the countrv south of her
border. The appi'arance on the frontiers of a numerous
enemy from settlements bi-yond the mountains, whose verv
names had been unknown to the British, took Cornwallis
by surprise, and their success was fatal to his intended
expedition. He had hoped to step with ease from one
Carolina to the other, and from tliose to the contjuest of
Virginia; and he had now no choice but to retreat." f

When all the circumstances, continues the same distin-
guished historian, are considered, the hardihood of the
conception, the brilliancy of the execution, and the
important train of consequences resulting from it, there
was nothing in the North more so. except the surrender
at Saratoga. It is not to be imagined, that the assemb-
lage of the troops was an accidental and tumultuous
congregation of men, merely seeking wild adventures.
On the contrary, although each step in the progress of the
enterprise seemed to be characterized by a daring impulse,
yet the purpose had been coolly conceived, and its execution

■li

*/"/(•/./ Hook of t'lf Ki'voJutinn, ii, pp. 438-39,
•(■ History of the I iiitdJ states, x, 3.(0,

37(5

A'/.Va 'S MOUNTAIN

(U'libi'rati'ly plaiiiu'd in a tcMiipcr of not less wisdom than
Iiardilioocl. *

Irviii}^ di'ilari's, that '* ihi' battle ot" I<iiii,f's Mountain,
ini'onsidiTahli' as it was in the ninnbrrs cn^a^cd. turiu'd
tiu' tide tif Souliu'in wailaii'. 'I'h*' (h'slnulioii of l'\"ri;;ns()n
and his corps ;^avi' a (.•onii^K'ti.' I'hivk to \\w cxpi'dition of
Cornwalhs. I K' licj^an to tVar Ibr the salbiy t)l" South Caro-
lina, haiik- to suiii suddi'U iiruplious iVoin iht' mountains;
U'sl, wiiiU' hi' was facinif to thi> noith, thesi' bordcs of
stark-iidiniLj warriors might thiow tlu'm,sri\i's bcliiud iiim,
and proihici' a popuhu* lomlinstiou in thi' I'roviiut- In- had
left. IK- rc\s()I\rd, thi'rt'tbrt', to return with all speed to
that I'rovinee, ami piovide for its security."*

Lord Cornwallis I'ully reco<j[ni/,od the extent of the threat
disaster. lIissud(U>n ri-treat into South Carolina showed
it. l'\'rL;uson. he saiil, '* had taken inlinite pains with
some ot'tlie militia ot' Ninety Six," and had conlitU'nee that
tluw Wduld tiuht well, which his Lordship doubted; and
yet Cornwallis sullered him to go on a distant service,
without any regulars, artillery, or cavalry for his support,
and tlu- result was, as his Lordship acknowledges, that
Ferguson was "totally defeated at King's Mountain."
The discouraging eOect of that crushing disaster on the
Tories, may well be judginl from Cornwallis' dispatch to
Sir Ilenrv- Clinton: "The militia of Ninety six," he
observes, " on which alone W'> could place the smallest
dependence, was so totally dishi'arteneil by the defeat of
Ferguson, that of that whole district wt> could withdifli-
culty asseiuble one hundred ; and (.'wn thosi', I am con-
vinced, would not have made the smallest resistance if they
had been attacked." "The defeat of Major r\'i-guson."
wrote Lord Rawdon, " had so dispirited tliis part of the
countrv, and indeed the Loyal subjects were so wearied by
the long continuance of the campaign, that Lieutenant-

*M?. statement of Hon. Oenrge U.incrofi, preservcil liy (Icncr-il Preston.
•{■ Irving s Wailchi/^toii, iv, pp. 193-94.

ilHij

AND ITS lir.ROIS.

..77

Colonel C'niL^ir, coiiiinaiulint,' at Niiu-ly Six, snil inlnrma-
lioii Id Lmd C'tirinvallis, tlial llu- wIidIc di.sliii t had (ictiT-
iniiuil to .siihinil as .soon as tin- l<t!)ils should cult r it;"
and, a liltli- latiM", Loril CornwaHis wrote: " Tlie loiislant

iniursioiis of ieru<r«H'S, North C'aroliiii.ms, !5aik Mountai

nu'ii, and llic piTin-tnal nsin;^s \\\ dilhii'iil jiaiis o

ihi.'

l'ro\ iiuf. the iiuariabli' siiccessos of all thosi* parties aL;ainst
our militia, keep the wiiole eouiUi'N' in eontinual alarm, ami
ri'iuler the assistance of ix-^uhu' troops e\ei'y\\ here iieees-
sary. *

Sir Henry Clinton, llie Ihilish (."otninandei-in-i-hiil' iu
America, blamed I^ord CornwaHis lor delacliinj^' l"\'rt,fuson
without any support of regular troops, when hi.'. I.nrdsliip
had previously stated, that l'\'rnuson"s hopes of success on
hi'^ Torx niililia " wi-re contrary to liie e.\|)erit'nce of die
army, as wi'li as of Major l'\'ri4'uson himst-H";" and *' that
his Lordship," wrote vSir j Icury, " should, d/'tcr f/iis opinion^
not oidy sutler Coloiu'l l-'i-ri^nison to be delached without
support, but i^ut such a river as the Catawba bi'lweeii iiim
and Ferguson, was a matter of wduder to .Sir II. Clinton
and all who knew it." f

"Great and glorious I'' was the i-\clamation of CJeiuTal
Gates, when the tidings of the <:;rand Iriiuuph of the KiiiL;"s
Mountain men reached him. " That memorrhk- Ni.lory,"
declared the i^atriotjellerson, "was (he joyful aniumciation of
thai turn of the tide of succi>ss, which liMininated the Revo-
lutionary war with thi- si-al of indepencU'nce." And richl\-
dill the heroes, who marched under Campbell's banners,
desi-rve all the praise so generously bi'stoweil upon them.
Kinj^'s Mountain pavi-d the way for the succi'ssive ad-
vantages n^ained b\' the American arms at First Dam I'ord,
lilackstocks, Cowpens, Guilford, and Eutaw ; and ulti-
matel\- for the crowninij victory of York Town, with the
glorious fruition of " INDEPENDENCE F(M<E\'ER."

♦Ciirnwallis' Corresfiondencc. i. pp. fj. 8f>-Si, 497-98.
f Clinion's Obsf-'ations on Stcdnian.

Kit

m.^ppS||

378

KING 'S MO UNTAI 'V^

CHAPTER XVII.

?'i (6

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■:

s is:

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1 E-

Gen. \A/illiam Campbell.

His Si otili- Irish Anctstry. — His l-'atlur an Early Holston Explorer. —
William CamfibtU's IHr/li a>ui lultication. — Settles on llolstoii. — .-/
Captain on Dnnniore's Cnntpaign. — Raised a Company for the first
I'irt^inia Reiiintent in IJJS- — Returns for the Defenee of the /■yon-
tiers. — //is A/ilitary .Ippointnients. — Rencounter luith and //anging
of the liandit Hopkins.— Suppressing Tories up /Ve7U Riiur. —
A'ing's y/ouni.iin Expediti ii—his Ih-avery I'iitdieated. — Public
Thanlcs for his Sendees — Marches to Long Island of I/olston. —
At WhitzelFs Mills and Guilford. — /designs front Ill-treatment. —
Made Brigadier-General. — Serz'es under Lli Fayette. — Death and
Character. — Notices of his King's Mountain Officers.

The Campbell family, from which the hero of Kirifr's
Mountain desceniled, were originally from Inverary, Argyll-
shire, connected with the famous Campbell clans of the
Highlands of Scotland ; and emigrated to Ireland near the
close of the reign of Qiieen Elizabeth — about the year
i6oo. The northern portion of Ireland received, at that
perioc', large accessions of Scotch Prott'stants, who proved
valuable and useful citizens. Here the Camjibells continued
to live for several generations, until at length John Caaip-
bell, with a family of ten or twelve children, removed to
America in 1726, and settled first in Donegal, Lancaster
Comity, PennsN'lvania, where we find one of his sons, Pat-
rick Campbell, born in 1690, serving as a constable in \ ,'ic).
About i7.:;o, John Campbell, with three of his sons, Patrick
among them, removed from Pennsylvania to what was then
a part of Orange, now Augusta County, in the rich valley
of Virginia.* Another authority assigns 1738 as the time
of this migration. f

*MS. statements of Cmv Daviil Catnphcll ; Fdote's SX,'/,/irr of \'ir^nia, ..._ ond series,
pp. 114, 117; Riipp's llistinyof Lancaster County, Pa., 185; Mombcrt's Lancaster, 120.
f R. A. Hrock, Ksq., in Kichinond Standard, }u\y 10th, 1880.

A\D ITS HEROES.

879

Among tlio chililrcn ot" Palriik Campbell, who thus early
settled in Western \'irginia, was Charles, who seems to
have been born in Ireland before tlu removal of the family
to the New World, lie became a prominent and ellieient
pionei'r of the Augusta Valley. He early married a Miss
liuchanan, whose fatlicr, John I»aclianan, Sr., had figured

m the wars of Scotland ; antl iVom this union sj^rang
William Campbell, who subsetpu'nlly led the Seolch-Irisli
patriots of the Ilolston \'alley against Ferguson at King's
Mountain. He was born in Augusta County in 17.^5 : and,
though reared on that remote frontier, and amid the excite-
ments and tlangers of the French anil Inilian war of 1755-
(i}^y yet he was c-nabled, as an only son, to secuii- the best
education muler the best tiMchers of that period — David
Robinson, a tine scholar, having been, it is beliexed. among
his instructors, as he was of many others of the youth of
Augusta of that day. Young Camjibell acijuired a correct
knowledyc of the Enjjlish hmguaiie, ancient and modern
history, and several branches of the mathem-.itics.*

His father, Charles Campbell, was not only an enterpris-
ing farmer of Augusta, but early engaged in western
exploration, and in the accjuisit'on of the rich wild lands
of the country. Tn April, 174S, he made an exploring tour
down the Ilolston, in company with Doctor 'i'homas
Walker, Colonel James Palton, James Wood, and John
Buciuinan, together wiUi a number ol" Inmti'rs and wood-
men. It was on this occasion that Campbell located a line
tract on the North Fork of Ilolston, where \ aluable salt
springs were afterwartl iliscovered, for which he obtaineil a
patent from the (JoviMiior of X'irginia in 175,^ It jnoNed a
areat benefit alike to his descenilants and the countrx . In
an old manuscript written apparency in 1750, it is stated
that "John Buchanan anil Charles Campbell do not go
out this fall " — indicating a contemplated removal, probably

J \

*Ca\. Arthur CampbeU's MS. Sketch of Oeii. William C.imphtll ; Oov. Ciiuphcll's MS,
corrcspoiulencc.

iii i

li ^

1 I

A'AVG^ '5 ArO UXTAI.y

to the Hols'. >n frontiers. As early as i7-j2. Charles Camp-
bell was enrolled as a niilitia-man in th ; company of John
Buchanan; and, in 1752, he was cliosen a Captain, and
doubtless rendered service in tin' defence of the Aui^usta
Valley during die lon^ period of Indian irruptions anil
disturbances of I]radd(jck's war. In the latter part of his
life he became intemperate, and cut short his career, d\ iiii^
carl}- in 1767.*

At his father's death, William Campbell, then a young-
man of about twenty-two, rt-sohed to remove with hi.s
mother anil four young sisters,! to the frontiers of Holston.
They migrated there, locating on a line tract called Aspen-
vale, twenty-one miles east of the Wolf Hills, now the
pleasant town of Abingdon, and one mile west of the
Seven Mile Ford. In 1773, he was appointed among the
earliest Justices of FincasLle County, and, in i 774, a Captain
of tile militia. Allh(n)''ii an onl\' son, and inheriting a
considerable property-, he never yielded to the fashionable
follies of young men of fortune. Devoted to the o]iening
and culture of a plantation in the wilderness, nothing
occurred to interfere with the routine of farm lite till the
breaking out of the Indian war in 1774, when '^'^' •■!''''<-'(l ^i
company of^oung men, and joining Colonel Christian's regi-
miiU, pursued raiiidly to overtake Colonel Andrew Lewis,
who had jireceded them to Point Pleasant, at the mouth
of the Kenhawa, where a decisive battle was fought, beating
back the vShawanoes and allied tribes. Colonel Christian's
re-inforcement, though they made a forced march, did not
reach the battle-ground till midnight succeeding the engage-
menl. Thenext morning tin irmy crossed the Ohio, hasten-
ing to join Lord Dunmore, with another ili\ision. at the Pick-

'■'MS. records of Ar.'.'iistn County. Va. ; Winlorlioili.iin's Aiiierira, iii, ;;^o; Morse's
Cei\^t;i/ilir, ud 17)7; ilu , t-d. iHo<;. i, 088 ; Smti s Oii>i;tii/>hiuil Oirtii^nary, 1805; ("mthrie's
G^vi^r.ifiliy. iHi^ ii. 472; MS Diary of Dr. Tliomns Walkir. wliicli alone shows tlie correct
d.itc of Cli irlis Campbell's c.\p!or:uinn of tlie Molsion Valley.

-j-The clikst, F.lizabctli. m.irricd John T.iylor ; J:im.'. Thomas rate; Marjarct. Col.
Arthnr l'ani|iln-ll ; and Ann, Richard I'oMon -all men of yreat respcclaliilily, leavin,i;
numeruu.s descendants.

AND rrs /[/■/w/:s.

881

a\v;i\- plains on tlie Scioto, \vlu>ri' his Lordship concluded a
treaty of peace with llie deleati'd and iiumbled Indian
tribes. Thus was Captain Catnpbell, with all his zeal to
eni,fai;e in active service, and after ha\inj^r traveled hun-
dreds of' miles throuj^h the wilderness iVoni soutii-western
Virginia to tin; lu'art of the Ohio countr\-. compelled to
sheathe Iiis sword, and retuin ai^niin to his peaceful homi'on
the Ilolston.

l^he aiLji^ressions of the British ministr\' on the ricrhis
of American freemen had alreadv made a (\vvyi imjiri-ssion
on the minds of the frontier people. W'h'le at Fort (iower,
at the mouth of the ITockhockini,^, returnint,f from the Scioto
expedition, the troops di-clared, on the fif'th of' Novi-mbcr,
1774 — Captain Campbell, no doubt, amonjr the number —
that, '"as the love of Lilierty, and attachment to the real
interests and just rii^hts of .America outweigh every other
consiileration, we resolve that wi' will exert I'vi'rv pcnver with-
in us f'or the defe.:ce of American Liberty, and i'orthe support
of her just rights and privili'ges." And on the iwenlielh of
Jamiary ensuing, Co](»nels Preston and Christian, Arthur and
William Camplu'll, together with \Villiam Edmondson,
Reverend Charles Cummings, and other leaders of' Fin-
castle County, comprising the Ilolston st'ttk'nu'nts. stMit a
calm and patriotic address to the Continental Congress,
announcing, that ''if no pacific measures shall be jiroposed
or adojHed bv CJreat Britain, and our eiii'inies attempt to
dragoon us out of those ini^stimable privileges which wcare
entitled to as subjects, and ri'duce us to slavery, wi' declare
that wcare deliberately and resolutely determined ni"\er to
surrend(.>r them to any power upon earth but at the expense
of our li\es. These are our real, though unpolished, si'iili-
ments of liberty and lo\ality. and in tluMu we are resolved
to live and dii." * These were noble declarations of
William Campbell and associates, proclaimed three months
bef'ore the fu'st clang of arms at T^exington. four anterior to

" Aiiii'iuaii Ari hh'i's. Fourth Scries, i, 9O3, ii63.

■

I'r' *

382

KING 'S MO UN TAIN

the patriotic ivsolves of the people of Meeklenburif, five
before the deacllv strife on Bunker Hill, and nearly a year
and six months before the immortal Declaration of Inde-
pendence by Congress. These sentimenls of the men
of Ilolston formed the key-note of their patriotic eflbrts
throughout the Revolution — and thev never flagged a mo-
ment, while life lasted, till their liberties were secured.

At length war burst upon the country. Captain Camp-
bell, who had pledged himself at Fort Gow r, in 1774, to
exert every power within him in the defence of American
liberty, and subsequenlly renewed the solemn declaration
"to live and die" in support of the great principles for
which Bruce and Wallace, and Hampden and Sydney had,
in the past, contended, now entered warmly into the con-
test, raiding the lirst company in south-western Virginia in
support of the common cause, marching to Williamsburg
with his hunting-shirt riflemen, in September, 1775, and
taking their place in the First Virginia regiment under the
command of the famous Patrick Ilenrv. His commission
as Captain bore date December tifteenth of that year.
Owing to the regiment's confinement to the inactivities
of camp life, and the slights and indignities meted out to
him, Henry at length resigned the command, when his men
who were devoted to him, went into mourning. Lieutenant-
Colonel Christian succeeded to the command, and the
regiment was placed on Continental establishment under
General Andrew Lewis ; and shared in dislodging Dunmore
from Gwyn's Island, July ninth, 1776 — the British not
fancying a too close contact with the frontier rifiemen,
exclaimed, as they came in sight, "the shirt-men are
coming!" when they, panic-stricken, precipitateh' evacu-
ated the Island.

Shortly after, intelligence came that the Cherokees,
instigated by British agents and emissaries, had attacked
the frontiers, when Colonel Christian resigned, and returned
to the Ilolston country to lead an expedition against the

JND ITS HEROES.

383

hostile Indians. When Captain Campbell heard of these
border troubles, he felt not a little uneasy on account of the
unprotected situation of his mother and sisters ; and wrote
to Major Arthur Campbell, expressing the hope that all the
women and children in the Ilolston coimtry might be
gathered into forts, thus enabling the men to engage in
repelling the enemy, adding: "I iiave the most cogent
reasons for endeavoring to resign, and can, I think, do so
with honor ; and if I possibly can, I shall be witli you
He felt it was his duty to repair to the frontiers,

soon

" *

and lend all his aid in their defence. But he was nut able
to leave the service till near the close of the year, and thus
failed to share in Christian's expedition against tlie Chero-
kees. T3ut the delay, perhaps, aided him in securing a
noble companion for life, in the person of Miss Elizabeth
Ilenrv, a sister of his old commander, Patrick Henry — the
unrivalled orator and statesman of the Revolution. During
this service of over a yeai 'n eastern Virginia, Captain
Campbell acquired a practical knowledge of militar}- tactics,
and the discipline of an army, which proved of great value
to him in his subsequent campaigns to King's Mountain
and Guilford.

On his return home he found the Cherokees, having
been subdued, were quiet lor awhile. The large County
of Fincastle, embracing much of south-western Virginia
and all of Kentucky, was sub-divided ; and on the organi-
zation of Washington County, in January, 1777, he was con-
tinued a mcmberof the Justices' Court, and made Lieutenant-
Colonel of the militia, Arthur Campbell having been made
County Lieutenant or Colonel Commandant, and Evan
Shelby, Colonel. At this term cjf the court, William Cam[>-
bell, William Edmondson. and two others were appointed
commissioners to hire -iVcio-ons to bring up t/ic Cr'iir.tx salt
allotted by the Government and Council, and receive and
distribute the same, making it necessary to wagon the salt

♦MS. letter, August ist. 1776.

«■

I !

.MM

- i

■]

i -

,. i

S 1

1 ^'

' IB'

' ■

1 f

1 1

r.cSI

A'/jVG ' S MO UNTA IN

lully tour huiulri'd r.iilcs, oviM* rou^li roads, iVoin W'illiains-
Iniii;. This was sovcral yi'ars In-iori' tlu' rich sail wells were
(liseovered on Colonel Canipbell's lands on North Ilolston.
in llu> I'.ill ot" this ye.ir. Colonel Campbell, lia\iiii; been
appointed a eonunissionei- tor running the boundary line
between \'iruinia and the Chei-okei-s. probably in lullill-

nienl ot stipi

tiindalions ol" the tri'at\ at Lonif Ishuul ot' i lolslo

July 1

necedniij^. pert«)rpied tins ser\ let

Inie e.\-

tending' tVoni the nionth ol" Bi^ ereek to tin- lii^h knob on
Cinnberland Mountain, a tew miles Wi-st ot" L'uiidieiland
Gap.* Duiino' the year 177S, he seems to havi- bei-n
en;^an"ed in no special public service.

In the sunnner ot" 1779, there was a jtarlial ujirisinif of
Tories in Ah)ntm)merv County, where Colonel Walter
Crockett, by his eneroy. succeeded in quelling" the insur-
rection bet"ore it had ii'.uned much heailwaw The same Torv
spirit had extended itselt" into Washin_i;ti)n County — and
even into the Watauija and Nolachucky settlements ; but the
leaders were not open in tlu-ir movements — rather like
bandits, struck their blows in the ilark. under disguises and
concealments. Colonel Campbell was very out-sjioken
against them. I lis i>"ates were placarded, threatening his
lil"e ; and an attempt was made to take him. ol" a ilark ni<fht,
and in a ileep forest, by two of these desperadoes, but they
mi>took their man — otherwise Colonel Campbell \\ould have
probably lost his life at their hands.

Not k)ng after, when he was returnino- from the Ebbing
Spring mee'dng house, where he had been hearing a good
Presbyterian sermon, mounted on horseback, accompanied
bv his wile, his cousin John Campbell and family. Captain
James Dysart and wile, James Fullen, a man named Karris,
an x\trican negro named Thomas, and others, he discovered
a man approaching, on horseback, uho turned off into the
woods — a suspicious circumstance. Colonel Campbell did
not personalh' know him, but John Campbell, who tlid, told

■^MS. pension statement of Ch.Trles Hickley.

!Ih!

/IjVD /TS If!'. roes.

3.sr,

tlic Colonel llial it was iM-aiicis Hopkins, the Tory biin-
r a year or more Hopkins had j,nvcn tlic County

(lit,

nuthoriiifs much troubK' : ihry li.ul imposod hcav\ lines upoi
him Ibr his rascalilii-s, ."ul liad placi'd him under heavy
bonds. lie had been Inund i.;uiU\- of ]iassinL( counlerfeit
money — was ordt>recI imprisoned at Cocke's l-'urt on Kenfroe
creek, dll the county jail should becf.mpleted ; and when the
new structure was reaily lur occupancy, it was a rickettv
aflair, and Hopkins one dark nij^dit was released Ironi his
conlineinentbv the aid of svmpaUjizin'^ Tories, who m-icd the

pr;
jail door from its hin<,a's, and carried it half a mile uw
Thus the bandit and counterfeiter evaded furtl
men

ler imprison-

t, and snapped his lini^'ers at justice, i le iled to the
nearest British jLjainson — probably in Georgia — where he
obtained a commir.sion, with letters to the Cherokee Indians
and the whilt' emissaries among- tliem, urging them to tall
upon the frontier setders with fagot, knife, and tomahawk.
He was, in ever}' sense, an infamous Tory, and adangerou'<
character.

Upon learning the name of the stranger, Colonel Camp-
bell instantly put spurs to his horse, and gave chase to the

acl

nni'

bandit: and in the course of one or two miles, rt
the deep ford of the INIiddle Fork of Ilolston,* about a mile
above where Captain Thompson then lived, Hopkins, who
was mounted on afmehorsc, rode down a steep blulT. some
fifteen or twenty feet, plunging into the river. Campbell, by
this time, was close in pursuit, and not to be balked, followed
the bandit into the water. 'I'he fearful leap threw Hopkins
from his horse : and, before he could reco\'er, Campbell
was at him. They had along and desperate rencounter in
river, the bandit losing his dirk. Hopkins was the strongest
man. and came near drowning Campbell, when F\dlcn and
some of the others, who h:ul follow ed, came to liis relief;
and, with dieir assistance, the bandit, wa.-:, after something
of an enforced duckin;.;'. sulidvied and takcMi to tb.e bank.

'•'This locality is now on Jninos Ilyar's fnrin. In \\*ash;n^ton Connty.

386

KING 'S MO UNTAIN

IIi)pkiiis" reckless eharacter was well known — a leader
of ti nioentain elan of desperadoes, who had long infested
the counlry, eonnnilling robberies on defenceli'ss people
along the thinly populated frontiers. No time was lost — there
was no jail in the eoanty that could hold him, and it was
dangerous to tlie community to sufler such u lawless char-
acter to roam at large, threatening the lives of such men as
William Campbell. On taking the culprit to the bank
of the stream, they searched him, finding his commission,
with commissions for others, and the letters to the Cherokces,
which he had not yet delivered. The horse he rode was
stolen but a few hours before ; and he had a new halter tied
on behind his saddle, evidenth' intended for ant)ther horse,
preparatory, perhaps, for a journey, with some acc(Mnplice,
to the Cherokee country. But the halter, like Ilaman's
gallows, was put to quite a dillerent use from what was
designed ; for with it, Hopkins, who was insolent to Camp-
bell, was speedily hung to the limb of a convenient sycamore
that leaned over the river. When Colonel Campbell
rejoined his wife, she eagerly inquired, "What did you do
with him, iMr. Campbell?" "Oh, we hung him, Betty —
that's all." The whole country rejoiced at this riddance
of one of the greatest pests to society. Others of the ban-
dit party were hunted dow^n, and several of them killed —
one on Clinch, and another at the lower end of Washing-
ton County, or on the borders of the neighboring County
of Sullivan, in now Tennessee.

At the ensuini^ October session of the Vircfinia Lejjls-
lature, an act was passed, at the instance of General
Thomas Nelson, Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration
of Independence, and afterwards Governor of the State, to
full}'- meet the case — though it would seem to have hardly
been necessarv. The act states, that while the measures
for the suppression of "open insurrection and conspiracy"
may not have been- "strictly warranted by law, it was
justifiable from tlie immediate urgency and imminence

I u

AND ITS HEROES.

387

•OS

iCC

of tlie danger" — hence "that William Campbell, Walter
Crockett, and (jtlu-r liege subjects of the Commonwi'alth,
aided by detachments of the militia and xolunteers horn
tlie County ol' Washington and other parts ot" the frontiers,
did by timely anil ellectual e.\ertic<n, suppress and defeat
such conspiracy," and the}' were declared fully exonerated
and indemnilied (or the act.*

In April, 1780, Colonel Campbell was nromoteil to the
full rank of Colonel, in place of ICvan Slie")y, Sr., whose
residence, it was now determined, was in North Carolina.
He served a term in the House of Delegates from earlv in
May, until the twentieth of June, when he obtained leave of
absence for the remainder of the session, to engage in an
expedition against the Chickamauga towns. Governor Jef-
ferson and his council authorizing him to embodv two hun-
dred and lifty militia from M^ishington and Monlgoniery
counties, and unite with a conjunctive Ibrce from the Caro-
linas.f

Bnt soon after his return home, he found a dangerons
enemy in the midst of the white settlements. Two hundred
Tories of the New river region, within what is now Grayson
County, Virginia, ami Ashe County, North Carolina, had
risen in arms, with some British ollicers aiding them, with a
view of seizing the Lead Mines, near the present Wytheville ;
when Colonel Campbell, by order of Colonel Preston, took
the field in Angust at tlie head of one hundred and ibrty or
lifty men, and scoured that wild, mountainous country; and
at a place known as the Big Glades, or Round Meadows,
approaching a large party ot Tories, the latter under cover
of a thick fog, fled, dispersing in every direction, and hiding
themselves in the mountains, losinii only one of their num-

*Statement of Colonel Samuel Newell, neccnihrro. 1S33, in Thr Land We Love, May
1867; MS. Correspondence of Governor D. Campliell and John li. Dysiirt; convtrsntions
with Colonel )'atrirk H. Fontaine, a grandson of Patrick Henry, and General Thomas
Love; Henning's St.ttutes of I'irginin. x. 195. In Atkinson's Casket, for September, 1835,
is an interesting story founded on the hanging of Hopkins, having, however, but little
resemblance to the real facts in the case.

\ Journal 0/ /fouse 0/ Delegates, 1780; Uibbcs' Doc, History, 1776-82, p. 135.

■: rnif

' i

e presentee

and serving faithfully to tlie end of tlie war, which he de-
clined, meeting his death heroically. Another part}' of
Tories was disjtersed above the Shallow Ford of Yadkin.*
Returning from this expedition, Colonel Campbell led
four hundred brave riflemen from Washiniiton County
across the Alleghanies to meet Ferguson's Rangers and the
united Tories of the Carolinas. Their utter discomfiture
has been full}- related ; and too much praise cannot well be
acC(M-ded to "the hero of Kin"-'s Mountain" for his u;al]ant
bearing during the campaign gcnerallv, and especially for
his heroic conduct in the batUe. It is a matter of regret,
that such patriots as Shelby and Sevier shoidd have been
deceived into the belief that the chi\'alric Campbell shirked
from the dangers of the conflict, mistaking, as they did,
the Colonel's servant in the distance for the Colonel him-

<' Colonel William Camplioll's MSS. ; statement of John Spoils, who was out in this ser-
vice; MS. Pension statements of Colonel Rohert Love and James Keys, ofCampbell's men;
Gibbes' JJoc. History, 177O-82, p. 137.

m' \

|i f!'^

AND ITS HEROES.

389

er-
eii;

self; when wrll-iiijrh forty survivors of tlu'batlK', iiKliuling
sotnc of Camphrirs worlliii'sl oll'iccrs, aiul men of Slirl-
by's, Scvii-r's, and Clevi'laiurs ri'ifiiUL-nls as well, tcslifyin*^,
of tliL'ir own kni)\vlc(l<^c, to his prrsonal shari* in liio action,
and specifying his pr(.\sonce in rwry part of tlie hotl} -con-
tested engagement, from the beginning to the tinal surren-
der of the enemy at (Uscretion. It is evident tliat such
heroes as Siiell)y and vSevier liad ([uite enougii to do within
tlie range of their own regiments, without being able to
ol)si'r\e ver\' much what was transj^iring Ix'yond them.
And wliat .Shelln' lionestly supposed was a \'ague conl'es-
sion liy Campbell of unaccounlable conduct on his part in
the latter part of the action, simpl}' referreil to his too pre-
cipitate order to lire on the unresisting TcM'ies when Col-
onel Williams had been shot down after the close of the

contest. IJut in such a victor\-, without

lUlJU

sllv delractinjf

from Campbell's great merits and rich deservings, tlu-n; is
both honor and fame enough for all his worthy compatriots
also. * It may be jiroper to note, that the sword that Col-
onel Campbell wielded at King's Mountain, and subse-
quently at Guilford — his trusty Andrea di Ju-rraru — more
than a century- old, was used by his Caledonian ancestors
in the wars of the Pretenders, and is N'et preserved by his
Preston descendants, f

Colonel Campbell would have been more or less than
mortal, had lu' not felt a sense of satisfaction for the high
praises showered upon 1 ini and his associates lor the
decisive triumph achieved at King's Mountain — emanating
from Gates, Washington, the Legislature of Virginia, and
the Continental Congress. The latti'r august body voted,
diat it entertained " a high sense of the spirited and mili-

'■'Hoth Colonel William M.irlin ,in.| F.lijuh Crill.iWMy. wlio were inliinalely acqiiainted
with fnlnni.-l Cleveland, Mate that he freiiurnlly spnke of Cainphell's K<'"il deportment in
the battle; Majur Lewis, of Cleveland's regiment, derlared that, had it not hcen for
Campliell and his Virginians Keranson would have remained master of Kind's Monntain ;
and (iencral l.ennir, al:xj of Cleveland's men. testified to Camiihell's gallant (.onduct in
the .iction.

■^Coloncl Arthur Campbell's Memoir; Campbell's llh/ory of \'irgiHiii, i8(iu, p. 700.

4li^

I ' 5 f.

II
■I

390

K JAG'S MOUNTAIA

tary cnndiict of C'nIoiu>l CainphcH " ami his associates;
while tlu' Vii'Ljiiiia I louse ol" Delegates voted its "thanks
to Colonel Campbell," his ollicers and soldiers, for tiieir
patriotic conduel in repairing to the aid of a distressed sis-
ter vState, and after " a severe and bloody conlliel," had
achieved a (U>cisive victory: and that "a good liorst', with
I'li'gant furniture, and a sword, be purchasi'd at the public
exjiense, and pri'sented to Colonel W'iliiaui Campbell as a
furtlu'r testimony of the high sense the General Assem-
bly entertain of his late important si-rx ici's to his country."
To these high compliments of the Li-gislature, Colonel
Cam|ibi'll returned the following modest acknowli'dgment :

''Gentlemi'ii — I am inlinitely hajipy in receiving this
public testimony of the approbation u'^ my country for my
late services in South Carolina. It is a ri'ward far above
my expectations, and I esteem it llie noblest a soldier can
receive from a virtuous people. Through you, gimtleinen,
I wish to communicate the hiifh sense I hav(> of it to the
House of D«.'legati"s. I owe, under l^rovidence, much to
the brave ollicers and soldiers who served with me ; and I
shall take the earliest opportunity of transiTiitling the
resolve of your House to them, who. I am pei-suaded, will
experience all the honest heart-felt satisfaction I myself
feel on this occasion." *

Now hurr\ing to his frontier home on the Ilolston, he
fountl that the restless Cherokees had again been at their
bloody work, and Colonel Arlluu' Campbell had in Decem-
ber, 1780, aided by Colonel Sevier and Major Martin, led
forth a strong force for their chastisement. Colonel Will-
iam Campbi II at once raised additional troops, and marched
as far as the Long Island of Ilolston, \ to succor his kins-
man if need be ; but it was not necessary, for the Chero-

'■' Journals of Congress, 1780. 367; Journal of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1780,
Kail session, pp. 13, 18. The Viryiiiia I.enisI;Uiirc siibscqiKMitly called a Couiuy afier liiiii,
to perpetuate liis name and memory.

•)■ MS correspondence of Colonel Wlllinm Mariin, one of William Campbell's men, and
of Governor D. Campbell; Haywood's Tennessee, ^^.

l.liL

AND ITS HEROES.

31)1

kecs were pursued in dctiiclied partii's by their invaders,
many of lluir wiuriors wcrt.' kilK d, and tlu-ir settleinuntji
desolaU'd.

On the thirtieth of January, 1781, General Greene wrote
to "the famous Colonrl William Campbilj," rcinindinj.f him
of iIil: glory he hail already aci[uirj.'d, and urgin,!.f him "to
bring, wiUiout loss of lime, a thousand good volunteers
from oNcr llu' mountains." Notwithstanding the Clu-rokees
were slill troubk'somo, anil llnx-alcning thi> Ironlicrs, the
noted Logan, \\ilh a northern band, was connniliing depre-
dations on Clinch, while others were doing mischief in
Powell's Valley, yet Colonel Campbell raised over a hun-
dred of his gallant riflemen, and moved forward on Feb-
rnar}'^ twenty-lifth,* others joining him on the way, until
he broughl (ieneral Greene, about the second of March, a
re-inforcement of over lour lumdreil mounlaiui-ers. f Lord
Cornvvallis had imbibed a personal resentmcTit towards
Colonel Campbell, as the connnander at King's Mountain,
threatening Unit should he fall into his hands, he would
have him inslanth' put to death for his rigor against the
Tories — evidently designing to hold him personally respon-
sible tor the execution of the Tory leaders at BickerstatV's.
This, instead of intimidating, had the contrary eflect ; and
Campbell, in turn, resolved, if the fortunes of war should
place Connvallis in his power, he should meet the fate
of Ferguson. X

Could anything have served to give additional sjiirit to
Colonel Canipbi'll, anil nerve him to almost superhuman
exertions, it was just such a dastardly threat as that uttered
by Lord Cornwallis. Campbell and his men were soon
called into action. Taking aihantage of a thick fog. Lord
Cornwallis sent forward a strong force to beat up the quar-
ters of Greene's advance jiarties — or, as Greene supposed.

* Caltndar 0/ I'iixinia State l\i/',-rs, 543, 555.

\ Calemiar of I'hgiiiia State l'a/>irs, 542; Johnson's Cretne, i, 438.

t Colonel Arthur tanip'oclls memoir of General Vv'illiam CanipLiell.

! 1

592

KING 'S MO UXTAIN

either to intercept his stores, or cut off the Light Infantry,
inchuling the ri^emen, from the main body. Tlicse advance
cohimns met at Whitzell's Mills, on Rcody creek, some
seven miles from Greene's camp, \vht;re Colonel Otho IT.
Williams, Avith Campbell's and Preston's riflemen, and
Washington's and Lee's corps, fornied on the southern
bank of the stream, in front of the ford, and some two
liundred yards below the mill. The main object was to
protect the mill as long as possible, and enable Greene's
provision wagons to load with flour and meal, and get off
with the needed supply, which they barely effected As
the British, with their short Yager rillomen in front, ap-
proached, they fired in the distance; and when within
eighty yards, descending towards the ok, the American
riflemen opened on them with deadly eflect, one of the
oflicers of the enemy, when shot, bounding up several feet,
fell dead ; a second discharge on the advancing fie, when
only some forty-five }ards ofl', was also ver}' destructive.
The enemy had opened their field pieces, but, like the fire
of their small arms, was too high, and only took eflect
among the limbs of the trees. As the atmosphere was
heavy, the powder smoke obstructed the enemy's view ;
w'hile the Americans, below them, had abetter opportunit3^
The fighting was ehieOy done b}- the riflemen, and Lee's
Legion, while covered bv the reinflars ; and ''Colonel
Campbell," says J(jhn Craig, one of his riflemen, "acted
with his usual courage."

Having accomplished the ol-jjcct the}' had in \ lew — the
security of the flour and meal, — the Americans retired
over the ford, which was some thrc>e feet deep, with a r:ipid
current, over a slippery, rocky bottom, with a steep brushy
bank on the northern shore to ascend. While etfecting this
passage, the ;.>;allant Majt>r Joseph Cloyd, of Preston's rifle-
men, observed his old commander on foot, who had been
unhorsed in the conflict, and dismounting, aided Colonel
Preston, who was now ad\anced in years and quite fleshy,
into the saddle, when both escaped.* "The enemy,"

*MS. notes of conversations willi Thomas Hickman, of Oavidson County, Ten-

AXD ITS HEROES.

393

if^ii

'y\

said Gemral Greene, ''were handsomely opposed, and suf-
fered considerably. "

After no little manoeuvring, the battle of Guilford took
place on the fifteenth of March. It was brought on b}' a
.sharp action, in the morning, b}' the advance, consist-
ing of Lee's Legion, and a ptjrtion of Campbeirs riflemen —
in which Lee was supposed to have indicted a loss of iifty
on the part of Tarlet'jn ; while the Light Infantry of the
Guards were so hard pressed by the riflemen, losing a hun-
dred of their munber, that a portion of Tarleton's cavalry
went to their relief. In die main batde that so()n followed,
Lee's Legion and Campbell's riflemen ibrmed the corps of
observation on the left flank — the rillemen occupving a
woodland position. During the obstinate contest, Camp-
bell's corps fought with the heroic bravery cliaracteristic of
their noble leader, and of their own unrivalled reputation.
When the enemy charged the Maryland Line, Campbell
with his riflemen made a spirited attack on the regiment
of Bozc, on the British right wing, and dro\e it back ; and
when the riflemen, in turn, were charged witli tlie bavonet,
having none to repel them, they were obliged for the
moment to retire, still loading and liring. however, on
their pursuers, and thus, whether charging or retiring,
kept up a destructive fire on these veteran German sub-
sidiaries. So severely did Campb"irs riflemen handle
his right wing, tliat Lord Cornwallis was obliged to order
Tarleton to extricate it, and bring it ofl'. By this time Lee
had retired with his cavalry, without apprising Campbell of
his movement ; and die result was, that the riflemen were
swept from the field.*

nessee, and IMnjor Iloindon HarnN'ni, of lirownsville, Tennessee, in 1844. and Bcnjatniji
Starritt, all pariicipants in the action ; Tarleton's Cniii/'uigiis, 135 ; Stedman, ii, 336; Lee s
Memoirs, revised ed., 265-C7 ; Greene, in LcttoSto Washington, iii, 260; Johnson s Cheinc,
i, 463-03; Greene's (,treiii>. iii, iS3.

*MS. Notes of conversa.ions with Benjamin Stririitl, of I.ec's I.cyion; Tarlni n's
CrJ>«/rt/|f«i-, 270-71, J75-76; Piedinan, with MS inar;;iii.il notes by Captain J. U. \\ hitfurd,
ii, 337, 343; Lee's Afi-mairs new od., 276-83; Johnson Crrene, ii, 6; Lossing's /'I'liii /look,
ii, 402. 403; liancroti, x, 47 ,q ; Dawson's lui/ilt's, ii, 663-07. MS. Letter o*" Hoji. W. C.
Preston, to the author, July lulh, 1840.

1 ■ i

Mi'i"

p^w

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' f

' \ ''

i I,

391

KIA'G'S MOUNTAIN

T^ce commciuUHl CdIoih'I Campbt'll for llie bravery dis-
phiyod in tlic aciion liy liis battalion ; and Greene assured
him, that his "faithCul services" claimed his General's
waniu'st thanks, and liis "entire a|)probation of his con-
duct" — adding": "Sensible of your merit, 1 feel a pleasure
in doing" justice to it." Dispk-ased with the treatment shown
to himself and rillemen — who wi're the first in tlii' engage-
ment, and tile last in tht' Held — Campbell ri'tired in disgust
from tlie se-rvice. At his home on the Ilolston, he an-
nouiu'ed hunsi'lf, on the thirly-lirst of March, as a candi-
date foi" the House of Delegates, saving : ""^i'lie resignation
of my military commission, which I could not longer hold
with honor, afti.-r the treatment I ha\-e received, puts it out
of my po\M>r to serve my country as an oflicer. "* Camp-
bell and his men telt deeply aggrieved — feeling that Lee
had abi'jidoned them without notice, and left them to main-
tain iht,' uni'(jiial eontt;st unprotected b}' cavalry, when
Tarleton direcleil his dragoons against them.

" Vou have no doubt observed," wrote General William
R. Davie, " that Campbell's regiment of riflemen acted
with Lee on the left flank of the arm}-. Af'ter the main
body of tlie army liad been puslied ofl' the Held, these
troops rcmaiiu'd engaged with the Y igers of the regiment
of Bo/.e, near the Couit House, some of them c(jvered by
houses, others by a skirt of thick wood. In this situation,
they were charged by the British cavaliv, and some of
them were cut down. Lee's cavalry were drawn up on the
edge of the open ground, above; the Court House, about
two hundrid yartls ofl", and, as Colonel Campbell asserted,
moved as this charge was made on his riflemen. On the
day after the action, Campbell was extremely indignant at
this movement, and spoke freely of Lee's conduct. Lee
was, however, sent ofl' the same day, to watch the enemy's
movements, and Campbell's regiment were soon dis-
charged." t

*MS. Letter of Colonel CamphcU to Colonel iJaniel Smith, on Clinch.
-{- Jciliiison's Gtrrfte, ii, 16-17, ^o.

AND ITS HEROES.

395

"Tree's abiuulonnn'iit, of CaniplH>irs riflrmiMi," said tlu"
late William C. Picsloii, >•• at twilight, atul without i;ivin<r
notice of his withdrawal, was lon^' ix'tfardcd by the survi-
vors witli the most bitter feeliiiifs, whieh were subsi-(|nentlv

revived b\' the manner in which lie sun

k tl

WW ser\ icrs an*

Ins.

sullerin^s in his published account of the l">aldc'." *

at least, is expressive oi' the sentiments of Campbell and

ns men

and, at this late dav, it is dilFicult to (U'termi

hether Lee was I'xcusabie, or culpable, for tlu> course lie

nir

pursued. But well-merited compliments and soothi
words, on the part of (ient'ral (rreiMU', did not clianj^e
Colonel CampbelTs determination to withdraw from the
service. He accordinnly left camp on tiie mornini;' of the
twentieth ; and returning;- home rt'sioiied his commission in
the militia.

Colonel Campbell, as tlu' oldest s(M-vinL,f Justice in the
County Court, became entiUed lo a term of the odice of
SherifV, but declined tlu' position, lie was chosen lo rep-
resent Washinj^ton County in the House ol' Delei^ates.
The General Assembly conveni'd at Richnn)nd early in
Ma}' of this yi'ar ; but owing to the approach of the enemy,
they adjourned tc; meet at Charlottesville on the twenty-
fourth of liuit month ; and, on June the tourth, they were
compelled hurriedly to adjourn to Staunton to escape cap-
ture by Tarleton. During the sessioii, disturbed as it was,
much important jmblic business was transacted. Colonel
Campbell was placi'il on several of the leading committees,
associated will) Patrick Ilenr^' and other jirominent
patiiots — on privileges and elections, the establishment of
martial law, and amendatory of tin' mililia ail. (Jeneral
Morga.i was again I'alU'd into ser\ice by tlu- I^i'gislature ;
and a lew days later, on the fourteeinh of JuiU', tlu' House
of Delegates chose Colonel Campbell a lirigadier (leiieral
of the militia, to serve; under Mar([uis l)e La I'ayette, then
conmianding in V'irginia, which was concurred in b}- the

* MS. letter to the .iiitlior, July lutli, 1840.

% \

. n

\ W'

Hill

iitf-

! A

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Senate the following day. On the sixteenth, General
Campbell obtained leave of absence for the remainder of
the session, and at once repaired to La Fayette's camp for
service. He became a favorite of that gallant nobleman,
who assigned him to the connnand of a brigade of light
intantrv and rillemen. '■''

While General Campbell was temporarily absent, and
his corps was encamped at some point in Cumberland
County, a Parson McCrea, of the old established church,
who liad drawn his salary in tobacco lor many a ^•ear
visited the camp, and plied his best arguments to discoura<'-e
the men, representing that the great strength of Cornwallis'
army would enable them to slaughter the feeble American
force like so manv beeves. General Camnbell returning,
and hearing of this insolent visit, sent a detail of men to
apprehend the inter-meddling Parson; and se\ere]v repri-
manded him for his unpatriotic conduct, saN'ing his age
alone excused him from corporal punishment ; "■ but we
will show you,"' added the General, "how we intend to
serve Cornwallis." lie then ordered the Torv clercryman
to prostrate himself flat on his belly across the road, when
every soldier stepped over him on their marcli. We are
afraid the good man left in too dl a humor to properly pray
for his enemies.

From tlie pul^lished histories, and the gazettes of that
day, it would not appear tluit General Campbell had any
share in the battle of Jamestown Ford, fought on die sixth
of July, mainly by Wayne's brigade : yet a siu'vivor of
La Fayette's army stated tliat Campbell particijiated in die
attack, and fell back fighting as he retired.! Tlis riflemen,
perhaps, formed the reserve of Wayne's attacking party ;
for some of his riflemen wcM-e wounded, and Colonel Joiin
Boyer, of his i-ifle corps, from Rockbridge County, was

* Journ,t;s of the Virs:i„i,i F.^^h/nlnre. 1781 ; Colonel Arthur Campbell's memoir.
t MS. notes of ronversi.tions with Reverend James Haynes, near Paris, Tenn., in 1844,
then eighty-four years of age.

fitiatiatmammm

AND ITS HEROES.

397

made a prisoner by the enemy. Thoui^fli Cornwallis
iifTected tlie most liuuglity contempt for '■•the boy" La-
Fayette, he must have had some respect for Wayne, the
hero of Stony l\)int, for Campbell, who liad taken a little
detached ami}- from liim at King's Mountain, and for
Morgan, who had handled his detachment under Tarleton
so roughly at the Cowpens.

While Cornwallis was encamped at Williamsburg, and
La Fayette six miles distant on the road leadiu'^ to Rich-
mond, General Campbell, in command of the light troops,
usually kept a picket guard of a d(»zon or tifleen of his
mounted men at the Three Burnt Chimne3-s, about niidwa}'
between the hostile camps. For several successive morn-
ings the enemy would send out a superior body of horsemen,
and drive in the American picket. Campbell determined to
profit by this experience. A short distance in the rear
of the Burnt Chimneys was a fine grove by the road-side,
surromuling a church. In this grove Campbell posted a
large detachment of mounted rillemcn, himself at their
head ; and placed the customary picket at the Burnt Chim-
neys, with directions to retire on the a]")proach of the
expected British cavalry earh' in the morning. The
enemy, as usual, hotly pursued the fleeing Americans
under whip and spur, imtil they reached the grove, when an
unexpected volley of rifle balls unhorsed a goodh' number
of the astonished Britons — killing some twenty or more of
their cavalry men, and thirty or forty of their horses. The
survivors fled back in dismay, and the picket at the Burnt
Chimneys was no more anno^'ed. *

But General Campbt^lTs services were destined to a
sudden termination. Taken \\ith a complaint in his breast,
lie was conveyed to the residence of Colonel John Syme. his
wife's half brother, at Rocky Mills, in Hanover County,
where, after a few days' illness, he expired, August the

* MS. notes of convrrs:itions. In January, 1844, with James Givens, one of Camplicll's
men, then in his eightieth year.

'•>'

%■ u..

398

KING'S MOUNTAIN

twentv-sc'cond, 1781, in liis tliirh'-sixth j^ear. When
La Favette received intelligence of the death of his friend,
he issued a General Order announcing the sad event, char-
acterizing General Campbell as " an ofllcer whose services
must have endeared him to every cidzen, and in particular
to every American soldier. The glory which General
Campliell has acquired in the aflairs of King's Mountain
and Ciuilford Court House, will do his memor}' everlasting
honor, and insure him a high rank among the defenders
of liberty in the American cause;'" General La Fayette
reirretdni; diat tlie funeral was so ^rcat a distance from the
army, as to deprive him and his oflicers the privilege of
paying to General Campbell the honors due to his rank,
and "particularly to his merit," and deputing four field
oflicers to repair to Rocky Mills and, in behalf of the army,
pay him their last tribute of respect.

Here his remains reposed until 1823, when his relatives
had them removed to his old Aspcnvale homestead on the
Ilolston, in now Sm3-th County, beside his mother, little son,
and other relatives, and where a neat monument was erect-
ed to his memorv. His widow, a son, and a daughter
survived him — the widow subsequenth' uniting in marriage
with General William Russell ; the son died young ; the
daughter, Sarah, became the wife of General Francis Pres-
ton, and mother of Hon. William C. Preston, General
John S. Preston, and Colonel Thomas L. Preston. Gen-
eral Campbell's widow died in November, 1825, aged about
eighty ; and his daughter, Mrs. Preston, died at Abingdon,
Virginia, July twenty-third, 1846, at the age of nearly
seventy years.

There was something akin to rivalry between Colonel
Arthur Campbell and his brother-in-law, William Camp-
bell, whose sister Margaret he had married. She was a
woman of excellent mind, and of uncommon beautv and
sprightliness ; and withal she possessed no little ambition,
which she endeavored to turn to good account in her

m .

■'^^ i U -Ji

-'^-'-r---^ ■■ ^' •- -^

pnel
Itnp-
lis a

land

|ion,
her

ylNI> ITS HEROES.

399

husband's behalf. This youncf wife encouraged liim in all
his plans b}' wliich he ini<^ht acquire distinction as a public
man. ITer whole mind seemed completely absorbed in
this one great object of her life, to which every other must
bend; no privation, liowever great, annoyed her in the
smallest degree, if she believed it would contribute; to the ac-
quirement of either militarv or ci\il reputation for her hus-
band. Iler extreme solicitude and promptings to push him
lip the ladder of fame, caused him sometimes to make false
steps, and involved him in unnecessary altercations with
his brother-in-law and others. Except these ambitious ef-
forts, and tluy were alwavs promoted in a manner to grat-
ify her husband, she was among the most exenqilarv of
women, never having a thought in opposition to his upon
an}' subject, and believing him to be the greatest man in
the country-, not excepting her brother, of whose abilities
she entertaint'd a very exalted opinion.*

Colonel Arthur Campbi-ll was some three 3'ears the
senior of William Campbell ; this fact, and his having been
in }-outh a prisoner with the Indians, had given him the
precedence in martial alTairs. His military talents, how-
ever, were not of tlie hrst order, while William Campbell
thought that the experience he liad gained on the Point
Pleasant campaign, and during his 3-ear\s service in the
Williamsburg region, in 1775-76, fairl}- entitled him to lead
his brother-in-law, who woidd not acquiesce in this view,
and jealousies were the consequence, and sometimes open
ruptures. There appears to have been a sort of quasi un-
derstanding between them, that they should take turns in
commanding the Washington force on military expeditions
against the enemy. While Colonel William Campbell led
the troops against the Tories up New river, the men com-
posing the c.(mimand were only in part from W;ishington
Countv ; and, hence he was permitted to go on tiie King's
Mountain campaign, heartily seconded in his efforts by

♦MS. letter of Gov. navid Campbell to the author, IJcc. t2, 1840.

;^;

( ,

400

KING'S MOUNTAIN

r':: \

t-'h

y )

Colonel Arthur Campbell. The hitler led the expedition
in Deceiiil-)er followin;^ against the Cherokees ; and when,
shortly at'ter, \Villiam Caniplxdl received the urgent in-
vitation from General Greeni," to join him with a band of
riflemen, Colonel Arthur Campbell interposed objections,
nominally on the ground of dan^rer from the Indians, but
probably prompted in fact somewhat by his jealous}- of his
brother-in-law's growing lame as a leader in expeditions
against the enemy.

General Campbell had a \er3' imposing personal ap-
pearance — the />('(r/r ideal of a military chieftain with those
who ser\-ed uiuler him. He was about six feet, two inches
high, possessing a large, muscular, well-proporliMiied frame
— rather raw-boned ; with an iron constitution, capable of al-
most incredible endurance — and he was asstraiurht as an In-
dian. I lis complexion was ruddy, with light colored or red-
dish hair, and bright blue e}es. His countenance presented
a serious — nay, stern appearance ; and wlien not excited ex-
pressive of great benevolence ; but when his ire was stirred,
he exhibited the fury of an Achilles. On such occasions he
would commit violent and indiscreet acts ; he was, however,
easily calmed, particularly when approached by tliosc in
whom he reposed confidence — to such he would yield his
opinions widiout the slightest opposition. In conversation
he was reserved and thoughtful ; in his written communica-
tions, expressive and elegant. He was bland in his man-
ners, and courteous to all with whom he had interccjurse,
whether high or low, rich or poor. At preaching in the
country, it was his constant custom to look around after ser-
mon was ended, and assist all the women of the neighbor-
hood, especially the more aged, who were not attended,
on their liorses.

Of Scottish descent, he inherited the j^rinciples and
predilccdons of his persecuted Presbv'terian ancestors
of that northern land. His religious zeal — certainly in
theor}' — and his devotion to liberty, were alike deep, fer-

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AKD ITS HEROES.

401

vent, and exclusive. In his domestic and social relations,
he was the most amiabh^ of men. He wor.ld send his ser-
\'ants to aid a poor neighbor, while he would iiimself plow
through the heat of the day in his fields, gi\ing his spare
moments to his Bible and his God, endeavoring scrupu-
lously to live up to the golden rule in all his dealings with
his fellow men. But he set his face like a flint against the
enemies of his country and of freedom, proving himself
almost as inflexible as a Claverhouse or a Cumberland
toward those who betrayed or deserted the holy cause for
which he contended, and for which he died.

But it was as a military genius that he shone preeminent.
lie had the ability to form able plans — confidence in him-
self, and indefatigable perseverance to execute them ; and
the rare capacity to inspire all under his command with his
own conlidence and indomitable courage. Had he acted
on as conspicuous a stage as Warren or Montgomery, his
name and fame would have been as illustrious as theirs.
With inferior numbers of undisciplined volunteers, em-
bodied with great celerity, led forth, with scanty supplies,
nearly two hundred miles over rugged mountains, he
totally defeated Ferguson, one of the most experienced and
enterprising of the British partisan leaders — gaining, as he
expressed it, " victory to a wish." At Guilford he fully
sustained his high reputation, and had the North Carolina
militia behaved with the firmness and courage equal to his
riflemen, the army of Cornwallis would not have been
crippled only, but would, in all probability, have met with
irretrievable disaster.

General Campbell never balanced between military duty
and prudential maxims. Himself a hater of vice and
treason in every form, he was by some deemed too severe
in punishing the deviations of others — yet his acts, in his
own estimation, were the result of the purest patriotic
impulses. Wherever the story of King's Mountain and
Guilford is read, and the services of their heroes full}'

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KING'S MOUNTAIN

appreciated, it will bo foiincl that William Campbell has
"purpled o'er his name with deathless glory."

Of such of General Campbell's officers as served with
him at King's Mountain, and concerning whom facts have
been obtained, brief notices will be made. Maj'M- William
Edmondson — or Edmiston, as frequently written in early
clays — the second in command of the Virginia regiment in
the battle, was descended from Irish ancestry, and born in
Cecil County, Maryland, in 1734. While he was yet
young, his fatlier removed to what is now Rockbridge
County, Virginia, where he grew to years of manhood,
receiving a limited education. He early engaged in the
old French and Indian war.

Learning of Colonel Byrd's expedition down the IIol-
ston, destined against the Cherokees, in 1760, William
Edmondson, and his brother Samuel, concluded to enlist,
so as to give them an opportunity to examine the lands
of the Ilolston country with a view to future settlement.
While on this service, William Edmondson was guilty
of the high crime of addressing an olTiccr without taking
off his hat, as was required of all soldiers, for which he
was severel}'' rebuked, and threatened with punishment.
Reaching his comrades in great wrath, Edmondson loaded
his rifle, and swore he would shoot the officer \N'ho had so
grossly insulted him ; and it was with great diffitult3% that
his brother dissuaded him from it. One of the Virginia
officers, who knew Edmondson, wrote to Governor Fau-
quier, that there was a high spirited soldier in his corps,
who, unless commissioned, was likely to get into trouble, f
On the first of August, in that year, the Governor sent

'■'These salient points in the character of General Campliell are drawn from Colonel
Arthur Campbell's memoir; Governor D. Campbell's MS. correspondence; and the recol-
lections of Colonel Walter Lewis, who had served under him, in Atkinson's Casket, Sep-
tember, 1833, 387.

■J- MS. letter of Hon. Benjamin Estill, August siitt, 1S45. ,

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AND ITS HEROES.

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him an Ensi;^n'.s commission to serve on tluit expedition.
Hut when Byrd got pretty well down the Valley, he took to
camp, but made no further progress during that nor tl.e
following year. In 176.^, Governor Fauquier sent Edniond-
son a commission of Lieutenant in the militia.

Having married a Miss Montgomer}', he removed, after
the war, t(j the New river frontiers, in now Gra}son Count}' ;
and subsequently to what now constitutes Washington Comi-
ty, settling on a tract of land received for his military ser-
vices. In 1774 he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the
militia of Fincastle County, served on the frontiers of
Clinch and Sandy, and probably in Christian's regiment on
the expedition to Point Pleasant and the Scioto: and, in
1776, he was made a Captain, and served on the campaign
against the Cherokces in the fall of that year. In 1777, he
was appointed a Justice, and failed only a few votes of an
election to the Ilotise of Delegates. He was, this year,
selected b}' the Legislature one of the commissioners tor
taking depositions against the claim of Henderson and
Company to die Kentuck}- country. During 1777, he was
in service when the treaty was held at Long Island of Hol-
ston, and was much engaged, in 1778, in giuuding the
fronders. Early in 1779, he commanded a conipau}- on
Colonel Evan Shelb3''s Chickamauga expedition ; and early
in 1 780, he was promoted to Major of the Washington regi-
ment, serving on the expedition against the Tories on New
river, and then on the King's Mountain campaign. At the
close of the year he joined Colonel W^illiam Campbell's
force, marching to the Long Island of Holston. He was
advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1781, and in 1783 to a
full Colonel. During 1781 and 1782, he was much in ser-
vice in protecting the frontiers.

By two marriages — the second to a Miss Kennedy — he
had fifteen children, one son, born soon after the death of
his revered commander, he named General William Caiiip-
hcll Edmondson. He lived to a good old age, dying July

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KING'S MOUNTAIN-

thirtiotli, 1822, in liis cio-hty-ninth year. He was six feet,
two inclu's hi<j;li, possi ;i vi<f()r()us mind ; he was bold,

manly, opcn-hcarliul, lul j^a-norous. I lis attai'hmcnts
won* stronjr, and his hatreds bitter. lie served at one time
as Sherirt* of the County, and for many years presided,
with great di<rnit\-, over the County Court. Judge Estill,
who knew him well, declared, that "few more gallant,
useful, and iionorable men than Colonel Edmondson ever
lived in any counlr\'."

James Dysart was born in Donegal Count}', Ireland;
his parents d3ing in his infancy, he was raised by his grand-
father, who gave him a plain education. At the rtge of
seventeen he sailed for the New World to seek his fortune,
landing, m 1761, at Ph'hulelphia, from which he gradually
worked his way to th< th-west, until he reached the IIol-
ston Valley. In 177 joined James Knox and others,

in exploring Tennessee and Kentucky, who are known in
history as the Long Hunters. In 1775, he married Nancy
Beattie. sister of Captain David Beattie, and settled on the
Little Molston. During the whole Revolutionary war he
was active in frontier service, heading his company ; and
at King's Mountain he was badly wounded in the left hand,
which crippled him for life. In 1781 he was made a Major,
and subsequently a Colonel ; and once represented Wash-
ington County in the Virginia Legislature. In liis old age,
broken up b}' surety debts, he removed to Rockcastle
Count}-, Kentucky, with his wife, three sons, and three
daughters; where he died, May twentN'-sixth, 1818, at the
age of seventy-four years. He w^as fond of reading, and
had quite a library of books. When it was once suggested
to him that he must be lonesome at his frontier home — "I
am never lonesome," he replied, " when I have a good
book in mv hand." He always spoke highly of Colonel
William Campbell as a brave man and able commander.
In 1806, he was placed on the invalid pension list, drawing
a hundred and twent}' dollars a year.

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AND ITS HEROES.

40.'

Another of CanipbcH's (jllifiTs was Captain David IJoat-
tie, son of J(jhn Ikniltie, born on Carr's rrei-k, in now
Rockbridge County, Virginia, about 1752; and removed
with liis parents to what is now Washington Countv, in
1772, setthng at the present locahty of the Glade Spring
Depot. lie married Miss Mary Heattie, and raised four
sons and a daughter. Tiie Beattie connection Ibrteil
against tlie Indians where the GUule Spring church is now
situated. Captain Heattie was nnich engaged in frontier
service, and led his company at King's Mountain — his
brothers John and William were also along. John IJeattie,
an Ensign, was killed in the battle, leaving no family.
Captain Beattie died in the spring of 1814. He was a man
of much energy of character. 1 1 is brother, William Beat-
tie, survived till April fourth, i860, at the veneralile age
of one hundred years — the hist of Campbell's King's
Mountain men.

Captain Andrew Colvill, an earl}- settler in the Ilolston
Valley, took an active part in the defence of the country.
He was, as early as 1776, commanding at Fort Black, and
the two following years he was ranging the frontiers, or
stationed at Moore's and Cowan's Forts, and distinguished
himself at King's Mountain. lie died in the autumn
of 1797.

Few of the Ilolston pioneers were more serviceable
than Robert Craig. He commanded a company on Chris-
tian's Cherokee campaign in the fall of 1776; was mrch
engaged in the defence of the frontiers, and at King's
Mountain, where he fought bravely, losing his Lieutenant,
William Blackburn, and his Ensign, Nathaniel Dryden.
He survived the war.

Of Captain William Edmondson's career, who distin-
guished himself and lost his life at King's Mountain, we
have no further particulars ; nor of Captain William Neal,
who commanded the footmen in the rear, save that he rose
from the rank of ensign in 1777, and survived the war.

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Recce Bovven was born in Maryland about 1742. He
first emigrated to what is now Rockbridge County, Vir-
ginia, and, in 1769, to the waters of CHnch, in what is now
Tazewell County. He shared in the battle of Point Pleas-
ant ; went to the relief c" the Kentucky stations in 1778;
and on the King's Mountain campaign, he was Lieu-
tenant of his brother, William Bowen's company. His
brt>ther being ill of fever, Reece Bowen succeeded to the
command of the company. His heroic death has been
already related ; he is said to have been shot by a Tory
boy, beliind a baggage wagon, near the close of the
engagement, when Campbell's men were driving the
e.^emy toward the north-eastern end of the mountain.
He was remarkable for his herculean strength and great
activit}-. He left a famil}- — his son, Colonel Henry Bowen,
lived in Tazewell County to a good old age.

Thomas ]McColloch had long been prominent among
the border men of Holston. Though only a Lieutenant,
he commanded a compan}^ at King's INIountain, and
was mortally wounded in the battle. He died while the
army was at Walker's, on their return march, the twelfth
of October, and was buried in Little Britain grave-yard.
On the rude stone at his grave is this inscription : " Here
lies the bodv of Lieutenant Thomas McColloch, bclonmncf
to Colonel Campbell's Virginia regiment, who lost his life
in, and for the honorable, just, and righteous cause of
liberty, in defeating Colonel Ferguson's infamous company
of banditti, at King's Mountain, October seventh, 17S0."

William Russell, Jr., who, though only a Lieutenant,
conunanded Captain Neal's company at King's Mountain,
was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, in 1758. He was
chiefly raised on the south-western frontier of that State ;
and, in 1774, he served on an expedition, in Powell's Val-
kw, under Daniel Boone, and was repeatedly in service
thereafter ; acting as Adjutant to Colonel Campbell at
King's Mountain, Whitzell's ^lill, and Guilford. He

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AND ITS HEROES.

407

afterwards removed to Kentucky, serving from 1791 to
1794, under Scott, Wilkinson, and Wayne, on their several
expeditions against the Indians ; and again, in north-west-
ern campaigns during the war of 181 2-15, having been
appointed to the command of a regiment in the regular
army in 1808. He rendered much service in civil life,
representing Fayette County, in the Virginia Legislature in
1789, and ni the Kentucky Legislature thirteen sessions.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1824 ;
and died July third, 1825, about sixty -seven years of age.

The two Robert Edmondsons — of whom the elder was
killed, and the younger wounded, at King's Mountain —
were of Irish descent, and near kinsmen. Both were in
the batde of the Long Island Flats of Holston, July twen-
tieth, 1776, when some of the men retreated — ^young Robert
among them. The elder Robert Edmondson interposed, and
brought some of them into line, his young kinsman of the
number. The elder Edmondson chidcd the younger for
having used profane language during the engagement, for
which he was bound to report him to his father. The
young nan retorted — "You, too, did the very same thing
when the men were on the flight." This accusadon
shocked the good man, who was a strong Presbyterian, and
said this charge would be an additional matter to report to
the young man's father ; whereupon a by-stander mildly
said, " It's too true — I heard you." The old soldier, who
had unconsciously used rough language under high excite-
ment, now held his peace. He was a good soldier, and
killed two or three Indians at the Island Flat battle ; he
served on Christian's Cherokee expedition in the fall of
1776; was engaged in frontier defense as a Lieutenant in
1777-8, and on Evan Shelby's Chickamauga expedition
in 1779.

At King's IMountain, the younger Edmondson was
Lieutenant of Beattic's company. He subsequently set-
tled at the Irish station, near Ilaysboro, seven or eight

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KING'S MOUNTAIN

miles above Nashville, on the Cumberland. In the fall of
1787, in a scrape \vith the Indians, at Neely's Bend, he
was badly wountled in the arm ; and it was eight years
after, when an ounce ball was extracted from the arm,
before he recovered, lie died in 1816, at the age of sixty-
three. Captain Andrew J. Edmondson, who served under
General Jackson in the Creek war, and at New Orleans,
was his son.

Sanniel Newell was born in Frederick Count}-, Vir-
ginia, November fourth, 1754, and his parents early settled
on the Ilolston. lie engaged in the service against Tories
in April, 1776, and in the summer following shared in the
battle of Long Island Flats of Ilolston ; and the same j-ear
was appointed a Sergeant in Captain Colvill's company, and
a Lieutenant in 1777 — serving several years on the fron-
tiers. In 17S0, he took part in the expedition against the
Tories on New ri\'er, and then at King's jNIountain, in Col-
vill's company, where he was badly wounded, from which
he never fully recovered. In December of the same year,
he went on Colonel Arthur Campbell's Cherokee expedi-
tion ; and in 1781, was appointed a Captain. lie was
much engaged in the protection of the KenLuck}^ road and
Powell's \' alle}^, and had several skirmishes with the In-
dians — twice, in 1782, overtaking war parties, in one of
wliich he and his men surrounded an Indian camp, and
his gun alone went ofl", the others failed, from becoming wet ;
but his single lire killed one Indian and mortally wounded
another. lie early removed to French Broad river, in
Tennessee, where he figured among the promoters of the
Franklin Government, was a representative, in i7>''^5, of
Sevier Count}- in the Legislature, and also a member of
the Convention that formed the Franklin Constitution at
the close of that year ; was subsequently a Justice and a
Colonel of militia. In 1797, he removed to wl at is now
Pulaski County, Kentucky, where he was long presiding
Justice of the County Court ; and about 1838 he removed to

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AND ITS HEROES.

400

Montgomery County, Indiana, where he died September
twenty-first, 1841, at the age of nearly eighty-seven years.
He was six feet, one inch in h.eight, of fnie presence, and
superior abihties. lie left numerous descendants. In 1812
he was placed on the invalid pension list, drawing, at first,
ninety-six, and subsequently increased to one hundred and
eight dollars a jear, and still later to two hundred and
thirty-one dollars and ninety-three cents.

Andrew Kincannon, a native of the Valley of V^irginia,
was born October twenty-seventh, 1744. ^^^ early settled
in the Ilolston country. He was a blacksmith and gunsmith
by trade, and claimed to have made the first horse-shoe in
Kentuck}', probably in 1775. In Februarj-, 1777, he was
acting as armorer to the troops stationed at Long Island of
Ilolston; and that year he was appointed an Ensign, and
then a Lieutenant in Washington County, and stationed
at the Stone Mill on Deer Creek. At King's Moun-
tain, he succeeded to the command of his company,
when Captain D}sart was wounded, and was cliosen
Captain in 1782. A few years after the war, he setded on
Tom's Creek, in Surry County, North Carolina, where he
had a fine farm and iron works. He married Catherine
McDonald ; they raised nine children, and left many de-
scendants. He was tall and muscular, of great integrity,
and high character. He died in November, 1829, at the
age of eighty-five years.

Robert Campbell, a younger brother of Colonel Arthur
Campbell, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, May 25,
1755, and emigrated to the Ilolston in 1771 ; serving in
Christian's regiment on the Shawanoe Campaign in 1774;
and was in the battle of Long Island Flats of Ilolston, in
Jid}^ 1776, where in advance of his fellows, he was mistaken
for an Indian, and came near losing his life, and when
within twenty paces of a warrior, who had discharged his
gun ineffectually at Campbell, the latter aimed at him in
turn, when the savage hero folded his arms, and met his

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410

KING'S MOUNTAIN-

fate with a dignity and firmness worthy of the bnghtest
days of chivahy. Seeing the Indians extending their hnes
to surround the whites, Campbell gave the alarm in season
to counteract it. On Christian's Cherokee campaign, in
the fall of 1776, he was a volunteer; and on the march
to Ilighwassee, the troops forded French Broad river to their
waists and armpits, then bivouacked on the southern bank
during the greater part of a very cold night, without hre,
apprehending an attack from the Indians, and renewing
their march at the dawn of day, with shivering limbs, liter-
ally encased in ice. At King's Mountain, though only an
Ensign, he served conspicuously. In December following
he was Adjutant to his brother. Colonel Arthur Campbell,
on his Cherokee expedition, and at his own request, headed
a party of sixty men to destroy Chilhowee. Having accom-
plished this service, while returning, they had to pass a nar-
row dciile, three hundred yards in extent, lined by two or
three hundred warriors ; and, witliout pausing, he directed
his men to follow him in sintjle file, and char^jed through at
their best speed, without losing a man, though a heavv
volley was fired at them. He served a long period as a
Colonel of a regiment, and as a maixistrate nearlv fortv
years, in Washington County ; then removed, in 1825, to
Knox County, Tennessee, where he died December twenty-
seventh, 1831, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.*

♦Some writers have confomulcd Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Campbell with General
William Campbell. In a sketch of the latter, in the first edition uf Appleton's Cyclo/'tdia.
it is stated that he was mortally wounded at tlie battle of F.utaw Springs, September
eighth, 1781 ; and when told of the success of the American arms, died uttering the same
words as Wolfe had done before him. " I die contended " This was true of Richard
Campbell, also a native of the Virginia Valley, who was commissioned a Captain in
February, 1776, and subsequently a M.ijor. serving in Colonel John Gibson's regiment at
Pittsburg. He served on Mcintosh's expedition against the Ohio Indians in 1778; and
leading a relief party to Fort I, aureus, in June, 1779, he commanded that frontier garrison
till its evacuation shortly after. Joining General Greene with a regiment of Virgijiia
regulars, he served with distinction at Guilford, Hobkirk's Hill and Ninety Six, sealing
with his life's blood his devotion to his country at Eutaw.

AND ITS HEROES.

411

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aling

CHAPTER XVIII.

Cols. Shelby and Sevier, and their Officers.

Notice of Evan Shelby. — Isaac SJiclhys Life and Services. — Officers
ztnder him at King's Mountain — Evan Shelby, Jr. — Gilbert Chris-
tian — A/oses Shelby — fames Elliott — fohn Sawyers — George Max-
well, and George Rittledge. — fohn Sevier's Life and Services. —
//is King's Mountain Oj^cers — fonathan Tipton — Valentine and
Robert .Sevier — Christopher Taylor — Jacob Broiun — Samuel Weir.

Evan Slielbv, who was born in Wales in 1720, emi-
grated, with his lather's family, to Maryland, about 1735,
settling near North Mountain, in now Washington County,
where he became a noted woodsman, hunter, and Indian
trader. He llgured prominently on the Mar}'land and
Pennsylvania frontiers in the old French and Indian war —
first as a Lieutenant, and then as a Captain. On Forbes'
campaign, he gave chase to an Indian spy, in view of many
of the troops, overtaking and tomahawking him. lie sub-
sequently distinguished himself at Point Pleasant, on Chris-
tian's campaign, and on the expedition he led against the
Chickamaugas. Rising to the rank of Colonel, and then
General, he died December fourth, 1794, at the age of
seventy-four years.

His son, Isaac Shelb}', was born near the North Moun-
tain, Maryland, on the eleventh of December, 1750, where
amid the excitements of the Indian wars, he obtained only
the elements of a plain English education. In 1771, he was
for some time engaged in feeding and herding cattle in the
extensive natural ranges west of the Alleghanies \ and in
the same year, the Shelby connection removed to the Hols-
ton country. In 1774, when the Indians became trouble-
some, Isaac Shelby received the commission of a Lieuten-

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412

KING ' 5 MO UNTAIN

la;

rt ''(■

|! .5-

ant in the militia at tlie hands of Colonel William Preston,
the County Lieutenant of Fincastle, and took his seat ;
when his father, who was present, thinking his son had not
shown proper respect in the matter, said to him : " Get up,
you dog you, and make jour obeisance to the Colonel " —
whereupon the youthful olhcer arose, somewhat iibashed, and
made the amende Jioiiorahlc. lie served with distinction, as
second in command of his father's company-, in the memor-
able battle of Point Pleasant, October tenth, 1774, where the
frontier riflemen fought the Shawanoes and allied tribes from
sunrise till sundown, gaining a decisive victory. Point Pleas-
ant was then made a garrison, where he remained in service
till July, 1775, when Governor Dunmore ordered the dis-
bandment of those troops, lest they might sympathize with,
and become obedient to the Whig authorities.

He was now, for nearly twelve months, engaged in ex-
ploring the wilds of Kentuck}', and in sun'cyiug lands for
Henderson and Company, who had made a large purchase
from the Cherokees. During his absence in 1776, he was
commissicmed a Captain ; and, in 1777, Governor Henry ap-
pointed him a Commissary of supplies for the several frontier
garrisons, and for the ensuing treat}- with the Cherokees at
the Long Island of IIolst(m in that year. It was only by his
most indefatigable exertions that the large amount of pro-
visions required, could be obtained. The following year he
continued his Commissary services, providing for the Con-
tinental arm}', and for General Mcintosh's expedition against
the Ohio Indians. In the spring of 1779, he pledged his
individual credit for supplies for his father's troops on the
Chickamauga expedition. He was, this spring, elected a
member of the Virginia Legislature from Washington
County ; and, in the fall, he was commissioned a Major by
Governor Jefferson for the escort of guards to the Commis-
sioners for extendint; the boundary line between Vir<rinia
and North Carolina. His residence was now found to be
within the limits of the latter State, and he was, in Xoveni-

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AND ITS HEROES.

413

ber of this year, nppointed by Governor Caswell a Coloni'l
and magistrate of the new County of Siillivan, entering
upon their duties at the organization of the County in
Februar}- following.

In the the summer of 17S0, Colonel Shelby was in Ken-
tucky, perfecting his claims to lands he had five years before
selected and marked out for himself, \vhen the intelligence
of tlie surrender of Charleston reached that countr}'. lie
returned home in July, determined to enter the service,
and remain in it imtil independence should be secured,
lie found a message from Colonel Charles McDowell, of
Ilurke County, begging him to furnish all the aid he could to-
wards checking the enemv, who were over-runninir the
three SouUiern States, and had reached the western borders
of North Carolina. In a few days, he crossed the Allegha-
nies witli two hundred mounted rillemen. Their valor and
patriotism were shown conspicuously at Thicketty Fort,
Cedar Springs and Musgrove's Mill ; re-assuring the strug-
gling patriots that the British leaders could not ride, rough-
shod, over the American people. Shelby's noble efforts
in prosecuting the King's Mountain expedition, his magna-
nimity in securing the appointment of Colonel Campbell to
the chief command, and his heroic conduct in the battle, all
combine to render his services, at that critical period, of
the greatest importance to his country.

The Legislature of North Carolina passed a vote of thanks
l') Colonels Shelby and Sevier for their good services, direct-
ing that an elegant sword should be presented to each of
them. General Greene wrote xu-gently requesting Col.
Shelbv to join him with a body of mountaineers, which
letter miscarried ; but a second message was more fortunate,
and Shelby and Sevier led live; hundred mounted riflemen
over the mountains joining General Greene, about the first
of November. Shelby was detached with Colonel Maham
in an attempt on the British post of Fairlawn, at Colleton's
plantation, a few miles from Monk's Corner. When a flag

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414

KING'S MOUNTAIN

was sent in, demanding its surrender, the British oflieer in
command returned for answer, that lie woukl defend it
to the last extremity. Shelby then went himself, assuring
the commandant that should he be so Ibol-hardy as to suffer
a storm, every soul would be put to death, as he had under
his command several hundred mountaineers who would
rush in, tomahawk in hand, upon the garrison. The otlicer
tlien inquired if he had any cannon. "Yes, indeed," said
Shelby, '' guns that will blow you to atoms in a moment."
"Then," replied the officer, " I suppose I must surrender,"
which he did — one hundred and five prisoners, with three
hundred stand of arms. Shelby shordy after obtained leave
of absence, to attend the North Carolina Legislature, of
which he was a member. Soon after the mountaineers
returned home — not deserters as Judge Johnson describes
them, for the call upon them was for a special service — to
aid in intercepting Cornwallis ; who, having been effectually
intercepted at Vorktown, they felt that they had fullilled all
that could reasonably be required of them, and retired
to their homes, in a deep snow, early in January ensuing.*
The Legislature of North Carolina soon adjourned, and
Colonel Shelby returning to the Holston, was engaged dur-
ing spring in preparing for an expedition against the Chick-
amauga band of Cherokees, and the hostile Creeks at the
sources of the jNIobile, in which enterprise he was to have
been joined by two hundred men from Washington County,
Virginia ; but on account of the poverty of that State, the
authorides discouraged the scheme, and reaching Big Creek,
thirty miles below Long Island of Holston, the expedition
w^as relinquished. He was, in 1782, again chosen a member
of the North Carolina Assembly, and was appointed one of
the Commissioners to adjust preemption claims on Cumber-
land river, and lay off the lands allotted to the officers and

* Haywood's History of Tennessee, 102-106; Todd's Life of Sfielby ; MS. statement of
Gov. Shelby, apparently addressed to Judge Johnson, roiitroverting his st.itenicnts ahont
the pretended desertion of the mountaineers; MS. notes of conversations with James
Sevier, who was in the service, and with Col. George Wilson.

AND ITS HEROES.

415

Ion

ol
Jor-

lit of
Ihout

soldiers of the North Carolina line, which serviee he per-
formed in the winter of 1782-83. In April following, he
was married at lk)onesborough, Kentucky, to Susanna,
daughter of Captain Nathaniel Hart, one of the pioneers of
the countr\-, and now settled on his preemption near Stan-
ford, where he continued to reside for forty-three years.

In Januar}'. 1783, Colonel Shelby having been appointed
by Governor Harrison and the Council of Virginia, one
of the Commissioners to hold treaties with the Western
Indians, a conference was held at Long Island of IIol-
ston with the Cherokees in July, but nothing of mo-
ment was accomplished. The proposed treaty with the
Shawnees miscarried ; and only CoUniels Donelson and
Martin met tlie Chickasaws at French Lick, on Cumber-
land, in November, and interchanged friendly talks with
them. For several years Indian disturbances continued,
the Cherokees waylaying the Kentucky road, and inflict-
ing much injuiy on the travelers to that country. The
Kentucky people ' resolved to march in strong force
against Cliickamauga, and could onl}- be restrained, in the
summer of 1791, in view of an approaching treaty at
Knoxville. Colonel Shelbv attended — the Indians were
surly, when he frankl}^ told them, that there were a thousand
riflemen in Kentucky, with their horses all shod, ready
to march against them. "Too manv — too manv," said
the Cherokees, and they patched up a temporary peace.

lie was a member of the early Conventions held at
Danville to secure a separation from Virginia, and of the
Convention, in April, 1792, that formed the first Constitution
of Kentucky. In May following, he was chosen the first
Governor of the new wState ; and during his ft)ur years' term
he proved a model Chief Magistrate, lending every aid in
his power in supplying troops fi)r quelling the Indian war in
the North-west. lie was three times chosen an elector,
supporting Thomas JefiiM-son for President ; and when the
second war with Great Britain burst upon the country, he

\, 1

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'M'iCnMIPHHi

416

A'/NG 'S A/0 UNTA IN

consented af^ain to serve as Governor, e.\ertin<( every inllu-
ence in sustaining tlie Government, and bringing the con-
flict to an honorable issue. The revival of the war spirit
reminded North Carolina of its ancient pledge of a sword
to Governor Slielby for his King's Mountain services, and
it was presented to him in 1813; and he led the Kentucky
troops, the same year, on the Canada campaign, wiiich
closed with the victor}' of the Thames. For this patriotic
service. Congress, in 181 7, voted him a gold medal. In
1818, he was appointed, by President Monroe, Secretary'
of War ; but, at his advanced age, preferring the quiet of
private life, he declined its acceptance. In 1818, he was
associated with General Jackson in holding a treat}' with
the Cliickasaws, which resulted in the cession of their
lands west of the Tennessee to the General Government —
his last public service. He was stricken with paralysis in
1820, disabling his right arm and limb ; but his mind con-
tinued unimpaired until July eighteenth, 1826, when he
died of apoplexy, sitting in his chair — with only his vener-
able companion present, as he had often expressed his wish
that it should be. The noble patriot of three wars thus
quietly passed away, in the sevent3'-sixth year of his age.

Evan Shelby, Jr., who acted as Major in his brother's
reffiment at Kinii's Mountain, was born in Maryland about
1754. Me was a Lieutenant on Christian's campaign of
1776. Beside his participation in the King's Mountain
expedition, he served as a volunteer at the Cowpens ; and,
near the close of 178 1, with his brother Isaac in South Caro-
lina, Left on one occasion, with three or four men, to
guard quite a squad of horses on an island, a British part}'
of some ninety men came and took the horses ; Shelby and
his associates escaping. But they dogged the enemy until
they camped in a lane, when, leaving one of their number
behind some distance with a horn which he was directed, at
the proper time, to blow furiously, Shelby and the others

AND ITS HEROES.

417

made a bold push on the camp, hallooing " surround ! sur-
round thcni I" This, with the horn, incHcalin;^ a charge,
some of the enemy iK^gan to fall back, when the horses,
becomin<,r frightened, ran at full speed over the Red-Coats,
materhdly aiding in the stampede. The Whigs killed sev-
eral of the skedaddlers. Marrying his cousin, Catharine,
daughter of Major John Shelby he settled a station about
1790, pretty well up the West Fork of Red river, some fifty
miles north-west of Nashville. On the ei'diteenth of
January, 1793, when out hunting, at the mouth of Casey's
creek of Little river, in the eastern part of the present county
of Trigg, Kentucky, he, with two companions, was killed
by hostile Indians — his brother, Moses escaping unhurt.

Gilbert Christian, son of Robert Christian, was born in
Augusta County, Va., about 1734, and participa ed in the
border wars of 1755-63. Settling in the Ilolston country,
he commanded a company on Christian's Cherokee cam-
paign, tlie Chickamauga expedition, and at King's Moun-
tain, lie served as a Major on Arthur Campbell's expedi-
tion, figured prominently in the Franklin Republic, and
acted as a Colonel during the Cherokee war of 1788 till
his death, at Knoxville, in November 1793, when returning
from the High tower campaign.

Moses Shelb}', born about 1756, was severely wounded at
the head of his company at King's Mountain. He served at
the siege of Savannah in 1779, at Cowpens, and the capture
of Augusta, in 1781 — on one of which occasions he recejVed
six sabre wounds. After the Indian wars, he settled near
New Madrid, Missouri, where he died September seven-
teenth, 1828, about seventy-two years of age.

James Elliott was an earh' settler on Ilolston. From an
Ensign in 1777, he rose by good service to the rank of Cap-
tain, commanding his company at King's Mountain ; and
while serving on Colonel Arthur Campbell's Cherokee expe-
pcdition, he was killed at Tellico, December twenty-eighth,
1780, \)\ a concealed Indian — Colonel Campbell denominat-
ing him " a gallant young officer."

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418

KING'S MOUNTAIN

•i

John Sawyers was liorn in Vir<^inia in 1745, shortly after
his parents arrivctl from ICnifhuul. who early settled in
Auj^usta County, Virginia. In 1761 younjf Sawyers was
en«^a<fed on Colonel Byrd's ahortivo expedition, and in other
frontier service atrainst the Indians. In 1768, he with others
explored the Ilolslon Valley, early removed to that frontier,
and served at I'oint Pleasant, on Christian's Cherokee cain-
pai<^n, and on the Chickamauga expedition in 1779, and led
acompan\- at King's Mountain. Settling in what is now
Knox County, Tennessee, he was made a Major, th.'n a
Colonel, and twice chosen a member of the Legislature.
He died November twentieth, 1831, aged eighty-six years.

George Maxwell born in Virginia, 175 1, early migrated
to the Ilolston. A Lieutenant in 1777, he was much en-
gaged in frontier service, commanding a company at King's
Mountain. On the orgiinizalion of Sullivan C(nmty, Ten-
nessee, in 1780, he was made one of the Justices ; in 1784,
a Major ; the next year a Ccjlonel, and member of the
Assembly of the short-lived Republic of Franklin ; in 1787,
a member of the North Carolina Legislature; in 1799, '^
member of the Tennessee Senate from Hawkins county,
where he died November twenty-third, 1822, in his sevent}--
second year. Of his associates. Captain John Pemberton,
and Captain Webb, we have no knowledge.

Col. John Sevier and his Officers.
Near the close of the seventeenth century, the grand-
father of the subject of this sketch fled from his native Paris,
on account of religious persecution, and settled in London.
The family name of Xavier was now Anglicized to Sevier.
Here he married a Miss Smith, and had two sons, Val-
entine and William, who, when scarcely grown, ran away,
and took passage for America. This was not far from 1 740.
Among their fellow-passengers were several young men of
a wild and sporting character, from whom Valentine Sevier
acquired habits of gambling and dissipation. Landing at

aucaouauai

AND ITS HEROES.

410

ris,
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Baltimore, lu' siibsfcjuonlly married a Miss Joanna Goade,
and settled in tlu-n Auf^usta, now Rockini^liarn County, in
the Valley of \'iririnia, six miles south-west of where the
little village of New Market was subsi'ijuently located.
Mere he opened a farm, and carried on trade with the Indians,
and here John Sevier was born, Si'ptember twenty-third,
1745. After the Indian war of 1755 broke out, the family
removed for safety to I'^redericksburj^. wlu-re they remained
nearly two years, and where young Sevier attendi-d school.

Returning to his old home in the Valley, Valentine
Sevier found his domicil had been burned by the Indians.
The cabins were re-built, and trade re-connnenced. John
Sevier was sent to Staunton to school ; and while there, he
one day accidentally fell into a mill-race, and was saved
from drowniuif b\- the heroic ellorts of two voun<j ladies —
one of whom subsequently became the wife of George Mat-
thews, one of the heroes of Point Pleasant, and subsequently
a Colonel in the Revolution, and Governor of Georgia. He
now engaged with his father in trade; and, in 1761, before
he had turned of seventeen, he married Miss Sarah Haw-
kins, cleared up a farm, and engaged in excursions against
the Indians — on one occasion, he and his party narrowly
escaping a fatal ambuscade by a timely discovery of the trap
their enemies had set for them. He laid out the village of
New Market, and there for some time he kept a store and
inn, and carried on a farm ; and then engaged in merchan-
dizing in the neighboring village of Middletown.

About 1 771, he visited the Holston country, carrying some
goods with him for trade, and repeated the visit in 1772.
At the Watauga Old Fields, on Doe river, near its junction
with the Watauga, he witnessed a horse-race, where a large,
savage fellow, named Shoate, took from a traveling stran-
ger his horse, pretending that he had won him in a bet.
Such an act disgusted Sevier with the country, naturally
beautiful ; but the elder Evan Shelby remarked : " Never
mind these rascals: they'll soon take poplar" — meaning

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420

KING'S MOUNTAIN

cnnoes, and put off. This Sho.'ite became a noted horse-thief,
and was pursued and killed about 1779-80. Late in 1773,
John Sevier removed his family to the Ilolston countrj'. and
lirst located iii the Ke3'\vood settlement, on the north shore of
Holston, half a dozen mh^s from the Shelbys. Before his
removal from Virginia, he had been commissioned a Cap-
tain by Governor Dunmore.

He was at Watauga Fort when attacked, July twent}'-
first, 1776. At day-break, when there were a large num-
ber of people gathered there, and the women were out-side
milking the cows, a large body of Cherokees fired on the
milkers ; but they all fortunately escaped to the fort, the
gates of which were thrown open for their reception.
Among the young girls thus engaged was Catharine
Sherrill, who, when she reached the gate, found it shut ; but
equal to the emergency, she threw her bonnet over the
pickets, and then clambered over herself, and, as she jumped
within, was caught in the arms of John Sevier — her future
husband. A warm attack on the fort ensued, during which
Captain Sevier thouglit he killed one of the Indians. A
man stole out of the stockade at night, went to the Ilolston,
when a large party marched lo the relief of the beleaguered
garrison. It was because th? people refused to join and co-
operate with the enemies of their countr}-, that the savages
were instigated to murder them, destroy their crops and
improvements, and drive otT their cattle and horses.

John Sevier was among the foremost in the defence of the
Watauga and Nolachucky settlements. lie had been
elected Clerk of the first self-constituted court in 1775 ; and,
in 1776, he was chosen one of the representatix^es of the
united settlements to the North Carolina Convenuon at Hali-
fax, and took his seat, securing the establishment of the dis-
trict of Washington. Hastening back home, he reached
there in season to serve on Christian's expedition against
the Cherokees at the head of a fine company of riflemen ;
and also, at Colonel Christian's request, he acted as a spy

lli-

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AND ITS HEROES.

421

during the campaign. lie continued his services, till the con-
clusion of the treat}' at Long Island of Ilolston in July,
1777. In the fall of that year, he was appointed Lieuten-
ant-Colonel lor Washington County. During the period
1777-79, ^'^^ Indians, Tories and horse-thieves required Col-
onel Sevier's constant vigilance. In the summer of 1780,
he was left in defence of the settlements, while Major
Charles Robertson led the Watauga troops on the campaign
in South Carolina. During tlxiir absence, August four-
teenth, having some time previously lost his wife, he was
married to Miss Catharine Sherrill.

Ilis gallant services at King's Mountain cannot be too
highly extolled. December sixteenth following, he defeated
the Cherokees at Boyd's creek, killing thirteen, and taking
all their baggage, and then joined Colonel Arthur Campbell
on an expedition against the hostile Indian towns. On tlie
third of February, 1781, he was made a full Colonel ; and
in March, he led a successful Ibray against the Middle
Cherokee Settlements, killing about thirty of their warriors,
capturing nine prisoners, burning six towns, and bringing
off about two hundred horses.

" What time from right to left there rang the Indian war-wlioop wild,
Where Sevier's tall Watauga boys through the dim dells dcfded."

Having, in February, been appointed by General Greene
one of the Commissioners to hold a treaty with the Indians,
a conference took place with the Cherokees at the Long
Island of Ilolston in Jidy, Colonel Sevier and Major Martin
attending, but without any permanent results. In the
autumn of this year. Colonel Sevier served under Generals
Greene and Marion in South Carolina; and, in 1782, he
carried on a campaign against the Cherokees.

In November, 1784, he was appointed Brigadier-Gen-
eral, wl'.ich he declined because of liis leadership in the effort
to establish the rt>public of Franklin. During the period of
1784 to 178S, he was made its Governor and defender. He
was apprehended by the North Carolina authorities, on a

iVip'

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422

KING ' S MO UN TAIN

charge of rebellion against the State, and conveyed to Mor-
ganton, where he was rescued by a party of his friends ; and
returning home. "Chuckyjack" led a campaign against
the Indians. As the East Tennesseans were divided in sen-
timent' the Franklin Republic, after a turbulent career of
some four years, ceased to exist. In 1789, General Sevier
was chosen a member of the Legislature of North Carolina,
when an act of oblivion was passed, and he was re-instated
as Brigadier-General. In 1790-91, he was elected to repre-
sent the East Tennessee district of North Carolina in Con-
gress. When Tennessee was organized into a Territory,
he was appointed by President Washington a Brigadier-
General in the militia ; and he continued to protect the
fronder settlements, carrying on the Ilightower campaign
against the Cherokees in 1793. In 1798, he was made a
General in the Provisional army.

On the organization of a State Government in 1796,
General Sevier was chosen the first Governor, and by sue-
cessive re-elections was continued in that office till 1801.
In 1802, he served as a Commissioner in running the bound-
ary line between Tennessee and Virjfinia. He aj^ain served
as Governor from 1803 till 1809, and then a term in the
State Senate. lie was chosen to a seat in Congress in
181 r, serving, during the war, on the important com-
mittee on military affairs, till 1815 ; when President Madi-
son appointed him one of the Commissioners, to ascertain
the boundary of the Creek territory-, and died while on that
service, in camp, on the east side of the Tallapoosa, near
Fort Decatur, Alabama, September twenty-fourth, iSj^i^
closing a busy, useful life at the age of seventy years. As
a proof of the love and veneration of his neighbors and
friends, whih ibsent in the Creek country, they had again
elected him t« Congress with?)ut opposition. In the language
of the distinguislied Hugh L. White, who had served
under him in the old Indian wars : " General Se\ ier was
considered in his da}', among the most gallant, patriotic,
and useful men in the country where he lived." *

AND ITS HEROES.

423

tii!

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Jonathan Tipton was born in Frederick County, Virginia,
in 1750. Early settling in what became Washington
County, East Tennessee, he was, in February, 1777, made
Major, and was engaged in guarding the frontiers ; and in
1780, had a tight with the Indians at the mouth of Flat creek,
on Nolachucky. He was second in command of Sevier's
regiment at King's Mountain : and then served on Arthur
Campbell's campaign, leading a detachment against Telas-
see and Chilhowee. In the fall of 1781, he went on service
with Colonels Shelby and Sevier under General Greene, in
South Carolina. Major Tipton died in Overton County,
Tennessee, January eighteenth, 1833, in his eighty-third
year.

Valentine Sevier was born in what is now Rockingham
County, Virginia, about 1747, and settled at an early period
in East Tennessee. He was a Sergeant, and one of the
spies, at the battle of Point Pleasant, where, says Isaac
Shelby, " he was distinguished <br vigilance, acdvity, and
braver3\" He subsequently served in the Indian wars in
East Tennessee, and commanded a company at Thicketty
Fort, Cedar Springs, Musgrove's Mill, and King's Moun-
tain. He was the lirst Sheriff of Washington County, a
Jusdcc of the court, and rose in the militia to the rank of a
Colonel. He removed to the mouth ot Red river on Cumber-
land, now Clarksville, where he was attacked by Indians,
November eleventh, 1794, killing and wounding several
of his family. After long suffering from chronic rheu-
matism, he died at Clarksville, February twenty-third.
1800, in his fif"tv-third year; his widow surviving till 1844
in her one hundred and lirst year. His younger brother.
Robert Sevier, who also commanded a company at King's
Mountain, and was mortally wounded in the conflict, was
previouslv nuich engaged in ridding the Watauga and Xola-
chuckv region of Tories and horse thieves.

Christopher Taylor was born in Bedford County, Vir-

* MS. letter to the author, April 6th, 1839.

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KING 'S A/0 UNTAIN

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ginia, in 1746, and earl}' removed, with a 3'oung family,
to East Tennessee. He served on Christian's campaign ;
he was chosen a Captain, in 1778, and ranged the frontiers,
serving in 1780, at King's Mountain, and subsequently
against tlie Indians. He was a member of tlie Jonesborough
convention in 1784, and died in Washington County, Ten-
nessee, September tenth, 1833, at the age of eighty-seven.

Jacob Brown was born in South Carolina, December
eleventh, 1736; settled on Nolacliucky, in 1772, purchas-
ing lands of the Cherokees. lie served in the Indian
wars, at the head of his company in Sevier's regiment
at King's Mountain, and then on Arthur Campbell's
expedition. He was made a Major, defeated a party
of Indians in the fall of 1781, and died, June twenty-eighth,
1785, from an accidental wound received while out hunting.

Samuel Weir was anotlier of Sevier's Captains at King's
Mountain. He was an active participant in the Franklin
Republic movement; led a party, in 1793, against Telassee,
killing sixteen Indians, and taking four prisoners. In 1793
and 1794, lie was a member of the Territorial Legislature,
and, in 1796, a member of the Convention that formed the
Constitution of Tennessee. He served many years as
clerk of Sevier County court ; and lived to a good old
age. He was full)- six feet in height, dark complexioned,
and possessed much energ}- of character.

Other Captains of Sevier's regiment at King's Moun-
tain were Samuel Williams, a member of the Jonesborough
Convention of 1784, and a representative of Carter County,
in the Legislature in 1799 5 J^irnc''^ Stinson, Jesse Beene, and
Thomas Price, who were much engaged against the Chero-
kees. George Russell, Joel Callahan, Isaac Lane, Andrew
Caruthers, aud William Robinson, were probably all
Lieutenants. Caruthers, a native of Ireland, died in Lin-
coln County, Tenn., in 1818 : and Robinson, a native of
Scodand, was among the defeated Remdators at Alamance,
in May, T771, and lived to advanced years, dying also in
Lincoln County.

AND ITS HEROES.

425

CHAPTER XIX,

Col. Ben. Cleveland, Maj. Joseph Winston and their

Officers.

I'l

Cievcland's Ancestry.— His Early Life and Hunting Adventures. —
Trip to Kentucky. — Elk Hunt and Narroiu Escapes. — Revolution-
ary War.— Suppressing Scotch Tories.— Eutlierford' s Cherokee
Campaign. — Marches to Watauga. — Appointed Colonel.— Ser^'cs in
Georgia. — New River Scout. — King's Mountain. — Hangs Coyle
and Brown. — Captured by Tories and his Rescue. — Riddle and
Wells Hung. — Other Tory Brigands Taken — A'ichols, Tate, and
Harrison. — Thumbing the Notch. — Reforming Tories. — Remo-'cs to
Tugalo. — Hangs Dinkins. — Appointed Judge. — Anecdote. — Great
Size, Death, and Character.

Major Joseph Winston Noticed.— Ben. Herndon.—Micajah and Joel
Lewis. — Robert and John Cleveland.— Jesse Franklin.— William
Lenoir— John Barton— William Meredith, and Minor Smith. —
John Brown and Samuel Johnson. — David and John Wither-
spoon. — Jo. Herndon, Richard Allen, and Elisha Reynolds.

A beauty of the time of Charles the First — so runs the
stor}^ — named Elizabeth Cleveland, a daughter of an oOicer
of the palace of Hampton Court, attracted the attention of
her sovereign, and an amour was the result. When Oliver
Cromwell became the rising star of the empire, the same
charms won his sympathies, and a son was born unto them.
The mother retired from the public gaze, and subse-
quendy married a Mr. Bridge. When this wild colt of a
son grew up, he took his mother's name and was the
reputed author of a book — " T/ic Life and Adventures of
Mr. CroDi-aell, Xatiinxl son of Oliver Cronnvell,'' pub-
lished after his death, by consent of his son, first in 1731, a
second edition, with a French translation in 1741, and yet
another edition in 1 760.

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426

AV/VG ' S MO UNTAIN

The perusal of this work, more than thirty years ago,
left on the mind of the writer the strong conviction tluit it
was a romance, and a recent re-examination of it conurms
that opinion. Noble, in his learned production on the
Cromivcll Family, published nearly a century since,
declares that these pretended Adventures are "too marvel-
ous to be true ;" and a writer in Notes and Ji^ier/es, in
1856, states that from " the extraordinary adventures related
in it," he "considers it a fictitious nairative." Whether
or not this work is a romance, or records a series of facts
more wonderful than fiction, it is nevertheless true, that
Colonel Benjamin Cleveland had a copy of it, to which he
used to point with no little pride, claiming his descent
through this " Mr. Cleveland," from the illustrious Oliver
Cromwell. Others of the Cleveland connection made the
same claim.

While Noble, Guizot, and other writers on Cromwell,
agree that the renowned Protector, with all his religious
seeming, " probably had natural children," yet it is ex-
ceedingly doubtful if our King's Mountain hero descended
from any such questionable origin. History informs us,
that the Clevelands were an ancient family, deriving their
name from a tract of country in the North Riding of York-
shire, England, still called Cleveland. Tradition designates
Alexander Cleveland, Sr. and Jr. ; and that John Cleve-
land, with his father, the younger Alexander Cleveland,
early migrated to Virginia, and married a Miss Martha
Coffee. He settled on the since famous Bull Run, in
Prince William County, where he engaged in the employ-
ment of a house-joiner. His son, Benjamin Cleveland, the
subject of this sketch, was born there May twenty-sixth,
1738; and while yet very young, his father removed some
sixty miles to the south-west, locating in a border setde-
ment on Blue Run, some six or eight miles above its
junction with the Rapidan, in Orange Coimty, near the line
of Albemarle. Not only young Cleveland's parents, but

lits

but

AND ITS HEROES.

427

his gratuinulicr Cleveland anil wife also settled on Blue
Run; the latter couple dyin^^r there, about 1770, within
three days of each other, when about a Imndred years
old * ; and here his parents lived and died at a j^ood old age.

W hen about twehe } ears old, and his parents were both
absent, some drunken rowdies called at the house, and
began to throw the stools into the lire. Little Ben, satisfied
what his father would do were he at home, snatched the
old man's rille from its hooks, and simply said, "gentle-
men, do you see this?" They saw it, and the 3'outh's
detei mined attitude, which led them to think discretion the
better part of valor, when one of the party said to his
fellows: "We'd better be otT; we don't know what this
excited child might do." So the brave lad put the lawless
drunkards to flight, and saved his father's property.

Nor was it inebriates alone that young Cleveland early
learned to vanquish. Like Nimrod of old, he became " a
mighty hunter ; " and, like Daniel Boone, he had an uncon-
querable aversion to the tame drudger}- of farm life, as he
regarded it. lie spent much of his time from earl}' youth
in the wilderness, securing pelts and furs, which found a
ready market. The heads of the Dan, Staunton and Pig
rivers, in the region that subsequently became Pittsylvania
County, was a favorite resort for hunters, and here young
Cleveland reaped his forest harvests. Fire hunting, at
that day, was a very common mode of entrapping the deer
in warm weather, when they repaired to particular localides
at night in shallow streams, where Uiey could find succulent
food, and be less exposed to tormenting insects. The
torchlights of the hunters would so dazzle the fated deer's

*Thi< fact is civcn nn the autlinrity nf Maj. Inhn Reild, of Henry County, Va., to the
writer in 1849, who was born in Orange County, Va., in 1755, and personally know these
old people. If then. Alexander Cleveland, the younger, who died about 1770, was a liun
dred years old, he must have been boin about 1670 — only seventeen years after Cromwell
became Protector. This would seem to spoil the story of descent from Oliver Cromwell
through the pretended "Mr. Cromwell"; and that he must have descended from
Alexander Cleveland, Sr., whose birth evidently was considerably anterior to the time of
the Protectorate.

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428

KING'S MOUNTAIN

attention, that he would stand in amazement watching the
strange light, while the wary hunter had only to blaze away
at its glaring eyes, and bring down the stupid animal.

There was an old Dutchman in that region who had a
good stand for tire-hunting, and young Cleveland concluded
he would scare him out of it. Pealing some bark frum a
tree, he placed it in the water so as to represent a counterfeit
deer. The next night, he hid himself near by where he could
watch operations. In due time, the Dutch hunter made his
appearance — tired on the supposed deer, without apparently
bringing him down ; then repeated his shot, and still the
deer remained unmoved. The Dutchman now becoming
alarmed, exclaimed, " Its de duy-vil ;" and (jurckly aband-
oned that hunting ground — Cleveland chuckling not a little
over the success of his stratagem.

At length young Cleveland married, in Orange County,
Miss Mary Graves — of an excellent family, whose father
was in quite comfortable circumstances. Tradition tells us
that Cleveland took an active part in the French and Indian
war; but the particulars are lost to history. He, no doubt,
in that border conflict became initiated into military lile,
which proved a preparatory school for his Revolutionary
ser\'ices. But his marriage did not reform his idle and
reckless habits. He still loved gaming, horse-racing, and
the wild frolicking common on the frontiers. In company
with Joseph Martin — afterwards General Martin — he put in
a field of wheat on Pig river, about the year 1767, where he
settled some four years betbre ; but they were too indolent
to fence it properly. When harvest time came, there was
something of a crop. As was the custom of the times, they
invited their friends to join them in cutting the grain ; for
which hilarious occasion some liquor and a fiddler were
provided, and a good time was necessary before entering
upon the w(n-k, which ended in a debauch, and the grain
was never harvested.

To break away from such habits and associations,

1' '•■'!

AND ITS HEROES.

429

Cleveland, about 1769, removed, with liis father-in-law and
family, to North Carolina, and settled, near the foot of the
Blue Ridge, on the waters of Roaring Creek, a northern
aflluent of the Yadkin, in what was then Rowan, afterwards
Surry, and a few years later Wilkes County. Here Cleve-
land, with the aid of Mr. Graves' servants, opened a farm,
raised stock, and devoted much of his time to hunting. At
some sub>;equent period, he located on the noted tract, on
the northern bank of the Yadkin, lifteen miles below
Wilkesboro, known as the Round vl/;f///— taking its name
from the horse-shoe shape of the land, nearly- surrounded
by the river.

From Daniel Boone, who was among the earliest
of the pioneers of the Yadkin Valley, Cleveland learned
of the Kentucky country — that land of cane and pea-vine,
abounding with deer and bulTalo. Its wild charms, its rich
lands, and its teeming game, rendered it the hunter's para-
dise. Such attractions as these Cleveland could not resist.
In the summer of about 1772, in compan}- with Jesse
Walton, Jesse Bond, Edward Rice, and William High-
tower, he set out on a trip of hunting and exploration, in
quest of the beautiful land of Kentucky. WHien they had
safely passed Cumberland Gap, and entered ujion the
borders of the famous hunting grounds, with cheerful hopes
and glowing prospects, they were unexpectedly met and
plundered by a party of Cherokees, of all their guns, horses,
peltr}-, and every thing they possessed, even to their hats
and shoes. A poor old shot gun was given in turn, with
a couple of charges of powder and shot, when they were
threateningly ordered to leave the Indian hunting-grounds.
They had no alternative. On their way home, they hus-
banded their ammunition as long as possible ; with one of
the charges they killed a small deer — the other was spent
inelTectually. The}' had the good fortune to catch a broken-
v.'inged wild goose, and eventually had to kill their faith-
ful litUe hunting dog, greatly to their regret ; and Cleve-

f 1,.

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430

KING'S MOUNTAIN

land, in after years, used to say that this dog was tame,
under the circumstances, the sweetest animal food he ever
ate. With this scanty supply, ami a few berries, they
manai;ed to hold out till they reached the settlements, but
in a nearly faniishod condition.

Several monllis afterwards, Cleveland made up a parly
of chosen men — among whom was William Ilighlower,
who wended their way to the Cherokee towns, determined
to recover the horses that had been taken from them. From
some circumstance not now known, Ilightower gave name
to the Ilightower or Etowah river. Cleveland applied to
a noted Cherokee chief, known among the whiti'S as Big
Bear, who replied that the Indians who had his horses
would be likely to kill him as soon as they should learn the
object of his mission ; but, he added by way of compliment,
" if you were to be killed, I should claim that honor, as
one big warrior ought only to be slain by another." Big
Bear sent an escort with Cleveland to the several towns to
aid him in reclaiming his property'. He succeeded without
much dilllculty, except in the last case. The Indian having
the horse, showed tight, raised his tomahawk, and Cleve-
land cocked his rifle, when his friendly escort interposed,
and saved their red brother from a fatal shot, by throwing
him to the ground ; but not before he had hurled his battle-
ax'e at his antagonist, which happily did no other harm
than cutting away a part of the bosom of Cleveland's hunting
shirt. Then Cleveland, at the instance of his Indian guides,
mounted his newly recovered horse, which was at hand, and
was riding away, when a ball from the rifle of the enraged
Cherokee, wounded the animal, but not seriously. Return-
ing to Big Bear's village, that chief increased the guard ; and
Cleveland and part}' retired with tlieir horses in triumph.
On their way back to North Carolina, they went by the Tu-
galo countr}^ winch greatly attracted Cleveland's attention.

Reuben Stringer was a noted woodsman of the Llppcr
Yadkin Valley, and was often Cleveland's associate in his

ti-

AND ITS HEROES.

431

huntinjT aclvcmurcs. Thry took an oik liiinl togetlier, in
tin; montli of August, when these animals were in their
prime The elk were larj^e, and \v\-\; wild, and gradually
retired before the ailvancing settlements. A few years
anterior to the Revolutionary war, they were yet to be fuund
at the foot of the mountain ranges on the heads of New
river. Pursuing a wounded elk, Cleveland in attempting to
intercept him at ii roek}- point of the river, where he ex-
pected the animal w(.uUl cross tlu' stream, found himself sur-
rounded by a large number of rattle-snakes, coiled, hissing,
and fearfully sounding their alarm rattles on every hand.
From this dangiM'ous diicmma, his only deliverance seemed
to be an instantaneous plunge into the river, which he made
without a moment's hesitation, and thus probably escaped a
horrid death.

While Stringer was busy one day in preparing a fire for
cooking some of their wild meat for a repast, Cle\eland
spread his blanket on the ground, beneath a cluster of large
white oaks, to rest himself, and scjon fell asleep. In a few
moments he suddenly awakened, in a startled condition —
wh3% he could not tell — and, casting his eyes into the tree-
tops above, he discovered a large limb, directly overhead,
nearly broken (MT, hanging only by a slight splinter to its
parent stem. He said to his companion, pointing to the
object of his alarm: "Look, Reuben, and see what an
ugly thing we have camped under !" " It has, indeed, an
ugh' appearance; " replied Stringer, "but since it has ap-
parently hung a great while in that condition, it ma}' very
likely do so a good while longer." "Ah", said Cleveland,
" as long as it has hung there, there is a time for it to come
down, and I will not be in the way of danger," and gathered
up his blanket, to spread it in a safer place. As he was
passing the fire, he heard a crack above — the splinter had
broken, and the limb came tumbling down, plunging its
three prongs directly into the ground where Cleveland had
but a moment before lain. They pulled over the fallen

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KING'S MOUNTAIN

limb, iind found its prong's had pcnrtratcd into tho earth to
tljo di'ptli of lourli'i'n inches. Strin<^or eon^^M-atulated his
comrade on his Ibrtiinate awakini; and removal, "for," he
added, " in one minute more, you would have been inevit-
ably killed." "Ah, Reuben," said Cleveland, who was
very much of a fatalist, " I always told you that no man
would die till his appointed time ; and when it comes, there
can be no possible escape."

But Cleveland's huntiii}^ days ^vere about to end. It
was no longer a war with the wild beasts of the forest, but
with his fellow men. The story of Colonial taxation by the
King and Parliament reached the Yadkin Valley, and
Cleveland was among the fh'st to resent the threatened tyr-
anu}- ; and soon came the tidings of Lexington and Bunker
Hill. North Carolina was organized into companies, regi-
ments, and brigades ; and, on the lirst of September, 1775,
Cleveland was appointed an Ensign in the second regiment,
under the command of Colonel Robert Howe. But he
seems not to have accepted it, preferring to serve in the
militia in his immediate locality, wliere he judged his
presence and ellorts would be more uselul.

During 1775, when Cleveland's neighbors and friends
of the Upper Yadkin Vahey had occasion to go to Cross
Creek to dispose of their surplus productions, and purchase
their supplies of iron, sugar, salt, and other necessaries,
they were compelled, before they were permitted to buy or
sell, to take the oath of allegiance to the King. When
Cleveland heard of these tyrannical acts, and attempts to
forestall the politics of the people, he swore roundly that
he would like nothing better than to dislodije those Scotch
scoundrels at Cross Creek. Nor was an opportunity long
wanting. In Februar}', 1776, the Highland Tories of that
locality raised the British standard, when Captain Cleve-
land marched down from the mountains with a party of
volunteer riflemen ; and, tradition has it, that he reached
the front in season to share in the fight, and in the suppres-

AND ITS IIFROF.S.

A?,?,

sinn f)f the revolt. lie .scoiirod tlie country in the region of
Wake Forest, capturing several outlaws, some of whom he
hung to the trees in the woods ; one of whom was Captain
Jackson, wlio was executi'd within half a mile of Ransom
Sutherland's homestead, wliose houses and nuMchandi/.e,
Jackson had caused to be laid in ashes a few days after the
battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. " I don't recollect," said
Colonel Sutherland, in ihcA'arih Carol inaUniversUy Mcii^a-
zinc, for September, 1854, " after Cleveland had done with
them, to have heard much more of those wretches durini;
the war." In this service, or at least a part of it, Cleveland
was under Colonel James Moore, who had :h rved with credit
on tlie frontiers in the old French and Indian war, anil
whose determined bravery gave him thiiso/frujncl of " Mad
Jimmic" among the soldiery; and for ^ears thereafter,
Moore was tlie theme of Cleveland's admiration.

When the Cherokees were inveigled by tlie Britisli into
hostilities. Captain Cleveland, in the summer of 1776, served
a tour of duty in scouting on theWestern frontier of the State ;
and, shortly after, getting intelligence that a Tory Colonel
Roberts had embodied a number of Loyalists on the north-
west side of the Blue Ridge, on the borders of North Caro-
linia and Virginia, he went in quest of them ; but hearing
of this pursuit, they disbanded and dispersed. In the au-
tumn of that year, when General Rutherford led a strong
force against the Cherokees, Cleveland and his company
went on the campaign, in the Surry regiment, under Colonel
Joseph Williams* and Major Joseph Winston. William Le-
noir, who was Cleveland's Lieutenant, was accustomed, in
after years, to recount the hardships and privations the troo])s

'•'Colonel Williams was liorn in TIanover County, Virginia. M:irrh twenty-seventh,
1748 ; niiKrated in 17^^ to Granville County, North Carolina, where he married Rchecca,
daiiKhtcr of Thomas I^anier. and shortly after settled near the Shallow Ford of Vadkin, in
what afterwards became Surry County. When that County was organized, he was made
Colonel, and led his regiment on Rutherford's Cherokee campaign in 1776. He shared in
defeating the Tory leaders, Colonel Gideon and Captain Hezlkiah Wright, at the head of
three hundred and ten Loyalists, at the Shallow Ford, October, fifteenth, 1780 Colonel
Williams died August eleventh, 1827.
28

434

KING'S MOUNT/ IN

had to sufl'er on th;it service — often destitute of provisions,
without tents, with but few bhinkets, dressed in clothnig
made of rude materials, derived from liemp, tow, and the
wild nettle. Tliough often harrassed on their march by
parties in ambus) i, there was no general engagement —
Captain Cleveland sharing in the skirmishes and bush-
whackings of the campaign. The villages and setUements of
the hostile Cherokees were laid waste, their crops and pro-
visions destroyed, and they were compelled to sue for
peace.

Such was the hig'i c-iumate placed on Captain Cleve-
land's fitness for frontier service, that early in the spring of
1777, he was selected to lead his company to the Watauga
settlements, to serve a tour for tlieir protection against the
yet troublesome Cherokees. After passing the rugged in-
tervening mountain country, and reaching the Watauga
Valley, Cleveland and his men made their head-quarters at
Carter's Fort, while the Virginia troops were stationed at
the Long Island of Ilolston. Thougn scouting was kept up,
every pains were taken to bring the Indians to terms. Cleve-
land's company concentrated, with the odier forces, a'; the
Long Island, where the celebrated treaty, in July of that
3'ear, was held, and at which Major Winston was one of
the Commissioners. When peace was made, the Wilkes
troops returned to their distant home.

In the autumn of 1777, Captain Cleveland attended the
Legislature — not as a member, but to use his influence for
the divisuin of Surry, and the formation of a new County,
for the better convenience of the Upper Yadkin settlements.
Wilkes County, thus formed, was named in honor of John
Wilkes, noted for his steady opjiosition in Parliament to the
American war. In March, 1778, when the new County was
organized, Cleveland was placed at the head of the commis-
sion of Justices, and was made Colonel of the militia. Ilencc-
lorth we nnd Colonel Cleveland in -igular attendance as
one of the Justices of the County Court, and generally the

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IWilS

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AA'D ITS HEROES.

435

principal bondsman for the SheritTand other Count}' onicors.
lie was also often called on to fill other positions — Com-
missioner for seizing confiscated estates, Superintendent of
elections, and County Ranger or Stray Master. In 1778,
he was chosen to represent \Vilk(!s County in the House of
Commons, and was regarded as one of the popular leaders
of the mountain region of the State.

On one occasion, soon after the regiment was orgaijized,
it was ordered on service to the frontier;; to quell some
Tory disturbance. After no little indiscriminate plunder-
in.<r of both Whitrs and Tories, they returned home before
the expiration of their term of service, with tlieir ill-got-
ten gains, before Colonel Cleveland was able to join theni.
lie was highly displeased with their conduct, swearing,
roundly that he would shoot the ring-leaders ; but lie iinally
a<irecd to foruive them on t\vo conditions — the rcftoration of
their dishonorable plunderings, and to tlu' end of the war.
tMrning out on a minute's warning. All who had .shareil in
the disgraceful pillage, returned ih^ spoils of every kind,
and were ever after prompt to engagv^ in any service at the
shortest notice.

When the British invaded Georgui, in 1778, General
Rutherford led a force from the b;xk part of North Caro-
lina, of which at least a portion of Colonel Cleveland's regi-
ment formed a part. They repaired to Georgia, and shared
in the winter campaign of 177S-79, which culminated in the
disastrous defeat of General Ashe, at Brier Creek, before
Lincoln and Rutherford could come to his aid. Returning
from this service. Colonel Cleveland was chosen to repre-
sent his Countv in the Slate Senate. In the summer of t 780,
he was constantly employed in suppressing the Tories — lirst
in marching against those assembled at Ramsour's mill,
reaching there shortly after their defeat ; then in chasing
Colonel Bryan's band from the State ; and finally in scour-
ing the region of New river in checking the Tory rising in
that quarter, capturing and hanging some of their notorious-
leaders and outlaws.

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KING'S MOUNTAfN

Then ffilliAvcd his King's Moiintiiin campaign — the
great service of his life — the wounding, whih; on the way,
of his brother, Lieutenant Larkin CIcvtlaiuKhv a "^Fory party
unci 'r Captain John Murray, near T^mclady's Slioals ; and
then hurrying forward to grapple with the indomitable I'^'er-
guson. The poet Ilayne notices Cleveland in tliis battle as
though lie were a very round head of Cromwel f(:rv(;rand
time :

"Now, l)y God's grncc," ( r ii'l Clovclnn'l my nfihlc Colotutl he,
Resliiifj to pick a Tory f)lf, fjiiite (ooly oi his kn ■-,-
" Now, liy (jod's f^raci--, w<; iiavi; thiiii ! the snare is suldly si:t ;
Tlie fjaiiic is bayj^ed : we hold them hafe as |)lieasaiits in a net."

His heroic loearintr in the contest, and his (,'xcitin<{ nn-
counter with the half-cra/ed Rcnven, eacli sf) fortunately es-
caping fatal results, liave been already related. Hesides
having assigned to hin.. by general consent, (jne of T'er-
guson's war horses, vvhiv.li lived to an uncommon gre-at age-,
111- carri(;d home with him a snare-drinn, to which he pointed
with pride as a King's Mountain trophy, as long as he lived.
There can be noqueslion but Colonel Cleveland was con-
spicuous in bringing about liie execution of the Tory lead-
ers at liickerstalFs. His whole career during the war goes
to show thatlu- was severe in his treatment of tlu; Tories —
perhaps not unjusUy so, considering the times and circum-
stances of an (.'xposed fre>ntier, when the execution of civil
law was so infrequent and imc(;rtain. His brief comiTiand
(A-er tlu; Tory pris(jnt;rs at Bethabara has been elsewhere
noticed. Sometime in November ensuing, James Coyle or
Cowl(;s, and John IJrown — or Jones, as Wheeler has it —
two notorious 'Vu\-\ |)limderers, passing through Lincoln
Count}', robbed the house (jf Major Cjc^orgeVV^ilfongof every-
thing they could carry away, and then made ofl' with a
couple of his horses. Major Wilfong with a party followed
the culprits, ovt.'rtaking them near Wilkesboro, recoverinl
the horsc.'s, but the ruflians mad(! good their escajie. They
had appropriated Wilfong's clothes-lin'- for halters, which
the Maj(jr kit behind, with which to hang the rascals slundd

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AND I IS JIEROES.

437

they ever he taken. Shortly after, ;•-; tlu:y were returning
towards Ninety .Six, they wen; apprehended hy some
of Ch'veland's scouts, and l)rf)ii}^dit to Wilkesbonj, where
Colonel Cleveland ord(!n;d them hun;^ with Wilfon^r's ropes.
All adinill(;(l that thoiigli tlu; execution wassununary, it was
nevertheless just.

l*>arly in 1781, when General Greene was manoMncrin;^
on th<' upj)rr boi-der of Xortii Carolina, Colonel Cleveland
raised abf)ut a hundred riflitmen, went to his assistance,
serving awhih; in tlu: advance partii's of light infantr}', but
returned home from their toin* of duty a little beftjre the
conflict at Cjiiilford.

'I'o Colonel Cleveland, wliose career was replete with
perilous ad\entures, an m eiuTi iu:e now transpire; ',, which
at one time threatened tlie n;ost tragic termination ; and
which, ff)r its hair-breadth escap(;s, may be regarded as the
most nota'ule evi-nt of his life. Some thirty-fi\'e miles
t'rom his home at the Kound-About on tiie Yadkin, and
some; twent}- norlh-west ol" Wilkesborr), and in the south-
eastern portion r)f the present County of Ashe, was a well-
known locality, mostly' on the northern bank of the' South
Fork of New river, called lln' ()/<i Fields — which at some
previous ]ieriod, was probably the cjiiiet home (jf a wander-
inix baml of Cherokees. These Old I'^ields belou'red to
Colonel '"'leveland, and served, in peace-ful times, as a graz-
ing region foi" his stock.

Having occasion In visit his New River plantation.
Colonel Cleveland rode there, ai inpanii'd only by a negro
servant, arri\ing at Jesse Duncan's, his tenant, at the lower
end of the f)ld l-'ields, on Saturday, the Ann'teenth of April,
\']H\. LJnIbrtunately for the Colotiel, Captain William
Riddle, a nf)ted Tory leadei'. son ol' the I.,oyalist Colonel
James Riddle, of Surrv County, was approaching from the
Virginia border with Captain Ross, a Whig captive, whom
he had taken, together with his servant, and now en ronlc
for Ninety Six, where a British reward appears to have

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438

KING'S MOUNTAIN

hvx'w paid for prisoners. Rickllc, with his party ot' six or
eight men, reaching Benjamin Cutbirth's, some four miles
above the Old Fields, a fine old Whig, and an old associate
of Daniel Boone, who liad only partially recovered from a
severe spell of fever. The Tory Captain, probabh^ from
Gutbirth's reticence regarding solicited information, shame-
fully abused him, and placed him under guard.

Descending the river to the upper end of the Old Fields,
where Joseph and Timothv Perkins resided — about a mile
above Duncan's — both of whom were absent in Tory
service, Riddle learned from their women, that Cleveland
was but a short distance away, at Duncan's, with only his
servant, Duncan, and one or two of the Callaway family
tliere. Every Tory in the country knew full well of Cleve-
land's inveterate hatred of their race ; how prominently he
had ligured at King's Mountain, and had given his influ-
ence for the Tory exectitions at Bickerstaff's, and caused
the summary hanging of (!^oyle and Brown at Wilkesboro.
Riddle well judged that such a prisoner would be a prize to
take along to Ninety Six, or it would prove no small honcjr
to any Loyalist to rid the Rebel cause of so untiring and dis-
tinguishcd a leailer in the Southern country.

The prospect of making Cleveland his prisoner was too
tempting for Riddle to neglect. 11 is force was too smal! to
run an}' great risk, and so he concluded to resort to strata-
gem, lie resolved, therefore, to steal Cleveland's horses in
the quiet of the night, judging that the Colonel would fol-
low tlieir trail the next morning, supposing they had strayed
otr, when he would ambuscade him at some suitable place,
and thus take " Old Ro.nd- About " as he was called, una-
wares, a. id at a disadvantage. The horses were accord-
ingly taken that night ; and a laurel thicket selected, just
above tlie Perkins' house, as a fitting place to waylay their
expected pursuers. During Saturday, Richard Callaway
and his brother-in-law. John .Sliirlev, went down from the
neiiihborinf; residence of Thomas Callaway to Duncan's, to

'/»«.

AND ITS HEROES.

439

see Colonel Cleveland, and appear to have remained there
over night.

Discovering that the horses were missing on Sunday
morning, immediate pursuit was made. Having a pair of
pistols, Colonel Cleveland retained one of them, handing
tlie other to Duncan, while Callaway and Shirley were un-
armed. Reaching the Perkins' place, one of the Perkins
women knowing of the ambuscade, secretly desired to
save the Colonel from his impending fate, so she detained
him, as long as she could, by conversation, evidently fear-
ing personal consequences should she divulge the scheme
of his enemies to entrap him. His three associates kept on,
with Cleveland some little distance behind, Mrs. Perkins
still following, and retarding him by her inquiries ; and as
those in advance crossed the fence which adjoined the
thicket, the Tories fired from their places of concealment, one
aiming at Cleveland, who though some little distance in the
rear, was yet within range of their guns, V t they gener-
ally sliot wild — only one shot, that of Zachanah Wells, who
aimed at Callaway, proving effectual, breaking his thigh,
when he fell helpless by the fence, and was left, for dead.*
Duncan and Shirley escaped. Cleveland from his great
weight — fully three hundred poimds — knew he could not run
any great distance, and would only be too prominent a mark
for Tory bullets, dodged into the house with several Tories
at his heels. Now, flourishing his pistol ''ipidly from one
to another, they pledged to spare his life and accord him
good treatment, if he would quietly surrender, which he did.

Wells by this time having re-loaded his rifle, made his
appearance on the scene, swearing that he would kill Cleve-
land ; and aiming his gun, the Colonel instantly seized Abi-

*Richard Callaway had been Rrievioiisly wounded on the *■ ..cl, nrms. shoulder, and
hand hy Tarleton's cavalry, at Sumter's surprise, Aug. eiRhtecnth, 1780, and left for dead ;
yet recovered, though, he had a crippled hand for life. In due time his broken limb, so
badly disabled by Wells' unerrini; shot, healed up, and he lived many years. He aided in
running the boundary line from the White Top Mountains to the Mississippi, and died in
Tennessee in 1822.

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KING'S MOUNTAIN

fjftiil Walters wlio was present, and b)' dint of his great
strengtli, and under a high state of excitement, dextrou.sly
luindled her as a puppet, ls.eeping" her between him and liis
would-be assassin. Wells seemed vexed at this turn in the
allair, and hurled his imprecations on the poor woman,
threatening if she did not get out of the way, that he would
blow her through as well, not appearing to realize Uiat she
had as little power as a mouse in the clutches of a ferocious
cat. Cleveland getting his eyes on Captain Riddle, whom
he knew, or judged by his appearance, to be the leader,
appealed to him if such treatment was not contrary to the
stipulations of his surrender. Riddle promptly replied that
it was, and ordered Wells to desist from his murderous in-
tent, saying that they would take Cleveland to Ninety Six,
and make money out of his capture. The terrified woman
who had been made an unwilling battery, was now released
from Cleveland's grasp as from a vise ; and the whole party
with their prisoner and his servant were speedily mounted,
and hurried up New river. This stream, so near its source,
was quite shallow, and the Tories traveled mostly in its
bed to avoid being tracked, in case of pursuit.

Soon al'ter the Tory party had called at Cutbirth's, on
their way d jwn the river, young Daniel Cutbirth and a
youth named Walters, who were absent at the time,
returned ; and encouraged by Mrs. Cutbirth, though only
fourteen or lilteen years of age, they resolved that
tlie}- would take their guns, select a good spot, and
ambuscade Riddle on his return, and. perhaps rescue what-
ever prisoners he might have. But on the return of the
Tory party the next day, they made so much noise, and
gave so many military commands, that led the youthful
ambuscaders to conclude that uiey had received a re-in-
forcement, and that it would be rashness for two single-
handed youths to undertake to cope with numbers so
unequal. So Riddle and his party reached Cutbirth's
undisturbed, and ordered dinner lor lu'mself, men, and

AND ITS HEROES.

441

prisoners. One of the Cutbirth girls, not engaging wil-
lingly in this service, received abuse, and even kicks, from
the Tory leader. Their hunger ajipeased, they proceeded
up New river, mostly along its bed, till they reached Elk
Creek, up which they made their way in the same manner.
Colonel Cleveland, meanwhile, managed unperceived, to
break off overhanging twigs, dropping tliem into the stream
to float down as a guide to his friends, who he knew would
make an early pursuit. From the head of the south fork
of Elk, they ascended up the mountains to what has since
been known as Riddle's Knob, in what is now Watauffa
County, and some fourteen miles from the place of Cleve-
land's captivity, where they camped for the night.

Early on that Sabbath morning, Joseph Callaway and
his brother-in-law. Berry Tone}-, wishing to see Colonel
Cleveland on business matters, called at Duncan's, and
learned about the missing horses, and the pursuit ; and at
that moment they heard the report of the firing at the
upper end of the plantation, and hastened in that direction,
soon meeting Duncan and Shirley in rapid flight, who
coidd only tell that Richard Callaway had fallen, and
Colonel Cleveland was either killed or taken. It was
promptly agreed, that Duncan, Shirley, and Toney sliould
notify the people of the scattered settlements to meet that
afternoon at the Old Fields, while Joseph Callaway should
go to his father's, close by, mount his horse and hasten to
Captain Robert Cleveland's, on Lewis' Fork of the Yadkin,
a dozen miles distant.* His brother, William Callaway,
started forthwith up the river, and soon came across
Samuel McQi_ieen and Benjamin Greer, who readily joined
him ; and all being good woodsmen, followed the Tory
trail at best they could, till night overtook them when some
distance above the mouth of Elk Creek, and aboat ten miles
from the Old Fields. William Callaway suggested, that he

* Joseph Callaway was a member from Ashe County, in tho House of Commons, in
1804 and 1806.

442

KING'S MOUNTAIN

and McQiiecn would romuin tlicre, while Greer should
return to jiilot up \vhatevt;r men may have gathered to
engage in pursuit of tlie Tories.

By night-fall, Captain Robert Cleveland and others, to
the number of twenty or thirty, good and tried men, who
had served under Colonel Cleveland, had gathered at the
Old Fields, determined to rescue their old commander at
every hazard, even though they should follow the Tory
party to the gates of Ninety Six. Greer made his appear-
ance in good time, and at once they were on the trail of the
enemy.* The}^ reached William Callaway and McQiieen
awhile before day ; and as soon as light began to appear,
John Baker joined Callaway and McQtieen, to lead the
advance as spies. A little after sun-rise, having proceeded
four miles, the}' discoveied indications of the enemy's camp
on the mountain. But little arrangement was made for the
attack ; nine men only were in readiness — the others were
apparently some distance behind ; and only four or five of
these were designated to fire on the enemy, tlie rest reserv-
inij their shots for a second vollev, or anv emergencies that
might happ'Mi — of these was William Callaway.

Some of the Tories had already breakfasted, while
others were busily employed in preparing their morning
meal. Colonel Cleveland was sitting on a large fallen tree,
engaged, under compulsion, in writing passes for the
several members of Captain Riddle's part}', certifying that
each was a good Whig — to be used, when in a tight place,
to help them out of difiiculty, by assuming that they were
patriots of the truest type, Cleveland's commendation
passing unquestioned along the borders of Virginia and
the Carolinas. But "Old Round About" had a strouff

* Greer was one of Cleveland's heroes. One of his fcllo'.v :■ iuiers stole his tobacco
from him, when he threatened he a'oiiUI whip him lor it as soon as he should put his eyes
on him. Cleveland expostulated with Greer, tolling him his men ought to fight the enemy,
and not each other. " I'll jiive him a hint o{ it, any way," said Greer, and when he met
the tobacco pilferer, he knocked him down. Greer's hint was lonji a bv-word in all that
region. — Col, W. W. Lenoir.

\i'ii«-j«

mm^mmrfmrm^

AND ITS HEROES.

443

suspicion that their urgency (or tliese passports betokened
that the moment they were completed, his days would be
numbered; and thus naturally but a poor penman, he
purposely retarded his task as mucli as possil)le, hoping to
gain time for the expected relief", apologizing lor his
blunders, and renewing his unwilling etlbrts. Several of
the Tory party \vere now gathering up their horses for an
carl}' start, and Cleveland was receiving severe threaten-
ings it' he did not hurry up his last passport.

Just at this moment, w hile Captain Riddle and Zacha-
riah Wells were especially guarding Cleveland and Captain
Ross- -the former with Cleveland's pistol presented at his
breast, and the latter with his gun aimed for instantaneous
use, if need be — the relief party were silently creeping up ;
and the next moment several guns were fired, and the Whigs
rushed up, uttering their loudest yells. Colonel Cleveland,
comprehending the situation, tumbled oil" the prostrate tree,
on the side opposite to his friends, lest their balls might
accidently hit him, and exclaiming, in his joy, at the top of
his dumdering voice, '•^ Huzza for brother Bob! — that's
right, give 'on h — /.' " Wells alone was shot, as he w as
scampering away, b}- William Callaway in hot pursuit, and
supposed to be mortally wounded, he was left to his fate ;
me rest fled with the aid of their fresh horses, or such as
they could secure at the moment — Riddle and his wife
among the number. Cleveland's servant, a pack-horse lor
Torv plunder, was overjoyed at his sudden liberation.
Cleveland and Ross were thus fcM'tunately rescued ; and
having gained their purpose, the happy Whigs returned to
their several homes. William Callaway was especially
elated that he had had the good fortune to shoot Wells, who
had so badly wounded his brother, Richard Callaway, at
die ambuscade at the Old Fields.

ShorUv after this occurrence, Captain Riddle ventured to
make a night raid into the Yadkin Valley, where on King's
Creek, several miles above Wilkesboro, the}' surrounded

i m

414

KhYG'S MOUNTAIN

the house where two of CleveUuurs noted soldiers, David
and John Witherspoon, resided with their parents, and
spirited tlieni many miles away in the mountain re;^n()n on
Watauj^^a river, in what is now Watau/^a County, weri' hoth
were senleneed to be shot — blindfolded, ami men detailed to
do the fatal work. It was then proposed, if they would
take the oath of alle^ianee to the Kiny, repair to their home,
and speedily return with a certain noble animal belong-
ing to David Witherspoon, known as "the O'Neal mare,"
and join the Tor}' band, their lives would be spared.
They gladly accepted the proposition — with such mental
reservations as they thought fit to make. As soon as they
reached home, David Witherspoon mounted his fleet-footed
mare, and hastened to Colonel Ben. Ilerndon's, several
miles down the river, wdio (piickly raised a party, and
piloted by the Witherspoons, they soon reached the Tory
camp, taking it by surprise, capturing three, and killing and
dispersing others. So the young Witherspoons fullilled
their promise of returning speedily to the Tory camp,
bringing the O'Neal mare with them ; but under somewhat
ditlerent circumstances from what the unsophisticated Tories
expected.

The tliree prisoners taken were Captain Riddle, and
two of his noted associates, named l^eeves and Goss. On
their arrival at Wilkesboro, a court mardal condemned
them to be hung ; but as if to curry favor with the soldiers,
or get them in a condition so he might escape, Riddle
treated them freely to whisky. Learning which, Colonel
Cleveland frankly informed him, that it would be useless to
waste his whisky in such eilbrts — Unit he would be hung
directly after breakfast. The three notorious freebooters
were accordingly executed, on the hill adjoining the
village, on a stately oak, which is yet standing, and pointed
out to strangers at Wilkesboro. ?.Irs. Riddle, who seems
to have accompanied her husband on his wild and reckless
marauds, was present, and witnessed his execution.

AND JTS JfEROES.

445

Colonel Cleveland was active at this period in sending
out strong scouting parties to scoin" the mountain regions,
and if possible, utterly break up the 'H^ry bands still
infesting the frontiers. His Wilkes riHemcn had, by this
time, acquired a reputalion of which Ihey were justly
proud. Tiiey were general!}' known as Ch'-'cland's Heroes^
sometimes as Cleveland's IhiU Doa^s ; while the Tories
dimominated them Cleveland" s Devils. Cleveland himsi'lf
rated each of his well-tried followers as the equal of five
ordinary soldiers. It was not long before one of these
detachments had the good fortune to take Zachariah Wells
who had not yet recovered from the dangerous wound he
had received at Riddles' Knob. lie was conveyed to
Hughes' Bottom, about a mile below Colonel Cleveland's
Round-About residence, near the mouth of a small stream
known as Hughes' Creek. Here young James Gwyn, a
youth of thirteen, witli a colored boy with him, was at work
in the cornfield, when Colonel Cleveland, who had join;_'d
those having the prisoner in charge, of whom Lieutenant
Elisha Reynolds, Cleveland's two sons and his brother,
formed a part, took the plow lines from the horse, with
which to hang Wells to a tree on the river bank.

Young Gwyn, who knew little of the stern realities of
war, was shocked at the thought of so summary an execu-
tion. Intimately acquainted with Colonel Cleveland, he
begged the Colonel not to hang the poor fellows who 'ooked
so pitiful, and was sufl'ering from his former wound, greatly
exciting his sympathies. "Jimmic, my son," said Cleve-
land tenderly, "he is a bad man; we must hang all such
dangerous Tories, and get them out of their miser}'- ;" while
Captain Bob. Cleveland, who was present, was cursing the
wincing Tory at a vigorous rate. With tears coursing
down his cheeks, i! e Cnloncl adjusted the rope, regretting
the necessity for hanging the trembling culprit — remember-
ing vividly the rough treatment he had so recently received at
the hands of Wells at the Perkins' place, at the Old Fields ; and

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446

KING'S MOUNTAIN

firmly convinced that the lives of the; patriots of the Yadkin
Valley would be safer, and their slumbers all the more peace-
ful, when then- sutVering countr}- was rid of all such vile des-
peradoes. Such was Cleveland's philosopli}', and such liis
patriotism. Wells soon dangled from a conxenient tree, and
his remains were buried in the sand and loam on the
bank of the Yadkin.

OUiei"s of the Torv brii^ands also fell into the hands of
Cleveland's vigilant troopers. One of them was Bill Nichols,
a noted and desperate leader, whose wife is said to have
been a sister of Captain Willaim Riddle. On one occasion,
Nichols hadadilTiculty withuWhigneighbor nutned Letcher,
snatched his gun from him, and with it shot him
down in his tracks. Nichols was speedily executed. At
another time, one Tate and eiglit others were taken by
Cleveland and his men, and had them near old Richmond,
on the Yadkin, in Surrv. When Cleveland was about to
execute the leader. Colonel William Sheppard protested
against such summary justice. "Why." said Cleveland,
"Tate confesses that he has frequently laid in wait to kill
you." " Is that so?" inquired Shepjiard, turning to the
Tory captain. Tale frankly acknowledged that it was
true — that he was an influential Whig, and the Loyalists
were anxious to have him out of the wa}'. Sheppard now
acquiesced in the opinion that Tate was a dangerous
man, and that they had best make an example of him. So
his fate was fixed, while his associates only suffered impris-
onment as other captives of war.

On another occasion Colonel Cleveland visited Colonel
Sheppard* at Richmond, where he had two notorious Tor\'
horse-thieves in prison. Cleveland insisted on swinging
them to the nearest tree, less the}- should efl'ect their escape.

♦Colonel Sheppard w.is an erirl/ settler of Surry County ; be cominandeJ a troop of
cavalry on Rutherford's Cherokee campaign; and participated l.ir.i^cly in opposini,' the
Tories of his rejjiou. He re|)rcsnntcd his County in the Slate Senate six years, 1777-8J ;
and removing to Orange County, he served .again in the Senate in 1795. 1801 and iSr^}, and
was many years a magistrate, He died February eighth, iSj2, in his seventy-sixth year.

^ .:._

AND ITS HEROES.

447

and yet furtlicr enchinyer the community — at least one of
them, whose crimes rendered him particidarly ohnoxious to
the people. One end of a lope was fastened to his neck,
when he was mounted on a log, and th„ other end made
fast to the limh of a tree overhead, and the log then rolled
from under the culprit. Cle\eland now repaired to the jail,
and signilicantly pointed the surviving Tory to his late as-
sociate now dan<rlin£r from the tree. "You have vour chf)ice,"
observed Cleveland sternly, " either to take 3our place be-
side him, or cut your own ears otF, and leave the countr}"-
forever." The Tory knew he could not trille with "Old
Round-About," so he called for a knife. A case-knife was
accordingly handed him, which hi> whetted a moment on a
brick, then gritting his teeth, he slashed off his own ears,
and left with the blood streaming down his cheeks, and was
never heard of afterwards. Truly civil wars are both sav-
age and sanccuinarv in their character.

John Doss was the faithful overseer of Cleveland's plan-
tation while the Colonel was much of the time absent from
home during tl „ period of Tory troubles in 1780-S1. Bill
Harrison, a noted Tory leader of that region, with the aid
of his followers, not only stole Cleveland's stock, and de-
stro3'cd his property, but apprehended his vigilant overseer,
took him to a side-hill, placed him on a log, fastening one
end of a grape vine around his neck, and the other over a
prong of a stooping dogwood ; when one of the party went
up the hill, so as to gain sufficient propelling power, then
rushed down headlong, butting Doss ofl'the log into etern-
ity. It was not long before Harrison was caught, and
brought to Cleveland's home. Accompanied by his servant
Bill, and one or two others, Cleveland led Harrison to the
same dogwood on which he had hung poor Doss.

" T hope you will nothang me, Colonel," faintly observed
the trembling wretch." "Why not?" "Because," said
the abject Tory, " 3'^ou know 1 am a useful man in the
neighborhood — am a good mechanic — have worked for you

M."

'tJ^Bh!liiW*i 'i< i '

448

KING 'S A/0 UNTAIN

in peaceful da^i-s, and can not well be spared ; besides I have
invented perpetual motion, and it* I am now suddenly cut
off, the world will lose the benefit of my discover^^ I, too,
have heard you curse Fanning and other Loyalist leaders
for putting prisoners to death — where arc yon?' principles —
7vherc your conscicnccT^ "Where is my conscience," re-
torted Cleveland; "where are my horses and cattle 3'ou
have stolen — my barn and fences you have wantonly burned
— and where is poor Jack Doss? 'Fore God I will do this
deed, and justify myself before high heaven and my coun-
try! Run up the hill. Bill, and butt him ofT the log— I'll
show him perpetual motion !" *

It is related, that, on one occasion, when, Colonel
Cleveland was absent from home, a Tory horse-thief was
brought in for adjudication, and turned over to the care of
the Colonel's sons to await their father's return. This not
occurring so soon as expected, and fearing if they should un-
dertake to keep their prisoner over night he might
give them the slip, or make them trouble, they appealed
to their mother, who was engaged in her domestic voca-
tions, and smoking her pipe, what they had best do under
the circumstances. Learning the nature of the offense, and
that the evidence against the culprit was overwhelming, she
asked them what tlieir father would do in such a case ? ' ' Hang
him," was the prompt repl}-, "Well, then," said the old
lady, "you must hang him," and he was accordingly hung
at the gate.f

Punishments were graded according to the offence, and
seem to have been administered on the principles of mar-
tial law. When an ordinary pilferer was taken to Colonel
Cleveland h\ William Lenoir, he was ordered to have his
two thumbs placed in a notch of a tree, and thus made fast,

while he received fifteen lashes.

This was ca'led timmbing

•Related in a tiebate in the North Carolin;i Legislature, in 1840, hy Hon. Hamilton C.
Jones, of Rowan.

+Johnson's Traditions oftht lievoluiion, 4UI, (.urrohoratcJ by others.

AND ITS HEROES.

449

the notch. Captain John Beverly, in this case, carried the
order into execution : but anxious to meet out full justice to the
prisoner, with a little added interest, he did not stop at the
number adjudged, but continued to whip the wincing cul-
prit, when Colonel Ilorndon drew his sword, and struck
Beverly, who drew his in return, and a tilt was the result,
which, but for the interference of mutual friends might have
terminated fatally. A little over five miles above Wilkes-
boro, on the Burke road, and half a mile west of the village
of Moravian Falls, yet stood within a few 3'ears " Shad
Laws' Oak," on which the notches thumbed by Shadrach
Laws, under sentence of Cleveland, were distincdy visible.

The reader must no!^ suppose that Colonel Cleveland
always deemed it the best policy to resort to the severest
measures with the Tory thieves brought before him for ad-
judication. Once, it is related, that he had a pretty hard
Ciif^e in hand. "Waste no time," said Cleveland; " swing
him off quick I" " You needn't be in any such d — d hurry
about it," cooly retorted the condemned man. Cleveland,
who was toddling along behind, pleased with the noncha-
lance of the fellow, exclaimed, " bo3-s, let him go!" The
Tory, touched with such unexpected generosity, turned to
Cleveland and said, with no little feeling: "Well, old fel-
low, you've conquered me ; I'll ever after fight on 30ur
side," and proved himself one of the most intrepid of Cleve-
land's followers.

" Old Round-About " was a keen judge of human na-
ture, and would often set himself at work to reform a class
of Tories who had been led astray by unhappy influences.
Missing one of this class awhile, and at length meeting
him, he saluted him in this kind, familiar style: "Well,
Bob, I reckon you are returning from a Tor}- trip — are you
not?" "Yes, Colonel, I am," "Well," continued the

en vou become rest

Col(

ipect

another iaunt with them, eh:

teci, 30 wui raKe
"No, Colonel, if I ever iro

itli them a<rain, I'll <;ive vou leave to make a button of mv

•jy

I(-

KIA'G'S MOUNTAIN

head for a halter." '• Well, Bf>b, that shall be the bargain."
So he gives Bob a stitl drink of grog, in accordance with the
fashion of the times, -ind a hearty dinner, and starts him olT
home rejoieing on his 'vay, and swearing that, after all,
"Old Round-About" had a warmer heart, and a kindlier
way widi him, than any Tory leader of his acquaintance, and
ever after Bob proved hini^elf as true a Whig almost as the
Colonel himself.

Nor were Colonel Cleveland's eiTorts restricted to mak-
ing go(Kl Whigs out of refractory Tories. He aimed as well
to make good and industrous citi/^ens. Eleven miles ahove
Wilkesboro, on the south bank of the Yadkin, resided one
Bishop, one of a class who tried to sliirk the responsibilities
of the war, and was wanting alike in patriotism and energy
of character. At heart he was believed to be a Tory. Pass-
ing Bishop's on one of his excursions, Cleveland observed
that his corn, from neglect, presented a sorry appearance.
He called liishop out, and asked him if he had been sick?
He said that he had not. " Have you, then, been fighting
for your countr}' ?" "No," said the neutral, "I have not
been fighting on either side." " In times like these," re-
marked Cleveland, " men who are not liulitinir, and are able
to work, must not be allowed to have their crops as foul as
yours." The indolent man had " /o tJiuiub I he notch,"''
with the admonition that if his corn thereafter was no., well
worked, double the punishment would be his jxjrtion next
time. It is hardly necessary to add, that Bishop's corn
was henceforth in as fine condition as any man's in the
country.*

Cleveland was literally " all tilings to all people." By his
severities, he awed and intimidated not a few — restraining
them from lapsing into Tory abominations ; by his kindness,
forbearance, and even tenderness, winning over many to the
glorious cause he loved so well.

But the war was now rapidly drawing to a close. In

*MS. correspondence of Col. W. W. I.enoir.

AND ITS HEROES.

461

the autumn of 17S1, Colonel Cleveland performed his last
military service, a three months tour of duty, on the waters
of the Little Pedee, in the soulli-eastern part of the State,
under General Rutherford. At this time, the British Colo-
nel Craig was confined to Wilmington, while Fanning
and other Tory leaders were vet scouriuir the countrv. and
needed such a force as tlio mountaineers to successfully
cope with them. Cleveland's men routed several of these
scattered Loyalist detachments hefore returninji home.

At the close of the war. Colonel Cleveland, having lost
his line Round-About plantation by a better title, now
turned his attention to the line region of the Tugalo, on the
western borders of .Soudi Carolina — a countr\- that had
greatly attracted him, when, many years before, he re-
turned from the Cherokee Nation with the horses he had
reclaimed from their plundering warriors. Though the
Indian title was not yet extinguished, he resolved to be
among the early squatters of the country. In 1784, lie vis-
ited the Tugalo Valley, made his selection of a new home
in the forks of Tugalo river and Chauga creek, in the
present Count}' of Oconee, whither he removed in the fol-
lowing 3'ear, accompained by not a few of his kinsmen
and old companions in arms.

In November, 1785, the treaty of Hopewell was con-
cluded, by which the Cherokees agreed to bur}- the hatchet,
and relinquish all claim to territory east of the Tugalo.
Such obligations usually rest lightly upon Indians, and
oftentimes, it must be confessed, they were trespassed upon
by their more powerful and covetous white neighbors.
While a sort of quasi war was yet brewing, the Cherokees
stole some of Cleveland's stock, when he buckled on his
hunting knife, and went in person to tlieir towns, demand-
ing their restoration within a given time, or the last one ol
them should ])ay the forfeit with his life. They were greatly
surprised at his enormous size, and judged that it would
take a hundred good warriors to cope widi him single-
handed. The stock were promptly restored.

1 I

452

KING'S MOUNTAIN

During these border troubles, one Henry Dinkins, a
Tory of the Revohition, who had taken refuge among the
Cherokees, indut'ig a couple of negroes to steal horses
and flee with him, made plundering raids on the Tugalo,
accompained by these colored men, all well armed and
well mounted. Cleveland got wind of their approach,
snatched up his rifle, and one night way-laying their trail,
captured all three of them. Some assistance coming to
his aid, Cleveland concluded that the best disposition to
make of Dinkins was to hang him on the spot, which was
accordingly done. So notorious was Dinkins' reputation
for evil, that the whole country rejoiced at his riddance,
without stopping to inquire whether the particular mode of his
exit was quite in accordance with the nicities of the law.

Colonel Cleveland served many years as a Judge of the
Court of old Pendleton County, with General Pickens and
Colonel Robert Anderson at his associates ; Colonel Cleve-
land "frequenth- takuig a snooze on the bench," says
Governor Perr}-, "while the law3'ers were making long,
prosy speeches ;" if he snored too loudly, his judicial asso-
ciates would give him a nudge, and wake him up. He
nevertheless administered justice promptly and fairly. In
1793, he lost his election to the Legislature by seven votes
only. "We were always afraid," said iNIrs. Jane Miller,
a daughter of General Pickens, " when Colonel Cleveland
came to stay over night with us, lest the bedstead should
prove unequal to his ponderous weight." For several
years before his death, he became so unwieldly in size, that
he could no longer mount his favorite saddle horse, and
leave his home — gradually attaining to the enormous weight
of four hundred and fifty pounds, and was long unable to
rest in bed.

He would spend much of his time sitting on his piazza,
dressed in a sort of loose gown, enjoying in the coldest of
\\eather, the fresh air, while others would suffer from the
exposure. He was full of good cheer, indulging in jibes

AND ITS IIP. ROES.

4.')?,

and jokes with the passers-by. On one occasion, whilo
occupying his big chair on his porch, he sahited a stranger
jocuhirly : " Ilallco, my friend, wliat's the news this
morning from the lower regions?" "Oh, notliing of any
moment," the man sportively retorted, "only that Old
Horny and his wife had quite a set-to last night — she
clamoring fox a supply of soap-grease, when he at length
pacified her with the assurance, that Colonel Cleveland
would soon be there, when her royal highness should enjoy
the fat of the land to her heart's content." This rough
repartee so pleased the jolly Colonel, that he insisted on
the stranger stopping with him, and partaking of his hos-
pitalities.

For several summers preceding his death, he suffered
from dropsy in his lower limbs, and during the last ^^ear of
his life his excessive fat considerably decreased, and he, at
lengtli, died sitting at breakfast, in October, 1806, in the
sixty-ninth year of his age. I lis ^vife had preceded him to
the grave some half a dozen years. He left two sons and
a daughter, vvhose descendants are numerous and respect-
able — one of them becominir the wife of General Thomas
J. Rusk, one of the leaders in acquiring Texan independ-
ence, and subsequcntl}' serving ten }'ears in the United
States Senate; another, the lady of Governor Charles J.
McDonald, of Georgia. In the prime of life, Colonel
Cleveland was a litde short of six feet, finely proportioned,
possessing a pleasing and intelligent countenance.

With scarcely an)' education, and little improvement in
after life, yet Colonel Cleveland, wiUi a naturally vigorous
intellect, exerted a commanding influence among a frontier
people; and though despotic in his nature, and severe on
the Tories, his patriotic activity did much in preserving the
western portion of the Carolinas from British and Tor}-
ascendency. Nortli Carolina deservedly commemorated
his services by naming a County after liim. This noble
hero of King's Mountain now sleeps, in the family burial-

JHI

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454

KIiXG'S MOUNTAIN

j^roiiiul, oil liis old pkuUiUion, boaiitifully situatod in the
forks of the TugiUo and Chauga. No monument — no in-
scription — no memorial-stone point out his silent resting
place. The spot is now marked by several large pines
that have grown up since his interment — one of them, it is
understood, shoots its tall spire from his grave. His old
dwelling and out-houses have long since disappeared, but
the muse of history will not willingly let die the name and
memorv of Benjamin Cleveland — to all Tories the terror of
terrors, and to all others, the jolly "Old Round-About"
of the Yadkin.

A branch of the Winston famil}^, originally of York-
shire, England, settled in Wales, and thence migrated to
Virginia. "The family of Winston," says Alexander II.
Everett, " was among the most distinguished in the Colony."
One of the Virginia descendants was Samuel Winston, of
Louisa County — reputed a brodier of the mother of Patrick
Henry — who had seven sons all actively engaged in the
Revolution. Among them was Joseph Winston, born in
Louisa County, June seventeenUi, 1746. Receiving a fair
education for that day, he joined, at the age of seventeen,
a company of rangers, under Captain Philips, who marched
from Louisa to the frontiers on Jackson's river, where uniting
with Captain George MolTett, making sixty men altogether,
they pursued a party of Indians between Forts Young and
Dinwiddle, and were drawn into an ambuscade, September
thirtieth, 1763. They were fired on from both sides of the
trail, and maintained the fight a considerable time ; but,
at length, overpowered by numbers, they were forced to
give way, scattering as best they could. Several were
killed, and, in the invldc, young Winston had his horse shot
from under him, and himself received two wounds, one in
the body, and the other through his thigh, rendering him
well nigh helpless. He managed to conceal liimself till the
Indians redred in pursuit of the fugitives, wh(m a comrade

/ 'r,'J'-

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'^H

f-i^i!

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AXD I'J'S HEROES.

465

fortiinaU'ly came to his aid, carried him upon his back for
ihri'i' (hi\s, Iivin<^ upon wild rosebi-rrics, and at leuj^rtli
reached a friendly frontier cabin. Though he in time
recovencl, the ball in his body was never extracted, and
was the source of occasional sullering through life.

In 1769. Joseph Winston and others petitioned the \"ir-
ginia authorities for a grant of ten thousand acres of land
on the lower side of Little (niyandotte ; and probably failing
to secure it, Mr. Winston migrated about this period to
North Carolina, locating on ''J'own Fork of Dan river, in
what was long Surry, subsequently Stokes County, North
Carolina. In 1775, he was a member of the Ilillsboio
Convention ; and, in February, 1776, he went on the expe-
dition against the Scotch Tories at Cross creek. He was
appointed, in this year. Ranger of Surry County, and
Major in the militia, serving on Rutherford's expedition
against the Cherokees. In 1777, he was a member of the
House of Commons, and a Commissioner to treat with the
Cherokee Indians. In 1780, he served in Colonel David-
son's expedition in pursuit of Bryans' Tories ; was with
Cleveland against the Loyalists on New river ; in a skirmish
at Alamance ; and commantk^d a portion of the right wing
at King's Mountain, for which he subsequendy was voted
an ek'gant sword bv the Legislature of North Carolina.

In February, 1781, he led a party against a band of
Tories ; had a running fight with them, killing some, cap-
turing others, and dispersing the remainder. He shortly
after joined General Greene with a hundred riflemen, and
shared in the batde of Guilford. In 179^-3, and again from
1803-7, ^'^^ represented his district in Congress. He was a
Presidential elector in 1800, voting for JelTerson, and in
181 2, voting for Madison. Three times he was chosen a
member of the State Senate from Surry ; and when Stokes
County was organized, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel,
and five times elected to the Senate — the last time in 181 2,
when the Legislature provided for the presentation of the

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456

KING ' S MO UNTAIN

sword voted bim in 1781, and which he thus pertinently ac-
knowledged :

"Mr. Speaker: — I am at a loss for words to express my
sense of the honor which the General Assembly has con-
ferred upon me by this grateful present. I trust that the
sword, which is directed to be presented to me, will never
be tarnished by cowardice, but be wielded in delence of my
country's rights and independence."

Colonel Winston died April twent}' -first, 181 5, in his
sixty-ninth 3'^ear — curiously enough, the same age as his
superior, Colonel Cleveland. lie was a man of stalely form,
old school manners, and commanding presence. His home
was within view of the lofty mountains of Stokes and Surry,
whose "cloud-capt summits seemed within a scjuirrel's jump
of heaven." He left many worthy descendants — three sons
born at a single birth.*

Benjamin Ilerndon was born near Fredericksburg, Vir-
ginia, in 1749, and early settled in what is now Wilkes
Cou'.ity, North Carolina. lie was appointcil one of the first
Justices of Wilkes County, serving for many years ; was
Entry Taker of the County ; first a Captain, and then Lieu-
tenant Colonel of Cleveland's regiment — in which double
capacity he served at King's Mountain, commanding a
con pany of sixty men. He was twice a member of the
IIou;-e of Commons, and twice of the North Carolina Sen-
ate. Not long after this last service, in 1786, he removed to
Newberry District, in South Carolina, where he died De-
cember thirtieth, 1819, in his seventj'-first year.

Micajah Lewis, who descended from Welsh ancestors,

*Soon after the birth rf these triplets, a married sister, who had a habe about a month
old, called to visit the mother, and proposed to adopt one of the trio, and thus each would
practically have a pair of twins to rear. Mrs. Winston regarded the proposition favorably;
and as she sat up in bed. carefully examining all three to determine which to retain, and
which one to bestow upon her sister— she at Icnsth exclaimed : *' I cannot decide for my
'■f^^— you cannot have any of them, sister; as God has given them to me. he will give me
.strength to nurse them " And so he did — all of them lived, and were well educated. One
of them ^'ccame a A! .njnr General, another a Juduc. and the third a State Senator and Lieu-
tenant Governor of Mississippi ; while a brother of theirs, who remaintd in Nurth Tarrlina,
fought in the war of 1812, became a Major.General, and served in the State Legislature.

t M ?l «l ^1 1

AND ITS HEROES.

457

was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, in 1755 ; and
early rcmo\'ed to what subsequently became Surry County,
North Carolina. He was appointed a Lieutenant in 1776,
and was a Captain in service in 1778. He joined General
Lincoln in 1779, and shared in the battle of Stono ; and, in
June 1780, he went in pursuit of Bryan's Tories, and was a
Major and Qiiartcr- Master in Cleveland's regiment on
the King's Mountain campaign, receiving a wound in the
battle. lie served as a volunteer at Pyle's defeat, February
twent^'^-fifth, 1781 ; and, two days afterwards, while out
reconnoitering, he was mortally wounded, dying the next
day, and was buried at Dickey's plantation, on the
Alamance. He had rendered service in the North Caro-
lina line, and was, as General Joseph Graluun states, " a
real soldier," of "past service and experience."

Joel Lewis was born in Albemarle County, Virginia,
August twent^'-eighth, 1760; early settled in Surry County ;
commanded a company at King's Mountain, said to have
embraced among its members t\vcnt3'-t\vo of his own family
connections. A colored free man, named Bowman, of his
conipan}^ claimed to have killed Ferguson ; and Captain
Lewis secured some of the British commander's arms — one
a jewel-hiked poniard, which he retained many years. He
married Miriam Eastham, and had eighteen children. In
1784, he was chosen to represent Surry in the House of
Commons ; and, in 17S9, he removed to Nashville, Tennes-
see, where he was an early hotel-keeper. In 1796, he was
a member of the Convention that formed the first Consti-
tution of Tennessee, and was the same year, and again in
1799, elected a State Senator. He held other public
positions ; and died, near Nashville, November twenty-
second, 1816. He left many worthy descendants. His
younger brother, James Martin Lewis, born in 1762, who
was a Lieutenant at King's Mountain, married Mar}'-,
daughter of Co'onel Benjamin Ilerndon, and died at
Columbia, Tennessee, in 1830. It is not a little singular,

X-V-s-.

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KING'S MOUNTAIN

that the three brothers, Miciijali, Joe), and James M. Lewis,
were all ollicers, and were all wounded at King's Mountain.

Robert Cleveland, a brother of Colonel Cleveland, was
a Captain at King's Mountain, but his company seems to
have been mostly among the footmen in the rear. He was
born in Virginia, in 1744, and died in Wilkes Count}^ North
Carolina, April twenty-sixth, 181 2, in his si;cty-eighth year.
He was one of the North Carolina Electors on the Jeflerson
ticket for President. Ilis younger brother, Lieutenant
Larkin Cleveland, who was so badly wounded at the
Catawba while on the march to King's Mountain, settled in
Lincoln County, Tennessee, where he died in 1S17, in his
sixty-seventh year.

John Cleveland, a son of the Colonel, was born in
Virginia, about 1760; entered the service very joung as a
private, afterwards was made a Lieutenant, and was under
Colonel Isaacs at Sumter's surprise, August eighteenth,
1780. He led his company at King's Mountain ; and on the
Raft Swamp expedition under General Rutliertord, in the
fall of 1 781. He was a wild, reckless man — long known
by the sobriquet of "Devil John." He died in the
Tugalo region about 1810. His son, Benjamin Cleveland,
was long a prominent citizen of Habersham County,
Georgia, a member of the Legislature, an officer in the
Creek war, and rose to the rank of a General in the militia.

Jesse Franklin, a Captain and Adjutant in the regiment
of his uncle. Colonel Cleveland, was born in Orange
County, Virginia, March twenty-fourth, 1760. He settled
in Surr}^ County, North Carolina, about 1777, and shared
largely with his uncle in the Tory warfare of the times.
On one occasion, a Tory party under Jo. Laseiield captured
him, and had him ready to swing off, when he said. " You
have me completely in ^our power; but if you hang me, it
will prove the dearest day's work you ever perfornietl ; for
uncle Ben. Cleveland will pursue you like a blood-hound,
and he will never cease the chase while a solitary one of

AND ITS HEROES.

459

you survives." Tliough thev hun^ liim, tlie bridle with
which they did it broke, and he fortunately dropped into
the saddle of his horse, bounded away and escaped. Be-
sides his service at King''s Monntain, he participated in
Guilford battle, and attained to tlie r;uiiv of Major before
the close of the war. He was ten years a member of the
House of Commons, and two of tlie State Senate ; two years
in the lower house of Congress, and twelve in the Senate,
retiring in 1813. In 1816, he was appointed by President
Madison a Commissioner to hold a treat}- with the Chick-
asaws ; and, in 1820, he was elected Governor of North
Carolina, serving one term, when his health failing, he
declined further public service, and died September twenty-
ninth, 1823, in his sixty-fourth year. "He was distin-
guished.'" says Wheeler. " for his sincere patriotism, sound
sense, and unassuming deportment."

William Lenoir, of French descent, was born in Bruns-
wick County, Virgina, May twentieth, 1751, early removing
with his parents to near Tarboro, North Carolina, where
he grew to years of manhood. In March, 1775, he settled
in what subsequently became Wilkes County ; served as a
Lieutenant on Rutherford's Cherokee campaign, a Captain
at King's Mountain, and at Pyle's defeat; rising, after the
war, to the rank of Major General in the militia, and serving
many 3-ears as Magistrate, Clerk of die Court, County
Register, County Surve3'or, and Trustee of the State Uni-
versitv ; three vears a member of the House of Commons,
and seven of the State Senate. He died at Fort Defience,
May sixth, 1839, nearly eight-eight years of age. He was
a man of probitA', patriotism and sterling Avorth ; and a
County in North Carolina worthily perpetuates his name.

John Barton was an carlv Wilkes settler, commanding
a companv in Cleveland's regiment at King's Mountain.
He was many years a Magistrate of tliat County ; and,
about 1785, he removed to the Tugalo region, on the west-
ern borders of South Carolina, where he died in 1827, aged

460

KING 'S MO UNTAIN

about seventy years. Ilis remains are interred on the
eastern slope of Chauga creek, about two miles above
Colonel Cleveland's burial place, on his old r.um, now
owned by Thomas Jenkins.

William Meredith, of Welsh descent, a native of Louisa
Count}', Virginia, early migrated to the Yadkin country,
where he became a neighbor of Colonel Cleveland. He
was appointed an Ensign in 1776, and took an active part
in the war, ccnmanding a company under Cleveland at
King's Mountain. He is remembered at a period after the
war as a school teacher; and, afterwards removed to the
Tugalo countr}', where he left worthy descendants.

Miner Smith fought heroically at the head of his com-
pany at King's Mountain, where he was wounded ; and he
served, in the autumn of 1781, under General Rutherford,
on the Raft Swamp expedition. He disappeared from the
Wilkes and Surry region soon after the war — probabl}'
migrating to the Tugalo region. Of William Jackson, an-
other of Cleveland's King's Mountain Captains, we have
no knowledge.

John Brown was born in Derry County, Ireland, in 1738 ;
migrated to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about 1763,
where he taught school awhile, and married Jane McDowell,
lie subsequently removed to Salisbur}', Nordi Carolina,
and, about 1770, to the Wilkes region on Yadkin. lie was
among the first board of Magistrates, when Wilkes became
a County in 1778; served under Cleveland at King's Moun-
tain, it is believed as a Captain ; and three times represented
the County in the House of Commons. He died in Wilkes
County, in 1812, leaving many worthy descendants. Colonel
H. A. Brown, ui Maury County, Tennessee, is his grand-
son.

Samuel Johnson was born near Richmond, Virginia, in
1757, and early settled in the Upper Yadkin Valley. He
served as a private on Rutherford's Cherokee campaign in
1776; about 1779 he commanded a mounted Company

AND ITS HEROES.

461

against Tories in the Fayetteville region, In 17S0 he served
on Cleveland's New river expedition, and led his company
on the King's Mountain campaign ; but as the companies
VN'ere reduced in the re-organization, leaving the footmen
behind, he acted in the battle as Lieutenant in Joel Lewis'
company. His unique, but eflective command in the battle,
was: "Aim at the waistbands of their breeches, boys!"
He was badly wounded in the action. In 1781, he aided in
capturing and breaking up Captain Riddle's band of Tories.
He was placed on the invalid pension roll in 1809, and died
in Wilkes County, September, fifteenth, 1834, "'^ ^^^^
seventy-seventh year.

David Witherspoon was a subordinate officer — perhaps a
Lieutenant — in Cleveland's regiment at King's Mountain,
and liis younger brother, John, was a private. They were
of Scotch origin, natives of New Jersey, David born in
1758, and John in 1760 — collateral relatives of John Wither-
spoon, President of Princeton College, and a signer of the
Declaration of Independence. Early settling in the Yadkin
countiy, they served on Rutherford's Cherokee cam-
paign of 1776, and both followed the fortunes of Cleveland
in his warfare against Indians, British and Tories. Their
captivity by the Tory Captain Riddle, in the Spring of 178 1,
led to the breaking up of that dangerous gang of freeboot-
ers, as already related. After the war, these brothers rep-
resented Wilkes County two years each in the House of Com-
mons. David Witherspoon was long an honored Magis-
trate, and died while on a visit to South Carolina, in May,
1828 ; and his brother, who many years before had removed
first to Williamson, then Wayne County, Tennessee, died
there about 1839.

Major Joseph Herndon, who commanded the footmen,
in the rear, on the King's Mountain expedition, was born
near Fredericksburg, Virginia, about 1751. He commanded
a company on frontier service in 1776 ; was the first County
Surveyor and County Trustee of Wilkes, as well as a

IT! i ilt

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462

JC/A^G 'S MO UNTAIN

member of the County Court. In 1782, 178S, antl 1793,
he was a member of the House of Commons, and in 1788
a member of tlie North Carolina Conventi(Mi. lie was a
noted gunsmitli in liis day. lie died in Wilkes County in
the summer or autumn of 1798.

Richard Allen was born in JJallimorc County, Maryland,
November twenty-sixth, 1741 ; setUed in what was subse-
quently Wilkes County in 1770; became a Sergeant in
1775; served on the Cross Creek expedition in February,
1776; early in 1780 he commanded a company for the
relief of Charleston ; then went in pursuit of Bryan's
Tories ; and led his company on the King's Mountain cam-
paign, but was prevailed on to remain with the footmen in
the rear. He served a tour of duty early in 1781 imder
General Greene. He was the first SherilT of Wilkes
County, and a member of the House of Commons in 1793.
He attained to the rank of Colonel in the militia, and died
in Wilkes County, October tenth, 1S32, in his ninety-first
year.

Elisha Reynolds was born in what became Wilkes
County, in April, 1755. He served on Rutherford's cam-
paign in 1776 against the Tories gathered at Ramsour's, in
June, 1780; and shortly after against the Tories on New
river. He was with the footmen, in the rear, on the
King's Mountain campaign ; and shortly after Colonel
Cleveland's capture bv the Tories, early in 1781, he went
with Captain Johnson and others, and broke up tlie Tor}-
gang who captured him. He was a Lieutenant in the latter
part of the war, and rendered his country good service.
He died December thirteenth, 1836, in his eighty-second
year.

AND ITS HEROES.

463

CHAPTER XX.

Lacey and Other Whigs.— British and Tory Leaders.

Lacey, Hawthorne, Tate, and Mojfett. — IVlUiains, Haiuntoiu}, Hayes,
Dillard, Tlionipson, and Candler. — Brandon, Steen, and Roehnck, —
Maj. McDowell, Capt. AfrDo-ioell, Kennedy, Vance, and ]J'ood. —
Hampton, Singleton, Porter, IVit/irota, Miller, and liaison. —
Hantbright, Graham, Chronicle, Dickson, John.'iton, White,
Espey, Martin, and Jifattocks. — British and Tory Leaders.

Sumter'sMen Under Lacey and Hawthorn,

Edward Lacey was born in Shippcnsburg townslilp,
Pennsylvania, in September, 1742 ; and when only thirteen,
fascinated with the appearance of soldiery, he ran away,
joined the Pennsylvania troops, serving in the pack-horse
department, and was in Braddock's defeat. After two
year's absence, his father found and took him home. Wlien
sixteen, he again ran away, emigrating to Chester District,
South Carolina, with William Adair, to whom he bound
himself to learn the trade of brick-laying, and from whom
he received a good English education. In 1766, he married
Jane Harper, and settled on the head waters of Sand}'
river, six miles west of Chester Court House.

He became a Captain on the breaking out of the Revo-
lution, and served on Williamson's Cherokee Campaign ;
and when news reached them of the Declaration of
Independence, he read that patriotic paper to the army.
He lead tlie detachment that defeated the British Captain
TTuck. and served with Sumter at Rocky Mount, Hanging
Rock, Carey's Fort, and Fishing Creek. At King's Moun-
tain, he led the Chester troops, losing his horse in the action,

V \

KING 'S MO UNTAIN

which was replaced with one of Ferguson's chargers. ITc
again served under Sumter at Fish Dam Ford and Hhick-
stocks ; on Sumter's rounds early in 1781, at Orangeburg,
Biggin Church, Qiiinby Bridge, and Eutaw, and never
received a wound, as a gipsey woman assured him, when
a youth, that he would not, though destined to pass through
many a battle, but would fmally get drowned. After the
war, he was chosen a Brigadier-General of the militia, a
Judge of the County Court, and served many years in the
Legislature. In 1797, he migrated first to West Tennessee,
and two j^ears later to Livingston Count}', Kentucky, where
he was made County Judge ; and was thrown from his horse
while in a tit of catalepsy, in crossing the swollen waters
of Deer Creek, and drowned, March twentieth, 1813, at the
age of seventy-one years. His widow pined away, surviv-
ing her husband onlv two months. Of their eleven children,
ten grew to 3'ears of maturity. "General Lacey," says
Mills' Slatistics of South Carolina., " was a cool, intrepid
oflicer, and rendered important services to the State."

James Hawthorn was born m Armagh County, Ireland
about 1750, whose father and family early migrated to the
frontiers of South Carolina, where the mother, two daugh-
ters and her young son, then about twelve years of age,
were captured by the Indians — the mother and girls were
killed. James Hawthorn was at length surrendered b}" the
Indians, learned the blacksmith's trade in York County,
South Carolina, where he married Mary, a daughter of
Colonel Thomas Neel. He took an active part in the Revo-
lution, serving in Necl's regiment on the Snow campaign
in 1775, on Williamson's Indian expedition in 1776, and as a
Captain on the Florida campaign of 1778-79. He served
under Sumter at Rocky Mount, Hanging Rock, Carey's
Fort, and Fishing Creek.

As Colonel Hill was unable, from a former wound, to
lead his regiment at King's Mountain, it devolved on his
Lieutenant-Colonel Hawthorn to do so. He was subse-

AND ITS HEROES.

465

quontly with Sumter at Fish Dam Ford and Ilhickstock's,
and was wounded on vSuniter's rounds in February, 1781 ;
and received a second wound (huinir tlie course of the war.
In after years he migrated to Livingston County, Kentucky,
where he lost a fine property, being on the bond of a default-
ing vSherifl', and where he died in the latter part of 1809,
about fifty-nine years of age. He left several children.

vSamuel Tate, who was the Brigade-Major of Sumter's
brigade, of which Lacey's and Hawthorn's men formed a
part, was of Irish descent on his father's side, and of
English on his mother's. He was born and raised on the
Santco, near Vance's Ferry, in Orangeburg District, South
Carolina, and served under Sumter during the Revolution.
He shared in the glory of King's INIountain : and died at the
old homestead, near Vance's Ferry, about 1798.

John Moflett was born, about 1742, probabl}- in the Val-
ley oi" Virginia. He early settled in Chester County, South
Carolina, and served as a Captain on the Snow campaign,
and against the Chcrokees in 1776. He was under Sumter
in his operations in the summer of 1780, particularly distin-
'niishinir himself at Fishini; Creek. I lis companv formed a
part of Lacey's regiment at King's Mountain ; he afterwards
served with Sumter, and also at the Cowpens, attaining the
rank of C('lonel before the close of the war. He died in
DeKalb County, Georgia, in 1829 aged about eighty-seven
years.

^tli

1 1.
I

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Williams, Hammond, Hayes, Dillard, and Candler.

James Williams, son of Daniel and Ursula Williams —
the fadier a nadve of Wales — was born near the old Fork
Church, Hanover County, Virginia, in November, 1740.
His educadon was very limited, and his parents dying, he
early migrated to Granville County, North Carolina, where

i 1

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46d

KING ' S MO UNTA IN

Sii i

ir/j

his broLhor, Colonel John Williams was a distinfjuishcd
jurist, as was also his cousin, Colonel Richard lU^ndcrson.
Colonel Joseph Williams, of Surry County, in that Province,
was also his cousin. Marrying a Miss Clarke, about 1762,
he ten years later removed to Litde River, in now Laurens
County, South Carolina, where he engaged in the combined
avocations of farmer, miller and merchant.

Taking a decided part against the mother country, he
was chosen one of the representatives, in January, 1775, of
the Broad river and Saluda district, to the South Carolina
Congress ; and soon after one of the local Committee of
Safety, and served as a Captain on the Snow campaign in
suppressing the Tories. In 1776 he was made Lieutenant-
Colonel of Militia, and served on Williamson's expedition
against the Cherokees. In 1778, he was defeated for State
Senator by the strong Tory influence in his section ; and that
year led his regiment on the abortive Florida campaign. In
1779, he shared in the alTairs at Brier Creek, Stono Ferry,
and Savannah, receiving in the latter a spent ball on his
forehead. The same year he served on an expedition
against the Cherokees, and was engaged a while in guard-
ing prisoners at Ninety Six. lie served under Sumter, in
17S0, as Commissary, on his expeditions against Rocky
Mount and Hanging Rock; then at Musgrove's Mill, and
closin,ij his useful life at Kind's Mountain, where he re-
ceived a mortal wound, d^-ing the next day, in his fortieth
year, leaving eight children, five sons and three daughters.

Fighting and dying, as he did, for his countr}-. Colonel
Williams well deserves to be judged in charity. lie was
every inch a patriot — and a man of strong religious feel-
ings. He was rough, rash and fearless. As a sokli(M-, he
was much after the style of Cromwell, and Thomas J.
Jackson in more recent times ; and it may be added, that
his ambition for glory, mingled doubdess with a true love of
countr}', led him, perhaps unconsciously, to the use of
means, not over scrupulous, in the accomplishment of his

AND J7'S HEROES.

407

ends. Wliile he clitVorecl aiul chafcri'd witli Siinitur, Hill
aiul tluMT associates, yi-t wlu'ii the tujf of war canie, he
phmj^ed fearlessly into the thickest of the light, and fively
poured out his hlood, and yielded up his life, for his coinitry.
Lot his iniquestioned jKitriotism, like a mantle of charity,
cover all his seeming short-comings. The historian, licui-
croft, speaks of him as "a man of exalted cliaracter, of a
career hrief but glorious. An ungenerous ent-mv revenged
themselves for his virtues by nearl}' extirpating his family ;
they could not take away his right to be remembered by
his country with honor and affection to the latest time."

Samuel Hammond was born in Richmond County. Vir-
ginia, September twenty-first, 1757 ; was at the battle of
Point I'leasant, in 1774, and at the Great Bridge, in Decem-
ber, 1775. After serving under General Hand at Pittsburg,
in 1777-78, he went south, opposing the British in Georgia,
at Stono Ferry, and Savannah, in 1779; *" 1780^ 'it Cedar
Spring, Musgrove's Mill, King's Mountain and Black-
stocks ; in 17S1, at Augusta. Ninety Six, and Eutaw, whi're
he was wounded, retiring from the service at the end of the
war with the rank of Colonel of Cavalry. He filled many
public positions; in Georgia, a member of the Legislature,
commanding against the Indians, and serving a term in
Congress; in Missouri, Receiver of Public Moneys, Presi-
dent of the Territorial Council, and member of the Conven-
tion that formed the iirst Constitution ; and in South Carolina.
a member of the Legislature, Surveyor General, and Sec-
retary of State. He died near Hamburg, in that State,
September eleventh, 1842, nearly eighty-five years of age.
His services in the Revolutionary war were highly impor-
tant to the country.

Joseph Hayes, of Laurens County, South Carolina,
served first as a Captain, and then as Lieutenant-Colonel,*
in all, or nearly all, the services performed by Colonel Wil-
liams — in Georgia, Brier Creek, Stono, a campaign against
the Cherokees, and at Savannah; and in 1780, at Hanging

¥t

m i

4GS

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Rock, Musj,rrovc'.s Mill, and Kin^f's Mountain, when he
succofck'il to the command of the regiment on the death of
Colonel Williams, and served at Hlackstock's, Hammond's
Store, and Cowpens. On the nineteenth of November, 1781,
while Colonel Ilayes, Captain Daniel and Joseph W^illiams —
sons of Colonel Williams, respectively eighteen and fourteen
years of age — with several others, were besieged at llayes^
Station by IJloody Bill Cunningham, the buildings were
lired, and the unhappy inmates forced to surrender, on con-
dition of being treated as prisoners of war. When, in vio-
lation of the pledges made them, Colonel Ilayes and Captain
Williams were about to be hung to the pole of a fodder
slack, little Joseph Williams cried out in his heart's agony,
"Oh! brother Daniel, what shall I tell mother I" "You
shall tell her nothing, you d — d Rebel suckling I" retorted
Cunningham, as he hewed him down. Hanging Ilayes
and the elder Williams, the pole broke, when the bloody
monijter cut and slashed with hi:; sword, hacking them to
j)ieces. Eleven others perished in the same manner at the
hands of Cunnin<;ham and his men.

James Dillard was born in Culpeper County, Virginia,
about 1755, removing to what is now Laurens County,
South Carolina, about 1772. lie served as a private in
1775, and, in 1776, in the defence of Charleston. In 1778,
he went on tlie F'lorida expedition as Sergeant-Major, and
served on the frontiers in 1779. ^^^ ^^'^^ chosen a Captain
in Williams' regiment in August, 1780, serving at King's
Mountain, Hammond's Store and Cowpens, and, in 1782,
on Picken's expedition against the Cherokees. His heroic
wife, Mrs. Mary Dillard, gave Sumter notice of Tarleton's
approach toward Blackstock's. He became a Major in the
militia, and died December fourth, 1836.
• Jolin Thompson, of York County, who had served as a
Captain at Rocky Mount, Hanging Rock and F'ishing
Creek, commanded a company under Williams at King's
Mountain, and subsequently fought at Cowpens. Gabriel
Brown was another of Williams' Captains.

AND ITS IIEROFS.

4G0

Major William CandliT, who with Captains Can* and
Johnston, conimandod tlio small party of Gcor^^ians at
King's Mountain, and probably under Colonel Williams,
wasboin of ]*^nglish parents, at Belfast, Ireland, in 1738,
and was brouj^hl t(j Virginia when a mere ehild. lie mar-
ried in 1761, Elizabeth Anthony; and the next year mi-
grated to Georgia. In 1771, he was a Deput}- Surveyor.
During the war, he served under Colonel Clarke — was in the
attack on Augusta, at King's Mountain, and Blackstocks,
and rose to the rank of Colonel, lie was a member of the
Legislature in 1784 anil 1785 ; was appointed a Judge ; and
died at his seat, in Columbia County, in September, 1789,
at the age of ht'ty-one years, leaving several children, his
oldest son Henry, having served with him in the war.

•1

\i\

Brandon, Steen, and Roebuck.

Thomas Brandon, of Irish ilescent, was born in Pennsyl-
vania in 1741 — his parents, with a colony of Irish Presby-
terians, emigrated from that Province to what is now Union
County, South Carolina, at die period of 1754-55, and had
for several years to fort against the turbulent Cheroktjes.
Serving in the early part of the Revolution, he rose, in
1780, to the command of a regiment, acting mucl: under
Sumter. Retiring from that service, with ColoneFvV'illi;ans,
he shared in the atlair at Musgrove's Mill, then at King's
Mountain, Blackstock's, and Cowpens — in the latter killing-
three of Tarleton's dragoons with his sword. After the
war, he was a Justice of the Court, County Ordinary,
General of the milida, and frequenth' a member of one or
the other branch of the Legislature. He was a good
soldier, but, like Cleveland, a bitter enemy of Tories, who
received little mercy at his hands. He died at his resi-
dence on P'air Forest, February fifth, 1802, in the sixty-lirst
year of his age.

James Steen, also of Irish descent, was probably a

V IS

470

KING\S MOUNTAIN

nalive of IVninsylvania, ;iiul curly si'lllcel in what is now
Union County, South Carohna. In August, 1775, he " was
fulK- convinced, and read}' to sign the Continental associ-
ation," and doubtless led a company on the Snow cam-
paign, as he did the following year against the Cherokees,
and, in 1777, coinmaned at Prince's Fort. In 1779, he
served in Ge(jrgia, then at .Stono, anvl Savannah ; and per-
formed a tour of duly iVoni November in that ^-ear till Febru-
ary, 17S0, near Charleston. ^\t this period, he ranked as
Lieutenant-Colonel, distinguisliing himself at Rocky Mount,
Hanging Rock, Musgrove's Mill, King's Mountain, and
probably with his superior, Colonel Brandon, at the Cow
pens. In the summer of 17S1, while endeavoring to ar'xvst
a Tory, in Rowan County, North Carolina, he was stal)bed
by an associate, surviving oni\ .i week.

Benjamin Roebuck was born in Orange County, V'ir-
ginia, about 1755. His f;ither, Benjamin Roebuck, Sr.,
settled in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, in 1777;
and the next year the younger Roebuck served as a Lieu-
tenant in Georgia, and was at Stont) and Savannah. In
1780, he joined Siunter, and was at Hanging Rock, and
subsequently at Musgrove's Mill, commanding a company
at King's Mountain, and distinguishing himself at Cowpens,
where he had a horse .«!lu4 undi'r him. About this time, he
was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel ; and in a
fight at Mud Lick witli Uie Tories, March second, 17S1, he
was badly v.'ounded, the ball penetrating under the shoulder
blade, coultl not be extracted. He was then made prisoner,
and conveyed to Ninety Six, wIumv he was incarcerated
during the siege. He was subseijuenlly taken to Charles-
ton, and placed on board a prison ship. In August follow-
ing, he was exchanged, and returned home. He dieil,
umnarried, in 17SS, from the ellects of !iis wound. Hon.
Simpson Bobo, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, is his
nephew.

AND ITS HEROES.
McDowell and his Officers.

471

irid

Joseph McDowell, Sr., of vScotch-Irish descent, was
born in Ireland in 1715 — reared a weaver. Married Mar-
garet O'Neil, and i-arly migrated to Pennsylvania. He
soon alter settled in Winchester, Virginia, where his sons,
Ciiarles and Joseph, were born — the latter in 1756. A
brcjtlier of the elder Joseph McDowell, known in after
years as " Hunting John McDowell," early removed to the
Catawba Valley, setding that beautiful tract, Pleasant
Garden, sometime prior to 1758; and at some period not
very long Uiereafter, his brother Joseph MoDowell, Sr.,
followed to that wild frontier region, locating at tlie Qiiaker
IMeadows, where his family was reared.

In Februar}', 1776, Joseph McDowell, Jr., young as he
was, went in his brother's regiment — some accounts state
as Major— on the expedition against the Scotch Tories. In
July, the Cherokees burst upon the Catawba settlements,
killing thirty-seven jiersons on the tenth and eleventh of
that month, and beleaguering a fort, in which were Colonel
and Major McDowell, willi nine other men, and a hundred
and twenty women and children ; the Indians were driven
ofl*. Major McDowell served, in the ensuing fall, in
his brother's regiment, on Rutherford's campaign against
the Cherokees; in 1779, ^" ^'^^ JStono expedition; early in
1780, after the Tories, sharing in the victory at Ramsour's
Mill — "the same Joseph McDowell," says the old pen-
sioner, Joseph Dobson, " who was afterwards General,"
He was next in service at Earle's Ford on Pacolet, at Mus-
grove's Mill, King's Mountain and Cowpcns. He served
a tour, in the spring of 1781, against Cornwallis. In
August, 1781, and again in March, 178^. Major McDowell
led expeditions, chastising the Cherokees ; and in the fall
of J 782, he commanded the Burke regiment on a campaign
against the same troublesome tribe, under tlie leadership
of his brother. General McDowell.

ISJ

: !

472

KING'S MOUNTAIN

Colonel McDowell, and his cousin of the same name,
were both much engaged in the public service — the former
distinguished from the latter, while in the State Legislature,
by the appendage of "Jr." to his name. In Burke County
they were familiarly known as '' Qiiaker Meadow Joe," or
"Congress Joe," and the other as "Pleasant Garden Joe."
Colonel McDowell, of the Qiiaker Meadows, and afterwards
of John's river, served in the House of Commons in 17S7,
17S8, 1 791, and 1792 ; and in 1788, he was a member of the
State Convention for the consideration of the Federal Con-
stitution. He served two terms in Congress, 1793-95, and
1797-99, taking an active part in the debates of that body
against the Alien and Sedition laws, and other Federal
measures of that day. In 1797, he was a Commissioner for
running the boundary line between North Carolina and
Tennessee.

His death occurred at his home, of apoplexy, August
eleventh, 1801, in the forty-fifth year of his age; and he
was buried at the Qiiaker Meadows, where some rude
stones, and a large tree at the head of his grave, mark the
place of his repose. He married Margaret, daughter of
Colonel George Moftett, of Virginia, leaving two sons and
six daughters. " He was," says Moore, the North Caro-
lina historian, "the recognized leader of the Republican
party in the western Counties, and was as eminent for his
sagacious leadership in civil matters as he had been dauntless
and successful in the late war. He was no inconsiderable
an antagonist in debate, and throughout his life he was the
idol of the western people of North Carolina.''*

•That it was Joseph McDowell, of the Quaker Meml nvs, who commanded the Burke
troops 01 King's M luntain, has hceii called in question— n t by any of his associate heroes
of the Revolution, nor by the historians of the country, but chiefly l)y the descendants
of his namesake-cousin and brother inlaw, of Pleasant Clarden. Both having borne the
same name, resided in the same County, and both having iimiuestionably served in that
battle— the younger, of Pleasant Garden, as a Captain under his elder cousin — have led
to the confusion and mistake. The descendants of the Captain, who fought in the battle,
and brought home as trophies some of Ferguson's table set. still preserved in tlie family,
have drawn therefrom the erroneous conclusion, that he was the Major who commanded
the Burke troops on that service.

AND ITS HEROES.

■173

Of Major McDowcH's officers, only brief reference can
be made. Joseph McDowell, his cousin, son of " Hunting
John McDowell," was born at Pleasant Garden, February
tweuty-liftli, 1758. He served on Rutlierford's campaign,
killing an Indian ; on scouts against the Indians in Burke
County, and commanded a company at King's Mountain.
He was a member of the North Carolina Convention of
1788, making several able speeches. He married Mary
Mortett, dying in April, 1795, leaving several children. He
was a physician by profession, and is regarded as having
possessed the brightest intellect of any of the connection.

Thomas Kennedy was born in 1756, and setded when

Colonel Stielby, in his narrative cited by the Tennessee historians, Haywood and
Ramsey, and in his pamphlet of 18^3, slates tliat Major McDowell, who was at King's
Mountain, was the brother of Colonel Charles McDowell ; and no less than three survivors
of McDowells command, Captain David Va"ce, John Spelts, and James Thompson, make
the same assertion, fully corroborated by Robert Henry and Heiijamin Sharp, two other
King's Mout.tain men. The coincidence of Spelts and Sharp about Major McDowell
freely permitting the soldiers to burn his rails at camp at the (Juaker Meadows, confirms
this view of the matter; as does the anecdote of the treatment of the British captive
officers, at the (Quaker Meadows, by Mrs. McDowell, the mother of the Major. Henry
Rutherford, son of General Rutherford, and General ThoIna^ Love, of Hunconibe, both
well acquainted with General Joseph M< Dowell, declared that he was the brother of Gen-
eral Charles McDowell, and the liurke leader at King's Mountain. A letter of the late
Hon. N. W, Woodfin, wliose lady was of the McDowell connection, makes the same state-
ment, confirmed by Misses Mary and Myra A. Dickson, grand daughters of (Jeneral
Charles McDowell; and also by Hon. J. C. Harper, derived from Col. Wm. Davenport,
who well knew all the McDowells. The late Hon. Joseph J. McDowell, of Ohio, and
Harvey H. McDowell, Sr.. late of Missouri, sons of General Joseph McDowell, never had a
do\ibt on the subje'.t. The venerable Mrs. Samuel P. Carson, who from her McDowell and
Carson connection has bad good opportunities for learning the family traditions, declares
that it was Joseph McDowell, of the Quaker Meadows, who led the Burke troops at
King's Mountain. The historians, Haywood, Ramsey, Lossing, Wheeler. Hunter. Moore,
and Mrs. Kllet. all take the same view.

It h.is always been iindoubted, that the Major McDowell of King's Mountain, was the
same who led the North Carolina troops at the ("owpens. Shelby states, in effect, that he
arranged for Major McDowell, who had served with him at King's Mountain, to join Mor-
gan's light troops ; and General James Jackson, in a letter extant, written in January, 1705,
endorsed by General Pickens, both of whom distinguished themselves under Morgan a" the
Cowpens. and both of whon\ were associated with McDowell in Congress, refers to Colonel
McDowell, " now in Congress," as the commander of the North Carolina militia in that
battle.

If, therefore, the statements of those who shared in the campaign, and at Cowpens,
and all our historians who refer to the subject, are to be credited, Joseph McDowell, of the
Quaker Meadows, was unijestionahly the Major who led the Burke troops at King's
Mountain. It was doubtless in recognition of his Revolutionary leadership, that he was.
in after years, made a General of the militia.

m <4

474

KING'S MOUNTAIN

young in Burke County, North Carolina. lie was earl}-
made a Captain, and was wounded at Ramsour's Mills ; then
served atEarle's Ford on Pacolet, Cane Creek, King's Moun-
tain, and with Rutherford in the fall of 1781, when he was
made prisoner b}' the Tories. Removing to Kentuck}-, he had
a personal conflict with an Indian on a hill-side, rolling down
towther, when Kennedv killed him. lie served in the
Virginia and Kentucky Legislatures, and the Kentucky
Convention of 1792; became a General; and died in dv-
rard County, June nineteenth, 1836.

David Vance, of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in
Frederick County, Virginia, about 174S, early removed to
Burke County, North Carolina, where he taught school,
and became Surveyor, serving at Ramsour's, Musgrove's
Mill, and King's Mountain. He was a member of the
House of Commons in 1786 and 1791 ; then removed to Bun-
combe County, and in 1797, was one of the Commissioners for
running the boundary line between North Carolina and
Tennessee, and became a Colonel in the militia. He died
about 1820. lions. Z. B. and R. B.Vance, of North Car-
olina, are his grandsons.

Samuel Wood commanded a company at King's Moun-
tain, as did probably Joseph White, both of whom removed
to Lincoln County, Kentucky. Edmund Fear and John
Sigman were also Burke Count}' Captains in McDowell's
corps.

Hampton and his Officers.

Andrew Hampton, a native of England, migrated first
to Virginia, and settled prior to 1751, on Dutchman's Creek
on the Catawba, removing before the Revolution to what is
now Rutherford County, North Carolina. In 1770, he
was made Captain, in 1776, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Col-
onel, in 1779. While yet a Captain, early in 1776, he served
against the Scotch Tories; and early in 1779, pursued
Colonel John Moore's Tory party when they fled south.

AND ITS HEROES.

475

Earlj- in 1780, lie went to the relief of Charleston; subse-
quently served at Earle's Ford, Tliicketty Fort, Cane
Creek, and commanded the Rutherford troops at King's
Mountain and Blackstock's. He was Sherifl" of Rutherford
in 1782, and died in October, 1805, leaving many worthy
descendants.

Richard Singleton was born in Brunswick County, Vir-
ginia, about 1750, settling in what is now Rutlierford
County, North Carolina, before the Revolution. He led a
company against the Scotch Tories ; acted as Major in 1780,
at Earle's Ford, Cane Creek, and King's Mountain ; and
on a campaign against the Clierokees, in March, 1782,
He served in both brandies of the Legislature, in the Con-
vention of 1788, and as Sheritr of Rutheribrd County.
Near the close of the last century, he removed to Lincoln
County, Kentucky, where he died at a good old age.

James Porter, of Irish parentage, was born in Pennsyl-
vania, in 1744 ; settled earl}' in Rutherford, serving as a Major
at King's Mountain, where he was w mnded ; and subse-
quenth' removed to Greenville County, South Carolina,
where he survived many j-ears, dying childless. His
brother, William Porter, was also at King's Mountain,
served nineteen 3^ears in the Legislature, and was killed by
lightning in 181 7, at the age of seventy-one years. Robert
Porter, a cousin, and man of prominence, was probably an
offirer at King's Mountain also.

James Withrow, a Captain under ILunpton, was born
in Virginia, in 1746; setUed early in Rutherford; served
against the Scotch Tories, at Stono, King's Mountain,
Blackstock's, and against the Cherokees. He served eight
years in the House of Commons, and died about 1836, at
the age of about ninety years, James Miller, of Irish
descent, a native of Pennsylvania, and George Ledbetter,
also commanded companies, under Hampton at King's
Mountain. Miller did much ser\ice during the war, was
made a Colonel in 1781, repressing the Tories, and com-

M •

h ;; i

476

KING'S MOUNTAIN

manded the Rutherford troops on the expedition against the
Cherokees in the fall of 1782. From 1782 to 1787, he was
four times State Senator ; and died while on a trip to
Charleston, about 181 2, at Cross Anchor, South Carolina.
Ledbetter was a member of the State Convention of 1788,
and shortened his days by too free use of spirituous liquors.*

Hambright, Chronicle and their Officers.

Frederick I lambright was born in Germany, in 1727,
and, when a youth, was taken to Pennsylvania about 1738.!
About 1755, he removed to Virginia, where he married
Sarah Hardin; and, about 1760, he migrated to North
Carolina, settling near the South Fork, Ibrting awhile
against the Indians. In August, 1775, he was a member
of the Provincial Congress, He served as a Captain on
the frontiers in June, 1776; and, in the fall, on Ruther-
ford's Cherokee campaign. He was made Lieutenant-
Colonel in 1779 ; and, late in that year, he went to the relief
of Charleston, serving in Lillington's brigade, and retir-
ing before the surrender of the place. In 1780, he served
under Colonel McDowell in the Broad river region ; and
succeeding Colonel Graham, X fought at King's Moun-
tain, where he was badl}'' wounded ; and where his son
John also did service, rising to the rank of Captain before
tlie close of the war. Twice married. Colonel Hambright

♦Major Patrick Watson commanded the Rutherford footmen in the rear, and thus failed
to participate in King's Mountain battle. A native of Pennsylvania, he settled in Ruther-
ford in 1764, and died December sixteenth, 1809, in his fifty-eighth year.

fin October, 1738, Adam and Conrad Hainbri;;lit arrived at Philadelphia from Ger-
many with their families, and probably settled in Lancaster, where the Hambrights have
long been prominent citizens,

J William Graham, born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1742, seltk-d in North Caro-
lina before the Revolution; served in the Provincial Congress of 1775, and was appointed
Colonel of Tryon County, serving on the Snow campaign; then against the Scotch Tories,
and on Rutherford's Cherokee expedition He was chosen a member of the Halifax Con-
vention of 1776. In 1779-80, he went to the relief of Charleston; then served at Thicketty
Fort, Cedar Spring, and in defence of his dwelling against Tories. His retirement from
the army to visit his sick wife, a little before King's Mountain battle, and his hasty return
at its close, have been already related. He died near Shelby, North Carolina, March
twenty-sixth, 1835, in his ninety-third year, a pensioner for his Revolutionary services.

AND ITS HEROES.

477

was the father of eighteen children ; and died, in March,
1817, in the ninetieth year of his age.

Wilham Chronicle was born on the South Fork of
Catawba, now Gaston County, North Carolina, about 1755.
In December, 1775, he marched at the head of a conipan)-
on the Snow campaign, and in 1779, to Georgia ; and after-
wards to the relief of Charleston. He was with General
Rutherford's rear at Ramsour's, then ioining Sumter at
Clem's Uranch awhile, he was engaged in chasing Tories
out of the counlr3\ lie was probably with Graham at
Thicketty Fort and Cedar Spring ; and yielded up his
young life, while serving as Major, at King's Mountain.
He had attracted the attention of Colonel Campbell before
the battle. "He was," sa3's General Graham, "a young
man of great promise " — the idol of his friends and soldiers.

Joseph Dickson, of Scotch-Irish stock, was born about
1745; married Margaret McEwen, a Scotch lady, and
migrated to North Carolina before the Revolution, settling
first in Rowan County, and finally in what is now Lincoln.
He was a Captain in service as earl}' as April, 1779 — and
probably much earlier. In June, 1780, he joined General
Rutherford, and was engaged in ridding the country of
Tories. He was in service under Colonel McDowell, in
South Carolina, during that summer; and served as
Major of the Lincoln men at King's Mountain. Earl}- in
1 781, he opposed Cornwallis' invasion of North Carolina,
and was advanced to the rank of Colonel. He was in this
year chosen Clerk of Lincoln Court ; State Senator from
1788 to 1795 ; a General in the militia, and a member of
Congress from 1799 to 1801. lie removed in 1803, to what
is now Caldwell County, and in 1806, to Rutherford
Count}-, Tennessee, where he died April fourteenth, 1825,
aged about eighty years, and was buried with military and
masonic honors.

James Johnston, a native of Scotland, was born about
1742. His father, Henry Johnston, early settled in what is

478

KIWG 'S MO UNTATN

now Lincoln County, North Carolina, where the son became
a Captain at the out-break of the Revolution, serving on the
Snow campaign ; was then chosen a member of the Provin-
cial Congress, of April, 1776; then served on the frontiers,
and on Rutherford's Cherokee expedition. Earl}' in
17S0, he had the personal conflict with the Tory, Patrick
Moore, related elsewhere ; and commanded a company at
King's Mountain. He served in the State Senate in 1780-82 ;
and died July twenty-third, 1805, leaving seven children.
Colonel William Johnston, of Charlotte, is his grandson.

Isaac White, of Scotch-Irish parentage, was born in
Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1760; and migrated, with
his elder brother Thomas, to Lincoln County, North Caro-
lina, about 1779. Though 3oung, James White was chosen
a Captain, and his brother the Lieutenant of the company;
and served at King's Mountain and Cowpcns. In 1816, they
removed to Bond Count}', Illinois, James dying in 1821,
aged sixty-one years, and Thomas in 1824, at the age of
seventy.

Samuel Espey was born in Cumberland County, Penn-
sylvania, May eighth, 1758 ; and, in 1770, his father removed
to what is now Lincoln County, North Corolina. He served
as a soldier in 1776, on the frontiers, and on Rutherford's
campaign. In 1779, ^^^ '^^'^^ again in service. Early in
1780, he was made a Captain in Graham's regiment, serving
at Cedar Spring and King's Mountain, where he had an arm
broken in the action. He again served awhile in the spring
of 1 781 ; and died in what is now Cleveland County,
December twenty-ninth, 1838.

Samuel Martin was born in Ireland in 1732, where he
married Margaret McCurdy, and migrated to Pennsylvania.
While there, he served in the old French and Indian war.
Removing to North Carolina, he served on the Snow cam-
paign in 1775; on the frontiers in 1776; and went to the
relief of Charleston in i'779-8o. In June, 1780, he was
made Captain, serving under Rutherford ; and was at the

iLtMl

> \ ' - ': I

f^^f

'til

AND ITS HRROIS.

479

capture of Riii^eloy's Tories, and at Kind's M.»imtain.
In 17S1, lu! opposi'd Cornwallis at Cowan's Ford, and after-
wards served awhile under General Pickens ; and then com-
manded a company under Colonel William Polk at ICutaw
Springs. Surviving his companion, he died in Gaston
Count}', November twenty-sixth, 1836, at the great age of
one hundred and four years.

Wi" have no details of the prior life and ser^•ices of Cap-
tain John Mattocks, of the South Fork, who was killed at
King's Mountain. Ilis brother Charles participated with
him' in the battle, and interceded for his Tory brother
Edward, who was severely wounded there, and cured of
his Toryism. After the war, the family removed to Georgia.

British and Tory Leaders at King's Mountain.

Col(Miel Ferguson has already been fully sketched in
this work. He was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the regular
army, and Inspector General of the Loyal Militia of South
Carolina, in consequence of whicb he was sometimes de-
nominated General. The epithet of '■'•DitJl-Doi:; Fcr<!;itso)i''
was well applied to him, as suggestive of his determination
and persistence.

Abraham DePeyster, the second in command at King's
Mountain, descended from an ancient and influential family,
was born in New York in 1753. He entered the Royal
service as Captain in the New York Volunteers — served in
the siege of Charleston, Musgrovc's Mills, and in Ferguson's
operations during the summer and autumn of 17S0, distin-
guishing himself at King's Mountain, where his life was
saved by a doubloon in his vest pocket, which stopped a
rifle ball, though the coin was bent by its force. He retired
on half-pay to New Brunswick, where he was Treasurer
and Colonel in the militia, dying about 1798. He was a
brave, vigilant, and enterprising ofllcer.

Samuel Rverson, another of Ferguson's Captains, was

480

KING'S MOU^VTAIN

(•-I- n

;il*'!^':

mwn

a native of New Jersey, of Dutch descent, carl}- entered the
service ;is a Captain in the New Jersey Vohi.ileers, was
wounded at King's Mountain, retired after the war to New
Brinh i'ick, where he hved to a good old age.

John Taylor was horn near Anihoy, New Jersey, May
fifteenth, 17^2; became a Lieutenant in the New Jersey
Volunteers — wi's assigned to Fergust)n's corps, serving un-
der him during the campaign of 1780, and at King's Moun-
tain. Tie liad his leg broicen in some action in South
Carolina ; retired to Weymouth, Nova Scotia, where he
died November thirteenth, 1822, leaving descendants.

Anthony Allaire, of Huguenot descent, was born at New
Rochelle, Westchester County, New York, February
twenty-second, 1755 ; was commissioned a Lieutenant in
the Loyal American Volunteers, serving as Adjutant in Fer-
guson's corps, in the siege of Charleston, at Monks' Cor-
ner, and in the up-country of North and South Carolina,
sharing in the action of King's Mountain. The Diary he
left of the South Carolina campaign is a valuable contribu-
tion to history. lie retired from the service in 1783, to
New Brunswick; and, in 1793, re-entered the service as
Lieutenant in the New Brunswick regiment, securing a
Captaincy in 1801, shortly before the disbandment of that
corps, when he retired on half-pa}'. He died on his farm,
near Fredericton, June ninth, 1838, leaving a daughter who
intermarried with Lieutenant John Robinson of the army.

Wm. Stevenson, a native of Monrnouth County, New
Jersey, was first commissioned a Lieutenant in some Loyal
company in December, 1776, and transferred to the New
Jersey Volunteers ; serving in 1780, in Ferguson's corps,
at Charleston and King's Mountain. He retired to Nova
Scotia, and died at his old army associate's, Captain Tay-
lor's, at Weymouth, about 1818, quite advanced in years,
and without a family.

Duncan Fletcher was a New Yorker, a Lieutenant in
the Loyal American Volunteers — assigned to Ferguson's

ill,

AND ITS HEROES.

481

corps (liirin;:^ the campaij^n of 1780, sorvin^j at Kinj^'s
Mountain, llf siihst'(iiH'nt!y becanu? a Captain; and in
17S4, was at Wilmot, Nova Scotia.

John McGinnis, who was killod at King's Mountain,
was an luisign ni the New Jersey V'ohuiteers ; and, in Fer-
guson's corps, seems to iia\c acted as Lieutenant for that
special service.

Dr. Uzal Johnson, son of Eliphalet Johnson, was horn
in Newark, New Jersey, April seventeenth, 1757, where he
practiced his profession of medicine as early as 1776; in
which year he joined the New Jersey Volunteers as
Surgeon. lie served with great benelit to Ferguson's
corps — and to the wounded Americans as well at King's
Mountain. After the war, he returned to Newark, and
practiced his profession till his death, May twenty-second,
1827, at the age of seventy years.

Of the Loyalist leaders but little can be gleaned from
history or tradition. Colonel Ambrose Mills, among the
unfortunates who were executed at BickerstalT's, was born in
England, about 1722 and was taken while yetyoungto Mary-
land. \\v married Miss Mourning Stone, settling on James
River, and linnlly removing to the frontiers of South Car-
olina, where his wife was killed by Indians, during the Indian
warof 1 755-61 , leaving an only son, William. lie afterwards
married Miss Anne Brown, of the Chester region, sister of
the wife of the noted Lovalist leader. Colonel Thomas
Fletchall ; and, about 1765, settled on Green River, in
North Carolina ; and by this second marriage had three
sons and three daughters. In 1776, he served against tlie
Cherokee Indians. In 1778, Colonel Mills and the notori-
ous David Fanning raised a corps of five hundred men with
the design of joining th'* Royal standard at St. Augustine,
when one of the party betrayed tlieir plans. Mills and six-
teen others were aj^prehended, and conveyed to Salisbmy
jail ; Fanning undertaking to rescue him on the way, but
his force proved too weak to eflect the purpose. Mills was,

ill

4S2

KING'S MOUXTATN

i:i course of time, liberated ; joined Ferguson wilh the
Loval militia of his reifion, ioiii;ht at ICarle's Ford and
Iving's Mountain : and, a,, viewed a centur}' after the oc-
currence, he was t(H) severely deaU with at Bickerstafl"s.
His descendants are among the ablest and best citizens in
the South and South-West.

His son, William Mills, was born on James River, Vir-
ginia, November tenth, 1746. He was very popular, and
served in 1776 against the Indians. He acted as Major
under his father at King's INFountain, where he was badly
wounded, antl left for deail : and was subsequently saved
from beinjx executed b\' tlie interference of leadin*; Whiirs
who knew his worth and goodness. In after \i\u's, he sct-
lled in the mountain region of the south-westi portion of
North Carolina on Clear Creek, in now Cleveland County.
Mills' River and Mills' Gap, in that section, were named
after him. He married early iu life Eleanor Morris, by
whom he had two sons and live daughters. He was a
hands(Mrie, noble, generous man. He died, in consequence
of a fall from his horse on his birthday, November tenth,
1834, at the age of eight3--eight yea'-^-. He had lived a
happy married life v\^ sixty-nine 3ears — his venerable coni-
jxuiion surviving him.

Vezev Husbands, who was killed at Kinix's Mountain,
and is said to ha.ve served as a Colonel there, lived near
Lower Creek of Catawba, in T'urke County; and was, per-
haps a relative of Herman Husbands, of '\egulation war
notoriety, who was a native of Pennsylvania, of Qiuiker
descent.

William Green, who commanded a company at King's
Mountain, and whose escape from captivity has already been
related, was born onBuflalo Creek, in now Cleveland County,
near the State line. May sixteenth, 1753. He served up to
1780 as a Captain in the Whig caus(» ; was captured by the
Tories and held prisoner until released by their defeat at
Ramsour's. His only British service was at King's Moun-

AND ITS HEROES.

4S3

tain, which ho deeph' retrretted ; and, to atone for the error,
lie enlisted in Captain Levi Jolniston's company, ol ten
montli's men iimler Sumter, in 1781-82, and shared in the
battle of Eutaw Springs. After the war, he served in the
House of Commons in 179S, and fourteen times in the
State Senate from iSoo to 1824. He dieil in Rutherford
County, November sixth, 1832, leaving many worthy
descendants.

Major Daniel Plummer, who was probably killed at
King's Mountain, lived between Fair Forest and Tyger, in
now Spartanburg County, St)Uth Carolina ; and was repre-
sented as "■ honest and open " — kind and considerate to all.
His estate was conllscated. Of Major Lee, who was in, and
survived the battle, we have no further information.
William Gist, a Tory Captain in the action, lived oU'Tyger
river. South Carolina ; was committed to jail at Charleston,
in 1776, for Torvism. His estate was confiscated ; but he
did not probably long survive die war, as the (leneral
Assembly subse([uently granted his wife and children live
hundred acres of any of his conllscated lands not already sold.
Captain Aaron BiggerstafT, of English descent, olRutherford
County, was one of the Loyalist leaders at Ramsour's ;
escaping that disaster, he was mortally wounded at King's
Mountain, taken for treatment to what is now Union Court
House, where he died. From Allaire's y>Vr<'/')', we learn of
Captain Townsend, who resided a mile fiom the Island
Ford of Broad river. He received three balls in the batUe.
and was paroled to his liome.

' ' ' 1 ill ••
! ! I \ 1

I ,

tf,%.

APPENDIX.

Diary of Lieut. Antlioiiy Allaire,

OF FERGUSON'S CORPS.

MEMORANDUM OF OCCURRENCES DURING THE
CAMPAIGN OF 1780.

Sunday, March ^th. Tlie following corps marched from Savannah,
viz.: Light Infantry, commanded by Maj. Graham ; American V'olini-
teers, Lieut. Col. Ferguson; New York Volunteers, Lieut. Col. Turnbull;
North Carolinians, Lieut. Col. Hamilton; South Carolinians, Col. Innes;
Dismounted Legior., Maj. Cochrane; one company of Georgia Dra-
goons, Capt. Campbell ; and the First Battalion of the Seventy-first
regiment, Maj. McArthur — in numljer about fifteen hundred.

V.'e marched from Savannah at six o'clock in the morning ; arrived
at Cherokee Hill, nine miles from Savannah, at twelve o'clock, and
encamped to refresh ourselves. At three o'clock in the afternoon got
in motion, and marched to Abercorn, eight miles from Cherokee Hill;
here we encamped and lay all night. Disagreeable, rainy weather.

Monday, 6ih. At eight o'clock we got in motion, and marched to
Ebenczer, a village situated on Savannah river, eight miles above
Abercorn. It contains about twenty houses and a church. The inhabit-
ants are high Dutch. It is garrisoned by our troops; there are four
redoubts, but no cannon in any of them.

Tuesday, yth. Remained at Ebenczer, Pleasant4 morning, showery
evening and very warm. Spent part of the evening with two Indian
Captains, John and James; smoked tobacco and drank grog with those
two devils incarnate.

Wednesday, Stii. Still remained at Ebenezer. Orders to draw two
days' provisions, and be ready to march at reveille beating. Several
men taken suddenly ill with pain and swelling of the extremities,
occasioned liy a weed that poisons where it touches the naked skin,
when the dew is on it.
434

APPENDIX.

485

Thursday, gth. The army got in motion ; passed a causevVay three-
quarters of a mile in length, overflowed with water from two to three feet
deep. We marclicd to a plantation ten miles from Ebenezer, called the
Two Sisters, situated on Savannah river. It was formerly a public ferry ;
but 7\.\. present nobody lives at it. The houses are destroyed.

Friday, loth. The American Volunteers and British Legion marched
three miles u[) tlic Augusta road to Tuckassc-King. Here we encamped,
and took breakfast at ten o'clock in the morning. A Rebel Lieut.
Johnsdii with twenty men surrounded a poor man's house here this
morning. They heard we were in motion, but not being certain of it.
they came to find out the truth. They did no damage to the family ;
neither did they tarry long, being informed that we were in possession
of the Two Sisters, they tliought it [proper for the brothers to take them-
selves off. This is the first Rebel party we have heard of. At three
o'clock in the afternoon received orders to take the ground we left in the
morning, where I and part of the detachment lay all night. One divi-
sion crossed the river — tlic others to follow as expeditiously as possible.

Saturday, nth. Crossed the Savannah river ; such a fresh that the
boats were brought tnrough woods a mile and a half; the water was
from four to ten feet deep, where in a dry time we might have marched
on dry ground. The horses were swum over the river — the current
sets clown very rapid.

South Carolina, Sunday, I2th. Lay encamped a quarter of a mile
from the river in the field where Gen. Moultrie was encamped last
summer when our troops were retreating from Charleston. A foraging
party of the Dragoons fell in with some Rebel Light Horse; and Mr.
Campbell of the Georgia Dragoons received a slight wound.

Monday, Ijth. Tlie American Volunteers and British Legion were
ordered forward twenty-six miles, to secure the passes of Bee creek,
Coosawhatchie and Tullyfinny Bridge, which we effected. This day
passed Turkey Hill, a pleasant country seat belonging to one Mr.
Middleton. We took u]) our ground at dusk, at Coosawhatchie Bridge,
where the Rebels opposed om- troops last May and got defeated. A cool,
pleasant day for marching.

Tuesday, 14th. Found several horses, a quantity of furniture.
Continental stores and ammunition, hid in a swamj) by one John
Stafford, a sor of Rel)el commissary who lives at Coosawhatchie, and is,
by the by, a cursed fool, whicli alone prevents his being a d — d rogue.
About five o'clock in the afternoon we crossed Tullyfinny Bridge, and
proceeded about six miles to Mr. McPherson's. Fifty of the militia
on horseback had just left this plantation and gone to John McPherson's.
A small party of ours pursued them, but could not come up with them,
Maj. Cochrane with the Legion were in pursuit of another party
of Rebels on another road ; but being mis-piloted, he arrived just before

\\m\

486

ALLAIRE'S DLIRY.

break of clay in front of our picket. He immediately conjectured we
were the party he had been in pursuit of all night. lie halted and made
a position with an intent to attack as soon as it Ijegan to be clearly light ;
but the alertness of our sentinels obliged them to come on sooner than
they intended. He immediately, on their hring, rushed on the picket;
they gave the alarm, but were driven to the house, where our men ready
for the attack, expecting it was Rebels, a smart skirmish ensued. The
sad mistake was soon discovered, but not Ijeforc two brave soldiers of
the American Volunteers, and one of the Legion were killed, and
several on both sides badly wounded. Col. Ferguson got wounded in
the arm Ijy a bayonet, Lieut. McPherson, of the Legion, in the arm and
hand.

Wc'hicsday, 15th. Still remained at McPherson's plantation ; for-
aging parties get everything necessary for the army.

Thursday, i6th. Remiiined at McPherson's plantation, living on the
fat of the land, the soldiers every side of us roasting turkeys, fowls,
pigs, etc., every night in great plenty ; this Mr. McPherson being a great
Rebel, and a man of vast property, at present in Chailcslown. About
thirty Rebels showed themselves this morning, a mile and a half
in front of us. A party went out in pursuit of them ; but returned
without effecting anything — the jockeys being on horseback easily made
off.

Friday. Still at McPherson's. Three militia men were brought in
prisoners by a scouting party of the American Volunteers, and a
numljer of horses. Received orders to march to-morrow morning.

Saturday, iSth. Marched from Mcl'iierson's plantation to Salt-
ketcher, a Rel^el party consisting of eighty mititia, commanded by a
Maj. Ladson, placed themselves on tlic north side of the river to oppose
our crossing. Tiiey were amused by a company of the Legion returning
their hre across the river at tlie place where the Ijridge formerly was,
whilst the Light Infantry and remainder of the Legion crossed the river
below, and came in tiie rear of them before they were aware of it. Here
the bayonet was introduced so effectually that a Capt. Mills, and sixteen
private of the Rebels, could not exist any longer, and of course gave
up the cause. Four were badly wounded, and one taker prisoner that
luckily escaped the bayonet. Maj. Graham, of the Light Infantry, and
Maj. Wright, of the Georgia Loyalists, slightly wounded. The former
continued to command his battalion, and the latler continued his march.
Two privates of tlie Light Infantry were also slightly wounded. We
remained all night at Ogilvics' plantation, on the side of the river called
Indian land. This day's march was very tedious — a disagreeable, rainy,
cold day, and through a swamp where the water was from two to three
feet deep.

Sunday, igth. Passed Saltketcher river — where the bridge formerly

.'.«•-

1 I

rrr

APPENDIX.

487

stood, but has been destroyed since the rebellion— in boats, and swam
the horses. The causeway on both sides of the river is overflowed with
water from two to three feet deep, at the ferry house, about a quarter of
a mile from the river. Dr. Johnson dressed the wounds of JMaj. Wright
and the four Rebels that were bayoneted yesterday. Marched one mile
and a half to a tavern kejjt by Mr. Giljson, who is at present prisoner in
Charleston, for not taking up arms when his country so loudly calls for
assistance.

AFonday, sotJi. The army got in motion, marching about two miles.
Received orders to halt, the rear guard being lired on ; it proved to be
the York Volunteers, getting the boats on the carriages at the river, were
fired on by a skulking party of rascals on the other side of the stream.
Three poor lads of the York Volunteers were killed. What damage
was done to the Rebels we are not certain. Detained by this and
repairing of bridges on the road, wo only marched seven miles this day.
Took up our ground at a place called Godfrey's savannah.

Tuesday, sist. The army got in motion. Marched to Fish Pond
river. Here we were detained to repair the bridge till evening. Before
we crossed we moved on about three miles, through a swamp, over an
exceeding bad causeway. This day Col. Tarleton, with his dragoons,
joined us from Beaufort, where he had been to get horses — his being all
lost on the passage from New York. We took up our ground about
ten o'clock at night, and remained till ten o'clock next morning.

IVcdui'sday, 32d, The army got in motion at ten in the morning,
and marched as far as Horse Shoe, where we again were detained to
repair the bridge. After crossing, continued our march to Jacksonsburgh,
a village containing about sixty houses, situated on Pon Pon, or Edisto
river. The most of the houses are very good ; the people tolerable well
to live ; some large store houses for rice, from which they convey it by
water to Charleston market. In short, it is a pleasant little place, and
well situated for trade, but the inhabitants are all Rebels — not a man
remaining in the town,, except two, one of whom was so sick he could
not get out of bed, and the other a doctor, who had the name of a friend
to Government. The women were treated very tenderly, and with the
utmost civility, notwithstanding their husbands were out in arms against
us.

T/iursday, 2jd. All the army, except tiie Seventy-first regiment,
and greatest part of the baggage, crossed the river in boats and Hats, the
bridge being destroyed. Col. Tarleton came up with a party of Rebel
militia dragoons, soon after crossing the river at Gov. Bee's plantation.
He killed ten, and tool four prisoners. Gov. Bee was formerly Lieut.
Gov. under His Majesty, is now one of the members of Congress, and
Lieut. Gov. of South Carolina.

Friday, 241/1. The remainder of the baggage and Seventy-first

m-im

Mil ' ~

488

ALLAIRE'S DTARV.

regiment passed Pnii Ton rivcM'. TIic army j;ot in motion about one
o'clock in tlie afternoon, anil marched about seven miles, where we
halted all nif^ht. A il.v^ of truce, consistinj^ of a Capt. Saunders, Capt.
Wilkinson, one private and a servant, came in at the rear of the army.
Just as we halted they were severely reprimanded by Gen. Paterson for
their unmilitary conduct. He told them tliat they were ij^morant of the
profession tliey followed ; and in conseciuence of their behavior he must
detain them all night, and, as to their request, it would not be i;ranted,
which was likewise very unmilitary, it beinj^ to speak with the prisoners
and jjive them some necessaries. The gentry of the flag were led blind-
fold to their lodging. This day Col. Ferguson got the rear guard in order
to do his King and country justice, l:)y protecting friends, and widows, and
destroying Rebel jiroperty ; also to collect live stock for the use of the
army, all of which we effect as we go, by destroying furniture, breaking
windows, etc., taking all their horned cattle, horses, mules, sheep, fowls,
etc., and their negroes to drive thiMn. We had a disagreeable night —
very heavy shower, with'a great deal of heavy thunder and lightning.

Saturday, 3jf/i. The army got in motion at reveille beating, and
marched to Stono, where was formerly a bridge, called Wallace's
Bridge. We took up our ground about three o'clock in the afternoon,
where we remained all night. Light Infantry and part of the Dragoons
went over the river.

Sunday, 26th. Consumeil the whole day in passing the baggage and
live stock over the river, the bridge that formerly stood here being
destroyed, and the one just made very bad. We took up our ground as
soon as we got over, on a neck of land that runs down between Stono
and Rantowle's, only one mile between the two rivers. This day the
Commander-in-chief came to us from James Island, which is si.\ miles
distant.

Monday, 2y//i. Two companies of Light Infantry, American Volun-
teers, and one company of Dragoons, crossed at Rantowle's in scows;
the rest of the army crossed yesterday. Col. Hamilton, of the North
Carolinians, and Dr. Smith, of the Hospital, proceeding about a mile in
front of the army, to Gov. Rutledge's house, were immediately sur-
rounded by three hundred Continental Light Horse, and they con-
sequently made prisoners. The British Dragoons fell in with them soon
after, and had a skirmish ; the Rebels soon gave way, and showed tliem
the road, as is customary for them to do. Or. Master Sergeant Mcintosh,
of the Georgia Dragoons, badly wounded in the face by a broadsword.
Several Dragoons of the Legion were wounded. How many of the
Rebels got hurt we can't learn ; but they did not keep up the combat
long enough for many to receive damage. This morning, Capt.
Saunders, that came in with the flag on the 24th, was sent out; his
attendant, Capt. Wilkinson, not being mentioned in the body of the

APPENDIX.

489

flafj, is detained as a ])iisnncr of war. Wo took up our y;roiind on Gov.
Rutledj^e's plantation, aliout one mile from liis liouse, where we remained
all niL;lit.

Tiirsiiay, sSth. The army .t(ot in motion about nine o'clock in the
mornin>^, and marched to Ashley Ferry, where we met liie liriti.sh and
Hessians, Grenadiers, I.ii^ht Infantry and Yagers, under command of Sir
II. Clinton. We continued our march down the river aljout six miles to
Lininj^'s plantation ; it is situated on Ashley river, nearly opposite
Charlestown, and commands an extensive view towards the sea.

IViiinesday, 3gth. Sir Henry Clinton, with the British and Hessians,
Grenadiers, Lit^dit Infantry and Yagers, passed over Ashley river to
Charleston Neck, early in the morning. Spent the day in viewing
Charleston and found it not a little like New York; for Ashley and
Coojjcr rivers form aba)' exactly like East and Ncjrth river at New York.

T/iiirsi/iiy, jo/k. Incessant firing of small arms on the neck; can-
non at short intervals. This firing was at the Commander-in-chief and
his family reconnoitring. He forljid the British returning the fire. Lord
Cathness, standing by the side of Gen. Clinton, was shot through the
body by a musket ball; one Yager killed.

Friday, Jist. Engineers' tools, etc., carried over from Lining's
Landing, and broke groun ! without molestation, under direction of Maj.
Moncricff. Rode two miles to see two redoubts, one of which has six,
and the other two thirty-two pounders in them, at the mouth of Wapoo-
Cut, a river that runs from Stono to Ashley river, and separates from the
main land what is called James Island. Those two redoubts are exactly
op[)Osite Charleston.

Sa/iinfiiy, April isf. Some cannon and mortars moved over Ashley
river fron\ Lining's Landing.

Sioiday, 2d. Rode down to view our fleet that lay at Stono.

Monday, jd. Marched to Ashley I'erry to cover the Dragoons of the
Legion whilst crossing the river. Marched from this up the river to
Henry Middlcton's j)lantation ; passed several famous country scats,
one called Drayton's Hall, belonging to William Henry Drayton,
deceased, who was a member of Congress, and died at Philadelphia.
Constant firing at our works from the Rebels all day.

Tuesday, 4th. Constant cannonade from the Rebels, both from their
batteries and shipping; one of their ships, endea\'oring to move up
Cooper river, was fired on from our works, and dro\e back.

Wfdiicsday, jt/i. Constant cannonade from the Rebels at our
works on the Neck, in the evening. Our batteries at the mouth
of W^apoo-Cut opened, and kept up a warm fire for a few minutes, then
the firing ceased on both sides.

Thursday, 6th. Cannonade from the Rebels all day by intervals.
In the evening our batteries opened on the Neck, and at Wapoo-Cut
fired all night by intervals.

I,! \

I! \

1 I'i/itifaiii ii- ,

'Aji/

--11

#■

Iff

490

ALLAIRE'S DLIRY.

Friday, ~th. Cannonade at intervals as usual,

Saturday, St/i. But little firing from the Rebels. Rainy, disagree-
able morning. The Rebels were reinforced with lliirtecn hundred men
last night, commanded by a Gen. Scott. They fired i\ ffu dc jou\ and
rang all the bells in town on the occasion. About four o'clock this
afternoon the fieet hove in sight, coming up under full sail with a fresh
breeze at south west, anil passed Fort Moultrie — the Rebel fort that
they boasted of on Sullivan's Island, which no fieet could ever pass.
They were but a few minutes passing. What damage is sustained we
have not yet learned. The Richmond lost her fore top-mast ; a cutter
lay opposite the fort all the time the fieet was passing, with a fiag hoisted
to point out the channel. A heavy cannonade from the Rebels'
batteries, which the shii)ping returned as they passed with a spirit
bcconfing Britons.

Sunday, gth. Admiral Arbuthnot came on shore, and went over to
Head-quarters on the Neck. By him we were informed that there were
only seven men killed, and fifteen wounded, in passing Sullivan's Island.
The shipping damage was so trifiing that 'twas not worth mentioning.

Monday, lolh. Nothing extraordinary. Cannonade from our bat-
teries during the night to cover the working parties.

Tuesday, nth. Col. Ferguson came from Head-quarters. Informs
us tiuil tlie town was summoned to surrender to his Britannic Majesty.
Answer was returned, that ilicy thought it necessary as well as their duty
to defend it to the last extremity, which they meant to do.

Wednesday , 12th. Received orders to march. The North Caro-
linians were ordered to join Col. Ferguson. We left Lining's plantation
about seven o'clock in the evening, and marched to Bacon's Bridge,
twenty-two miles, where we arrived at five o'clock on Thursday morning;
very much fatigued. We halted to refresh till seven. Cool weather.

Thursday, ijth. Got in motion at seven o'clock in the morning.
Marched through a small village called Dorchester. It contains about
forty houses and a church. Continued our march to Middleton's ])lan-
tation at Goose creek, al^out fifteen miles from Bacon's Bridge, and ten
from Dorchester. Here we met the Legion aI)out one o'clock in the
afternoon, and halted till ten at night. Then, in company with them,
got in motion and marched eighteen miles to Monk's Corner, being
informed that Col. Washington's, Pulaski's, Bland's, and Horry's Light
Horse lay here. We arrived just as day began to appear on Friday
morning, and found the above enemy here, in number about four hun-
dred, including some militia that arrived the day before, commanded by
Gen. linger. Luckily for them, they were under marching orders, which
made tiicm more alert, when the alarm was given, than usual, which
alone prevented their being all taken completely by surprise. They
made off with great expedition. We pursued, overtook and killed

APPENDIX.

491

Pulaski's Major Vernier, wounded a French Lieut. Bcaulait,* and one
other officer; about sixty privates were taken, fifteen or twenty of whom
were wounded. We had but one man wounded, and he very sli;;htly.
We tfiok tli'ity wagons, with four liorses in eacli. A numl^er of very
fine horses that belonged lo their troops were likewise taken, and con-
verted to Britisli I>ight liorses. Col. Washington and all their officers
made but a narrow escape ; their baggage;, letters, and some of their
commissions were taken.

Friihn', 14th. Remained at Monk's Corner, collecting the stores,
etc. About seven o'clock at night, accidentally a store ln)iise caugiit
fire, in which were two casks of powder; was very much alarmed by the
explosion, and all got under arms. This confusion was scarcely over
when three ladies came to our camji in great distress : Lady Colleton,
Miss Fictsy (Jiles, and Miss Jean Russell. They had been most shock-
ingly abused by a plundering villain. Lady Colleton badly cut in the
hand by a broadsword, and Ijruised vciy much. After my fricntl. Dr.
Johnson, ilresscd her hand, he, wiili an officer and twelve men, went to
the plantation, about one mile from camp, lo protect Mrs. Fayssoux,
whom this infamous villain had likeuise abused in the same manner.
There he found a most accomplished, amiable lady in the greatest
distress imaginable. After he took a little blood from her she was more
composed, and next morning come to camp to testify against the cursed
villain that abused them in this horrid manner, lie was secured and
sent to Ilead-ciuan."rs for trial.

Saturday, /jt/t. '1 iie army got in motion about twelve o'clock. j\Ty
friend, Dr Johnson, and myself had the happiness of escorting tlic ladies
to their plantation. Before we got there we were met by a servant
informing us that there were more plunderers in the house. This news
so shocked Lady Colleton and Mrs. Fayssoux, who were some distance
before us, and the young ladies in a carriage, Uiat I am not able to
describe their melancholy situation, which was truly deploral)le. After
their fright was a little over we passed on to their house ; but the ladies
fearing to stay alone. Lady Colleton and Mrs. Fayssoux got into the
carriage. Miss Giles behind me, and Miss Russell on a horse, which I
led for fear he should make off with my fair one ; they passed on willi us
four miles to a plantation called Mullierry Broughton, and here we Ijid
adieu to our fair companions with great regret, they thinking liieniselves
out of danger of any insults. We this day couiitermaitlied to the
twenty-three mile house, and halted all niglit.

Sunday, i6th. Got in motion about three o'clock in the morning,

♦Be.iiilait has been very nnfortiiiiate since in Amcric.T He received seven wounds by
a broadsword, in a charge of CanipheHs I.iijlit Hdrse. when Charlcstowii was besicijc-d by
Gen. Provost, and two at Monk's Corner, which amounts to nine, four or five of them in
the face.— A. A.

ill

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492

ALUIIRK'S DIARY.

and maichcd to Strawbcny Ferry, a brancli of Cooper river. Took up
the day in passing the army and ba^fgagc over the stream. After
crossing;, marched four miles to liono Ferry, anotltcr Ijranch of Cooper
river, where wc came u|) with tlic baggage of the 'riiirty-lliiid and
Sixty-fourth Regiments, and of tlie L'jgion. Here we hiy all night, as
it took up the night to get this baggage over the river. A Captain's
guard from our detachment was sent over to take charge of a store house
full of household furniture, brought out of town and deposited at a Maj.
lUitlcr's for safety — the store was full of very rich fiu^nitiu'e of all kinds,

Monday, i-^tli. Crossed Bono Ferry and passed c-n to Miller's
Bridge, over a branch of Wando river, where we took up our ground
about nine o'clock in the evening. This day pasjed St, Thomas'
church, where wc met the Thirty-third regiment.

Tuesday, iStli. Began to fortify at the Bridge, a id make a block
house in order to keep post here with a few mi n.

Wcdiirxday, igth. Maj. Ferguson, with fifty of the American
Vohnileers, anil part of the North Carolinians, moved on to join the
Thirty-third and Sixty-fourth regiments, and the British Legion, which
had gone forward to attack a Rebel i)ost at Lempriere's Point. The
British were coming back; they had marched up to the fort, but found
it so strong that it was imprudent to storm it with so few men.

Thursday, 3oth. Remained at Miller's Bridge, finishing the block
house. Col. Tarleton surprised and took nine sloops with goods, stores,
etc., and twenty pieces of cannon.

Friday, 21st. Capt. Ryerson, with forty American Volunteers, a
subaltern, and twenty of the Thirty-third, and a subaltern, and twenty
of the Sixty-fourth regiments, remained at Miller's Bridge to defend
and keep the pass. The remainder of the Thirty-third and Sixty-
fourth regiments, American Volunteers, and British Legion, counter-
marched twelve miles and took up our ground at St. Thomas' church.

Saturday, 22d. Took possession of the parish house ; took up and
was under the disagreeable neccessity of detaining a lady of the town,
on suspicion of her being a spy.

January 2jd. Moved from the house into the woods for the con-
venience of shade — very warm weather.

Monday, 2.f//i. Lord Cornwallis joined us and took command.
About ten o'clock in the evening there was the most tremendous
cannonade I ever heard, and an incessant fire of musketry. The
Rebels sallied out and took eight of the Light hifantry prisoners, upon
which the whole line got under arms; some in their hurry getting out
without putting on their coats, were taken by the others for Rebels, and
fired on, which unluckily occasioned warm work for a few minutes.
Sixty odd of ours got killed and woinided by our own men. The
Rebels were repidsed, and they finding their muskets rather an incum-
brance threw thirty odd of them away.

APPENDIX.

493

Tucsiiixy, 25th. About eight o'clock in the morning got in motion ;
were joiiu'd by tlie 'rwciity-tliird regiment and V'ihint(;ers of Ireland.
We i)r()cceded on, passed over Miller's IJridge and Waputa liridgc, took
possession of Waputa meeting house, about seven o'clock in the even-
ing, where we halted till two in the morning.

Wednesday, 26th. At two o'clock in the morning got in motion, and
marched seventeen miles to Mount Pleasant, opposite Charleston, where
we took possession of the ground, on which the Rebels had one eighteen
pounder. Here is a ferry from this to a town called Hibban's Ferry;
there are very good liarracks here if finished, that were i^egun before the
rebellion. Sullivan's Island is about a half a mile distant from the Point.
There is a bridge from the Point to the Islantl with four arches. The
barracks were used for a hospital, in which we took some invalids and a
doctor. About six miles from the Point stands Christ Church. This
night I might properly sing, "Content with our hard fate, my boys,"
on the cold ground where I lay — wrapt up in my great coat, with my
saddle for a [)iIlow. A blustering cold night.

Thursday, 2/th. (]ot in motion about one o'clock in the morning,
and countermarched to Waputa meeting house. Cold north-east wind.

Friday, 2Sth. Fortified the small hf)use by the side of the meeting
house, at ten o'clock at night. Intelligence being received that the
Rebels had left the fort at Lempriere's Point, and gone to Charleston,
we got in motion and marched down to discover the fact. We arrived
about four in the morning, and found the fort occupied by the Navy, a
Lieutenant of the Navy, commanding officer. The Rebels were gone
tc Charleston.

Saturday, 2gth. Countermarched to our old grounds at the meeting
house. Pleasant weather.

Sunday, jot/i. Got in motion at three o'clock in the morning, in
company with the York Volunteers, and marched to Lempriere's Point
to take post there. We got to our ground about seven o'clock in the
evening, where we found four eighteen, two four pounders, and five
swivels, that the Rebels left in their fort. A very disagreeable post it is,
being nothing but a bank of sand, where, in a windy day, you must
keep your eyes shut or have them filled with sand. Here used to be a
ferry called Lempriere's Ferry.

Monday, May ist. Pathcd in Wando river.

Tuesday, 2d. Began to fortify Lempriere's Point. Maj. Ferguson,
with a detachment of American Volunteers, marched down to Mount
Pleasant, stormed and took possession of a little redoubt, located pardy
on the main, and partly on the bridge that leads to Fort Moultrie. This
cuts off the communication from Sullivan's Island, and keeps them on
their proper allowance. The Rebels ran off from the redoubt, though it
was very strongly situated, after they fired about a dozen shot.

t ! ?

'W^\

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494

ALLAIRE'S DLiRY.

If •; 1

P w

Wednesday, jd. Still fortifying Lcmpricrc's Point. In tlip evening
bcRiin .1 cannonade on the neck, which cn"»=micd very heavy all \\\\([\\. —
an incessant firing' of musketry, tlio cannt fly from the Rebels, small

arms from us. 'riiis night took their jiital ship that lay opposite
the town.

Thiirsiiity, ftJi. Continued fortifyincf the Point. Rode from Lem-
pricre's i'oint to Mount Pleasant; dined with Capt. Ord, of the Navy.
After dinner rode to Hurdle's [lladdreH'sPJ Point to view the redoubt
which Col. Ferguson stormed tlie second of May, with only bixty men
and never was more surprised in my life, for twenty men like the
American Wjluntecrs wtuild have ddied all \Va^,hington's Army.

Friday, jth. Very windy — in danger of losing one's eyes by the
blowing of sand. Cold blustering night.

Saturday, 6fh. Very disagreeable, windy day. Still at Lempriere's.
News just received from Lord Cornwallis, that Lieut. Nash and eleven
dragoons that were patrolling, were taken by Washington and Horry's
LiglU Horse near Santce river. Col. Tarleton was immediately ordered
to pursue them. He overtook them at th '-'er ; charged and killed a
number, and took a Major and thirty pr The patrolling party that

had been taken were in a boat, rowir,„ is the river. Upon their

seeing Col. Tarleton, they immctli.itely seized the guard, threw them
overboard, rowed themselves back and joined their regiment again.
Col. Washington and Horry took to the river and swam across it.

Sunday, ~tli. Orders to get reatly to marcli wilii two days' provision,
at a minute's notice. ^L^j. Ferguson had obtained permission to attack
Fort Moultrie. He rode forward witii four dragoons to reconnoitre-
We were to remain at our post till we got orders for marching. Tlie first
news we heard was the fort was in possession of the British ; the Rebels
had surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Capitulation was as
follows: Capt. Hudson of the Navy summoned the fort on Friday, and
received for answer: " Tol, lol, de rol, lol : Fort Moultrie will be
defended to the last extremity." On Saturday he sent another flag, and
demanded a surrender, acquainting Col. Scott that the Lieutenant with
the flag would wait a cpiarter of an hour for an answer. If the fort was
not given u|), he would immediately storm it, and put all the garrison
to the sword. At this Col. Scott changed the tune of his song, begging
that there might be a cessation of arms, that tlie fort would be given up
on the following conditions : that the officers both Continental and militia,
should march out with the honors of war, and be allowed to wear their
side arms ; the officers and soldiers of the militia have paroles to go
to their respective homes, and remain peaceably till exchanged ; and
the continental soldiers to be treated tenderly. Granted by Capt.
Hudson. Aljout eight o'clock Sunday morning, Colonel Scott with his
men, about one hundred and twenty, marched out of the fort, piled

APPENDIX.

495

the

their arms, Capt. Hudson marched in, took possession nf Fort Moultrie,
the key to Charleston harbor; which puts it in our power to keep out
any forcin;^' enemy that would wish to )^\\c the Kchcls any assistance.
Taken in the fort, tifly barrels of jjovvder, forty-tour pieces of cannc .1,
one brass ten inch mortar, three thousand cannon cartridges, five
hundred ten inch shells, forty thousand musket cartrid^'cs, three month's
salt provision, a lot of rice, forty head black cattle, sixty sheep, twenty
goats, forty fat hogs, six wayons, two stand of colors, an amazin},'
quantity of hint;* and, in short, so many other articles which are

'^'Match-c ''\ for firing cannon.

necessary in a fort that it would take me a week to set them down.

MohiUjv, St/i. Six o'clock in the morninj^^ Sir Henry Clinton sent in
a flajj, and demanded the surrender of Charleston. Cieneral Lincoln
requested cessation of hostilities till ei},dit o'clock — from eight to twelve ;
and the truce continued until four o'clock Tuesday evening when Sir
Henry Clinton receiving; a very insolent request, sent in word that he
plainly saw that Gen. Lincoln did not mean to give up the town ; that the
firing should cominence at eight o'clock in the evening, at which time
began a most tremendous cannonade, throwing of carcases and shells
into the town, and an incessant fire of musketry all night.

IVtiiiu'sday, loth. Firing still continued all day, and very brisk all
night.

Thursday, nth. The town set on fire by a carcase, which burnt
sevenal houses. The Rebels sent out a flag soon after; our firing con-
tinued without taking notice of tlieir flag. They showed the second flag,
which we accepted. It was begging die terms that had been offered the
last truce. Sir Henry Clinton answered them the firing should cease
until he could send and consult Admiral Arbuthnot. The terms were
granted.

Friday, 12th. The gates were opened. Gen. Leslie at the head of the
British Grenadiers, Seventh, Sixty-third and Sixty-fourth regiments, and
Hessian Grenadiers marched in, and took possession of Charleston, and
soon leveled the thirteen s.tripes with the dust, and displayed the British
standard on their ramparts. Still at Lempriere's.

Saturday, ijth. Remained at Lempriere's.

Sunday, 14th. Went to Charleston to view their strong works. .Saw
the poor Rebel dogs very much chagrined at not being allowed to wear
their side arms.

Monday, ijth. Magazine blew up — set the town on fire— burnt
s./eral houses. Capt. Collins and Lieut. (Gordon, of the artillery, Lieut.
M'Leod of the Forty-second regiment, and about thirty privates, perished
by the explosion. In whnt way the accident happened is not certain ;
'tis supposed by throwing the captured arms into the magazine, one went
off, and set fire to the powder.

49C

ALLAIRE'S DLIRY.

Tiu'sdify , lOtli. TIk- Anicricim Volunteers relieved the Navy, and
took coniinand of I'oit Moultrie.

M^tinrs'Uiy, lyt/i. Sjieiit the day in \\'ritin;^^ letters for New York.
Nothiii;^ new.

1 Inn siliiy, 1S//1, to Sinii/tiy, 21st. Lay at Fort Moultrie. Nothing
extia.

Monday, J2(i. Received orders for niarcliinj^ — wont to Charleston.

'J'ursdiiy, Jjd. About three o'clock in tiie afternoon returned in a
six-oared boat, and had the pleasing view of sixty or seventy hnj^e ships
coming into the harbor.

UVi/iii'Si/ay, 2.jth. Lay at Fort Moultrie.

'J'/unsiftiy, .\^//t. The detachment was relieved by British and Hes-
sian thenailic: :. The American Volunteers marched up to Mount
I'ieasant, and crossed over to Charleston. Marched throuL;h the town,
and took up tiieir ground j t in front of the lines. The horses and
baggai;e w ih myself crossed oni Lempriere's Point to the Shi]) Yard,
which is about two miles hom the town.

Friday, j6I It. The lo'lovvinj^ corps ^ot in motion ab;)ut three o'clock
in tile mornin;;, untkr the command of Col. lialfour, of the Twenty-
third regiment, viz — Li^lit Infantry, commanded by Maj. Graham, three
companies of the .Sevinth by Capt. I'eacock, American Volunteers by
Maj. I'er^mson, and the Prince of Wales American Volunteers hv Licut.-
Col. Patterson — in munber aiiont six hundred. Marc hed out to the Ten
Mile House, and ludieil. Made bouLjh houses to cover the men front
liie heat of the sun. Heavy thunder shower.

Saturday, 2~tlt. Marched at five o'clock in the mornin^f; jiasscd
throii;.;h a piece of low j^Mound covered with ma;.;n(.lias in full bloom,
which emitted a most delicious odor. We took up our ^'round at a planta-
tion about two miles from die Twenty-Three Mile House.

Sunday, sSth. Got in motion at two o'clock in the morning. Marched
to Monk's Corner and halted. Dr. Johnson and myself went and dined
with Lady Colleton, Miss Russell ami Miss Giles, the ladies we protected
in their distress win 11 -ve were here the fourteenth of April.

Monday, 2()l/t. Lay eiuamped in a wood at Monk's Corner. Spent
an agreeajjlc aiternoon at Latly Colleton's, with Miss Russell and Miss
Giles.

Tiii\iday, jofh. Got in motion at five o'clock in the mornin;^, and
marched to Gen. Moultrie's plantation, at a place called Prussia, where
wn halted.

llVdnrsday, jrsf. Got in motion at half jiast four in the niorniii;;- ;
marched to Greenland swamp, ;ind halted.

T/nirsdav, Jinw ist. Got in motion at five o'cloi k in the iiioriiin,L(,
and marched to Nelson's Ferry, Santee 1 i\'( r \\\ eNjiress were informed
that Col. Tarleton, Monday, the 2(jth, fell in with a body of Rebels.

P, I

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APPENDIX.

497

[Bufonl's corps] forty miles above Canuk'n. He summoned them to
surrender— received an insolent answer, charged them, killed one Lieuten-
ant-Colonel, three Captains, eight Subalterns, one Adjutant, one (Quarter-
Master, and ninety-nine Sergeants ami rank and lile. Wounded tlu,;e
Captains, live Subalterns, and one hundred and forty-two rank .ind file.
Made prisoners two Captains, one Subaltern, fifty rank and tile. Total
killed, wounded and taken prisoners, one Lieutenant-Colonel, eight
Captains, fourteen Subalterns, one Adjutant, one Ouarter- Master, and
two hundred and ninety-one Sergeants, rank and fde ; tince stand of
colors taken, two brass six-i)oundeis, two howitzers, two wagons widi
ammunition, one artillery forge wagon, fifty-live barrels |)owiler, twenty-
six wagons loaded with cloUiing, camp eipiipagc, musket-cartridges,
cartridge-boxes, flints, etc., etc. Killed of the Legion, Lieut. McDonald
and Ensign Campbell, servmg with tlie cavalry, two jjrivates of the cav-
alry, and one of the Light Infantry. Total, two Subalterns, and three
rank and fde. Wounded, Lieut. Patterson, seven dragoons, making
eight rank and file of the cavalry, and three of the infantry. Total
wounded, one Subaltern, and eleven rank and file.

Friday, 2d. Lay encamped in a pleasant field near Nelson's Terry.
Ordered to be in readiness to march at two o'clock in the morning.

Saturday, ^d. (k)t in motion two o'clock in the morning. Marched
to Campbell's plantation, where we halted in the wo(jds for the conven-
ience of shade. This place is seventy-seven miles from Charleston.

Sunday, 4th. Lay in the woods at Campbell's plantation. Some
prize wine shared to the different corps; very convenient time to drink
his Majesty's heali'.i.

Monday, ^th. Got in motion at two o'clock in the morning, and
marched to Cave Hall, St. Matthew's parish. Just below our camp was
a remarkably large cave, about an hundred feet deep. There is a room
formed by a rock sixty feet long, and forty wide, with famous grand
arches formed by nature. Through the middle runs a beautiful stream
of water, which heads in a fountain at the farther end of the cave. This
day twenty militia men came in, and biought the new-fangled Governor
of Georgia prisoner. Me was sent to Charleston. He hail taken [)ro-
tcction from Lord Cornwallis as a private man.

Tuesday, 6ih. Got in motion at three o'clock in the morning, and
marched thirteeen miles to Col. Thomson's, and halted on the march.
Started two bucks ; they ran in amongst the men. One of them got
caught. The militia were in from all tpiarters.

Wednesday, yt/i. Lay encam])ed at Col. Thomson's plantation ; a
field in our rear covered with sensitive i)lant anil |)assion flower.

Thursday, Sth. Still at Thomson's plantation. A thunder shower
every afternoon.

Friday, gth. Encamjied still at Thomson's plantation ; wrote a

letter to Miss .

! c i.

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498

ALLAIRE'S DIARY.

Saturday, loth. Got in motion and left Thomson's at twelve o'clock
at night, and marched eighteen miles to Beaver creek, where we halted.
Maj. Graham, and two dank companies of the Prince of Wales
American Volunteers, remained at Thomson's. This day a company
of militia came in with their arms. A Henry Aleholm, an old man
eighty-one years of age, this day met us ; he had left home with an
intention to go to Charleston, and liad walked upwards of an hundred
miles when he met us. His errand was to get some kind of assistance.
He had been jjlundercd by the Rebels, and stripped of everything.
What is remarkalile, this old gentleman left at home a child between
two and three years old.

Sunday, iilh. Got in motion at five o'clock in the morning, and
marched five miles and halted.

Monday, 12th. Got in motion at two o'clock in the morning, and
marched fourteen miles to Congarce Stores. This day jjassed a plan-
tation where were aljout four hundred acres of Indian corn growing —
the property of one man.

Tuesday, ijth. Lay at Congarce Stores. Alany good friends to
Government have suffered much by the Rebels.

Wednesday, i^ih. Lay at Congarce Stores. Capt. Peacock and the
three companies of Royal Fusileers under his command, remain here ;
Col. Patterson and his battalion to go to Camden.

Thursday, i^th. Got in motion at twelve o'clock at night, and
marched twelve miles to Saluda Ferry ; crossed the river and halted.

Friday, i6th. Got in motion at half after four o'clock in the morning,
and marched seven miles to tl'j blacksmith's, and halted.

Saturday, jyt/i. ' ..y still in the field at the blacksmith's, or High
Hill creek.

Sunday, iSth. Got in motion at two o'clock in the morning, and
marched fourteen miles to a Capt. Wright's, of Col. Innes' regiment.

Monday, igt/i. Got in motion at four o'clock in the morning, and
marched to Cook's place, fourteen miles. This Cook is a Rebel Justice
and Captain — a great persecutor of friends to Government. He is
ordered down to John's Island, a place pointed out for the reception
of such infamous villains.

Tuesday, 20th. Got in motion and marched to Davenport's, fourteen
miles. He was fi)rmerly Captain of militia under Government. lie has
the name of a Tory from his neighbors ; but many of his actions were
doui)tful.

IVednesday, 21st. Lay encamped at Davenport's, Little river.

Thursday, 22d. Cjot in motion at twelve, and marched ten miles to
the fording place, Saluda river; crossed the men and baggage in a scow,
and forded the horses; continued our march six miles to Ninety Six,
where we halted. It is a village or country town — contains about twelve

±sa

APPENDIX.

499

dwelling houses, a court-house and a jail, in which arc confined about
forty Rebels, brought in prisoners by the friends to Government, who
have just now got the opportunity, and gladly embrace it, many of them
having been obliged before this to hide in swamps to keep from prison
themselves. Ninety Six is situated on an eminence, the land cleared for
a mile around it, in a flourishing part of the country, supplied with very
good water, enjoys a free, open air, and is esteemed a healthy place.
Here were condemned seventy-five friends to Government at one court ;
five were executed — the others got reprieved.

Friday, 2ji/. Lay in the field at Ninety Six. Some friends came in,
four were wounded. The militia had embodied at Tuci<asegie, on the
South Fork of Catawba river — were attacked by a party of Rebels, under
command of Gen. Rutherford. The miltia were scant of ammunition,
which obliged them to retreat. They were oljliged to swim the river at
a mill dam. The Rebels fired on them and killed tliirty.* Col. Fergu-
son, with forty American Volunteers, pushed with all speed in pursuit
of the Rebels. It is seventy miles distance from Ninety Six. The
militia a.e flocking to him from all parts of the country.

Sathrday, 2^ih. Took quarters in town, opposite the jail, where I
have the constant view of the Rebels peeping through the grates, which
affords some satisfaction to see them suffer for their folly. Some of
them are magistrates; one the executioner of the five that were hanged
here some time in April, 1779.

Sunday, 2^th, to Tuesday, 2'^t/t. Spent in cleaning, parade, and in
the town.

Thursday, 2gth, and Friday, jot/t. Still at Ninety Six. Nothing
extra.

Saturday, July ist. Took a ride into the country for exercise.

Sunday, 2d, to Saturday, Sth. Still at Ninety Six.

Sunday, gth. The American Volunteers moved from Ninety Six at
seven o'clock in the evening, under the command of Captain DePeyster,
and marched seven miles to Island Ford, o.' Saluda river, on our way to
meet a party of Rebels that were making approaches towards our lines.
Dr. Johnson and I being late before we left our old quarters, without any
guide, got out of the road ; found our mistake at a mill, three miles from
the road we ought to have taken. It turned out to be no great loss, as
we have supplied ourselves with a grist of corn for our horses. We
came up to the detachment at one o'clock in the morning. Our baggage
had not arrived, which put us to the necessity of going to a house to
lodge. We f^und two women, and spent the night, though not to our
satisfaction. It afforded some merry scenes with those two modest
country women.

M IS

*Col. Moore's defeat at Ramsour's Mill, June 20th.

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500

ALLA IRE 'S DIAR Y.

Monday, lot/i. dot in motion at five o'clock in tlic morning;
crossed Saluda in a fl:it ; marched nine miles to a Rebel Col. Williams'
plantation, where we halted. Mrs. Williams and the children were at
home, and were treated with the iilmost civility. Col. Williams is with
the Rebels, and is a very violent, persecuting scoundrel.

Tuesday, iilh. Got in motion at five o'clock in the morning, and
marched eight miles to Indian creek, and halted during the heat of the
day at one Ryan's, who is a good friend, and suffered much for his
loyalty. Got in motion at six o'clock in the evening, and marched eleven
miles to Duncan's creek, where we halted at a Widow Brown's.

Wednesday, i3tli. Got in motion at five o'clock in the evening, and
forded Duncan's creek and Enorec river. Continued marching to Capt.
Frost's, at Padget creek, eight miles from the Widow Brown's. This
evening met an express with the disagreeable news of a party of ours
consisting of seventeen of the Legion, eighteen York \'oluntcers, and
twenty-five militia being defeated at Col. Bratton's, at Fishing creek.*

Thursday, ijf/i. Lieut. Hunt of the Legion Cavalry came to our
quarters at Capt. Frost's. He was one of the i)any defeated the twelfth
inst. He gave an imperfect account of the affair. Capt. Huck com-
manded the party consisting of one subaltern and seventeen dragoons of
the Legion, three subalterns and eighteen New York Volunteers, twenty-
five militia men. They were sent in pursuit of a Rebel pjirty, and arrived
at twelve o'clock, Tuesday night, the nth instant, at Col. Bratton's, at
Fishing creek, and were very much fatigued. They thought to rest them-
selves. L' nfortunately a Rebel party commanded by a Col. Lacey came
U|)on them at four o'clock in the morning of the 12th, who were in amongst
them, and had possession of every pass befi)re they where apprised of
it — e.\ce])t a road leading towards North Carolina, where Captain Huck,
with four dragoons, attempted.to make off. Huck got shot through the
neck, of which he died. ]\Ir. Hunt, with one dragoon, took a foot path
leading to a swamp. The militia he could give no account of We left
Capt. Frost's about six o'clock in the evening ; forded Tyger river, con-
tinued our march twelve miles to Sugar creek. Here we found two
hundred militia encamped at Wofford's old field, Fair Forest, under
command of Majors Plummer and Gibbs. The Rebels, we hear, are
collecting in force at the Catawba Nation and Broad river.

Friday, i^th. Lay enc,imi)ed at Fair Forest. Every hour news from
different parts of the country of Rebel parties doing mischief Light
Infantry of Gen. Browne's corps joined us at twelve o'clock at night.

Saturday, i^th. Went in company with Capt. F. De I'eyster, Dr.
Johnson, and Lieut. Fletcher, to dine with Col. Fletchall. After dinner
went to see his mill, which was a curiosity, having never seen such an one

♦Capt. Hook or Huck dcfcited that morning.

•I

APPENDIX.

501

before. Tlic water falls fourteen feet perpendicularly down into a tub,
fixed with buckets; from this tub runs up a shaft through the stone, and
tiu'ns, as the cog turns, a double-geared mill. Returning to camp were
informed that Capt. Dunlap had been obliged to retreat from I'rincc's
Fort. Capt. Dunlap made an attack upon the Rebels; drove them from
their groinid, took one prisoner, who informed liini that the Rebels were
four hundred strong. Upon this information Dunlap thought ])roper to
retreat, as his number was only fourteen American Volunteers and sixty
militia. \Vc lost two killed, a sergeant and private wounded, and one
prisoner. The loss of the Rebels is uncertain — reports are, twenty or
thirty killed. Upon this news arriving, Capt. De Peyster ordered the
American \'olunteers and militia to get in motion to support Dunlap.
Capt. Frederick Dc Peyst:;r, with one hundred militia men, marched
twelve miles to McElwain's creek, where they met Dunlap.

Sit)t(Uiy, 16//1. Dunlap with the men under his command marched
down to Stephen White's plantation, where the American Volunteers and
militia lay.

Afondiiy, ijih. Lay at White's. The militia brought in four prisoners,
one lad of fifteen years old, badly wounded in the arms.

Tuesday, iSt/t. Still at Mitchell's creek. This day Col. Ferguson
came to us from Nintey Six ; brought news that the Light Infantry were
on their march to join us.

IVcdiu'sday, igtli. Still at White's plantation, on Mitchell's creek.

Thursday, 20th. Got in motion at five o'clock in the evening, and
marched six miles to Fair Forest Ford, where we halted and lay all
night.

Friday, 21st. Col. Balfour, with the Light Infantry from Ninety Six,
joined us — we still remained at the Ford.

Saturday, 22d. The Light Infantry, American Volunteers, and three
hundred militia, got in motion at seven o'clock in the evening; made
a forced march of twenty-five miles to Lawson's Fork to surprise a
party of Rebels, who, we were informed, lay there. We arrived at
James Wood's plantation at six o'clock in the morning ; greatly disap-
pointed at finding no Rebels here. We were informed they were at
Green river — twenty-five miles farther.

Sunday, 23d. Got in motion at one o'clock in the morning, and
countermarched to our old ground, Fair Forest Ford.

Monday, 24th. Very much fatigued ; slept all day.

Tuesday, 2^t/i. Col. Balfour with the Light Infantry got in motion
at two o'clock in the morning, and marched towards Ninety Six.

Wednesday, 26th. Lay at our old ground, Fair Forest.

Thursday, 2jtJi. Got in motion at nine o'clock in the morning;
forded Fair Forest river; marched about three miles and took up our
ground in the wood.

* i

Mil

!;;■ I

502

ALLAIRE'S DL4RY.

Friday, 2Sth. Cot in motion at seven o'clock in the morning, and
marched eight miles to Col. Henderson's plantation, Pacolet river.
Henderson is prisoner at Charlestown ; he has a pretty plantation, with
near two luinilred acres of Indian corn growing.

Saturday, 2gth. Got in motion at eight o'clock in the morning, and
marclied five miles to Thicketty river and halted ; one of the soldiers
killed a Continental rattle-snake, with thirteen rattles on.

Sunday, jot/i. Got in motion at tliree o'clock in the morning;
countermarched twelve miles to Armstrong's creek. Fair Forest. This
day came into camp express from Anderson's fort, a Capt. Cook, aged
si.\ty years, who has buried four wives, and now has his fifth on her
last legs.

Monday, jTsf. Got in motion at six o'clock in the morning, and
marched ten miles to Mitchell's creek, Fair Forest ; a very wet, disagree-
able day ; got thoroughly soaked.

Tuesday, August rst. Lay at Mitchell's creek. Had intelligence
that the Rebels had attacked Col. TurnbuU at Rocky Mount, on Sunday
the 30tli ; but could not learn the particulars.

Wednesday, 3d. (iot in motion at four o'clock in the morning;
marched four miles to Tyger river ; forded that stream and continued
our march to Capt. Bobo's, and halted. Had intelligence that Col.
Turnbull beat off the Rebels; Capt. Hulett got wounded in the head.
The Rebels were commanded by Gen. Sumter. He sent in a flag,
demanding the post — Rocky Mount. Col. Turnbull sent word that he
might come and take it. Sumter endeavored to do so, but was obliged
soon to retreat with consider.ible loss. Col. Turnlnill took two prisoners,
who had previously been in his cam]), drew ammunition, and then joined
the Rebels, and were heard to say when firing, " take back your ammu-
nition again." They were both hanged as a reward for their treachery.

Thursday, jd. Lay at Bobo's; nothing extra.

Friday, ^t/t. Still at Bobo's. At six o'clock in the evening moved
three-quarters of a mile for ad\-antage of ground.

Saturday, ^tli. Lay in the woods near Bobo's. Had intelligence
that Fort Anderson, in which we had a Sergeant of the American Volun-
teers,- and eighty militia men, was summoned on Sunday the 30th July,
and given up in a dastardly manner, without exchanging a single
shot.*

Sunday, 6th. Got in motion at seven o'clock in the evening. Left
the heights near Bobo's, upon hearing that the Rebels were collecting in
force at Ford's Mills. We made a forced march of sixteen miles in order
to surprise them ; marched all night ; got to our ground at Jemmie's
creek at six o'clock in the morning of the 7th, where we heard the
Rebels had moved seven miles to Phillip's Ford.

*Col, Patrick Moore, commanding, t.iken by Col. Shelby and others.

•', 1

APPENDIX.

503

Monday, jtJi. Clot in motion at seven in tlic cvcnin.if, and made
another forced march for tiiem ; and fording Jcmmic's creek and the
South and North Ijranclies of Ty^cr river. Got to the ground the
Rebels were encamped on, at four o'clock on Tuesday morning, August
eighth. They had intelligence of our move, and were likewise alarmed
by the firing of a gun in our ranks; they sneaked from their ground
about half an hour before we arrived.

Tuesday, Sth. Learning that the Relicl wagons were three miles
in front of us at Cedar Springs, Captain Dunlap, with fourteen mounted
men, and a hundred and thirty militia, were dispatched to take the
wagons. He met three Rebels coming to reconnoitre our camp ; he pur-
sued, took two of them — the other escaped, giving the Rebels the alarm.
In pursuit of this man, Dunlap and his ])arly lushed into the centre
of the Rebel camp, where they lay in amijusli, before he was aware
of their presence. A skirmish ensued, in which Dunlap got slightly
wounded, and had between twenty and thirty killed and wounded —
Ensign .McFarland and one private taken prisoners. The Rcl^cl loss is
uncertain. A Maj. Smith, Capt. Potts, and two privates, were left dead
on the field. Col. Clarke, Johnson [Robertson,] and twenty privates
were seen wounded. We pursued them five miles to the Iron. Works,
but were not able to overtake them, they being all mounted. We
countermarched five miles to Cedar Springs, and halted to refresh
during the heat of the day. At six in the evening, marched and took a
height near the ground the Rebels left.

Wednesday, gth. Lay on the heights ; nothing extra.

Thursday, roth. Sent the wounded to Musgrove's Mills, Enoree
river, to be attended by Dr. Ross. We marched about seven miles to
Culbcrtson's plantation, on Fair Forest. Express arrived from Col.
Turnbull at Rocky Mount, with orders to join him. By the express
heard that Sumter had attacked Hanging Rock the 6th instant. The
North Carolinians were first attacked ; they gave way. Brown's corps
came up, but were obliged to give way. The Legion Cavalry came in
the rebels' rear, and sf)on gained the day. Brown's corjis suffered
much — three officers killed, and three wounded — an hundred men taken
prisoners.

Friday nth. Got in motion at six o'clock in the morning. Marched
ten miles to Maj. Gibbs' plantation ; lay all night.

Saturday, I2th. Got in motion at seven o'clock in the morning, and
marched seven miles to a Rebel Capt. Stripling's plantation. He has
taken protection, and as yet has not broken his [)iomise. A Maj. Ruther-
ford* came with a flag; in consequence of his coming in our rear,
without giving signal l)y drum or trumpet, was detained all night, and
threatened with imprisonment.

<'M.ij. Rutherforil, a son of Ocn. Rutherford, distinguished himself at Ranisour's Mill,
and was subsequently killed at Eutaw Springs.

1 i

504

ALLAIRE S DIARY.

Sunday, 13th. Got in motion at five o'clock in the morning, and
marched nine miles to Tinker creek. At seven in the evening got in
motion and marched five miles to Smith's Mills, on Swift's creek. Here
we lay all night.

Monday, 1 4tli. Got in motion at four o'clock in the morning;
Marched to the Quaker fording place ; forded Tyger river, continued
our march to a Rebel Col. James Lisle's plantation. Lisle is in the
Rebel service — his family at home.

Tuesday, ijt/t. Got in motion at seven o'clock in the morning.
Marclied two miles to Lisle's Ford; forded Broad river — proceeded
seven miles to a Mr. Coleman's in Mobley's settlement; halted during
the heat of the day. Got in motion at seven o'clock in the evening ;
marched two miles to the camp of the New York Volunteers, where we
got intelligence that Gen. Gates lay within three miles of Camden, with
an army of seven thousand men. Col. Turnbull had orders the twelfth
to retreat from Rocky Mount, and act as he saw proper — to get to Cam-
den if he could. Simiter appeared with cannon at Rocky Mount, about
twelve hours after Col. Turnbull left it, in order to make a second trial
for the jiost. He found not so harsh a reception as his first attempt.

JFrdnrsdiry, i6th. Got in motion at seven o'clock in the morning,
and marched two miles to Mobley's meeting house for convenience of
ground.

Thursday, lyfh. Got in motion at nine o'clock in the morning, and
marched six miles to a Rebel Col. Winn's plantation. Winn is at James
Island, a ]irisoner.

Friday, iSth. Lay at Winn's plantation, waiting news from Camden,
having spies out upon every (|uarter.

Saturday, igtlt. Lay at Winn's plantation. An express arrived from
Camden with the agreeable news of Lord Cornwallis' attacking and
totally defeating Gates' army on the morning of the i6th ; twelve hundred
were killed and wounded, left on the field ; and one thousand prisoners,
eight brass field pieces taken, being all the Rebels had in the field,
several stand of colors, all their ammunition wagons, a hundred and
fifty wagons of baggage, provisions, and stores of different kinds. All
this with the trifling loss on our side of not more than ten officers killed
and wounded, and two or three hundred non-commissioned officers and
privates. We received orders to pursue Sumter, he having the only
remains of what the Rebels can call a corps in these parts at present.
At six o'clock in tlie evening our wagons were ordered forward that we
might pursue Sumter with vigor. At seven we got in motion. That
very moment an express arrived from Col. Innes', who was on his way
from Ninety Six to join us, informing us that he had been attacked by
a body of Rebels at Musgrove's Mills on Enoree river; that himself, and
Major Fraser of his regiment, were wounded, as were Capt. Peter Camp-

APPENDIX.

605

bell, Liciits. Chew and Camp, of Col. Allen's regiment. He wished for
support as many of the militia had left him. This, to our great mortifi-
cation, altered the course of our march. At eleven at night, wc got
in motion ; marched ail night ; forded Hroad river at sun-rising.

Sunday, 20II1. Proceeded four miles, and took up our ground at
Peter's creek, where we lay all day, fatigued with our night's march, being
eighteen miles. While wc lay at Col. Winn's, a Mr. Smith was executed
for joining the Rebels after he had taken protection, and been allowed
to embody himself with our militia.

Monday, sjst. Got in motion at one o'clock in the morning, and
marched six miles to a Rebel Capt. Lipham's on I'adget creek. Took
up our ground at five o'clock in the morning. This morning was so
cold that we were glad to hover round large fires as soon as wc halted.
About one o'clock a Mr. Duncan came to our camp with tlie agreeable
news that Col.Tarleton, with three companies of the Light Infantry, and
the Legion Cavalry, fell in with Sumter about twelve o'clock on Saturday,
the nineteenth.* He found them all asleep after the fatigue of two
nights' rapid retreat. Their horses were all at pasture. The first alarm
was the Light Infantry firing upon them. Col. Tarleton, with his usual
success, gained a complete victory over Gen. Sumter; took two brass
field pieces, made two hundred and fifty prisoners, eight hundred horses,
thirty wagons, and retook a hundred of Brown's men that were
captured at Hanging Rock. Captain Duncan made his escape from the
Rebels during the engagement, he being a prisoner. Got in motion at
eleven o'clock in the evening ; marched ten miles to Tyger river ; forded
it at break of day.

Tuesday morning, 22d. Continued our march four miles to
Harrison's plantation, on Fair Forest, where we halted.

Wednesday, 2jd. Got in motion at six o'clock in the morning, and
marched six miles to John Blasingame's plantation, on Sugar creek,
where we took up our ground. Col. Ferguson set out for Camden.

Thursday, 24th. Still lay at Blasingame's, on Sugar creek.

Friday, 25th. Still at Blasingame's.

Saturday, 26tli. Got in motion at six o'clock in the morning;
marched six miles to John Wofford's plantation, on McClure's creek.

Sunday, 2jt/i. Lay at McClure's creek ; nothing extra.

Monday, 2St/i. Got in motion at five o'clock, and marched six miles
to Culbertson's plantation, near Fair Forest river.

Tuesday, 2gth, to Thursday, jist. Lay at Culbertson's; nothing
extra.

Friday, September 1st. Still remained at Culbertson's. Maj. Fer-
guson joined us again from Camden with the disagreeable news that we

*It was really the preceding day, Friday, i8th.

1 I , ,un

-T--1

i\ I.

606

ALLAIRE'S DL4RY.

were to be separated from the army, aiul act on the frontiers with the
militia.

Saturday, 2d. dot in motion at cloven o'clock in the mornini^j;
forded Fair Forest river, and marched ten miles to the Iron Works, on
Lawson's Fork of I'acolct river. Here was a Kcliei militia-man that got
woimdcd in the ri^dit arm at the skirmish at Cetlar Springs, the eighth
of August. The hone was very much shattered. It was taken off hy
one Frost, a blacksmith, with a shoemaker's knife and carpenter's saw.
He stojijied the blood with the fungus of the oak, without taking up a
blood vessel.

Sunday, jii. My friend Johnson and I bathed in the stream at the
Iron Works.

Monday, ^tJt. Cot in motion at six o'clock in the morning, and
marched ten miles to Case's creek, where we halted all night.

Tuesday, ^th. Gf)t in motion at five o'clock in the evening, and
marched a mile and a half to Pacolet river, and halted. The fresh was
so high we could not ford the river. I took lodging, with my friend
Johnson, who was very unwell, at one Coleman's, who is a very warm
Tory. His wife and all her children have been stripped of all their
clothes, bedding, and other furnituie. She was mother of five children
in two years.

Wednesday, 6th. Got in motion at eight o'clock in the morning ;
marched six miles to Buck's creek ; dined at one Nelson's. Here was
a hearty old man, named William Case, a hundred and nine years old.
Pic is a native of New Kngland. Talks very strong ; gives some faint
description of New England. His memory began to fail seven years
past ; he lost his eyesight about eighteen months past ; is otherwise very
hale ; walks amazingly spry, and danced a jig.

Thursday, jth. Got in motion at seven o'clock in the morning;
crossed Buck creek, and the division line of South and North Carolina;
marched six miles farther, and halted. Maj. Ferguson, with about fifty
of the American Volunteers, and three hundred militia, got in motion at
six o'clock in the evening, and marched to Gilbert Town in order to sur-
prise a party of Rebels that we hcaid were there. Capt. DePeyster and
I remained on the ground we took in the morning, with the remainder
of the American Volunteers and militia.

Friday, Sth. Got in motion at eight in the morning, and marched
six miles to Broad river, and took a height where we halted, and waited
orders from Maj. Ferguson.

Saturday, gth. Remained on the ground ; received intelligence
from Maj. Ferguson to keep our post. He was returning to keep a good
lookout, as the Georgians were coming towards us.

Sunday, loth. Col. Ferguson joined us about eleven o'clock at night.

Mofiday, nth. Got in motion at four o'clock in the evening; forded

l^^w 'M'

APPENDIX.

607

Broad river and continued on our march icn miles to one Adair's plan-
tation, and halted.

Tiirsiliiy, J2f/i. Maj. Ferguson, with forty American Volunteers and
one hundred militia, got in motion at two o'clock in the morning, and
marched ftnirteen miles through the mountains to the head of Cane creek,
in liurke County, in order to surprise a party of Rebels \vc heard lay
there. Unfortunately for us, they had by some means got intelligence
of our coming, in consequence of which, Mr. McPowell, with three
hundred infamous villains like himself, thought it highly necessary to
remove their cpiarters. However, we were lucky enough to take a
different route from what they expected, and met them on their way, and
to appearance one would have thought they meant sincerely to fight us,
as they drew up on an eminence for action. On our approach they fired
and gave way. We totally routed them, killed one private, wounded a
Capt. White, took seventeen prisoners, twelve horses, all their ammu-
nition, which was only twenty pounds of powder, after which we
marched to their encampment, and found it abandoned by those Con-
gress heroes. Our loss was two wounded and one killed. Among the
wounded was Capt. Duniap, who received two slight wounds. Aftcrth'*
skirmish we returned to one Allen's to refresh ourselves. We go m
motion about four o'clock in the afternoon, and countermarched about
six miles to a Rebel Mr. Jones', where we halted all night.

IVciincsday, ijth. Got in motion about eight o'clock in the morn-
ing and continued countermarching to a Rebel Col. Walker's plantation
where we met Capt. Ryerson and Lieut. Fletcher with the remainder
of the American Volunteers and militia. Here we took up our ground,
very much fatigued with our enterprise.

Thursday, 14th. Lay still at Col. Walker's. The poor, deluded
people of this Province begin to be sensible of their error, and come
in very fast. Maj. Ferguson, with thirty American Volunteers, and three
hundred militia, got in motion at six o'clock, and marched to the head
of Cane creek, and halted at one Wilson's.

Friday, ijth. Capt. Del'eystcr and I, who remained at Col.
Walker's with the remainder of the American Volunteers and militia,
got in motion at six o'clock in the morning, and marched twelve miles
to one Bowman's, near the head of Cane creek, and halted. This
creek is so amazingly crooked that we were obliged to cross it nineteen
times in marching four miles. Mrs. Bowman is an exceedingly obliging
woman. She had a child about four years old, who had smoked
tobacco almost three years. At four o'clock in the afternoon got in
motion, and marched a mile and a half to Wilson's, where we joined
Maj. Ferguson. At ten o'clock in the evening we got in motion, with
the American Volunteers and five lumdroil militia, leaving Cajjt. Ryer-
son and Lieut. Fletcher, with two hundred militia, to guard the baggage,

III!

508

ALLAIRE'S lUAKY.

111

ilil

and marched fifteen miles to one Jnlin rorsylh's, on tlie banks of the
Catawba, to surprise Col. McDowell. We arrived there about six
o'clock in the morning,' of the i6ih. Col. McDowell had left this pi. ice
the 14th. We countermarched to one Devore's, and h.dled to refresh
ourselves. At three o'clock got in motion ; marched to I'leasant (lar-
den Ford, Catawba river; forded it, and continued our m.irch to one
Georj;e Cathy's plantation, about a mile and a half from Devore's.
I'leasant Garden is a very hamUonie pi. ice. I was surprised to see so
beautiful a tract of land in the mountains. This settlement is composed
of the most violent Rebels I ever saw, particularly the younj^ ladies,

Siimiay, ijtii. Got in motion and m.ircheil two miles to Buck's
creek, forded it, and continued our m irch two miles farther to a Rebel
Maj. D.ividson's plantation, and halted.

Moiu/iiy, iSth. Got in motion, coimtcrmarchcd to Buck creek,
forded it, and proceeded on five miles to Richey's Ford, on Catawba
river, forded it, and marched to a Rebel Alexander Thompson's planta-
tion, six miles farther, and halted.

Tuesday, igth. Got in motion at five o'clock in the morning, and
marched about eleven miles to a Rebel Mr. Hemphill's plantation, and
halted. At seven o'clock in the evening, I went aljout a mile and
joined Capt. Ryerson and the militia imdcr his commanii.

Wednesday, 20th. Got in motion at six o'clock in the morning, and
marched a mile and a half to one Wiiite's plantation, where we joined
M.ij. Ferguson again. This day three officers belonging to Crugcr and
Allen's regiments, joined us from Ninety Six, witii titty militia men.

Thursday, 2 1st, Got in motion at five o'clock in the morning and
marched fourteen miles to a Rebel Samuel Andrew's plantation, and
hailed. On the march I saw eight wild turkeys.

Friday, 22d. Got in motion at five o'clock in the morning ; marched
five miles to Col. Walker's plantation, and halted.

Saturday, 2jd. Got in motion at nine o'clock in the morning ;
marched three miles to Gilbert Town ; took up our ground on a height
.about half a mile from the town. This town contains one dwelling
house, one barn, a blacksmith's shop, and some out-houses.

Sunday, 24th. I-'ivc hundred subjects came in, also a number of
ladies. Received intelligence from Col. Crugcr, that he had marched
from Ninety Six to Augusta, to the .issistance of Col. Browne, who was
besieged by six hundred Rebels, under the command of Col. Clarke.
Fortunately for Col. Browne, the Cherokee Indians, for whom he is
agent, were coming to Augusta for their yearly iMesents. They met
the Reiiels just as they were going into the town, which obliged them
to fight. The Rebels being too numerous, and the Indians unacquainted
with field fighting, were obliged to make the best of their way to a fort
on one flank of the town, where Col. Browne had retired to. He made

APPENDIX.

601)

a very f;allaiit dcAmrc for five days, two of which he was witlunit broad
or water. On Col. Cruger's apjjroacli, tlic Rebels moved off with their
plunder, of which they had a tolerable share. Col. Criiger arrived time
ciioiigii to retake the cannon which they had taken from Hrowne, and
ai)oiit thirty prisoners.

Moiuiay, 2^th, and Tuesday, 26th. Lay at Gilbert Town ; nothing
extra.

Wednesday, 3y//i. Got in motion at five o'clock in the morning,
and marcheil three miles to Riickor's Mill, and haitctl.

Thursday, sSih. Got in motion at live o'clock in the morning ;
marchicl sc\en miles to Mountain cicek, foriled it, altiiough very difllcult,
continued on about a mile farther to Twitty's Ford of iJroad river, and
took up our ground on its banks. At six o'clock in the evening got in
motion, forded the river ; marched two miles to McDaniel's Ford of
Green river; forded it, and marched two miles farther; halted on the
road ; lay on our arms till four o'clock the next morning.

Friday, 2()th. We then, at that early hour, moved on three miles to
one James Step's plant.ition, and halted. This man has been very
unfortunate in his family ; his wife, who is a very decent woman, was
caught liy the Indians about a twelvemonth past. They scalped
and tomahawked her sever.il times in tlie head, treated the infant she
had in her arms in a most inhuman and savage manner. They mashed
its head in such a manner that its recovery is truly astonishing ; but
\\hat this ])oor, unhappy woman seems most to regret is the loss of her
oldest son, whom the savages took, and she now remains in a state of
uncertainty, not having heard from him since.

Saturday, joth. Lay at James Step's with an expectation of inter-
cepting Col. Clarke on his return to the mountains; but he was prudent
enough to take another route.

Sunday, Ociobcr nt. Got in motion at five o'clock in the morning,
and marched twrlve miles to Denard's Ford of Broad river, and took
up our old ground where we lay the 8th Se|5tcmbcr.

Monday, 2d. Got in motion at four o'clock in the afternoon ; forded
Broad river; marched four miles; formed in line of action and lay on
our arms. This night I had nothing but the canojiy of heaven to
cover me.

Tuesday, jd. Got in motion at four o'clock in the morning; marched
six miles to Camp's Ford of Second Broad river, forded it and con-
tinued on six miles to one Armstrong's plantation, on the banks of
Sandy Run. Halted to refresh ; at four o'clock got in motion ; forded
Sandy Run ; marched seven miles to I'.uffalo creek ; forded it ; marched
a mile farther and halted near one Tate's plantation. John West came
in cam]), who is a hundred and one years of age ; is amazingly strong
in every sense.

,. *

; I

' V

nio

AI.LAIRF/S niARV

I'riday, Otii. (iot in motion at four o'( lo( k in tli(> moinin;^, and
marched sixteen miles to Little l\iii;;'s Mountain, wheii; we took up
our {ground.

Safun/tty, yf/i. y\l)i)Ul two <)'( lock in the afternoon twenty-five litin-
(hed Rebels, uiuler tlie ((immand of 111 i;^. -den. Williams, anil ten
Colonels, atta( ki'il r..-.. I\iaj. i'er^'uson liad I'i^lit liundred men. The
action ( ontiniied a'.i hour and five minute:^ ; hut tluir numbers enaliled
them to surround us. The Noith t'arolin.i ici^iment seeint; this, and
numbers beini,' out of amnuinition, gave way, whieii n.itmally threw the
rest of tl'^- niil.tia into confusion. Our poor little detat:hnu'nt, which
cons'Gtcd of only seventy men when we marched to the field of ai tion,
were all killed anil woinuled but iwenty ; and those brave fellows were
soon crowded as close as possible by the militia. Capt. Del'eystcr, on
whom the command devolved, saw it im|)ossible to form six men toj^ethcr ;
thou,L;ht it necessary to sunender to save the livi'sof the brave men who
weie left. We lost in this action, Maj. T'erj^iisoii, of the Sesenty-first
re|;iment, a man much attached to his Kini; ami countrv, well informeil
in the art of w; r ; he was bra\e and humane, and an agreeable com-
panion ; in short, he was universally esteenud in the ainiy, and 1 have
e\ery reason to regret his uidiappy fate. We had eighteen nien killed
on the s|)ot ; Cant. Ryerson and thiity-two privates wounded of Maj.
Kerguson's detachment ; Lieut, ^b(iinnis, of Allen's regime nt of
Skinner's Brigaile, killed. Taken prisoners. Two (.Captains, four Lieu-
tenants, three Knsigns, and one Smgeon, and fifty-four sergeants rank
and lile, including the mounted mi-n undei the command of Lieut. Taylor.
Of the militia, one hundred were kiUeil, including officers ; wounded,
ninety ; taken prisoiuMs, about six hundred. Our baggage all taken, of
course. Rebels lost 15rig.-Gen. Williams, one huiidred and thirty-five,
including officers, killed ; W(uiiuled, ei|ual to ours.

Sii/it/tiv, S.'//. They thought it necessary to move us sixteen miles,
to one W.ildron's plantation, where they halted.

Mi'ihfiiy, ()th. Moveil two miles and a half to Bullock creek ; *
forded it, and halted on the banks.

'Tuesday, loth. Moved twenty miles and halted in the woods.

Wi-dncsday. nth. Moved at I'iglit o'clock iii the morning ; march'.-d
twehe miles to Col. W.dker's, ami halteil,

'IViiirsi/iiy, ijf/i. Those villain . diviiled our baggage, although they
lu'.d promised on their word we should h:i\e it all.

Friday, rj//i. Moved si.\ miles to Hickerstaff's jilantalion. In the
evening their liijcrality extendeil so far as to seiul five old shirts to nine
of us, as a changj of linen — other things in like proportion.

Saturday, I jtli . Twebe field officers were chosen to try tlie militia

^Apparently Uorcti's creek -Bullock'scruck w.is some lirteen ur citjlitecii miles ilist;int.

APPEXn/X.

All

iliti:i

prisoners— -particularly those who had tlic most inlliu'iici' in the cmmliy.
They cnndenu'd tl\irty — in the I'vciiinj; they bc},'iin to execute l,ieiit.-Col.
Mills, Capt. Wilson, Capt. C'hitwood, and six others, who unfortunately
fell a sacrilici; to their infamous moeic jury. Mills, Wilson, ami Chit-
wood (hed like Romans — tlic others weri' reprieved.

Sinh/:t\\ ijth. Movi'd at live o'clock in the morninj;;. Marched
all (i.iy tinou.i;h the rain — a very disai^reeahle road. We ^dI to fatawha,
and lorded it at l-.l.iiul I'did, about ten o'clock at ni^ht. (Mw m.irch
was thirty-two miles. All the men were worn out with fati^nie .ind fast-
ing — the |)risoners having no bread or meat for two days before. We
officers were allowed to go lo Col. McDowell's, where we lodgt'd com-
fortably. About one huiuhed prisoners made their escape (ju this
march.

Moiulay, i6tli. Mo\'ed at two o'clo( k in th(^ aftt-rnoou. Man lied
five; mill's; forde<l the north bi.uu li of Catawba and John's river;
halted at a Tory plantation.

7'ihSi/iiy, lytli. Mo\((l at ei^ht o'l lock in the morning. Maichetl
fifteen miles; halted ,it t'apt. Ilatl's pl.intation. Tliiee jirisoneis
altempteil to make their es( a[)e this night ; two succeeded — the other
was shot through the body.

lVt'i/iii'S(f(iy, /S//i. About five o'clock in the morning the Rebels
executed the man who unfortunately got wounded in attempting to m.d;e
his escape. We moveil at eight o'clock in the morning, and marched
eighteen miles to Moravian creek, ami halted.

'Thiirsdciy, l()t/i. Moved at eij;ht o'clock in the morning; forded
iMoravi.m creek, passed by Wdkes (."ourt I louse, and marched si.xteen
miles to one Il.igwoods' |)l.intation, and haltc'd.

I'liddY.-olli. Moved at eleven o'clock in the morning; m.irched
six miles to Mr. Sale's pl.mt.ition, anil hailed.

Satiiriiav, :^rst. Sever.d Tory women brought us butlei', milk,
honey, anil many other nee essaries of life. Moved at ten o'clock in
the morning, and marched fourteen miles to Mr. Ileadpeth's plantation,
a great Tory, who is at present with Lord Cornwallis. We lodged at
Mr. I'.dward Clinton's, who is likewise with Lord Cornwallis.

Sinu/iiy, 2::ii. Moved at tc'U o'clock in the mornin-. Obt. lined
liberty to go forward with t^'ol. Shell))- to Salem, a town inhibited by
Mora\ians. Rode tc n miles, and fordid N'aclkin rix'er at Shallow Lord.
I'roceecled on fourlem mile-', f.iither to Salem. Went to meetiiij; in the
evening; highly enteit. lined with the decency of those people, and with
their music-. Salem contains about twc-nty houses, and a place of wor-
ship. The- people of this tow 11 .liC all mechanics; those of tlic other
two \b)ia\ian settlements are all fanners, .uul all st.mch fiieiicK lo Cov-
ernment.

Monday, 2jd. Lay at Salem in the evening. Two Continental

?f ! i

512

ALLAIRE'S LUARV.

officers slept at the tavern, on tlicir way to join their army, One Mr.
Simons, a Lieutenant of Col. 'VVasliinj;ton's dragoons, was exceeding
polite, pitied our misfortune in falUugiulo the lianils of llieir militia.

Tuesday, 24th. Moved at ten o'clock in tlie morning ; marched si.\
miles to the old town called Bethahara. Hero we joined the camp
again. This town is about as large as the other; but not so regularly
laid out. The inhabitants very kind to all the prisoners. This night
Dr. Johnson and I were disturbed by a Capt. Campbell, who came into
our room, and ordered us up in a most peremptory manner. He wanted
our bed. I was obliged to go to Col. Campbell, and wake him to get
the ruffian turned out of the room ; otherwise he would have murdered
us, having his sword drawn, and strutting about with it in a truly
cowardly manner.

l/cdnesday, 2^th. The men of our detachment, on Capt. DePcy-
ster passing his word for their good behavior, were permitted to go into
houses in the town without a guard.

Thursday, 26th, to Saturday, 2Sth. Nothing extra.

Sunday, 2gth, Col. Cleveland waited on Capt. DePeyster and the
rest of the officers, and asked us if wc, with our men, would come and
hear a sermon at ten o'clock. He marched the militia prisoners from
their encampment to the town, and halted them ; and sont an cfuccr to
our quarters to acquaint us they were waiting for us. Wc then ordered
our men to fall in ; marched to the front of the prisoners ; the whole
then proceeded on to a height about half a mile from the town. Here
we heard a Presbyterian sermon, truly adapted to their principles and
the times ; or, rather, stuffed as full of Republicanism as their camp is
of horse thieves.

Monday, 30th. A number of the inhabitants assembled at Bctha-
bara to see a poor Tory prisoner executed for a crime of the following
natiu'e, viz : A Rebel soldier was passing the guard where the prisoners
were confined, and like a brute addressedhimself to those poor unhappy
people in this style: "Ah, d — n you, you'll all be hanged." This
man, with the sjjirit of a British subject, answered, "Never mind that,
it will be your turn next." But Col. Cleveland's goodness extended so
far as to reprieve him.

Tuesday, jot/i. Rode to Salem in company with Capt. DePeyster,
Dr. Johnson and Mr. Supple. This night very cold ; froze ice a quarter
of an inch thick — the first this fall.

IVednesday, No7<cmber ^/. My friend, Dr. Johnson, insulted and
beaten by Col. Cleveland attempting to dress a man whom they had
cut on the march. Col. Aunstrong relieved Cleveland in the afternoon,
and took the ccnnmand.

Thursday, 2d. Tf)ok a walk with Capt, DePeyster, Dr. Johnson
and Mr. Taylo'' to Bathania, three miles from Bethabara. This town
contains about thirty houses ; it is regularly laid out.

APPENDIX.

513

Friday, jd. Ilcnrd by a countryman, who was moving his family
over tlio mountains to Nolachucky, that (jcncral Lcshc had handed at
James riviT, in Virginia.

Satiirdtiy, ^tlt. Dined at a country house.

Sunday, ^th. Set off from Bethabara in company with Lieut. Tay-
lor, Lieut. Stevenson, and Wilham Gist, a mililia-niun, about six o'clock
in the evening. We marched fifteen miles to Yadkin river ; forded it,
found it very disagreeable. We continued on twenty miles farther to
Mr. Miller's plantation, an exceeding good suljject. Here wc arrived
just at d.iybreak the next morning.

Monday, 6/k. Took up our ground in the bushes, about haF a mile
from the house. At ten o'clock, we sent Mr. Gist to the house for some
victuals. He found Mr. Miller at home, who very readily gave us all
the assistance that lay in his power. About two o'clock, he brought
us some victuals, which we were very happy to see, being very
hungry after our fuiguing march the night before. In conversation,
which very naturally run upon the safest way, guides, etc., Mr. Miller
told us he knew a militia Capt. Turner, and one or two more subjects,
then lying in tiie bushes, who would lie very happy to join Lord Corn-
wallis ; and they were also excellent guides. On this we consulted, and
thought it prudent to stay all night. Mr. Miller then fetched us a
blanket, and immediately set out to find those people.

Tuesday, jth. Mr. Miller returned informing us that one of those
men would be with us at six o'clock in the evening. We waited till
seven, but the man not coming, we thought it prudent to go without
him. We set out about half after seven ; marched six miles to one
Carpenter's. When we arrived tliere, Mr. Carpenter advii^ed us to
remain there the remainder of the night, and he would go to Mr. Miller,
and send him again for the men. We then consulted, and thought it
best to stay a day or two — then to proceed on, without a guide.

Wednesday, Sth. Lay very snug in the bushes. Aljout four o'clock
in the afternoon, Mr. Carpenter returned and told us Mr. Miller was
gone in search of a guide, and was to return with an answer as soon as
possible. Suffered exceedingly with tiie cold tins day.

Thursday, gth. Heard of the Rebels following us, but they getting
false intelligence, returned again, which was mucli in our favor. In the
course of the day, we thought it would l)e prudent to get the best direc-
tions we could, and proceed on, without a guide, rather than remain too
long in one place, lest some of those people might be treacherous. We got
direction from Mr. Cari)entcr for sixty miles, aiul at six o'clock in the eve-
ning, set out ; marched thirty miles, and halted in the woods at daybreak.

Friday, lolh. Suffered very much wilii tlie cold. At six o'clock in
the evening set out agai i. This night saw the moon in an eclipse, and
heard several wolves bark. Passed a Rebel party consisting of twelve
or four'een, who lay about twenty yards from the road by a fire; but

.. i'.

1 ;

514

ALLAIRE S DIARY.

very foitunatcly for us, they were all asleep. We marched thirty miles
and arrived at Colbert Blair's, just at daybreak.

Saturday, iitli. It bc^an to rain just after we got to Mr. Pjlair's.
Lucky we were indeed. This good man secreted us in his fodder-house,
and gave us the best his house afforded.

Sunday, 12th. Remained at Mr. Blair's ; a rainy, disagreeable day.

Monday, ijth. Set out from this good man's fodder-house, lie
conducted us about three miles to a Mr. F. Rider's, who guided us seven
miles farther, over the Brushy Mountains, to Catawba river. Mr. John
Murray, who lived on the bank of the river, put us over in a canoe, and
conducted us three miles to Mr. Ballou's. This old man was about sixty
years o*" age ; but his love for his King and his subjects induced him to
get up, although very late at night, and guided us seven miles to a Mr.
Hillerbrine's. On the way the old man informed us he had two sons
who lay out in the woods, who were anxious to go to our army, and were
also good guides. He also told us of one Williams, that was a good
guide, aiiu who would be glad to go with us. We told the old man we
should be very hap[)y to have them, as the road began to grow more
dangerous, and we quite unacquainted with the way. This poor old
man expressed a great deal of anxiety for our safety, and at last told
us he would go the next day and endeavor to find them, and send them
to us. We arrived at Hilterbrine's about six o'clock in the morning of
the 14th. He received us with great caution, lest we should be treach-
erous ; but when he found we were British officers he was very kind.

Wednesday, i^th. Just as we were drinking a dish of coffee, on a
rock, after dusk, those three young men came to us on horseback, which
made us very happy. We set out immediately, and marched twenty
miles over the Brushy Mountains, where there was nothing but Indian
paths. Crossed several small rivers. We arrived at one Sheppard's
plantation, just at daybreak of the i6th. This poor family were so
completely stripped of everything they had, by the Rebels, that they
could give us nothing but a hoe cake, and some dried beef, which was
but a very indifferent repast for hungry stomachs. At six o'clock in the
evening set out ; marched sixteen miles to Camp's Ford of Second
Broad river ; forded it, and continued on three and a half miles farther
to Island Ford of Main Broad river; forded it, and marclied one mile to
Capt. Townsend's plantation. This man received three Ijalls in the
action on King's Mountain, and was at home on parole. He was very
happy to see us, and gave us the best his house afforded.

Friday, lyt/t. Set out at six o'clock in the evening ; marched twelve
miles to a Mr. Morris'. Here we were told that a party of Rebels were
directly in our front ; that we had better remain there th.>t night, in
which time we could send Mr. Williams, who was with us, and well
acquainted with that neighborhood, to get a militia Capt, Robins, who

APPENDIX.

515

miles

Blair's,
r-housc,

)lc clay.
;c. He ■
LIS seven
Ir. John
loe, and
out sixty
.1 him to
to a Mr.
;\vo sons
md were
a good
man we
o\v more
poor old
last told
end them
M-ning of
e trcach-
kind.
ffee, on a
ck, which
d twenty
lit Indian
licppaid's
were so
that they
hicli was
ck in the
f Second
cs farther
ne mile to
>s in the
was very

led twelve

l)cls were

ni-ht, in

and well

)bins, who

lay out in the woods, and was going to our army in a day or two. This
man was so good a guide that it induced us to stay.

Saturday, iSt/i. Lay in the woods ; fared pretty well.

Sunday, igth. Mr. Williams returned, but without effecting what he
went after. We had a council of safety ; found it necessary to proceed
on. We got Mr. Murray to guide us to the main road that leads to the
Iron Works, which is twelve miles distant. We set out about three
o'clock in the afternoon ; took by-paths, and got in the main road just
at dusk. We crossed I'acolet river, Lawson's Fork, and Tyger river ;
passed a Rebel guard; marclied thirty-seven miles, and arrived at
James Duncan's plantation, half an hour before daybreak of the 201)1.
About ten o'clock Mrs. Duncan rode out to see if she could get any
intelligence of our army, and of the Rebel army, that we might shun
the latter. Mrs. Duncan returned in less than an hour, with tlie
disagreeable news that the Rebel army was marching within two
miles of us, and were going to encamp at Blackstock's, about four miles
from us. This news truly discouraged me. About five o'clock in the
evening Mr. Duncan came to us with agreeable news — that Col. T.ule-
ton was in pursuit of the Rebels. At six o'clock a Mr. Jackson came to
us, and informed us he had seen Col. Tarleton ; he had also heard he
had had an action with Sumter, who commanded the Rebels, but did not
know the particulars. He advised us to go to his house and stay all
night, as we would be perfectly safe there, and the next morning go to
Mr. Smith's, where we could hear the j)articulars of the action, as there
were some of the Legion wounded there. We agreed to what the ni.m
said ; staid all night at his house, where we were treated very kindly.

Tuesday, 3ist. Mr. Duncan conducted us to Mr. Smith's, where we
found six of the Legion wounded.

Wednesday, 23d. Set out from Archcy Smith's on horseback, which
the subjects in that neighborhood supplied us with. They brought us
on thirteen miles to one Adair's. Here we dismounted, and those good
people returned. We continued thirteen miles to Williams' Fort, whic :h
was commanded by Col. Kirkland, who received us very kindly.

Thursday, 2jd. Set out from Col. Kirkland's, who was kind enough
to lend us horses as far as Saluda. Left the horses here ; crossed in a
scow; walked a mile to Col. Mayson's ; dined; got horses and rode to
Ninety Six. Arrived at Capt. John Barbarie's* quarters, about eight
o'clock in the evening.

Friday, 24tlt. Remained at Ninety Six; nothing extra.

Saturday, 2jth. Set out for Charleston, Where I arrived the 29th
of November; nothing worth notice on the journey.

*Capt. Rnrb.irie belonced to the New Jersey Volunteers: was c.ipliircd ,nt St.-tten
Island in 1777; donlitless shared in the sie';e o( Charleston, as he ilid in tlie sicKC uf
Ninety Six, during whii li If- was woumlcd ; and was aiijain wounded at Eutaw Springs. He
received half jiay. and settled at St. Idhri^^. New Ilrnnswick. where he became .1 Colonel
of the militia, and a inai^istratu. He died at Snvse,\ Vale in i8i3 at the age of sixty-seven.
His son, Andrew Barbaric, was a member of the Assembly of that Province.

il f

If ■>

•516

BRITISH A ceo UNTS.
KING'S MOUNTAIN BATTLE.

BRITISH ACCOUNTS.
[From Scot's Magazine, January, 1781.]

Charleston, Dlx, 27, 1780.

A gentleman lately come to town lias favored us with an account
of tlic base treatment the unfortunate officers and men met with wlio
surrendered prisoners of war, last October, to the Rebel Col. Campbell,
in the action of King's Mountain. \ small party of the [British] militia
returning from foraging, unacquainted with the surrender, happening to
tire on the Rebels, the prisoners were immediately threatened with death
if the firing should be repeated.

The morning after the action, the prisoners were marched sixteen
miles ; previous to their march, orders were given by Campbell, should
tlicy be attacked, to fire on and destroy every prisoner. The party kept
marching for two days without any kind of provisions. On the third
day's march all the baggage of the officers was seized, and shared
among the Rebel officers.

A few days after, a mock court-martial sat for the trial of the militia
prisoners; when, after a short hearing, thirty gentlemen, some of the
most respectable characters in that country, had sentence of death
passed on them ; and at six o'clock the same clay they began to execute.
Col. Mills and Capt. Chitwood, of North Carolina, Capt. Wilson, of
Ninety Six, and six privates, were first executed. The British officers
were compelled to attend at the execution of their brave but unfortunate
men ; who, with manly firmness, avowed their loyality in their last
nioments, and with their latest breath expressed their unutterable detes-
tation for the Rebels, and their base and infamous proceedings. The
remaining twenty-one were reprieved for a time.

KING'S MOUNTAIN BATTLE.
[From Rivington's Royal Gazette, New York, February 24th, 17S1.]

Extract from a letter from an officer,* d.ated Charleston, January
30th, 1 78 1.

This gentleman went from New York with a detachment drawn from
the Provincial Brigade, which was commanded by the brave IMajor
Patrick Ferguson. This letter gives the most circumstantial account yet

*This letter w.is evidently enough written by Lieut. Allaire, as a comparison with his
Diary proves : and the same test shows that the preceding article from Scot's ^Magazine,
W.15 dictated by him.

APPENDIX.

517

received of the action at King's Mountain, in South Carolina, Oct. seventh.

I think the last letter I wrote you was from Fort Moultrie, which I
left ;v few days after. We marched to a place called Ninety Six, which
is about two hundred miles from Charleston ; we lay there ai)out a fort-
night in good quarters, after which we proceeded to the frontiers of South
Carolina, and frequently passed the line into North Carolina, and can
say with propriety, that there is not a regiment or detachment of his
Majesty's service, that ever went through the fatigues, or suffered so
much, as our detachment.

That you may have some faint idea of our suffering, I shall mention
a few particulars. In the first place we were separated from all the
army, acting with the militia ; we never lay two nights in one place,
frequently making forced marches of twenty and thirty miles in one
night; skirmishing very often ; the greatest jjart of our time without rum
or wheat tlour — rum is a very essential article, for in marching ten miles
we would often be obliged to ford two or three rivers, which wet the
men up to their waists.

In this disagreeable situation, we remained till the seventh of Octo-
ber, when we were attacked by two thousand five hundred Reljcls, under
the command of Gen. Williams. Col. Ferguson had under his com-
mand eight hundred militia, and our detachment, which at that time
was reduced to an hundred men. The action commenced about two
o'clock in the afternoon, and was very severe for upwards of an hour,
during which the Rebels were charged and drove back several times,
with considerable slaughter. When our detachment charged, for the
first time, it fell to my lot to put a Rebel Captain to death, whicli 1 did
most effectually, with one blow of my sword ; the fellov/ was at least si.\
feet high, but I had rather the ad\antage, as 1 was mounted on an ele-
gant horse, and he on foot. But their numbers enabled them to sur-
round us and llie North Carolina regiment, which consisted of aljout
three hundred men. Seeing this, and numbers being out of ammuni-
tion, which naturally threw the rest of the militia into confusion, our
gallant little detachment, which consisted of only seventy men, exclusive
of twenty who acted as dragoons, and ten who drove wagons, etc.,
when we marched to the field of action, were all killed and wounded
but twenty, and those brave fellows were soon crowded into an heap oy
the militia. Capt. DcPeyster, on whom the command devolved, seeing
it impossible to form six men together, thought it necessary to surrender,
to save the lives of the brave men who were left.

We lost in this action, Maj. Ferguson, of tlie Seventy-first regiment,
a man strongly attached to his King and country, well informed in th(> a.rt
of war, brave, humane, and an agreeable companion — in short, he was
imiversally esteemed in the army, and I have every reason to regret his
unhappy fate. We lost eighteen men killed on the spot — Capt. Ryerson

11^

11.

lit I

618

BRITISH A ceo UNTS.

and thirty-two Sergeants and privates wounded, of Maj. Ferguson's
detachment. Lieutenant M'CJinnis of Alien's regiment, Skinner's
Ijrigade, l<illed ; taken prisoners, two Captains, four Lieutenants, three
Ensigns, one Surgeon, and fifty-four Sergeants and privates, inchiding
tile wounded, wagoners, etc. Tlie militia killed, one hundred, including
officers; wounded, ninety; taken prisoners about six hundred; our
baggage all taken, of course.

The Rebels lost Brig.-Gen. Williams, and one hundred and thirty-five,
including officers, killed ; wounded nearly ecjual to ours. The morning
after the action we were marched sixteen miles, previous to which orders
were given by the Rebel Col. Campbell (whom the command devolved
on) that slioiild they be attackt-d on their march, they were to fire on,
and destroy their prisoners. The party was kept marching two days
without any kind of provisions. The officers' baggage, on the third
day's march, was all divided among the Rebel officers.

Shortly after we were marched to Bickerstaff's settlement, where we
arrived on the thirteenth. On the fourteenth, a court martial, composed
of twelve field officers, was held for the trial of the militia prisoners ;
when, after a short hearing, they condemned thirty of the most principal
and respectable characters, whom they considered to be most inimical
to them, to be executed ; and, at six o'clock in the evening of the same
day, executed Col. Mills, Capt. Chitwood, Capt. Wilson, and six pri-
vates ; obliging every one of their officers to attend at the death of those
brave, but unfortunate Loyalists, who all, with their last breath and
blood, held the Rebels and their cause as infamous and base, and as
they were turning off, extolled their King and the British Government.

On the morning of the fifteenth. Col. Campbell had intelligence that
Col. Tarleton was approaching him, when he gave orders to his men,
that should Col. Tarleton come up with them, they were immediately to
fire on Capt. DePeyster and his officers, who were in the front, and
then a second volley on the men. During this day's march the men
were obliged to give thirty-five Continental dollars for a single ear of
Indian corn, and forty for a drink of water, they not being allowed to
drink when fouling a river ; in short, the whole of the Rebels' conduct
from the surrender of the party into their hands is incredible to relate.
Several of the militia that were worn out with fatigue, and not being
able to keep uj), were cut down, and trodden to death in the mire.

After the party arrived at ^Toravian Town, in North Carolina, we
officers were ordered in different houses. Dr. Johnson (who lived with
me) and myself were turned out of our bed at an unseasonable hour
of the night, and threatened with immediate death if we did not make
room for some of Campbell's officers ; Dr. Johnson was, after this,
knocked down, and treated in the basest manner, for endeavoring to
dress a man whom they had cut on the march. The Rebel officers

APPENDIX.

519

would often go in amongst the prisoners, draw their swords, cut down
and wound tiiose wliom their wicked and savage minils jjrompted.

This is a specimen of Rebel lenity — you may re|)ort it without the
least equivocation, for upon the word and honor of a gentleman, this
description is not equal to their barbarity. This kind of treatment
made our time pass away very disagreeably. After we were in Moravian
Town about a fortnight, we were told we could not get paroles to return
within the British lines ; neither were we to have any till we were
moved over the mountains in the back parts of Virginia, where we were
to live on hoc cake and milk ; in consequence of this, Capt. Taylor,
Lieut. Stevenson and myself, chose rather to trust the hand of fate,
and agreeable to our inclinations, set out from Moravian Town the fifth
of November, and arrived at the British lines the twentieth. From this
town to Ninety Six, which was the first post we arrived at, is three
hundred miles ; and from Ninety Six to Charleston, two hundred, so
that my route was live hundred miles. The fatigues of this jaunt I
shall omit till I sec you, although I suffered exceedingly ; but thank God
am now in Charleston in good quarters."

KING'S MOUNTAIN.

[From Rivington's New York Royal Gazette, March 2ist, 1781. Copied

into a London paper, of April, .')Oth, and into the Charleston

Royal Gazette of October 27th following.]

Extract of a letter from an officer taken prisoner at King's Mountain,
dated Charleston, S. C, March 4th, 1781 :

Capt. DePeystcr and I* were permitted to come within the lines
upon paroles, and were made exceedingly happy on our arrival in town,
being informed we were exchanged. After our misfortune in losing
Maj. Ferguson, the command devolved on Capt. DeFeyster; he behaved
like a brave, good officer, and disputed the ground as long as it was
possible to defend it against four times our number. The action lasted
an hour and five minutes, very hot indeed. I must confess I was
pleased, though a prisoner, to see their loss superior to ours. It is an
agreeable satisfaction to think, that although they got the better of us,
d — n 'em, we made them pay for it. I can assure you, sir, we deserved
success, although it was not in our power to command it.

*As Lieuts. Allaire, Taylor, and Stevenson had previously escaped from Beth.-ibara,
and arrived in Charleston, the only oflicers left with Capt. DePeystcr were Capt. Kycrson
and Lieut Fletcher. It was one of these — most likely Capt. Ryerson— who wrote this
letter.

i .

520 PURSUIT— VICTOR Y.

COL. WILLIAMS TO GEN. GATES.

BuRKK County, Oct. 2d, i^So.

Sir: I am nt present about seventy miles from SiUisbuiy, in the
fork of the Catawba, with about four liundreil and tifty liorsemen, in
pursuit of Col. I*'crguson. On my crossin<j the Catawba river. I dis-
patched to different cjuarters for intelligence, and this evening I was
f.ivored with this news, which you may depend on : That Col. Clarke,
of the State of Georgia, with one hundred ritlcmen, forced his way from
South Carolina to Georgia. On his route thither, being joined by seven
hundred men, he proceeded to the town of Augusta, and has taken it
with a large quantity of goods ; but not finding it prudent to continue
there, he has retreated to the upper parts of South Carolina, in Ninety
Six district, and made a stand with eight hundred brave men.

This moment another of my expresses is arrived from Cols. Mc-
UowcU and Shelby ; they were on their march, near Burke Court House,
with fifteen hundred brave mountain men, and Col. Cleveland was within
ten miles of them with eight huiulrcd men, and was to form a junction
with them this day. I expect to join tlicm to-morrow, in pursuit of Col.
Ferguson, and underthc direction of heaven, I hope to be able to render
your honor a good account of him in a few days.

I am, &c.,

Maj.-Gen. Gates. JAMES WILLIAMS.

GEN. W. L. DAVIDSON TO GEN. SUMNER.

Camp, Rocky River, Oct. lotk, lySo.

Sir: I have the pleasure of sending you very agreeable intelligence
from the West. Ferguson, the great partisan, has miscarried. This we
are assured of by Mr. Tate, Brigade Major in Gen. Sumter's late com-
mand. The particulars from that gentleman's mouth stand thus : That
Cols. Campbell, Cleveland, Shelby, Sevier, Williams, Brandon, Lacey,
etc., formed a conjunct body near Gilbert Town, consisting of three
thousand. From this body were selected sixteen hundred good horse,
who immediately went in pursuit of Col. Ferguson, who was making
his way to Charlotte. Our people overtook him well posted on King's
Mountain, and on the evening of the seventh inst., at four o'clock, began
the attack, which continued forty-seven minutes. Col. Ferguson fell in the
action, besides one hundred and fifty of his men ; eight hundred and
ten were made prisoners, including the British, one hundred and fifty of
prisoners arc wounded. Fifteen himdred stand of arms fell into our
hands. Col. Ferguson had about fourteen hundred men. Our people
surrounded them, and the enemy surrendered.

APPENDIX.

621

"We lost about twenty men, amnn;,' whom is Maj. Clironicle, of
Lincoln County ; Col. Williams is mortally wounded. Tlic number of
our wounded cannot be ascertained. This blow will certainly effect the
British very considerably. The Brigade Major who gives this, was
in the action. The above is true. I give you joy upon the occasion."

In forwarding the above to Gen, Gates, Gen. Sumner wrote from
Yadkin Ford, eight o'clock in the evening, October roth: "With
great satisfaction I inform you of the defeat of M.ij. Ferguson, four
o'clock on Saturday afternoon. The particulars I inclobc you as I
received them a few minutes ago."

GEN. GATES TO GOV. JEFFERSON.

IIii.LSiiOKO, Oct. I2ih, lySo.
Sir: This instant I received the great and glorious news contained
in the enclosed letter from IJrig.-Gen. Davidson to Gen. Sumner, who
directly dispatched it to me by express. We are now more than even
with the enemy. The moment the supplies for the troops arrive from
Taylor's Ferry, I shall proceed with the whole to the Yadkin. Gen.
Smallwood and Col. Morgan are on their way to that post ; the latter,
with the Light Infantry, was yesterday advanced eighteen miles beyond
Guilford Court House ; the former, with the cavalry, lay last night
thirteen miles on this side that place. I desire your Excellency will
dispatch copies of all the letters I now send to the President of Congress.

GEN. GATES' LETTER OF THANKS FOR KING'S
MOUNTAIN VICTORY.

HiLLsnouo, Oct. 1 3th, lySo.
To the officers commanding in the late defeat of Maj. Ferguson:

Sirs: I received, this morning early, the very agreeable account of
your victory over Maj. Ferguson. It gave me, and every friend to
liberty, and the LInited States, infinite satisfaction.

I thank you, gentlemen, and the brave officers and soldiers under
your command, for your and their glorious behavior in that action. The
records of the war will transmit your names and theirs to posterity, with
the highest honor and applause. I desire you will acquaint them with
the sense I entertain of the great service they have done their country.
I have, this morning, by a special messenger, transmitted intelligence
of it to Congress.

■

\ ■ I

''y.

622

OFF I CI. 1 1. RFPOR T.

I am now only anxious about the disposal of the prisoners, as they
must be ready to use in excbanj^c for our valuable citizens in tlie enemy's
hands. SuMid them under jjroper ^aiards to I'incast'e Court House, Vir-
ginia. I will desire the Colonel of that County to have a strong palisade,
eighteen feet high out of tlu" ground, instantly set up, within which log
huts may be built to cover them. The guard must Ije without, and the
loop-holes eight feet from the ground. Provisions, etc., shall be ordered
to be provided for them.

OFFICIAL REPORT.

[From the Virginia Gazette, Nov. i8th, and Massachusetts Spy,

Nov. 30th, 1780.]

A state of the proceedings of the Western Army, from the 2^th of Sep-
tember, ijSo, to the reduction of Major Ferguson, and
the army under his command.

On receiving intelligence that Major Ferguson had advanced as high
up as Ciilbert Town, in Rutherford County, and threatened to cross the
mountains to the western waters. Col. William Compbell, with four
hundred men from Washington County, Virginia, Col. Isaac Shelby,
with two hundred and forty from Sullivan County of North Carolina, and
Lieut. -Col. John Sevier, with two hundred and forty men, of Washing-
ion County, assembled at Watauga, on the 25th of September, where
they were joined by Col. Charles McDowell, with one hundred and
sixty men from the Counties of Hurke and Rutherford, who had tied
before the enemy to the western waters.

We began our march on the 26th, and on the 30th we were joined by
Col. Cleveland, on the Catawba river, with three hundred and fifty men,
from the Counties of Wilkes and Surry. No one officer having properly
a right to command in chief, on the 1st of October, we dispatched an
express to Maj. Gen. Gates, informing him of our situation, and request-
ing him to send a general officer to take the command of the whole. In
the meantime Col. Campbell was chosen to act as commandant till such
general officer should arrive. We marched to the Cowpens, on Broad
river, in South Carolina, where we were joined by Col. James Williams,
with four hundred men, on the evening of the 6th of October, who in-
formed us, that the enemy lay encamped somewhere near the Cherokee
Ford, of Broad river, about thirty miles distant from us.

By a council of the principal officers, it was then thought advisable to
pursue the enemy that night with nine hundred of the best horsemen,
and leave the weak horses and footmen to follow as fast as possible. We

APPENDIX.

528

{ V

began our iu;irch with nine hundred of the best men, about eight o'clock
the same evening ; and, marching all night, came up with the enemy
about three o'clock i*. M. of the 7th, who lay encamped on tlic top of
King's Mountain, twelve miles north of the Cherokee l'"ord, in the
confidence that they could not be forced from so advantageous a post.
Previous to .the attack, on the march, t!ic following disposition was
made : Col. Shelby's regiment formed a column in the center, on the
left ; Col, Campbell's regiment, another on the right ; with part of Col.
Cleveland's regiment, headed in front by Major Winston, and Col.
Sevier's regiment, formed a large column on the right wing. The other
l)art of Cleveland's regiment, headed by Col. Cleveland himself, and
Col. Williams' regiment, composed the left wing. In this order we
advanced, and got ^vithin a quarter of a mile of the enemy before we
were discovered.

Col. Shelby's and Col. Campbell's regiments began the attack, and
kept uj) a fire on the enemy, while the right and left wings were advanc-
ing to surround them, which was done in about five minutes, and tlic
fire became general all annuul. The engagement lasted an hour and
five minutes, the greater part of which time, a heavy and incessant fire
was kept up on both sides. Our men in some parts, where the regulars
fot"'ht, were obliged to give way a small distance, two or three times;
but rallied and returned with additional ardor to the att.ick. The troops
upon the right having gained the summit of the eminence, obliged the
enemy to retreat along the top of the ridge to where Col. Cleveland
commanded, and were there stopped by his brave men. A flag was
immediately hoisted by Capt. DePeyster, the commanding officer
(Maj. Ferguson having been killed a little before), for a surrender. Our
fire immediately ceased, and the enemy laid down their arms, the
greatest part of them charged, and surrendered the. ..selves to us pris-
oners at discretion.

It appears from their own provision returns for that day, found in their
camp, that their whole force consistetl of eleven hundred and twenty-
five men ; out of which they sustained the following loss : Of the regulars,
one Major, one Captain, two Sergeants, and fifteen privates killed ;
thirty-five privates wounded, left on the ground, not able to march ; two
Captains, four Lieutenants, three Ensigns, one Surgeon, five Sergeants,
three Ccjrporals, one Drummer, and forty-nine privates taken prisoners.
Loss of the Tories — two Colonels, three Captains, and two hundred and
one privates killed ; one Major, and one hundred and twenty-seven
privates wounded, and left on the ground, not able to march ; one
Colonel, twelve Captains, eleven Lieutenants, two Ensigns, one Ouarter-
Master, one Adjutant, two Commissaries, eighteen Sergeants, and six
hundred privates taken prisoners. Total loss of the enemy, eleven
hundred and five men at King's Mountain.

' <1!

r r.'

till

Ijlffij
jili I

524

siiKLii \ "s A a 'orxrs.

Given under onr hands at cani[),

WILLIAM CAMl'HELL,
LSAAC SIIKLHY,
HKNJ. CLKVKLANl).
The losses on our siilc were — one Colonel, one Major, one Captain,
two Lieutenants, Kour luisij;ns, nineteen privates killeil— total, twenty-
eif^ht killed ; one Major, three Captains, three Lieutenants, and iitty-live
privates wouniled — total, sixty-two wounded.
I'uhlishcil by order of Congress,

CHARLI'.S THOMSON, SKCur.TAUV.

COL. ISAAC SHELBY TO lllS KAT1I!;R, C.I'.N. KVAN SHELBY.
I From the Virginia dx^tiL-, November 4th, 1780.]

I have lierewith the |)leasinc to acciuaint you, that on Salincl ly, the
7th inst., in tlie aOernoon, we came uj) with Fer^aison and his crew, who
lay enc.imped on the lop of Kinjj's Moun.ain. The day was wd, and
that I'lovidence who always rules and };ovcrns all things for the best, so
ordered it th.il we were close around them before we were discovered,
and formed in such |)osilion, so as to (i'e on tiiem nearly about the same
tinu', tii()U;;h tliey heard us in time to form, and stood ready. Tile battle
continueil warm for an hour; the enemy finding the iselves so emljar-
rassed on ail sides, surrendered themselves prisoners to us at discretion.

They had taken post at that place witii the confuience that no force
couhl rout them ; the mountain was hij^h, and exceedinj^ly steej), so
that tlieir situation ^jave them greatly the advantaj^e ; indeed, it was
almost c<pial to storming; a battery. In most places we could not see
them till we were within twenty yards of them. They re|)clled us three
times with charged bayonets ; liut being determined to coiu|uer or die,
we came \\\i a fourtii time, and taiily got |)osscssion of the toj) of the
eminence. Our loss I iia\e not exactly coliecti'd, as the camp has been
in such disorder ; but believe the killed to be about thirty-live men, and
between tiity and sixty wounded.

A list of the kilK 1, wounded, and prisoners of the British : Killed,
Maj. Ferguson, one Ca|)tain, two Surgeons, and twenty-six privates.
Wounded, one Lieutenant, and twenty-seven privates. I'riso'.crs, one
Captain, five Lieutenants, one Surgeon, and fifty priv.ites.

Tories killed ; Two Colonels, two Captains, and one hundred and
Iwcnfy-five jjiivales. Wounded, one hundred and twenty-live. I'lison-
ei I, one Colonel, one Major, twelve Captains, eleven Lieutenants, two
i-'.nsigiis, two .'\djntaiUs, one t'ommissary, one (hiarter-Master, eighteen
Sergeants, and six hundred privates. Total, tne thousand and sixteen ;

APPENDIX.

625

and seventeen baggage wagons, ami twelve liundied st;nul uf arms
taken.

Our loss of killed and wonnded : Col. Williams, of South Carolina,
Capt. Kdniondson, anil live Lieutenants, of Virginia, and Iwenty-tlireo
privates of the different Stales. Wounded fifty-four of the different
States. •

COL. ISAAC SHELBY TO COL. ARTHUR CAMPHELL.
[Erom the Virginia Aii^us, 0( tober _'6th, iSio. I

NouTii Carolina, i)ct. loih, i-;So.

I have iicrcwith the honor to aeipiaint you, lli.\t on Saturdav, th" yih
insl., in the afternoon, after a fon ed ni.in h of forty-five miles on that
day and the ni^hl before, a detaelunei t from our little army of mountain
men, n'i about nine hundred, under eommand of Col. William Camp-
bell, came up with Col. Eerguson. who lay en(:aiui)ed oa King's
Mountain.

The forenoon of the day was wet, but we were fortunate enoi!.;h to
come on him undiscovered, and took his pickets. We were non ormcd
in such order as to attack the enemy on all (Hiarlers. The Washington
and Sullivan regiments began tl.- alt.uk on the fiont and left (lank the
North Carolina regiments, under Cms. Williams, Sevier, and Clev.'laud,
attacked the rear, and the other (lank; The (Irinj; in about (ifteen
minutes, became general, and was kept up with fury or. both sides (or
near an hour.

On the lust onset, the Washington militia a»'cmi)ted rnjiidly to
ascend the mountain ; but were met by tiie Ih'cisI regulars with (ixed
bayonets, and forced to retreat. They were soon rallied by their gall.mt
comniiindcr and some of his .active ofti.crs, .ind, by a constant and well-
(lircM ted (ire of our rides, we drove them b;ick, in our turn, and re;iched
the summit of the mountain, where tli(> enemy, being ( losi'ly surrounded,
surrendered |ai.soners at discretion. Their commander. Col. I'"erguson,
attempted, a little before the close of the ac ti(U), to m;ike his es( a])e on
horseback, but was intercepted by a few rillemen of the Sullivan regi-
ment, and fell de.id when forcing his way.

The |>osl taken by the enemy, gave them confidence (hat any force
the Americans could bring against them, could not defeat them. Trulv
the situ.ition of the ground gave them greatly the advantage, as the
mount, lin was high, and exceedingly steep in front, and interspersed
.along die top with crag;;y cliffs of rucks; in short, it was almost e(|ual
to storming regular works.

Ft'

526

CAMPBELL'S ACCOUNT.

The enclosed* list contains an account of the loss of the enemy.
Ours is small as to numbers, being about thirly killed, and something
over fifty wounded. Among the former are some brave men of our best
officers, whose services their countrymen ought long to remember with

gratitude.

COL. *VM. CAMPBELL TO COL. ARTHUR CAMPBELL.

l»!f,

Wilkes County, Camp on Brier Creek, Oct. sot/t, lySo.

Dear Sir: Ferguson and his party are no more in circum^ ices to
injure the citiiiens of America. We came up with him in Craven
County, South Carolina, posted on a height, called King's Mountain,
about twelve miles north of the Cherokee Ford of Broad river, about
two o'clock in the evening of the 7th inst., we having marched the
whole night before.

Col. Shelby's regiment and mine began the attack, and sustained the
whole fire of the enemy for al:)out ten minutes, while the other troops
were forming around the height upon which the enemy were posted.
Tiic firing then became general, ant' as heavy as you can conceive for
the number of men. The advantageous situation of the enemy, being
the top of a steep ridge, obliged ustr, expose ourselves cxccedmgly ; and
the dislodging of them was almost equal to driving men from strong
breast-works ; though in the end we gained the point of the ridge, where
my regiment fought, and drove them along the summit of it nearly to the
other end, where Col. Cleveland and his countrymen were. They were
driven into a huddle, and the greatest confusion ; the flag for a surrender
was immediately hoisted, and as soon as our troo|)s could be notified of
it, the firing ceased, and the survivors surrendered themselves prisoners
at discretion.

We fought an hour and five minutes, in which time two hundred and
twenty-five of the enemy were killed, and one hundred and thirty
wounded ; the rest, making about seven hundred regulars and Tories,
were taken prisoners. Ferguson was killed near the close of the action.
The virtory was complete to a wish ; and I think it was won by about
ceven hundred men, who fought l)ravcly. I have lost several of my
brave friends, whose death I much lament. Maj. Edmondson will give
you their names, though I must myself mention Capt. Edmondson, his
two brothers, and Lieut. Rowen. My regiment has suffered more than
any other in the action. Our loss in the field was, altogether, about
thirty killed, and sixty wounded. I must proceed on with the prisoners
until I can in some way dispose of them. Probably I may go on to
Richmond, in Virginia

^ Not given, but iloulitless the same as in the Ifflter to Gen. Evan Shelby.

APPENDIX,
WASHINGTON'S GENERAL ORDER.

627

Head-quaktkks, Totoway, Oct, syth, i-So.

The General has the pleasure to coiigratulaie the army on an im-
portant advantage lately obtained in North Carolina, over a corps
of fourteen iiundred men, British troops and new levies, commanded by
Col. Ferguson.

Tlie militia of the nci;jhboring Country, under Cols. Williams, Shelby,
and others, having assembled to the number of about three thousand
men, a detachment of sixteen hundred was sent on horseback to fall in
with Ferguson's party, on its march to Charlotte. They came up with the
enemy at a place called King's Moimtain, advantageously posted, and
gave him a total defeat, in which Col. Ferguson, and a hundred and fifty
of his men were killed, eight hundred made prisoners, and fifteen hundred
stand of arms taken. On our part, the loss was inconsiderable. We have
only to regret that the brave Col. Williams is mortally wounded.

These advantages will, in all probability, have a very hapjiy
influence on o|)ertions in that quarter, and are a proof of the spirit and
resources of the country.*

KING'S MOUNTAIN— A FRAGMENT.
By Col Arthur Campbell.

Soon after the defeat of the American army under Gen. Gates, the
British commanl-r in South Carolina made arrangements to invade
North Carolina and Virginia. With this view, he organiiied a corps of
the upland Tories, mostly riflemen, and attached to them two com-
panies of his regular troops, giving the command of the whole to M.aj.
Patrick Ferguson, of the Seventy-first regiment, an intelligent officer,
and well calculated for a separate command. The corps on the first
outset, amou.. cd to two thousand men. Orders were also sent to the
British Indian agents, to excite the Indians to invade the American set-
tlements west of the mountains ; and, if practicable, to proceed as far
a« Chiswcll's Lead Mines, and destroy the \' rks and stores at that place.

The main body, commanded bv Cornw ilis in person, was to move
along tlie central road, by way of Salisbury, and form a junction with
Ferguson before he entered into Virginia. Ferguson's detachment
began the operation by marching towards the mountains ; and, on his
way, mot witli a small regiment of North Carolina militia commanded
by Charles and Joseph McDowell. They were. attacked, and soon dis-
persed ; hilt the Colonel and Major, with a part of the men chose,

*Whitinj;'s liei'olutionary Orders, pp. 123-24.

H :i

528

A. CAMPBELL'S STATEMENT.

rather than submit, to pass over the Apalachian mountains, and take
refuge among their Whig brethern on the western waters. Tliey arrived
in the settlement on Watauga river, without tiieir famihes, to the number
of about one hundred and fifty men. Tiicir tale was a doleful one, and
tended to excite the resentment of the western militia, who of late had
become inured to danger by fighting the Indians, and who had an utter
detestation of the tyranny of the British Government.

At this period, early in September, the County Lieutenant of Wash-
ington was in Richmond. There he had an interview with the Governor
of Virginia, who detailed the circumstances of Gen. Gates' defeat, the
measures about to Ije taken to retrieve the late misfortune, and to expel
the enemy from our country ; and that vigorous resistance everywhere
would soon put an end to the war. On the return of the County Lieuten-
ant, Col. Isaac Shelby, of North Carolina, sent to him a tuisty messenger
to inform him of the progress of Ferguson, and the retreat of McDowell's
corps ; and also to incjuire whether it would be prudent to make an effort
to enable the exiles to recrnss the mountains, and return to their own
homes. Mr. Adair, the messenger, was told the Governor's sentiments
on the subject of Gates' defeat, and the efforts that would soon be
made, by order of Congress, to check the progress of the enemy ; and
he was also assured, that if the wesLcrn counties of North Carolina
would raise a force to join Col. McDowell's men, that the officers of
Washington County would co-operate to aid their friends to return home.

A consuluUion was soon had with the fi(,ld officers, and a resolution
agreed on, to order half the militia of Washington County into actual
service, under the command of Col. William Campbell. All ranks
seemed animated with the same spirit, and the quota was raised and
equipped in a few days. An express was sent to Col. Cleveland, of
Wilkes County, North Carolina, to let him know what was going on,
and to march all the men he could raise, to rendezvous at an appointed
place on the east side of the mountains. Cols. Shelby and .Sevier acted
their part, with like promptitude, in the western counties of North Caro-
lina, and tlie whole met at Col. McDowell's enrampnent on Watauga.

On the twenty-eighth [twenty-sixth] of September cur little army took
up its line of march, and the third day in the evening reached the other
side, without any opposition from the enemy. Two days afterwards.
Col. Cleveland joined his corps to the main body ; and the day after-
wards Col. Williams, with three companies of volunteers from South
Carolina. A council o*" officers w.is held, and it was agreed that Col.
William Campbell, of Virginia, should take command of Uie whole,
and pursue the enemy. Col. Ferguson, after dispersing such parties of
the North Carolina militia as were embodied, followed Col. McDowell's
men as far as the foot of the great mountains, and after takiuL; some
prisoners, and collecting a drove of beeves, he made a hasty retreat to

APPENDIX.

529

King's Mountain, in order to be nearer tlic main army, and on account
of the strong encampment that might be formed on the top of it. Our
newly elected commander reviewed his men, and selected all that were
fit for service of the mounted infantry, and ordered the footmen to fol-
low as they might be able to hold out.

Those who have been familiar with the principal officers who fought
on King's Mountain, and those who fought at Cowpens, will readily ])ro-
noiuice tiiat the latter was a mere skirmish compared with the arduous
affair on King's Mountain. There our heroes had to act as a forlorn
hope — storm the enemy's camp, defended by superior numbers, and
disciplined troops. The Virginia regin^ent alone had more killed than
the whole of Gen. Morgan's corps. This proves where the hard fighting
was, more than the pompous tale of a partial historian. It was Fergu-
son's defeat that was the first link iw a grand chain of causes, which
finally drew down ruin on the British interests in the Southern States,
and finally terminated the war of the Revolution.

It has been remarked why so small a mmiber of the Americans were
killed at King's Mountain, compared with the loss of the enemy. Our
officers accounted for it in this way : The Tories occupied much the
least space of ground, and o^ course were more thickly planted than
the e.\tcnded circle of the Americans around them, so that tlic fire of
our men seldom failed doing execution ; besides, when the Virginia
regiment reached the summit of the hill, the enemy was crowded, mak-
ing their retreat to the other end, without returning a shot ; and when
they were driven into a huddle by meeting the fire of Col. Williams'
division, they received a heavy fire before our troops could be notified
of the surrender.

.aro-

\^-
took
)ther
ards,
ifter-
iouth
Col.
nole,
;s of
•ell's
iorne
at to

AN ACCOUNT OF THE MARCH AND B.VTTLE OF KING'S

MOUNTAIN,

15y an unknown member of Campbell's regiment

On hearing of a large body of British and Tories assembled in North
Carolina, under the command of Col. Ferguson, andthreateningtovib.it
r^")lbnin river, on the 22d of S^;)tembcr, 1780, two hundred and fifty of
the iiiilK'a of Washington County, \'irginia, were ordered out under the
command of Col. William Campbell ; and rendezvoused on Watauga,
where they were joined by three hundred and fifty men from the west-
ern part of North Carolina under the command of Col. Sevi'-/ and Co'.
Isaac Shelby, together with a jiarty of one hundred and fiftymen, under
the command of Col. Charles McDowell, who had been driven over the

mountains bv Col. Ferguson. While we were yet at the jjlace of lendez-
;i4

630

ANONYMOUS STA TEMENT.

voiis, Col. Arthur CainpljcU, believing thiit there was not :i sufficient
force to successfully cnj^;ii;e with the enemy, ordered out, and c;une on
with two hundred more of the Washington militia, and joined us at
Watauga. Col. Arthur Campbell retiuned home to take care of the
froir rs, which were left baie of men, and were in danger of being
atta Kcdby the Indians, wiio were near neighbors.

A council was held to select a commander, and it was unanimously
given to Col. William Campljcli. We began our march from Watauga
on the 27th* of Septemljer, witii nine hundred and fifty men. With a
very bad road, we were foiu' days in passing the mountains, when we
ariivcd at the settlements of North Carolina ; and the next i.ay we were
joined by Col. Cleveland, from Wilkes County, and .Maj. Winston, from
Surry, with four hundred men. From there wc proceeded on, living
mostly on parched corn. We left four hundred footmen behind, not
being able to keep up with the horse, and tiie fifth [sixth] of October, joined
Col. Williams, and some Georgia troops, being about three hundred and
fifty. From Col. Williams' camp, we set out about dark, and traveled
all that night, exjiecting to attack the enemy about break of day ; but
Col. Ferguson sometime before hearing of our coming, retreated, and
took an advantageous position at a place called King's Mountain, where
the enemy thought they were very safely posteil, and sent to Cornwallis
for a re-inforcement. But Col. Campbell proceeded so precipitately on
his march, that wc came on them with surprise, on the 7th of October,
the sun ijcing about an hour and a half high.

Col. Cainpbell ordered Col. Williams and Col. Cleveland to the left,
and Col. Shelby for a reserve, and attacked on the right himself, mak-
ing the first onr.oi. ; but the action soon ijucame general — Col. Williams
and Col. Cleveland acting witli great bravery on the left. Col. I'ergu-
son ordered a charge to be made on the Virginia regiment, wiiich forced
some of them to retreat a short distance; but they were rallied again,
but the enemy fell so fast that they were obliged lO retire to the tojD of
the mountain. Col. Shelby with the reserve came up, and in about half
an hour the enemy was surrounded.

Too much cannot be said in jiraise of our bra^'e commander, who ex-
erted himself, animating the men to victory. Wc advanced on the enemy,
and broke their lines ; but they were rallied three times by Col. Fergu-
son, but to no effect ; our men pressing so close on them on every side,
at length that active Briush officer, losing all hopes of victory, tliought
with some others to break through our lines and gee off; but fell in the
attempt, Col. Fergus' -n having two balls through his body, and one
through his head. The enemy then soon surrendered. The action
lasted an hour and five minutes. The enemy had about two hundred

<'Tlic ofTici.il r port. .tiuI KiisiRn CamplicU's Diary, st.ite th.it it was tlic sCth.

-WT*

APPENDIX.

531

and thirty dead on the ground, and a number wounded. We lost some
brave officers, and about thirty-five lay dead on the ground. The
enemy mostly over-shot us, as we marched up the mountain. It wa^i
dark again we got the prisoners under guard. Cornwallis liad sent
Tarleton with foi.r hundred dragoons to re-inforce Col. Ferguson, but
hearing of his retreat, r-turned.

il (

COL CAMPBELL'S GENERAL ORDERS.

Camp hijlow Gilbert Town, Ocf. it, /;rSo.
Return of the strength of the different regiments, with the rank and
number of the dead and wounded, in the late action, to be imme-
diately made out. Two hundred privates, with the proper and necessarx-
number of officers, to mount guard every morning, wlio, with the fielil
officers of the day, are to march with the front of the army, and when
we camp are to take the charge of the prisoners immediately, to detach
the necessary pickets and patrols. I must rec[uest tlie officers of all
ranks in the army to endeavor to restrain the disorderly manner of
slaughtering and disturbing the prisoners. If it cannot be prevented
by moderate measures, such effectual punishment shall be executed
upon delinquents as will put a stoj) to it.

Camp at Col. Walker's, Oct. ij, lySo.

Parole Newburn.

The Deputy Ouarter-Masters, under the direction of the Ouarter-
Master General, to dispose of the wounded of their respective regiments,
who are not able to march with the army, in the best manner they can,
in the \'icinity of this ]ilace. The Quarter-Masters to call upon the
companies to which the wounded belong, for any necessary assistance
for their removal. The Adjutants to wait upon the Brigade-Major at si.x
o'clock every day for the orders. The army to march without fail by
ten o'clock.

Ca.mp at

Oct. 14, i~So.

The many desertions from the army, and consequent felonies com-
mitted by those who desert, oblige me once more to insist that proper
regimental returns be made every morning, noting down the nan^os <s(
those who desert, that such may hereafter be punished with the justice
which their crimes deserve ; and officers commanding regiments are
requested not to discharge any of their troops until we can dispose of

i. f:

532

CAMPBELL'S ORDERS.

the prisoners to a jirnper i,Mi;ircl. Tlie Quarter-Master General to sec
the aninuinition taken I'mni the enemy |in)peily issued to the trooi)^ who
have not yet drawn any of it. Tlie Coniniihsary-deneral to send small
jjarties before us upon our route to collect provisions; and he is hereby
empowered to call upon the comniaiuiin^^ officers of the different regi-
ments for such parties. It is with anxiety 1 hear the complaints of tiic
inhabitants on account of the plundering parties who issue out from the
camp, and indiscriminately rob both Whig and Tory, leaving our
friends, I believe, in a worse situation than the enemy would have done.
1 hope the officers will exert themselves in suppressing this abominable
practice, degrading to the name of soldier, by keeping their soldiers
close in camp, and preventing their straggling off upon our marches.

Camp at Bethahara, Oct. 26, ijSo.

Parole Henry.

Col. Cleveland to take the command of the guards now here, and
of those who may come to camp until 1 return, and in tiie meantime to
issue such orders as may be necessary. Should I by letter direct the
prisoners and troo|)S to move fron-v here, they arc to do it, and go to
such place as I shall so direct. Tiic officers and soldiers all to lodge in
camp, and to be and remain there from eiglit o'clock iit night, until
next morning after guard mounting, under pain of arrest or confine-
ment. The officers ordered on guard, to attend strictly to their duly
luitil the) are relieved. The Commissary to issue full rations to the
prisoners. The regular officers to continue at the jilace until I return,
unless I shall direct them to be removed witli the other ]irisoners. It is
hoped no insult or violence unmerited will be offered to them. My wish
is that no unnecessary injury be done to the inliabitants of this place or
tlie adjacent country. No liquor to be sold or issued to the troops wilJi-
out an order from the commanding officer for the time being. This
order respects all retailers of spirituous liquors in or near camp, of which
they are to be made acquainted.

VOTE OF THANKS OF THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
TO COLONEL CAMPBELL.

I\ THE \'iu(;iMA IIousi': OF Dei-egates, Nov. lotJt, i/So.

Resolved, lu-iitinc coiUradidr.tc, that the tiianks of this House be
given to Col. Wm. Campbell, of the County of Washington, and to the
officers and soldiers of the militia unler his comnand, who spontane-
ously cquijjt themselves, and went forth to the aid of a sister State, suffer-
ing distress under ihe invai^ion and ravages of the common enemy, and

i i

APPENDIX.

633

wlio cnnihincd wilh some detachments of militia from the neighboring
States judiciously concerted, and bravely executed, an attack upon a party
of tlic enemy commanded by M ij. Fergu.sf)n, consisting of about eleven
hunihed and forty-live men, British and Tories, strongly posted on
King's Mountain ; when after a severe and bloody conflict of upwards
of an hour, the survivors of the enemy were compelled to surrender
themselves prisoners of war. And that C"ol. Campbell be requested to
communicate the contents of this resolution to the gallant officers and
soldiers who composed his party.

Ori)i;ri:d, that Mr. Joseph Jones of King George, Mr. Richard
Henry Lee, and Mr. Fleming, be a committee to communicate the fore-
going vote of thanks to Col. Campbell.

Test: JOHN BECKLEY, C. H. D.

In the Virginia Senate, Nov. ijt/i, 17S0.

Resolved, neviine contradicenie, that the thanks of this House are
justly due to Col. Wm. Campbell, of Washington County, and the brave
officers and soldiers under his command, who, with an ardor truly
patriotic, in the month of September last, without waiting for the call of
Government, voluntarily marched out to oppose the common enemy, ;it
that time making depredations on the frontiers of North Carolina, and
on the 7th day of October, by a well-timed, judicious, and spirited
attack, with a force infetior to that of Maj. Ferguson, then adv.in-
tageously posted on King's Mountain, with upwards of eleven hundred
men, and by perseverance and gallantry rarely to be met with even
among veteran troops, totally defeated the whole party ; whereby a for-
midable and dangerous scheme of the enemy was effectually frustrated.

Test : WILL. DREW, C. S.

■| i*

COL. HENRY LEE TO COL. CAMPBELL.

March i/f/i, lySi.

I am very happy in informing you that the bravery of your battalion,
displayed in the action of the T5th, is particularly noticed by the Gen-
eral. It is much to be lamented that a failure took place in the line
which lost the day, separated us from the main body, and exposed run-
retreat. I hope your men are safe, and that the scattered will ag.\in
collect. Be pleased to favor me with a return ot your loss, and prepare
your men for a second battle.

I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY LEE, Jun.
COL. CAMPBELL.

534 LA FA YETTE'S EUL OG Y.

GEN. GREENE TO COL. CAMPBELL.

Head-quarteus, March iglh, lySi.

Sir: — Your faithful services, unci the exertions which you made to
second tile efforts of tlie Southern army, on the 15th inst, claim my
warmest thanks. It would Ijc ungenerous not to acknowledge my entire
approbation of your conduct, and the spirited and manly behavior of
the officers and soldiers under you. Sensible of your merit, I feel a
pleasure in doing justice to it. Most of the riflemen having gone home,
and not having it i.i my power to make up another command, you have
my permission to ic'iirn home to your friends, and should the emer-
gency of the Southern operations require your further exertions, I will
advertise you.

I am, sir, with great esteem, your most humble servant,

NATH'L. GREENE.

COL. CAMPBELL.

LAFAYETTE'S ORDERS.

August, 23th, i^i^j.

The General has no doubt but that the army will unite with him in
regretting Gen. Campbell's death, an officer whose services must have
endeared him to every citizen, and in particular to every American
soldier. The glory which Gen. Campbell has acquired at the affairs of
King's Mountain and Guilford Court House, will do his memory ever-
lasting honor, and ensure him an high rank among the defenders
of lilserty in the American cause.

The General wishes it had been possible for himself and the officers
of the army, to have paid him those honors to which his rank, but par-
ticularly his merit, so highly entitle him ; but his great distance from the
army, and our present situation, render it impossible.

The Lieutenant of the County will assemble a corps of militia, and
pay military honors to the deceased General. Gen. Stevens is requested
to name a deputation of four field officers, who will immediately repair
to Rocky Mills, and in the name of the army pay Gen. Campbell their
last respects.

LA FAYETTE,

Wm. Barber, D. A. G.

APPENDIX.

535

[Extract from a letter from James Monroe, riovcrnor of Virjfinia, to

Kobcrt R. Liviii}(st()ii, Minister I'lciiipotcntiary from the U. S.

to France, dated Riclimond, Dec. istli, 1801 :]

Sir: You will forj^ive my troubling you with an object which I do in
conlidencc that you will execute it with pleasure. The late Gen. William
Campbell of this State, a very },'allant officer of the militia, rendered
im|)ortant services to his country in a severe encounter with a detach-
ment of the British under the command of Col. Ferj^'uson, on a moun-
tain called King's Mountain, in North Carolina, in the year 1780. In
that action, in which Gen. Campbell displayed great gdlantry. Col.
Ferguson was killed, his party defeated, and by means of it, the first
check given to the British in the South, after a series of unfortunate
events. In consideration of his services on the occasion, and as a testi-
mony of the public acknowledgement of his merit, the General Assem-
bly voted him a horse completely caparisoned, and a sword which the
Executive was desired to present him with. It remains to provido the
sword, which I have to request you will be so kind as to undertake for
the Commonwealth.

M *

DIARY OF MEMORANDUMS.

[From a small book kept by Ensign Robert Campbell.]

At the battle of King's Mountain the Americans had thirty killed, and
about sixty wounded ; the British two hundred and twenty-five killed,
and something less than that number wounded.

Col. David Campbell, of Campbell's Station, was in Dysart's com-
pany at the battle of King's Mountain. Col. Robert Campbell was the
Ensign in the same company.

In the expedition to King's Mountain, Col. Campbell, Col. Shelby,
and Col. Sevier rendezvoused at the Sycamore Flats, on Watauga, at the
foot of Yellow Mountain, on the 25th of September, 1780. Next day,
the 26th, they ascended ♦'ms mountain, mostly on horseback, and en-
camped at night in the gap of the mountain on tho opposite side. The
ascent over this part of the mountain was not very difficult. There w.is a
road ; but not one on whicn wagons could pass. No provisions were taken
but such as each man c; ild carry in his wallet or saddle-bags. The sides
and top of the mountain were covered with snow, shoe-mouth deep. On
the top of the mount;. -i there was about one hundred acres of beautiful
table land, in which a spring issued, ran through it, and over into the
Watauga. Here the troops paraded. On reaching the plane beyond the
mountain, they found themselves in a country covered with verdure, and

■B

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

2.5

■-iia

^ 1^ 12.0

1.25

1.8

JA IIIIII.6

^-,%

R. CAMPBELL'S ACCOUNT.

Ijiciithcd an atmosphere of suininer miUliicss. The second night— the night
of the 27th, they rested at Cathey's plantation. The third day, the 28th,
they fell in with Gen. McDowell, and that night held a consultation of the
ofificcrs. The General was without troc^^s, yet his rank and former services
could not easily be overlooked. It was .:*ated in the council, that they
needed an experienced officer to command ti.em. Morgan was the man
they wanted, and to obviate all difficulties Gen. McDowell offered to be
the bearer of their wishes to Gen. Gates. The fourth night, the 29111, they
rested at a rich Tory's, where they obtained abundance of every neces-
sary refreshment. On the fifth day, the 30th, they reached the Catawba,
and were there joined by Cleveland. Here they dispatched Gen. .Mc-
Dowell to Gen. Gates.

On passing near the Cowpens, they heard of a large body of Tories
about eight miles distant ; and although the main enterprise was not to
be delayed a single moment, a pc'rty of eighty volunteers, under Ensign
Robert Campjjell, was dispatched in pursuit of them during the night.
They had, however, removed Ijcfore the party came to the place, who,
after riiling all night, came up with the main body next day. On the
next night a similar expedition was conducted by Captain Colvill, with no
better success, but without causing any delay.

The battle was fought on Saturday, the 7th day of October, 1780. On
tlie next Saturday, a court martial was held for the trial of the Tories.
This is represented in history to have taken place immediately ; but it
was the eighth day after the battle.

COL. ROBERT CAMPBELL'S CERTIFICATE.

I was an Ensign in Captain D^sart's company, in the battle of
King's Mountain. Frequently saw Col. Campbell riding along our lines
animating the men. About the middle of the action, Col. Shelby came
rifling where I was, and ordered me to follow him to a particular position
to the right, to attack some of the enemy that were annoying us. Wc
marched after him some distance, when the enemy fired at us. He then
ordered me to form on a s])ur of the mountaii. in front, and retired. I
there kept up a fire on the enemy until they retired to tiicir main body,
at which time I saw their flag raised. At this moment Col. Sevier came
riding up, and we marched up with him to the line of surrender. I then
discovered I was on the opposite side of the enemy from the Virginia
regiment to which I belonged. I went round immediately in search of
my brclher. Col. Campbell shook me by the hand, and ordered me to
mount one of the enemy's horses, and bring in all tlie men I could to
rii.ird the prisoners, which I did. Col. Cani;ibcll at this time was in his
sliirt sleeves.

APPEND IX.

531

battle of
our lines
[by came

position
us. We

He then
tired. I

n body,

icr came

I then

Virjj;ini,i
earch of
cd me to

could to

as in his

[From tlie /liinals of the Army of Tcinu'ssec, Oct., 1S7S.
MSS. of the Tennessee Historical Society.]

BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.
By Ensign Robert Campbell.

The following account of the Battle of King's Mountain wa-s found
amongst the papers of James Campbell, deceased. It was written Ijy
Robert Campbell, an Ensign in Capt. Dysart's company, who, upon
Capt. Dysart being wounded early in the action, commanded the com-
pany afterward. The scene is not within the limits of our State, but as
we -..'ere then a portion of the Territory of North Carolina, and as many
of our families had relatives engaged in it, I have thought proper to
transcribe it, to be filed with the other historical documents of our
Society. Joii.N R. Eaki.n.

Nashville, Tcnn., 1S4S.

In the fall of the year 1780, when the American cause wore a very
gloomy aspect in the Southern States, Cols. Arthur and William Camp-
bell, hearing of the advance of Colonel Ferguson along the mountains
in the State of North Carolina, and that the Whigs were retreating
before him, unable to make any effectual resistance, formed a plan to
intercept him, and communicated it to the commanding officers of Sulli-
van and Washington Counties, in the State of North Carolina. They
readily agreed to co-operate in any expedition against Col. Feiguson.
Col. Arthur Campbell immediately ordered the militia of Washington
Co., Virginia, amounting to near four hundred, to make ready to march
under command of Col. Wm. Campbell, who was known to be an enter-
prising and active officer. Cols. Shelby and Sevier raised a party of
three hundred, joined him on his march, and moved with forced marches
toward Col. Ferguson. At the same time Cols. Williams, Cleveland,
Lacey, and Brandon, of the States of North and South Carolina, each
conducted a small [jarty toward the same point, amounting to near three
hundred. Col. Ferguson had notice of their apjoroach by a deserter that
left the anny on the Yellow Mountain, and immediately commenced his
march for Charlotte, dispatching at the same time different messengers
to Lord Cornwallis with information of his danger. These messengers
being intercepted on their way, no movement was made to favor his
retreat.

These several corps of American volunteers, amounting to aear one
thousand men, met at Gilbert Town, and the officers unanimously chose
Colonei Campbell to the command. About seven hundred choice • .lemen
mounted their horses for the purpose of following the retre-'ting army.
The balance being chiefly footmen, were left to follow on and come u|)
as soon as they could. The pursuit was too rapid to render an escape

538

Ji. CAMPBELL 'S A CCO UNT.

practicable. Ferguson, finding that he must inevitably be over-taken,
chose his ground, and waited for the attack on King's Mountain. On the
yth of October, in the afternoon, after a forced march of forty-five
miles on liuit day and the night before, the volunteers came uj) with him.
The forenoon of the day was wet, but they were fortunate enough to
come on him undiscovered, and took his pickets, they not having it in
their power to give an alarm. They were socm formed in such order as
to attack the enemy on all sides. The Washington and Sullivan regi-
ments were formed in the front and on the right Hank; the North and
South Carolina troops, under Cols. Williams, Sevier, Cleveland, Lacey,
and Brandon, on the left. The two armies being in full view, the center
of the one nearly opposite the center of the other — the British main
guard posted nearly half way down the mountain — the commanding
officer gave the word of command to raise the Indian war-whoop and
charge. In a moment. King's Mountain resounded with their shouts, and
on the first fire the guard retreated, leaving some of their men to crim-
son the earth. The British beat to arms, and immediately formed on
the top of the mountain, behind a chain of rocks that appeared impreg-
nable, and had their wagons drawn up on their fl.ink across the end of
the mountain, by which they made a strong breast-work.

Thus concealed, the American army advanced to the charge. In ten
or fifteen minutes the wings came round, and the action became general.
The enemy annoyed our troops very much from their advantageous
position. Col. Shelby, being previously ordered to reconnoitre their
position, observing their situation, and what a destructive fire was kept
up from behind those rocks, ordered Robert Cam;>bell, one of the officers
of the Virginia Line, to move to the right with a small company to en-
deavor to dislodge them, and lead them on nearly to the ground to
which he had ordered them, under fire of the enemy's lines and within
forty steps of the same ; but discovering that our men were repulsed
on the other side of the mountain, he gave orders to advance, and post
themselves opposite to the rocks, and near to the enemy, and then re-
turned to assist in bringing up the men in order, who had been charged
with the bayonet. These orders were punctually obeyed, and they kept
up such a galling fire as to compel Ferguson to order a company of reg-
ulars to face them, with a view to cover his men that were posted behind
the rocks. At this time, a considerable fire was drawn to this side of the
mountain by the repulse of those on the other, and the Loyalists not
being permitted to leave their posts. This scene was not of long dura-
tion, for it was the brave Virginia volunteers, and those under Col.
Shelby, on their attempting rapidly to ascend the mountain, that were
charged with the bayonet. They obstinately stood until some of them
were thrust through the body, and having nothing but their rifles by
which to defend themselves, they were forced to retreat. They were

APPENDIX.

539

soon rallied by their gallant commanders, Campbell, Shelby and other
brave officers, and by a constant and well-directed lire of their rifles,
drove them back in their turn, strewing the face of the mountain with
their assailants, and kept advancing until they drove them from some of
their posts.

Ferguson being heavily pressed on all sides, ordered Capt. DePeyster
to reinforce some of the extreme posts with a full company of British regu-
lars. He marched, but to his astonishment when he arrived at the place
of destination, he had almost no men, being exposed in that short dis-
tance to the constant fire of their rifles. He then ordered his cavalry to
mount, but to no purpose. As quick as they were mounted, they were
taken down by some bold marksmen. Being driven to desperation by
such a scene of misfortune. Col. Ferguson endeavored to make his
escape, and, with two Colonels of the Loyalists, mounted his horse, and
charj.ed on that part of the line which was defended by the party who
had been ordered roimd the mountain by Col. Shelby, it appearing too
weak to resist them. But as soon as he got to the line he fell, and the
other two officers, attempting to retreat, soon shared the same fate. It
was about this time that Col. Campbell advanced in front of his men,
and climbed over a steep rock close by the enemy's lines, to get a view
of their situation, and saw they were retreating from behind the rocks
that were near to him. As soon as Capt. DePeyster observed that Col.
Ferguson was killed, he raised a flag and called for cjuarters. It was
soon taken out of his hand by one of the officers on horseback, and
raised so high that it could be seen by our line, and the firing immedi-
ately ceased. The Loyalists, at the time of their surrender, were driven
into a crowd, and being closely surrounded, they could not liave made
any further resistance.

In this sharp action, one hundred and fifty of Col. Ferguson's party
were killed, and something over that number were wounded. Eight
luindrcd and ten, of whom one hundred were British regulars, surren-
dered themselves prisoners, and one thousand five hundred stand of
arms were taken. The loss of the American army on this occasion
amounted to thirty killed, and something over fifty wounded, among
whom were a number of brave ofiicers. Col. Williams, who has been so
much lamented, was shot through the body, near the close of the action,
in making an attempt to charge upon Ferguson. He lived long enough
to hear of the surrender of the British army. He then said, " I die con-
tented, since we have gained the victory," and expired.

The third night after the action, the olificers of the Carolinas com-
plained to Col. Camplx'U, that thei .vere among the prisoners;! number
who had, previous to the action on King's Mountain, committed cool
and deliberate miu'der, and other enormities aiike atrocious, and re-
quested him to order a court-martial to examine into the matter. They

; !

r ■<

-m^

540

SHELBY'S STATEMExXT.

stilted tliat if they should escape, they were exasperated, and they feared
tliey would commit other enormities worse than they had Ibrnierly done.
Col. Campbell complied, and ordered a court-martial iaiiiiediately to sit,
composed of the Field Officers and Captains, who were ordered to inquire
into the complaints which had been made. The court was conducted
orderly, and witncbses were called and examined in each case. The con-
sequence was that there were thirty-two condemned. Out of these, nine
who were thought the most dangerous, and who had committed the most
atruciius crimes, were executed. The others were pardoned by the com-
manding officer. One of the crimes proven against a Captain that was
executed was, that he had called at the house of a Whig and inquired if
he was at home, and being informed by his son, a small boy, that he
was not, he immediately drew out his pistol and shot him. The officers
on the occasion acted from an honorable motive to do the greatest good
in their power for the public service, and to check those enormities so
frequently committed in the States of North and South Carolina at that
time, their distress being almost unequaled in the annals of the Ameri-
can Revolution.

KINCS MOUNTAIN— «Y COL. ISAAC SHELBY.

In 1S15, and again in 1S19, Gen. Martin D. Hardin, of Kentucky, had
conversations with Governor Shelliy with special reference to the battles of
Musgrove's Mill, and King's Mountain, which he carefully noted down at the
time; and which his son, the late Hon. John J. Hardin, of Illinois, communi-
cated to the American Kcvu-w, for December, 1S4S. That part relative to
King's Mountain is as follows :

In the early part of the year 1780, Col. Shelby was appointed Colonel
of Sullivan County in North Carolina, with the authority of County
Lieutenant. Col. Sevier held the same command in Washington
County, North Carolina. These Counties arc situated west of the Alle-
ghany mountains, and now constitute a part of Tennessee. Col. William
Campbell, at the same time, commanded a regiment in Washington
County, Virginia, but was not the County Lieutenant. After the defeat
of Gen. Gates, at Camden, on the i6th of August, 1780, the patriots were
very much dispirited. Many who resided in the eastern portions of North
and South Carolina, sought safety and liberty in the mountains of North
Carolina and Virginia, amidst the hardy, patriotic mountaineers of those
districts.

In September, 1780, Maj. Ferguson, who 'was one of the best and
most enterprising of the British officers in America, had succeeded in
raising a large body of Tories, who, with his own corps of regulars, con-

tucky, had
battles of

jwn at tlie
communi-
lative to

Colonel

County
ishington
the Allc-
William
shinL^^ton
le defeat
lots were

of North
..f North

of those

best and
:eeded in
lars, con-

APPENDIX.

641

stititted an effective fdrce of eleven hundred and twenty-five men.
With a view of cutting off Col. Clarke, of Cleorgia, who had recently
made a demonstration against Augusta, which was then in the hands of
the British, p"er;j;uson had marched near the Blue Ridge, and had taken
post at Oilbert Town, which is situated but a few miles from the moun-
tains. Whilst there he discharged a patriot, who had been take i
prisoner, on his parole, and directed him to tell Col. Shelby, (who liad
become obnoxious to the British and Tories from the affair at Musgrove's
Mill,) that if Shelljy did not surrender, he (Ferguson) would come over
the mountains, and put him to death, and burn his whole County.

It required no further taunt to rouse the patriotic indignation of Col.
Shelby. lie determined to make an eflbrt to raise a force, in connec-
tion with other officers which should surprise and defeat Ferguson.
With this object in view, he went to a horse-race near where Jones-
borough has since been built, to see Sevier and others. Shelby and
Sevier there resolved, that if Col. Campbell would join them, they would
raise all the force they could, and attack Ferguson ; and if this was not
practicable they would co-operate with any corps of the army of the
United States with which they might meet. If they failed, and the
country was over-run and subdued by the British, they would then take
water, and go down to the Spaniards in Louisiana.

Col. Camijbell was notified of their determination, and a place of
rendezvous appointed in the mountains, east <H' Jonesborougli. At the
time appointed, September 25th, Campbell joined them, and their united
force numbered al)out one thousand mounted ritlemen. They crossed
the mountains on the 27th, in a ravine ; and fell in, accidentally, with
Col. Cleveland, of North Carolina, who had luider his command about
four hundred men.

The force having been raised by officers of ccpial rank, and l)eing
without any higher officer entitled to command the whole corps, there
was a general want of arrangement and organization. It was then deter-
mined, that a board of officers should convene each night, and decide
on the pi in of operations for the next day ; and further, that one of the
officers should see those orders executed as officer of t/ir day, until they
should otherwise conclude. Shelby proposed that Col. Campbell should
act as officer of the day. Campbell took him aside, and requested Shelby
to withdraw his name, and consent to serve himself. Shelby replied that
he was himself the youngest Colonel present from his State, that he had
served during that year under several of the officers who were present,
and who might take offence if he commanded ; that Gen. McDowell, who
was with them, was too slow an officer for his views of the enter|)rise in
which they were engaged, and added that as he ranked Campbell, yet as
Campbell was the only officer from Virginia, if he (Shelby) pressed his
appointment, no one would object. Col. Campbell felt the force of

542

SHELB Y'S STA TEMENT.

this reasoning, and consented to serve, and was appointed to the com-
niaiul as officer of the day.

The force of the detachment was still considered insufficient to attack
Ferguson, as his strengtli was not i<nown. It was agreed that an express
be sent to invite Gen. Morgan or Gen. Davidson to talvc the command.
Gen. McUowell tendered his services for this purpose, and started on his
mission. Before proceeding far, he fell in with Col. Williams, of South
Carolina, who was at the head of from two to three hundred refugees.
Gen. McDowell advised them where the patriot force was encamped.
They joined the army, and thus made a muster-roll of about sixteen
hundred men.

The board of officers determined to march upon Ferguson. In the
meantime, two or three of their men had deserted after their first ren-
dezvous, and had gone to Ferguson, and advised him of the intended
attack. The army marched to Gilbert Town, and found that Ferguson
had left it several days before, having taken the route towards Fort
Ninety Six.

Finding that Ferguson was retreating, and learning what was his real
strength, it was determined on Thursday night, the 5th of October, to
make a desperate effort to overtake him before he should reach any
British post, or receive any further reinforcements. Accordingly they
stlcf'ted all who had good horses, who numbered about nine hundred
and ten, and started the next morning in pursuit of Ferguson, as soon as
they could see.

Fer!;uson, after marching a short distance towards Ninety Six, had
("lied off to the left towards Lord Cornwallis. His pursuers never stopped
until late in the afternoon, when they reached the Cowpens. They there
halted, shot down some beeves, ate their suppers, and fed their horses.
This done, the line of march was resumed, and continued through the
whole night, amidst an excessively hard rain. In the morning, Shelby
ascertained that Campbell had taken a wrong road in the night, and had
separated from him. Men were posted off in all directions, and Camp-
l)cirs corps found, and put in the right road. They then crossed Broad
river, and continued their pursuit until twelve o'clock of the 7th of
October. The rain continued to fall so heavily that Campl)ell, Sevier
and Cleveland concluded to halt, and rode up to Shelby to inform him

of their determination. Shelby replied, "By , I will not stop until

night, if I follow Ferguson into Cornwallis' lines." Without replying, the
other Colonels turned off to their respective commands, and continued
the march. They had proceeded but a mile, when they learned that
Ferguson was only seven miles from them at King's Mountain.

Ferguson, finding he could not elude the rapid pursuit of the mounted
mountaineers, had marched to King's Mountain, which he considered a
strong post, and which he had reached the night previous. The mountain

the com-

to attack
1 express
)minand.
ucl on his
of Soutli
rcfuj^ces.
icampcd.
t sixteen

. In the
first ren-
in tended
Ferguson
Lirds Fort

IS his real
ctober, to
each any
ngly they
hundred
IS soon as

Six, had
stopped
ley there
horses,
rough the
Shelby
and had
d Camp-
d Pjroad
ylh of
11, Sevier
form him
stop until
lying, the
ontinued
ned that

mounted
sidered a
mountain

APPENDIX.

543

or riil>,'e, was a quarter of a mile long, and so confident was Ferguson in
the strength of his position, that he declared, "the Almignty could not
drive him from it."

When the patriots came near the mountain they halted, tied all their
loose baggage to their saddles, fastened their horses, and left them under
charge of a few men, and then prepared for an immediate att.ick. About
three o'clock the patriot force was led to the attack in foiu" columns-
Col. Campbell commanded the right centre column, Col. Shelby the
left centre. Col. Sevier the right Hank column, and Col. Cleveland
the left tlar.k. As they came to the foot of the mountain, the right centre
and right flank columns deployed to the right, and the left centre and
left flank columns to the left, and thus surrounding the mountain they
marched up, commencing the action on all sides.

Ferguson did all that an officer could do under the circumstances.
His men too fought bravely. But his position, which he thought impreg-
nable against any force the patriots could j-aise, was really a disadvantage
to him. The summit was bare, whilst the sides of the mountain were
covered with trees. Ferguson's men were drawn up in close column on
the summit, and thus presented fair marks for the mountaineers, who
approached them under cover of the trees. As eithi;r column would
approach the summit, Ferguson would order a charge with fixed bayonet,
which was always successful, for the riflemen retreated before the charg-
ing column slowly, still firing as they retired. When Ferguson's men
returned to regain their position on the mountain, the patriots would
again rally and pursue them. In one of these charges, Shelby's column
was considerably broken ; he rode back and rallied his men, and when
the enemy retired to the summit, he pressed on his men and reached
the summit whilst Ferguson was directing a pharge against Cleveland.

Col. Sevier reached the summit about the same time with Shelby.
They united and drove back the enemy to one end of the ridge. Cleve-
land's and Campbell's columns were still pressing forward, and firing as
they came up. The slaughter of the enemy was great, and it was evident
that further resistance would be unavailing ; still Ferguson's proud heart
could not think of surrender. He swore "he never would yield to such
a d — d banditti," and rushed out from his men, sword in hand, and cut
away until he broke his sword, and was shot down. His men, seeing
cheir leader fall, immedi.itcly surrendered. The British loss in killed and
prisoners was eleven hundred and five. Ferguson's morning report
showed a force of eleven hundred and twenty-five. A more total defeat
was not practicable. Our loss was about forty killed. Amongst them
wehadtn mourn the death of Col. WilHams, a most gallant and efficient
officer. The battle lasted one hour.

The victors encamped on the mountain that night, and the next morn-
ing took up their line of march for the mountains under a bright sun, the

H : I

S//I-:LI!V'S sta temext.

first tlicy Iiiicl scLMi for many clays. Tlicy in;vdc the prisoners c;\rry llieir
own arms, as tlicy could not have carried tlicni in any other way.
Amongst ilic prisoners, Shelby foiuul sonic officers who had fought under
him a few weeks i>revi()usly at Musj,'r()ve's Mill. They said they had l)een
coni|)ellcd to join Ferguson, and when they had been examined, and their
account found to be correct, tiicy were well treated.

Owing to the numljcr of wounded, and the destitution of the army of
all conveyances, they traveled slowly, and in one week had only
marched about forty miles. When they reached Gilbert Town, a week
after the battle, they were informed by a paroled officer, that he had seen
eleven patriots hung at Ninety Six a few days before, for l)cing Rebels.
Similar cruel and unjustifiable acts had been committed before. In
the opinion of the patriots, it required retaliatory measures to put a stop
to these .atrocities. A cojiy of the law of North Carolina was ol)taincd,
wiiich authorized two magistrates to summon a jury, and fortliwith to try,
and if found guilty, to execute ])ersons who had violated its precepts.
Under tliis l.iw, tliirty-six men were tried, and found guilty of breaking
open houses, killing the men, and turning the women and ciiildren out
of doors, and burning the houses. The trial was concluded late at night.
The execution of the law was as summary as the trial. Three men were
hung at a time, until nine were hung. Three more were tied ready to
be swung off. Shelby interfered, and proposed to stop it. The other
officers agreed, and the three men who supposed they had seen their
last liour, were untied. One of them said to Shelby, "You have saved
my life, and I will tell you a secret. Tarleton will be here in the
morning. A woman has Ijrought the news."

It was then two o'clock at night, but no time was to be lost; the camp
was instantly aroused, everything packed up, the wounded sent into
secret hiding places in the mountains, and the line of march taken up.

The next day it rained incessantly, but tl>e army continued its march
without stojjping, until they crossed the Catawba at two o'clock the suc-
ceeding night. The river was breast high when they crossed it. Tiie
weary troops bivouacked on its banks, and tlic next morning it had ri^en
so much as to be past fording. This obstacle being such as to prevent
all pursuit, they leisurely retired with their prisoners. As an e\idence
of tiie hardships undergone by these brave and hardy patriots. Col.
Shelby says, that he ate nothing from Saturday morning until after they
encamped Sunday night at two o'clock, A. M.

The information given Shelljy by the condemned prisoners, turned
ovit to have been sul^stantially correct. Lord Cornwallis had detached
'I'arleton to jnnsue and attack the i)atriots, and to rescue the prisoners.
Soon after Tarleton was dispatched, the former took an old Whig pris-
oner, and examined him. He told the prisoner he could not learn who
had defeated Ferguson. The old man told him. Cornwallis then

fil!

APPENDIX.

545

ny their
ler w:>y.
;lu uiulcr
M(l been
;uul their

army of
liad only
I, a wcelc
had seen
[f Rebels.
:forc. In
[)vit a stop
obtained,
,'ith to try,

precepts.
Fbrealving
lildren out
l; at night.

men were
cl ready to
The other
seen their

xvc saved
in tiic

the camp
sent into
aken up.
its march
the suc-
it. The
had ri-.en
to prevent
evidence
lots, Col.
after they

rs, turned

detached

prisoners.

^Vhig pris-

learn who

allis then

inquired the force of the patriots. He told him it was three thousand
ritlenien. Cornwallis asked where they were gone. He replied, they
were bearing down on him. Whether this was told under the belief
that it was true, or told as a ruse dc gucnr, it ar.swered a very
excellent purpose. Lords Cornwallis and Rawdon immediately con-
sulted together, beat to arms, struck their tents, burnt some extra cloth-
ing, and retreated to the south side of Broad river in confusion. At the
same time, a messenger was sent to recall Tarletou, who w.is (jvertaken
after he l-.ad proceeded eighteen miles, and who immediately returned
to Cornwallis' camp.

At the time Shelby and his co-patriots raised their force, Cornwallis,
supposing he would mett no further serious resistance in North or
South Carolina, had projected the invasion of Virginia in three columns.
He was to advance in the centre, a second detachment was to march on
his right, and Ferguson was to command the left wing. The time for
the invasion was fi.Kcd, officers were out through the country collecting
the Tories, and a few days more would have made them very strong.
The defeat of Ferguson prevented this invasion, and so intimidated the
Tories, that most of them declined joining the British, gener.diy ])refer-
ring to make a profession of faith to Xing George rather than take up
arms in his behalf.

At the time the nine hundred and ten men were selected to pursue
Ferguson, they were informed that there were six hundred Tories em-
bodied near them, and it was sug";ested that they should be attacked.
Shelby opposed this, saying that if they turned after any other object
they would lose Ferguson.

After the battle at King's Mountain, this force, like all other partisan
bodies called out for a particular emergency, was difficult to be kept em-
bodied. The men one after another returned home, so that when they
reached the Catawba there were not more men than prisoners.

It is impossible for those who have not lived in its midst, to conceive
of the exasperation which prevails in a civil war. The execution, there-
fore, of the nine Tories at Gilbert Town, will by many persons be con-
sidered an act of retaliation unnecessarily cruel. It was believed by
those who were on the ground, to be both necessary and proper, for the
purpose of putting a stop to the execution of the patriots in the Carolinas
by the Tories and British. The event proved the justice of the expec-
tation of the patriots. The execution of the Tories did stop the execu-
tion of the Whigs. And it may be remarked of this cruel and lamenta-
ble mode of retaliation, that whatever excuses and i)rctences the Tories
may have had for their atrocities, the British officers, who often ordered
the execution of Whigs, had none. Their training to arms and military
education, should have prevented them from violating the rules of civ-
ilized warfare in so essential a point.

546

GRAHAM'S ACCOUNT.

Those patriots wlio clcsircd to continiic in the service after tlie battle
at King's Mountain, especially the refugees, v;islie(l to be formed into a
corps anil to i)e undei the command of (len. Morgan. To effect thij
Col. Shelby went to hcad-qtiartcrs and saw Morgan, who said tliey were
just the men he wanted, (ien. dates roiisented, and the Hoard of War
of North Carolina ordered out these niililia, who marched npand joined
Morgan; most of them were with him tlie next campaign, and jiroved
the bluff they were made of at the nobly-won battle of the Cowpens.

BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAN.— BY GEN. JOSEPH GRAHAM.*

After the defeat of Gen. Gates and the army under his command, on
the i6th of August, 1780, and the defeat of Gen. Sumter, two days after-
wards, near Rocky Mount, by Col. Tarleton, the South was almost entirely
abandoned to the enemy. Most of the troops, both officers and men,
who had escaiicd from Gates' defeat, passed through Charlotte, N. C,
where most of the militia (<f Mecklenburg County, were assembled in
consequence of the alarm. Tlie regular troops chiefly passed on to
Hillsboro', where Gen. Gates finally estal)lishcd his head-quarters.
William L. Davidson, who had served as Lieutenant-Colonel of the
regulars in the Northern army, was appointed Brigadier-General of the
militia in the Salisbury District, in the place of Gen. Rutherford, who
was taken prisoner at Gates' defeat. He formed a brig.ide, and
encamped on Mc.Vlpin's creek, about eight miles below Charlotte, and
in the course of two or three weeks was reinforced by Gen. Sumner, a
Continental officer, but having no regulars to command, he took com-
mand of the militia from the counties of Guilford, Caswell, Orange, Sec,

After Gates' defeat, the attention of Lord Cornvvallis was chiefly
occupied with burying the dead, taking care of the wounded, and for-
warding, under suitable guards, the great number of prisoners he had
taken, to the city of Charleston, and regulating the civil government he
was establishing in South Carolina, and examining the state of the posts
occupied by his troops on the Congaree, Ninety Six and August.i. By the
1st of September, he had his arrangements made, and detached Col.
Ferguson over the Wateree with only one hundred and ten regulars,
under the command of Capt. DePeyster, and about the Fame number of
Tories, but with .m ample supply of arms and otlicr military stores. His

*Gen. Grtiham w.-xs in the hospital at the time tlie b.ittlc was for.(;ht. and gained his
knowledge of the action from tho-^c who participated in it. He subsequently visited the
battle Rrnund with a son of one of the ofhccrs. He errs as to the position occupied by Col.
Shelby, which, according to his own statement, was on the left center, or north-west side
of the mountain. The number executed is over-stated This paper first appeared in the
Southern I.itrrary Messenger, Uir September, 1845, and was afterwards copied into Foote's
Sketches 0/ North Carolina, and the North Carolina University Magazine iox April, 1856.

II !

APPENDIX,

647

c biittle
(I into a
Tect thb
icy were
of War
(l joined
proved

ICIIS.

UIAM.*

iiand, on
ays after-
st entirely
and men,
te. N. C.
:mbled in
ied on to
-quarters,
lel of the
•ral of llie
ford, who
r.ide, and

lottc, and

umner, a
took com-

ange, &c.

vs chiefly
and for-

s he had

nmcnt he
tlie posts
. Ry the

chcd Col.
re.q;ulars,
umber of

ores. His

d gained his
y visited the
pied by Col.
rth-west side
ared in the
[1 into Foote's
April, 1856.

movements wore nt first rapid, endeavoring to intercept the retreat of a
party of moiinl.iin men, who were iiarassinj; tiie upper settlement of
Tories in South Carolina. I'aiiin}; in this, he afterwards moved slowly,
and tVetpiently halted t(j collect all the Tories he could persuade to join
him. He passed llroad river, and before the last of .September en-
camped at a place called Gilbert Town, within a short distance of where
the thrivinj^ village of Ruthcrfordton now stands.

His forces had increased to upwards of one thousand men. On liis
march to this place, he had furnished arms to sucii of his new recruits
as were without them. The greater part of them had rifles, but to a part
of them he had them to fix a large knife they usually carried, ni.ide small
enough at the butt enil for two inches or more of the h.uulle to sl:|) into
tht muzzle of the rifle, so that it might be occasionally used as a bayonet.

Although Col. Ferguson failed to overtake the detachment of uKJun-
tain men alluded to, he took two of them prisoners, who had become
separated from their comrades. In a day or two, he paroled them, and en-
joined them to inform the officers on the western waters, that if they did
not desist from their opposition to the British arms, and take protection,
under his standard, that he would march his army over the moun-
tains, hang their leaders, and lay the country waste wiih fire and sword.

Col. Charles McDowell, of Buike County, on the approach of Fergu-
son with so largea force, had gone over the mountains to obtain assistance,
and was in consulation with Col. John Sevier and Col. Isaac Shelby what
plan should be pursued, when the two j>aroled men spoken of arrived,
and delivered tiicir message from Col. Ferguson.

It was decided that each of them should use his best efforts to raise
all the men th.it could be enlisted, and that their forces when collected,
should meet on the Watauga, on the 25th of September. It was also
agreed, that Col. Shelby should give intelligence of their movements to
Col. William Campbell of the adjoining County of Washingion, in Vir-
gina, with the hope that he would raise what force he could, and c()oi)erate
with them.

They met on the Watauga the day appointed, and passed the moun-
tain on the 30th of Sept., where they were joined by Col. Benjamin
Cleveland and Maj. Joseph Winston, from Wilkes and Surry Counties.

On examining their forces, they were found to number as follows:
From Washington County, Virginia, under Col. W. Campbell, 400

From Sullivan County, North Carolina, under Col. Isaac Slielby, 240
From W.ashington, North Carolina, under Col. John Sevier,
From Burke and Rutherford Counties, N. C, under Col. Charles
ft McDowell, . ^ ,

From Wilkes and Surry Counties, North Carohna, under Col.

Benj. Cleveland and Major Joseph Winston,

Total,

I3<

548

ilR.lI/.lM'S ACCOC.WT.

Col. Ferguson having accurate intelligom-:; of the force collecting
against him, early on the fourth of (')ctol)er, ordered his nu-n to march,
am! rcmami'il half an houiafler they hatl st.irted wiitinij a ilispatch to Lonl
Cornwaliis, no ilouht intoiining lum of his situation, and soiiiilin;^' aiil.
The letter w.is (omniiilcd to the care of the noli'tl ;\hr.diain Collins,
(-.inceof coiintciieU memory,) and another person, l)y the n.mu' of (Uiin,
with injimctions to deliver it as soon as possihle. Tlu-y set out, and
attempted to pass the direct road to Charlotte, hut h.iving to ])ass
through some Whig settlements, they were suspected and pursued, and
hcing compelled to secrete themselves by day, and travel l>\ night, they
ilid not reach Ch.irlotte until tlie morning of the 7th t)f October (the
day of the battle). Col. Ferguson encamped the fnsl night at the
noted place called the ('cTi'/tV/.v, about twenty miles from (iill)ert Town.
On the 5th t)f October, he crossed Broad Ki\er at what is now called
Deer's Ferry, sixteen miles. On the 6lh he inarched up the Ritlge Road,
between the waters of King's ami liultalo creeks, until he c.une to
tile foilv turning to the right, across King's creek, and through a gap ot
the mountain towards N'orkville, about t'ourteen miles. Then he en-
c.vmped on the sunnnit of that part of the mountain to the right of the
1(1. id, where he rcm.iined until he was attacked on the 7th.

When the troops from the different Counties met, at the head of the
i"atawba river, the commanding officers met, and tinding that they
were all of equal grade, and no general officer to command, it was
de( ided that Col. Charles McDowell should go to Mead-Quarters, sup-
posed to be between Charlotte .iiul S.disbnry, to obtain Cen. Suiniu'r or
C.en. Davidson to take the ( ommaiul. In the mean;ime, it was agreed
tliat Col. WiMi.im Campl)ell, who had the i.irgest rirgiment, should take
the cominaiul until the arrival of a general officer, who was to ait
.iccoiding to the advice of the C Olonels commaiuling, ami that M,ij. Joseph
McDo.vell should t.dce the command of the Hurke ami I'iutherford regi-
ment, until tlie return of Col. McDowell.

Shortly after these measures were adopted, intelligence was received
that Col. Ferguson iiad left (lilbert Town, and it w.is decided that they
woulil march after him, by that ])lace, .md on their w.iy received evidence
tiiat it was his design to evade an engagement with tlu'in. On the
evening of the 6th |4th| of October, the Colonels in council unanimously
resolved, th.it tliey would select ,\ll the men and horses tit for service, and
immediately luirsiie Ferguson until they should overtake him, leaving
such as were not able to go, to come after as fast as they could. The
nest evening the selection was made, ami nine hundred and ten men,
including officers, were inarched before, leaving the others to follow.

They came to the Co.vpens, where Ferguson hatl camped on the
night of the 4th, and there met Col. Williams, of .South Carolina, with
ne.ir four huiulied men, and .ibout sixty from Lincoln County, who had

Kii

AlTEXn/X.

549

It was
MS, sup-
iniuT oi-
ls ai^ri'cil
)ulil take
IS lo :ut

]()Sl'l)ll

Old ici;i-

icreivcd

tliat thoy

cvidt'iue

On Iho

iiiimtmsly

i\ ii'o.aiul

, leaving

111. Tlu"

U'u men,

liiW.

(1 on the

liina, with

whu had

jdined ihoni on tlioir marrh, under C'ol. ILuuhiii^lit and Maj. ("lironicle
Alter (lia\vin<; rations of jjcef, tlie whole prijecctlcd on, a little helure
sunset, takin<( Kcij^uson's trail towards IJecr's Ferry, on liroad ii\ii.
Nif^iit roniinj;- on, and being very dark, their pilot got out of the right
way, anil for some time they were lost ; but before daylight they reached
near to the ferry, and by ilirei lion of the oftleers, the pilot led them to the
Cherokee ford, about a mile ami a lialf below, as it was not known bit
the enemy might be in possession of tlu- easti'in bank of the river. !t
was on the morniiig of the 7th before sunrisi-, when tlu'V cidsseil the
river, and marched about two miles to the |)lai e wlu'ie Feiguson had
encamped on the night of the 5th.

There they hailed a short lime, anil took suih lireakfast as their wal-
lets and saildle-bags could afford. The tlay was showery, and tiiey were
obliged lo use iheir blankets, and their great coats, to protect their arms
from wet. They passeil on a dozen miles without seeing any person ;
at length, they met a lad, in an old field, by the name of I'Onderin, about
twelve or fourteen years of age, who had a brother and other relations in
Ferguson's canij), and who was directly from it— within less than three
miles. A halt was ordered, and the Coloiu'ls met in consultation.
Several persons knew the ground well on w liii li the enemy w.is cncimpid,
agreeable to the information gi\en by the boy of their i>osition. The
plan of bailie was immediately settled, that the force should lie
nearly equally divided, and one half would lake to the right, cross over
and occupy the south-east side of the mount, liii, and that the other
should advance lo the north-west side, and that e.u li division would
move forward until they formed a junction, when all should lace 10
the front, and j.iess upon the enemy up the sides of the mountain.
(Orders were given to prepare for battle, by laying aside every incuin-
br.mce, e.\amining well itieir arms, and guarding against alarm. The
orders were speedily obeyed, and they moved lorwinl o\ii King's
creek, and up a branch and ravine, and between tw(; rocky knol)s,
which, when they had passed, the toj) of the mountain and the enemy's
camp upon it, were in full view, about one hiiiuhed |)oles in liont. Ibie
thev h.ilted, and tied their horses, leaving the necessary gu.ird w ilh lliem.
It was now three o'clock in the afternoon.

The enemy's c.imp was lo the right of the ro.id, seventy or eighty
poles in length, and on the summit of the mountain, which at lais pl.ic
runs nearly north-east and south-west, the shadow of the limber at halt-
past one P. M., ranges with it. The lroo|)s were led on in the following
order:— To the right, M.ij. Winston, I'ol. Sevier, Col. Campbell, Col.
Shelby and Major INlcDowell -To the left, Col. llambright. Col. Cleve-
land, and Col. Williams, of South Carolina.

F.ach division uK.ved off steadily to the place assigned it in the order
ofb.ittle. Some of the regiments sulfeied much under tiie galling fire

"t '

r 1'

650

(J R A HAM'S ACCOUNT.

of the enemy, before they were ill a position to enga^je in the action.
Sonic complaints began to be utleied, that it would ncvir do to be shot
down without relm ning the fire. Col. Shelby replied — "press on to your
places, and then your lire will not be k)st."

The men lotl by Shelby and McUowcil were soon closely engaged,
and the contest from the first was very severe. Williams and Cleveland
were soon in their places, and with tiie utmost energy engaged the foe.
Ferguson finding that the end of his line was giving away, ordered for-
ward his regulars and riflemen with bayonets, and made a furious
charge upon Shelby and McDowell, charging down the mountain some
two hundred yards. A united and destructive fire soon compelled hmi
to order his party back to the top of the mountain to ward off the dcailly
attack fioni Col. Williams. Ferguson again charged with fury down
the mountain. When Shelby's men saw this, they raised the cry, "come
on, men, the enemy is retreating." They rallied by the time Ferguson
returned from the charge against tlie South Carolinans, and renewed
their fire with great resolution. Ferguson again charged upon Shelby,
but not so far as before. Col. Williams' men, in turn, called out, "the
enemy Is retreating, come on, men !"

At this stage of the action, Hambright and Winston had met, and a
brisk fire was poured upon Ferguson's men all around tlie mountain.
As he Vvould advance towards Campbell, Sevier, Winston, and Ham-
bright, he was |)ursucd by Shelby, McDowell, Williams and Cleveland.
When he woulil turn his forces against tlie hitter, the former won 1 press
on in pursuit. Thus he struggled on, making charges and retreats, but
his left was rapidly losing ground. His men were rapidly falling before
the skillful aim, and unbending courage, of the Whigs. Even after being
wounded, he fought on with courage. He made every effort that could
be done by a brave and skillful officer, according to his position. At
length he was shot dead, and his whole command driven up into a
group of sixty yards in length, and not forty in width.

The British officer, Capt. DcPcystcr, who took the command, ordered
a white tlag to be raised, in token of surrender, but the bearer was in-
stantly shot down. He soon had another raised, and called out for
quarter. Col. Shelby demanded, if they surrendered, why they did not
tluo^v down their arms ? This was instantly done. Rut still the firing
was continued, until Shelby and Sevier went inside the lines, and or-
dered the men to cease. Some who kept it up, would call out, "give
them Buford's play"— alluding to Col. Buford's defeat by Tarleton,
where no quarters were given. A guard was placed over the prisoners,
and all remained on the mountain during the night.

The party which led the left wing under Col. Hambright, suffered
very much, having to pass very difficult ground to reach their place of
destination, and within eighty yards of the enemy's marksmen. Col.

ordered
was in-
(Hit for
did not
the firing
and or-
ul, "Rive
Tarkton,
prisoners,

suffered
place of
tn. Col.

APPENDIX.

651

Hambri^ht was wounded, and Maj. Chronicle was killed. Col. Wil-
liams, of South Carolina, a brave and efficient officer, was also killed.
The loss of the Whigs was not exactly ascertained, but believed to be
about tliirty killed, and fifty wounded. The enemy had about one hun-
dred and fifty killed, and all the rest taken prisoners. On the morning
of the 8th [14th], a court-martial was held, several of the prisoners who
were found guilty of murder, and other high crimes, were sentenced to
be hanged. About twenty [nine only] were executed.

[From Wheeler's History of North Carolina.^

[An account of the Battle of Kint^'s Mountain, prepared by Gen.

William Lenoir for Judge A. D. Murphy's intended

History of North Caroliita.\

Having lately seen in the State Gazette, a publication of Mr. Walker's
circular letter, in which there is a very imperfect statement of the battle
at King's Mountain, brings to my reco'lection your request for a true
account thereof ; and having previously observed, that in all the histories
of the Fevolutionary wai that I have seen, the accounts of that battle are
very erroneous, induces me to attempt to fulfill your desire on that sub-
ject, by giving you as perfect an account of that transaction from my
own knowledge, as my memory at so distant a period will enable me to
do.

When a report was circulated that a detachment of the British army
had advanced through the State of South Carolina, and a part of North
Carolina, as far as Cane creek, where a strong party of them were
repulsed by the neighboring militia, chiefly of I?urkc County, under the
command of Col. Chas. McDowell, and Maj. J. McDowell, the active
Whigs of the western part of North Carolina, and some from the near
part of Virginia, like patriots at a moment's notice, without any call from
the Government, turned out and concentrated in lUukc County, without
any aid from public stores, of clothing, arms, ammunition, or any article
of camp equipage, not having a single tent or baggage wagon amongst
them, and advanced to Green river, near the southern limit of Ruther-
ford County, where they received some further but im|)crfect intormation
of the progress of the aforesaid detachment of the British army, com-
manded by the celebrated Col. Ferguson, who was said to be progressing
through the country in various directions, committing great ravages and
depredations.

A council was held by the principal officers of the Whigs ; the result
of which was, that, on presumption that, through the medium of the

LENOIR 'S STA TEMENT.

Tories, Col. Ferguson h;ul daily information of the advancement of the
Whigs, and was so on the alert, tiiat men on foot would ncjt be able to
overtake him, therefore orders were given for as many as had, or could
procure, horses, to go in advance as mour.tetl infantry, there not being a
single dragoon in the Wiiig army. \Viie'-eupon, aliout five or six
hundred were preparetl and marched off about sunrise on the 6t!i
day of October, 1780, leaving tlie footmen, about one thousand fi\'c hun-
dred in number, encamped on (heen river, under the command of Maj.
Joseph Herndon. The advance party of mounted infantry being joined
by Col. Williams, with a few '' .udi Carolina militia, in the evening
arrived at a place called the Cowpens, in South Carolina, where two
beeves were killed, and orders given for the men to cook and eat as
quick as possible ; but marching orders were given before those that were
indolent had prepared anything to eat ; and they marclicd all night (being
dark and rainy), and crossed Broad river the next morning, where an
attack was expected. But not finding the enemy, the detachment almost
exhausted by fatigue, hunger, cold and wet, and, for want of sleep,
pursued their march a few miles, when they met two men from Col.
Ferguson's camp, who gave some account of his" situation. Tiion being
revived by the hopes of gaining tlie desired object, the officers held a
short consultation — sitting on their horses — in which it was concluded
that said detachment should be formed into four columns; two of the
columns should march on each side of the road, as silently as they could,
and that they sliould govern their march by the view of each other ; Col.
Winston w.is placed at the head f)f the right hand column ; Col. Cleve-
land at tlic head of the left ; and Cols. Shelby and Sevier at the heads of
the two middle columns ; and as Col. Campbell had come the greatest
distance, and from the State of Virginia, he was complimented with the
command of the whole detachment.

When they had marched in that order about a mile, Col. Winston,
Ijy a steep hill, had got so far separated from the other columns as to be
out cf sight or hearing of them, when some men rode in sight and di-
rected him to dismount, and march up the hill, which was immediately
done, with an expectation of meeting the enemy on the hill ; but before
his men had atlvanced tw) hundred paces from their horses, they were
again hailed, and directed to mount their horses and push on, and that
the enemy was a mile ahead. On wliich they ran with great precipitation
dov/n to their horses, mounted them, and rode like fox hunters, as fast as
their horses could run, through rough woods, crossing branches and
ridges without any person that had .my knowledge of the woods to direct
or guide them. They happened to fall in upon the left of the enemy,
the ]3lace of their destination. At this very moment the firing began on
the other parts of the lines, when all dismounted under the fire of die
enemy, and the right and left hand columns surrounded them as quick

APPENDIX.

553

Col.

as possible. Ill the meantime, the enemy charged bayonets on the two
middle columns, who being armed witli rifles, and not a single bayonet
amongst them, were twice obliged to retreat a small distance ; but they
wheeled again with increased vigor, and fouglit bravely. The enemy
being surrounded, their left wing began to retreat, by drawing up in
closer order towards their right. At length they hoisted a flag and sur-
rendered themselves prisoners of war ; not a single man of tlicm escaped
that was in camp at the commencement of the battle.

After the arms and prisoners were secured, some men were appointed
to number the dead. They reported two hundred and fifty of the
enemy ; and thirty-two of the Wliigs. There were not near so many of
the enemy wounded as were of the Whigs, about forty of whom after-
wards died of their wounds. The total number of llic Whigs in the
battle was between six and seven hundred; and the number of the
enemy, agreeable to their daily returns, w;is eleven hundred and eighty-
seven. The Whigs camped on the Ijattle-ground, and marched off with
their prisoners the next day ; and, having no other way to secure tiie
arms taken, compelled the prisoner.; to carry tiiem, a great number of
them having to carry two guns each. Aljout sunset we met the footmen
they had left at Green river, who had provided a plenty of rations, &c.
The Whigs who had fought the Ijattle were almost famished,

A few days afterwards, in Rutherford County, the in-incip;il officers
held a court-martial over some of the most audacious and inuiderous
Tories, and selected thirty-two as victims for destruction ; and commenced
han^jing three at a time until they hung nine, and respited tlie rest.

Col. Ferguson had pl.iced himself on the top of King's Mountain
the morning before tlie battle; in a Jjoasting manner he hatl jiroclaiined
that here was King's Mountain, and tliat he was the King of that Mount-
ain, supposing it to be a very advantageous position for him ; but it proved
the reverse, from the manner he was attacked and surrounded. His ele-
vated situation secured tlie Whigs from the danger of their own fire from
the opposite side, anil he, being surrounded, when his men sheltered them-
selves on one side, they were exposed to danger on the otlier. Col.
Ferguson liad seven or ciglit iDullets shot through him, and fell some
time before the battle was over. The number of the Whigs was so inferior,
tliat Col. Ferguson, or his successor in command, might have easily re-
treated with very inconsiderable loss; if they had known die number
and situation of the Whigs, no doul^t but they would have retreated in-
stead of surrendering.

It appears that under the auspices of the same Divine Power that so
advantageously conducted the right hand column of the Whigs to the
battle at King's Mountain, from that period good fortune seemed to pre-'
ponderate in every direction in favor of the common cause of liberty —
except the single instance of Gen. Gates, who was [previously] defeated

rit

w.m

654

LENO/R'S STATEMENT.

by his own imprudence ; for althougli the British army kept the battle-
ground at (juilfoid Court-House, it appears to be given up on both sides,
that the Americans had the best of that battle, and disabled their enemy.
And to contrast the situation of the Whigs after the battle of King's
Mountain, with what inevitably would have been their situation in case
Ferguson's army had gained as complete a victory over the Whigs, as
the Whigs had done over them, it must appear that said battle was the
most decisive, the most gloriously fought, and although few in number,
was of the greatest importance of any one battle that ever was fought in
America. * * * *

I was Captain of a company of footmen, and left them at Green
river, except six of them, who procured horses and went with us. I
went as a common soldier, and did not pretend to take command of
those tJKU belonged to my company ; neither did I join any other com-
pany; but fell in immediately behind Col. Winston, in front of the right
hand column, which enables me to give a more particular account of
the progress of that |)art of our army than any other. Before the battle.
Adjutant Jesse Franklin, now (governor of North Carolina, Capt. Robt.
Cleveland, and myself, agreed to stand together and support each other;
but at the commencement of the battle, enthusiastic zeal caused us all to
separate. Each being anxious to effect the grand object, no one ap-
peared to regard his own personal safety. As to my own part, from
where we dismounted, instead of going on to surround, I advanced the
nearest way towards the enemy, under a heavy tire, until I got within
about thirty paces. Before they began to give ground, being among
strangers, I noticed one particular instance cf bravery. On hearing a
man within six feet behind me fall, I looked r.round, and at tliat instant
another soldier jumped athim saying. "Give me your shot-bag, old fel-
low !" his own ammunition being exhausted. The gallant patriot gave
him, with his dying, hand his ammunition. About that time, I received a
slight wound in my side, and another in my left arm; and, after that,
a bullet went through my hair about where it was tied, and my clothes
were cut in several places. From the account I have given of tlie battle,
it will l)e imderstood that it was fought on our side by militia alone. By
that victory, many militia otTicers procured swords who ccnild not possi-
bly get any before ; neither was it possible to procure a good supply of
ammunition.

[From the Ainvrimn Pioneer, Feb. 1843.]

BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.

By Benjamin Sharp.

As well as I can remember, some time in August, in the year 1780,

'I i

APPENDIX.

555

Col. McDowell, of North Carolina, with three or four Inindrcd men, fled
over tlie inoiiiUaius to the settlements i ' lIoKton ami Walau^'a, to evade
the pursuit of a British officer by the name of Ferguson, who had the
command of a large detachment of British and Tories. Our militia
speedily embodied, all mounted on horses — the Virginians under the
command of Col. William Campbell, and the two western counties of
North Carolina, now Tennessee, under Cols. Isaac Shclliy and John
Sevier; and as soon as they joined McDowell, he re-crossed the moun-
tains, and formed a junction with Col. Cleveland, with a line regiment
of North Carolina militia. We were now fifteen or eighteen hundred
strong, and consideretl oursehes equ.d in numliers, or at least a match
for the enemy, and eager to bring them to battle; but Col. McDowell,
who had the command, appeared to think otherwise, for although Fer-
guson had retreated on our crossing the mountains, he kept us marching
and counter-marching, for eight or ten days without advancing a step
towards our object. At length a council of the field-officers was con-
vened, and it was said in canij), how true I will not pretend to say, that
he refused in council to proceed without a general officer to command
the army, and to get rid of him, the coimcil deputed him to Gen. Cireene,
at Head-Quarters, to procure a General. Be this as it may, as soon as
the council rose, Col. McDowell left the cam[), and we saw no more of
him during the expedition.

As soon as he was fairly gone, the council re-asscmblcd, and ap-
pointed Col. William Campbell our cdmmamler, and wiiliin one hour
after, we were on our horses and in full pursuit of the enemy. The
British still continued to retreat, and after hard marching for some time,
we found our ])rogress much retarded by our footmen and weak horses
that were not al)le to sustain the duty. It was then resolved to leave the
footmen and weak horses underthe command of Capt. William Neil, of
Virginia, with instructions to follow as fast as his detachment could bear.
Thus disencumbered, we gained fast \\\>o\\ the enemy. I think on the
7th [(')th] day of October, in the afternoon, we halted at a jilace calleil
the Cowjiens, in South Carolina, fed our horses, and ate a hasty meal
of such i)rovisions as we had piocured, and, by dark mountcil our
horses, and after marching all night, crossed liroad river b\' the dawn of
da\'; antl altluuigh it rained considerably in t!ie morning, we never
halted to refresh ourselves or horses. About twelve o'clock it cleared
off with a fine cool breeze. We were joined that day [really, the night
before] by Col. Williams, of South Carolina, with several hundred men;
and in the afternoon fell in witli three men who informed us that they
were just from the British camp, that tliey were posted on the top of
King's Mountain, and that there was a picket-guard on the road not far
ahead of us. These men were detained lest they should find means to
inform the enemy of our approach, and Col. Shelby, with a select party.

tUi

I r

l!,i;i

556

SHARP'S NARRATIVE.

undertook to surprise and take the picket ; this he accomplished witliout
firing II gun or giving the least alarm, and it was hailed by the army
as a good omen.

We then moved on, and as we approached the mountain, the roll of
the British drum informed us tliat we had something to do. No doubt
tlie British commander thought his position a strong one ; but our plan
of attack was such as to make it the worst for him lie could iiave chosen.
The end of the mountain to our left descended gradually to a branch;
in front of us the ascent was rather abrupt, and to the right was a low
gap through w'lich the road passed. The different regiments were
directed by guides to the ground they were to occupy, so as to surround
the eminence on which the Britisli were encamped ; Campbell's on the
right, along the road; Shelby's next, to the left of him; Sevier's next,
and so on, till last the left of Cleveland's to join the right of Campbell's,
on the other side of the mountain, at the road.

Thus the British Major found himself attacked on all sides at once,
a.id so situated as to receive a galling fire from all parts of our lines
without doing any injury to ourselves. From this difficulty, he attempted
to relieve himself at the point of the bayonet, but failed in three suc-
cessive charges. Cleveland, who had the farthest to go, being bothered
in some swampy ground, did not occupy his position in the line till late
in the engagement. A fesv men, drawn from the right of CampljcU's
regiment, occupied this vacancy ; this the British commander discovered,
and here he made his last powerful effort to force his way through and
make his escape ; but at that instant Cleveland's regiment came up in
gallant style; the Colonel, himself, coming by the very spot I occupied,
at which time his horse had received two wounds, and he was obliged to
dismount. Although fat and unweildy, he advan d on fool with signal
bravery ; but was soon rc-mounted by one of hi officers, who brought
him another horse. This threw the British and Tories into complete
disorder, and Ferguson seeing that all was lost, determined not to sur-
vive the disgrace; he liroke his sword, and sjjurred his horse into the
thickest of our ranks, and fell covered with wounds, and shortly after
his whole army surrendered at discretion. The action lasted about one
hour, and for most of the time w.is fierce and bloody.

I cannot clearly recollect the statement of our loss, given at the time,
but my impression now is that it was two hundred and twenty-five
killed, and about as many or a few more wounded; the loss of the
enemy must have been much greater. The return of the prisoners taken
was eleven hundred and thirty-three, about fifteen hundred stand of
arms, several baggage wagons, and all their camp equipage fell into
our hands. The battle closed not far from sundown, so that wc had to
encamp on the ground, with the dead and wounded, and pass the night
among groans and lamentations.

APPENDIX.

657

The next clay, ns soon as we could huiy our dead, and provide litters
to carry our wounded, we marched off to regain the upper country for
fear of being intercepted by a detachment from the army of Lord Corn-
wallis, for we were partly behind his quarters, between him and the
British garrison of Ninety Six. A Britirih surgeon, with some assistants,
were left to attend their wounded ; but the wounded Tories were nn-
provided for, and their dead left for their bones to bleach upon the
mountain. That afternoon we met Capt. Neil coming on with his de-
tachment, and encamped for the night on a large deserted Tory \A\\\\-
tation, where was a sweet potato patch sufficiently large to supply the
whole army. This was most fortunate, for not one in I'lfty of us had
tasted food for the last two days and nights, Uiat is, since we left the
Cowpens. Here, the next morning, we buried Col. Williams, who had
died of his wounds on the march the day liefore. We still proceeded
towards the mountains as fast as our prisoners could bear.

When we had gained a position, where we thought ourselves secure
from a pursuit, the army halted for a day, and a court was detailed to
inquire into various complaints against certain Tories for murders, rob-
beries, house-burnings, &c. The court found upwards of forty of them
guilty of the crimes charged upon them, and sentenced them to hang ;
and nine of the most atrocious offenders were executed that night by
fire-light, the rest were reprieved by the commanding officer.

We set off early next morning, and shortly after the rain began to
fall in torrents, and continued the whole day, but, instead of halting, we
rather mended our pace in order to cross the ^ atawba river before it
should rise and intercept us; this we effected late in the night, and
halted by a large plantation, when Major McDowell — brother of the
Colonel, and who commanded his brother's regiment the whole route,
and was a brave and efficient officer — rode along the lines, and informed
us that the plantation belonged to liim, and kindly ia\ ited us to take
rails from liis fences, and make fires to warm and dry us. I suppose
every one felt grateful for this generous offjr, for it was rather cold,
being the last of October, and every one, from the Commander-in-Chief to
the meanest private, was as wet as if he had just been dragged through
the Catawba river. We rested here one day, and then proceeded, by
easy marches, to the heads of the Yadkin river, where we were relieved
by the militia of the country, and permitted to return home, which those ,
of us who had not fallen in battle or died of wounds, effected some
time in November.

During the whole of this expedition, except a few days at the outset,
I neither tasted bread nor salt, and this was the case with nearly every
man ; when we could get meat, which was but seldom, we had to roast
and cat it without either : sometimes we got a few potatoes, but out
standing and principal rations were cars of corn, scorched in the fire

558

NAKRA TOR'S VERSION.

or eaten raw. Such was the price paid by the men of the RcvoUition
for our Indepcnclonce.

Here I mi^dit conclude, but I cannot forbear offering a small tribute
to the memory of our commanding officers. Col. Williams, fell; Cleve-
land, 1 have already spoken of; Sevier, I did not see in the battle, but
Ills bravery was well attested; three times my eye fell upon our gall.iiit
commander, [Campbell] calm and collected, encouraging the men, and
assuring them of victory. -At the close of the action, wiien the British
were loudly calling for cpiarters, but uncertain whether they would be
granted, 1 saw the intrepid Shelby rush his horse within fifteen paces of
their lines, and commanded them to lay down their arms, and they
should have cjuarters. Some would call this an imprudent act, but it
showed the daring bravery of the man. I am led to believe that three
braver men, and purer patriots, never trod the soil of freedom, than
Campbell, Shelby and Sevier.

["Narrator" in Kentucky Rcportrr, July 25th, 18 12.]

Col. Shelby, in concert with Col. John Sevier, meditated and carried
into execution the expedition ag.unst Ferguson, who, thinking himself
secure, had permitted some of his Tories to go home. J)y forced
marches, with nine hundred and ten men, they attacked Ferguson on
King's Mountain, and killed and took eleven hundred and (\vc men.
The honor of the enterprise has Ijeen given Col. Campbell most unde-
servedly. There were si.x officers along who were entitled to command
Col. Campbell by their rank ; and Col. Shelby who was one of those six,
deserves the nation's thanks for the manner in which he conducted him-
self at that critical juncture. In the camj), everything was confused for
want of a commanding officer. Those who were entitled to command
were very unpopular, and I am well infornted that had it been left to an
election, Shelby would have been elected ; but he was not the eldest
officer, and he was aware, that should he contend for the command, the
jealousy and offended pride of the others might defeat the expedition. He
had more at heart the interest of his darling country than the promotion ;
and to do away all jealousy among equa' s, he himself ])roposed a meeting
be held for the purpose of an arrangement, that they should jointly every
evening provide an order for the government of camp, and that Col.
Campbell should be the officer of the day to see that complied with.

This affair being arranged, the army moved on and made a forced
march, as it was all important to them to overtake Ferguson before the
disbanded Tories could rendezvous and join him. From Friday morn-
ing until Saturday evening the little host of soldiers scarcely tarried a
moment, and late on that evening coming up with the enemy, the at-

APPENDIX.

tack was commcnrcd. Col. Campliell was not in this action except in
tlie first onset. To Shclijy the enemy siMicndered — Siielhy was the
first man wivo spoke to them — was the first man among iheni, and tlic
fire on tiie opjiosite side of tiie inonntain did not cease, as they did not
know of tile surrender, until She!l)y, who, was aictually amoiij; the Brit-
ish, ordered them to sit down. The American fire instantly ceased, and
was succeeded by the huzzas of triumph. Campbell, hearing them,
came up about twenty minutes afterward, and observed to Shelby,
"that he could not account for his own conduct in the latter part of the
action."

COL. SHELBY'S LETTERS TO GOV. SEVIER.

July 1st, 1822, Col. (".. W. Sevier, caused to be published in llic
Nas/iTiNe Gametic four letters written by Col. Shelby to his father.
Gov. Sevier, three of which, in part, touched upon King's Mountain and
Col. Campbell. Those parts follow:

The Le;^nslature of Virginia, shortly after the defeat of Ferguson,
upon King's Mountain, in 1780, voted an elegant horse and sword to be
presented to Col. William Campbell, as a testimony of approbation
which his country bore towards him on account of the part tliat he had
taken in that memorable affair. The horse was delivered to him ; but
owing to neglect, or some other cause, the sword was not presented to
him before he died. I am lately informed that the friends of Col.
Campbell, not long since, have made ai)plicati()n to the Legislature of
that State for tlie sword — that they votetl tlie sum of one tiiousand, five
hundred crowns for the purchase of tiie most elegant sword that could
be prociu'cd in France ; and througli our .Minister in Paris, a most superb
sword was oljtained, whicii was presented by the Ciovernment of Virginia
to young John Preston *, the grandson of Col. Campbell, as an honorable
reward due to the memory of his ancestor.

Now, sir, what did Campbell merit more than you or I did ? It is
a fact well known, and for which he apologized to me the day after the
action, that ho was not within less than one quarter of a inile of the ene-
my at the time they surrendered to you and myself. But I do not mean
to detract from the honors of the dead, yet it is a fact I have told to
many, both before and since his death. — January 1st. 1810.

At the time I wrote to you on this subject, 1 had but just heard of the
fine sword given by the State of Virginia to a descendant of tlie late Col.
Campbell, and for a moment I felt a degree of indignation and resent-
ment, that my country had attributed the achievement of the' victory on
King's Mountain to a man who had little share in the action, and it

* Wm. C. Preston w.is prubaljly the person referred to.

j I liif

'^n

660

SHELIi I ".S /'. IMrm.E T.

dclcimiiicd luc to address a k-ttcr to you on tlic occiisioii. * # » Jt
may be fairly stated, that the great body of tlic men lliat crossed the
iDoinitainh on that expedition, were raised and eml)odied by your and my
own united exertions. It was an enterprise undertaken from pure and
patriotic motives, without tlie aid of the tiovenment — at ;• tin.? that tried
the souls of men. It was, in its consequences, the salvation of North
Carolina, inasmuch as it obliged Lord Cornwaliis to retreat out of the
State witii tiie wiiole Britisii army, and he ( ould not advance until lie
was reinforced from New York. IJesides, in the great scale of our na-
tional affairs, it was the -iwry first penfivahic iTcnt that gave a favora-
ble turn to the American Revolution. — February 24th, 1810.

I shall be elected (Governor by a majority of at least ten thousand
votes. Among other falsehoods that were circulated against me, it was
said that I was not in the action at King's Mountain ; and by some, that
I was only a Lieutenant, or some inferior officer, on that expedition, and
this story had gained some credit among better informed people. The
object of this letter is, to recpicst you to be so obliging as to state to me,
in a letter, as early as convenient, the station in wiiich I commamled on
tiic expedition against Ferguson. You know that the expedition was
concerted by ynii and myself, and that it took some address to induce
Campi)ell and his men to join us. That in the action, I was in the heat
of the battle. I well n>rollect being once very near you as we went up
the mountain early in the action ; I saw you animating 'he men to vic-
tory, and feel persuaded you saw mc also ; I was on horseback, near
you, using the same exertions. And you must also recollect, that I w.is
almost the first — and, I believe, the very first — officer that you met at
the surrender of the enemy. Your first words to mc at the surrender
were — "By G — d, they have burnt ol'f your hair." You must still recol-
lect that circumstance, that my hair on the left side was very much
scorched — this ha])i)ened just before the surrender, when both parties
were almost promiscuously mingled together. — ,\ugust I3ih, 1812,

[gov. SHKUBV's I'A.MIMII.ET.]

BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.

To the I'ublic.

During the last year, Mr. \Vm. C. Preston, a grandson of the late
Col. Wm. Campbell, made a publication in the newspapers, under his
signature, and headed "Colonel Campbell and Governor Shelby."
The professed object of this address, was to claim for his ancestor, as
commander of the American forces at the battle of King's Mountain
the chief honors of that victory, and to controvert some statements rela-

APPENDIX.

r)ni

the late
ulcr his
jhclby."
cstor, as
ountain
lUs rcUi-

tive to that suhject, made in some of my frivatc httos to the hite (iov.
Sevier, of lemiessee, which letters came t<j tiie knowiedye of the
world, and of Mr. I'reston, by the inadvertent ])ul)lication i.." them by
tiie son of Ciov. Sevier, after the death of liis fatlier. In the course of

his address, Mr. I'reston has tiiought projjcr to question my veracity,

to deny tiie statements made in tiiose letters, and to imiuite to me the
most dishonorable motives and purposes.

I paused and hesitated long as to the course I ou;;lit to pursue.
Conscious of my integrity, I felt a proud confidence, that my reputation

could not be affected by the proofs and animadversions of Mr. Preston

th.it it was placed above the reach of calumny and all attempts to
dishonor it. But the labored efforts that have Ijeen used, to give the
most extensive circulation and the most permanent effect to the publi-
cation of Mr. Preston, have determined me to reply to it, least by my
silence I might be considered as acquiescing in the justice of his asser-
tions and imputations.

It is with the most sincere and heartfelt regret that I undertake the
task ; because in the course of my defence it will be necessary for me
to s])eak of circumstances, which I had rather have seen consigned to
oblivion — circumstances calculated, in some degree, to effect the fame of
Col. Campbell; and perhaps to wound the feelings of many of his
numerous and most respectable relatives and connections. But tiic
unexpected publication of my private letters to an old friend, and the
attack consequently made on me by Mr. Preston, compel me to defend
myself; and painful and invidious as the task may ")e, I owe it to
myself, to my posterity and my country, to perform it. I couKl have
wished most earnestly to have been spared this development, but cir-
cumstances seem not to permit it.

If, in the course of this investigation, facts should be disclosed, in-
jurious to the fiime of Col. Campbell, let it be retnemljcred that 1 have
been forced into it by imperious necessity. Sacred as I'.ie memory of
Col. Campbell may l)e, it will be recollecteii, that I also hav>. .;
character and reputation which are dear to me, and which it is one of my
highest duties to maintain and defend. The history of my life has
never before been stained by an imputation of falsehood and dishonor.
I am now in my seventy-third year, and almost the only object of
woidiy ambition that remains between me and the grave, is, tliat my mem-
ory may descend untarnished to my posterity and to my country — that
country which has appreciated my services, perhaps too highly, and with
a bountiful and generous hand heaped upon me rewards and honors far
beyond my poor deserving. But how must she blush at my name, and
the recollection of those honors whicli her mistaken gratitude has con-
fered upon me, if 1 am guilty of the falsehood and defamation, with
which Mr. Preston has charged me! I am not guilty, my countrymen.

■ 1 . 'i

! :;i

Ji r • :;,!

662

SUKLIi Y'S PAMPHLET.

and before any ntlicr tribunal than your.), i wniiUl liavc scorned to reply
to tlie unwortliy accusations wiili w'licb I am assaileil.

To render the subject more intelligible and clear, and to ^how the
grounds upon which I have made the statements contained in my
private letters, I shall attempt to give some account ot liie battle of
King's Mount;'.in, anil the circumstances which leil to it.

Upon the drfeat of Gen. (iates and the American army al tlie battle
of Camden, .)n the l6lh of August, 1760, the Soiulurn States were
almost entirely ;;band()neil to the enemy. The intelligence ol that dis-
astrous affair, and the defeat of (ien. .Sumter which soon lollowed, spread
universal consternation and alarm. All the bodies of militia that were
in arms through the country, were compelleil to lly belbre the enemy.
Some of these detachments (i>art of which I connnanded) fletl towards
the mountains, and were hotly pursued by Major I'erguson, of the British
army, with a strong force. Failing in the attempt to intercept their
retreat, lie took post at Tiilbcrt Town. At that place he ]).iroled a
prisoner, (one Samuel Philips, a distant connection of mine,) anil in-
structeil him to inform the officers 01. ihe Westein waters, th.it if they
did not desist from their op])osition to the Ihilish arms, and take
protection under his standard, he would march his army over the
mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their country waste willi (ire and
sword. Philips lived near my residence, and came directly to me
with this intelligence. I then connnanded the militia of Sullivan County,
North Carolina. In a few days I went fifty or sixty miles to see Col.
Sevier, who was the efficient commander of Washington County, North
Carolina, to inform him of the message 1 had received, and to concert
with him measures for our defence. After some consultation, we de-
termined to march with all the men we could raise, :mii1 attempt to
surprise Ferguson, by attacking him in his camp, or at any rate before
he was prejiarcd for us. We accordingly appoinled a time and place of
rendezvous. It was kiKnvn to us that >.ome two or three hnndred of the
militia who had been under the command of Col. l\lcI)owell, and were
driven by the success of the enemy from the lower country, were then
on the Western waters, and mostly in the County of Washington, North
Carolina. I saw some of their officers before we parted ; Col. Sevier
engaged to give notice to these refugees, and to bring them into our
measure. On my l)art, I undertook to procure tlie aid am' 'o-operation
of Col. Wm. Campbell, of Washington County, Virginia, and ihe men
of that County, if practicable.

Having made the arrangements with Sevier, I retunii'd home im-
mediately, and devoted myself to all the necessary operations for our
intended enterprise. 1 wrote to Col. Campbell, informing him what
Sevier and I had agreed on, and urged him to join us with all the men
he could raise. This letter I sent express to him at his own house, forty

,1 to reply

■r.\\ow the
d in my
hatllc of

llic battle
iitcs were
f tliat dis-
cd, spread
that were
ic enemy,
■d towards
the Ihitihh
icept tlieir
paroled a
I-,) ami in-
liat if they
and lake
y over the
[h fn-e and
i[\y to me
an Connty,
to see Col.
nty, North
to concert
n, we de-
nttcmpt to
ate before
nd place of
hod of the
, ami were
were then
ton, North
t'ol. Sevier
n into our
)-opcration
(1 tlie men

liome Im-
ons for our

l\ini what
ill the men
luuse, forty

APPEiXD/X.

miles distant, by my brother, Moses Sheil)y. Col. Campbell w,ole v^c
for answer, that he had ditemiincd to raise wjiat men In- roiild, ai;d
march down I)y Flower-tJap, to the Soutlicrn jjordcrs of Vir.L;inia, to
ojipn^c Lord Cornwallis when he apjjroached that State; — tlial lu; still
preferred this course to the one propr n-d by Sevier and myself, and
therefore declined agreeing to meet ns. Of this I notified Col. Sevier by
an express on the ne.\t day, and immediately issued an order callin}.', upon
<i// tile inihtia of the County to hold tliemselves in readiness to manh
at tlie time apjjoinled. 1 feh, however, some disappointment at the reply
of Col. Campbell. The Cherokee towns were not more than cii^hty or
one hundred miles from the frontiers of my County, and we had re-
ceived information that these Indians were preparing; a formidaI)le
attack upon us in the course of a {i^w weeks; I was, therefore, iiinviilin^^
tliat we sliould take away the whole disposabk- force of our Counties at
such a time ; and without the aid of the militia under Col. Campbell's
connnand, 1 feared liiat we could not otherwise have a sufficient force to
meet Fergu.son. 1 therefore wrote a second letter to Col. Cain|)bell, and
sent the same messenger back with it immediately, to whom I commu-
nicated at larj^e our view and intentions, and directed him to urge them
on Col. Campbell. This letter and messenj^er produced the desired
effect, and Campbell wrote me that he would meet us at the time and
place appointed. If Mr. I'lcston and his relations have been as caietul
of these letters, as they have been of some others, and will publish lliem,
they will prove the correctness of this statement.

It surely cannot detract from the merits of Co'.. Campbell, that this
expedition was not sot on foot by him, but by others. He lived in \"ir-
ginia, in a state of comparative security, and was preparinj; to aid his
own State when she should be invaded. We lived in North Carolina, a
great part of which State was im.stratc before the British arms. We
were nearer to the enemy, and we were threatened. We, therefore, deter-
mined to anticipate the invasion and vengeance meditated against us,
and to strike the first blow. To do this effectually, we asked for and re-
ceived the aid of the nearest Connty in a neighboring State. This was
surely the natural and ordinary course of things. The 25th day of Sep-
tember, 1780, at Watauga, where the time and place appointed for our
rendezvous, Cnl. Sevier had succeeded in engaging in our ent(Tprise,
Col. t.'harles McDowell and many of the refugees before mentioned — and
when assembledourforces were as follows: Col. William Campbell wiih
four hundred men from W.ishington County, Virginia; Col. John Se\i(rr
with two hundred and forty men from Washington County, North
Carolina; Coi. Charles McDowell with one hundretl andsi.xty men from
the Counties of Burke and Rutherford, who had fled before the enemy
to the Western waters ; and two hundred and forty men from Sullivan
County, North Carolina, under my command. On the next day, the

^ i:

I ii

I - i

56i

SIILLV, V'S J'AMJ'J/LET.

f>:

26th of the month, we Ijcj^aii our in;irch, crossed tlie- mountains, .-md, on
the 3' til, were joined ijy Col. IJonjamin Cleveland with tiuee luuulied
and lit'ty men from the Counties of Wilkes and Surry, North Carolina.

The little disorders and irregularities which began to prevail among
our undisciplined troops, created much uneasiness in the commanding
officers — tiie Colonels conmiaiuling regiments. We met in the evening,
and consulted about our future o|)erations. It was resolved to semi to
I leail-Oiiarters for a general ofticer to comn»and us ; and that, in the mean-
lime, we should meet in coimcil every day to determine on the measures to
be pursued, and appoint one of our own body to put them in execution. I
was not satisfied witii this coiuse, as I thouglit it calculated to jiroducc
delay, when exi)edition and dispatch were all important to ui. We were
then in sixteen or eighteen miles of Gilbert Town, where we
supposed Ferguson to be. I suggested tliese things to the
council, and then observed to the ofticcrs, that we were all North
Carolinians except Col. Cam])ljell, who was from Virginia; that I knew
him to be a man of good sense, and warmly attached to the cause of his
cotmtry ; that he comrnamled the largest regiment ; and that if they con-
cmred with me, we would, imtil a gener.d oft'icer shotdd arrive from
Head-Quarters, appoint him to command us, ,ind march immcdi.itcly
against the enemy. To this proposition some one or two saitl, "agreetl."
No written minute or record was made of it. I m.ule the projjfjsition to
silence the expectations of Col. McDowell to command us — he being tlic
commanding officer of the district we were then in, and had comrnamled
the armies of militi.i assembled in that quarter all the summer l)efore
against the same enemy. He was a brave and ])atriotic man, l)ut we
considered hint too far advanced in life, and too inactive, f )r the command
of such an enterprise as we were then engaged in. I w.is sure he wouUl
not serve untler a yoimger ofllcer from his own .State, anil hoped that kis
feelings would in some degree I)e saved by the appointment of Col.
Cam|)bell. In this way, and upon my suggestion, was Col. Camp-
bell raised to the command, and not on account of any supirior niiliUuy
talents or experience he luas supposed to possess. lie had no jjrevious
accpiaintancc with any of the Colonels except myself, nor liad he at tliat
time arcpiired any exjierience or distinction in war, that we knew of.
Col. .M( Dowell, who had the good of his country more at heart than any
title of command, subnii'ied to what was done ; but ol)served, that as he
coidd not be jicrtnitted to commanil, he would be the messeii-
ger to go to Ilead-nuartcrs f(U- the general oti'icer. He accordingly
started immediately, k-aving his men under his brother, Maj. Joseph
McDowell, and Col, Cami)l)eU assumed the chief command. lie was,
howe\'er, to be regulated ami ilirected by the determinations of the
Colonels, who were to meet in council every day.

On the morning after the appointment of Col. Cam[)bell, we pro-

t-te J

^'^

APPENDIX.

565

, and, on
hunilicil
C;irt)lin;i-
il among
ni;uulin;4
cvcniiii;,
(> send to
he inoiin-
jasuics to
edition. I
> ]iroducc
Wo were
I'herc wc
to tlic
;ill North
;lt I kl\eW
111 ic of liis
tlu-y con-
rivc fioni
nied'uitely
"agreed."
[)ositi<>n to
being tlic
n\manded
icr before
n, but we
conini;iml
'ne would
•d tliat kis
nt of Col.
)1. (":un;)-
inililary
t ])revious
lie .It that
• knew of.
t than any
that as he
niesscn-
ccordingly
aj. Joseph
He was,
)ns of the

1, we jiro-

ceeded tow.irds Gilbert Town, hut found that Ferguson, apprised of our
approaeh, had left there a few days before. On the ne.xt night, it was
determined, in the couneil of officers, to pursue him unremittingly, with
as many of oiu" troops as c(juld be well armed ami well mounted, leav-
ing the weak horses and footmen to follow on as fast as they could. We
accordingly started about light the next morning, with nine hundred ami
ten men, thus selected. Continuing diligently our pursuit all that da\-,
we were joined at the Cow|)ens, on the Cth, by Col. James Williams, of
Soudi Carolina, and several field officers, with .ihout four hundred mrii.
Learning from him ihe situali(jn and distance of the enemy, we ti-.i\eleil
all that night, and the next day, thiou;.;li heav\' rains, and came up with
thou about three o'clock in the afternoon of the 7th of Odober. They
were encamped on an eminence called Kinifs Mountain, exleiuiiiig
from cast to west, which on its summit was about five or six hundred
yards long, and sixty or seventy broad. Our men were formed for bat-
tle as stated in the report of the action made out and signed by some
of the officers, ami lately |)ublished liy Mi. I'reston. 'J'liis report, how-
ever, omits to mention, that the men who had belonged to (,'ol. McDow-
ell's command, which had been considerably augmented 011 the march,
formed a jiart of the right wing uiuler Sevier. Col. Campbell's regi-
ment and my own, composeil the centre — liis on the right, and mine 0:1
the left. The right wing or column, was letl by Col. Sevier and Maj.
Winston; the left by Cols. Cleveland and Williams; and each of these
wings was about as strong as Camiibell's regiment and mine united.
Our j)lan was to siu'round the mountain and attack the enemy on all
sides.

In this order, and with this view, wc marched immediately to the as-
sault. The attack was commenced by the two centre ctilumns, whii li
attem|itcd to ascend at the eastern end of the mountain. The battle
here became furious and bloody, and main- th.it belonged to St'vier's
column were drawn inlo the action at this jjoint, to sustain their com-
rades. In the course of the battU: \v(; were repeatedly rtpulsed by the
enemy, and driven down the mount. lin. In this succession of repiilNcs
and attacks, and in giving succour to the points hardest jiressed, much dis-
order took place in our ranks; the men of my ( olumn, of Campbell's
column, and great part of Sevier's, were mingled together in the confusion
of th« battle. Towards the latter part of the action, the enemy made a fierce
and gallant ch.irge upon us, from the eastern summit of the mountain,
and drove us ne.ir to the foot of it. The retreat was so r.ipid that there
was great danger of its becoming a rout. While I was attemi)ting to
rally the men, at the distance of about two hundred y.irds from where the
scene of action had been, I looked iloxon Hw mountain, and saw Col.
Campl)ell, silling on his b.iUl-f.ice bla( k horse, about two hundred yards
further o(T, apparently looking right at me. He was in the same trim —

I'!

660

t^IIELH Y'S IWMrilLET.

witli Iiis coat off — that lie had put liiinsclf in to fij^lu tke battle. I stop-
[)ecl my horse, and raised myself up in my stirrups, to siiow liim that 1
saw him. lie did not move while 1 looked at him. '

Our men were soon rallied and turned back upon the enemy, who in
a few minutes after we a^ain came into close action with them, ^'avc
way. We gained the eastern summit <if the mountain ;ind drove those
who had been opposed to us alonj; the toji of it, until they were forced
(JDwn the W('.v/('r;i (^^7;^/ about one hundred yards, in a crowd, to wiiere
tlie other part of their line had been contending with Cleveland and
Williams, who were maintaining their ground below them. It was here
that Ferguson, the British commander, was killed — and a white flag
was soon after hoisted by the enemy, in token f surrender. They were
ordered to throw down their arms ; which they did, and surrendered
themselves prisoners at discretion. It was some time before a complete
cessation of the thing, on our part, could be effected. Our men, who had
been scattered in the l).itlle, were continually coming u|), and continued
to lire, without comprehending in tin; heat of the moment, what had
h.ip[)cned ; and some, who had heard that at Huford's defeat the British
!^ ul refused quarters to many who asked it, were willing to follow that
bad example. Owing to these causes, the ignorance of some, and the
disposition of others to retaliate, it required some time, and some exer-
tion on the part of the officers, to put an entire stop to the firing. After
the surrender of the enemy, oiu- men gave spontaneously three louil
and long shouts.

It was not till fifteen or twenty minutes after the enemy hoisted the
fl.ig of surrender, nor u>ilil sonic miiiutt's after the shouts of our vicn had
announced the victory, that I saw Col. Campbell, on the west point of the
mountain, loith his lii^Iit colored coat buttoned around him, coming down
on foot, with three others, (all of whom 1 knew) to where the prisoners
were. He came directly to me, and stood by my side; and after a short
S])ace ordered the prisoners to sit down. He then proposed a second
cheer, which though joined in liy many, was neither so general nor so
loud as the first.

Ik'forc Col. Campbell came up, the flag of the enemy, and the sword
of their commanding oflicer, DePoyster, had been received, not by me,
but by my lirother, Maj. Kvan Shelby.

About ten o'clock on the day after the battle, I was standing alone,
about forty yards south of the spot where Col. Camiibcll came to me
alter the surrender, enjoying the warmth of the sun (for 1 had been very
wet the day before, and was exposed to the cold dew of the mountain all
night) when I saw Col. Campbell leave the line of guards that sur-
rounded the prisoners, and walked slowly towards me with his sword un-
der his arm, till he came near touching me. He then, in a lower tone
of voice than usual, and with a slight smile on his countenance, made

APPENDIX.

507

the followiiii,' expression : "Sir, lean not ixccoioit for my conduct in the
latter part of the action."

All enterprise so dariiif^, and a victory so complete, were supposed to
entitle llie officers who had conducted and achieved them, to some testi-
monials of their country's approbation. The Le<^islature of Virj,qnia
voted to Cn\. t'ampljcll a horse, sword and ])istols ; and tiie Le^'islaturo
of North Carolina, at their next sessi(jn, were pleased to distinjjuish the
services of Col. Sevier, myself and others, by votin^^ to each of lis a sword.

Such is the history of the battle of Kinj^j's Mountain, and of the inci-
dents connected with it, so far as they relate to the present controversy.
Of those circumstances which relate to Col. Cami)bcll |)ersonally, and
which might have a tendency to diminish his reputation, 1 have seldom
spoken, except in confidence, or to those who were previously accpiaintcd
with them. I am sure that I may say, with perfect truth, that 1 have
never spoken of them in a spirit of iletraction.

I have lon<; ceased to be a citizen of North Carolina. The swords
voted by her had never yet i;een presented, although years had passed
away. Of the one which was voted to me, I had for a lonj; time rarely
thouj^ht, until about the year 1810, when the prospects of a|)|)roa(:hin<^
hostilities with (Ireat Britain naturally roused in me ancient feelinj^s,
and recollections of our Revolutionary war ; and when also I learned
from a relation of Mr. i'rcston, that the State of Virginia had given U)
him, as the representative of Col. Campbell, the elegant sword which
had been voted to the lattci . >r his services at the battle of King's Moun-
tain. These circumstances, and the reflections to which they gave rise,
did produce some feelings of emulation and solicitude, and a sense that
equal justice had not been done to all who participated in that memorable
achievement.

In this state of mind, my letters bearing date in 1810, were addressed
to my ohl frientl and fellow soldier, Col. Sevier. The object of them
was to concert with him the means of reminding N(;rlh Carolina of her
ancient promise, and of obtaining those swords which thirty years be-
fore had been voted to us, as the honorable memorials of our good con-
duct, and our country's approbation. In the course of this correspond-
ence, .ifter mentioning the magnanimous example which Virginia had
given to Carolina by the honors conferred on the memory of Col.
Campbell, I ventured to make some comparison of the services of
Sevier and myself with those of Col. Cam|)bell. I stated in sul)stance
that the enterpiise which resulted in the battle at King's Mountain, was
not set on foot by Col. Cam|)bell, but by Sevier and myself, and that
some address was necessary to induce him to unite with us. That the
greater part of the men who crossed the mountains on that occasion may
be fairly said to have been embodied by Sevier and myself; that Col,
Campbell was not present in the latter part of the action, nor when the

I' I

5G8

SHELBY'S PAMPHLET.

■H:

enemy surrendered, nor for some minutes after ; and that on the next
day he apologized to me for his conduct.

These statements are all true within my own knowledge. They are
more particularly explained and illustrated in the narrative which I
have given above of the battle, and the circumstances which led to it.
Dut .Mr. Preston has denied them — has impeached my veracity, and im-
puted to me the vilest and most dishonorable motives. It is yet in my
power to establish the truth of these statements by the most respectable
and unquestionable testimony. They are verilicd by the letters of Col.
Sevier, written in reply to mine; by the statements of Gen. Thos.
Kennedy, Col. John Sawyers, James Cooper, Henry Blevins, John Long,
Major William Uelaney, Col. Matthew Willoughby, Col John Sharp,
William King, Esq., Geo. Morrison, Jacob Isely, Jaco'.' iicaler, Joseph
Dealer, John Peters, Major Christopher Taylor, Rev. Felix Earnest,
William Willoughby, Robert Elder, the affidavit of Col. Moses Shelby,
and a multitude of others that might be added. All of whom cither
participated in the battle of King's Mountain, or speak from long tradi-
tion, and the information of those who did, and who are now no more.

In Col. Sevier's letter to me of the 17th of January, 1810, he says, " It
is true that Col. Campbell was not within one-quarter of a mile when
the enemy surrendered to yourself and mc." In another letter of the
27th of August, 1812, when speaking of the battle of King's Mountain,
he says, "It is well known you were in the heat of the action. I
frequently saw you animating your men to victory ; at the surrender, you
were the first field officer I recollect to have seen. I have no doubt you
must recollect Col. Campbell was some considerable distance from that
place, at that time, and that you and myself spoke on that subject the
same evening. I perfectly recollect on my seeing you at the close of
the action, that I swore by G-d they had burnt off your hair, for it was
much burnt on one side. It is well known by some hundreds in
Tennessee, that you were Colonel on that campaign, and that we were
the only persons who set on foot the expedition, and had considerable
trouble to get Campbell to join us."

Gen. Kennedy (who belonged on that day to Sevier's column) states
that he was a Captain in the battle of King's Mountain, and fought on
tlie eastwardly quarter of it, where Campbell's regiment was also en-
gaged — that he saw me frequently, but does " not recollect to have seen
Col. Campbell during the action," &c. In his statement he further
says, " I was within sixty or seventy yards of the enemy when they
raised the flag, and was close in with them in a minute or two afterwards,
and I well recollect to have seen Col. Shelby there one of the first men
1 met with. I remember to have heard several persons inquire for Col.
Campbell before he came up, which was, 1 think, about fifteen minutes
after the surrender. I also recollect to have heard it talked of in the

APPENDIX.

5G9

army, after the action and for many years after when in conversation
with men who wore in that battle, that Col. Campbell was not at the
surrender for some lime after the enemy had laid down their arms.

Col. John Sawyers, than whom there is no man more entitled to
credit, as certified by the most respectable and distinguished gentlemen
of Tennessee — states, that " Isaac Shelby, late Governor of Kentucky,
held the command of Colonel at the battle of King's Mountain — that I
was a Captain in his regiment, and know that he first planned the ex-
pedition with John Sevier," &c. " He (Shelby) was also among the
first at the surrender. I saw him and Col. Sevier when the enemy laid
clown their arms, but did not see Col. Campbell for some time afterwards.
I also state, that Maj. Evan Shelby, brother of Isaac, and not Isaac
Shelby, Sevier, or Campbell, as I have heard that some now state,
received the flag and sword. I also state, that from this circumstance I
was led to think of Col. Campbell at the time, looked for him among
the officers, and do believe that if he had been there I shouUl have seen
him, and that he did not come up for fifteen or twenty minutes after the
enemy had laid down their arms, and been jjlaced under guard. I also
know, that it was the general talk at the time, and I have frequently
since heard it spoken of by men who were in the action, as an indis-
putable fact, that he was not in the latter part of the action, nor at the sur-
render. I also recollect distinctly to have heard it said amongst the
officers before we left the mountain, as well as on the way home, and
since, that Campbell himself admitted it, and in a private conversation
with Col. Shelby, on the mountain, had said he could not account for it.
I remember to have intended to ask Col. Shelby, if this was so, but it
has so happened that I have never mentioned this subject to him, nor
he to me."

Maj. William Delaney states, that " I was an Orderly Sergeant in
in the action of King's Mountain ; that I was with Col. Shelby, and rode
with him while placing a guard round the enemy after the surrender —
that I did not see Col. Campbell in the latter part of the action, nor at the
surrender, for some minutes afterwards, and that I heard this spoken of
at the time, as well as since. It is also my belief, from what I under-
stood at the time, (although I did not see it myself) that it was Maj.
Evan Shelby, and neither of the four Colonels, that received the sword
from the British officer in command."

Col. Moses Shelby states, upon oath, that he was twice wounded in
the action on King's Mountain — that he was assisted down to a branch
some small distance from the foot of the mountain on the east end, and
that he saw Col. Cam])bell there sitting on his black horse; this was
about the middle of the action, and he knows "that Col. Campbell did
not leave that place until the battle was over, or until the firing had
ceased."

570

SHELBY'S PAMPJ/LET.

Jacob Bcalcr states, thai he was in Capt, rcmbcrton's company in
the battle of Kinj^'s Mountain, "and amongst the very fust at the place
of surieniler." 'I'he commander asked for (jur General, anil gave his
sword first to Maj. Evan Shelby, who kept it until Col. Campbell came
up, which was twenty minutes, anil I think longer, afterwards. ]''rom
the discourse whicli I heard I>etwcen Col. Slielljy andtiie ilritish oflicers,
I know tiiat Campbell was not there, anil that it was that length of time
before he came uj)."

Joseph Bealer certifies, that " I was at the surrender with my brotlier
(Jacob Bealer) at his side, and saw and heard what he has stated in the
above certificate, and know them to be true, and have always spoken
of them, and heard them spoken of, by those v/ho were there, in
this way."

John Peters also states, that he " was in Capt. Pcmberton's company
with Jacob and Joseph Bealer, and amongst the first at the surrender.
That I know of my own knowledge, that what Jacob Bealer has slated
in his certificate, is true — that the enemy surrendered, and that there was
a ring made round them fifteen or twenty minutes before I looked u[)
and saw Col. Campbell coming with two or three others down the
mountain — that is what I have always heard, and never heard it con-
tradicted."

The statements of the other individuals who arc above named, tend
to confirm the same facts.

With respect to the certificates published by Mr. Preston, I shall
leave the public to compare them with the facts I have stated, and form
their own judgment. I will only observe, however, that John McCulIoch
is the only one of those whose statements have been published, that I
have had an opportunity of communicating with, and he has certified
that he never signed the certificate published as his. The statement
which he there makes, 'that he saw Col. Campbell, at the enemy's
markee,' &c. is very unimportant and proves nothing. That 'markee'
was at the east end of the mountain and five or si.x hundred yards from
where the enemy surrendered.

The testimonials which I have now exhibited will satisfy the world thnt
the statements contained in my letters are true.

I deeply and sincerely regret the necessity that has been cast upon me
of discussing, in defence of my own character, a subject so delicate and so
invidious. It is a controversy that I have not sought ; it is one that I
would have avoided, if any alternative had been left me. My letters
to Col. Sevier were written in all the confidence of a private corres-
pondence with an old friend. I question not the motives that influenced
his son to publish them after the death of his father. But certainly it
was an event altogether unexpected by me. The circumstances under
which those letters were written, the person to whom addressed, and

APPENDIX.

571

their private and confulcntial character must convince the world that I
did not write tl)em for the purpose of duf.uning tlic niemoiy of Col.
Campbell, or with any design of giviag an invidious publicity to tiic un-
pleasant truths which they contain. And if to have spoken the truth
requires an apology — if one be due eitiier to the living or the dead, the
circumstances of this case amply furnisli it; and ought to have mitigated
the violence and injustice with which Mr. Preston has assailed me. I
do not say this to deprecate the wrath or censure of any one ; — for I am
conscious of no impropriety, and I fear no consequences.

Mr. Preston states, that I have charged Col. Campl>ell wilii cowar-
dice. I have made no such charge. I have stated facts only, and cow-
ardice is tlic inference or construction which he chooses to make. The
facts stated, I know to l)c true ; but yet I do not believe that Col. Camp-
bell was a coward. I believe that in the commencement, and the first
part of the action, he acted bravely, and that his subsecpient conduct
was the effect of some unaccountable panic, to which the bravest men
are subject. Such, at least, are the sentiments which I have indulged
and cherished ; and these combined with my regard for Col. Campbell,
and his relatives and connections, will not only furnish a ready answer
to the cjuestion so cxultingly asked by Mr. Preston, why I did not long
ago denounce his ancestor to the world as a coward and paltroon? — but
will also account for my long and habitual silence on the subject. They
will account, too, when taken in conjunction with Col. Campbell's good
conduct during a part of the action, for the expressions which Mr.
Preston has quoted as used by me in the autograph letter to which he
alludes. I can only say that I have no recollection of that letter. I
pretend not, however, to doubt its existence, since it is affirmed by Mr.
Preston, and it having ever been my wish to shield the memory of Col.
Campbell from reproach.

As to the document of "curious character," (the report of the battle,
&c., signed by the officers) to which Mr. Preston so triumphantly refers as
furnishing contradictions to tlie statements contained in my letters ; it
may be remarked, that it was not drawn up on King's Mountain, nor
until some days after we had left it— that it is nothing more than a brief
and hrrried .account, in general terms, of the expedition and the battle,
drawn up to authenticate the intelligence of our victory, and give tone
to puljlic report. This document, Inaccurate and indefinite as it is in
some particulars, furnishes none of those contradictions which Mr.
Preston has supposed to exist.

To make out one of those supposed contradictions, he quotes that
part of it which states, "The troops upon the ri^ltt having gained the
summit of the eminence, obliged the enemy to retreat along the top of
the ridge to where Col. Cleveland commanded, and were there stopped by
his brave men ;— a flag was hoisted" &c. Having interpolated, in par-

572

SHELBY'S PAMPHLET.

enthesis, after the word, "right," in the above quotation, the words
"Col. Campbell's division," Mr. Preston, exclaims, "thus it is j;ivcn
unilcr Col. Shelby's own hand in 1780, that llic enemy was routed by
the division commanded by Col, Campbell in person." The d(jcument
authorizes no such conclusion, and it is only rendered //i:i«5/M' from the
interpolation which he has made. The truth is, as I have before stated
it, that a great part of tlie column commanded by Sevier, owing to tiie
heavy fire in front of the two centre columns was drawn into the action
on the east end of the mountain, and became mingled and blendetl with
them during the remainder of the action. This fact is proved by the
certiticatcs of Messrs. Kennedy, Taylor and Earnest, who belonged to
Sevier's column on that day.

"This venerable memoir" is also supposed by Mr. Preston, to furnish
"a contradiction in direct terms" to that part of one of my letters to Col.
Sevier, where I state "that it may be fairly said, that the great body of
the men wlio crossed the mountains on that expedition, were raised and
embodied by your and my own united exertions." There is in reality no
contradiction. It is true, as stated in that "memoir," that Col. Camp-
bell brought with him four hundred men from Washington County, Va.,
and that Sevier's regiment and mine consisted of only two hundred and
forty men each. But when it shall be recollected, as I h.ive before
related, how this expedition was set on foot, how by tiie exertions of
Sevier and myself, the refugees were asseml)led, and brought to unite
with us, anil liow the co-operation of Col. Campbell was obtained, I
think that I am fully justified in having stated to Sevier, "tiiat it may be
fairly said, that most of tlie men who crossed the mountains," &c., were
embodied by our exertions ; or, at least, that I shall be relieved from that
direct contradiction which Mr. Preston supposes must entirely destroy
my credibility.

As to the propriety of Mr. Preston's remarks in relation to the news-
paper publication of 1812, in which I am represented as being "conspic-
uous through the thin veil of a fictitious signature," I refer the reader to
a letter addressed to me on that subject by the late Col. Jno. 15. Campbell,
and my reply to it, which I ani credibly informed was forwarded to Mr.
Preston. I there state, that those circumstances relating to Col. Camp-
bell are true, and that they were known to his immediate relatives and
friends — yet that I had no participation whatever, in giving publicity to
them, but had endeavored to suppress their circulation. Why I was not
then assailed, and why it has been preferred to wait the lapse of so many
years, until I am brought to the very margin of the tomb, and hundreds
of the then living witnesses have been "gathered home" to their fathers,''
the public will judge.

Before I conclude, permit me to ask what reasonable motive or in-
ducement I could have had to fabricate falsehoods for the purpose of

APPENDIX.

673

defaming Col. Campbell? Has my reputation been built up by pulling
down liiat of others ? Or has it been plundered from the ^,'^avcs
of the (lead ? Let my country answer these ([uusliuns — that country
which has given me all tliat 1 have of name or reputation.

1 think I have a right to be considered, at least, a witness of fair
character, one who has sonic claims upon tiie contidcnce of his country-
men, and who is entitled to be heard without prejudice, although it is his
painful duty to speak thus publicly and plainly of the dead, lliblory,
however, deals with the dead ; and liiis is a subject of history. And al-
though my reluctance at tlie task, is certainly increased by the circum-
stance tlial Col. Campbell is no more ; yet it is very probable tliat I feel
myself more privileged to speak on this subject, than would be conso-
nant with Mr. Preston's ideas of the sanctity and reverence due to his
deceased ancestor ; for 1 was a contemporary of that ancestor, and I
shall soon lie down beside him in the grave. My career is run. 1 feci
as ihougii 1 were almost as nearly connected with the dead as the living;
and standing thus beside my grave, and between two worlds, I solemnly
declare, that the facts I have stated, in relation to the conduct of Col.
Campbell in the battle of King's Mountain, are true.

I lament tlie occasion that has rendered it necessary for me to make
this avowal, and to treat of this unpleasant and invidious suijject. I now
take my tinal leave of it. 1 am animated by no spirit of controversy. I
have no fears for my reputation, the hardy growtii of many years. I
can listen undisturbed to the animadversions of Mr. Preston, and noth-
ing shall ever provoke me to engage further in this contest.

April, 1S23. ISAAC SHELBY.

(DOCUMENTS.)

(No. I.) [Col. John B. Campbell's Letter.]

" Hopkinsvillcsotk July, 1S12.

Sir :-- -I have seen in the Reporter of the 25th inst., a publication
signed " Narrator y which has treated the character of my deceased
uncle. Gen. William Campbell, with great injustice. So far as this pub-
lication, and otliers of the same character, have tended to promote your
election to the Chief Magistracy of liic State, they have met my hearty
concurrence ; no man has felt more solicitious than myself for your suc-
cess ; but when the bounds of truth are transcended, and the character of
a deceased relative, long since in the silent tomb, basely traduced, and
his name unnecessarily lugged into this contest in a manner calculated
to dislaurel him, although the scope of the publication may have been
intended to promote the cause I approve, I cannot rest patiently without

671

SHELliV'S PAMPHLET.

V S

endeavoring to have the unjjcncrous statements in this piihhration con-
tradicted. The most prominent of which are, that " Col. Campbell was
not in this action exce|)t on the fust onset;" and tiiat he came up about
twenty minutes after the enemy had surrendered, and observed to you,
" that he could not account for his own conduct in the latter part of the
action ;" thereby insinuating that he had cowardly skulked out of danger
after the commenccnu'nt of the action, and remained in his snug retreat
until danger ceased to exist. I cannot for a inoincnt, sir, entertain
the belief, that you would give any countenance to a statement calculated
to wound the r:;nitation of (""umi. W'm. Campbell, and I am persuaded
that " Narratot , who seems to h.ive undertaken to be your biographer,
must have derived his information from some other source, but if from
you, must have misundiMstood you. That (jen. Campbell acted a con-
spicuous part in tlie affair of King's Mountain, all his fellow soldiers
with whom I have ever conversed, most unequivocally assert ; and the
Legislature of Virginia as an evidence of their approbation of his distin-
guised gallantry on the occasion, thanked him througli the medium of a
committee, presented him with a fine horse elegantly caparisoned, a
sword and pistols. That youself and Col. Sevier acted your parts with
bravery is universally admitted ; but that the whole merit of the affiir is
to be ascribed to you, to the exclusion of others, is going further than
history warrants, or fellow soldiers have asserted.

The great respect I have always entertained for you, from the char-
acter my friends gave me of you, and that increased by the suiall
acquaintance I cultivated last summer, forbids my believing that you had
any knowledge of this publication previous to its appearance. It will,
therefore, give me great pleasure, and no douljt all the friends ofden.
Campbell, if you would correct the misrejirescntations of " jXarra/or,"
and, through the same medium, place my deceased friend's conduct in its
proper point of view. I have written to Col. Francis Preston on the
subject, and expect Un\n him certificates from persons who served
under Gen. Campljcll, which I wish not to have occasion to use. I am.
Sir, very respectfully,

Your Obedient Servant,

JOHN B. CAMPBELL.

(No.

2.) [Answer to the above letter.]

"Aui^usi i4(k, iSi3.
"Sir : — By last Saturday's mail I received your favor of the 30th ult.
relative to a publication which appeared in the AV/£?r/'(r of 25ih of last
month.

I assure you, Sir, that that publication appeared without my knowledge
or approbation, and that I felt as much surprise and regret upon reading it
as could have been felt by you or any one else. I knew not, and am still

Al'PENDIX.

hlh

nvledL^e

adini^ it

I am still

una( ([iiaintcd with " Xiirrator;" but immctli.itcly on sccin;j tli.it piece T
wioic Id tlio two printers in Fr.inlsfort, and the editors of the (ilobc in
I>anvilii.', expressing' my disapproh.ition nf tliat proiUiction, and reiiuesting
tiiciii not to rc-piibhsh it in either of llieir |)apers.

Col. Wiih.im Ciimpljell (for he was not a General at Kinj^'s Moun-
tain) deserved ^'reat credit for the manner in which the action was
brouj,dit on, and for his conduct throu-^h great part of it. He was doubt-
less a jjrave man, but the boldest may at some luckless moment be
confounded ; this, in my opinion, docs not detract from his former or
subsequent renown. Ihit it is as true as that Heaven and Karth exist,
that he was not in the latter part of the action, and that lie did apolo^dio
to me for it before we left the mountain, and spoke once or twice to me
on the subject upon our retreat.

I have rarely mentioned this circumstance, except in confidence, to his
friends; among this description was old Col. Preston, and your own
father, who had heard something said on t!ic occasion, and conversed
with me upon it, about the latter end of the year 1781. 1 would not for
the universe detract from the merits of a brother officer long since in the
silent tomb, for whose memory I have ever felt a high respect and
esteem, and sincerely regret the appearance of that unguarded production,
anil would say everything consistent with truth to remove the unpleasant
sensations which it may have occasioned. Perhaps you attach more
importance to that anonymous publication than it deserves. If, however,
you should choose to make any comments upon it, unless they go to
impeach my veracity or honor, they shall pass without my notice. Hut
I shall regret it extremely, if you should so notice that unauthorizeil
production, as to compel me to express the foregoing sentiments, or
exhibit a document in my hands respecting that delicate subject. I
should be gl.i'l of an interview with you. Will anything lead you to
Frankfort ? If, it should, be so good as to drop me a line.
With great respect, I am. Sir, your Obedient Servant,

ISAAC SHELBY.

(No. 3.) [Col.Scvier to Gov. Shelby, Jan. 17th, iSio:]
" It is true, that Col. Campbell was not within one quarter of a mile
when the enemy surrendered to yourself and me. Without detracting from
the merits of Col. Campbell, there were other officers in the battle of
King's Mouniain, that merited as much notice from their country as
himself.

(No. 4.) [Col. Sevier to Gov. Shelby, Aug. 27th, 1S12 :]
" It is well known you were in the heat of the action. I frequently
saw you animating your men to victory. At the surrender, you were the
fust field officer I recollect to have seen. I have no doubt you must

ii P'

57G

SI/ELDY'S PAMPHLET.

recollect Co'. Campbell was some considerable distance from
tliat place, at that time, and that you and myself spoke on that
subject the same evenin<j. 1 perfectly recollect on seeing you at the

close of the ac'ion, that I swore by they had burnt off your hair, for

it was much l)t.rnt on one side. It is well known by some luindrcds in
Tennessee, that you were Colonel on that campaign, and that we were the
onh' persons who set on foot the expedition, and had considerable trouble
to get Campbell to join us."

(No. 5.) [Gen. Thomas Kennedy, of Garrard County, Ky., Nov., 25th,

1822:]
I commanded a company of volunteers in the battle of King's Moun-
tain, on the 7th of October, 1780, and I fought in Maj. McDowell's
battalion on the castwardly quarter of the mountain. I do not recollect
seeing Col. Campbell during the action , he might have been engaged
too far off from me. But I well recollect to have seen and heard Col.
Shelby, at different times, animating ami encouraging the men, before
they were compelled to retreat ; and whc e enemy charged and drove
us rapidly down to the foot of the mountain, I saw Col. Shelby using
great exertions to rally the men, and I believe it was owing to his cfibrts
principally, that they were rallied, and turned back upon the
enemy, when the firing again commenced most furiously for about ten
minutes. The enemy then began to give way in their turn, but continued
a scattering fire upon us, until they retreated near to the west end of the
mountain, (which was from four to six hundred yards) where they sur-
rendered. I was within sixty to seventy yards of the enemy when they
raised the flag, and was close in with them in a minute or two afterwards,
and I well recollect to have seen Col. Shelby there one of the first men
I met with. I remember to have heard several jiersons enquire for Col.
Campbell before he came up, which was, I think, about 15 minutes after
the surrender. I also recollect to have heard it talked of in the army
after the action, and for many years after when in conversation with
men who were in the battle, that Col. Campbell was not at the surrender
for some time after the enemy had la ' down their arms."

(No. 6.) [Col. John Sawyers, of Knox Co., Tenn., Feb. i6th, 1823,

certilles :]
That Isaac Shelby, late Governor of Kentucky, held the command
of Colonel at the battle of King's Mountain — that I was a captain in his
regiment, and know that he first jilanned the expedition with John
Sevier, who then held a similar commission — that said Shelby went
courageously into the action — was the commander who rallied the Sulli-
van troops when broken — that I saw him, and received directions from
him frequently on the mountain, in the heat of the action, and heard him

APPEXDIX.

577

1823.

miiind

in his

ill John

went

Sulli-

11s from

ml him

animating his men to victory. lie was also amoni^st tlie first at the sur-
render. I saw him and Col. Sevier when tiie enemy laid down their
arms, but did not see Col. Campbell for some minutes afterwards. I also
state, that M.ij. Kvan Shelby, brother of Isaac, and not Isaac Shelby,
Sevier, or Campljcll, as I have heard that some ntnv st.ite, received the
flag and sword. I also state, that fioin this circumstance 1 was led to
think of (.?am|)bcll at tlie time, looked for him amoiv^st the other officers,
anddo beueve that if lie had l^een there I should have seen him; and
that he did not come up for fifteen or twenty minutes after the enemy
had laid down their arms, and been placed under guard. I also know,
that it was the general talk at the time, and I have frequently since
heard it s[)oken of l)y men who were in the action, as an indis|)utaijle
fact, that he was not in the latter part of the action, or at tiic suncnder. I
also recollect tlistinctly to have he.ird it said amongst the officers before
we left tlic mountain, as well as on the way home, and since, that
Campljcll himself admitted it, and in a private conversation with Col.
Shcl1)y, on the mmintain, had said tliat he could not account for it. 1
rememijer to have intended to ask Col. Shelby if this was so, luit it has
so happened that I have never since named this subject to him, nor he
to me.

(No. 7.) [James Cooper, of Hawkins Co., Tenn., Feb. i8th, 1823,

certifies :]

That in the section of country in wliich I live, I have heard it
generally spoken of Ijy tlie soldiers wlio were in the battle of King's Moun-
tain, tiiat Col. Campbell did not act as l)raveiy on that occasion as he
did on some others; that it was a well-known fut, tiiat he did not make
his appearance at tlie place of surrciuler until after the enemy had l)een
taken from their arms, and placed under guard — that tliis is the way in
wliich I have always heard my neighljors, James Cainpljcll, Joiiii Long
and several others si)eak of this nuuter.

(No. 8.) [The statement of Col. Moses Shelliy made upon oath.]
I, Moses Shelby, do state, that I was in the battle against the Hritish
and Tories upon King's Mountain, on the 7th day of Octolier, 1780,
in Col. Isaac Shelby's regiment. That I received two wounds in that
action ; by the last .oiind, through my thigli near my body, I was
rendered unable to walk, or to stand without hel|), and was assisted
down to a liranch, some small distance from the foot of the Mountain,
at tlie east end— at which place I saw Col. William Campbell, (our
commander) sitting on his black horse. I knew him |)erfectly, as I was
well acquainted with him. This was about the middle of the action,
and I do know, that Col. Camiibell did not leave that place until the
battle was ovei , or until the firing had ceased. All this is true, and
within my owi knowledge, (uvcn under my hand at New Madi.d,

this 2d <i..yof yovemlur, A. D. 182J. MOSES SIIELHV.

H---!- -

578

SHELBY'S PAMPHLET.

(No. 9.) [Ilcnry Blcvins, of Hawkins Co., East Tcnn., Feb. iSth, 1S23,

certifies :j
That I was a private in Capt, Elliott's company, in Shelby's
regiment, at King's Mountain — I was not in the action, but in
the rear guard with the baggage — I know, however, that it was thf
general talk in the army on the next day, that Col. Campbell was not
in the action, after they were first beaten back down the mountain, and
that he himself admitted it, and said that he could not tell how it hap-
pened — I recollect to have heard him told of it once, by (Sen. Sevier.
The way in which this took place was this — there were about thirty
Tories condemned to be hanged ; nine only were executed. They were
executed three at a time, near to Sevier's tent; while it was going on,
Campbell came up, and demanded in an angry manner, why they d'O.
not hang all these damned rascals at once ? Sevier laughed ana re
plied, " Why, Colonel, if we had all been as much in earnest in the
action, I think we should have killed more, and had fewer of them to
hang." I also heard it thrown up to him by two men who were
wounded, William Cox and Moses Shelby. I heard Sevier say, at
different times afterwards, that if he had acted as Campbell did in the
actio.i, he would not have blamed his men to have killed him. It has
been the general talk amongst those whom I have heard speak on this
subject at different times since, that Campbell did not act with his usual
bravery on that occasion.

(No. 10.) [John Long, of Hawkins Co., Tenn., Feb. 19th, 1823,

certifies:]

That I v.-as a soldier in Shelby's regiment at the battle of King's
Mountain, that I know that Col. Shelby went bravely into the
action, and that it was his influence that rallied our troops when broken
— that I saw him at the surrender, and know that he first stopped the
firing on the enemy, declaring that as they had surrendered, they ought
not to be fired on, which some were disposed to do, who were crying out
" Biiford's play," wishing to retaliate for their conduct on i former
occasion. I also state, that I did not see Col. Campbell either in the latter
part of the action nor at the surrender, and that it was the common talk
in the army, and among the men coming home, and frequently since,
that he was in neither. I also recollect to have heard it laughed about
afterwards, that Col. Sevier had told Campbell that if we all had been
as brave in the action as about the hanging of the Tories, that we should
not have had so many of them to hang. I have heard it said ever
since by those who were in the action, that Campbell was not in the
latter part of the action, and had not acted as bravely on that day as it
is said he had done on other occasions.

APPENDIX.

679

(No. II.) [Maj. William Dol.mcy, of Sullivan Co., Tcnn., Feb. 2i5t,

1823, certifies:]
That I was an Orderly Sergeant in the action of King's Mountain
— that I know that Isaac Shelby distinguished himself on that
occasion, and that it was generally said by those whom 1 heard speak of
it at the time, that he was entitled to more credit than any other officer
at the Mountain — that I was with him, and rode with him, while placing
a guard round the enemy after the surrender — that I did not sec Col.
Campbell in the latter part of the action, nor at the surrender, for some
minutes afterwards, and that I heard this spoken of at the time, as well
as since. It is also my belief, from what I understood at the time,
(though I did not see it myself) that it was Maj. Evan Shelby, and
neither of the four Colonels, that received the sword from the British
officer in command." ******

(No. 12.) [Col. John Sharp, of Sullivan Co., Tenn., Feb. 21st, 1823,

certifies ;]
That I was an Ensign in Capt. Pemljertons' company, in the
battle of King's Mountain, and that I was in i\\c front Ihic when the
enemy surrendered — that Col. Shelby was the first man I heard order
the enemy to lay down their arms, after they began to cry for cpiartcrs ;
he damned them, if they wanted quarters, why they did not lay down
their arms. I also state, that I did not see Col. Campbell until some
minutes afterwards, though I never heard him charged with cowardice
on that account, and do not pretend to say he did not do his duty.
All I can say is, that I did not see him at that time.

(No. 13.) [George Morrison, of Sullivan Co., Tenn., Feb. 2otli, 1823,

certifies :]
That I have often heard my father, Peter Morrison and my
fadier-in-law Jonathan Wood, who were both in the battle of King's
Mountain, l:)ut since dead, state, that Col. Campbell was not in the litter
part of the action, nor at the surrender for some lime after the enemy had
laid down their arms.

c .1

(No. 14.) [Jacob Isely, of Sullivan Co., Tenn., Feb. 19th, 1823, certifies :j
That though 1 was not in the action of King's Mountain, I
avc ever since lived in the neighborhood of a numljer of men who
were there, and have always heard it said by them, that Col. Campbell
was not in the latter part of the battle — that he went bravely into the
action, but after the men were beaten back, had staid down at a branch
with the wounded men, until the firing had ceased. I also state, that I
have often heard old Martin Rolcr, who was in the action, laugh about
what Sevier had said to Campbell, wiicn Campbell wanted all the Tories

r ; f

> i-

:■! 4

5S0

SHELBY'S PAMPHLET.

hung, that if we had all been as brave in the action, there would have
been fewer to hang. Moses Shelby and John Fagon, two of the men
who were wounded, often stated after their return in my presence, and
that of many others, that they saw Col. Campbell at the l^ranch from the
middle of the action imtil after the surrender. I have also heard
Thomas Elliott and Martin Roler both say often, that Moses Shelby had
stated it to his face.

(No. 14.) [William King, Esq., of Sullivan Co., Tcnn., Feb. 21st,

1823, certifies :|
That I have been a resident in this County for about forty
years past — that though I was not in the battle of King's Mountain, yet
I have very often in early times heard our men who were there, con-
verse on this suljject, and state, that Col. Campl:)ell was not in the latter
part of the action nor at the surrender to receive the sword from the
British Commandant. I also declare that I never heard it either from
Col. Shelby or from any of his family connections.

(No. 15.) [Jacob Dealer, of Sullivan Co., Tenn., Feb. 23d, 1823,

certifies:]

That I was in Capt. Pemberton's company, and was amongst
the very first at the ])lace of surrender — that when the enemy cried out
for cjuarters, I heard Col. Shelby curse them, and ask, if they wanted
quarters, why did they not lay down their arms. The commander
asked for our general, and gave his sword first to Maj. Evan Shelby,
who kept it until Col. Campbell came up, which was twenty minutes,
and I think longer, afterwards. From the discourse whicli I heard
between Col. Shelby and the British officer, I know that Campbell was
not there, and that it was that length of time before he came up.

(No. 16.) [Joseph Dealer certifies Feb. 23d, 1823:]
That I was at the surrender with my brother (Jacob Bealer) at his
side, and saw and heard what he has stated in the above certificate, and
know them to be true, and have always spoken of them, and heard
them spoken of by tliose wlio were there, in this way.

(No. 17.) I John Peters, of Sullivan Co., Tenn., Feb. 23d, 1823,

certifies :]

That I was in Capt. Pemberton's company with Jacob and
Joseph Bealer, and amongst the first at the surrender — that I know of
my own knowledge, that what Jacol) Dealer has stated in his certificate,
is true — that the enemy surrendered, and there was a ring made round
tliem fifteen or twenty minutes before I looked up and saw Col. Camp-
bell coming, with two or three others, down the mountain — this is what I
have always heard, and never heard it contradicted.

W fi

APPENDIX.

681

1823,

:ob and
I know of
:rtificate,
|c\c round
il. Camp-
1 is what I

(No. 18.) [Major Christopher Taylor, of Washington Co., Tcnn., Feb.

25th, 1823, certifies:]
That I was a Captain in the battle of King's Mountain, and
saw Col. Canipljcll twice in the heat of the action, l^cfore we were last
beaten down the mountain — l)ut that I did not sec him in the hitter
part of the action, or at the surrender for some minutes afterwards.
After the enemy were placed in a ring, and a guard four men deep
placed around them, I saw him come up close to the place where I
stood, and an opening was made for him to go amongst them — before
this, one of the Shelliy's, and I think Evan, had received the flag,
the first one having heen shot down, and I saw him ride round, or
nearly round, the enemy, telling our men that they had given up,
and endeavor in that way to stop the firing. I have always believed
that Colonels Shelby and Sevier acted with distinguished bravery on that
occasion.

(No. 19.) [Rev. Felix Earnest, of Green Co., Tenn., Feb. 28th, 1S23,

certifies:]
That I was in Sevier's regiment, Capt. William's company, at the
battle of King's Mountain — that I was at the surrender, and saw the
enemy stacking their arms, and a guard placed around them, but
that I did not see Col. Campbell at the place of surrender, for some
minutes afterwards.

(No. 20.) [William Willoughby, of Lincoln Co., Ky., March 171)1, 1S23,

certifies :]
That I was a Lieutenant in Capt. Beattie's company, and Col.
Campbell's regiment, in the battle of King's Mountain. It has al-
ways been my opinion, that Col. Isaac Shelby and Col. John Sevier
deserved as much honor from their country on that occasion as any
other officers on the mountain — that I saw Col. Shelby often animating
our men during the action. I did not see Col. Campbell after the com-
mencement of the action, nor at the surrender, until the enemy were in
the act of stacking their arms. I have always understood, that Col.
Shelby received the sword from tlic British commander ; and I also state
(although I don't know it of my own knowledge) that it was a report
thirty or forty years ago, th t Col. Campbell was not present at the
surrender, to receive the sword from the British commander.

(No. 21.) [Robert Elder, April 2d, 1823, certifies:]

That I was a volunteer of the regiment commanded by Col.

William Campbell, in the action, fought upon King's Mountain, on the

seventh day of October, in the year 1780, and do iiereby declare, that I

never saw Col. Campbell on the field of battle after the first onset of the

i
I' »

L f

r>82

CAMPBELL VLVDICA TED.

action, until tlic surrender of the enemy. I also declare, that I often
saw Col. Isaac Shelby endcavorin;; to animate our men, and particularly
at the time of the l)attle when the enemy charged m\v lines, and drove
us down the mountain, from one hundred and fifty to two hundred
yards, or upwards. I both saw and heard Co'. Shelby make great ex-
ertions to rally our men, which he finally effected, and turned them back
upon the enemy, and drove them in their turn until they surrendered.

(No. 32.) [John McCuIloch, of Washington Co., Va., certifies:]
Tiiat though I was applied to by the frientls of the late Col.
Campljcll, to know what I could state in relation to tiie battle of King's
Mountain, I never did suliscribe to the certificate which I am told has
been published in my name; nor have I ever seen it, either in writing
or in print, and cannot therefore say whether it states the truth or not.
I saw Col. Campbell at the enemy's markee, how far it was from there
to the place of the surrender, or whether the enemy or some of them
might not then be surrendering, I cannot state.

(No. 23.) [Gen'l. James Winchester, of Tennessee, in a letter to

Thomas Smith, Kscj., dated P'ebruary last, says, in relation to

Mr. Preston's, publication:]

" I perfectly recollect in the year 1785, when 1 first came to this

country, that a number of respectable men, among whom were the

Bledsoes, well acquainted with the affair of King's Mountain, did not

hesitate to say, that Sevier and Shelljy had a fair claim to the honors of

that day ; that Campbell was some distance fronr the place of action, &c."

,,, r

REJOINDERS TO GOVERNOR SHELBY.

The papers properly coming under this head arc too lengthy for in-
sertion. The first, by Wm. C. Preston, Colonel Cam])beirs grandson,
was addressed, June twentieth, 1S13, to the Editor of the Kt'titttclcy Re-
porter, in vindication of his ancestor from the charge of cowardice at
King's Mountain, made in that pajier by "Narrafor." Mr. Preston
ag:iin came forward in defence of Colonel Campbell, repelling the same
charge made in Governor Shelby's letters to Governor Sevier, adducing
sevcr.d statements of King's Mountain survivors, disproving the accusa-
tion; and citing Governor Shelby's letter of October, 1780, to Colonel
Arthur Campbell, and the official re|)ort of the battle, signed by Shelby,
as conflicting with his recent letters to Governor Sevier, and animad-
verting upon the motives which could have prompted Governor Shelby
to engage in the work of detracting from the merits of the dead.

On the appearance of ("lovernor Shelby's i)amphlet publication, in
1823, Wm. C. Preston rejilied, May tenth, in that year, in the Colum-
bia, S. C. Telescope, making a manly defence. His father. General

APPENDIX.

583

lUon, 111
Coliim-
C'.cneial

Francis Preston, at tlic same lime, madi; a reply in ilic Al)inj;iion, Va.,
Guziitc, bringinj; forward an oxplanalory cerlificalc of John McCullocIi,
blatiny, in effect, liial lie had foryotten having made iiis first certificate
wlien he was induced to give one to (lovernor Slielljy's agent, denying
that he had ever made any statement, lie also introduced Colonel
Matthew VVilloughby's affidavit, stating that he was in CainpljcH's regi-
ineiU, on tlie King's Mountain rampaign, and he never heard a word
uttered at that lime derogatory of Colonel Campbell's "great bravery
and good condui :l" in tlie battle ; adding that "the statement of Moses
Shelby would not, perhaps, be credited, from the character he bore
about the tmie and after the b:'ttle, as he, with others, was engaged in
plundering, in the Carolinas, both Whigs and Tories, and running the
property so plundered to this side of the mountains."

General John Campl)ell, then a member of the Virginia Council of
State, made a vigorous reply to Governor Shelby, in the Richmond En-
quirer, June twenty-fourth, 1823, discussing the points in controversy,
refuting the charge of cow. irclice, and Shelby's error in suppo!iing he
saw Colonel Campbell, during the heat of the battle, two hundred yards
away, sillmg on his b,ild-fa ed I)lat k horse — citing the fad lliat it loas
CaiiipdcH's servant, John JhodJy, who rode the black horse on that oc-
casion.

The principal certificates adduced by the Messrs. Preston, and Gen-
eral John Cainpljell, follow in their order:

Col. Wm. Edmondson, the Major of Campljell's regiment, in his cer-
tificate, in 1813, states: Campbell was made the chief commantier of the
King's Mountain Kxjicdition, not by any pre-concert, or as a matter of
conciliation towards the older Colonels, 1)ut by a caucirs of field officers;
and, as well as he could recollect, the whole of tiie suffrages were given
to Colonel Campbell. It was generally understood after the battle, that
Colonel (_!aiiip!jell had performed his duty with great judgment and de-
termined l)r,ivery. I was accjuamted with Colonel Campbell for a num-
ber of years, anil always found him, and ever believed him, to be a man
of dauntless intre|)idity.

David iJeattic, of Campbell's men, in 1813, states: I saw Col.
Campbell, in the hottest of tlie engagement, riding along the lines, en-
couraging and c.xhorti.ig the men, and directly under the enemy's fire.
He continually rode along the lines, marshalling and leading on the
men until his horse !)ecame fatigued, when he dismounted, ami cum-
manded on foot until the close of the ac tion. When the flag w.is raised,
the British surviving commander and suite came near to the sjjot where
I and several others were standing, and inciuired — "where is your com-
mander ?" Kithcr I, or one of those standing with me, pointed to Col.
Campbell, and observed that he w.is our comm.uuler; when the British
officer immediately advanced towards him, holding his sword by the

584

C IMPliEI.L 1 7A V> /( >/ 7£D.

point, and delivered it to him. After the cn^'agenioiit, I lieard many of
the men express tlicir achiiiration of the courage of Col. Camiibeil. I
saw him repeatedly during the battle in those places where it raged most
violently.

James Crow, of the Virginia regiment, states, in 1S13: ^Vhen
charged, we ran down the mountain a small distance, not more than
twenty or thirty paces. I saw Col. Cami)ljcll not f.ir from us. As the
enemy turned we turned. * * » When the British flag was
raised, I was in less than the length of my gun of Col. Campbell, when we
closed round the enemy. UePeystcr, the 15ritis!i commander, was sitting
on a grey beast, and addressed Col. Camiibell, referring to the firing
after the flag was raised : "Col. Cami)bell, it was damned unfair," and
rejjeated the words a second time. The Colonel made him no reply,
but ordered him to dismount. * » *

Maj. James Snodgrass, of Campbell's men, states : I frequently
saw Col. Campbell, during the engagement, in lire most dangerous and
exposed situations, and am convmced that he could not have left the
lines for any length of time. I saw hinr immediately alter the surren-
der, and before the enemy had entnely ceased firing, coming from
amongst the enemy's troops, with several swords in his hands.

Capl. James Keys, of Campbell's regiment, states : When the ene-
my raised a flag, and called for quarter, I heard a British officer incpiire
for Col. Campbell, who being pointed out to him, he advanced and
tendered his sword, which Col. Campbell declined. The firing had
not yet ceased, and I heard the British officer remonstrate with Col.
Campbell against the conduct of his soldiers.

John MrCulloch, of Campbell's men, in 1813, states: I did not see
Col. Campbell at the rommenrement of the ac:tion ; but after the regi-
ment had driven the enemy, and had reached tiie top of tiie mountain,
I recollect perfectly to have seen him, and the spot where he was— I saw
him nigh one of the enemy's markees on foot, his horse having given
out — he was pressing on with all the speed he could towards the enemy
— a few minutes before their siuTendcr.

Gen. tieorge Rutiedgc, of Shelby's regiment, in 181 3, states : I saw
Col. Campbell at the commencement of the engagement, and then
towards the last of the action, when we had driven the British into
small bounds, and surrounded them — when Campbell's and Shelby's
regiments had got intermixed. 1 well recollect to have seen Camjil^ell
acting with distinguished bravery. He was on horseback, stripped to his
shirt sleeves, and his shirt collar open. He was very hoarse. The
enemy raised the flag — it disappeared, when it was instantly raised again.
They did not yet cease firing. Campbell lushcd through amongst
us, calling out — "cease firing" waving his swo il downwards — "for
God's sake, cease firing!" He met Dcl'eystcr with the flag. I saw

APPENDIX.

585

ot see

regi-

lUain,

I s;i\v

;iven

nemy

DePcystcr present tlic handle of his sword to Campbell, and he re-
ceived it. I saw several men fall on both sides, after the flag was raised.

Thomas Jefferson writes from Monticello, to Gen. Francis Preston,
November tenth, 1822: Your favor gives mc the first information I
had ever received, that the laurels which Col. Campbell so honorably
won in the battle of Kmg's Mountain had ever been brought into
question by any one. To him h.is ever been ascribed so much of the
success of that brilliant action as the valor and conduct of an able com-
mander migh* justly claim. * * * I remember well the deep and
grateful impression made on the mind of every one by that memorable
victory. It was the joyful annunciation of that turn of the tide of
success which termmaled the Revolutionary war with the seal of our
independence. The slighting expression complained of, as hazarded by
the venerable Shelley, might seem inexcusable in a younger man ; liut
lie was then old, and 1 can assure you dear sir, from mortifying ex-
perience, that the lapses of memory, and the forgetfulncss incident to
old age, are innocent subjeds of compassion more than of blame. The
descendents of Col. Campbell may rest their heads quietly on the pillow
of his renown. History has consecrated, and will forever preserve it in
the faithful annals of a grateful country.*

Henry Dickenson, of Campbell s regiment. May, 1823, states: The
enemy charged upon us with their bayonets, and we retreated down the
mountain, when I saw Col. Campbell on foot i)ursuing iiis men in a
quick gait, calling iijion them to halt, which they soon did, ami came
back, and he with them began to fight again. We advanced wiliiin
thirty or forty yards of the enemy, who made a firm stand for some
time; but after awhile broke and retreated upon the mountain where
they halted again a few minutes; but on our advancing and tiring, they
continued their retreat to the wagons, and haUed behind them, which
were on the summit of the mountain, from which we soon drove them
down to the end of the mountain where I supjiose they were met by the
troops sent around to that quarter, for it was immediately called out by
some men just before me, that the enemy had raised the flag. I stepped
back a few paces, and called to Col. Campbell, that the enemy had
raised the flag. Frequently during the battle I saw him exposed. He
directed me to go with him. We went to the line of surrender, where
wc met the British officers, with their swords in their hands, holding
them about the middle, with the hilt down, and Col. Cami)l)ell put his
hand out to receive them, when the officers drew back, aj^jjarently as if
they did not intend to deliver the swords to him— supposing, as I pre-
sume, from his dress, that he was not the commander, as he had no coat
on, and his collar was open. Seeing his countenance alter, I was

The origin.il of this letter is preserved by Robert M. Hughes. Esq , Norfolk, Va.

586

CAMPBELL VhXDICA TED,

1;;

I);

apprehensive he would use home violence, which they might return. I
took my },'un from my sliouldcr, at the same time mentioning that this
was our commander. T';e ofiicers then bowed to Col. Campbell, and
delivered their swords to him, which he placed under his arm, as well as
I remember, and turned around, directing them to follow him, which
they did. I never heard any charge or insinuation of Campbell's want
of bravery, or leaving his men during the action, until the unfortunate
controversy which I see in the papers, and which I lament, as I do
know Campbell was a brave man, having seen him frequently in the
battle, rallying his men on the retreat, and encouraging and urging
them on the advance, sometimes before them, and sometimes amongst
them. I particularly noticed Campbell, as he was our commander, and
I was well acquainted with him. Col. Shelby must be jnistaken — I hope
unintentionably so, in stating that he saw Col. Campbell, when our
troops retreated down the mountain, two hundred yards from them, for
at that time I saw Col Campbell on foot exerting himself to rally the
men. I saw Samuel Newell, a little before we got to the wagons, on
horse-back, his thigh very bloody from the wound he had received, en-
couraging the men to advance— I thought him a Ijrave soldier. He was
a man of the strictest veracity, and of very correct deportment. I was
not much acquainted with Moses Shelby ; he appeared to be a loose,
rattling character.*

John Craig, of Campbell's men, states: As we dismounted near the
foot of the mountain, I saw Col. Campbell riding along the line, to take
the head, and as he passed he said, " Here they are, my brave boys,
shout like hell, andfit^ht like devils ! " He was then in advance of his
men. \Vc obeyed his orders, and rushed rapidly up the mountain. We
were driven down — rallied, returned, and drove the enemy. They
hoisted their flags in token of surrender. Here I saw Col. Campbell on
foot, in his shirt sleeves, receive the sword from the surviving and com-
manding officer of the British army. After the victory was complete,
and the sword delivered to Campbell, I remember he being present, as
well as suntlry other officers and men, they all joined in three loud
cheers. ! was with Campbell at Whitzell's Mills, where we were much
cut to pieces, but he acted with his usual courage. f

Col. John Wilhcrspoon, of Cleveland's regiment, states: When the
battle commenced, I saw Col. Campbell engaged bravely animating his
men, and watching and defending every point that seemed necessary.

* Judge Peter Johnston certifies to the veracity .ind intCRrity of Henry Dickenson, clerk
of Russell County court, .intl has formerly he.-ird him relate the particuLirs of the action,
corresponding precisely with those here detailed.

t Craig's relation of binding up Lieut. Edmonson's wound is omitted. In a subsequent
statement, Mr. Craig adds, that the reason the Americans left King's Mountain in such
haste was, that a report came that Tarleton was in pursuit, and would rescue the prisoners.

APPENDIX.

587

* * When \vc were driven down the hill, I saw Col. Campbell, with
other officers, animating; and rallying his men ; and I saw liim again
when the enemy surrendered ; he was llien attendinj^', with the rest of
the officers, to the security of the prisoners.

Col. Benjamin Sharp, of CampljcH's men, slates: During; the heat
of the action, I saw Col. Campbell three times, ride baciiwarus and for-
wards in advance of our lines, in the space between us and the enemy,
with his sword in his hand, and, as well as I could understand him, ex-
claimed, " r.oys, remember your liljcrty ! "

William Edmondson, of Campbell's regiment, states: Whilst giving
way before the bayonet, Col. Campbell was gallantly rallying the men ;
at the foot of the mountain he brought them to order, and diey again
advanced upon the enemy. They were ag.iin driven back a small dis-
tance, and rallied a second, and then a third time — the last time we
succeeded.

Joseph Phillips of Cleveland's men, states: Campbell's regiment
acted instantly after the advanced guard fiankcd off, and was fighting
for some considerable time before Cleveland's command could render
him any aid. That part of the mountain which Campbell's men were
compelled to ascend, was the most craggy, rough, steep and difficult
part of it. His men made the attack under a heavy fire of the enemy.
Cleveland's command were compelled to ride along the foot of the
mountain, three or four hundred yards before they dismounted, and
pressed up towards the enemy. The surrender commenced as soon
as they reached the top. Encamped that night on the battle ground,
marching the next day at ten or twelve o'clock, Col. Campbell remain-
ing behind to bury the dead, joining the army that night.

Col. David Campbell, of the Virginia regiment, states: I saw Col.
William Campbell on horseback at the time the battle commenced, rid-
ing along the lines, encouraging the men. When driven down the
mountain. Major Edmondson endeavored to rally the men ; but did not
succeed, imtil Col. Campliell came along the lines, calling to the men to
"hah, and return, my brave fellows, and you will drive the enemy imme-
diately;" and, it appeared, as soon as they heard his voice they halted,
returned, renewed the attack, and drove the enemy along the mountain,
from behind rocks, and their wagons, until Ferguson was slain, and they
surrendered. I saw Col. Campbell there, on foot, engaged in securing
the prisoners. About this time, I observed Capt. DePeyster inquire for
the commanding officer. Col. Campbell, who was but a litUe distance
from him, was pointed out to him ; he stepped forward, and delivered
his sword. I was not more than twenty feet from DePeyster.

Gen. William Russell, Lieutenant, commanding Neal's company, of
Campbell's regiment, states : I saw Col. Campbell go into the action on
horse-back. We were forced back, but rallied and engaged again.

1 1

< ■

If:

it ■ '

ill

588

CAMPnEI.I. VIXDICA TED.

About half way between the place where we ascenclccl tlie mountain and
the enemy's wajjons, I saw Col. Campbell in his shirt sleeves pasiing
our line, cncouraj^'inj^ the w"- in a hnul anil aniinatin}^ tone of voice.
When the enemy were sun \u<g, \ saw him coming' from amonyst

them with two swords in h land. 1 was intimately acquainted with
him.

William Snoilgrass, of Campbell's men, after ^ivinj; an account how
he and Edward Smith were sent by Col. Campbell, early on the morn-
ing after the b.ittle to meet and turn the footmen up Bioad river, and
how the dead were buried, states ; On the top of the mountain, there
were but a few steps between us and the enemy in the battle. Capt.
DcPeyster, the senior British officer, after Kerguson fell, surrendered
his sword to Col. Campbell. Our men were sent home as soon as wc
were out of the reach of Tarlcton's Light Horse.

Col. Samuel Newell, of the Virginia men, in April, 1823, states : Was
wounded in the attack on the guard — the first of the fighting. As 1
turned back, after being wounded. Col. Campbell parsed me engaged
in forming his regiment. I fot a horse and rode back to the lines. The
regiment advanced — was c' ed by the British with the bayonet, and
broke — retreating farther 1 as necessary, across the intervening val-

ley, to the top of tlic next n^., ,'re 1 met them. I saw Col. Campbell and
Maj. Edmondson about half the distance between their own men and
the enemy, calling on their men to halt, which they did, and advanced
a second time to the charge. Tiiey had two p.utial checks afterwards —
only partial, as the men learned not \.o dread tlie bayonets as at fust.
The last charge the regiment made was the longest and warmest — last-
ing twenty minutes, as stated by the British Surgeon who held his watch.
I do not believe the regiment was more than thirty feet* from the
British line. In the very midst of this storm, 1 saw Col. Campbell at the
head of his regiment, and so much advanced in front as to be in danger
from the fire of his own men. As well as I can recollect, his encourag-
ing words were — "Come on — come on, my brave fellows, another gun —
another gun will do it--d--n them, we must have them out of this."
This I saw, and this I heard. Col. Campbell was at this time on foot,
his horse having given out.

Visited Maj. Lewis, his brotliers, and Capt. Smith, all of Cleveland
regiment, and all wounded, when billeted in Burke County ; wlien in a
conversation on the batUe, Maj. Lewis said : "Boys, 1 believe you all
did your duty, and deserve well for it, but let me tell you, had it not
been for Campbell and his Virginians, I'll be d — d if Ferguson would
not have been on that mountain yet, had he chosen to stay there."

In May following. Col. Newell further stales : I saw Col. Campbell

* Gov. Campbell, .idds. in explanation, that this is a slip of the pen— it should be yards.

4 d;

APPENDIX.

689

the
the
iger
rag-
in —

and

in a

all

not

ould

lending his men the moment the Hritish l)n)kc ; and what infatuation
could then induce Col, Caniijhell to turn his back, and run from his own
victorious troops, and a defeated enemy ? It is inconceivable — incredilile
— impossible ! I have ever believed that not mor^ tiian one-half of our
regiment, that is two hundred, were in the battle — the rest being left
behind. Thirty-live of the killed and wounded were of our regiment,
thirteen of whom were commissioned officers ; and no regiment or corps
gained the summit of the hill until the Virginia regiment o|)ened the
way for them. Col. Shelby and his brother state, that they knew Col.
Campbell, [whom they thought they saw in the distance, shirking duty
and danger] by his black bald-faced horse. The fact is. Col. Campbell
did not ride a black bald-faced horse that day ; but a pretty large bay
horse — not bald-faced, that was in thin order, and JMoken down by pre-
vious fatigue, giving out early in the action. At the moment alluded to,
as the time of Col. Campbell's [supposed] di^lintpiency, he was not on
horse-back, but or. his feet, encouraging and animating his men to
victory, uttering words already stated.*

Maj. James Snodgrass, of Campbell's men, in April, 1823, states:
Frequently saw Col. Campbell during the engagement in the most dan-
gerous and exposed situations, part of the time on horse-back, and jiart
of the time on foot. The horse -which Col. Campbell rode, tchen this
affiant saw him, was a bay. Having seen Col. Campbell frequently
during the action, and in different positions, I am convinced that he
could not have left the lines for any length of time. I saw him immedi-
ately after the surrender, and before the firing had entirely ceased, com-
ing from amongst the enemy, with several swords in his hands, and
some of the British officers following him, within a few steps of this
affiant. At that time, he never heard any intimation that Col. Campbell
did not perform his duty gallantly at King's .Mountain, or anywhere
else. Instead of being considered cowardly, he was always thought to
be too rash. It was the report of the country, after King's Mountain
battle, that Moses Shelby was engaged in plundering indiscriminately
both Tories and Whigs, and kept very bad company.

Col. Thomas Maxwell, of Shelby's regiment, states: When the
attack was made on the main picket guard, / saw Col. Campbell on a
bay horse, in his shirt sleeves. He had principally rode this horse on
the march. I knew both of his horses well. The action commenced at
the most eastern end of the spur of the mountain where Campbell com-
manded. Campbell's and Shelby's men contended with the British
regulars directed in person by Ferguson, for sometime before Cleveland
and Sevier's men got into action. Capt. Shelby's company, to whicli I

* In a third statement, August 4th, 182,1. Col. Newell gives .-in account of the olTicers of
Campbell's regiment, naming the killed and wounded, so far as he could do so— which facti
have been incor|>oratcd into the text of this work.

i^f

690

CAMPBELL UN Die A TED,

belonged, was twice repulsed by llie Uiitisli n-j;iil.irs ; were rallied, and
renewed the fight, driving the enemy to the top of the mountain, where
we were joined by Col. Cami)bell's main l)ody, and forced our foes along
the summit to their wagons and tenis. I5y this time Cleveland's and
Sevier's columns were in action. About three miiiuites after Furguson
was killed, 1 saw Col. Campbell — he was then on fool. TJic enemy
then very cpiickly hoisteil their fn-st (l.ig, and com ncncetl surrendering
in every direction.

Andrew Evins, of Campbell's men iii May, 1S23, states: I saw
Col. Cami)l)e!l at the dose of the battle, and at the surrender; for when
1 went to foe at the enemy, Cami)bell threw uj) my gun, and said,
"Evins, for God's sake tlon't shoot — it is murder t(j kill them now, for
they have raised the fl.ig ;" and so passed on round the prisoners, and
was on foot. He rode u bay horsr in t/w battle ; but hii liorsr ga^'c out,
and he took it on foot.

Ik-njamin White, of the Virginia regiment, in May, 1823, states : Col.
Cam f>bell rode, afiay use. 1 saw him receive the sword from the Hrit-
ish Captain— 1 think Ins name w.is Del'eyster, and lie.ird Col. (Jampbell
order the flag to be received, and 1 believe it was ICvan Shelby that
received it. I saw Col. Cani|)bell very frecpiently during the whole
action encouraging his men, and feel conlideiU he w.is not a!)sent from
his men one moment during the whole battle. I was in the battles of
Point rieasant, Princeton, Prandywine, (ierinantown, and others, and in
all th(;se battles 1 never saw a braver man tli.m C(j1. Win. Campbell,
according to my judgment.

William Moore, of Campbell's men, in June, 1S23, states; Just
before the action commenced, Col. Campbell catiie ridiii_i[ atoui^ the lines,
on a bav 01 sorrel horse, w^ vivWw^, I lemeiriier — // loas not his black
horse, 1 am '.onrulent — ,ind tohl us t(j |)rime our guns afresh, and |)re-
pare for at:tion. We coniinenced the action, and I saw him on the same
horse in his shirt sleeves, with 1 think, a handkerchief tied about his
head. At the close of the action — when 1 was just shot dcjwn, having
my thigh broken — 1 saw him waving his sword ilownwaril, and calling
to his men to cease firing, that the enemy had smrendereil. lie was
still in his shirt sleeves. I not only saw him act bravely on that day, but
also two or three weeks previously with the Tories on New river.

Israel Mayter, of Cimpbell's regiment, in November, 1822, and Ju-^e,
1823, states: From the commenic'inent of the battle until ne.ir its i:li)sc,
when he was woundeil, .md tlie enemy had hoisti'done white lla;.;, he s.uv
Col. Campbell freipicntly ; ami he was duiing the whole time bir-.dy en-
gaged in encouraging his men, and leading them on up the motmt.dn.
His regiment twice gave w.iy, and retreated some distance. Col.
Campbell rallied them each time, and brought them again into action in
the most gallant manner ; and his whole conduct, as far as aftiant saw

APPENDIX.

6U1

or li..;ir.l, was tli.u of a hravc ami good ..ff.cer. Affiant furtli.-r well
rec,.ll,..cts. ti.at Col. Campheil rode a bay horse in tlw uclion, and that
his servant rode a black- horse or a dark bnn.ni.

Capt. James Keys, of Cain|,i)eirs men, in June, 1S23 slates ■ When
llicaction wasal.oul torommence. hesawCol. Can,pl."e'll give his mle
to his servant man, wlio, as well as this alllant n, .,11,.. ts. unts then on a
blaelc horse; an.i he wlj ,e,:ol!e<;ts, that Col. Campbell rode a bay horse
m the action.

Willia.M Anderson, of Cam, .hell's re^;imenl ; J.,se,,h Phillips, of
Uevelan.ls men ; Jacob Nonis, Jan.es I'ean e, and (ii.jeon Harrison
of Sevier's reynnent, also fmnished statements that it was his bay hor^'e
~~noth,s bald-faced blach-Wv.xiC.A. Campbell rode in the earlier ,. art of
the action.

KING'S MOUNTAIN BALLADS.

Fi--.i<r;us()N'.s I)|.;fkat— 17K0. *

Cmne all yon <^(Mn\ people, I p,.iy y.)n draw near,
A tragical story you i|ui.:kly shall hear
Of Whigs and of Tories, how they bred a great strife,
When they ( based old Ferguson out of his life.

iJrave Colonel Williams from I lillsboro' came,
The South Carolinians flocked to him amain,
Kotir hundied and fifty, a jolly brisk crew,
After old Ferguson we then diil pursue.

We mar. h'd to the Cow|)ens-^brave C im|,lHll was there.
And Shelby, and CLvclan.l, and Coloiu-I .Sevier,
Taking the lead of their bokl mountaineers,
Ihave Indian lightirs, dev.^id of all fears.

Tluy were men of renown— like lions so bold,
Like lions imd.uinted, ne'er to be coniroll'd.
They were bent on the game thev had in dieir eye,
Determined to take ii -to conqu.'r or dit-.

We m, in h'd hom the Cowpens that very same night,
S.iinelnnes w.' were wrong- -sometimes we were right.
Our heart's being run in true Liberty's m.ild,
We regarded n.H hunger, wet, weary nor cold.

.Siiat,:li<-s of ilunnirle lialla.l h.nve, from lime to lime. Ii.-i-n p.ililished It h.is Iwen
prei«rvcd in its fntirety l.y Pr. J. II I,„Ka,., w!,o foun.l it a,„„„jj the ol.l ,.:,,,ers of K„l,ert
Long, .1 Kevoliitionary soldier, of Laurcm County, S..uth Caruli.,.!, 'Ihc wiitcr's name ia
nut linuwii.

592

A'lXG'S MOUNTAIN BALLADS.

(■ ;;;

Early next morning we came to the ford,
Cherokee was its name — and " Biiford" * the word,
We march'd thro" tlie river, with courage so free,
Expecting tlie foenien we miglit quickly see.

Like eagles a hungry in search of their prey.

We chas'd the old fox the best part of the day.

At length on King's Mountain the old rogue we found,

And wc, like bold heroes, his camp did surround.

The drums they did beat, and the guns they did rattle,
Our enemies stood us a very smart battle,
Like lightning the flashes, like thunder the noise,
Such was the onset of our bold mountain boys.

The battle did last the best part of an hour.
The guns they did roar — the bullets did shower,
With an oath in our hearts to conquer the field.
We rush'd on the Tories — resolv'd they should yield.

We laid old Ferguson dead on the ground,
Four hundred and fifty dead Tories lay round — ■
Making a large escort, if not quite so wise,
To guide him to his chosen abode in the skies.

Brave Colonel Williams, and twenty-five more
Of our br.ive heroes lay roU'd in their gore,
Willi sorrow their bodies wc laid in tlfc clay.
In hopes thai to heaven their souls took their way.

We shouted tlie victory that we did obtain.
Our vojf ..'ere heard seven miles on tiie plain,
Liberty shall stand— and the Tories shall fall,
Here's an end to my song, so Cod bless you all !

king's mountain— I /So.f

'Twas on a pleasant mountain the Tory heathens lay.

With a doughty Major at their head, one Ferguson, they say,

Cornwallis had detach'd him a thieving for to go,

And catch the Carolina men, or lay the Reljels low.

The scamp had rang'd the country in search of Royal aid,

And with his owls perch'd on high, he taught them all .lis trade.

But, ah ! that fatal morning, when Shelby brave drew near,
'Tis certainly a warning that (lovernmenl should hear,

''* "niiford" was the countersign that day.

t This hallad. written shortly after the action, was published on .-» smalt sheet the fol"
lowing year, and is included in Frank Moori.- s Songs and Ballads of the .ImerhaH
Revolution

APPENDIX.

593

And Campbell brave, and Cleveland, and Colonel John Sevier,

Each with a band of gallant men to Ferguson appear.

Just as the sun was setting behind the western hills,

Just then our trusty rifles sent a dose of leaden pills ;

Up— up the steep togetiier brave Williams led his troop,

And join'd by Winston, bold and true, disturbed the Tory coop.

The Royal slaves— the Royal owls, flew high on every hand.

But soon they setdcd— gave a howl, and quarter'd to Cleveland ;

I would not tell the number of Tories slain that day.

But surely it is certain that none did run away.

For all that were a living were happy to give up.

So let us make thanksgiving, and pass the bright tin cup ;

To all our brave regiment, let's toast 'cm for their health.

And may our glorious country have joy, and peace, and wealth.

SUPPOSED LOYALIST SONG.— By Gen. J. W. DePeyster.
They caught us on a mountain bald, 'twas no place for a stand.
For woods and thickets, dense and close, the summit did command,
But those who led us on that day, of 'Crackers' had no fear,
And when we charg'd the varments ran— did quickly disappear.

But vain was pluck, and vain each charge, for from each tree there
A deadly rifle bullet, and a little spurt of flame ; [came,

The men who fired we could not see— they pick'd us off like game,
To call such work fair fighting seems a misuse of the name.

So ev'ry shot told one by one, till of the reg'lar few,
Most lay stark dead, just where they foil, like beasts in a battue.
Then the. militia cried enough,' and loud for quarter bawl'd.
And huddled in a bunch, and whipp'd. upon that jnountain bald.

Alas ! alas ! our Gen'ral fell, quite early in the fight.
Eight bullets in him— each enough to kill a man outright.
Our second he got plump d also, and then the game was up.
When fell the 'Buil-dog' Ferguson, and next the Bull-dog's pup.

D— n 'em, we kill'd as many ' Rebs' as they had kill'd of us.
But then as pris'ners we were bound, some suffer'd ten times worse,
And some had better far been shot than stripp'd, starv'd, and froze.
And .see those hung, our comrades dear, a struttin' in their clothes.

llC^Two interestinK Kinc's Mount.iin balLids, written by modern Americ.in poets,
have appeared in llar/>,-rs M.igazine -one by William Gilmore Simnis, in October, i860 •
the other by Paul H. Hayue, in November, 1880.

*■ THE END.

INDEX.

Abney, Long Sam, mentioned, 310-it

Adair, John, mcntiuncd, 173, 174, 528

Adams, Mrs. M. V., mentioned, . 5

Alexander, Wm., cited, . . 349

Allaire, Lieut. Anthony, sketch of, 480

cited, 74, Si 89, 97,99. 102, 149

203, 207, 208, 250, 279, 280, 281, 284

293, 297, 299,300,321, 324. 325, 328

334. 340, 344, 346, 347, 350, 354

355. 483-

Allaire's Diary, . . 484 515

Allaire, newspaper accounts, . 516 19

Allegiance, taking o.ith, . 147

Allen, Col. Richard, noticed, . 462

Allis, W. H., cited, . . 5, 179

Almon'p, Remembrancer, cited, . 39

44, 61, 122, 192, 200, 208

American /Archives, cited, . 381

American Pioneer, cited, . . 229

246, 274, 283. 308, 322

American Review, cited, 120, 122, 169

i38, 189, 194,211,215. 224,228,235

252, 274, 317, 319, 327, 339. 343. 344

347.
American Revolution, causes, . 17
American Volunteers, 6t, 62, 237,480

.J.84, 485.486. 492. 493. 49'^. 499- 5o>

506. 507.
Andersen, Fort, taken, 84, 86, 89, 502
Anderson, Col. Rob't, mentioned, 452
Anderson, Wm., cited, . 268, 591
Andre, John, mentioned, . 37-39
Andrew's A rnen'ca ft IVar, cited, 53, 299
Annual Register, ciicd, . 51,53
Armand's Corps, mentioned, . 41
Armstrong, Col. Martin, mentioned,

354. 359. 388. 5'2
Ashe, Gen. John, defeated, . 19
Ashby, Captain, mentioned, . 200

Atkinson's Casket, cited, . 387, 402
Augusta County, Va., Ms.

records, cited, . . . 380

Augusta, Georgia, besieged, . 199

200, 295-96, 341, 508, 520

Avery, Col. Isaac T., cited, . 149

151. 156
Back Water Men, mentioned, 204

206, 208, 210, 212, 217, 236, 274
Raker, John, mentioned, . 442
Buld Place of Yellow Mountain, 177
Baldwin, Isaac, noticed, . 341 42
Balfour, Col. Nisbet, mentioned, 141

142. 373. 496. 501
Ballads of King's Mountain, . 591-93
Ballendine, Col Hamilton, a mytli, 22
Ballew, Richard, cited, 149, 334, 340
Bancroft, George, cited, . 4, 34
61, 252, 326, 336, 375, 376, 393, 467
Banner, Hon. John, mentioned, . 5
Banning, Benoni, wounded, . 304
Barbaric, Capt. John, noticed, . 515
Barber and Howe's New yersey,

cited 61, 157

Barry, Andrew, mentioned, . 365 67
Barton, Capt. John, noticed, . 459-60
Bates, Bloody Bill, mentioned, . 242
Battles of Revolution, cited, . 39, 322
Baylor, Col. George, surprised, . 57
Bealer, Jacob, cited, , 570, 5S0
Bcaler, Joseph, cited, . 570, 580
Beason, Solomon, mentioned, 230
Beatson's Memoirs, cited, 38, 39, 55
Bcattie, Capt. David, noticed, 251

404, 405, 581
Beattic, David, cited, . 287, 583
Beattie, Ensign John, noticed, 248

304, 405
Beattie, Williaijn, noticed, . 405

[

596

INDEX.

Beaulait, Lieutenant, wounded, 491
Becne, Capt. Jesse, mentioned, 424
Bcene, Robert, \V.itau_i;a rifleman, loS
Bentalou'b Reply to Johnson, cited, 61
Bentley, Hon. John A., mentioned, 5
Bernard, Gen. Smion, cited, 289

Beverly, Capt. John, mentioned, 449
Bibby, John, mentioned. . 340
Bickerstatf s Old Fields, . 328

Bicknell, Thomas, killed, . 261, 304
Big Bear, Cherokee Chief, . 430
Biggerstaff, Capt. A., noticed, 343,483
Biggerstaff, Ben. cited, . , 354
Bi.shop, cured of laziness, . 450
Blackburn, Lieut. Wm., killed, 304
Blackstock's, battle at, 74, 102, 46S, 5 1 5
Blair, James, mentioned, 149, 180, 181
Blalock, Maj. S. G., cited, . 184
Blanton, James, cited, . . 354
Blasingames, noted Wiiigs, . 76, 505
Blevins, Henry, cited, . 326, 578
Bobo, Hon. Simpson, cited, 5, 95, 470
Bond, Jesse, mentioned, . 429

Boone, Dan'l, mentioned, . 184
295 96, 406. 427, 429, 438
Boone and the Piontcrs of Ken-
tucky, work on, designed, . 6
Border Forays and Adventures,

work on, designed ... 6

Boren's or Bowen's river, . 323, 510

Botta's History, cited, . . 34

Bouchelle, T. S , mentioned, . 5

Bowcn, Charles, cited, . . 256

262-63, 281, 436

Bowcn, Lieut. Reese, noticed, 256-57

262, 304,406, 526

Bowen, Capt. Wm., mentioned, 406

Bowman, Captain, killed, . 24

Bowyer, Col. John, captured, 396-97

Boyd, Colonel, killed, . . 298

Boyd, John, killed, . . 302. 322

Bradley, Dr. A. Q., cited, . 5

128, 222, 275, 326

Bradley, Wm., mentioned, 303

Brady and his Scouts, work on,

designed, .... 6

Brandon, Christopher, cited, . 129

131,286

Brandon, Col. Thomas, sketch of, 469

470; noticed, 3, 76, 104, no. 119

129, 132, 142, 143, 166, 191, 217

244, 269, 285, 286, 326, 336, 362

520, 537. 538-

Brandy wine battle, . . 51-55

Branson, Eli, mentioned, . 388

Brant, the Mohawk Chief, work

on, designed, ... 6

Breazcale, cited, . . 88, 122
Biier Creek Defeat, , . 435

Bright's or Aveiy's Place, men-
tioned, . . . 177, 178
British Annual Register, cited, 51, 53
Brock, R. A., cited, . . 5, 378
Bro.ldy, John, mentioned, 267-68, 583
Brown, Capt. Gabriel, mentioned, 468
Biown, Col. H. A., cited, 5, 249, 460
Brown, Maj. Jacob, noticed, . 424
Brown, J., Tory, mentioned,436-37, 438
Brown Capt. John, noticed, . 460
Brown, John, killed, . . 303
Brown, Plundering Sam, Tory

freebooter, 134-39. 241. 3i7. 388

Browne, Col. Thomas, mentioned, 141,

200, 373, 508, 509

Bryan, Col. Sam., mentioned, 77

78, 141, 216,435,455

Buford, Col. Abraham, defeated, 41

45, 139, 282,496-97

Bullen, Wm., wounded, . 304

Burgin, A., cited, . . 5, 184

Burgin, Maj. Ben., cited, . 151

Burgin, D., cited, ... 5

Burke, John, killed, . . 145-46

Burk's Hist. Virginia, cited, 2S8

296. 359
Bynum, Hon. J. G., mentioned, 178

216

Bynum, Hon. W. P., cited, . 5,

203, 206, 216, 354, 359

Bynum, Rev. W. S., mentioned, 5, 198

Byrd, CoL Wm., expedition, . 402

403, 418

INDEX.

697

Caldwell, VVm., mentioned, . 258
C;illalKin, Lieut. Joel, mentioned, 424
Callaway, Hon. Elijah, cited, . 5
186, 221, 287, 290, 389
Callaway, Dr. James, mentioned, 5
Callaway, Joseph, mentioned, 441
Callaway, Mrs. P. E., mentioned, 5
Callaway, Richard, mentioned, 438

439, 441.443
Callaway, Thomas, mentioned, 438
Callaway, William, mentioned, 441

443. 443
Cameron. Alex., mentioned, 83, 108
Camp, Lieutenant, mentioned, 108

109, 505

Campbell, CoL Arthur, mentioned, 172

173. 174. 175. 215, 338, 379, 3S0

381, 383, 389, 390, 391, 396, 398

399, 400, 402, 527-29, 530, 537.

Campbell, Capt. Chas., noticed, 379-80

Campbell, Col., David, of Tenn., 251

255-57, 287, 587

Campbell, Ex-Gov. David, cited, 5

175, 178, 245, 247, 268, 27s, 305

334. 338. 343. 378, 379. 387. 390

399, 402, 5S8.
Campbell's Hist, of Fa., cited, 389
Campbell, Gen. John, cited, 268, 583
Campbell, CoL John B., cited, 572-75
Campbell, Capt. Peter, mentioned, 106
108, 109. 114, 504
Campbell, Col, Richard, noticed, 410
Campbell, Ensign Robert, cited, 177

178, 179. 181, 221. 223, 243, 253-54

255, 268, 275-76, 277, 281, 332, yj:i

354. 336, 343. 409. 410.

Campbell, Ensign Robert, King's
Mountain accounts, . 535-40

Campbell, Robert, captured, . 198

Campljcll, Ex-Gov. Wm. B., men-
tioned, 5

Campbell, Gen. William, sketch of,
378-402 ; early life, 37S-S0 ; Dun-
more's war, 380; engages in Revo-
lution, 381-83 ; marriage, 383; ser-
vices ill civil life, 3S3-84, 387 ; hang-

ing of Hopkins, 384-87 ; New river
expedition, 371, 387-S8 ; King's
Mountain campaign, 3, 171-76;
King's Mountain, the march, 176-
95; chosen commander, 187-90,
522, 541-42, 548. 535, 564; council,
195-96; pursuing the enemy, 214-
35; strength of regiment, 214-15;
Holston men, 3-4, 242-43 ; battle
array, 243-48 ; battle-ground craggy,
250; heroic conduct, 251, 255-57;
Tarlcton's approach, 266-67, 288,
290, 316, 320, 322, 345-46. 367-68,
516, 518, 544-45; Bald Face, mis-
take, 267-6S, 388-89, 583, 589-91 ;
rcconnoitering, 268, 539, desperate
charge, 272; final charge, 277-78;
British flag displayed, 283; firing on
Tories, 283-86 ; huzzas for lilierty,
284 ; an unhappy event, 284-85, 389-
90; receiving swords, 286-87; losses,
304-305 ; orders. 320, 326, 328, 329,
531-32; kindness to Tories, 326,
351, 352, 512, 531-32; respect for
the dead, 322 ; denounces plunder-
ing, 329-30, 532 ; execution of
Tories, 330-45, 391, 510-11, 539-40,
544. 545. 551 ; oriicial report, 352,
522-24; visit to Gen. Gates, 352;
disiiosition of prisoners, 350, 352,
357-60; visit to Gov. Jefferson, 358;
good words to victors, 374-76, 521-
22 ; disaster to the British, 376-77 ;
presage of independence, 377; Cher-
okee expedition, 390-91; Whitzell's
Mills and Guilford, 391-95, 533-34;
chosen Brig.-General, 395 ; servc^
under LaFayette, 393-97; death and
c'.iaracter, 397-402, 404. 534. 535:
variously mentioned, 520-592; cited,
302, 388, 394, 526.

Candler, Maj. Wm., nodced, 207

214,227, 244, 341,469

Cane Creek fight, . . 147-48
189, 198-99,507, 528, 551

Garden, Maj. John, mentioned, . 141

ft 1

" #

:; l

508

INDEX.

Carolinian, The, cited, .
Carr, Capt. Patiick, noticed,

3'3
124-25

340-41
Carrington's Battles of the Revo-
lution, cited, ... 39, 322
Carson, Col. John, noticed, . 170

197, 198
Carson, Hon. Sam P., mentioned, 150
Carson, Mrs. Sam P., cited, . 473
Carter, Col. John, mentioned, 83, 170
Carter, Hon. Wni. B., cited, 5, 178, 179
Caruthcrs, Lieut. Andrew, noticed, 424
Carutlier's 0!,l North State, cited, 287
Caswell, Gen. Richard, mentioned, 41

116, 141, 413
Cedar Spring, derivation of name, 74
Cedar Spring, llritish attack on

Thomas, 73-75, 79,80,83, 99, loi, 120
Cedar Spring, Dunlap's attack, 89-102,

120, 503, 506
Cedar Spring, plat of locality, . 91
Chambers and Crawford, desert-
ers, . . , 177-78. 199. 335
Chambers, Mrs. Mary A., cited, 5, 179
Charleston, S. C, 1776, British

repulse 20

Charleston, S. C, 1779, Provost's

invasion, . . - . 491
Charleston, S. C, 1780, siege of, 20-47

484-96
Charleston Courier, cited, . 277
Cherokee Outbreak, 382-83, 433-34
Chcrokees, mentioned, . . 415
429-30, 451, 452
Chew, Lieut. Wm., mentioned, 108

109, 505
Childcrs, John, wounded, . 304
Chittim, Jolin, wounded, . 258, 303
Chitwood, Capt. James, Tory, 340

344-43. 5II. 5'6, 518
Christian, Col. Gilbert, mentioned, 417
Christian, Col. Wm., mentioned, 380

382, 410, 420
Chronicle, MaJ. Wm., noticed, 3

214, 219, 225, 231-32, 257, 278, 322
477. 521, 549. 551-

Cillcy, Mr. & Mrs. C. A., men-
tioned, ... 5, 179, 261
Civil Warfare, its bitterness, 123

138-39, 140-41. 330. 371-74
Claiborne, Col. H. L., mentioned, 5
Clarke, Col. Elijah, services, 78, 83
85, 89-102, 103-22, 141-44, 162-64
168, 187, 199-201, 203, 206, 207
213, 214, 238, 295-96, 341, 503-506
508, 509, 520, 541.
Clark, Col. (ieorge Rogers, services, 19
Clark, Col. George Rogers, Life

ami Campaign, designed, . 6
Clark's Fork of Bullock's Creek, 211
Clark, Capt. John, of Georgia, 93, 98
Clark, John, of Tenn., cited, . 88
Clarke, Col. Thomas, mentioned, 23
Clary, Col, Daniel, noticed, . 106,

109, 143, 294
Cleveland, Col. Ben., sketch 0^425-54;
New river expedition, 388, 435 ;
mentioned, 3, 119, 173, 175, 180, 183,
184, 189, 520; speech in council,
195; mentioned, 196, 204, 214; in
battle array, 243-48, 436 ; speech to
his men, 248-49; adventure, 261-63 ;
mentioned, 27S, 308, 349, 352-54. 5^2,
520-92; losses, 304; Tory execu-
tions, 330-45, 391, 438, 510-n,
539-40, 544. 545. 551 ; vindicates
Campbell, 389.
Cleveland, Gen. B., mentioned, 5, 458
Cleveland, Jeremiah, cited, 5, 186

Cleveland, Capt. John, mentioned, 458
Cleveland, Hon. John B., men-
tioned, ..... 5
Cleveland, Lieutenant Larkin,

wounded . . 185, 186, 458
Cleveland, Capt. Robert, noticed, 441
442, 443. 445, 458, 554
Clinton, Sir Henry, siege of

Charleston, . . . 20-.-'"'
Clinton, Sir Henry, on King's

Mountain 377

Cloud, Hon. J. M., mentioned, , 5
Clough, Maj. Alex., killed, . 57

INDEX.

699

Clowney, Samuel, adventure, 126-28
Llowney, Hon. W. K., mentioned, 128
Cloyd, Maj, Joseph, mentioned, 392
Cochran, Jolm L., mentioned, . 5
Cochrane, IMaj. Charles, men-
tioned, . . 62-64,484,485
Cocke, William, noticed, . 88
Colleton, Lady, mentioned, 66, 491 ,496
Collins, Abram, mentioned, . 202

363-64, 548
Columbian Mai:;azine, cited, . 290
Colvill, Capt. Andrew, noticed, 223

247, 405, 536
Conj^aree Stores, mentioned, . 498
Congress, yoiirnals, cited, . 358

374. 390
Congress, Library of, mentioned, 4
Continental yourval, cited, . 158
Conyers, Maj. James, mentioned, 65
Cooper, James, cited, . . 577
Cooper, James Fenimore, cited, 53, 54
Cornwallis, Lord Charles, men-
tioned 22, 46, 47, 68, 71, 120, 140
"144, 171, 200, 276, 340, 363-74

376-77. 391-95. 545-
Corry, James, killed, , . 304
Cowpens, derivation of name, 223
Cowpens, battle, 2S5-86, 529, 547

Cox, \Vm., wounded, . 304, 578
Coyle, or Cowles, Tory, men-
tioned, . . . 436-37. 438
Craig, John, cited, . . 247

251, 284, 320, 392, 586
Craig, Capt. Robert, noticed, 405

Crawford and Chambers, desert-
ers, . . 177-78, 199, 335
Crawford, D. R., cited, . 5, 69
Crawford, G. W., cited, . 5, 179
Crider's Fort, mentioned, . 185
Crockett, Col. Walter, mentioned, 387
Croghan, Maj. Wm,, mentioned, 23
cited, . 23, 24-26, 28, 29, 32, 33
Cromwell, Life and Adventures

of, noticed, . . 425-26, 427

Crow James, cited, . . 234

250, 272, 278, 283, 584

Cruger, Lieut.-Col. J. H., men-
tioned, 113, 115, 116, 140, 199,200
203, 377. 508, 509.
Culbertson, Josiah, . . gr

92,93, 107, 108, 136-39, 252-53
Cummings, Rev. Charles, 242, 3S1
Cunningham, Col. Robert, men-
tioned, ... 72, 143, 294
Cunningham, Wm., the Bloody

Scout, ... 83, 242, 468
Cusack, Adam, hung by British, 373
Cutbirth, Ben., mentioned, 438, 441
Cutbirth, Daniel, mentioned, . 440
Daniel, Hon. John W., mentioned, 4
Darby, Hon. John F., cited, 234, 235
Darcy, Joel, cited, . . . 164
Davenport, Martin, mentioned, 333
Davenport, Col. Wm., noticed, 333-34

340, 473
Davidson, Bon. and Wm., men-
tioned, . . . 150, 508
Davidson, Geo. F., mentioned, 5
Davidson, Mrs., mentioned, 198, 508
Davidson, Gen. W. L., men-
tioned, 1 89, 193, 216, 227, 296, 455
520-21. 542.
Davie, Col. W. R., mentioned, 207, 369
Davis, Oroondatcs, cited, . I2r
Dawson's Battles, cited, 39, 122, 393
Day's Penn. Hist. Coil's, cited, 53
DeBosen, Lieut.-Col., killed, 58-59
Deckard rifles, noticed . . 175
Defiance, Fort, mentioned, 185, 334
DeKalb, Gen. John, mentioned, 41, 43
DeLancey, ALxj. John P., men-
tioned, .... 53-54
Delaney, Maj. Wm., cited, 569, 579
Dcnard's Ford, locality, 203, 206, 509
DePeyster, Capt. Abraham, sketch
of, 479; noticed, 88, 106, 113
117, 247, 256, 257, 273, 274, 276
280, 2S1, 183, 2S6, 297, 327, 346
360, 499, 500, 501, 506, 507, 510

512, 517-19. 533. 539. 546, 550. 566
584, 585, 587, 588, 590; the "Bull
Dog's pup," 593.

tin

600

INDEX.

Dercyster, Gen. J. W., cited, . 5,

51, 237, 274. 284, 289, 29S, 340, 593

DcTcriiay, Chevalier, mentioned, 43

44
Dcvoe, Thomas F., cited, . 1 58
Dickenson, Henry, cited, . 278

287, 585-86
Dickerson, M. O., cited, . . 5
149, 160, 161, 345
Dickey, Andrew and David, men-
tioned, . 145, 154, 232, 280
Dickson, Maj. Joseph, noticed, . 85

257. 477
Dickson, Misses Mary and Myra

A., cited, .... 473
Dillard, Maj. James, noticed, 269, 468
Dillard, Mrs. Mary, adventure, 74

102, 468
Dixon, Dr. B. F., mentioned, . 5
Doak, Rev. San^iiel, mentioned 176
Dobson, Di-., mentioned, , 349
Donelson, Col. John, mentioned. 415
Doss, John, killed by Tories, . 447
Dryden, Nathaniel, killed, . 304
Duff, David, killed, . . 302
Duncan, Jesse, mentioned. 437-41
Dunlap, Maj. James, mentioned, 76
at Earlc's Ford, 80-83, '20, 501
Cedar Sprinj; affair, 89, 102, 238, 503
mentioned, 88, 129, 136, 144, 199
204, 238; wounded, 149, 155, 156
sketch of, 1 56-64.
Dunmore's expedition, men-
tioned, . . . 380, 412
Dunmore dislodged from Gwyn's

Island, .... 382

DuPortail, Gen. Lebegue, . 29, 36
Dysart, Capt. James, noticed, . 304

384. 404

• 387

83. 203

. 80-83

120, 501

Earnest, Rev. Felix, cited, 572, 581

Edmondson, Andrew, killed, 304

Edmondson, Andrew J., cited. . 408

Dysart, John B., cited, .
Earle, Baylis, noticed,
Earle's Ford, fight there.

Edmondson, John, Samuel and
Wm., mentioned, . . 305

Edmondson, Lieut. Robert, Sen.,
killed, . . 248, 304, 407

Edmondson, Lieut. Robert, Jr.,
wounded, 251, 253, 407, 408, 586

Edmondson, Capt. Wm., killed, 255-56
304, 405, 525, 526

Edmondson, Maj. Wm., noticed, 250
305, 381, 402-404, 583, 587, 588

Edmondson, Wm. cited. . 587

Elder, Robert, cited, . . 581

EUet, Mrs. Elizabeth, cited, . 87

102, 245, 275, 473
Elliott, Capt. James, noticed, 417, 578
Espey, Capt. Samuel, noticed, 100

103, 157, 303,478
Estill, Hon. Ben., cited, . 402, 404
Eutaw Spring's battle, . . 410
Evans, Philip, noticed, . 185
Evins, Andrew, cited, 268, 283, 590
Ewin, Hugh, mentioned, . 365-67
Exaggeration in military opera-
tions 301

Fagon, John, wounded, . 304, 5S0
Fair Forest Settlement, . . 76, 90
Fanning, David, mentioned, 72, 106
113, 117, 122, 135, 139, 242, 294, 481
Fayssoux, Mrs. Dr., mentioned, 66, 491
Fear, Capt. Edmund, mentioned, 474
Ferguson, Dr. Adam, cited, 52-53

211, 278, 287, 295, 321
Ferguson, Col. Geo. A., mentioned, 5
Ferguson, Col. Patrick, sketch, 48-67,
479 ; birth and early services, 48-49 ;
rifle skill, 50-52 ; at Brandywine,
52-55 ; Monmouth, 55 ; Little Egg
Harbor, 55-57, 60-61 ; attacks Pu-
laski, 58-60; Charleston expedition,
61; wounded, 62-63, 486; Monk's
Corner affair, 25, 63-66, 490-91 ;
noble conduct, 66-67 ; captures
Haddrell's Point, 67, 493-94; goes
to Ninety Six, 3, 68-72, 496-99; traits
of character, 73. 75; goes to Fair
Forest, 76-79, 88; Thickctty taken.

INDEX.

01 U

89; Ccdiir Springs, 94, y6; men-
tioned, 115, 116, 117, 129, 136,484,

4S7. 488. 490. 492. 493. 494. 496. 50' ;

In pcctor CtMicral, 142 ; visits Cani-
dt!!, 505 ; goes to North Carolina,
i^.], 147, 363, 506; Cane Creek
]l;;ht. 147-48, lyS-yy, 507, 53S, 55 1 ;
Mrs. Lytic, 151-53; sense of justice,
19"; returns to Ciilbert Town,
\<j^\ retreat, I99-200 ; Collins and
Qiiinn's mission, 202-203, 548", fiir-
tlur retreat, 202 ; appeal for aid, 204 ;
failure of messengers, 202, 363-64,
54!!; incident, 204-706; dispatrli to
Cornwallis, 207 ; on King's Moun-
tain, 209, 216-17; his force, 237-38;
his wliistles, 246, 254, 'i-jj , 291 ;
desperation, 273-75; attempted flight,
274-76, 525.530,539; his death, 275-
77, 280-81,510; not killed outright, |
290-91 ; his conduct, 287-90 ; bmial,
290-91, 321, 322; ]5ritish accounts,
510, 516-19; his great disaster, 376-
77; his mistresses, 292; souvenirs,
286, 291, 307-308; memoirs of, 211 ;
variously mentioned, 520-93.
Fire lumting, described, . 427-28
I'isher, l~rederick, wounded, 304

Fletchall, Col. Tliomas, mentioned,

72,481, 500
Fletcher, Lievit. Duncan, men-
tioned, 480-Sl, 500, 507, 519
Flint Mill, mentioned, . . 1S9
194, 216, 219, 224, 2:5
Floyd, Andrew, cited, . 192, 194
Fondren, Mathcw, mentioned, 323
Footc's Xorfh Carolina, cited, 247,

268, 290
Footc's Virginia, . . 378

Forney, Al^ram, cited, . 259, 333

Franklin, Adj't Jesse, noticed, 2S7

458-59. 554
Franklin, Shadrach, cited, 5, 1S6

Franklin, Wylie, mentioned, . 5
Fraser, Major, mentioned, . 106 j
108, 109, 1 16, 504 i

Gage brothers, Tories, escape of, 325
Gage, Col. R. J., cited, , . 270
Garlington, Gen. A. G., cited, 5, 69
Gates, Gen. Horatio, mentioned, 3
116, 141, 352, 357, 358, 359, -72
374 521-22; Ms. papers cited, 3:9,
Giljbs, Maj. Zachariah, jnention .d,

143, 209, 223, 290, 294, 360, 500, 5':^3
Ciilljcrt Town, mentioned, . I95
C.iiljert, \Vm., mentioned, . 159
Giles, \Vm., wounded, . 269,302
Gilkey, John, cited, . 5, ly^, 340
Gilkey, Dr. John II., mentioned, 5
Gilkey, Walter, Toiy, 332-33, 340
Gillam, R. C, cited, . 214, 259
Gilleland, wounded, . 275 303
Gillespie, Captain, mentioned, 159-61
Gillespie, David, mentioned, 183, 184
Gillespie, Hen;,, mentioned, iSi

Gillesiiie, Tho.nas, mentioned, 1 1 1
Gilmer, Enoch, mentioned, 225-26

228-31
=57. 303
304
355-5^'
4f^3. 513
Givens, James, cited, . . 397
(^oforth, Preston, and brothers, 302, 314
Goodloe, Hon, 1). R., mentioned, 5
Gordon, Charles, noticed, . 2'it

304. 334
Gordon, Rev. Z. H,, cited, 5, 261

Graham, Gen. Joseph, cited, . 169
197, 202, 227, 228, 233, 235, 247
27, 282, 283. 369, 457, 546-51-
Graham, Maj. J., S. C, Loyalist, 71
Graham, Gen. Sam., cited, . 2".o
Graham, Col. Wm., sketch of, 476
at Cedar Springs, 89,97,99, 100, 102
his fort attacked, 145-46 ; men-
tioned, 149, 193, 232, 280.
Gray, James, noticed, 3>6-i7, 327

Gray, J. L., cited, . . 217

316. 317. 319. z-i< 341

Green, Capt. Wm., noticed, 15

Gilmer, William, woimdcd.
Gist, N.athaniel, killed,
Gist, Capt. Wm., noticed,

353-54. 482-83

iff

f(- ?

Illi

C02

IXDEX.

Greene, Gen. NaliianicI, iikmi-
tioncd. 45, 139. 3^. 393, 395, 413
437; discusses retalintion, 371-74
opinion of mountaineers, 374
CUiiiford h.itile, 3<;r-95. . 413, 437
Grccr, Alexander, noticed, . 95

230, 232, 298
Grccr, I?cn., noticed, . 441, 442
Grimes, Captain, Tory, . 340

Gunn, a Tory, . . . 341
Guin, James, Sr., mentioned, 445

Hatkctt, Dr. R. V ., mentioned, 5

Hackctt, W. T., mentioned, 5

Hanihri;,dU, Lt.-Col. Frederick,
sketch of, \'](>-'T] ; noticed. 3, 193
214-15, 232, 233, 234, 244, 257, 273

278, 303. 549. 550-
Hamilton, Maj.Jolin, Tory, . 143

294, 48S
Hammond, Dr. A. L., cited, 5, 272, 277
Hammond, Col. LeRoy, mentioned, 47
Hammond, Col. Sam'l, sketcli of, 467 ;

statements tampered with, 102, 122;

at Mus;4rove's Mills, 104, 119; Mith

Col. Williams, I91-92, 244, 269; at

King's Mountain, 3, 271-72.
Hammond's Store, fiyht, . 298

Hampton, Col. Andrew, sketch of,

474-75 ; noticed, 80, 81, 87, 119, 156

170, 204, 265.
Hampton, Ailam, James J. and

Jonathan, Jr., cited, 5, 81, 156, 160

161, 292,354.
Hampton, Capt. Edward, noticed,

82, 83, 137, 214, 238
Hampton Family, killed, . 83

Hampton, Jonathan, Sr., noticed,

'53'5^^i 'f*°> '^"> '97
Hampton, Col. Henry, mentioned, 83

168
Hampton, Preston, mentioned 83

Hampton, Ct)l. Richard, mentioned, 83
Hampton, Col. Wade, mentioned, 83

99
Handlcy, Capt. Samuel, men-
tioned, .... 279

rian;4er. Col. George, cited, . ^o
f'l, 63, 69, 72, 321, 369-70
Hanging Rock buttle, . 141,503
Ilar.dson, Maj. Herndon, cititl, 393
Hardin, Abraham, cited, . . 5

233. 273. 313. 322. 324. 344
Har|)er, Hon. J. C, cited, . 5

179, 185, 261, 334, 340, 473
Harrington, Col. Wm. Henry,

mentioned, .... 23
Harrison, r.ill, a Tory, . 447-48

Harrison, Gideon, cited, . 268,59!
Howocy, Captain, Tory, . 109

Hawthorn, Col. James, noticed, . 3

244, 464-65
Hayes, Col. Jos., noticed. 266, 467-68
Haync, Col. Isaac, mentioned, . 47
Hayne, James, cited, . . 396
Ilayne, I'aid H., mentioned, 4, 593
Haynesworth, Bill, mentioned, 87

Hayter, Israel, cited, 268, 304, 590-9I
Ilcniphill, Cajjt. Thomas, nu'n-

tioned, • . . 150, 50S

I knderson, W. A., cited, . 326
Henderson, Col. Wm., mentioned, 28

502
Hcnigar, nenr\-, killed, . . 304
Henry, Moses, mortally wounded, 302

319-20
Heniy, Patrick, mentioned, . 381

383. 387. 395. 454
Henry, Robert, cited, . . 119

122, 150, 19S, 214, 224, 226, 228, 232

257-59. 279-So, 284, 292, 303, 365-67

473-
Herndon, Col, Ben., noticed, 119

444. 449. 45'>. 457
Herntlon, Maj. Josci)h, noticed, 222

461-62
Hewlett, Capt. Thos., wounded, 502
Hickman, Thomas, cited, . 392
Highlower, Wn\., mentioned, 429, 430
Hildeburn, Charles R., cited, 5, 164
Hill, J. R., mentioned,, . . 5
Hill, Adj't Thos. D., Jr., m-ii-
lioned .... 143, 294

INDEX.

G03

23
447-48
'^8. 59'

109

, • 3
464-65

467 -6S

. 47
396

4. 593
87

. 5909 »

y\\-

I130, 50S
326

■a, 28

503

304

319-20

3'.>3' 454

119

228, 232
s, 3(^5-^7

119

45''>.

437

il,

■->'»2

461-62

il,

502

392

429

430

164

Hill, Col. Win., cited, . . 114
122, 166, 167, 168, 191, 192, 193, 211
217-21, 222, 226, 328, 334, 277, 464
Hinson, Saul, anecdote, . . '17
Hol)hs, Ati}^tistinc, Tory, . 340
Holland, Maj. James, mentioned, 161
Holloway, Charles, mentioned, 136-38

Ilolston, early exploration,
Ilolston, Fntt'llii^fnccr, cited,
Holbton, settlers, character.

I'MI-

143.294

379
268

242-43

38! -82

Hopkins, Francis, Tory, 3S4-S7

Ilorse-Shoc Robinson, referred to, 126

Horton', a Tory, mentioned, . 216

Hiick, Capt. Christian, defeat, . 500

Hiij^er, (icn. Isaac, mentioned, 40

41, 47, 63-65, 490

Hughes, Capt. Joseph, noticed, 122

'29. i3'-33. 277,285-86

Hughes, Robert M., mentioned, 585

Hulctt, [Hewlett,] Capt. Thos.,

wounded, .... 502

Hunter, Dr. C. L., cited, . . 5

76, 122, 223, 225, 233, 258, 260, 268,

272, 313, 320, 322,336,473.

Husband, Col. Vczey, mentioned, 276

294, 482
Hyce, Leonard, wounded, . 304
Inman, Ca))t. Sliadrack, killed, 107

log, iio, 121

Inncs, Lieut. -Col. Alex., mentioned, 71

80, 106, io8, 109, 114, 116, 120, 121,

136. 210, 484, 49S, 504.

Iseley, Jacob, cited, . 326, 579

Jackson, Maj. James, mentioned, 341

473
Jackson, Nancy, adventure, . 87
Jackson, Ca[)t. Wm., mentioned, 460
Jefferson, Thomas, cited, 358, 585

Johnson, Lewis, cited, . 5, 294

Johnson, Lieut. Samuel, noticed, 260
291, 304, 460-61, 462
Johnson, Dr. Uz.al, noticed, . 277

297. 303. 3c^. 307. 351. 354. 481. 487
491, 496, 499, 506, 512, 51S.
Johnston, Captain, of Georgia, 214

Johnston, Capt. James, noticed, 85

8^>. 257. 577-78
Johnston, Gen. J. K., and Hon.

J. W., mentioned, . . 257
Johnston, Capt. Levi, mentioned, 483
J(.hnston, Judge I'eter, mentioned, 257

5S6
Johnston, Col. Wm., mentioned, 5
Jones, Hon. Ham. C, cited, . 448
Jones, Col. John, mentioned, 78-81

S3, 120
Judd, John and Rowland, men-
tioned, .... 249
Kciley, Rev. Dr. 1). C, mentioned, 5

^-, -*
--J

Kennedy, Hon. J. P., Jlorsc-Shoe

Robinson, cited, . . . 126

Kennedy, Gen. Thomas, noticed, 148

149. 27S-79, 473-74. 5^j8, 572, 576

Kennedy, Wm., noticed, . 129-33

Kiiitonand Itis Aiivi-ntims, work

on, designed, . , . , 6
Kentucky, early exploration, 429-30
Kerr, Capt. James, mentioned, 106

113. 114
Kerr, Joseph, mentioned . 76

224-2;, 299
Kettle Creek fight, referred to, 29S
Keys, James, cited, . . 260
287, 288, 584, 59T
Kilgore, Charles, wounded, . 304
Kincannon, Lieut. Andrew, no-
ticed 2S6, 409

Kincannon, Dr. A. X., cited, 5, 2S7
King's American Regiment, . 237
King's Mountain Ballads, . 591-93
King's Mountain, origin of name, 209 ;
origin of expedition, 118, 149; gath-
ering of clans, i63, 170-76,191-94;
the march, 176; deserters, 177-7S, 199
335, 537; crossing mountains, 178-^11;
Cleveland and Wins'on, 180, 183
1S4-S6; the council, 186-90; ajiiJcaU
to the men, 195-96; Ferguson's re-
treat, 198-209; the Pinn.acle, 206;
horsemen selected, 221-22, 537, 54O

GO-4

INDEX.

[f ifll:

552, 255 ; reach Cowpcns, 223-24 ;
Whig force, 214-15, 227; ]5rilisli
force, 237-38 ; traits of mountaineers,
3-4, 242-43; battle array, 243-48
Winston's detour, 245, 552-53 ; out-
posts attacked, 146-40; Ferguson's
whistle, 246, -54, 277, 291 ; Clove-
huui's speecli, 248-45; ; Tories, char-
acter of. 238-42, 294; Allaire'
cxphiit, 249, 517; Canipliell's good
conduct, 251, 255-57 ; Shelby's
heroism, 252 ; Ferguson's position
252; Josiah Culbcrtson, 252-53
Moses Shelby, 253 ; Ensign Camp
bell, 252-54; Lacey's men, 254
Captain Edmondson, 255-56; Reese
I'owen, 256-57 ; Robert Menry
^57-59; Twitty and Forney, 259
Cleveland's men, 260 ; Lieut. John
son, 260; Charles Ciorihui, 261
David Witherspoon, 261 ; Cleve
buiil's adventure, 261-63; McDow
ell's men, 265, 554; Sevier's men
266; Cleveland anecdote, 267; Camp
bell's Bald Face, 267-68, 388-89
fear of Tarleton, 266-67, 288, 290
316. 320, 322, 367-68; Williams' men
268 ; (liles and Young, 269 ; deatl
of Williams, 270, 276-77, 284-85
Hammond's charge, 271 ; premoni
tion, 271-72; desperate charge
272 Shell)y's battle-cry, 272 ; Fer-
guson's dcriperation, 273-75, white
flags raised, 273, 276, 281 , Fer
guson attempts flight, 274-76; Per
guson's fall, 275-77, 280-Si, 510
Williams I's. Ferguson, 276-77; last
Whig charge. 277-78; liritish charges
278-79; enemy over-shot, 279, 531
firing after surrender, 281-06; an
unhajjpy Cv'cnt, 2S4-85, 389-90; the
surrender, 286-87 ; unfit bat'.le-
grounii, 289-90 ; Ferguson not killed
outright, 290-91 ; Ferguson's burial,
291-92; Ferguson's mistresses, 292 ;
speculations, 290; Whig endurancL-,

292-93; strength of Loyalists, 293-94;
siui)rise of Jiritish leaders, 294-95 ;
error of McKenzie, 295-96; length
of battle, 296-97 ; Ihitish strength
and losses, 297-301 ; exaggerations.
301; Whig losses, 302-307; no Whig
surgeons, 306 ; destitution, 307
somenirs, 307-308; dving and deail,
308-309 ; Long Sam Abney, 310-12 ;
Drury Mathis, 313; Thos. Mullen-
eaux, 313-14; sharp-shooters, 314
Goforths and others, 314-15 ; Logan
Ijrotliers, 315 ; dying Tory, 316 ; Sab-
bath morning, 316; wagons burned,
horse-litters made, 316; Gray and
Tory friend, 316-17 ; Tories impress
Whigs, 310, 317 ; a termagant lib-
erated, 317 ; prisoners p.ick arms,
318-19 ; spoils of victory, 319 ; story
of Mrs. Henry, 319-20; retiun
march — binial, 320-22 ; Campbell's
order, 320 ; Williams' Inuial, 323-24
camp at Fondrin's, 323 ; footmen
rejoin the army, 323 ; escape of
prisoners, 325 ; cruelty to Tories,
326; Campbell's kindness, 326, 351
352, 512, 531-32; anecdote, 326-27 ;
tard_, marching, 324, 327 ; destitution
of food, 327-28, 346-47 ; plundering
denounced, 329-30, 532 ; execution
of Tories, 330-45, 391, 510-11, 539-40
544, 545, 551 ; fear of Tarleton, 345-
46, 516, 518, 544-45; hard march,
345-46; Mrs. l\IcUo\vell, 3.1.7-48;
Major McDowell, 347-48 ; care of
wounded, 328, 344, 3J;; further cs-
c.ipe of prisoners, 3^5 56, 359; dis-
position of pri.ioner'., j'o, 352 357-60;
Lob Powell, 351; Lritish accounts,
510, 516-19; Tate's accotml, 520-21
Shelby's accounts, 524-26, 540-46
559-73; Wm. Campbell's account,
526; Ar. Campbeil's account, 527-29;
unknown account 529-31; Graham's
account, 546-51 ; Lenoir's account,
551-54; Sharp's account, 554-58

INDEX.

605

official report, 352; Campbell's
orders, 352, 531, 532; new troubles,
352-53; <'reen and Laa-imVs es-
c^M'L'. 353-54; singular incident,
360-63 ; <;()od words for victors,
374-76, 527, 532-33; disaster to
British, 376-77 ; presage of indepen-
dence, 377; last of Campbell's men.
405; last survivor, 259; famous vic-
tory, 3 ; monument, 4; celcljration,
iS'S- 4. 322; celeljration, 1855, 4.
256, 263 ; celebration, iSSo, 4.
King, Col. Richard, mentioned, 143
King, William, cited, . 287, 5S0
Kirkland, Col. Moses, mentioned, 143

294, 515
Knox. D;'vid, mentioned, . . (yj
Knoxvilletrcaty, of 1791, . 4,5
Kusack, Adam, mentioned, . 373
Kusick, of Sevier's men, men-
tioned, .... 275
Lacey, Col. Wm., sketch of, 463-64
mentioned, 3, i66, 168, 192, 193
207,214-15, 219.22, 243-44, 249-50
254. 278, 279, 349, 500, 520, 537, 538
Ln Fayette, den., services, 395-98
Lafferty, Lieutenant, Tory, . 340
Laird, James, mortally wounded, 304
Lane, Lieut. Isaac, mentioned, 424
Lang, Juhn, cited, . . -^^G
Lang'um, Thomas, cscajies, 353-54
Lankford. Thomas, mentioned, 215
Lasefield, Jo., a Tory, . . 45^
Lee, Col. Henry, cited, . 252
287, 296, 360, 374. 393, 394, 395^ 533
Lee, Major, Tory, mentioned, 154

'55. 294, 483
Lee, Gen. R. E., cited, . 360

Lcdbetter, Capt. (k'orge, 359, 475-76
Lcgare, Mrs. Thos., mentioned, 39-40
Lenoir, Gen. Wm., sketch of, 459

noticed, 149, 211, 221, 228,234,261

265, 266, 397, 304, 3,9, 324, 33^^

389-
Lenoir, Capt. Wm. W., noticed, 5

334. 340, 433. 442, 44S, 450. 5SI-S4.

Lewis, Gen. Andrew, mentioned, 3S0

382
Lewis. Lieut. James .^L, noticed, 261

304. 457-58, 583
Lewis, Capt. Joel, noticed, . 247
260, 261. 304,457-58, 461,58s
Lewis, Maj. Micajah, noticed, 247
261, 304, 388,389.456-58, 5S8
Lewis, Col. Waker, cited, . 402
Lillington, Gen. Alexander, men-

.''""'-^^l' • . . 41. 476

Lincoln, Gen. Ren., mentioned, 21-41
Lindsay, James, mentioned, . 312
I.inville, Wm., mentioned, . 183-84
Linvilie River, origin of name 183
Little Egg Harbor Expedition, 55-61
Logan, the Mingo Chief, . 351
Logan, Dr. John H., cited, . 5

102, 122, 126, 128, 214, 277, 292, 313
314. 322, 591.
Logan, Col. J. R., cited. . . 5
194. 202, 203, 233, 234, 267, 290, 292

313.315.322,323.324.343.354.
Logan, Joseph, John and Thos. 315

Logan, Wm., noticed, 233, 290, 315

Long, Col. A. B . cited, 149, 199, 265

Long, Jolin, cited, . 2>'2, 578

59'

293

3S8

473

Long, Robert, mentioned,
Lossing's Field Book, cited .

61, 102, 122, 157, 289, 352, 375

473-
Love, Col. Robert, cited.
Love, Gen. Tiiomas, cited, 352
Lowry. W. G. G., cited, . 5, 305
Lyles, Col. James, mentioned, 75, 504
Lyon, Plumberson, killed, . 304
Lytle, Ca[)t. Thomas, mentioned, 150

'5'. '53
Lytle, Mrs. Thomas, story of, 151-53

Mahoney, Michael, killed, . 303

Marion, Gen. Francis, mentioned,

4'. 45. 47, 143. 189

Martm, D.miel I)., citeii, . 343

Martin, Col. John, noticed, 215-16

Martin, Gen. Joseph, mentioned, 170

390. 4'5. -^21,428

[' .1

It^v -t^

GOG

INDEX.

Martin, Capt. Sumucl, noticed, 86

257, 303. 478
Martin, Col. Wm,, cited, . 5

189. 389. 390
Matliis, Driiry, mentioned, . 313
Mattocks, Capt. John, killed, 031

257, 322, 479
Maxwell, Col. George, noticed, 418
Ma.wvcll, Thomas, mentioned, 268

288, 334. 589-90

Mayson, Col. Jas., mentioned, 47, 515

McBee, Silas, cited, . . 4

88, 224, 228, 229, 230, 275, 279, 307

320, 323, 324, 332, 333, 340.

McCafferty, Wm., mentioned, 368-69

McCall, Maj. James, mentioned, 85

104, 119, 162-64

McCall, Wm. A., cited, . . 5

178, 179, 180, 183, 184, 210, 234

McCulloch, John, cited, . 570

582, 5S3, 584
McCulloch, Lieut. Thomas, noticed,

304, 406
McDowell, Col. Chas. mentioned,
76, 78, 80-84, 86-88, 89-102, 103-22
136, 141-42, 143, 144, 168, 170, 172
173, 147-48, 150. «53. 180, 183, 1S4
186-89, 194, 204, 413, 471, 473, 508
511, 520-65.
McDowell, Mrs. Ellen, mentioned, 306
McDowell, Harvey H., Sr., cited, 473
McDowell, Col. H. H., mentioned, 5
McDowell, Hunting John, men-
tioned, . . 150, 471, 473
McDowell, Gen. Joseph, shetch of,
471-73 ; of Quaker Meadows, 3, 80
92, 104, 119, 148, 150, 169, 184, 185
1S9, 195-96, 198, 203, 211, 214-15,
224, 226, 228, 232, 265, — S, 333, 334,
346. 347-48, 349. 47 '-7 346, 520-65.
McDowell, Capt. Joseph, of Pleas-
ant Garden, . . 307, 472-73
McDowell, Hon. Joseph J., cited,

5.473
McDowell, Margaret men-
tioned, . . 347-48, 472-473

McDowell, Miss N. M., cited, . 5

161, 307

McDowell, Col. Silas, cited, . 5

151, 153, 156, 160

McElhancy, Wm., mentioned, 137

McFadden, Alexander, cited, . 88

loo, 102
McFall, Arthur, mentioned, . 183

210, 334
McFall, John, mentioned, 333-34, 340
McGinnis, Lieut. John, mentioned, 255
300, 481, 510, 518
Mcintosh, Gen. Lachlan, men-
tioned, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 40, 402
412.
McJunkin, Mrs. Jane, adventure, 87
Mcjunkin, Maj. Joseph, mentioned, 74
75, 104, 119, 122, 129, 131, 143
McLean, Mrs. Clara Dargan, men-
tioned 4

McLean, Dr. Wm.; nientloncd, 322
Means, Gen. J. K., cited,
Mecklenburg and its Actors, work

on, designed, ....
Meredith, Capt. Wm., noticed.
Miles, Maj. Charles, mentioned.
Military operations exaggerated.
Miller, Andrew, captured, 204, 206
Miller, J.unes, mentioned, . 154
Miller, Capt. James, noticed, 475-76
Miller, Hon. J. W. T., cited, . 5
146, 203, 292, 313
Miller, Robert, wounded, . 302
Mills, Col. Ambrose, sketch of, 481-82
noticed, 80, 142, 293, 332, 335, 340
345.373. 5". 5'6, 518.
Mills, Maj. William, noticed, . 482
Mills, Col. Wm. Henry, noticed, 373
Mobley's settlement, mentioned, 43

504
Moffett, Capt. George, mentioned, 454

472
Moffett, Col. John, noticed, . 465
Monk'sCorncr, affair, 25, 63-66,490-91
Moore, George H., LL.D., cited 5, 21 1
Moore, Col. James, mentioned, 433

128

460
166
301

I t

INDEX.

607

. 4

322

128

460
166

1, 301
D4, 206

154

475-76

}2. 313

302
481-82

5. 340

. 482

. 373

'. 43

504

:d, 454

472

465

490-91

5, 21 1

433

Moore, Col. John, loyalist, . 77
78, 182, 290, 293-94, 298-99. 360
474.
Moore, Dr. M. A., cited. . . 5
128, 213, 219, 249-50, 255. 268. 308
313-
Moore, Capt. Patrick, loyaliFt, 85-87,

210, 298, 502
Moore, Capt. Sam., mentioned. m
Moore, Samuel, of York

<^"0'. S. C 273

Moore, Wm., noticed. . . 268

284, 304-305, 590 I

Morgan, Gen. Daniel, mentioned, 185 '

1S9, 2S6, 395, 521, 536, 542, 546 I

Morganton, N. C, named, . 185 !

Mullincaiix, Thomas, nien-

''0"«> 313-14

Murphy, Patrick, wounded, . 303
Musgrove, Beaks, noticed, 124-25

Musgrove, Maj. Edward, noticed, 123

125-26
Musgrove. Mary and Susan, r\o-

t'ced ,3^.26

Musgrove's Mill, affair. . 104-22

504-5
Musick, Lewis, mentioned, 204, 206
Myddelton, Col.C. S.. mentioned,' 168
"Narrator," cited, . . 558.5c)

^, , ^ 573. 574. 575. 583

Ncal, Capt. Wm.. mentioned, 222

ivr . . '^°5. 555. 557

Negroes join the British, . 42

Negroes seized and sold. . 43

Negroes at King's Mountain, 267

Nelson, Anson, mentioned, . 5

Nelson, Gen. Thomas, mentioned, 386

Newell. Col. Samuel, noticed. 248

250,251,268,278,304,349,387.408
409, 587. 588-89.

Newland. Dr. J. C, cited, 5, 179

New Jersey Volunteers, men- I

tioncd. . . . 237,481 !

New York Volunteers, . . 479 I

484. 487, 493. 500. 504 I
Neville, Jesse, cited. . . g, |

Nichols, Capt. Bill, Tory . 446
Ninety Six. Fort, mentioned, 213

Ninham, Stockbridge Chief. 1 58, 1 59
Norris. Jacob, ciied. . 268.' 591
North Carolina, in Revolution, 338

371, 374
Gates, Capt. Ed.vard. loyalist, 340
Old Fields, noticed. .
Old Fort, mentioned.
Old Iron Works. Wofford's,
I'aine. Thomas, cited, .
Parsons, Mrs. Lewis E.. cited.
Patterson. Arthur, Sr.. killed.'

437-43
'51

85. 90
294

5.348
;o2

312-1

Patterson, Arthur. Jr., mentioned. 3:2

343
iattcrson, Thomas and Wm.,

mentioned. . . . -^^2, -43
Patterson. Arthur, cited. , . 290

Patterson. E. A., cited, . . 343
Patton, Capt. Matthew, cited, 1S2

Patton, Robert, mentioned, . 150
Pearce, James, cited, . 268, 591
Pearis, Capt. Richard, mentioned, 72
Pearson, Mrs. R. M.. cited. 5, 307

Pemberton, Capt. John, men-'

tioned, . 418, 570, 579, 5S0

Percy, Rev. Dr., mentioned. 39, 40
Perdita. mentioned, . . -j

Perry, Ex-Gov. B. F.. cited, . ' 5
83, 102, 139, 452
Peters, John, cited, . 570, 580

Phillips. James, killed, . . 304
Phillips. Lieut.-Col. John, loyalist. 143

294
Phillips, Samuel, mentioned. 169

Phillips, Joseph, cited, . . 268

320, 587, 591
1 ickens, Gen. Andrew, mentioned, 43
47.72, 162. 163, 164, 298, 452, 473
Pickens and the Datlh- of Coiu-

pens, work on, designed, . 6

Pilot Mountain, mentioned, . 198

Plummer, Maj. Daniel, loyalist. 143

154. r55, 276, 294,483, 500

Polk, Col. Wm., mentioned, 479

GO 8

INDEX.

Ponder, Jolin, mentioned, . 233
Pool, J. T., mentioned, . . 5
Porter, Maj. James, noticed, 302, 475
Porter, Robert, mentioned, . 475
Porter, Wm., mentioned, 354, 475

Portcrfield, Lieiit.-Col. Charles,

mentioned, .... 41
Postell, Maj. John, mentioned, 47

Potts, Capt. John, killed, 97, 503

Powell, Bob, Tory desperado, 351

Powell, Elias, noticed, . 291,308
Preston, Gen. Francis, cited, 583, 585
Pieston, Gen. John S., cited, . 4
5, 256, 263, 326, 328, 330 352, 398
Preston, Col. Thos. L., cited, 5, 398
Preston, Hon. Wm. C, cited, . 5

^75. 393. 395. 398. 559. 5(^-73
582-83.

Preston, Col. Wm. mentioned, 735

358, 381, 392, 412, 575

I'rice, Capt. Thomas, mentioned, 124

Prince's Fort, mentioned, . 80-83

120, 501
Prince of Wales, American Vol-
unteers, . . . 496, 497
Prisoners, King's Mountain, . 350

352, 357-60

Purvis, Maj. John, mentioned, 47

Quakers generally Tories, . 239

Quaker Meadows, 180, 183-84, 347-4S

Queen's Rangers, . 156-58, 164,237

Quinn, Peter, mentioned, . 202

224, 363-64, 548

Rabb, Wm., killed, . 302, 322

Ramsey, Dr. J. G. M., cited, . 5

88, 89, 102, 120, 122, 144, 170, 174

176, 177, 178, 179, 189, I n, 204, 223

227, 255, 256, 273, 275, 277, 286, 289

3«6, 319. 332. 334. 340. 352. 473-
R.imsour's Mill fight, 298, 435, 499
Rawdon, Lord, mentioned, . 141

295. 299. 346. 373. 376
Read, Nathan, a Tory, . . 388
Rector, Jfrs. Sallie, mentioned, 5

Redd, Maj. John, cited, . . 427
Reap, Adam, mentioned, . 146

Reeves and Goss, Tories, . 444
Reinhardt, W. M., cited, . 5, .'47
Retaliation threatened by Corn-

wallis 37 '-74

Revolutionary War, causes, . 17
Revolutionary War, progress, 17-20
Revolutionary, War, sanguinary

character, 123, 138-39, 140-41, 200
Reynolds, Lieut. Elisha, noticed, 462
Reynolds, James, F-., mentioned 5
Rice, Edward, mentioned. . 429
Riddle, Col. James, a Tory, men-
tioned, .... 437
Riddle, Capt. Wm., a Tory, no-
ticed, . . 437-44. 446, 461
Roach, Mrs. Edward, cited, 5, 131
Roberts, Colonel, Tory, . 433
Roberts, John H., cited, . 298
Roberts, Mrs. Margaret, cited, 323
Robertson, ^Llj. Charles, noticed, 84
. 87, 97, 118, 119, 421, 503
Robertson, Thomas, adventure, 265
Robertson, Wm., wounded, . 265

266, 302, 554
Robinson, J. DeLancey, cited, 5, 299
Robinson, Maj. Joseph, loyalist, 72
Robinson, Lieut. Wm. noticed, 424
Rockwell, Rev. E. F., cited, . 5

139.315
Rocky Mount attacked, 141,502

Roebuck, Col. Benj., noticed, 193

269, 470
Ross, Captain, rescued, 437,443

Ross, Dr. George, mentioned, 117, 503
Rusk, Gen. Thos. J., mentioned, 453
Russell, Lieut. George, mentioned, 424
Russell, Gen. Wm. Sr., mentioned, 398
Russell, Col. Wm. Jr., noticed, 287

40O-7, 587-88
Rutherford, Gen. Griffith, men-
tioned, . . . 216, 433-34
Rutherford, Henry, cited, . 473
Rutherford, Maj. James, men-
tioned, .... 503
Rutledge, Gen. George, cited, 283

287, 418, 584

INDEX.

609

444

5. !47

in-

371-74

17-20

arv

s. 299

424

139. 315

141. 502

'93

269, 470

437.443
117. 503
'1. 453
icd, 424.
iicd, 398
, 287
■, 587-88
len-
|6, 433-34
473
iTien-

5C3

2S3

418, 584

Rutlcdj^c, Gov. John, mentioned, 21
14, 30,41, 114, 122, 165 166, 168

336. 338.
Rycrson, Capt. Sam,, sketch of, 479-80
mentioned, 280, 281, 286-87, 297
300. 321, 360, 492, 507, 509, 510

517. 5'9-
Saunders, Tory, of Cowpens, 223-24

Savannah, Americans repulsed, 19, 21

Sawyers, Col. John, noticed, 286

418, 569, 576-77

Sage, Rev. James H., cited, . 5

75. 76, 77. 82, 87,88,95,96, loi, 102

115, 122, 239-42, 270, 293, 360-63.

Scotch Tories of Cross Creek, 432-33

Scott, Lieut.-Col. Wm., noticed, 34,494

Sevier, Col. G. W., cited, . . 5

267, 275, 282, 335

Sevier, Maj. James, cited, . 4

122, 159, 162, 174,211,221,276,279

303. 335. 414-

Sevier, Col. John, sketch of, 418-22 ;

noticed, 84, 144, 170,413-14, 520-92 ;

King's Mountain, 3, 170-76, 214-15

243-44, 266, 279, 280, 282, 286, 335 ;

421, 520-92; letters to Shelby, 568

575-76; Cherokee expeditions 390

241-22 ; Lecture on, cited, 326.

Sevier, Joseph, mentioned, . 282

Sevier, Capt. Robert, noticed, 170

266, 182, 303, 423

Sevier, Col. Val., noticed, 104,423

Shannon, Capt. Rob't, mentioned, 306

Sharp, Maj. Ben., cited, . . 4

229, 232, 246, 248, 262, 274, 278

282, 308, 322, 323, 324, 334, 343,

345, 347, 473 ; 'King's Mountain

statements, 554-58, 587.

Sharp, John, cited, . . 579

Sharp, Wm. noticed, 129-31, 133, 269

Shelby, Gen. Evan, Sr., 188, 411, 419

Shelby, Maj. Evan, Jr., noticed, 281

286, 416-17, 566. 569, 570, 577, 579,

580,581, 590.

Shelby, Col. Isaac, sketch of, 411-16 ;

Thicketty Fort, 84, 87-89, 413; Cedar

Spring, 89-102, 120, 238, 413, 503
506; Musgrove's Mill, 103-122, 413
504-506; mentioned, 118, 141, 142
143. 144. 149. 511; King's
Mountain, 3, 168, 170 96, 204. 214-15
243-48, 252, 253, 272. 275, 277-78
280-83,286,291,304, 307-8, 330-45
352, 413, 520-92 ; King's Mountain
statements, 524-28, 540-46, 559-73;
cited, 88, 98, 99, 102, 114, 120, 121
122, 169, 178, 18S, 1S9, 194, 210, 21-
215, 223, 227, 228, 235, 251, 252, 274
280, 281, 282, 316, 317. 318, 319, 327
339, 342, 344, 346, 347, 414, 473.
Shelby, Capt. Moses noticed, 171;

253. 304. 417- 569. 577. 578, 580, 583

589.
Shelby, Maj. Thomas H., cited, 5
122, 253, 275, 291
Sheppard, Col. Wm., noticed, 446
Shipp, Thomas, cited, . . 215
Sigman, Capt. John, mentioned, 474
Simcoe, Col, J. G., cited, 157, 158

Simms, Wm. Gilmore, cited, • 26
34, 37.62, 102, 131, 277, 593
Singleton, Col. Rich'd, noticed, 81, 475
Siske, Daniel, killed,
Skeggs, John, wounded.
Smart, John, Sr., killed, .
Smart, John, Jr., noticed.
Smith, Maj. Burwcll, killed.

Smith, D. M., cited.
Smith, Edward, mentioned,
Smith* Linnaeus, cited, .
Smith, Capt. Minor, noticed,

304, 460, 588

Smith, Capt. Wm., noticed, . 87

99, 100, loi, 102

Smith, Wm., of Tenn., cited, 88

93, 100, 102, 108

Smythe, Gen., Alex., cited, 299, 342

Snodgrass, Maj. James, cited, . 4

268, 287, 584, 588

Snodgrass, Wm., cited, . . 318,

320, 322, 324, 588

261, 304

304

. 302

302

. 96

97 503.

198

31S, 588

• 358

. 261

I! |!*;«

^^' M

610

INDEX.

South C:iioliii;i, Revolutionary events,
Attack on Charleston in 1776, 20 ;
troops at Savannah, 21 ; Provost's
invasion, 1779, 491 ; British inva-
sion, 1780, 20, 47, 484-86; Buford's
defeat, 41, 45, 46, 139, 282, 496-97 ;
Ramsour's affair, 298 ; Huck's de-
feat, 500 ; Cedar Spring, fr.st attack,
73-75. 79- 80, 83, 99, loi, 120;
Earle's Ford, 80-83, 120, 501 ; Cedar
Spring, second affair, 89-102, 120
238. 503; Rocky Mount, 141, 502;
Thicketty Fort, 84, 86-8g, 502; Hang-
ing Rock, 141, 503; Carey's Fort,
141 ; Gate's defeat, 141, 504; Mus-
grove's Mill, 103-122, 504, 505;
Sumter's surprise, 116, 141, 504, 505;
King's Mountain, 168-352, 510;
Cornwallis' retreat, 363-71 ; Fish
Dam Ford, 464; Blackstock's, 74,
102, 468, 515; Hammond's Store,
298; Cowpens, 285-86, 529, 547;
Sumter's Rounds, 465 ; Dunlap's
defeat, 162-64 ; Biggin and Quinby,
464 ; Eutaw, 402 ; Fairlawn captured,
413-14; Incident, 416-17.
Sparks, Jared, cited, . . . 141
Spelts, John, cited, ... 4
184, 189, 190, 196, 211, 221, 227, 284
291, 307, 308, 320, 328, 340, 342, 351
388. 473-
Spencer, Samuel, mentioned, . 338
Starritt, Benjamin, cited, . 267
276, 325, 328, 334, 335, 342, 393
Stedman, mentioned, . . 137,215
Steele, Wni., killed, . . 303
Steen, Col. James, noticed, . . 104
110, 119, 469-70
Stevenson, Lieut. Wm. Loyalist, 200
355-56,480, 513, 519
Stinson, Capt. James, mentioned, 424
Stringer, Reuben, mentioned, 430-32
Sullivan, Gen. John, mentioned, 20
Sumter, Henry, mentioned, . 185
Sumter, Gen. Thomas, mentioned, 41
43. 45. 47; Huck's defeat, 500;

joined by Clarke, 85 ; detaches
Clarke, 87; Rocky Mount, 141, 502
504; Hanging Rock, 141, 503; re-
appears at Rocky Mount, 504 ; sur-
prised, 3, 116, 141, 439, 504, 505;
mentioned, 136, 137, 143, 189, 254;
Williams' scheme, 165-68, 192, 221 ;
Blackstock's — Mrs. Dillard, 74, 102
468, 515; the Rounds, 465.
Sumter and his Men, work on,

designed, .... 6

Swain, Hon. D. L., cited, . 198
Tarleton, CoL Banastre, mentioned, 41
45, 46, 64, 139, 282, 487, 494, 496-97
505, 516, 518, 544-45 ; a sensualist,
67. 71. 330; attemi)ted relief of Fer-
guson, 363-64, 367-68 ; hangs a
Whig, 373 ; cited. 34, 38, 39, 63, 65
67,69, 139 141, 208, 213, 237, 281
291, 296, 299, 320, 321, 365, 369, 393
Tate, Maj. George, noticed, . 214
215, 296, 465, 520, 521
Tate, Col. S. McDowell, cited, . 5

149, 179
Taylor, Capt. Christopher, noticed, 178
284, 423-24, 572, 581
Taylor, Lieut. John, noticed, . 76
276, 300,355-56,480, 510, 513, 519
Taylor, Col. Thomas, mentioned, 168
Tectimseh, the Shawance Leader,

work on, designed, . . 6

Thicketty Fort, taken, 84, 86-89, 99, 502
Thomas, Mrs. Jane, heroism, 73, 74
Thomas, Col. John, Sr., mentioned, 47
73, 127, 128, 136
Thomas, Col. John, Jr., mentioned,

73-75. 79. 80, 83, 99, loi, 143, 168
Thomson, Peter G., mentioned, . J
Thompson, Absolom, cited, . 164
Thompson, Capt. James, cited, 83, 473
Thompson, Capt. John, mentioned, 468
Thompson, Richard, cited, . 115
Tinsley, Golding, noticed, no, in
Tipton, Maj. Jonathan, noticed, 423
Toms, Mrs. Jane, cited, . . 206
Toney, Berry, mentioned, . . 441

INDEX.

611

6
198

96-97
Kilist,
f Fer-
igs a
63.65

U 281

9. 393
214

10, 521

\9' 179
d.178

2, 581

3. 519
168

,9, 502
73.74
ed, 47
8.136

:cl.

3.168

. S
164

3.473
d, 468

o, HI

423
206

. 441

Tories, adventures with, Johnston's,
85, 86 ; Jane Mcjuntcin's, 86, 87 ;
Nancy Jaclvson's, 87 ; Paddy Carr's,
124-25; Clowncy's, 126-28; Ken-
nedy's, 129-32; Hughes', 132-33;
Sharp's, 133; Woods', 133-34; Cul-
bcrtson's, 136-38; Graham and
Twitty's, 145-46; Recp's, 146; Gil-
mer's, 225-26, 228-31 ; Carr, the Tory
killer, 341; singular incident, 360-63;
classified, 338-42 ; Paine's view, 294;
some neutrals, 365-67 ; hung at
King's Mountain, 330-45, 391 ; rc-
tahation threatened 371-74; ill us-
age of, by British, 370-71 ; sanguin-
ary warfare, 123, 138-39, 140-41,200
Tory or Loyalist leaders — see Bald-
win, Bates, Bibby, Biggcrstaff, Boyd,
Branson, Brown, Browne, Chit-
wood, Clary, Coyle, or Cowles,
Robert and William Cunningham,
Fanning, Fletchall, Fraser, Gibbs,
Gilkey, Gist, Grimes, Gunn, Hamil-
ton, Harrison, Hawsey, Hill, Hobbs,
Hopkins, Horton, Innes, Lasefield,
Lee, McFall, Mills, Moore, Nichols,
Gates, Pearis, Plummer, Riddle,
Roberts, Townscnd, Waters, Wells,
Wilson, and Wright.
Townsend, Captain, a Tory, 483, 514
Trigg, Mrs. Mary A., mentioned, 5
Tuckasegie Ford, mentioned, 192

Turner, Lieut.-Col. W. T., men-
tioned, . . . 143, 294
Turmbull, Col. George, men-
tioned, 141,373,484,502,503,504
Twiggs, Col. John, mentioned, 341
Twitchell, A. H., cited, 5, 95, 97, 102
Twitty, Anthony, incident, 204-206
Twitty's Ford, mentioned, . 203
Twitty, Sam, cited, . . 203
Twitty, Susan, heroism, . 14546
Twitty, Dr. T, B., cited, . 5
146, 149, 161, 203, 206, 222
Twitty, William, noticed, 145-46, 259
Twitty, Wm. L., cited, . . 5

146, 149, 161, 194, 198, 199, 203, 206
259, 265, 266, 302, 314, 317, 333, 340

345. 354.
Vance, Capt. David, sketch of, 474
cited, 104, 119, 150, 198, 203, 211
214, 224, 226, 228, 232, 252, 473.
Vance, Maj. I. K., cited, , 69

Vance, Thomas D., cited, . 5, 179
Verncr, Major, killed, 65-66, 490-91
Walker, Feli':, mentioned, . 326
Walker, Col. John, noticed, 325-26

507
Walker, N. F., cited, 5, 93, 100, 102
Walker, Samuel R., cited, . 326
Walker, Dr. Thomas, mentioned, 379

380
Walker, Wm. cited, . . 149
Wallace, A. D. K., cited, 5, 149, 203
Wallace, Hon. Daniel, cited, 131
132, 133, 269, 286
Walters, Abagail, mentioned, 444
Walters, a Whig youth, . 440
Warficld, Mrs. Elizabeth W., men-
tioned 5

Washington, Gen. George, men-
tioned, . 22, 27, 51-55, 374, 527
Washington, James H. R., cited, 271
Washington, Mrs. J. H. R., cited, 271
Washington, Col. Wm., men-
tioned, . 41, 63, 286, 298, 490
Watauga Fort attacked, . 420

Waters, Capt. a Tory, . . 298
Waters, Margaret Musgrove,

cited 126

Waters, Capt. P M., cited, . 126
Watkins, John F., mentioned, 5
Watson, Maj. Patrick, noticed, 476
Watson, Wm., cited, . , 198
Watson, Wm., killed, . . 302
Watts, Col. James W., cited, , 69
Wayne, Gen. Anthony, men-
tioned 396

Webb, Maj. T. S, cited, . .179
Webster, Col. James, mentioned, 66
Weir, Capt. John, noticed, . 306
Weir, Col. Samuel, noticed, . 424

612

INDEX.

Wells, A. J., cited, , 94,134

Wells, Zach, mentioned, . 439
4+0, 443,445-46.
Wcmyss, Col. James, mentioned, 373
Western Monthly Magazine, cited, .SS

Wetzel, Lewis, mentioned, . 50

Wheeler, Col. J. H., cited, ._. .5

76, 102, 188, 203, 204, 228, 265, 266

268, 275,436, 359,473. 55'-

Whclchel, Dr. John, cited, . 182

192, 277, 290
White, Col. A. W., mentioned, . 41
White, Ben, mentioned, . 268, 590
White, Hon. Hugh L., mentioned, 5

422
White, Capt. Isaac, and Lieut.

James, noticed, 478

White, Capt. Joseph, mentioned, 149

199, 257, 474
White, Sprague, mentioned, . 5
White, Wm., cited, . 290, 349

Whitford, alias Rousselet, Capt.

J. R. cited, ... 77, 393
Whitson, J. C, cited, . . 5, 184
Whitson, Mrs. R. C, mentioned, 5
Whitzell's Mills, affair, . 391-93
Wiley, C. H., cited, . . 179

Wilfong,[Maj. Geo., mentioned, 436-37
Wilkinson's Memoirs, cited, . 314
Williams, Fort, mentioned, 69, 515
Williams, Col. James, sketch of, 465-67,
mentioned, 43, 69 ; Musgrove's
Mill, 104-122 ; mentioned, 141
143, 144, 165-68, 191, 192, 214-15
217-18,221, 226, 234, 500, 520-92;
letter to Gates, 520 ; King's Moun-
tain, 3, 243-44, 268, 270, 276. 277
278, 279, 284-85, 297, 299, 307
323-24; his sons killed, 468.
Williams, Col. Joseph, noticed, 216, 433
Williams, Col. O. H., mentioned 392
Williams, Capt. Samuel, men-
tioned, . . . 424,581
Williamson, Gen. Andrew, men-
tioned, . 40, 43, 47, 72, 463

Willoughby, Mathew, cited, . 583
Willoughby, Lieut. Wm., cited, 581
Wilson, Captain, Loyalist, . 340

511, 516, 518

Wilson, Col, George, cited, . 5

95, 102, 122, 230, 232, 247, 275, 414

Winchester, Gen. James, cited, 582

Winn, Col. Richard, mentioned, 168

504
Winsmith, Hon. John, cited, 76,

100, 102

Winston, Maj. Joseph, sketch of,

454-56; mentioned, 3, 119, 183, 184

214-15, 234. 245, 279, 349, 413, 434

523. 547. 549. 550, 552-53. 554-
Winterbotham's America, cited, 380
Wisconsin Historical Society, men-
tioned, .... 4
Witherspoon, David, noticed, 261

308, 444, 461
Witherspoon, Col. J. H., cited, 5

261, 308
Witherspoon, John, noticed, . 444

461,586-87
Withrow, Capt. James, noticed, 199

266, 475
Wofiford, Capt. Joseph, mentioned, 99
Wofford, Col. Wm., noticed, 181-83
Wofford, Gen. W. S., mentioned, 5
Wood, Col. James, mentioned, 379
Wood, Capt. Samuel, noticed, 474
Woodfin, Miss Anna M., cited, 5, 307
W^oodfin, Hon. N. W., cited, . 473
Woodford, Gen. Wm., mentioned,

23, 28, 40
Woods, killed by Tories, . 133-34
Worth, John L., cited, . . 5, 287
Wright, Gideon and Hezekiah,

mentioned, . . . 433
Wright, Maj. James, Georgia

Tory 486

Yates, Jesse, mentioned, . . 5

Young, Robert, shoots Ferguson, 275

Young, Maj. Thomas, cited, . 129

222, 246, 269-70, 277, 293, 308, 328

342.

cited, . 583
n., cited, 581
list, . 340
511. 516, 518
:ited, . 5

2. 247, 275, 414
;s, cited, 582
cntioned, 168

504

cited, 76,

100, 102

ih, sketch of,

3, 119, 183, 184
I, 349. 413. 434
2-53. 554-

ica, cited, 380
ociety, men-

4
oticed, 261

308, 444, 461

., cited, 3

261, 308

iced, . 444

461,586-87

noticed, 199

266, 475

mentioned, 99

;iccd, 181-83

icntioned, 5

itioned, 379

oticed, 474

., cited, 5, 307

:ited, . 473

mentioned,

23. 28, 40

- • 133-34
• 5.287
riezekiah,

433
Georgia

486

• • • 5
'erguson, 275

ited, . 129

293. 308, 328