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diff --git a/old/50137-0.txt b/old/50137-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 99205a5..0000000 --- a/old/50137-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1905 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Battle of Cowan's Ford, -February 1st, 1781, by Robert Henry - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Narrative of the Battle of Cowan's Ford, February 1st, 1781 - -Author: Robert Henry - -Release Date: October 5, 2015 [EBook #50137] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BATTLE OF COWAN'S FORD, 1781 *** - - - - -Produced by readbueno and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - NARRATIVE - - OF THE - - BATTLE OF COWAN’S FORD, - - FEBRUARY 1ST, 1781, - - BY ROBERT HENRY, - - AND - - Narrative of the Battle of Kings Mountain, - BY CAPTAIN DAVID VANCE. - - MANUSCRIPT PRESERVED BY ROBERT HENRY, ESQ. - - COPY FURNISHED BY LYMAN C. DRAPER, LL. D., - - OF MADISON, WISCONSIN. - - PUBLISHED BY D. SCHENCK, SR. - - Greensboro, N. C., March 28th, 1891. - - Reece & Elam, Printers - - - - - PREFACE. - - -Having seen the following most valuable and interesting narrative quoted -very often in “KING’S MOUNTAIN AND ITS HEROES,” written by Lyman C. -Draper, L.L.D., of Wisconsin, I wrote the Doctor with a view of -obtaining the original manuscript if possible, but was unable to procure -it. He however very generously intrusted to me the following copy which -he had himself “carefully transcribed” from the original paper in his -hands, in January 1874, and which had been sent to him by Dr. J. F. E. -Hardy, of Asheville, North Carolina. The original manuscript had been -placed in Dr. Hardy’s possession by Wm. L. Henry, of Buncombe County, a -son of Robert Henry—William L. Henry is still living. - -In a note to “King’s Mountain and its Heroes,” page 259, is the -following brief sketch of Robert Henry, who was wise enough to preserve -this contribution to our Revolutionary history—to-wit: - -“Mr. Henry was born in a rail pen, in then Rowan,[1] now Iredell county, -North Carolina, January 10th 1765. Full of patriotism though young, he -shared in the trials and perils of the Revolution, and in due time -recovered from the severe wounds he received 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 practiced his -profession many years in Buncombe County. He served in the House of -Commons in 1833 and 1834. He was a clear and forcible public speaker; -and his memory deserves to be held in grateful remembrance for -preserving the narrative of the King’s Mountain campaign and battle, so -frequently cited in this work. He died in the new County of Clay, North -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.” - -Robert Henry lived in the vicinity of Tuckaseage Ford, on the Catawba -river, which is about ten miles below Cowan’s Ford, when Cornwallis -crossed at the latter ford. He lived on the West side of the river in -Lincoln County. For many years he owned the White Sulphur Springs about -five miles South west of Asheville. It was a popular resort in the -summer for the wealthy planters from the South and was the scene of much -gayety and pleasure. Mr. Henry died in Clay County, the extreme Western -county of the State, bordering on Georgia and Tennessee. I have myself -heard my grandfather Michael Schenck, of Lincolnton, N. C., speak of Mr. -Henry as “a great land lawyer.” His practice as a surveyor, no doubt, -making him formidable in such suits. - -The public is indebted to the Hon. Theodore F. Davidson, Attorney -General of North Carolina, and a great-grandson of Captain David Vance, -for the publication of this narrative. - - D. SCHENCK, SENIOR. - -Greensboro, N. C., March the 28th, 1891. - -Footnote 1: - - This is manifestly an error. He was born in Tryon. See W. L. Henry’s - letter to Dr. Hardy. Tryon was changed to Lincoln County. Lincoln was - divided and Mr. Henry’s birthplace is in the present Gaston county. - - - - - ROBERT HENRY’S NARRATIVE. - - KING’S MOUNTAIN BATTLE, &c. - - -TO DR. J. F. E. HARDY, - - Asheville, N. C.: - - _My Dear Sir, and Kind Friend_: - -I send you the MS. of my father, ROBERT HENRY. He was born in Tryon (now -Lincoln) county, N. C., _in a rail pen_, 10th February, 1765; was a -lawyer and surveyor by profession; was one of the first settlers in -Buncombe county; taught School on Swannanoa, the first school taught in -Buncombe county. He died in Clay county, N. C., February 6th, 1863, -wanting but four days of being 98 years old. THOMAS HENRY, his father, -died soon after the Revolution, of rheumatism contracted during the war. -THOMAS HENRY was from the North of Ireland. - -I do not want this manuscript lost, as you see it is in ROBERT HENRY’S -own hand, and a little relic. If not used, I should like it should be -returned to - - Respectfully, - - WM. L. HENRY, - - ASHEVILLE, - - Buncombe County, N. C. - - - - - ROBERT HENRY’S NARRATIVE. - - -I will proceed to point out and correct some of the errors in WHEELER’S -HISTORY of North Carolina, so far as respects the transactions of -Cornwallis crossing Cowan’s Ford, on Catawba river, the 1st of February, -1781; then I will give my own version of that transaction; then I will -give the common report of the transaction shortly after it happened. - -Wheeler’s History, p. 232-33: “Here” (meaning at Cowan’s Ford) “about -six hundred militia under General Davidson were posted, and a slight -skirmish occurred. A British Colonel (Hall) and three privates were -killed, and thirty-six wounded.” - -If we take this account to be true, we must conclude that these militia -were very bad marksmen, for they had time to have fired five rounds -each, which would have been three thousand single shots, at distances -varying from fifty yards to less than twenty yards, over a naked sheet -of water; that their enemy was not obscured by smoke, being in water -above the waist-band, and hanging together by their muskets; that not a -single gun was fired by them whilst in the water. This story, if it -bears telling, cannot be accredited to be true, that in firing three -thousand single shots they only killed four, including Col. Hall, and -wounded thirty-six. The story appears further incredible from this—that -in common battles on land, there are as many, and often more, men killed -than wounded where the whole force from head to foot is exposed to fire -of the opposite party. In the present case, the body, from above the -waist-band to the top of the head was exposed—for all below was under -water and secure from lead. Wounds in the upper part [of the body] are -doubly as apt to kill as those in the lower extremities, from the -waist-band downward; hence we would expect double as many killed on this -occasion as wounded—but the reverse is told, that only four were killed, -including Col. Hall, and thirty-six wounded. - -A further mistake may be noticed. The account states that Davidson had -six hundred militia, whereas he had only three hundred. The whole of -this quotation should pass for nothing. - -The next error that I will notice is on page 235 of Wheeler’s History, -which I quote: “Soon after the action commenced” (meaning at Cowan’s -Ford) “General William Davidson was killed, greatly lamented by all who -knew him as a talented, brave and generous officer.” The true statement -is this: Davidson was killed by the first gun that was fired on the -British side on that occasion, for they did not fire a gun whilst in the -river; and the gun that killed him was fired at the water’s edge on the -Mecklenburg side; and if Davidson’s clothes had been examined, it is -probable that they would have shown the mark of powder. The whole of the -Americans had left their stands or posts at the water’s edge and -judiciously fled, lest the British might hem them in by the river; and -an utter silence prevailed—not a gun firing on either side: Silence was -first broken by the report of the gun that killed Davidson. - -A further quotation from the same page: “The Company commanded by Gen. -Graham was the first to commence the attack” (at Cowan’s Ford) “on the -British as they advanced through the river, which was resolutely -continued until they reached the bank, loaded their arms, and commenced -a heavy fire upon his men, two of whom were killed.” The whole of this -is a gratuitous statement, for Gen. Graham was not there—nor was there -either officer or private killed at that place except Gen. Davidson; nor -was there any one wounded there except Robert Beatty, who afterwards -died of the wound. Gen. Graham and his company may have been at -Davidson’s camp, three quarters of a mile from the Ford, and two of his -men might have been killed there, if they were too tardy in making their -escape before the British arrived there. - -Another quotation from Wheeler’s History, p. 264: “At day break the -British army under Cornwallis, on the 1st February, 1781, entered the -waters of Catawba, then swollen by heavy rains, at Cowan’s Ford. The -morning was dark and rainy. The light infantry under Col. Hall entered -first, followed by the grenadiers and the battalions. The piquet of Gen. -Davidson challenged the enemy; receiving no reply the guard fired. This -turned out the whole force of Davidson, who kept up a galling fire from -the bank.” - -Observe the morning was dark but not rainy. Davidson’s army was -stationed three quarters of a mile from the Ford, and did not fire a gun -at the British whilst in the river, nor after they came across; all the -firing by the American side in the river and on the bank was done by the -guard. - -Now, I will give my own version of the transaction of Cornwallis -crossing Catawba River at Cowan’s Ford, 1st February, 1781. Robert -Beatty, a lame man, had taken up a school near the Tuckaseage Ford, and -had taught two days, and was teaching the third, when news came to the -School-house that Cornwallis was camped at Forney’s, about seven miles -from the School-house; that Tarleton was ranging through the country -catching whig boys to make musicians of them in the British army. The -master instantly dismissed the scholars, directing them to go home and -spread the news, and retired himself. I went home, and that night Moses -Starret, Alexander Starret, George Gillespie, Robert Gillespie, and -Charles Rutledge came to my father’s! We lay out that night, and shortly -before day-light my brother, Joseph Henry, who had left the army to give -the news, and had crossed Catawba at John Beattie’s in a canoe; and when -he left the army, it was expected that Cornwallis would cross the river -at Tuckaseage Ford. Early in the morning this company crossed the river -at Beatties, about two miles below Tuckaseage Ford, where we hid our -canoe, staid some time at Beatties’—then went up to the Tuckaseage Ford, -and the army was at Cowan’s Ford, we went up the river to John -Nighten’s, who treated us well by giving us potatoes to roast, and some -whisky to drink. We became noisy and mischievous. Nighten said we should -not have any more whisky. I proposed to go to the camp at the Ford, if -any one would let me have a gun and ammunition. My brother said he would -give me his; Charles Rutledge proposed also to accompany me if he had a -gun and ammunition; when Moses Starret gave him his gun. When about to -start, I gave Nighten a hundred dollar Continental bill for a half a -pint of whisky. My brother gave another bill of the same size for half a -bushel of potatoes. We dispatched the whiskey. Being thus equipped, we -went to the Ford, which was about a mile and a half. When we arrived, -the guard that was there, thirty in number, made us welcome; the officer -of the guard told us that Cornwallis would certainly attempt to cross -that night or early in the morning; that each one of the guard had -picked their stands to annoy the British as they crossed, so that when -the alarm was given they would not be crowded, or be in each other’s -way—and said we must choose our stands. He accompanied us—Charles -Rutledge chose the uppermost stand, and I chose the lowest, next the -getting out place of the Ford; the officer observed, that he considered -that Davidson had done wrong, for that the army should have been -stationed at the Ford—instead of which it was encamped three-fourths of -a mile off, and that some person acquainted in the neighborhood of -Forney should watch the movements of Cornwallis’ army, and immediately -when they would attempt to march, to hasten to the river and give the -alarm; then that Davidson’s army might be in readiness to receive them; -the river being in the situation that it was then in, and the army thus -prepared to receive them, said that Cornwallis and a million of men -could not cross without cannon as long as our ammunition would last. -This I thought was a large expression; but since I think he was -correct.[2] He mentioned to each man of the guard to go to his stand -again and examine it, so that when the alarm was given, that there -should be no mistakes then made. I went to mine, and was well pleased -with it—for in shooting, if I would miss my first aim, my lead would -range along the British army obliquely and still do damage, and that I -could stand it until the British would come to a place the water was -riffling over a rock, then it would be time to run away. I remember that -I looked over the guard to see if there was any person with whom I was -acquainted, and found none but Joel Jetton, and my lame school-master, -Robert Beatty, with my comrade, Charles Rutledge. - -Gen. Joseph Graham’s name is mentioned by Wheeler. I was acquainted with -him; but he was not there. Shortly after dark a man across the river -hooted like an owl, and was answered; a man went to a canoe some -distance off, and brought word from him that all was silent in the -British camp. The guard all lay down with their guns in their arms, and -all were sound asleep at day-break, except Joel Jetton, who discovered -the noise of horses in deep water. The British pilot, Dick Beal being -deceived by our fires, had led them into swimming water. Jetton ran to -the Ford, the sentry being sound asleep, Jetton kicked him into the -river, endeavored to fire his gun, but it was wet: Having discovered the -army, ran to our fires, having a fine voice, cried “the British! the -British!” and fired a gun—then each man ran to his stand; when I got to -my stand, I saw them red, but thought from loss of sleep my eyes might -be mistaken, threw water into them; by the time I was ready to fire, the -rest of the guard had fired. I then heard the British splashing and -making a noise as if drowning. I fired, and continued firing until I saw -that one on horse-back had passed my rock in the river, and saw that it -was Dick Beal moving his gun from his shoulder, I expected, to shoot me. -I ran with all speed up the bank, and when at the top of it, William -Polk’s horse breasted me, and Gen. Davidson’s horse, about twenty or -thirty feet before Polk’s horse, and near to the water’s edge. All being -silent on both sides, I heard the report of a gun, at the water’s edge, -being the first gun fired on the British side, and which I thought Dick -Beal had fired at me. That moment Polk wheeled his horse, and cried -“fire away, boys; there is help at hand.” Turning my eye round, -designing to run away, I saw my lame school-master, Beatty, loading his -gun by a tree; I thought I could stand it as long as he could, and -commenced loading. Beatty fired, then I fired, the heads and shoulders -of the British being just above the bank; they made no return fire; -silence still prevailed. I observed Beatty loading again; I ran down -another load—when he fired, he cried “it’s time to run, Bob.” I looked -past my tree, and saw their guns lowered, and then straightened myself -behind my tree. They fired and knocked off some bark from my tree. - -In the meantime Beatty had turned from his tree, and a bullet hit him in -the hip, and broke the upper end of his thigh bone; he fell, still -hallowing for me to run. I then ran at the top of my speed about one -hundred yards, when a thought struck me that the British had no horsemen -to follow me, and that Davidson’s army would be down at the river, and a -battle would take place. Whereupon I loaded my gun, and went opposite to -the Ford, and chose a large tree, sat down by it, and fired about fifty -yards at the British. They fired several guns toward the place where I -was; but their lead did not come nearer to me than about two rods. - -I will now account for the great difference between the number of the -British killed and those wounded, as stated by Wheeler. The water at the -Ford was fully waist-band deep, and in many places much deeper, with a -very heavy pressing current, and when a man was killed or badly wounded, -the current immediately floated him away, so that none of them that were -killed or badly wounded were ever brought to the shore; and none but -those slightly wounded reached the bank; Col. Hall fell at the bank—I -account for the three British that were killed as stated by Wheeler, in -this way: Beatty, the lame schoolmaster, an excellent marksman, fired -twice, at a distance of not more than twenty yards, at the British, -after they had ascended the high bank, as before stated; and I fired -twice about the same distance. I therefore think Beatty being the best -marksman killed two, and I killed one. - -Wheeler states that on the American side there were two killed: I -observe, if there was any one killed that it was not at the river, for -the British did not fire a gun whilst in the river, and when they arose -the high bank, all were gone but Beatty and myself; that if any were -killed, it was at Davidson’s camp, three quarters of a mile from the -Ford of the river. But I never heard of any one either killed or wounded -of the Americans except Robert Beatty on that occasion. - -I will give an account of the balance of my route after firing the last -time, as heretofore stated. I went down the river to John Beattie’s, -where we had left our canoe; there I found my company, the two Starrets, -the two Gillespies, my brother Joseph, and my comrade Charles Rutledge. -I returned the gun to my brother after counting the cartridges—found -seven missing—therefore I had fired seven times, as I supposed. The -company remained at Beattie’s until the next morning; when we took our -canoe to cross the river to the Lincoln side, it was proposed that we -would go to James Cunningham’s fish-trap, and see if there were any fish -in it. When we arrived at the trap, there were fourteen dead men lodged -in it, several of whom appeared to have no wound, but had drowned. We -pushed them into the water, they floated off, and went each to his own -home. This is my version of that transaction. - -Now, I will give the common report of it. I will begin with the report -of Nicholas Gosnell, one of our neighbors, a Tory, who was in -Cornwallis’ army when they crossed the Catawba at Cowan’s Ford. It was -frequently repeated from the extraordinary language he used, and from -his manner of expression—it is therefore better imprinted on my memory. -I will endeavor to give it in his own language: “His Lordship chose Dick -Beal for his pilot, as he well know’d the Ford, and a durned pretty -pilot he was, for he suffered himself to be led astray by the Rebel -fires, and then had to go down to the Ford afterwards; but if he did bad -one way, he did good another, for he killed their damned Rebel General. -The Rebels were posted at the water’s edge—there wan’t many on ’em; but -I’ll be durned if they didn’t slap the wad to his Majesty’s men -suicidally! for a while; for I saw ’em hollerin and a snortin and a -drownin—the river was full on ’em a snortin, a hollerin and a drownin -until his Lordship reached the off bank; then the Rebels made straight -shirt tales, and all was silent—then I tell you his Lordship was Bo sure -Super gille cristilum [?],[3] and when he rose the bank he was the best -dog in the hunt, and not a rebel to be seen.” This is the Tory version -of Cornwallis crossing Catawba at Cowan’s Ford. - -The following is the report of every person who lived at or near the -river between Cowan’s Ford and Tuckaseage Ford: That a great number of -British dead were found on Thompson’s fish-dam, and in his trap, and -numbers lodged on brush, and drifted to the banks: that the river stunk -with dead carcases; that the British could not have lost less than one -hundred men on that occasion. - -Report of soldiers who were in Davidson’s army. When Wm. Polk returned -from the river after General Davidson was killed at Cowan’s Ford, three -quarters of a mile from the Ford—they stated that when William Polk -returned from the Ford, and reported the death of Gen. Davidson, that -some of the army had left, and the rest were in confusion; that Polk -prudently marched them off, not being able to fight Cornwallis on equal -terms. - -Footnote 2: - - Gen. Greene had admonished Davidson of the danger of Tarleton crossing - secretly at some private ford and falling on his rear, and for this - reason he kept his main force at some distance from the river. - - D. S. - -Footnote 3: - - This seems to be some silly slang of that day. - - - - - KING’S MOUNTAIN EXPEDITION. - - -I will now give the statement of Col. D. Vance and Gen. Joseph McDowell -of the manner of raising the army to oppose Col. Ferguson—its march—and -the defeat of Ferguson. - -This part is the statement of Col. Vance; and on a sarcastic and -sneering reply by M. Matthews saying that they, to wit the army under -Campbell, was a fierce and formidable set of chickens, and could make -great havoc among eggs, if each one was provided with a stick. This -elicited a more extensive reply and statement of the whole affair and -its consequences from Gen. J. McDowell. I will first give the reasons -why Vance and McDowell made these statements. - -The General Assembly of North Carolina made an agreement with that of -Tennessee to run and mark the Division line between the two States, and -in the year 1799, the State of North Carolina appointed Gen. J. -McDowell, Col. David Vance,[4] and Mussentine Matthews,[5] commissioners -on the part of North Carolina, who associated John Strother and Robert -Henry surveyors, with the necessary numbers of chain-bearers, markers, -and pack-horsemen for that business, who met and went to the White-Top -Mountain, a spur of the Stone Mountain, where the Virginia line crossed -the latter. Strother did not appear at the commencement. The company -were asking a great many detached questions relative to Ferguson’s -defeat—at length requested that McDowell or Vance would give them a -connected account of the whole transaction from first to last. It was -agreed that Col. Vance should give that account. The Colonel agreed to -do so on consulting with McDowell, our pilot, Gideon Lewis, who had been -a news-carrier, and myself, [and relate it] on the first wet day that -should happen so that we could not progress with the line. - -Accordingly a wet day happened, when we were at the head of the -Round-About on the Stone Mountain. Our bark camp was soon fixed, and -Col. Vance gave the account, ending with the details of the battle of -King’s Mountain. Whereupon M. Matthews observed that we (meaning the -army) were a fierce and formidable set of blue hen’s chickens among -eggs, if each one was provided with a stick. This brought a reply from -McDowell. That being done, I was provided with a note-book, separate -from my surveyor’s book, to take down a memorandum of particular things -that happened, and commenced taking a memorandum of Vance’s account of -that transaction. Whereupon Col. Vance, who was an elegant clerk, told -me as there was only one surveyor, that I had not time to do it—and if I -would give him my book, that he would write it for me, as he had -leisure. He took the book, and returned it to me, saying he had paper of -his own, at a Spring by the side of Bright’s Path in the Bald Ground on -the Yellow Mountain. Having taken down his own recollections, and also -Gen. McDowell’s reply to M. Matthews—which is as follows: - -“As I have in some measure to depend on my memory, I will begin with -Col. Shelby’s retreat after his defeating the British at Ennoree. Col. -Charles McDowell had detached Shelby, Sevier, &c., with a party to go -round where Ferguson was camped—who defeated the British and Tories at -Ennoree. When Col. McDowell received intelligence of Gate’s defeat, and -sent an express to Col. Shelby to retreat, Gen. Joseph McDowell was then -Major, and I was Captain. Col. Shelby called a council of all his -officers to know what was best to do. It was agreed that we must make a -wood’s trip to get round Ferguson and join Col. C. McDowell, carrying -the prisoners alternately on horseback, and running on foot short -distances. After going some distance, found that Col. C. McDowell had -left his camp, and was retreating towards Gilbert Town, we altered our -course and overtook him and the main army.” - -After joining Col. C. McDowell, it was proposed by Cols. Shelby and -Sevier that they thought an army of volunteers could be raised to defeat -Ferguson, stating that Ferguson’s main business was to kill the Whig -stock; that he would be at the heads of Broad River, and then go to the -head of Catawba to execute that purpose, which would give time to raise -an army of volunteers over the mountains, and in Wilkes and Surry -counties. All the officers, and some of the privates were consulted, and -all agreed that it was right to make the trial to raise an army. It was -then agreed that the prisoners should be sent to Virginia; that Cols. -Shelby and Sevier and their men should immediately go over the Mountains -home and procure volunteers; that Col. Chas. McDowell should send an -express to Cols. Cleveland and Herndon in Wilkes for them to raise -volunteers; and that Col. C. McDowell should provide some way to -preserve the Whig stock on the head of Catawba, and provide some way -also to give intelligence of Ferguson’s movements. - -The prisoners were accordingly dispatched to Virginia. Cols. Shelby and -Sevier went immediately over the mountains; and Col. C. McDowell wrote -to Cols. Cleveland and Herndon to raise volunteers to be ready to march -upon the shortest notice;—he then called the men on the head of Catawba, -and first proposed that they who could not go over the mountains, should -take protection on the advance of Ferguson and thereby save the whig -stock: Daniel Smith (afterwards Colonel), Thomas Lytle, Robert Patton -and J. McDowell of the Pleasant Garden, absolutely refused, and stated -that they would drive the Whig stock into the deep coves under the eave -of the Black Mountain; that others might take protection and save the -stock that remained behind. John Carson, afterwards Colonel, Wm. -Davidson, Ben. Davidson and others were appointed to take protection to -save the remaining whig stock. - -James Jack and Archibald Nail were appointed to be news-bearers over the -Yellow Mountains to Shelby and were to be passing continually—that they -were to receive the news in the Turkey Cove relative to Ferguson’s -movements. That Joseph Dobson and James McKoy were to be bearers of the -like news to Cols. Cleveland and Herndon, and that they were to receive -their news at the Montgomery place, afterwards Joseph Dobson’s place. - -Col. Ben. Cleveland appointed his brother, Robert Cleveland and Gideon -Lewis, our pilot, to be news-bearers from B. Cleveland to Shelby. Thus -the news went the rounds as fast as horses could carry their riders. - -After Col. C. McDowell had thus arranged his business, he received the -news that Ferguson was at Gilbert Town. He then collected all the men -that he could procure from Burke county and went to Shelby and Sevier, -who had engaged Col. Campbell, of Virginia, also to raise volunteers. -The orders given to the volunteers were to equip themselves as quick as -possible and have nothing to provide when they were called on to march, -but to saddle their horses and march on the shortest notice. Those who -could not go supplied those who could with any thing they stood in need -of. It was also announced to the volunteers by the officers, that a -battle with Ferguson was determined upon, and that they might rely on a -battle before they returned home. - -The news went the rounds by the news-carriers already mentioned, of -every thing that happened in Ferguson’s camp—until the news came that -John Carson had played a supple trick on Ferguson—that having saved -almost all the whig stock that had not been driven into the coves by -Daniel Smith and company—that Ferguson began to suspect Carson for -saving whig stock—there being a large quantity of Tory cattle ranging -about the large cane-breaks where David Greenlee lives, and that a party -of Ferguson’s were fitted out to kill whig stock, and that they -designing to go to that place, and another party was going to the -Montgomery place—that is the place where Joseph Dobson lives on—for the -like purpose. Carson went with the party going to the Montgomery place, -without informing the party going to the Greenlee place that the cattle -ranging there were Tory stock, the owners being in Ferguson’s camp. The -parties each went to their places of destination, and returned into -camp; those who went to the Greenlee place reported that they had killed -over one hundred head of three, four, five and six year old rebel steers -at the McGonaugh place. J. Carson observed that he expected that those -steers were the stock of Joseph Brown, Dement and Johnstone, who were -there in the camp. Whereupon Brown, Dement and Johnstone went and -discovered that the steers there killed were every one theirs. This -turned the Tories rather against Ferguson; whereupon Ferguson stated -that the Rebels had out-witted him, and that he could not effect his -purpose there—that he would start back to Gilbert Town on a given day. - -The news was on its passage to Shelby and Cleveland as soon as the -breath left Ferguson’s mouth—it did not stop day or night—it was soon at -the place of destination. Immediately Shelby directed Campbell and his -men to meet him at a given time at Wautaga and Sevier to meet him and -Campbell at ten o’clock on a given day at the Spring in the Bald Ground, -on the Yellow Mountain, at the side of Bright’s path—all of which were -done with great exactness. He issued orders for Cleveland and Herndon to -meet him on a given day on Silver Creek, in Burke county; and ordered D. -Smith, J. McDowell, Lytle, Patton, and those who had taken protection, -to meet him at Wm. Nail’s by a given night, which was the night next -after the meeting on the Yellow Mountain. - -When the officers met at the Spring on the Yellow Mountain, it was -quickly agreed that they would send Col. Charles McDowell with an -express to Gen. Gates, for him to send an experienced officer to conduct -them in a battle with Ferguson, and as soon as Chas. McDowell, with his -silver-mounted Tom. Simpson rifle, had disappeared, steering for the -path on the Linville Ridge, the army descended the Mountain on Bright’s -path and went to Wm. Nail’s that night where they met Daniel Smith, -Thomas Lytle, Joseph McDowell and Robert Patton, the persons who had -driven the whig stock into the coves under the eave of the Black -Mountains, and also those who had taken protection. When it was agreed, -that D. Smith, T. Lytle and J. McDowell should remain at the head of the -river, as they were considered equal to a small army against Indians; -and that the Indians were expected to fall on the frontiers as soon as -Ferguson left it; and that they should have those who had taken -protection to assist them. It was agreed that Joseph McDowell, (now -Gen.) should take twenty men with him, and follow Ferguson’s trail for -fear of surprise—who at the head of Silver Creek, near the Pilot -Mountain, came on a squad of Tories who were designing to follow -Ferguson, and killed some of them and put the rest to flight and -returned to the army in the morning after staying the night at Wm. -Nails’s. - -The army marched in to Silver Creek, and at the place appointed met -Cols. Cleveland and Herndon so exactly that it scarcely occasioned a -halt—proceeding on to Cane Creek of Broad River at a place afterwards -called Probit’s place. - -Major Billy Chronicle with twenty men joined the army; no halt -called—still proceeding on. At Camp Creek Cols. William Graham, with one -hundred and sixty men well mounted, joined—who gave intelligence that -Ferguson had left Gilbert Town and had crossed Broad River at Twitty’s -Ford on his way to Cruger at Ninety-Six and that Col. Williams was near -to Gilbert Town. It was agreed among the officer’s [while] still on the -march, that Col. Herndon’s foot could not overhaul Ferguson before he -would reach Ninety Six. They then began to count the number of horsemen -that they could raise. Beginning with those under Col. Graham and those -of Major Chronicle, Graham’s men 160, Chronicle’s 20, were to count 200 -instead of 180. Campbell mentioned to Chronicle that the lad whom he had -with him should not hear their enumeration. Chronicle replied that he -was a son of “Old Rugged and Tough;” that his cheek was too well hooped -to leak—the lad [Robert Henry] then [listening] is now our surveyor. -They numbered on, and found their true number to be between six and -seven hundred; but told the soldiers it was between 1100 and 2000 [1200] -counting Williams’ men. - -Orders were then given for all who were unable, from any cause that -would hinder him in a severe march, should fall back into the foot -troops and give their horses to footmen [who needed them, in order to be -properly equipped for the march]; a number of exchanges were made. -Further orders were given at Gilbert Town to kill some beeves, which was -done; and orders were given for the horsemen to be ready to march at a -given time, which was very short. Some of the troops who were tardy got -none [of the beef?]. The line of march was taken to cross Broad River at -Pear’s Ford, below the mouth of Green River, to take a near cut on -Ferguson on his way to Ninety Six. The day and night were occasionally -showery. We marched on, crossing Ferguson’s trail in the track (?), and -proceeded to the Cowpens and came to a Tory’s house, pulled him out of -bed, treated him roughly, and asked him at what time Ferguson had passed -that place. He said he had not passed at all; that he had torch -pine—that we might light it and search, and if we could find the track -of an army we might hang him, or do what we pleased with him; and if no -sign of an army could be found, he would expect more mild treatment. -Search was made and no sign of an army found. - -We then camped, and began to send persons to find Ferguson’s track. -Chronicle proposed to send Enoch Gilmer as one; it was objected to -because he was not acquainted with the country. Chronicle said that he -could find out any thing better than those acquainted, for he could act -any character that he pleased; that he could cry and laugh in the same -breath, and those best acquainted would believe that he was in earnest -in both; that he could act the fool so that those best acquainted with -him would believe him to be deranged; that he was a shrewd, cunning -fellow, and a stranger to fear. Hence he was [sent] among others. He -went to a Tory’s house on Ferguson’s trail and stated to him that he had -been waiting on Ferguson’s way from Twitty’s Ford to Ninety-Six, but -missed finding him; that he wished to join the army. The Tory replied, -that after Ferguson had crossed the river at Twitty’s Ford, he had -received an express from Lord Cornwallis for him to join the main army -at Charlotte; that he had called in Tarleton, and would call in his -out-posts, and give Gates another defeat, and reduce North Carolina to -British rule as he had South Carolina and Georgia, and would enter -Virginia with a larger army than ever had been in America. Gilmer gave -this account to the officers. This was some time in the day. They then -commenced marching to the Cherokee Ford on Broad River. Night came on, -and our pilots missed their way, the night being dark and occasionally -raining, so that when we came near to the river it was near day-light; -and when we came to the river hills it was agreed that we would send -Enoch Gilmer to see whether Ferguson had not been apprised of us and -would attack us in the river. Orders were given to keep our guns dry, -for it was raining. Gilmer was gone for some time, when his voice was -heard in the hollow singing Barney-Linn, a favorite black-guard song. -This was notice that all was right. Orders were given that the largest -horses should be on the upper side. The order was not obeyed. The river -was deep, but it was remarked that not one was ducked. After passing the -river, it was agreed that Enoch Gilmer should go ahead, and make all the -discoveries about Ferguson that he could. He went off in a gallop. The -officers kept in front of the privates at a very slow gait—the men -cursing and stating if we were to have a battle, to let it be over, &c. - -All were very hungry, and when we would come to a cornfield, it was soon -pulled. The soldiers would cut part of the raw corn off the cobb, and -haul the remainder to their horses. After travelling some miles, the -officers saw Gilmer’s horse at a gate about three-quarters of a mile -ahead. They gave whip to their horses, and went at full speed to the -gate—alighted, and went into the house. Gilmer was sitting at a table -eating. Campbell exclaimed, “We have got you—you d——d rascal.” Gilmer -replied, “a true King’s man by G——d.” Campbell in order to try Gilmer’s -metamorphosis, had provided himself with a rope, with a running noose on -it, threw it over Gilmer’s neck. Gilmer commenced crying and begging. -Campbell swore that they would hang him on the bow of the gate—when -Chronicle stated that it was wrong to hang him there, for his ghost -would haunt the women, who were now in tears. Campbell observed that was -right, that we will hang him on the first stooping limb of a tree that -they should pass on the road—then sending Gilmer along one or two -hundred yards, Gilmer crying and begging for his life, the rope was -taken from his neck, and he mounted his horse, and was asked what news -he had obtained. He stated as follows:—That when he came to the Tory’s -house, he professed to be a true King’s man, that he was wishing to join -Col. Ferguson, and desired to know where he was, and that he had kissed -the two Tory women; that the youngest of the two informed him, that she -had been in Ferguson’s camp that morning; that the camp was about three -miles distant from that place; that she had carried him some chickens; -that he was camped on a ridge between two branches where some deer -hunters had a camp the last Fall. Major Chronicle and Capt. Mattocks -stated that the camp referred to was their camp, and that they well knew -the ground Ferguson was camped on. - -Whereupon it was agreed on that they should plan the battle, as they -knew the ground. They rode a short distance by themselves, and reported -that it was an excellent place to surround Ferguson’s army, as the -shooting would all be up hill—that there would be no danger of our -destroying each other; but doubted whether we had men enough to surround -them. It was then instantly agreed on by all the officers, that we would -attempt to surround our foes. They immediately began to arrange their -men, without stopping and assigning to each officer the part he was to -take in surrounding the hill. By the time this was done, we were close -to our enemy. The last whose duty was to be prescribed was Col. Wm. -Graham with his men, who desired leave of absence, alleging that he had -received certain intelligence that his wife was dying with the colic, -about sixteen miles off, near Armstrong’s Ford on the South Fork. -Campbell stated to him that should be the greatest inducement for him to -stay, that he could carry the news—and if we were successful, it would -be to her as good as a dose of medicine. Graham exclaimed, “Oh my dear, -dear wife! Must I never see her again?” Campbell in an angry tone of -voice turned to Major Chronicle, and said “shall Col. Graham have leave -of absence?” To which Chronicle replied—“it is woman’s business, let him -go.” Campbell told Graham he might go. Graham said he must have an -escort—Chronicle told him he might have one; Graham chose David Dickey. -Dickey said that he would rather be shot in [battle] than go. Chronicle -said—“Dave—You must go.” Dickey said he would rather be shot on the -spot; “but if I must go, I must go, I must.” Then Col. Graham and Dickey -immediately took to the woods, and disappeared.[6] - -Campbell then mentioned to Chronicle that as Graham has gone, you must -take his place: Turning to Col. Hambright, Campbell asked “have you any -objections?” He replied, that it was his wish, as Chronicle best knew -the ground. Whereupon Chronicle called “come on, my South Fork boys,” -and took the lead. - -The hill was surrounded in a few minutes, and the battle commenced. Our -enemies had two to our one; of course their fire was double that of -ours. We killed 247 of them, and they killed 143 of our side, agreeably -to the account of E. Gilmer and Joseph Beatty, supposed to be the most -accurate of any. So that they having choice of ground, we fought them -two to one; we killed as many more of them as they killed of us, and -took more prisoners than we had men to guard them. But we had not a -coward to face the hill that day—they all faded off, until within ten -minutes of the battle, the last coward left us. Our equals were scarce, -and our superiors hard to find. This is the most particular and accurate -account, my friend, that I can give you. - -Whereupon at the head of the Round-About, I made a similar statement to -our chain-bearers, pack-horsemen, &c. Mussentine Matthews made the -following reply: “Ah! you would have been a formidable and destructive -set of blue hen’s chickens among eggs, if each one of you had been -provided with a good stick. When anybody pretends to tell the story of -that transaction, it would be to his credit to play the game of shut -mouth.”[7] This elicited the following reply from Gen. Joseph McDowell: - -Before that battle (referring to Ferguson’s defeat,) we had sustained -two shameful and disastrous defeats—that of Gates by treachery; and that -of Sumter by carelessness, in quick succession one after the other—upon -which, the Tories flocked to the British camps, and increased their -numbers to two or three fold; that the country was over-run, and fairly -deluged with them, so much that from the pressure of their numbers, the -souls of the brave, from necessity were obliged to cower under its -weight, and none but the bravest of the brave withstood the shock. - -At the time when the news of Gates’ defeat reached Col. Charles -McDowell, he had detached Cols. Shelby and Sevier to go round Ferguson’s -camp to dislodge some British and Tories on the Ennoree, near to -Ninety-Six. He then sent an express to Shelby to take care of himself, -for Gates was defeated. Whereupon Shelby made the best of his way round -Ferguson, and fell in with Charles McDowell and the main body, -retreating towards Gilbert Town. Then it was suggested by Shelby, that a -sufficient force could be raised over the Mountains, with the assistance -from Wilkes and Surry counties, to defeat Ferguson. This was agreed to -by all the officers present. The troops were raised without Government -orders; each man had to furnish his own provisions, arms, ammunition, -horse, and all his equipage, without the value of a gun flint from the -public; without pay, or expectation of pay or reward, even to the amount -of a Continental dollar depreciated to eight hundred to one. They were -all volunteers; they were under no compulsion to go, but each man in -advance consulted his own courage, well knowing he was going to fight -before his return. They started in a rainy, inclement season of the -year, without baggage wagon, pack-horse, or tent cloth, across the most -rugged bar of mountains in the State, and almost pathless, having only a -hunter’s trail to travel, followed Ferguson through all his windings; at -length over took him at King’s Mountain, where he boasted the morning of -the battle, that “he was on King’s Mountain, and that he was king of -that Mountain, and that God Almighty could not drive him from it.” There -we over-hauled him, fought him two to one—hence their fire was double -that of ours; yet we killed 287 [247] of them, to 143 they killed of us. -Yet the fate of nations and of battles turn on a pivot. Ferguson, a -prudent officer, finding himself beset and surrounded on all sides, -ordered his regulars, who had muskets and bayonets, to charge bayonets -on Major Chronicle’s South Fork boys: The regulars having discharged -their muskets at a short distance with effect, in turn the Fork Boys -discharged their rifles with fatal effect, and retreated, keeping before -the points of the bayonets about twenty feet, until they loaded again, -when they discharged their rifles, each man dropping his man. This was -treatment that British courage could not stand; they in turn retreated -with precipitation; then the flag was hoisted, and all was over. - -If they had succeeded in the charge, it would have made a pass-way for -his army, and they might have turned on our line on the one side of the -hill, and defeated us in detail, or have made good their march to Lord -Cornwallis at Charlotte, either of which would have been disastrous to -the American cause. We had neither a coward or a traitor to face the -hill that day. We were the bravest of the brave; we were a formidable -flock of blue hen’s chickens of the game blood, of indomitable courage, -and strangers to fear. We were well provided with sticks; we made the -egg shells—British and Tory skulls—fly, like onion peelings in a windy -day; the blue cocks flapped their wings and crowed—“we are all for -Liberty these times;” and all was over; our equals were scarce, and our -superiors hard to find. - -Taking the whole campaign, including the battle, I know of no parallel -to it in the annals of ancient or Modern warfare; the nearest was that -of the Grecian Leonidas and his army at the battle of Thermopylae with -the Great Xerxes. Leonidas and his army were found, victualled and -clothed at public expense; each individual of our army had to find at -his own expense; Leonidas’ army were under Governmental orders; we were -under no government at all, but were volunteers; Leonidas’ army were -furnished with arms and camp equipage: We had to find our own arms, -ammunition and horses at our own expense; Leonidas’ army were under -Government pay; we were under no pay or reward, or the expectation of -any; Leonidas’ army had choice of ground at the pass at Thermopylae; our -enemies had the boasted choice of ground; Leonidas’ army had to fight -superior numbers—so had we; Leonidas had never a coward—neither had we -any; but Leonidas had a traitor who was his over-throw and destruction -of all but one man: We had neither coward or traitor to face our -enemy—hence we were successful: Leonidas would have been successful, and -have defeated or put to flight the great Xerxes if he had not had a -traitor aboard; Leonidas’ defeat was the destruction of the fine country -of Greece, and the burning and destruction of their fine city of Athens, -the labor of ages: Our success was the salvation of our country and our -liberty. There is no parallel here: We will see if there is any in -modern times. - -The generosity and patriotism of the great Washington has been justly -boasted of; he did not charge the United States anything for his -services during the Revolution; he was found his food and camp equipage -by the public, and every thing else that he stood in need of; his -necessary incidental expenses he kept an accurate account of, and they -were paid by the public; he was paid for every thing else but his -military services. This has been justly considered as great generosity -and patriotism, and ought never to be forgotten. But this fight of the -blue hen’s chickens threw this into the shade of an eclipse. - -Now we will make the comparison. Washington was rich, and had no family -to provide for; we were poor, and had families to provide for; he was -provided with a horse, victuals, clothing, arms, camp equipage and -necessary attendance. We had to provide our own horse, victuals, -clothing, arms, ammunition and blankets at our own expense. He charged -nothing for his military services; neither did we charge any thing for -military services, nor did we receive anything for them; he fought the -battles of our country with success; we did the same. The expedition -against Ferguson, including the battle at King’s Mountain, did not cost -the State, or the United States, the worth of a single Continental -dollar depreciated down to eight hundred to one. It was all done at the -expense of bravery of the actors in that transaction. There is no -parallel here. - -We will now take a view of the situation of the country after the -defeats of Gates and Sumter, and before Ferguson’s defeat. Cornwallis -was in Charlotte with a large army; Rawdon was in Camden with another -large army; Leslie was at Winnsborough with a considerable army; Cruger -at Ninety-Six with a large army; McGirt, Cunningham and Brown, each -having considerable force, carrying on a savage war-fare of murdering, -robbing, burning and destroying. George Lumpkin, Ben. Moore and others -in Lincoln county, the chief of plunderers. Tarleton & Wemyss having -large bodies of dragoons, the best mounted of any that were ever in the -United States. For on the fall of Charleston, the British deluged the -country with Counterfeit Continental bills, sending emissaries through -the three Southern States to purchase up all the best horses belonging -to the Whigs, at any price. Beside these armies, numerous squads of -Tories, whenever they could collect ten or twelve, were plundering, -robbing, and destroying the last piece of whig property they could lay -their hands on belonging to the whigs. To finish the list, Ferguson with -about 1,200 men, three Fourths Tories, whose principal business it was -to destroy whig stock: It is to be observed, that more than one half of -their armies consisted of Tories. - -This is a statement of facts that needs no proof; they cannot be -contradicted or denied, for every body knows them to be true. This -statement does not take into view the garrisons at Charleston, Savannah, -Augusta and other places in the lower country, or the numerous bodies of -Tories in the lower part of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia -completely under British rule, and North Carolina at the eve of it. We -had no army in any of the three Southern States, under Governmental -orders, of any account that I know of except the poor fragments of -Gates’ defeated army, lying near the Virginia line. Marion’s troops were -volunteers, for the State was under British rule. The Mecklenburg -Hornets were volunteers from the counties of Rowan, Lincoln and -Mecklenburg. - -From this State of things, Cornwallis could easily have carried out his -avowed purpose of again defeating Gates, and entering Virginia, with the -most numerous army that had been on the Continent, by calling in some of -his needless out-posts, and these numerous squads of petty-larceny -plunderers, who were raised from poverty to affluence in a few days -plundering, and having still the expectation of further advancement by -getting the whig plantations if he had succeeded—the patriotic State of -Virginia would have had to contend with him and his army almost single -handed, for it could have received little aid from the conquered States, -and but little from Washington, or the Northern States, as they had -their hands full with Clinton and his New York Tories. This was the most -disastrous period for Liberty and Independence from the time of its -Declaration to the end of the war. Liberty and Independence were then -shrouded in Egyptian darkness. Ferguson’s defeat was the turning point -in American affairs. The battle, extraordinary as it was, was not more -extraordinary than its effects were. - -Cornwallis on hearing that Ferguson was defeated, immediately dropped -the notion of again defeating Gates and entering Virginia with a -numerous army, being already galled by the Mecklenburg Hornets, was -panic-struck to think that he would, alas! have, at the same time, to -encounter the gaffs and spurs of the blue hens’ chickens as soon as he -could filch a few days provisions from under the wings of the Hornets, -took night’s leave of the Hornets’ Nest, lest he should disturb the -wasps, made a precipitate retrograde march, stopping neither night nor -day until he joined Leslie of Winnsborough. - -Instantly after Ferguson’s defeat, McGirt, Cunningham and Brown quit -their robbing, murdering, burning and destroying, and played the game of -“the least in sight,” and “shut-mouth” into the bargain. Lumpkin, Moore, -etc., fled to Nocachey; the petty larceny squads of Tories began to seek -their hiding places and holes, like rats and mice when the cat would -make her appearance. When Generals Greene and Morgan came from the North -with all the force that could be spared from that quarter, with the -fragments of Gates’ defeated army, the brave and cautious Gen. Morgan -found that he was unable to fight Tarleton, fled before him, until -Williams’ troops, being chiefly South Carolina and Georgia refugees, who -fought under Williams at Ferguson’s defeat, and the other troops who -lived on the east side of the mountains, who fought at the same place, -heard of Morgan’s retreating before Tarleton, and rushed to his -assistance. Being thus reinforced, Gen. Morgan turned about and defeated -Tarleton at the Cowpens; Gen. Greene had to retreat before Lord -Cornwallis until reinforced by the Mecklenburg Hornets, composed of -volunteers from Rowan, Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties. Greene turned -upon Cornwallis, and at Guilford made an equal fight, neither having the -victory. How would it have been with Generals Greene and Morgan if -Ferguson had not been defeated? Tarleton’s force would have been greatly -increased, and Cornwallis’ army would have been more than double the -number that appeared on the field of battle at Guilford. All then that -Morgan and Greene could have done would have been to retreat and keep -out of their way, and permit Cornwallis, agreeably to his avowed -intention, to have entered Virginia with the most numerous army that had -been in the field since the commencement of the war. Virginia would then -have had to contend single-handed with that formidable force, with the -assistance of Gen. Greene. - -In short, Ferguson’s defeat was the turning point in American affairs. -The loss of this battle would, in all probability, have been the loss of -American Independence and the liberty we now enjoy. I never on any -occasion feel such dignified pride as when I think that my name counts -one of the number that faced the hill at King’s Mountain the day of that -battle. Others may think and speak disrespectfully of that transaction -who are in favor of monarchy and individual oppression; but that is not -Joseph McDowell, nor you, my friend Bob. - -I have written down my narrative, and Gen. McDowell’s reply to Musentine -Matthews which he delivered to the boys at head of the Round-About, on -the Stone Mountain, as nearly as memory would serve—thinking that -reading it might fill up a blank in your leisure hours, reflecting on -the situation of the times to which the recited facts refer. - - Your Friend, - - D. VANCE. - -Footnote 4: - - Member of the House of Commons from Burke, 1791. - -Footnote 5: - - Member of House Commons from Iredell from 1789 to 1802. - -Footnote 6: - - Col. William Graham must not be confounded with Major (afterwards - General) Joseph Graham. They were not related to each other—Col. - Graham came from Augusta County, Virginia and settled on the First - Broad river then Tryon now Cleveland County. He married Susan, - daughter of William Twitty. Previous to this battle he had been a good - soldier and Indian fighter and was a popular man. See an honorable - sketch of him in “Hunters’s Sketches of North Carolina,” p. 522. - -Footnote 7: - - All we know about Mussentine Matthews is that he represented Iredell - County in the House of Commons from 1789 to 1802 continuously. He was - either a Tory or a cynic, it seems. - - - - - ROBERT HENRY’S ACCOUNT. - - -I will now relate a few facts relative to the battle at King’s Mountain -that came within my own view, and not related by Col. Vance. In Vance’s -narrative, he refers to Col. W. Graham’s and David Dickey’s leaving the -army to visit his wife, and Major Billy Chronicle taking his place, and -calling on his South Fork boys to follow him. At that time Enoch Gilmer -called on Hugh Ewin, Adam Barry and myself to follow him close to the -foot of the hill. We marched with a quick step, letting Major Chronicle -advance about ten steps before us, but further from the hill than we -were, until we met the wing from the other side of the hill, then -Chronicle having a military hat, but had let it down to shelter the rain -from him, and had it not set up, clapped his hand to it in front, and -raised it up, and cried “Face to the hill.” The words were scarcely -uttered, when a ball struck him and he dropped; and in a second after a -ball struck Wm. Rabb, about six feet from Chronicle,[8] and he dropped. -We then advanced up the hill close to the Tory lines: There was a log -across a hollow that I took my stand by; and stepping one step back, I -was safe from the British fire. I there remained firing until the -British charged bayonets. When they made the charge, they first fired -their guns, at which fire it is supposed they killed Capt. Mattocks, and -J. Boyd, wounded Wm. Gilmer and John Chittim. The Fork boys fired and -did considerable execution. I was preparing to fire when one of the -British advancing, I stepped [back] and was in the act of cocking my gun -when his bayonet was running along the barrel of my gun, and gave me a -thrust through my hand and into my thigh; my antagonist and myself both -fell. The Fork boys retreated and loaded their guns. I was then lying -under the smoke, and it appeared that some of them were not more than a -gun’s length in front of the bayonets, and the farthest could not have -been more than twenty feet in front when they discharged their rifles. -It was said that every one dropped his man. The British then retreated -in great haste, and were pursued by the Fork boys. - -Wm. Caldwell saw my condition, and pulled the bayonet out of my thigh, -but it hung to my hand; he gave my hand a kick, and went on. The thrust -gave me much pain, but the pulling of it [out] was much more severe. -With my well hand I picked up my gun, and found her discharged. I -suppose that when the soldier made the thrust, I gripped the trigger and -discharged her—the load must have passed through his bladder and cut a -main artery of his back, as he bled profusely. - -Immediately after Wm. Caldwell drew the bayonet from me, then the word -was that the flag was up—the whigs then shouted “Hurra for Liberty,” -three times at the top of their voices. It was immediately announced -that Ferguson was killed. I had a desire to see him, and went and found -him dead; he was shot in the face, and in the breast. It was said he had -received other wounds. Samuel Talbot turned him over, and got his pocket -pistol. - -Being in much pain and drouthy, went down, left my gun, being unable to -carry her, and when I got near to the branch met David Dickey and Col. -Wm. Graham riding his large black horse, wielding his sword round his -head, crying at the top of his voice, “Dam the Tories,” and ascended the -hill. Having seen him get leave of absence at the commencement of the -battle to see his wife, I was filled with excitement and a conflict of -passion and extreme pain; but this brought on another set of feelings, -that may be understood, but I am not possessed of language to describe. - -I then went into the branch, drank, bathed my thigh and hand—then went -to see whether Major Chronicle and Wm. Rabb were dead or wounded—found -them dead. I saw some of the boys hauling Capt. Mattocks and John Boyd -down the hill; and Samuel Martin carrying Wm. Gilmer, who was wounded in -the thigh. - -Several of the South Fork boys were desirous to start for home that -night, and were desirous to know how many were killed on each side. -Joseph Beatty and Enoch Gilmer were appointed for that purpose of -counting: They reported that 248 British and Tories were killed, and -that 143 whigs were killed; they gave no account of the wounded. - -In the mean time Hugh Ewin, Andrew Barry and Nathaniel Cook brought -their horses and mine; put me on my horse, but could not take my gun. We -rode over the battle-ground; saw in some places the dead lay thick, and -other places thin. We went about five miles from the battle-ground, and -staid for the night. My wounds pained me extremely. Sunday morning we -started for home. When we came to the South Fork, the waters were high, -and my company would not suffer me to ride the river, but took me across -in a canoe, and hauled me home in a slide. - -I continued in extreme pain when my mother made a poultice of wet ashes, -and applied it to my wounds. This gave me the first ease. On Monday -morning by sun-rise Hugh Ewin and Andrew Barry came to see me, and -immediately after came several Neutralists, as they called themselves, -but were really Tories, to hear the news about the battle, when the -following dialogue took place between Ewin and Barry on one part, and -the Tories on the other: Is it certain that Col. Ferguson is killed, and -his army defeated and taken prisoners? - -E. and B. It is certain, for we saw Ferguson after he was dead, and his -army prisoners. - -Tory. How many men had Col. Ferguson? - -E. and B. Nearly 1200, but not quite 1200. - -Tory. Where did they get men enough to defeat him? - -E. and B. They had the South Carolina and Georgia Refugees, Col. -Graham’s men, some from Virginia, some from the head of the Yadkin, some -from the head of the Catawba, some from over the mountains, and some -from every where else. - -Tory. Tell us how it happened, and all about it. - -E. and B. We met at Gilbert Town, and found that the foot troops could -not overtake Ferguson, and we took between six and seven hundred -horsemen, having as many or more footmen to follow; and we overtook -Ferguson at King’s Mountain, where we surrounded and defeated him. - -Tory. Ah! That won’t do. Between Six and seven hundred to surround -nearly 1200. It would take more than 2000 to surround and take Col. -Ferguson. - -E. and B. But we were all of us blue hen’s chickens. - -Tory. There must have been of your foot and horse in all over 4000. We -see what you are about—that is, to catch Lord Cornwallis napping. - -Thus ended the dialogue, not more than two hours after sun-rise on -Monday; and the Neutralists or Tories immediately departed. It was -reported that they immediately swam a horse across the Catawba river by -the side of a canoe (the Catawba was much higher than the South Fork,) -and gave Lord Cornwallis the news of Ferguson’s defeat. - -Before my wounds were well, I went to Charlotte, and after Cornwallis -had left it, where I met a David Knox, a brother or near relation of -James Knox, the grandfather of President Polk, who gave me the following -information, to wit: That on Monday next after Ferguson’s defeat, he, -Knox, being a prisoner in the street in Charlotte, that an officer came -to the officer of the guard, and the following dialogue took place. - -The first officer said to the officer of the guard, Did you hear the -news? - -Officer of Guard. No, what news? - -First Officer. Col. Ferguson is killed, and his whole army defeated and -taken prisoners. - -Officer of Guard. How can that be—where did the men come from to do -that? - -First Officer. Some of them were from South Carolina and Georgia -Refugees, some from Virginia, some from the head of the Yadkin, some -from the head of Catawba, some from over the Mountains, and some from -every where else: They met at Gilbert Town, about 2000 desperadoes on -horseback, calling themselves blue hen’s chickens—started in pursuit of -Ferguson, leaving as many footmen to follow. They overtook Col. Ferguson -at a place called King’s Mountain; there they killed Col. Ferguson after -surrounding his army, defeated them and took them prisoners. - -Officer of Guard. Can this be true? - -First Officer. As true as the gospel, and we may look out for breakers. - -Officer of Guard. God bless us! - -Whereupon David Knox jumped on a pile of fire-wood in the street, -slapped his hands and thighs, and crowed like a cock, exclaiming “Day is -at hand!” Hence he was called Peter’s Cock, having some analogy to the -crowing of the cock when Peter denied his Lord the third time. - -It was generally considered about Charlotte and elsewhere, that this -exaggerated account, given by the Neutralists, of Col. Campbell’s army, -foot and horse, at 4000, which carried a strong air of plausibility with -it, was the reason why Lord Cornwallis immediately left Charlotte in the -night, after the waters were passable, and did not stop day nor night -until he met Gen. Leslie at or near Winnsborough. - -MEM.—Carefully transcribed from the original Manuscript in Robert - Henry’s hand-writing, sent me by mail for the purpose, by Dr. J. F. - E. Hardy, of Asheville, N. C., Jan. 26th, 27th, 28th and early the - 29th, 1874. - - L. C. DRAPER. - -Footnote 8: - - There is an interesting sketch of Major William Chronicle in “Hunter’s - Sketches of North Carolina.” He lived in the S. E. part of Lincoln, - now Gaston county, was born in 1755; his mother first married a McKee, - and lived near Armstrong’s ford: When McKee died she married a - Chronicle, by whom she had Major William Chronicle. Perhaps Col. - Graham would have shared Chronicle’s fate, at the hand of the - sharpshooters if he had remained. - - - - - DAVID VANCE. - - -When the war between the States began, there still lived in North -Carolina men and women who had come down to us from Revolutionary times. -They were the repositories of many interesting anecdotes and -reminiscences of that stirring period. In addition, a mass of -documentary matter had been collected by Hawks, Wheeler, Swain, Graham -and others ready for the pen of the historian. But the dreadful “clash -of resounding arms” in 1861, and the equally momentous events which -followed the close of military hostilities suspended completely all -efforts in this direction and the minds of men were absorbed in the -great political and social questions of the times which involved the -very existence of the community. - -With returning peace and prosperity loyal hearts and loving hands -resumed the work of historical research, but alas! much precious time -and valuable matter had been irretrievably lost. The survivors of the -patriots of 1776-’81 had passed away and in their graves had been buried -the treasures of their recollections; and many valuable papers collected -with much care had been destroyed. Yet much has been done and much -remains to be done. We can “gather up the fragments” and preserve them -for those who may come after us. Incidents, trifling in themselves -apparently, but which exhibit the manners of the times and illustrate -the character of the men who took part in the establishment of our -government, now become of great interest. In addition there is the -obligation—“a pleasing burden”—we bear to preserve the memory and -perpetuate the virtues of those brave and good men to whose suffering -and wisdom we are indebted for the blessings we enjoy. - -The following sketch of one who took an active part in the early history -of western North Carolina has been prepared chiefly for the use of his -descendants. It has been decided to print it in order that if it shall -contain anything of general interest it will be the more easily -preserved. - -David Vance was descended from that remarkable people, known as -Scotch-Irish, who were among the earliest settlers of the Southern -colonies, and from the beginning exercised a powerful influence in every -department of affairs. His father, Samuel, about the middle of the -eighteenth century, lived in Frederick county, Virginia, near “Zane’s -Iron Works.” His wife was Miss Colville, and of this marriage there were -five sons and three daughters; David, the eldest, having been born about -the year 1745. His father removed to south-western Virginia and settled -near Abingdon in 1776, where some of his descendants still reside. At -what period David came to North Carolina is not precisely known, but -about the year 1775 he married, in what is now Burke, but was then Rowan -county, Priscilla Brank; and here, pursuing his avocation of surveyor -and school-teacher, the beginning of the Revolutionary war found him. He -seems to have been among the first in North Carolina who took up arms in -support of the cause of the Colonies. He was commissioned Ensign in the -Second North Carolina Continental Regiment on the 8th of June, 1776, and -in April following was promoted to a Lieutenancy. He served with his -regiment until May or June 1778 when, because of decimation from losses -in battle and from sickness the regiments composing the North Carolina -Brigade were consolidated by act of the Provincial Congress, he, with -many other officers, according to Col. John Patton’s return of September -9th, 1778, was sent to Carolina to be assigned to one of the four -regiments which were to be thereafter organized in North Carolina. He -was with his regiment at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and during -that dreadful winter of 1777-’78 at Valley Forge, and doubtless took -part in all the other minor engagements of those campaigns. One of his -daughters used to tell his grand-children that, during the privations of -the winter at Valley Forge, the officers endeavored to keep up the -spirits of their men by promoting games, contests and other amusements, -and her father brought home from the war a “Spanish Milled dollar” which -had been presented to him by Washington as the prize won in a running -match. - -It does not seem that he ever re-entered the regular service, but -resided with his family on the Catawba river, near Morganton, during the -year 1778 and 1779, teaching school. He was the neighbor and fast friend -of Charles and Joseph McDowell. When the seat of war was transferred -from the Northern to the Southern Colonies and the campaigns of 1780-’81 -opened in the Carolinas, he again became an active participant in the -field, serving under Generals Rutherford, Davidson and Morgan in the -militia and other temporary forces raised from time to time to meet the -emergencies resulting from Cornwallis’ invasion. He fought at Ramseur’s -Mill, Musgrove’s Mill, Cowpens (probably), and on that glorious day at -King’s Mountain, where the long struggle for independence and the -destiny of a continent were decided. In his narrative of the events -connected with that battle he says he “was a captain.” It is presumable -therefore that in the forces hastily gathered for the purpose of -resisting the advance of the British, he commanded a company, most -probably in the battalion under Major Joseph McDowell. - -The war having been ended and the independence of his country secured, -he resumed his peaceful pursuits, taking, however, his share of the -burden and responsibility in the grave task of establishing a form of -government suitable to the condition and wants of the people. It is -impossible for us now to appreciate the gravity of the situation which -presented itself to the men of those times. The imperfect records which -have been preserved of the discussions of the problems they were called -upon to solve disclose the anxieties and difficulties which surrounded -them. Much as we admire their bravery, endurance and skill in war, it -was in the border-fields of politics and statesmanship their wisdom and -patriotism were more fully displayed. When we reflect upon the result of -their labors and recall the prosperity and happiness the whole country -so long enjoyed in consequence, we are almost impelled to believe the -marvellous sagacity they exhibited was of divine inspiration. - -Captain Vance, as he was then called, represented Burke county in the -General Assembly of 1785-’86 and in 1791. He was one of the -commissioners appointed by the legislature of 1785 to carry into effect -the act passed at that session for the relief of the “officers, soldiers -and seamen who had been disabled in the service of the United States” in -the late war, and to adjust the controversies arising from the entries -of public lands in “the District of Morgan.” - -Soon after the treaty of peace with Great Britain, hostilities with the -Cherokee Indians, who then occupied that portion the State west of the -Blue Ridge, ceased, and the fertile lands of the French Broad Valley -began to attract the attention of the emigrant. Some time between the -years of 1785 and 1790, Captain Vance crossed the mountains with his -family and settled at the head of the lovely little valley of Reems -Creek. He here acquired a large and valuable body of land upon which he -built a comfortable home—yet standing, a good type of the substantial -frontier architecture—in which he reared his family and resided the -balance of his life. - -This territory was in then Burke county. At the session of the General -Assembly of 1791, Captain Vance introduced and had passed the bill -creating the county of Buncombe. As this is the genesis of that now -famous county, it will not be inappropriate to insert here an extract -from the Journal of the House of Commons for Saturday, December 17th, -1791, the General Assembly then sitting at New Berne: - -“Mr. Vance presented the petition of the inhabitants of that part of -Burke county lying west of the Appalachian Mountain, praying that a part -of Rutherford county be made into a separate and distinct county. Mr. -William Davidson presented a petition to the same effect; both of which -being read, Mr. Vance moved for leave and presented a bill to answer the -prayer of the said petitions, which was read the first time, passed and -sent to the Senate.” - -The Journal of the Senate shows that the bill was received and passed by -that body on the same day. The Mr. William Davidson referred to in this -extract was the representative from Rutherford county, and at that time -resided on the south side of the Swannanoa river not far from the -present site of the city of Asheville, that part of Buncombe then being, -or supposed to be in Rutherford county. - -At the organization of the county of Buncombe in April 1792, David Vance -was chosen clerk of the County Court, which position he continuously -occupied until his death. Some of the records of that court while he was -its clerk are extant, and the beauty of his chirography, the order and -neatness, as well as the accuracy of his entries, bear witness of his -entire qualifications for the duties of his office. - -A story is related of him in connection with his office of clerk, which -shows something of the manners of the time and the character of the man. -On one occasion two young men called at his house, one of whom desired -to procure a marriage license. They were invited to enter, and the -Captain soon produced from his side-board, a decanter, from which he -invited them to refresh themselves. They did so, whereupon the Captain -replaced his decanter and proceeded to dispatch the business for which -they had come. When they were about to leave, one of the young men -ventured to ask for another dram. The old gentleman indignantly refused, -and proceeded to read the young man a lecture, which perhaps he never -forgot, winding up with the declaration that “such a request had never -before been heard of in the house of a gentleman.” - -About the time he was elected clerk, he was appointed colonel of militia -for Buncombe—a position then, and for many years after, regarded as the -highest dignity and influence in the county organizations. Thereafter he -was known as Colonel Vance. - -He, with Gen. Joseph McDowell and Mussendine Matthews were appointed -commissioners by act of the General Assembly at the session of 1796 to -settle and mark the boundary line between the States of North Carolina -and Tennessee. Although the act was passed in 1796 the commissioners did -not run the line until the year 1799. They began at White Top Mountain, -a point where the boundaries of North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee -meet and ran westwardly, locating the boundary between Tennessee and -North Carolina, to a point at the eastern end of the great Smoky -Mountains in a gap near where the present Cattalooche turnpike leading -from Waynesville to Tennessee, crosses Mt. Starling. This, at that time, -was supposed to be the eastern boundary of the Indian Territory. - -It was while running this line, the incident occurred which gave rise to -the preparation of the accounts of the campaign and Battle of King’s -Mountain by Colonel Vance and Robert Henry, Esquire, (the latter being -one of the surveyors appointed by the commissioners) known as the -“Vance-Henry Narrative.” - -He survived until the early part of the year 1813, when, having -faithfully and honorably accepted and discharged the duties which the -conditions of his life demanded; having justly acquired the love and -veneration of his fellow-citizens; having lived long enough to see the -great principles for which he had fought securely established and his -countrymen marching onward toward a glorious and happy future, he -peacefully died, leaving behind him the record of a life worthy of the -emulation of all men and one which his descendants may proudly -contemplate and fondly cherish. - -He was buried on a beautiful knoll a short distance north of his -residence, a spot selected by himself as a last resting-place, and -which, it is said, he often spoke of as “a beautiful place from which to -arise on the Resurrection Morn.” - -He left surviving him, his wife, three sons, Samuel, David and Robert -Brank, and five daughters, Jean, who married Hugh Davidson; Elizabeth, -who married Mitchell Davidson and after his death Samuel W. Davidson; -Sarah, who married —— McLean; Priscilla who married —— Whitson, and -Celia, who married Benjamin S. Brittain. Samuel and Jean, Sarah and -Priscilla, with their husbands, about the beginning of this century, -removed to and settled upon the lands in Tennessee on the Duck river, -which their father had provided for them. They numerous children, some -of whom, together with many of their children, still reside in the -vicinity. The late Judge Hugh Law Davidson and his brother Robert B. -Davidson, who is still living, a highly esteemed citizen and a member of -the Bar at Shelbyville, Tennessee, were the sons of Jean. - -David lived and died in the county of Buncombe. He was the father of -Hon. Zebulon B. Vance and Gen. Robert B. Vance. - -Elizabeth and her husband settled on Jonathans creek in Haywood county, -where they reared a large family. Hon. Allen T. Davidson, now living in -Asheville, is one of their sons. - -Robert Brank, never married, suffering from a physical infirmity which -forbade a more active life, was carefully educated and became a -physician, though he never practiced his profession. He resided in -Asheville. While still quite young, he entered public life and was -elected to Congress, succeeding Felix Walker, the first representative -from the Transmontane District. At the next election he was defeated by -Hon. Samuel Carson, and in November following was killed in a duel with -that gentleman—the unhappy event being the result of their canvas. - -Celia, the youngest child, with her husband, located in that part of the -county of Haywood subsequently included in Macon county; but soon -afterwards upon the organization of Cherokee county removed to Murphy, -where she died in 1876, leaving a number of children and grand-children, -many of whom reside in that vicinity, useful and respected citizens. - -Although the condition of the country denied to Colonel Vance the -opportunities for collegiate training, he seems to have had a taste for -books. At the time of his death he had accumulated a respectable library -for that period. He was careful that his children should enjoy all the -educational advantages which were accessible to them. - -He was distinguished among his contemporaries for his soundness of -judgment, integrity of conduct, firmness of purpose and public spirit. - -He accumulated a handsome estate for those times, which he disposed of -by will prepared by himself. It is an exceedingly interesting document, -and perhaps no better index to his character now remains to us or a more -fitting close of this imperfect sketch can be made than that contained -in the following extracts from it: - -“I hope I may be excused for expatiating in divers parts of this last -solemn act upon subjects that require clearness and plainness, for I -have heard of so many instances of confusion and disagreement in -families, and so much doubt and difficulty for want of absolute -clearness in the testaments of departed persons, that I have often -concluded (were there no other reasons but those which respect the peace -of surviving friends) that the last act as to its designation and -operation, ought not to be the last in its composition or making; but -should be the result of cool deliberation; and (as is more frequently -than justly said) of a sound mind and memory, which are seldom to be met -with, but with sound health. All pretenses of insanity of mind are -likewise prevented when a testator is pointed and clear in what he -wills; all cavils about words are obviated; the obliged are assured, and -they enjoy the benefit, for whom the benefit was intended. - -“I, David Vance, of the county of Buncombe, in the State of North -Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory, as I hope these -presents, drawn up by myself and written with my own hand, will -testify,” &c. - -In disposing of some old slaves, he directs: - -“It is my will and desire that they have full liberty, and I do by these -presents give them full liberty, to go and live with any of my children -where their own children live, not as slaves, but as old acquaintances, -who labored and spent their strength to raise my said children and their -own also. I enjoin it upon my children who may have the children of said -black old people not to confine them, but to let them go awhile to one, -and awhile to another, where their children may be; and I enjoin it upon -my children to see that the evenings of the lives of those black people -slide down as comfortable as may be. **** And I charge and adjure my -negroes, old and young, as they will answer to God, to be obedient and -obliging to their mistress and not vex or contrary her in old age. **** - -“And now, having disposed of and settled all my worldly business and -concerns, do I with a lively faith, humbly lay hold of the meritorious -death and sufferings of Christ Jesus and hope and trust thro’ His -atonement to triumph in redeeming love, the ceaseless age of eternity.” - -[Illustration: - - Decorative - Image - (See TN) -] - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE - - -Punctuation has been normalized. - -Variations in hyphenation have been retained as they were in the -original publication. - -Footnotes have been renumbered and relocated at the end of each chapter. - -The following typographical errors have been fixed: - - Page Original As Corrected - 9 Tuckoseage Tuckaseage - 10 to to hasten to hasten - 11 staightened straightened - 11 by the the time by the time - 15 firece fierce - 20 Monntain Mountain - 21 Willams Williams - 22 occassionally occasionally - 25 Carolna Carolina - 26 minntes minutes - 26 continously continuously - 28 pealings peelings - 28, 29, Thermopyle Thermopylae - 28 Geat Great - 30 ammuition ammunition - 30 emmisaries emissaries - 33 fiill fill - 34 Willam William - 41 establishmant establishment - 43 batallion battalion - 46, 47, Tennesse Tennessee - -Caption added to identify Page decoration. - -Variant spellings of the names Beatty and Beattie have been maintained. - -Italicized words and phrases are presented by surrounding the text with -_underscores_. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative of the Battle of Cowan's -Ford, February 1st, 1781, by Robert Henry - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BATTLE OF COWAN'S FORD, 1781 *** - -***** This file should be named 50137-0.txt or 50137-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/3/50137/ - -Produced by readbueno and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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