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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02378 9545
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1
NORTH CAROLINA.
1780281.
BEING A
HISTORY OF THE INVASION OF THE CAROLINAS
BY THE
British Army Under Lord Conwalks in 1780-81.
WITH THE
PARTICULAR DESIGN OF SHOWING THE PART BORNE BY NORTH CAROLINA IN THAT STRUGGLE FOR LIBERAVAND INDEPENDENCE, AND TO COR- RECI SOME OF THE ERRORS OF HISTORY IN REGARDTOTHAT STATEANDITS PEOPLE.
BY DAVID SCHENCK, LL. D.
"Happy are that people who have a noble history and read it. '
RALEIGH, N. C .: EDWARDS & BROUGHTON, PUBLISHERS. [&3g.
خاصة مبيم ــ
F 865.79
1656626
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INTRODUCTION.
The author, who has been, since :532, a citizen of Greensboro, North Carolina, has frequently visited the spot, where, on Thursday, the 15th day of March, 1781, the battle of Guilford Court-House was fought. It is located five miles north of the city, on the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Rail- road.
A visit to the battlefield, in the Autumn of 1886, suggested the idea of the formation of . The Guilford Battle Ground Company," which was incorporated by the Legislature of North Carolina, March the 7th, ES8 ;.
The author was elected President of that Com- pany, and in the examination of the different histories of the battle of Guilford Court-House, by Lee, Johnson and some other writers of less reputa- tion, he became convinced that great injustice had been done to the militia of North Carolina, in regard to their conduct on that occasion. Further research confirmed this opinion and led to the conviction that the injustice done to North Carolina was not con- fined to the events occurring in this battle, but that
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the State had been robbed of the honor due her for repelling the British invasion in 1780-'S1; that the credit of her voble deeds had been ascribed to others; that the citizenship of her heroes had been clamped by other States, and that the truth, in regard to these stirring events, had, either intentionally or by gross negligence, been greatly and wrongfully perverted to the injury of her good name.
The author, therefore, as a dutiful son of North Carcling, determined to write this book in defence of his native State, and in vindication of the honor and patriotism of her people. His work is now submitted to the judgment of public opinion.
In the preparation of this History, the author desires to acknowledge his obligation for assistance to the Honorable William I. Saunders, Secretary of State for North Carolina; to David Hutcheson, Esq., Assistant Librarian of Congress, and J. C. Birdsong, Esq., State Librarian of North Carolina. He is particularly indebted to Colonel Saunders for the very valuable correspondence of Brigadier General Jethro Sumner, which has hitherto been unpublished and inaccessible to the public.
GREENSBORO, N. C., September zoth, 1889.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
1
Invasion of Georgia, South wind North Carolina, 1780-'S1 .- It> Cruel and Desperate Character-Organisation of North Carolina Reg- ulars and Minute Men, 1775-176 -Their Movements-Death of Gen. James Moore- Death of Gen. Francis Nash-Reorg mi- zation of the Six Regular Regiments-The North Carolina Militia in South Carolina, 1779-Mr. Pinckney's Complimentary Letter in regard to North Carolina Troop- Page 17.
CHAPTER II.
Condition of the States of Georgia, South and North Carolina in 1779-'So-Siege of Charleston-All the North Carolina Regu- lars of the Continental Line captured -- Patriotism: and Public Spirit unabated-Massacre of bufor I's Command by Tarleton- Battle of Rainsour's Mill, the zoth June, 1,50-Col. William R. Davie -- Affair at Hanging Rock-Campaign of MeDowell and Shelby. August, 17%)-The Deckhart Ride-Generals Ruther- ford, Gregory an i Butler -- Battle near Camden-Gates' Defeat -- Splendid Courage of Colonel Dison's North Carolinans in the Battle-Flight of Gates to Charlotte Page 37.
CHAPTER III.
The Scattered Troops and Militia assemble at Charlotte -- Colonel W". L. Davidson-General Sumner in Command of the Militia- Letter from Governor Nash-Patriotism of the People-Corni- wallis leaves, September 7th, 1780, for North Carolina-De- fence of Charlotte by Davie and Graham-Hostile Spirit of the People-Colonel Patrick Ferguson-Movements of the Whig Icaders-Battle of King's Mountain Page 99.
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CHAPTER IV.
Cornwallis Retreat- from. Charlotte to Wintelre-volleral Mora
.- : -
Morat want to Nie W Stem Tart
Strong-The Night at Hammond Store-Bit Tanktop and Morgan-Their Respective StrLength-Turley Character -- Battle of Cow peu- January the igth. ipor. Pese :-
CHAPTER V.
Morgan's Retreat from Cranen, to the Catania River-Monte Go-
Cornw WMi- reaches Rembour - MMM the 25th-Destroy all The Heavy Baggage-Greene Fetts Morgen the 30th at the Ca- taube; orders the Army from "Chy Repose" to Jen Morgan on the V. Kin-Detale at Cowards For! Fatewar Ist-Death of General WHICH. Let Davidson- Fredrik Higet the Tory, When the Farai Si :- Morgan Create Talkin at Trading Ford-Che the arates Hatte In Wig at Guilfor i Court House February 7 th-General Morgan in ... bel by Rheumat-in-Greene's Great Confidence in - Letreat of Greene into Virginia-Crossed the Day, Fer -.: " Pz- 225.
CHAPTER VI.
Greene on the Dan-Cornwallis at Hillsboro-General Autrew Pickens, of South Carolina, selected by a Brigade of North Carolina Militia at Shallow Ford, to lead Them-Movementsof General Richard Caswell with the Militia in the East-"Coun- " Extraordinary." it's Ac's-General John Butler's Move-
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menter Maier Crazy of the British Army, enters Wilmington January the25th, 175 -Letter: Governor Aime Nach- Green. Recrosses the Dan February 23d, 17st-Graham's Dash at Hart's Mill -Pyle's Defeat, 25th February, 1991-Affair at Whiteit's Mil, March En- Lieutenant Colonel Webster's Marvelous Escape from Deith- Reinfer einem', Reich General Greene at High Rock Band, on How River, Sunday, March, the right. 175:
CHAPTER VIL
North Carolintions with Greene at the Battle of " Guilford Court- House"-Virginien, with Him-The Troops constituting His Regular Army-The Number and Character of the Troops under Cornwallis -Description of the Battle-Groun 1 -- Descrip- tion of the Battle-Defence of the North Carolina Militia- Incidents and Ancedotes of the Battle -Results of the Battle in its Effect on the Military History of the Country -- Mr Ben- ton's Review of the Inportanes of this Battle-The Precursor of Yorktown -- The Lesser the Father of the Greater Event. Page 293.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Regent of Cornwallis from Guilford Court-House-Pursted by General Greere -- Disbandment of the MRitia-Colonel jamies Read'- Corup and from North Carolina Remains with Greene- The Militia who Fled from Cuffford Court-House Rec: ganized as Part of the Continental Line under Major Pinkethat Eaton-Battle of Hobkirk's ii-Fall of the British Out- posts-Splendid Courage am. Dash of the North Carolinaas at Auguste. June 5th, 17St -- breath of Major Fatou-Greene Retires to the High Hills of Santue, 15th July. 1781 ._ Page 325
CHAPTER IX.
General Jethro Summer Raises a Brigade of Continental Troops in ITSI-His Correspondence in Regard Thereto -- Marches, in July, IF81, to Join General Greene-Colonel John P. Ashe, Major John Armstrong and Major Reading Blount, his Lieu- tenants-Brigade Numbers Son Men-North Carolina Militia Join Greene-General Sumter, of South Carolina, Recruits hi- Brigrole in Rowan and Mecklenburg Counties. Page 12h.
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CHAPTER X.
Battle of Eutaw Springs, Fought the Sth day of September, Is- The Noble Part borne by North Carolinaians in this Battle - Greene Retires to the High Hills of the Sautee-Hears of the Fall of Yorktown -- The War Virtually Ends Page 414.
CHAPTER XI.
Sketches of Charles and Joseph McDowell-Joseph Graham-Major "Hal." Dixon-General Rutherford-General Butler-Brig ..- dier General Jethro Sumner -- The Fund Page 463.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
David Schenck Frontispiece
Major Joseph Graham
opposite page 112
Major Joseph McDowell opposite page 175
Battle field of Guilford Court-House
MAPS.
North and South Carolina
Battle of Camden
Battle of King's Mountain
16.1
Battle of Cowpens
210
Battle of Guilford Court-House
320
Battle of Hobkirk's Hid
102
Battle of Eutaw Springs
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NORTH CAROLINA, 1780-181.
CHAPTER I.
Invasion of Georgia, South and North Carolina 199 "SI- Its Cruel sad Dest erste Character-Organization of North Carolina Key- alors and Minute Dies. 1975-176 -- Their Movements-Death of Gen. James Moore-Death of Gen. Francis Nash-Reorgani- zation of the Six Regular Regiments-The North Carolina Militia in South Carolina. 1779-Mr. Pinkner's Complimentary Letter in regard to North Carolina Troops.
THE student of history who reads carefully the incidents connected with the invasion of the three Southern States, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, in 17&c-'St, will be impressed with the desperation of this last attempt of the British Government to subdue the American colonies.
No respect for morality or humanity was allowed to thwart the purposes of conquest; no rights of property were to be recognized among rebels; 110 appeals for mercy from the helpless were to be heeded. if destruction could injure the American cause : excentions, cruel and remorseless, were to be inflicted on prisoners who dared to love or fight for liberty; the savage Indian was to be incited by English emissaries to lay waste the frontiers and miurder its citizens; the brutal slave was offered freedom and licentious indulgence as a reward for treachery to his master and service in the English camp: the rules of civilized warfare were to be
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disregarded: solmar pledges to the citizens were broken, paroles of prisoners ignored, and every oppression that devilish ingenuity could suggest was to be exercised in order to crush the spirit of the patriots and suppress the so-called rebellion. The marauding bands of the invaders committed acts of vindictiveness that would have made the Inike of Alba blush with shame.
Lord Cornwallis, who affected " amiability " and was bred a soldier, shut his eyes to these atrocities and, by proclamations in violation of his faith, breathed out terror and threats and dismay in advance of his coming; there was to be neither safety for life nor property nor virtue, unless the citizen was an active lovalist, or became an apostate to his principles. The butcheries of Tarleton were landed as victories, and he was addressed in affec- tionate terms by his commander and congratulated for his conduct. Cornwallis never assumed to do justice until retaliation convinced him that such deeds as he encouraged could not be practiced with impunity, and that an unrelenting vengeance would dog his advance. It was necessity and apprehen- sion, not justice or mercy, that compelled him to respect human beings whom the fate of war placed in his power.
This bloody and cruel invasion aroused the indig- nation and stirred the eloquent spirit of the younger Pitt, and, in excited language and with vehement manner, he cried out in the British Commons :
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" Ther ble Lord has called the American war a holy war: I afirm that it is a most accursed war; wicked, barbarous, cruel and unnatural; conceived in injustice, it was brought forth and nurtured in folly; its foot-tops are marked with slaughter and devastation, while it meditates destruction to the miserable people who are the devoted objects of the resentments which itto- duced it. "
The American army, under Major-General Lincoln, which had been besieged at Charleston, surrendered to Sir Henry Clinton on the 12th day of April, 17So. By the terms of the capitulation the Continental troops aud sailors became prisoners of war until exchanged ; the militia from the country were lo return home on parole and to be secure in their property so long as their parole should be observed. But these terms were set at naught. The Conti- mental troops were confined in the filthy, crowded prison ships, or forced to reside in the most malari- ous spots on the coast, so that in a few months they were reduced by deaths one-third of their number. and many of those who survived returned, at last. to their homes with their physical constitutions broken down by disease and their health forever gone.
I;So. By the proclamation of Lord Cornwallis, issued in June, the prisoners on parole were required to take active part in securing the royal govern- ment. "Should they neglect to return to their allegiance," so the proclamation read, "they were to be treated as rebels to the government."
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We shall see in the sequel with what sanguinary results this proclamation was enforced ; but the blood of the patriots, to use a paraphrase, was the seed of the American cause, and the " burnt houses of its citizens made patriots of them all."
The military strength of North Carolina was greatly reduced by the surrender of General Lin- coli's army at Charleston, and but for the unflinch- ing patriotism and devotion to independence which pervaded her people, she too, would soon have become a prostrate State. It will be with a feeling of pride that we shall endeavor to trace the history of her military forces during this eventful period. from the siege of Charleston, its darkest day. to the victory at Eutaw Springs, where her troops consti- tuted so large a portion of the army of General Greene and won for themselves imperishable laurels of victory.
The Legislature of North Carolina, which met at Hillsboro the 21st day of August, 17;s, in the dawn of the revolution, passed an act to raise two regiments of Continental troops which had been asked for by Congress.
The following were the officers of these regiments:
FIRST REGIMENT.
*James Moore, Colonel. *Francis Nash. Lieutenant Colonel. Thomas Clark, Major. William Williams, Adjutant. #Afterwards Brigadier General.
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CAPTAINS.
William Daves,
George Daudson,
William Packett,
Alfred Moore,
John Walker,
Thomas Allen,
William Greene.
Robert Rowan,
Caleb Grainger.
LIEUTENANTS.
John Lillington,
William Berryhill,
Hesekialı Rice,
Joshua Bowman,
Lawrence Thompson. Abraham Tatum,
Hector McNeil,
William Hill,
William Brandon,
Thomas Hogy.
SECOND REGIMIENT.
+Robert Howe, Colonel. Alexander Martin, Lieutenant Colonel. John Patton. Major. Dr. John White, Captain and Adjutant.
CAPTAINS.
James Blount, John Armstrong,
Nathan Keais, Simon Bright,
Charles Crawford, Michael Payne,
Hardy Murfree,
John Walker.
Henry Irwin Toole.
*Known as "Hal" Dickson, afterwards Colonel. General Joseph Graham's Sketches. fAfterwards Major-General. #Afterwards Major and commanding battalion at Eutaw Springs.
"Henry Dickson,
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LIEUTENANTS.
John Grainger, .
Tosepli Tate,
Robert Smith,
William Fender,
Jolın Herritage, John Williams
Clement Hall, .
James Gee,
Edward Vail. Jr.,
Benjamin Williams.
The Legislature met again the 4th day of April, 1776, at Halifax, when four additional regiments were raised, James Moore and Robert Howe having been made Brigadier Generals. The field officers were as follows :
Ist Regiment -- Colonel, Francis Nash ; Licutes- ant Colonel. Thos. Clarke : Major, Win. Davis. 2d Regiment-Colonel. Alex. Martin ; Lieuten- ant Colonel, John Patton ; Major, John White.
3d Regiment-Colonel, Jethro Summer; Licu- tenant Colonel, William Alston : Major, Samuel Lockhart.
4th Regiment -- Colonel. Thomas Polk : Lieuten- ant Colonel, James Thackston : Major, William Davidson.“
5th Regiment-Colonel. Edward Buncombe ; Lieutenant Colonel, Henry Irwin ; Major, Levi Dawson.
6th Regiment-Colonel, Alexander Lillington : Lieutenant Colonel, William Taylor; Major, Gideon Lamb.
These regiments were known as Regulars. They *Afterwards Brigadier General and killed at Cowan's Ford.
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were enlisted under an act of Congress for the war and were under the control of the general goveril- ment. The Legislature also raised six battalions known as " Minute Men."
I attach a list of the officers of these troops for reference, as many of them rose to distinction during the revolution.
Officers of the battalions, ordered to be raised. appointed by the House :
EDENTON DISTRICT .- Peter Simon and John Pugh Williams, Captains ; Andrew Duke and Thos. Whitinel Pugh, ist Lieutenants; Nehemiah Long and Joseph Clayton, 2d Lieutenants; Benjamin Baily and Elisha Rhodes, Ensigus; Jerome Mc- Laine, Thomas Grandbury and Kedar Ballard, Captains : Jacob Pollock and John Grandbury, ist Lieutenants ; Whitmel Blount and Zephaniah Bur- gess. 2d Lieutenants ; Win. Knott, Ensign ; Roger Moore, Captain ; William Goodman, Ist Lieuten- ant ; Benijah Turner, ed Lieutenant ; Abel Moss- lander, Ensign.
HALIFAX DISTRICT .- William Brinkley and Pinketham Eaton, Captains: Isaac Prevat and Jas. Bradley, Ist Lieutenants ; Christopher Luckey and Robert Washington, 2d Lieutenants : William Etheridge and Joseph Montford, Ensigns; John Gray and Jacob Turner, Captains ; Joseph Clinch and Daniel Jones, Ist Lieutenants ; Matthew Wood and Alsop High, 2d Lieutenants; William Linton and Benjamin Morgan, Ensigns.
*Afterwards Major and killed at Augusta, June, 1781.
-
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HILLSBORO DISTRICT .-- Philip Taylor and Arch- bald Lytle, Captains; John Kenon and Thomas Donoho, Ist Lieutenants; Dempsey Moore and William Thompson. 2d Lisatenants; Solomon Walker and William Lyttle, Ensigns ; Jas. Emmmet. Captain : William Clements, Ist Lieutenant.
WILMINGTON DISTRICT .- John Ashe, Jr., and John James, Captains; Charles Hollingsworth and Daniel Williams, Ist. Lieutenants : Mark MeLainy and John MeCan, 2d Lieutenants ; David Jones and Edward Outlaw, Ensigns; Griffith John McKee, Captain ; Francis Child, ist Lieutenant.
NEWBERN DISTRICT .-- Simon Alderson and John Enloe, Captains ; William Groves and Geo. Suggs. Ist Lieutenants : John Custin and Henry Cannon, ed IFeutenants: James MeKenny and Shadrack Wooten, Ensigns; William Cassel and Reading Blount, Captains ; Heury 'Darnell and Benjamin Coleman, ist Lieutenants: John Sitgreaves and John Allen, ed Lieutenants; John Bush and Thomas Blount. Eusigns; Benjamin Stedman, Captain : Robert Turner, Ist Lientenant : John Eborn, 2d Lieutenant : Charles Stewart, Ensign.
SALISBURY DISTRICT-Robert Smith and Wil- liam Temple Cole, Captains; William Brownfield and James Carr, Ist Lieutenants; William Cald- well and David Craig, ad Lieutenants; Thomas MeLure and Joseph Patton. Ensigus; Thomas Haines and Jesse Saunders, Captains; Thomas Pickett and William Clover, Ist Lieutenants ; John
#Afterwards Colonel in the Continental line.
¡Commandlel battalion of Regulars at Futaw Springs.
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Madaris and Pleasant Henderson, ad Lieutenants ; John Morpis and Thomas Grant, Ensigns; Wil- liam Ward, Captain ; Christopher Gooding. 2d Lieu- tenant ; John Whitley. Ist Lieutenant ; Richard Singletary, Ensign ; Willis Pope, 2d Lieutenant ; John Hopson. Ensign ; George Mitchell and Austin Council, Captains ; Amos Love and Thomas White, Ist Lieutenants ; Benjamin Pike and Thomas Arm- strong, ed Lieutenants ; Reuben Grant and Denny Poterfeild, Ensigns; James Farr, ad Lieutenant ; James Coots. Ensign ; Joseph Phillips and John Nelson, Captains; James Shepperd and William Dent, Jr., ist Lieutenants; Micajah Lewis and James Starrat, ed Lieutenants: William Meredith and Alex. Nelson, Ensigns ; John Baptiste Ashe .. Captain : George Dougherty. ist Lieutenant: An- drew Armstrong, 2d Lieutenant ; Joshua Hadley, Ensign : James Cook, Captain ; Adam Hampton, ist Lieutenant; John Walker, 2d Lieutenant : Adam McFadden, Ensign.
LIGHT HORSE.
Ist Company-John Dickerson, Captain ; Sammel Ashe, Jr., Lieutenant ; Abraham Childers, Cornet. 2d Company-Martin Pfiffer, Captain ; James Sumner, Lieutenant ; Valentine Beard, Cornet. 3d Company-James Jones, Captain ; Cosimo Madacy, Lieutenant ; James Armstrong, Cornet.
The first two regiments of Regulars seem to have #Commanded battalion of Regulars at Eutaw Springs.
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beun hurried off to South Carolina to repel the first attack on Charleston in i-76, for in the Life of Iredell, vol. I. p. 325. we read that the "two bat- talions of Continental troops from North Carolina. under Cols. James Moore and Alexander Martin, are spoken of as numbering fifteen hundred men." The gallantry of the officers and men is sufficiently attested by Gen. Charles Lee. in a letter to Edmund Pendleton, to whom he writes on the 29th June. 1-76. in these words :
"I know not which corps I have the greatest reason to be pleased with, Mughlenbergh's Virginians or the North Carolina troops. They are both equally alert, zealons and spirited."*
Col. James Moore had been promoted, while at Charleston, to the rank of Brigadier General, on account of his gallant and meritorious conduct, but while in that vicinity he contracted some malarial disease which so prostrated him that he returned to the mansion of his brother, Judge Maurice Moore, near Wilmington, to recruit his health. He found his brother also declining rapidly, and in a few days both of these distinguished men were in the pale hands of death, in the same house, and were buried at the same time.
General Moore had given brighter promise of future greatness than any of his cotemporaries in the military service, and his death was grievously and universally lamented.
·Life of Iredell, vol. 1, Appendix.
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Col. Francis Nash, of Hillsboro, was promoted to the vacancy caused by General Moore's death, and succeeded immediately to the command of the brigade.
It further appears that in July and August, 1776, the whole six regiments of North Carolina Regu- lars were concentrated at Wilmington, North Car- olina, where they were drilled . twice a day and subjected to rigid military discipline until Novem- ber, when they received orders to march North. They numbered about 4,cco men at that time. On reaching Halifax, North Carolina, they were coun- termarclied to Charleston, South Carolina, to meet the British, who wore hear St. Augustine, and threatening Georgia. Here they remained until March, 1777 .*
On the 15th day of that month, these six regi- ments were ordered to join General Washington, whose losses in the retreat from New York City, across the State of New Jersey, had reduced his army to 7,cco effective men. The North Caro- linians reached his camp, at Middlebrook, New Jersey, in June. Such substantial increase of the army enabled Washington to assume the aggressive once more, and on the rith day of September. these troops participated in the battle of Brandy- wine : October the 4th, they were engaged at Ger- mantown ; at Monmouth June 20th, 1778, and at Stony Point July 16th, 1779. They were also with
*University Magazine, May, 1855, p. 15S.
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their commander in the winter of 1777-178 at Valley Forge.
Brigadier-General Francis Nash, their gallant and patriotic leader, was killed at Germantown. Wheeler, in his Reminiscences, says, "his thigh was shattered by a spent cannon-ball, and the same shot killed his aid, Major Witherspoon, son of Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, President of Princeton
. College. He was buried at Kulpsville, Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, twenty-six miles from Philadelphia. John F. Watson, Esq., a pat- riotic citizen, has placed a handsome monument over his grave."
I find, however, in Moore's History, vol. I. p. 243, the following account of his death :
"I am asstired by my excellent and most sensible friend, Dr. Richard B. Haywood, that he had it from the lips of Col. William Polk, that he ( Polk) was also injured in the same battle, and was with General Nash when he died ; they were both shot down by a volley which came from their left and raked their line with terrible effect. This deadly round was the work of the Queen's Yagers. General Nash was shot through the face in such a manner that he lost both his eyes, while Colonel Polk was wounded in the tongue and was unable to speak. He used to repeat a remark of General Nash, that both were thus nufitted for future service and would be useful to each other in the trip home. General Nash
NOTE .- This account of Wheeler is very nearly the same as that of Hugh McDonald in University Magazine, vol. 5, 208. McDonald was an illiterate man, a private soldier.
Wheeler's Reminiscences, P. 332.
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died a few days after the battle, but Polk recovered to enjoy future military laurels and the multiplied honors of a long and useful life."
Governor Graham, in his lecture on General Greene, says : " Through the remainder of this year (1777) other troops followed from the State and the mine regiments called for by Congress appear to have all gone forward to this department of the army" under Washington.
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