USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 38
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Mrs. WILIE JONES died in 1828, leaving five children, two of whom now reside in North Carolina.
MRS. ALLEN JONES was a Miss Edwards, and the sister of Isaac Edwards, the English Secretary of. Gov. Tryon. She died soon after the Revolution, leaving one daughter, who married a son of Mrs. Nicholas Long.
Mrs. LONG was a Miss McKinny. Her husband, Col. Nicholas Long, was Commissary-General of the North Carolina forces. She was a woman of great energy of mind and body, and high mental endowments. She died at the advanced age of eighty, leaving a numerous offspring. Her virtues and patriotism were the themes of the praise and admiration of the officers of the army of both parties.
I extract from the People's and Howitt's Journal, the following incident of Miss BISHOP, afterwards Mrs. Powell.
"On the march of the British army from Wilmington to Virginia, in 1781, Col. Tarleton, near 'Twanky Chapel,' in Halifax County, either from a scar- city of provisions or from a malicious desire to destroy the property of the American citizens who were opposed to the British, caught all the horses, cattle, hogs, and even fowls that he could lay hands on, and destroyed or appropriated them to his own use. The male, and most of the female inhabi- tants of the country fled from the approach of the British troops, and hid. themselves in the swamps and forests adjacent; and, when they passed through the upper part of the country, while every one else left the premises
* Vol. i. page 83.
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on which she lived, Mrs. Powell (then Miss Bishop) 'stood her ground,' and faced the foe fearlessly. But it would not do; they took their horses and cattle, and among the former, a favorite pony of her own, and drove them off to the camp, which was about a mile distant. Young as she was, she deter- mined to have her pony again, and she must necessarily go to the British camp, and go alone, as no one would accompany her. And alone she went, on foot, at night, and without any weapon of defence, and in due time arrived at the British camp. By what means she managed to gain an audience with Tarleton is not known ; but she appeared before him unannounced, and raising herself erect, said, 'I have come to you, sir, to demand restoration of my pro- perty, which your knavish fellows stole from my father's yard.' ' Let me under- stand you, Miss,' replied Tarleton, taken completely by surprise. ' Well, sir," said she, 'your roguish men in red coats came to my father's yard about sundown, and stole my pony, and I have walked here, alone and unprotected, to claim and demand him; and sir, I must and will have him. I fear not your men; they are base and unprincipled enough to dare to offer insult to any un- protected female ; but their cowardly hearts will prevent them doing her bodily injury.' And, just then, by the light of a camp fire, espying her own dear little pet pony at a distance, she continued, 'There, sir, is my horse, I shall mount him and ride peaceably home; and if you have any of the gentlemanly feeling within you of which your men are totally destitute, or if you have any regard for their safety, you will see, sir, that I am not interrupted. But before I go I wish to say to you, that he who can, and will not prevent this base and cowardly stealing from henroosts, stables, and barn-yards, is no better, in my estimation, than the mean, good-for-nothing, guilty wretches who do the dirty work with their own hands !' Good night, sir." And, without waiting further, she took her pony uninterrupted, and galloped safely home; Tarleton was so much astounded that he ordered that she should be permitted to do as she chose.
Mrs. Powell died in her native country, in 1840, after she had attained a green old age. One of her grandchildren, William S. Parker, volunteered in the Mexican war, and died at Ceralvo, in Mexico. Another, Richard B. Par- ker, is residing in Halifax County, N. C., a most respectable and worthy citizen. And a grand-daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Sledge, wife of W. T. Sledge, and sister of the two first named gentlemen, also lives in Halifax County, besides other relations, who all, no doubt, do justice to her memory ; but others should do likewise, for she was one of the noble spirits of the 'times that tried men's souls.'
Dr. Rush, in his work on the Mind, makes the observation, that he never knew or read of a distinguished man, whose mother was not an intelligent woman. We often see that distinguished men have ordinary children born to their name, but rarely active, intelligent women.
Sprung from such women, it is not to be wondered that the people of Halifax were patriotic, independent, and self-sacrificing. This feeling was roused into unconquerable resistance by the conduct of the British govern- ment, and no portion of our State was more "fixed and forward" in the cause of liberty. This called down upon them the weight of British oppres- sion. The historian of the army of Cornwallis is compelled to say that, "At Halifax, some enormities were committed by the British, that were a disgrace to the name of man."* Tarleton, states that, " A sergeant and a dragoon were executed at Halifax, for rape and robbery."t
At Swift Creek, Fishing Creek, and at Halifax Town, detached parties of the Americans made unsuccessful attacks on the British, but were repulsed without loss.
In the month of May, 1781, Cornwallis crossed the Roanoke River, with the British Army, at Halifax, and proceeded by way of Hicksford, and effected a junction with the main body of the British army, at Petersburg, under General Phillips, who about this time died, and was succeeded by the no- torious General Benedict Arnold.
* Stedman, ii. 385.
+ Tarleton's Campaigns, 1780-81, in the Southern Provinces of North America.
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WILIE JONES, and his brother ALLEN, were distinguished as firm and de- termined friends of the country in her struggles for freedom. Wilie Jones resided in Halifax, and Allen Jones in Northampton. On every and all' occasions, when their country called for their services, they were prompt and willing. Shoulder to shoulder, they contended for her liberties, and both were distinguished members of the State Congress which formed our Consti- tution, and members of the committee that drew its forms. Wilie Jones has been recorded as a scholar and statesman. He was not distinguished so much as an orator as for his efficient business habits. In the language of one of his cotemporaries, "he could draw a bill in better language than any other man of his day."
He was President of the Committee of Safety for the whole State, in 1776, which officer was virtually Governor of the State, in the interregnum between the abdication of Governor Martin, the last of the Royal Governors, and the accession of Governor Caswell.
He succeeded his brother General Allen Jones, as a member of the Conti- nental Congress which met at Philadelphia in 1780, and served until 1781.
He was elected a member of the Convention which assembled at Philadel- phia on the second Monday in May, 1787, of which General Washington was President, which formed the Constitution of the United States, but he de- clined the appointment. Dr. Hugh Williamson was appointed by Governor Caswell to supply his place.
He was a member of the Convention that met at Hillsboro' 21st July, 1788, to deliberate upon the Federal Constitution. The journals of that Convention have been preserved for us.
In politics as in war, strategy is often used. Wilie Jones, Judge Spencer, Rev. David Caldwell, General Joseph McDowell, and others, were leaders of the opposition, and conscious of their numerical strength, as well as of the intellectual powers of its eloquent and talented advocates, Johnston, Iredell, Davie and others, they maintained a sullen and portentous silence. They forced its friends to the unenviable position of imagining the grounds of opposition, and then defending the Constitution. The advantages of this position were great.
On the third day of the session, the President (SAMUEL JOHNSTON, then Governor of the State) laid before the Convention an official copy of the Con- stitution, with accompanying documents. Mr. Wilie Jones moved that the question upon the Constitution be taken without debate, and be put imme- diately. This was opposed by Mr. Iredell, Mr. Davie, and others. Such however, was the tact of Mr. Jones, that the learning of Iredell, the eloquence of Davie, the intellectual power of Johnston, availed but little.
The Convention, by a vote of 184 to 84, rejected the instrument. North Carolina, placed upon her sovereign rights, remained out of the Union. On the third Monday in November, 1789, another Convention assembled at Fay- etteville, to consider the Constitution, and by this Convention it was adopted.
Willie Jones was for several years a member of the House of Commons. He married a daughter of Colonel Montford, and died near Raleigh, where he now lies buried, at the seat now owned by Matthew Shaw, Esq., leaving five children.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON DAVIE was long a resident of Halifax County, which he represented for many years in the Legislature.
He was born in Egremont, near White Haven, in England, on the 20th of June, 1756. When only five years of age, his father, Archibald Davie, brought him to America, and he was adopted by his maternal uncle, Rev. William Richardson, who resided on the Catawba River in South Carolina.
- He was sent to an academy in Charlotte, where he was prepared for College.
He entered Princeton College, where by his application and genius he at- tained the reputation of an excellent student. . But the din of arms disturbed these quiet shades, and Davie exchanged the gown for the sword. The studies of the College were closed, and Davie joined the army of his country in the summer of 1776, and served as a volunteer in the army at the north. The campaign over he returned again to College, and graduated in the fall of that year with the first honors of the Institution.
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He returned to North Carolina and commenced the study of the law in Salisbury, but the eventful struggle for life and liberty then going on, did not allow his spirit to repose while his country was in danger. He induced a worthy and influential gentleman by the name of Barnett to raise a troop of horse, and in this troop Barnett was elected captain, and Davie lieutenant. His commission is signed by Richard Caswell, and dated 5th April, 1779.
The company joined the southern army, and attached to Pulaski's Legion. His gallantry and assiduity was so great that he soon rose to the rank of major.
At the battle of Stono (20th June, 1779), Davie witnessed the first severe conflict of arms, and was seriously wounded in the thigh, which laid him up in the hospital at Charleston for some time, and narrowly escaped with his life.
In receiving a heavy charge of cavalry from the enemy, which broke the line of our troops, Major Davie received a wound which caused him to fall from his horse. He still held the bridle, but he was so severely wounded, that after repeated efforts, he could not re-mount. The enemy was now upon him.' In a moment more the wounded officer had been a prisoner. - A private, whose horse had been killed, and who was retreating, saw the imminent dan- ger of his gallant officer, and returned at the risk of his life, for the enemy was within twenty steps. With great composure he raised Major Davie on his horse, and slowly and safely led him from the bloody field. . An action of courage worthy of Rome in her palmiest day. In the haste of the retreat, after depositing the Major in safety, this soldier disappeared.
Major Davie made frequent inquiry for his preserver, to evince his gratitude to him and his family for his timely and heroic aid. But in vain. At the siege of Ninety-six, when Davie was acting as Commissary-General to the southern army, on the morning of the attack, a soldier came to Davie's tent, and made himself known a's the man who had aided him at Stono. 'He pro- mised to call again. But he fell in battle, and Davie could only show to his lifeless remains that gratitude that had his life been spared would have been more substantial and munificent.
After his recovery he returned to Salisbury and resumed his books. In 1780 he obtained his license to practice. But the camp rather than the court house still demanded his talents and services.
. In the winter of that year, he obtained authority from the General Assembly of North Carolina to raise a troop of cavalry, and two companies of mounted infantry. But the authority only was granted-the State was too poor to grant the means-and Major Davie, with a patriotism worthy of eternal record, disposed of the estate acquired from his uncle, and raised funds to equip the troops. With this force he proceeded to the south-western portion of the State, and protected it from the predatory incursions of the British and Tories.
Charleston surrendered to the British army 12th of May, 1780. Tarleton's attack on and butchery of Buford, at Waxhaw, forty miles from Charlotte, was on the 29th. This completed the conquest of South Carolina. Georgia was regarded, and was, in fact, a conquered province.
Brigadier-General Rutherford ordered out the militia in mass, to obstruct the advance of the conquerors. This patriotic region heard and obeyed the call. On the 3d June, 1780, nine hundred men were assembled at Charlotte ready to defend their country. The intelligence was received that Tarleton and the British had retrograded to Camden. The militia were reviewed by General Rutherford, and harangued by Rev. Dr. McWhorter, President of the · College at Charlotte, and then dismissed by the General, directing them to keep the arms in readiness at a moment's warning.
Lord Rawdon with the British advanced to Waxhaw Creek. General Rutherford issued on the 10th his orders for the militia to rendezvous at Mc- Ree's plantation, eighteen miles north-east of Charlotte. The orders were obeyed, and on the 12th, eight hundred men in arms were on the ground. On the 14th the troops were organized. The cavalry under Major Davie was formed into two troops, under Captains Lemmonds and Martin; a corps of
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light infantry (three hundred) placed under Colonel William P. Davidson, a . regular officer, and the balance under the immediate command of General Rutherford.
On this evening it was reported that the Tories had assembled in strong force under Col. Moore at Ramsour's Mill, near where the town of Lincoln- ton now stands ; and Gen. Rutherford issued his orders to Col. Francis Locke, Captains Falls and Brandon of Rowan, and to Major David Wilson, of Mecklenburg, and to other officers, to raise men, attack and disperse them. He deemed his own force important to check the advance of the British from Camden, and did not wish to reduce it by any detachment.
On the 15th General Rutherford marched within two miles of Charlotte. Here he learned that Lord Rawdon had retrograded to Camden. It was then he resolved to advance on the Tories, who, it was now well known, were as- sembled, about 1300, at Ramsour's Mill. On Sunday (18th), he marched to Tuckasege. Fork, on the Catawba River, and sent an express to Colonel Locke, who was advancing to attack the Tories at Ramsour's, advising him of his approach, and to unite with him. He crossed on the 19th, and marched the next day, and camped within sixteen miles from Ramsour's. His express never reached Col. Locke, for at ten o'clock at night Colonel James Johnston* of Tryon County (now Lincoln), reached Rutherford's camp, with notice of Locke's intention to attack at sunrise next morning the Tories, and requesting the aid of Rutherford. This excited Rutherford to more speed, but the battle had been fought and won before he (with whom was Major Davie and Major Jos. Graham) could reach the field. For a faithful and graphic account of the battle from the pen of General Joseph Graham, who was a resident of the county, and well acquainted with all the facts and actors, the reader is referred to the Chapter XLVI., (Lincoln County.)
This account will correct an unintentional error recorded in the life of Governor Davie, by Professor Hubbard, as to the number of killed on our side, wherein it is stated that "Lieutenants McKissack, Houston and Patton were killed."
Captain McKissack and Captain Houston were both wounded. The first represented Lincoln County long afterwards in the General Assembly, and the latter died of good old age long after this battle. He was the father of my near neighbor, Dr. Joel Brevard Houston, and many similar stalwart sons.
After this General Rutherford marched towards the Yadkin, to put down Col. Bryan, who was assembling the Tories in the forks of the Yadkin, while Major Davie and his mounted force were ordered to take position near the ' south line to protect this frontier, check the foraging parties of the British, and the depredations of the Tories.
He took position on the north side of Waxhaw Creek; and here he was reinforced by Major Crawford with some South Carolina troops, and thirty-five Indian warriors (of the Catawba), under their chief, New River, and the Mecklenburg militia under Colonel Higgins.
On 20th July he intercepted at Flat Rock a convoy of provisions, spirits, and clothing intended for the enemy, posted at Hanging Rock, about four and a half miles distant. This escort was guarded by some dragoons and volunteers. The escort was surprised, and their capture was effected without loss-the spirits, provisions, and wagons destroyed-the prisoners mounted on the captured horses, and at dark the retreat commenced. The advance was formed of the guides, and a few mounted infantry under charge of Cap- tain Petit; the prisoners were guarded by dragoons under command of Cap- tain Wm. Polk (who served as volunteer), in the centre ; and the guard brought up the rear. On Beaver Creek, about midnight, they were attacked by the enemy in ambuscade. The rear guard had entered the lane, when the officer in advance hailed the British, who were discovered concealed under the fence, in a field of standing corn. A second challenge was an- swered by a volley of musketry from the concealed foe, which commenced on
* Father of Robert Johnston, Esq , of Lincoln County.
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the right, and passed by a running fire to the rear of the detachment. Major Davie, who rode rapidly forward, ordered the men forward, and to push through the lane ; but under surprise his troops turned back, and upon the loaded arms of the enemy. He was thus compelled to repass the ambuscade under a heavy fire, and overtook his men retreating by the same road they had advanced. The detachment was finally rallied and halted upon a hill ; but so surprised and discomfited at this unexpected attack that no effort could induce them to charge upon the enemy. A judicious retreat was the only course left to avoid a similar disaster, which was effected, and Davie passed the enemy's patrols, and regained his camp early next day without fur- ther accident or loss. The loss of Davie's corps was slight, compared to the ad- vantage gained by him in the capture of the convoy. The fire of the enemy fell chiefly upon those in the lane, who were prisoners (confined two on a horse with the guard). These were nearly all killed or mortally wounded. Lieutenant Elliot was killed, Captain Petit paid the penalty of neglect of duty, by being wounded with two of his men. 'Petit had been ordered by Major Davie, who anticipated some attempt to recover the prisoners, on their approach to the fatal lane, to advance, examine the lane, the ford of the creek, and the houses ; with express orders to secure all the persons in the families, so that no alarm could be created. He returned, and reported that he had executed faithfully his orders, and all was well. Had this been done faithfully this ambuscade would have been earlier discovered, and its effects prevented.
General Davie, in a MS. account of this affair, leaves this sagacious advice : "It furnishes a lesson to officers of partisan corps, that every officer of a detachment may, at some time, have its safety and reputation committed to him, and that the slightest neglect is generally severely punished by an enemy."
" I take this account of this affair from a most valuable original manuscript, written under the eye of General Davie, by his son, now on file in the Archives of the Historical Society at Chapel Hill. This corrects the statement in the excellent work of Professor Hubbard, where he says : " Captain Petit, Lieut. Elliott, and two men were killed."*
Cols. Sumpter and Neal, from South Carolina, and Col. Irwin, with three hundred Mecklenburg Militia, in the latter end of July, joined Major Davie. A council was held. It was determined that the British posts at Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock should be attacked. Colonel Sumpter, with the South Carolina troops, and Colonel Irwin, with the Mecklenburg troops, were to attack Rocky Mount, and Major Davie should march on Hanging Rock. Both marched the same evening. These two points were about four and a half miles distant from each other.
ROCKY MOUNT is on the west bank of the Wateree River, thirty miles from Camden, and was garrisoned by Colonel Turnbull,t with 150 New York volunteers and some militia .¿ Its defences consisted of two log-houses, a loop-holed building, and an abattis.
HANGING ROCK is on the road from Charlotte to Camden, and on the left as you go down on the east side of Wateree, about twenty-four miles from Camden.
Sumpter, passing Broad River at Blair's Ford, arrived early the next day and attacked the post. Their attack was gallant, and the advance of the raw troops to the fort, under a heavy fire of the enemy, has elicited even the admiration of their opponents. For want of cannon, these attacks were un- successful. He formed a forlorn hope, led by Colonel Andrew Neal. They penetrated the abattis, but Colonel Neal and five privates fell in this attempt, and many were mortally wounded. General Sumpter then ordered a retreat, which was effected without annoyance or further Ioss.
Major Davie, with about forty mounted riflemen and the same number of
* Life of William Richardson Davie, by Fordyce Hubbard. The Library of Ameri- can Biography, page 20.
+ Stedman, i. 201.
į Tarleton, 94.
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dragoons, approached Hanging Rock about ten o'clock the same day. This post was garrisoned by a strong force. While Davie was reconnoitering the ground to commence the attack, he received information that three companies of mounted infantry, returning from some excursion, had halted at a house near the post.
This house was in full view of the Hanging Rock. It was a point of a right angle made by a lane, one end of which led to the enemy's camp, the other to the woods. Davie advanced cautiously from the end near the woods, while he detached his riflemen, whose dress was similar to the Tories, with orders to rush forward and charge. , The riflemen passed the enemy's sen- tinels without suspicion or challenge, dismounted in the lane, and gave the enemy before the house a well-directed fire; the surprised Loyalists fled to the other end, where they were received by the dragoons in full gallop, who charged boldly on them and gave them a heavy fire. They retreated in great confusion to the angle of the lane, where they were received by the infantry, who charged with great impetuosity and closed up all retreat. The dragoons advancing, surrounded them, and they were all cut to pieces in the very face of the whole British camp at Hanging Rock: No time could be spared to take any prisoners. Sixty valuable horses and one hundred muskets were the booty taken from the enemy. The whole camp of the enemy instantly beat to arms ; but this brilliant but bloody affair was over, and Davie out of reach before their forces were in motion, or their consternation and panic sub- sided from this daring and successful attack. Davie reached his camp safely without the loss of a single man."
Colonel Sumpter was thoroughly convinced, composed as his command was, that it must be constantly in employment, and that the minds of such men are greatly influenced by enterprise. He resolved to make a united attack upon this post (Hanging Rock).
I record the battle in General Davie's own words.
1780. Battle of Hanging Rock.
On the 5th of August the detachments met again at Lansford, on the Ca- tawba. Their strength was little diminished; Major Davie had lost not one man. The North Carolina Militia, under Colonel Irwin and Major Davie,. numbered about five hundred men, officers and privates ; and about three hun- dred South Carolinians under Colonels Sumpter, Lacy, and Hill.
It became a matter of great importance to remove the enemy from their posts, and it was supposed, if one of them was taken, the other would be evacuated. Upon a meeting of the officers, it was determined to attack the Hanging Rock on the following day ; as this was an open camp they expected to be on a more equal footing with the enemy ; and the men, whose approba- tion in those times was absolutely requisite, on being informed of the deter- mination of the officers, entered into the project with spirit and cheerfulness. The troops marched in the evening and halted about midnight within two miles of the enemy's camp, and a council was now called to settle the mode of attack. Accurate information had been obtained of the enemy's situation, who were pretty strongly posted in three divisions.
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