USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina, V I pt 2 > Part 14
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General McDonald. who had fought at Culloden and at Bunker Hill, was, however, resolute, and, notwithstanding this defection, marshalled his forces. preparing to take up his route to the seacoast. There were two main roads, one on the south of the river to Brunswick and the other crossing Corbett's Ferry on the Black and leading to Wilmington.
1776
C. R., X, 429. 452. 401 The royal standard erected
l'he Regulators withdraw
502
THE PROVINCEIL COUNCIL, 1775-76
1776 Moore at Rockfish Creek
Moore's Report
McDonald moves
McDonald moved forward some four miles on the former and rested, awaiting developments. On reaching the vicin- ity, Colonel Moore. understanding that the Loyalists would procced by the former. took post at Rockfish Creek, four miles below McDonalI's camp, and held that pass. There he was quickly joined by Rowan and sixty Whigs from Cross Creek, and later was reinforced by Lillington and Ashe and by Colonel Kenan with the Duplin militia, increas- ing his numbers to fifteen hundred. In the meanwhile Colonel Thackston and Colonel Martin were rapidly ap- proaching from the west with still larger reinforcements. On February roth General McDonald addressed a communi- cation to Moore enclosing the governor's proclamation. offering free pardon and indemnity for all past transgres- sions if the colonel and his officers would lay down their arms and take the oath of allegiance, "otherwise he should consider them as traitors and take necessary steps to con- quer and subdue them." Moore replied that he would give a more particular answer the next day, when he would per- haps have an opportunity of consulting with Colonel Mar- tin .* then in the neighborhood. It appears that he sought to prolong the correspondence that Martin and Thackstou might arrive. On the night of the 20th, the defection of the Loyalists continuing-indeed, two companies of Cotton's regiment deserted in a body and McDonald having infor- mation of Caswell's near approach from the east, the astute British general resolved to wait no longer, and under cover of darkness he crossed the river and took the upper road for Wilmington. At best he would have only Caswell to con- tend with, and he thought to easily overcome that detach- ment. Moore, on learning of the movement, directed Thackston and Martin to take possession of Cross Creek, and.ordered Caswell to return and hold Corbett's Ferry over the Black, while Lillington and Ashe were hurried by a forced march to reinforce Caswell if possible, but if not, to take possession of Moore's Creek Bridge on the same road. but nearer to Wilmington. In the meantime, as it was ap- prehended that McDonald might attempt to pass through
*Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Martin, of the Regulars. Lieu- tenant-Colonel James Martin, of the militia, was with Thackston.
503
B.ITTLE OF MOORE'S CREEK BRIDGE
Duplin, pursuing a route still farther to the eastward, the bridges in that county were partly demolished. Colonel Cray holding back Salter's company for that duty, and the inhab- itants being ready to destroy the others if necessary to obstruct the march of the Tories. At Wilmington, Colonel Purviance was all activity, and to arrest their boats. should they descend the river, he threw a boom across the stream at Mount Misery, four miles above the town, and stationed one hundred and twenty men there, while with another de- tachment he held the pass of Heron's Bridge, ten miles out on the northeast branch. Having despatched his orders to intercept the progress of the Tory column, Moore hastened to Elizabethtown, hoping to strike McDonald on his route to Corbett's Ferry or to fall in his rear and surround him. McDonald was a very competent commander. resourceful, and determined. Failing to overtake Caswell. he departed from the regular road, raised a flat that had been sunk in Black River some five miles above Corbett's Ferry, quickly erected a bridge and passed that stream. Because of this movement. Moore ordered Caswell to retire to Moore's Creek, and himself hurried toward that point.
The battle of Moore's Creek Bridge
Lillington. unable to make a junction with Caswell, fell down the river in boats, and took post at Moore's Creek Bridge, and threw up some entrenchments near by ; but later he abandoned that position, moved farther back, and erected other entrenchments, which he strengthened with a few pieces of light artillery. Toward the evening of Feb- ruary 26th Caswell also arrived at the bridge, and after he had crossed it the planks were removed. He placed his troops in a position farther off than that occupied by Lilling- ton, who remained on the ground where he had entrenched. The Highlanders and some two hundred Regulators reached the same vicinity that night. General McDonald lay ill at a farmer's house, and in camp a council was held to determine whether an assault should be made or a detour attempted. McLeod, a trained soldier, who had left his bride (a daughter of Flora McDonald) at the altar in haste to do duty for his king, doubted; McLean, alventurous, spirited, a
1776
Caswell's Report
Uni. Mag., II,305 (1853)
504
THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1775-76
1776 Feb. 27, 1776
The victory
veritable "spitfire," emphatically demanded courageou, action. "Well," exclaimed McLeod, as he closed the council, "at dawn to-morrow we will prove who is the coward." In the early morning their advance crossed the stream, and observing the first entrenchments unoccupied, supposed thie road was open. Their commander, MeLeod, loudly calling on them to follow, dashed forward: but the artillery and riflemen at once opened a murderous fire. and the unexpected and destructive volley drove back the head of the column, thirty falling on the ground and a number of others into the stream. The gallant McLeod himself was pierced by twenty bails. McLean survived. in after life sedate, sad- dened by the unhappy fate of the bridegroom of an hour. A detachment was now thrown by Caswell, the commanding officer. across the creek, and it resolutely attacked the dis- ordered Tories. who, having lost their leaders, soon gave way and fled. In a few moments the battle was over. . 1 great victory was won. The insurrection was suppressed by one sharp blow and the peril that threatened the province was averted. Happily, the patriot force escaped with but little loss. Two men were wounded, one of them, however, to the death-John Grady, of Duplin. the first North Caro- linian recorded in history to yield his life on a contested battlefield in the war for independence.
The spoils
C. R., X. 485. 559. 560, 595
Routed, the Highlanders quickly dispersed, leaving their general, then quite ill. in the hands of his enemies. Eight hundred and fifty of the insurgents were captured, among them many of their officers. Besides there fell into the possession of the Whigs three hundred and fifty guns and shot bags, one hundred and fifty swords and dirks, fifteen hundred excellent rifles, two medicine chests, fresh from England, one of them valued at £300 sterling; a box of guineas, found secreted in a stable at Cross Creek, reported to be worth £15.000 sterling, and thirteen wagons with their horses-a fortunate addition to the slender supplies of the provincial army. For some days detachments of the Whig troops were occupied in scouring the country, arresting the Loyalists and disarming them. Among those taken were Colonel John Pyle. four of the Fields family, James Hunter, Saymore York, Rev. George Micklejohn, Colonel Ruther-
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AGGRESSIV'E MOVEMENTS
1776
ford. of Cumberland, and many of the leaders of the Regu- lators, as well as the McDonalds and other chiefs of the Highlanders.
The council in session
President Harnett, in view of the insurrection, had con- C. R., X, 469 vened the Provincial Council at New Bern on February 27th, and the body was in session when information was received of the death blow given to the movement of the Loyalists. Colonel Caswell, being senior in rank to Colonel Lillington, despatched information of his victory, and Colonel Moore made a detailed report to President Harnett of the entire campaign. At once the council adopted resolutions return- Moore and ing thanks "to Colonel James Moore and all the brave Howe thanked officers and soldiers of every denomination for their late very important services rendered their country in effectually suppressing the late daring and dangerous insurrection of the Highlanders and Regulators." Equally good accounts being received of Howe's fine conduct in Virginia, the coun- cil, with just pride in the glorious achievements of North Carolinians, rendered thanks "in the fullest and most hon- orable terms to Colonel Howe and all the brave officers and soldiers under his command for their spirited conduct, hav- ing acquitted themselves greatly to the honor and good of their country." But in that hour of rejoicing there was also need for action. The scattered insurgents were to be apprehended, and all suspected of Toryism were required to take an oath that they would not under any pretence what- ever oppose the measures of the continental or provincial congresses.
Almost simultaneously with the rising on the Cape Fear, disaffection manifested itself in Currituck, doubtless stimu- lated by the efforts of Governor Dunmore in Virginia. The militia of Bertie, Martin and some other counties were marched to suppress it; and the council on March 2d re- turned the warmest thanks to Colonel William Williams and the other gentlemen, officers, and soldiers from the counties of Martin and Bertie for their readiness and spirited conduct in marching against the enemies of their country ; and the congress later made a considerable appropriation to
C. R., X. 472, 571 Risine in Currituck
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THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1775-76
1776 --
pay the militia of Bute, led by Colonel Hawkins against the insurgents during the "late Currituck expedition."
It being known that a British army was on its way to the South, the Continental Congress had recommended the Provincial Council to confer with the authorities of Vir- ginia and of South Carolina to devise means of defence : and Sam Johnston, Thomas Jones, and Thomas Person were directed to go to Virginia, and Abner Nash and John Kinchen to Charleston, to consult on measures for the secur- ity of these colonies. As additional troops would certainly be needed. Colonel Polk and Major Phifer were directed to recruit seven hundred and fifty men to form a new con- tinental regiment : and congress was called to meet at Hali- fax on April 2d.
The effects of the victory
Governor Martin was greatly disconcerted by this ending of the movement from which he had hoped so much ; but he was not discouraged. and attributed the falling off of the country people from the enterprise to their disappointment in finding that a deception had been practised on them by the representation that he himself with one thousand regu- lars was at Cross Creek. He still expected that if such a force were to penetrate into the interior thousands of Loval- ists would flock to his standard, and he represented to the ministry "that the little check the Loyalists have received will not have any extensive ill consequences. All is recover- able by a body of troops penetrating into the country."
And so, indeed. it was. The Loyalists, though disheart- ened, generally remained faithful to the Crown. Disarmed and deprived of their leaders, many of whom had been cap- tured and confined, they had no heart to undertake any new movement. but thousands of them continued during the long years of the struggle unfriendly to the American cause and devoted adherents of Great Britain.
On the Whigs the victory had a potent effect. It animated them with hope, established confidence in their prowess, and added fuel to the fires of patriotism. Their spirit ran high. "You never knew the like in your life for true patriotism," wrote a North Carolinian to his correspondent in Philadel-
Frothing- ham, Rise of the Republic, 503
507
THE RESULTS OF VICTORY
phia, and the newspapers teemed with the details of the 17-6 brilliant victory. Another Carolinian, writing to the Remembrancer, said :
It is inconceivable to imagine what joy this event has diffused through this province: the importance of which is heightened by Clinton and Lord William Campbell's being now in Cape Fear. How amazingly mortified mist they prove in finding that . . . in the Whigs less than fifteen days [we] could turn out more than ten thousand independent gentlemen volunteers. . . Since I was born I never S. R .. XI. 236, 287 heard of so univer-al an ardor for fighting prevailing. and so per- fect a union among all degrees of men. . . . I think the province will and ought to call for hostages from the Regulators and High- landers to be safely kept in some other province, beyond the possi- bility of a rescue. during the present commotions.
Independence
Ten months had passed since the clash of arms at Lexing- ton had roused the passion of the patriots, and now Moore's Creek brought joy throughout the colonies.
The case with which a well-devised and widely extended insurrection had been quelled excited an ardor that stirred the Revolutionists from the seaboard to the mountains. The iron had entered into their souls in the time of peril, and now in the exultation and rejoicing there was mingled a higher resolve, and suddenly the nature of the contest changed. Theretofore reconciliation had been desired ; now, as if by magic, the watchword became independence, and the thoughts and aspirations of the people were centred on entire and final separation. No longer as British subjects, but as American freemen, they dared the hazard of the struggle.
Similar experiences, perhaps, worked a like result in Vir- ginia. In April a great change was noted in that province. Whereas in March the Virginians were not favorable to independence. in April they were almost umanimous for it. A letter written from Halifax about the middle of April, which may be attributed to Hooper, who had just arrived from Philadelphia. says :
I arrived here after a tedious journey. As I came through Vir- ginia. I found the inhabitants desirous to be independent from Britain. However, they were willing to submit their opinion on the
The spirit of
The change in purpose
Frothing- ham, Rise of the Republic, 503
----- -
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THE PROVINGLIL COUNCIL. 1775-76
1776 -, -
N C. Uni. Mag . 11. 157,153(1353)
subject to whatever the general congress should determine. North Carolina by far exceeds them, occasioned by the great fatigue trouble and danger the people here have undergone for some time past. Gentlemen of the first fortune in the province have marched as common soldiers, and. to encourage and give spirit to the men. have footed it the whole time. Lord Cornwallis with seven regiment> is expected to visit us every day. Clinton is now in Cape Fear with Governor Martin, who has about forty sail of vessels, armed and un- armed, waiting his arrival. The Highlanders and Regulators are not to be trusted. Governor Martin has coaxed a number of slaves to leave their masters in the lower parts; everything base and wicked is practised by him. These things have wholly changed the temper and disposition of the inhabitants. that are friends to liberty. All regard or fondness for the king or nation of Britain is gone; a total separation is what they want. Independence is the word most used. They ask if it is possible that any colony, after what has passed, can wish for a reconciliation. The Convention have tried to get the opinion of the people at large. I am told that in many counties there is not one dissenting voice .*
Mary Slocumb's ride
Mrs. Ellet's Women of Am. Rev., 11, 36x
There is recorded a picturesque narrative that illustrates the furor which pervaded the entire Whig section when the fathers, husbands, and brothers of the families hurried out to meet the Tories in February, 1776. War had never be- fore visited that section, but now was at their very doors. Its unknown terrors inflamed the imagination and disturbed every household. Anxiety pervaded every heart. The men courageously marched to the front, the women suffered dreadful solicitude. Mrs. Mary Slocumb. the wife of Captain Ezekiel Slocumb, gave this account of the experi- ence that befell her. Their residence was on Neuse River. in what is now Wayne County : "The men all left on Sunday morning. More than eighty went from this house with my husband. . . . They got off in high spirits, every man step- ping high and light. And I slept soundly and quietly that night, and worked hard all the next day : but I kept thinking where they had got to-how far, where, and how many Regulators and Tories they would meet : and I could not keep myself from the study. I went to bed at the usual
*The name of the writer of this letter is not stated, but from internal evidence the author attributes it, without doubt, to Hooper.
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MARY SLOCUMB'S RIDE
1776
time. . . . As I lay-whether waking or sleeping I know not -- I had a dream, yet it was not all a dream. I saw dis- tinctly a body wrapped in my husband's guard cloak, bloody, dead, and others dead and wounded on the ground. . . . I saw them plainly and distinctly. I uttered a cry and sprang to my feet on the floor ; and so strong was the impression on my mind that I rushed in the direction the vision appeared. . The fire in the room gave little light, and I gazed in every direction to catch another glimpse of the scene. If ever I felt fear it was at that moment. Seated on the bed, I reflected . . . and said aloud, 'I must go to him. . . . I went to the stable. saddled my mare-as fleet and easy a nag as ever travelled-and in one minute we were tearing down the road at full speed. . . . I knew the general route our little army expected to take, and had followed them without hesitation." All night long she rode through the piney for- ests of Duplin and New Hanover counties. Then continuing. she said : "About sunrise I came upon a group of women and children standing and sitting by the roadside, each one of them showing the same anxiety of mind I felt. .. . Again was I skimming over the ground through a country thinly settled, and very poor and swampy, . . . when I heard a sound like thunder, which I knew must be cannon. It was the first time I ever heard a cannon. I stopped still, when presently the cannon thundered again. The battle was then fighting. . . . I could hear muskets ; I could hear rifles : I could hear shouting. I spoke to my mare, and dashed on in the direction of the firing and the shouts, now louder than ever. . . A few yards from the road, under a cluster of trees, were lying perhaps twenty men. They were the wounded. I knew the spot, the very trees, and the posi- tion of the men I knew as if I had seen it a thousand times. I had seen it all night. I saw all at once; but in an instant my whole soul was centred in one spot, for there, wrapped in his bloody guard cloak. was my husband's body! How I passed the few yards from my saddle to the place I never knew. I remember uncovering his head and seeing a face clotted with gore from a dreadful wound across the temple. I put my hand on the bloody face; 'twas warm, and an un- known voice begged for water . . . it was Frank Cogdell.
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THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1775-76
1,76
. . Just then I looked up. and my husband. as bloody as a butcher and as muddy as a ditcher. stood before me." [. is said that Slocumb's company was of the detachment tha forded the creek and, penetrating the swamp, made the furious charge on the Tory rear that decided the fate of the day.
Colonel Caswell's report to President Harnett:
CAMP AT LONG CREEK. Feb. 29, 1776.
Caswell, the victor
SIR: I have the pleasure to acquaint you that we had an engagement with the Tories. at Widow Moore's Creek Bridge .* on the 27th cur rent. Our army was about one thousand strong, consisting of the New Bern battalion of minute men, the militia from Craven. John- ston. Dobbs and Wake, and a detachment of the Wilmington battalion of minste men, which we found encamped at Moore's Creek the night before the battle. under the command of Colonel Lillington. The Tories, by common report, were 3000: but General McDonald, whom we have a prisoner, says there were about fifteen or sixteen hundred. He was unwell that day. and not in the battle. The Tories were totally put to the route, and will certainly disperse. Colonel Moore arrived at our camp a few hours after the engagement was over. His troops came up that evening. and are now encamped on the ground where the battle was fought. And Colonel Martin is at or near Cross Creek, with a large body of men. Those, I pre- sume, will be sufficient effectually to put a stop to any attempt to embody again. I therefore, with Colonel Moore's consent. am re- turning to New Bern with the troops under my command, where I hope to receive your orders to dismiss them. There I intend carry - ing the general.t If the council should rise before my arrival. be pleased to give order in what manner he shall be disposed of. Our officers and men behaved with the spirit and intrepidity becoming freemen, contending for their dearest privileges.
RICHARD CASWELL.
Report of Colonel Moore to President Harnett:
WILMINGTON. March 2, 1776.
SIR: On the earliest intelligence that the Tories were collecting and embodying at Cross Creek, which I received on February 9th, I pro-
*"Widow Moore's," on Black River, was a well-known plantation as early as 1737. The line dividing the Welsh Tract from Rocky Point began on Black River at "Widow Moore's." From there the Welsh Tract district extended to the bounds of the precinct or county. It was so called. apparently, because laid off by the Evanses for a settlement of Welshinen. ( Records of New Hanover, A.D. 1737.)
¡General McDonald.
5II
MOORE'S REPORT
ceeded to take possession of Rockfish Bridge, within seven miles of Cross Creek, which I considered as an important post. This I effected Moore's on the 15th with my own regiment. five pieces of artillery. and a part of the Bladen militia; but as our numbers were by no means equal to that of the Tories. I thought it most advisable to entrench and fortify that pass. and wait for a re-enforcement. By the 19th I was joined by Colonel Lillington with 150 of the Wilmington minute men. Colonel Kenan with 200 of the Duplin militia, and Colonel Ashe with about one hundred of the volunteer independent rangers, making our numbers, then, in the whole about eleven hun- dred ; and from the best information I was able to procure the Tory army under command of General McDonald amounted to about fourteen or fifteen hundred. On the 20th they marched within four miles of us, and sent in by a flag of truce the governor's proclama- tion, a manifesto and letter from the general. copies of which, to- gether with another letter and my answers, you have enclosed. I then waited only until Colonel Martin and Colonel Thackston, who I had certain intelligence were on their march, should get near enough to cut off their retreat, and then determined to avail myself of the first favorable opportunity of attacking them. However, con- trary to my expectations. I learned on the 21st that they had the night before, and that morning, crossed the Northwest river at Campbellton with the whole army. sunk and destroyed all the boats. and taken their route the most direct way to Negro-head Point .* I then despatched an express to Colonel Caswell. who was on his march to join us with about eight hundred men, and directed him to return and take possession of Corbett's Ferry over Black River, and by every means to obstruct. harass and distress them in their march. At the same time I directed Colonel Martin and Colonel Thackston to take possession of Cross Creek, in order to prevent their return that way. Colonel Lillington and Colonel Ashe I ordered by a forced march to endeavor if possible to re-enforce Colonel Caswell ; but if that could not be effected to take possession of Moore's Creek Bridge, while I proceeded back with the remainder of our army to cross the Northwest at Elizabethtown, so as either to meet them on their way to Corbett's Ferry, or fall in their rear and surround them there. On the 23d I crossed the river at Eliza- bethtown, where I was compelled to wait for a supply of provisions until the 24th at night, having learned that Colonel Caswell was almost entirely without. Just when I was prepared to march, I received an express from Colonel Caswell, informing me that the Tories had raised a flat which had been sunk in Black River, about
*The point opposite Wilmington between the two branches of the Cape Fear River.
17-5 --
campaign
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THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1775-76
1776
Moore's campaign
five miles above him, and by erecting a bridge had passed it with the whole army. I then determined as a last expedient to proceed immediately in boats down the Northwest River to Dollerson's Land- ing. about sixty miles, and to take possession of Moore's Creek Bridge, about ten miles from thence; at the same time acquainting Colonel Caswell of my intentions, and recommending to him to retreat to Moore's Creek Bridge if possible. but if not to follow on in their rear. The next day by four o'clock we arrived at Dollerson's Landing, but as we could not possibly march that night. for the want of horses for the artillery. I despatched an express to Moore's Creek Bridge to learn the situation of affairs there, and was in- formed that Colonel Lillington, who had the day before taken his stand at the bridge. was that afternoon reenforced by . Colonel Cas- well, and that they had raised a small breastwork and destroyed a part of the bridge.
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