USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina, V I pt 2 > Part 23
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In April the nine months expired for which the regiment organized by General Hogun at Halifax* had enlisted, and Colonel Mebane was directed to march it from Philadelphia back to the State. He reached Halifax on May toth, and the regiment was soon disbanded. The time for which Gen- eral Butler's detachment was called out was to expire in July, and when the Assembly met in May it directed that two thousand new men should be sent to replace that force.
July 16. 1779
S. R., XIV,
327
Stony Point
On May 31st the British had captured Stony Point, about thirty miles below West Point, and Washington resolved to retake it. General Wayne was selected for this purpose. In organizing a force for the secret expedition he chose, among others, the Second North Carolina Continentals. It was to be a night attack, and the approach was over a quagmire crossed by a single causeway. A forlorn hope was neces- sary, and Major Hardy Murfree volunteered with two of his companies for this post of honor. Just before midnight, with unloaded muskets, the assault was made. A deadly discharge of grape and musketry swept through the ad- vancing column. but without avail. The enterprise was successful, and the entire garrison were either killed or
*The four new battalions sent to the North were raised for twelve months, and on the termination of their enlistment many joined the other battalions. But these in time came to be so reduced that the brigade consisted of only two battalions. Clark's and Patton's. Hogun's battalion thus was at first spoken of as the seventh, but later as the third.
603
WORK OF THE LEGISL. ITURE
captured. General Wayne himself was wounded, and Cap- tain John Daves, second in command under Murfree, was dangerously wounded, but eventually recovered. This most brilliant feat of arms brought great credit and honor to all engaged in it, and none deserved higher commendation than the North Carolinians.
The new Assembly was to meet at New Bern, but the smallpox was raging so violently in that vicinity that Gov- 784, 792 ernor Caswell suggested that it should assemble at Smith- field. where it convened May 3d. Allen Jones and Thomas Benbury were again chosen speakers, and in the senate Samuel Johnston reappeared as senator from Chowan. Caswell was continued as governor. Maclaine declined the judgeship. deprecating his own abilities, and recommendled the appointment of John Williams, who, having served a John Williams succeeds Jredell year in the Continental Congress, was now willing to aban- don a post of honor whose compensation was so insufficient : and he was elected to the vacancy on the bench. As honor- Changes in officers able as was the service in the Continental Congress, the great expense attending it rendered the position undesirable, and those chosen delegates were not eager to go to Philadelphia. Indeed, for long periods, only one delegate from North Carolina was in attendance. The congress therefore recommended an increase in the delegation, and Burke, Sharpe and Hewes were added to the other delegates. the Assembly agreeing to pay their actual expenses and to leave their compensation to the next Assembly. General Bryan, on his return from Briar Creek, having resigned, Colonel William Caswell was chosen to succeed him; and in the absence of General Butler at the south. Ambrose Ramsay was appointed to serve temporarily in his stead. The s. R., XIII, legislature, considering that it would be well for the General 753 Assembly to meet at some fixed place near the centre of the State where the offices could be kept. appointed a commis- sion to select the most convenient places in Johnston, Wake, and Chatham counties, and report a description of each place to the next Assembly. Thomas McGuire was chosen attor- ney-general in the place of Waightstill Avery, who had re- signed that appointment, and John Pugh Williams was elected brigadier-general in the place of General Skinner,
1772 -
May. 1-70 S. R .. X11I.
604
CHISIUELL'S ADMINISTR.ITION, 1776-80
1779
who resigned : and the State being divided into six treasury districts, William Skinner, William Cathey. William Johns- ton, Green Hill. Richard Cogdeil, and John Ashe were chosen treasurers of their respective districts.
S. R., XXIV, 254 It being evident that continental troops, trained and dis- ciplined in long continuons service, would be more effective than short-time militia called from their fields to action and Ffforts to enlist continent.ils anxious to return to cultivate their farms. unusual efforts were made to enlist continentals. To that end it was pro- posed that any ten militiamen who should furnish one con- tinental recruit to serve eighteen months should themselves be exempt from all military service for that period, except only in case of actual invasion or insurrection. By this means, together with a liberal bounty, it was hoped that two S. R., XIV, thousand continentals could be recruited by July. But all 319. 320 these hopes were disappointed, and only about six hundred were raised. so that in July Governor Caswell was obliged to make another call on the militia districts for a force to relieve General Butler, the command of the new levies being July, 1779 S. R., XIV, 181 conferred on General Lillington. As the detachments were being collected, however, a large force from Virginia passed through the State to the aid of General Lincoln, relieving his necessities ; so for a time Lillington's drafts returned to their homes. And, indeed, there were other considera- tions that pressed Governor Caswell to defer this expedi- The Tories active tion. In Edgecombe. Nash, and Johnston Tory leaders were harboring deserters who had signed articles of association to prevent the militin from being drafted, and who inaugu- rated a reign of lawlessness, requiring a military force to S. R., XIV, restore civil authority. While at the west the Tories were 321 again active, and Rutherford reported that there was an organized band in Burke publicly robbing the friends of America and murdering them, and that a conspiracy was forming for a rising immediately.
June, 1779 S. R., XIV, 129, 137 Lee's Memoirs, 130 Stono
On June 20th General Lincoln attacked Colonel Maitland at Stono, in the vicinity of Charleston. General Butler's militia composed the right and General Summer's con- tinentals the left of the attacking force. In the front of the British line was Colonel Hamilton with his regiment of Lovalist North Carolinians. Both militia and continentals
605
BATTLE OF STONO
behaved admirably. General Butler, much gratified, reported to Governor Caswell that he could with pleasure assure him that the officers and men under his command behaved better than could have been expected of raw troops. Lieutenant Charlton, of the continental brigade. was killed and Major Hal Dixon was wounded. as also was Major William R. Davie. It was the twenty-third birthday of this young officer, des- tined in after years to attain eminence both in military and civil life. He was in command of a detachment of cavalry. In a cavalry charge he was wounded and fell from his horse. His company soon began to retire, when a private, although the enemy were but a few yards distant, deliberately placed the wounded officer on his horse and led him from the field. Davie never knew the name of his deliverer. The wound in his leg was so severe that the major was incapable of further service during that year.
In July, the British having retreated from their demon- stration against Charleston, General Sumner marched his continentals to Camden. and being in ill health, he returned to North Carolina and addressed himself to securing more continental recruits. The enlistment of many of his men expired in August, but others were constantly being sent to his camp, and about August Ist Colonel Lamb led a large detachment from the east to Camden, where he was joined by others from Salisbury. The sand hills of the Peedee were found to be most healthful and admirably located for a camp, and the continentals remained there until the last of the month, when they marched to Charleston.
But hardly had they reached Charleston when a French fleet, bearing an army of thirty-five hundred men, arrived in the Savannah to co-operate with Lincoln in an attack on the British garrison of that post. The allies concentrated there early in September, but a month passed before the French were ready to attack, and North Carolina militia were hurried forward. but were detained at Charleston by General Moultrie. In the attacking column were the North Carolina continentals ; with the defenders were Hamilton's Loyalist regiment. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the attack was made with great resolution, and for a time the standard of the North Carolinians floated over the parapet
1779 --
S. R., XIV, 312, 315 Death of Charlton
S. R., XIV, 157, 325, 338
The continentals on the sand hills
S. R., XIV, 344 Savannah. October 9th
McRee's Iredell, 1, 435
606
CASIVELL'S ADMINISTR.ITION, 1776-80
1770 Lee's Memoirs, 142 Hogun's brigade
Feb .. 1780 S. R., XIV, 748
of the Spring Hill redoubt. The French lost 700 men and the continentals 240 out of a corps of 600.
As the British plans developed, the invasion of the South wore such a threatening aspect that toward the close of September congress directed the North Carolina brigade to reinforce General Lincoln, but Washington detained them for a time, and it was not until November 23d that the brigade broke camp on the Hudson and began its long march to South Carolina. About the middle of February General Hogun reached Wilmington with about seven hun- dred men, and on March 3d went into camp at Charleston. A little later Washington also sent all of the Virginia con- tinentals south.
In 1779 the counties of Wayne, Montgomery and Rich- mond were established, the last named for the Duke of Rich- mond, while its county seat was called Rockingham, in honor of two friends of the colonists in Parliament.
CHAPTER XXXV
NASH'S ADMINISTRATION, 17SO-SI
The confiscation act .- Lillington's brigade .- The fall of Charles- ton .- The prisoners suffer .- Death of Hogun .- The delayed rein- forcements .- Tarleton's quarters .- Invasion apprehended .- Caswell major-general .- De Kaib's reinforcements arrive .- Gates to com- mand .- Activity of Rutherford .- Ramseur's Mill .- Rutherford pur- sues Bryan .- Plans of Cornwallis .- De Kalb encamps on Deep River .- Davie's enterprise .- Gates advances .- Battle of Camden .- Death of De Kalb .- Gallantry of Gregory and Dixon .- Gates's ride. -- The disaster .- At Charlotte .- Sumter's negligence .- Davie in ad- vance .- The spirit of the people .- New supplies .- Preparations for defence .- The Assembly acts .- The Board of War .- Smallwood supersedes Caswell.
The confiscation act
The Assembly convened about the middle of October. The members felt that they had temporized long enough with S. R., the malcontents, and a bill was passed to carry into effect the 263-268 act of 1776, confiscating the property of Tories. It was a strong and sweeping act of confiscation. Willie Jones and a dozen other representatives entered a vigorous protest against it. "It involves such a complication of blunders and betrays such ignorance in legislation as would disgrace a set of drovers," protested Jones, with emphasis. At that time, as later, hundreds of hogs were driven in droves from one part of the State to another where a market could be found, and the men so employed were known as "drovers." But notwithstanding Jones's disgust, the measure was passed, although later its severity was tempered, and it was not carried into full operation. Many of those who would not take the oath of allegiance were allowed to re- main in the enjoyment of their homes, but became known even in the acts of the Assembly as "non-jurors."
S. R., XIII, 992
General Jones having been appointed a delegate to con- gress, William Eaton became brigadier of the Halifax dis-
1779
608
V.ISH'S ADMINISTRATION, 1780-81
1779 - November
trict, and. John Pugh Williams declining in the Edenton district. Colonel Isaac Gregory was also promoted.
Gen. Lillington S. R., XIV, 223
To aid General Lincoln, a detachment of three thousand men was ordered to be embodied and sent to South Carolina, and toward the end of December General Lillington led it southward. This brigade served at Charleston. The period of the enlistment expired just as Charleston was being closed up by the besieging British, and for the most part these troops remained and were surrendered.
S. R., XV, 336
From the first there had been a law that continental officers were not to command militia, and although there were in the State many fine officers trained in the con- tinental army unemployed, this regulation debarred them from service with the militia detachments. But somehow Major Hal Dixon and Major Nelson served with Lillington, who during the campaign wrote to the governor: "I think myself very happy" in their appointment. "and could freely wish your Excellency would recommend these gentlemen to the Assembly if there should be more militia sent to the southward." That recommendation was followed, and Major Dixon subsequently had command of a militia regiment that did great credit to the State.
The fall of Charleston
The British being in possession of Savannah, it was appre- hended that Charleston would be their next point of attack, and strenuous efforts were made to put that city in a state of defence. On February 10th Sir Henry Clinton, having arrived with an additional force from New York, diseni- barked on John's Island, and at the end of March he passed the Ashley River above Charleston, taking possession of the Neck, across which Lincoln had, as defensive measures, cut a canal, constructed abattis, and built strong redoubts and batteries. It was thought that the British fleet could be successfully opposed : but on April 9th it passed the bar. ran by Fort Moultrie, and took possession of the harbor. To prevent its ascent, the channel of Cooper River was hur- riedly obstructed by sinking there the entire American fleet, and so the way was still open for General Lincoln to retire from the city if he had chosen to do so.
1,30
Lee's Memoirs, 148
600
SUFFERINGS OF PRISONERS
But the citizens entreated him to hold the city, and in the vain hope of relief. he vielded to their earnest appeals. It was expected that the Virginia continentals, as well as militia from that State and the two Carolinas, would come to his aid, and that he would be able to raise the siege when these succors came. On April 6th Colonel Harrington, with some of the North Carolina militia, arrived, having entered the city by way of Addison's Ferry, and Governor Rutledge was collecting the South Carolina militia on the Peedee, and awaiting the arrival of the Virginia troops and Caswell's brigade.
Day by day the enemy approached nearer and nearer, until at length, on April 24th, Lincoln made a determined sortie to drive off their working parties. The detachment for this assault numbered three hundred men, composed of Hogun's North Carolinians. Woodford's Virginians, and twenty-one South Carolina continentals. The interruption to the opera- tions of the enemy was ineffectual ; and other than this one effort. Lincoln simply endured the trying ordeal of his un- fortunate predicament. The fire of the British along the lines was continuous, and daily a few of the brave de- fenders fell at their posts. In all. the American loss was 89 killed and 140 wounded; that of the besieging force being about the same. At length, all hope of relief having faded away, and all avenues of escape being closed, and the citizens wearving of the siege. General Lincoln convened a council of his officers, and by their ad- May 12 vice agreed to surrender. The capitulation took place on May 12th. His army at that time numbered two thousand continentals, five hundred of whom were then in the hos- pitals. In addition, there were more than a thousand militia. nearly all North Carolinians, for there were but few South Carolina militia in the city.
By the surrender the entire North Carolina line. embracing the new battalions as well as Hogun's brigade, was elimn- inated from the contest. all that were left being those on sick leave and such officers as were at home unemployed. Included in the surrender were General Hogun. Colonels Clark, Patten, and Mebane and fifty-nine other officers and eight hundred and fourteen rank and file. Under the terms
175 --
S. R., XV, 24. 45
S. R., XV, 398
Marshall's Washington, 333
S. R .. XIV, 816, 817, 821 Destruction of the Continental Line
610
NASH'S ADMINISTRATION. 1780-8I
1780
of capitulation the militia were paroled and allowed to re- turn to their homes, but the continentals were kept in the harbor.
The prisoners suffer The officers were located on Haddrell's Point, opposite the city, while most of the men were confined on the prison ships. The privates were subjected to horrible ill-usage, and many died from confinement on shipboard in that hot climate without suitable provision being made for them. The con- dition of the officers was somewhat better .* Put while the officers had some conveniences, and engaged in gardening and had some amusements among themselves, still they underwent great privations. Notwithstanding some supplies furnished by North Carolina under a flag of truce, food was very scarce, and a petition to fish, in order to add to their limited supply, was refused by the British commander. To relieve the pressure of feeding these prisoners, Lord Ger- Pref. Notes, main, writing to Cornwallis, said : "What appears to me the S. R., XV. xiv, 297 most practicable measures for the purpose are the inducing the prisoners to enter on board the ships of war or privateers, or to go as recruits to the regiments in the West Indies, or as volunteers to serve upon the expedition against the Spanish settlements from Jamaica ; and your Lordship will there- fore take the proper steps for dispersing as many of them as possible in these several ways, or in such other ways as may occur to you as more practicable and effectual." Con- formably to these directions, a considerable number of the prisoners were sent to the West Indies and were in a measure forced by the British into their service.
Death of General Hogun Biog. Hist. N. C., IV, 196
General Hogun sought to counteract the influences ex- erted by the authorities to detach the prisoners from the American cause, and although offered leave to return home on parole, he refused to be separated from his men. He knew that his absence would facilitate the efforts of the
S. R., XV. 386
*On March 27th. Colonel Washington while reconnoitering had come up with a party of the British, and in the engagement that ensued killed seven and took several prisoners, among whom was Colonel Hamilton. Thus it happened that Colonel Hamilton was a prisoner in Charleston at the surrender and was retaken by his friends. Of a kindly and generous disposition, he rendered much service to the North Carolinians, whose misfortunes appealed to his sympathy.
611
DEATH OF HOGUN
British in seeking recruits among the half-starved prisoners, and he fell a victim to his sense of duty. He died at Had- S. R., XV, drell's Point January 4. 1781. a striking illustration of devo- 451 tion and self-sacrifice. Of the eighteen hundred regulars who went into captivity on May 12, 1780, only seven hundred survived when they were paroled. After an in- prisonment of twelve months an exchange of officers was agreed on : those who had not died in captivity were landed on James River and those exchanged returned to the army.
General Lincoln, in determining to holdl Charleston. was in expectation that great efforts would be made to relieve him. The South Carolina militia were collecting: continentals were ordered to his aid from Virginia, and North Carolina sent forward a brigade of seven hundred men under Brig- adier William Caswell. As Caswell marched from Cross Creek, the advance of the expected reinforcements, four hundred Virginia continentals under Colonel Buford reached the Santee, but the entrance to the city was then closed, and toward the end of April these detachments went into camp near Lanier's Ferry, on the Santee, where President Rutledge was then concentrating the South Carolina militia.
Quickly after the fall of Charleston the British occupied Augusta an 1 Ninety-six, and Cornwallis led a heavy force toward Rutledge's camp. Caswell and Buford falling back before him toward Camden. There they separated, and Caswell retreated to Cross Creek, where he arrived June 2d, while Buford took the upper route to Charlotte.
On reaching Camden Cornwallis despatched Colonel Tarleton with his cavalry and some mounted infantry in pursuit of Buford, who was overtaken at the Waxhaws, thirty-five miles from Charlotte. Tarleton demanded an immediate surrender on the same terms agreed on at Charleston. These Buford refused. While the flags were passing Tarleton made his disposition for an assault. The instant the truce was over his cavalry made a furious charge upon the unsuspecting continentals, who had no orders to engage. In dismay and confusion, they offered no effective resistance, but threw down their arms and asked for quarter. No quarter was given. More than 100 were butchered on the spot, and 150 were so badly hacked up that
1780
The delayed reinforce- ments
Pref. Notes, S. R., XIV,
1.ee's Memoirs, I64
S. R., XIV, 827
Lee's Memoirs, 165
Buford's defeat
612
NASH'S ADMINISTRATION, 1780-SI
1750
they could not be removed and for that reason had to be paroled where they fell. Only 53 were preserved as prison- ers. Buford, with a few cavalry and less than 100 of the infantry, being the advance guard, managed to escape. He fled to Charlotte, where Colonel Porterfield, of Virginia, had arrived with a detachment of cavalry and artillery as well as infantry. Alarmed at the situation, Porterfield withdrew his force at once to Salisbury, and Tarleton returned to Camden. This butchery at Waxhaw aroused great indignation, and was commonly spoken of as "Tarleton's Quarters." While it created some dread of falling into his hands, and made him and his corps particularly odious, it inflamed the passions of the Americans and added increased animosity to the conflict .*
Invasion apprehended
South Carolina being, like Georgia, occupied by the Brit- ish, the inhabitants generally were subjugated ; and it was expected that Cornwallis would make no delay in invading North Carolina, which lay defenceless at his feet. A fleet was daily looked for to take possession of Wilmington, and it was apprehended that columns from Camden would pene- trate to Cross Creek and Charlotte : but happily Cornwallis postponed further operations until he had established civil government in South Carolina.
April, 1780
While the siege of Charleston was in progress the new Assembly met at New Bern on April I7th. Governor Cas- well being no longer eligible as governor. Abner Nash was chosen to succeed him. For three years Caswell had been the most important man in the commonwealth. He had discharged with great zeal and efficiency every patriotic duty. Probably no other man could have done so well. Unfortu- nately, under the constitution he could not be longer re-
Abner Nash, governor
*Banastre Tarleton was then less than twenty-six years of age. A student of the law, this was his first military service. He was below middle size, but muscular and active, and was a daring officer. capable of great endurance. Of a dark complexion and piercing black eye, he became noted for the violence of his temper and his sanguinary disposition. In his warfare he disregarded every prompt- ing of humanity.
613
MOVEMENTS. IN THE SOUTH
tained in the discharge of executive functions. But he was not to remain unemployed.
So urgent now was the necessity for prompt and decisive action that the Assembly at once created him commander-in- chief of the militia. with the rank of major-general, and ordered a draft. in addition to that commanded by William Caswell, of four thousand men. As usual, the men were slow in turning out, some declaring that they would not leave their homes until their bounty was paid, and no money had been provided for that purpose. His son having re- turned to Cross Creek, Major-General Caswell ordered the eastern drafts to assemble there, and he also hastened to that point.
On the departure of Clinton from New York on his southern expedition, congress, realizing the importance of making determined resistance, ordered south, in addition to the unfortunate corps of Colonel Buford, detachments under Colonel William Washington and Colonel Armand and the First and Second Maryland regiments and a regi- ment of artillery, all to be under the command of Major- General De Kalb.
These troops were too late to save General Lincoln, but their appearance in North Carolina was timely. The sur- render of the southern army at Charleston and the destruc- tion of Buford's corps caused great dismay among the patri- ots, while, on the other hand, the Tories were jubilant. The arrival of De Kalb with his regulars, well supplied with ammunition, tended in some measure to restore confidence ; but yet all military movements were delayed and hampered by the want of provisions, that could not be immediately supplied.
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