USA > North Carolina > North Carolina, 1780-'81 : being a history of the invasion of the Carolinas by the British Army under Lord Cornwallis in 1780-'81 > Part 13
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Tarleton's whole line now advanced steadily under the fire of their artillery until the "dead line" of fifty yards distance was reached, when the riflenien, obeying orders, took deliberate aim, "marking as much as possible the epaulette men," and fired upon their assailants. 1
As the shrill crack; sharp and thrilling, resounded through the forest, the officers of the British line reeled like drunken men, or threw up their hands in the agonies of death and fell to the ground, and the sting of the bullet caused many a brave soldier to recoil from the charge. Still these trained men pressed forward in the face of death and received a fire more galling than the first. With bayonets fixed they moved forward again, and the militia, obeying the instructions given them, retired behind the regulars and on to the eminence in the rear. But the work had been done by them; the mortal wound had been inflicted. The British were with- out officers and the line became a tumultuous mob, carried forward without method or order.
The regulars now received them, firing low and striking the moving targets as they ascended the slope. The line halted, but continued to fire for thirty minutes, but the fire grew less frequent and slower in repetition. Tarleton was soldier enough to know that this was the precursor of retreat, and quickly ordered up the 7Ist regiment into line and restored the attack ; he also ordered the cavalry to
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sweep upon the American left and turn their right flank. A portion of Tarleton's dragoons had charged upon the mihtia in their retreat around the American left, and Colonel Washington, discovering the danger, made a furious charge from his covert under the eminence, and taking them by surprise, drove them in disorder to their lines. The militia were now enabled to make their way undisturbed, and in order, around the second eminence to the right flank of the American line.
Morgan, perceiving the threatened charge on his right flank, ordered the militia to form at right angles to the regulars aud repel this assault of the cavalry. This movement of the militia was under- stood by the regulars as the signal for their retreat to the second eminence, and they fell back in order. Tarleton, supposing this meant flight from the field, was exultant with joy, and sounded the charge along his whole line. The Americans were 110w in line on the second eminence, with the militia in order, covering their right flank, and as the British rushed forward with a shout, to run over and trample down and bayonet the expected fugitives, they were shocked with a terrific fire from the whole Ameri- can line.
Morgan, who kept close to his regulars, had marched slowly back with them and watched the place he had selected for a stand. As the line came to the spot he called out in a stentorian voice, "Face about, give them one fire and the victory is ours!" The British were coming on in great
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disorder, at only thirty paces distant, and many of the Americans fired with their guns in the posi- tion for the use of the bayonet. Colonel Wash- ington had discovered the confusion of the enemy also, and cried out, "They are coming like a mob ; give them one fire and I will charge them." As soon as the fire was delivered Morgan ordered a charge, and in a moment was upon the confused, mass. strik- ing them down on every hand. The British were so bewildered by this sudden onset, and thrown into such confusion by their loss of officers, that they fell on their faces in consternation and begged piteously for quarter. The ery was heard, " Give them Tarleton's quarters," but Colonel Howard, calling to his men, reminded them of their duty to a fallen foe. Hearing his voice his soldiers obeyed his order and spared the men, who, a few moments before, were impatient to repeat the carnage in which they had revelled at the Waxhaws.
The cavalry of the Legion seeing the riffemen in their front again, and witnessing the discomfiture of the infantry, could not be brought to the charge, but turning their heads they fled in confusion, trampling down their officers who vainly tried to rally them, and never stopped until they reached the camp of Cornwallis on Turkey Creek.
Washington had fallen upon the enemy's right and was making for the artillery. Morgan ordered one company to go to his support, and putting the prisoners under three other companies, he wheeled upon the zist, which was still maintaining its
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ground. The British cavalry was gone, the militia disengaged bore down also on the zist. and all hope of escape having vanished, Colonel McArthur surrendered. Colonel Pickens receiving his sword.
It was just at this time that Washington made so narrow an escape from death. The affair is thus related :
"Whilst Washington was engaged with the artillerists Colonel Tarleton, at the head of all the cavalry who would follow him, hastened to their relief. Washington per- ceiving his approach, ordered his men to advance, and dashed forward himself.
"Tarleton prudently ordered a retreat. Being of course in the rear of his men, and looking behind. he perceived that Washington was very near him and full thirty yards ahead of his troops. Attended by two officers he advanced to meet Washington.
"One of the officers led, and partying a blow aimed at him by Washington, the sword of the latter proved of inferior temper and broke midway. The next effort must have brought Washington to the ground. But a little henchman, not fourteen years old, who was devoted to his master, and carried no other weapon but a pistol at his saddle bow, had pressed forward to share or avert the danger that threatened his beloved master, and arrived in time to discharge the contents of his pistol into the shoulder that brandished the sword over Washington's head. It fell powerless, but the other officer had his sword all ready to inflict the wound, when Sergeant Major Perry reached the side of his commander just in time to receive the sword-arm of the officer upon the edge of his extended weapon. The wound also broke
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this blow. But Colonel Tarleton in the meantime was securely aiming another from his pistol. The noble; animal that bore Washington was destined to receive the ball that had, rather discourteously, been aimed at his rider. Poor Perry's destiny was bound up with that of his commander, for at the battle of Eutaw, when the latter was made prisoner, Perry, by the same discharge, fell under five wounds. We are uninformed, but believe that he never recovered from them.""
The victory was complete. Tarleton rallied, according to his account. fourteen officers and forty men and escaped from the field. Colonel Wash- ington's cavalry were unable to catch him in the pursuit.
It was Miss Jones. of Halifax, North Carolina, who had the encounter of words with Tarleton about Washington. Tarleton, with a sneer of dis- dain, said he would like to see Colonel Washington of whom she spoke in such terms of praise. "You could easily have seen him by looking back at Cowpens." was the sarcastic reply.
The material results of this splendid victory were two field pieces, which had heretofore been captured at Saratoga, then retaken at Camden, and now by the fortunes of war were in the hands of Morgan again, eight hundred muskets, two stands of colors. thirty-five baggage wagons, one hundred dragoon horses and their equipments.
The battle lasted fifty minutes, about the same as the battle of King's Mountain. The American
"Johnson's Life of Greene, vol. 1, p. 352.
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loss was comparatively small, the British, as usual. shooting too high. The whole loss of the Americans was only If killed and 61 wounded, 110 officer of rank being in the list.
The British loss was about 150 killed, eco wounded and 400 prisoners. At least one-tenth of their killed and wounded were officers, picked. off by the militia riffemen. Ten officers were found in front of the militia where they received the first fire, and to this was attributed the confusion that ensued as they advanced. The men receiving no orders, every man advanced at his will and the lines became confused.
Johnson, speaking of this fire, says: "At the assigned distance they delivered their fire with unerring aim and it was the magnanimous confes- sion of a gallant officer of the Maryland line who fought on this day 'that here the battle was gained.' and the killed and wounded lying in their front fully justified the assertion."
The fatality among the British troops was won- derful. perhaps never equalled except at King's Mountain. There were about 650 infantry soldiers who bore the brunt of the battle and the killed and wounded were 350; assigning 50 to the cavalry, which is full enough, and we have 300 men, out of 650, killed or wounded. There was no slaughter here after the battle was over, either, as was alleged at King's Mountain. It was simply the "unerring aim" of the North Carolina and Georgia riflemen ; for the Georgians were veterans and also armed
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with the riffe. Of the men who served under McDowell we have but little information, as no permanent records were ever kept of these numer- ous expeditions. We do know, however, that Cap- tam Joseph MeDowell, a first cousin of the Major, who was known as "Pleasant Garden Joe." was among the "bravest of the brave." and followed the fortunes of the Burke men into every conflict. He was so prominent as to have misled Wheeler into the error of assigning him to the command. I have, however, examined the evidence and it is conclusive that he did not command, but was only a captain, both at King's Mountain and Cowpens.
To this conclusion Mr. Draper has also arrived, after a most patient and exhaustive research. The evidence is chiefly the affidavits of men who applied for pensions and who speak of "Quaker Meadows Joe," or "General Joe," as their commander. for he was, after the revolution, made a general of militia. "Pleasant Garden Joe." Draper says, "was a physician and is regarded as having possessed the brightest intellect of any of the connection."
Thomas Kennedy was another captain. He was wounded at Ramsour's Mill, shared in the battles of Cane Creek and King's Mountain. He removed to Kentucky and served in the legislature and convention of that State, and was quite a prominent citizen.
David Vance, the grandfather of United States Senator Z. B. Vance and Congressman General Robert Vance, of North Carolina, was a conspicu-
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ous figure in all the campaigns, and to the Vance- Henry memoranda we are largely indebted for the information we have of these men. Vance was too modest to record his own exploits and they are lost. We also find mention made of Samuel Wood and Joseph White as captains in this command. Both followed the immigration west to the "dark and bloody ground" of Kentucky. Edmund Fear and John Ligman were also captains-the latter a prominent leader.
It is the fault of history to give too much promi- nence to commanders and ignore the men who died or fought to make them great, and in that way the truth is confounded. Colonel Andrew Pickens, by mere accident. outranked Major McDowell, and being in command, and from South Carolina, her historians are ever ready to ascribe all the glory of Cowpens to that State, when the fact is she had fewer troops present than either Georgia or North Carolina, and these were citizens who had, like Pickens, been forced to take British protection and had been quiet in the struggle. Finding an oppor- tunity now to throw off the yoke, they enlisted under Pickens and figuratively fought " with halters around their necks," as Judge Johnson of that State relates.
I do not detract from the noble life and patriotic deeds of this gallant South Carolinian. No North Carolinian can afford to take one laurel from his crown of honor, for we shall see in the sequel that when he came to North Carolina, without troops,
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he was honored with position, and became so identi- fied with North Carolina history that it is difficult to assign him, as a military chieftain, to our sister State. He won his spurs and his Brigadier Gene- ral's commission at the head of North Carolina soldiers. North Carolina is entitled to share any honor that may be ascribed to him in this great struggle for independence.
In our zeal to give to North Carolina her proper credit for this victory, we must not forget to assign all the honor due the Maryland line and its distin- guished commander, who afterwards became the Governor of his State. It was a Spartan band who had "pushed bayonets" (to use the phrase of that dav) with the British at Camden and drove them from their front; they, with Dixon's North Caro- linians, and the "blue hen's chickens" of Dela- ware, were the only mourners around the dying DeKalb; they alone had followed him to the death and avenged him with the blood of the men who murdered their fallen leader. Major Anderson of this line was the only officer who brought off an organized force from that ill-fated field, and all that remains of him is mingled with North Carolina soil at "Guilford Court-House," where he fell. No mark distinguishes his resting-place as vet, but it is a reproach which ought not longer to rest on his fellow-citizens, who followed after to enjoy the blessings purchased with his blood.
Another hero of this veteran band was Captain John Smith, who met the Honorable Lieutenant
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Colonel Stewart. of the ;ist. in personal combat at Cowpens, and when separated. was menaced with the promise, "we shall meet again." The promise was kept, and Colonel Stewart's sword is now in an American viuseum, instead of hanging in honor among the heir-looms of his family. North Caro- lina regulars came to Washington's rescue in the hour of his "extremest danger." and far from home, without a chronicler, these deeds of valor are only seen here and there through the crevices of histories which were opened to illuminate the con- duct of others who stood by them. Let it not go unsaid that these brave Marylanders were the very heart of Greene's little army, that gave to it vitality and force, and that its blood moistened the soil of the Carolinas in every conflict from Camden to Eutaw. The names of Howard, and Anderson, and Ford, and Smith, all heroes indeed, should be ent- blazoned on imperishable granite, where they could be " seen and read of all men," as future genera- tions may pass before it. Baltimore, "the Monu- mental City," has strangely forgotten the memory of those who gave this nation an existence and honored a few who repulsed simply an assault which was made upon it.
How bitter was the disappointment of the British commander at this defeat of his pet Lieutenant is reflected through the account of Stedman, who upbraids Tarleton with incompetency and rashness and depreciates him as a military leader.
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"During the whole period of the war," he says, "10 other action reflected so much dishonor upon the British arms. The British were superior in unmbers. Morgan had ouly 540 Continentals, the rest militia. Tarleton's force composed the light troops of Lord Cornwallis' army. Every disaster that befell Lord Cornwallis after Tarle- ton's most shameful defeat at the Cowpens, may most justly be attributed to the imprudence and unsoldierly conduct of that officer in the action. It was asked why he did not consult Majors Me. Arthur and Newmarsh, officers of experience and reputation who had been in service before Tarleton was born? . = Is it possible for the mind to form any other conclusion than that there was a radical defect, and a want of mili- tary knowledge on the part of Colonel Tarleton? That he possesses personal bravery, inferior to no man, is beyond a doubt ; but his talents at the period we are speaking of never exceeded that of a partisan captain of light dragoons, daring in skirmishes.""
It is a singular coincidence in history that both the victor and the vanquished were severely criti- cised by their friends; but the strictures on Morgan were by scientific soldiers who never fought in a Parthian war or had the sons of the forest to com- pose their irregular lines. Irregular troops cannot be restrained or handled like the disciplined machinery of a continental line; they must have latitude for individual thought and be allowed some discretion themselves in the combat. Morgan, who had been one of these "irregulars" in early life.
*Stedman's History, vol. 2, p. 324.
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was cognizant of these peculiarities and knew how to utilize them in times of danger.
This triumph of Morgan's was the most pro- nouneed and brilliant of any achieved by the South- eru army, prior to Yorktown. Ju fifty minutes a whole corps of the army of Cornwallis was destroyed, and this in the hearing of the British cannon. It was not Provincials or Tories who "fell on their faces and begged for quarters ;" it was the flower of the Britisharmy ; regulars, veterans .- men who had been soldiers "before Tarleton was born."
The humiliation of their prestige was the more keenly felt because they were routed by the "militia," whom they affected to contemin and despise.
Morgan had proved his skill and strategy in the field and in battle and demonstrated his wonderful influence over his troops; by the celerity of his movements, his unceasing vigilance and masterly tactics, he was now about to win for himself the honor of being the Xenophon of the Revolution.
We shall narrate the wonders of his retreat in the next chapter.
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CHAPTER V.
Morgan's Retreat front Cowpens to the Cartub. River-Sends his Prisoners by Island Ford to Virginie . He Crosses the Catawba with his Main Army at Sherrill's Ford January 23d. 1751- Cornwallis reaches Rum-our's Mill the 25th-Destroys all his Heavy Baggage-Greene meet. Morgan the soth at the Ca- tawha : Orders the Army from " Camp Repose " to Join Morgan on the Valkin-Battle at Cowan's Ford February Ist-Death of General William Lee Davidson-Frederick "Hager, the Tory, Fires the Fatal Shot-Morgan Crosses the Yadkin at Trading Ford-The two Armies Unite Finally at Guilford Court-House February toth -- General Morgan Pisa- bled by Rheumatism --- Greene's Great Confidence in Him -- Retreat of Greene into Virginia-Crosses the Dan, February LAtil.
T HE British army was resting quietly in camp on Turkey Creek, a tributary of the Broad River, in the northwestern corner of what is now York County, South Carolina, and only twenty- five miles from Cowpens, where the battle was fought, waiting, as his lordship says, for Leslie to reach him. The fright that followed King's Moun- tain had not entirely subsided, and he intended to secure his position and avoid another plunge through the blackjack mud before he advanced into North Carolina again.
He had confidence in " Dear Tarleton," too, and was, perhaps, sipping a glass of wine, of which he was very fond, to make his heart glad and put it in unison with the tidings which he was every monient expecting from that intrepid leader.
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When the night gathered around his camp the sound of the cavalry approaching with rapid gait was heard, the wary sentinel challenged the ad- vance, the countersign was exchanged. and then the news was broken: " Tarleton is defeated and his corps destroyed." No more revelry now ; grief and dismay were written on every face; the guards were doubled and parties sent to gather more tidings from the battle. It came, but only sorrow was added to dismay. Cornwallis seems to have been dumbfounded by the appalling news, and not knowing what to do, he did nothing for a whole day, and that day Morgan made his escape and carried his prisoners out of the reach of British pursuit.
The battle began about half-past 8 o'clock in the morning-early for that season of the year-and was over by ic o'clock. Morgan knew that Tarle- ton's cavalry had left without standing "on the order of their going." and that before the sun set Corn- wallis would be apprised of the defeat of his troops ; that if Cornwallis acted as his situation demanded he would at once advance northward to throw hin- self between Morgan and Greene and prevent a junction of their commands and, if fortune favored, overtake Morgan and rescue the prisoners and scatter his forces in the mountains. Morgan, therefore, immediately detailed Colonel Pickens to bury the dead and collect the wounded of both armies and provide them with what comforts he could from the captured stores and tents of the
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enemy, while he began the retreat. The day was spent in this work. and the unfortunate men were left in tents under a safeguard and a flag and Pickens, with his mounted command, made all haste to overtake his general.
Morgan had left before noon, taking the pris- oners and cannon and captured muskets and ammu- nition along. The other wagons and all the heavy baggage that could not be removed were burned on the field. Morgan was still, however, encumbered with so many prisoners that his march was neces- sarily slow, but he persevered with all the energy possible, being aware that his safety depended on eluding the pursuit of the main army under Corn- wallis. He intended. if Cornwallis got between him and Greene, to retreat into or across the moun- tains, if necessary, and either fight at some strong pass or make his way by a circuitous route into Virginia. But the fatal delay of one day by Corn- wallis gave Morgan the requisite start, and he never lost the distance and advantage which was thus given hin.
He left the battle-field shortly after noon of the same day it was fought and crossed Broad River, in Rutherford County, that evening. Early on the morning of the ISth Morgan resumed his march, going north towards Gilberttown; the same line of advance and retreat formerly travelled by the King's Mountain men, no doubt being guided by the McDowells who knew every path and strong position in the country. Patrols were sent out in
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the direction of approach of the army of Corn- wallis and, on their return in the evening, Morgan was as much surprised as delighted to learn that not only had Cornwallis not moved vet, but that there were no signs of his moving. All was "su- pineness and indecision" ar around his camp.
At Gilberttown, three miles from where the town of Rutherfordton now is, Morgan "detached the greater part of his militia and a part of Colonel Washington's cavalry (as a guard) with the pris- oners. The detachment took the Cane Creek road, through the ledge of mountains which divides the head-waters of the South Fork from the main Catawba, and then down the Catawba near where Morganton now stands, and on. until they crossed at the Island Ford. At this ford Washington's cavalry left the prisoners with the militia (under Pickens) and rejoined Morgan."" This reconciles the contention that Morgan crossed at Island Ford.
It was only this part of his force that crossed there, while he himself, with his. main army, which he constantly kept between his militia and prisoners on the one hand and Cornwallis on the other, crossed at Sherrill's Ford, eight or nine miles further down the stream. He had approached Sherrill's Ford by taking the old Flint Hill road running east from Gilberttown and leading across the South Fork River, about one mile northwest of the present town of Lincolnton, at Gattis' Ford, to Ramsour's Mill. on Clark's Creek, which is about half mile
*General Joseph Graham in the University Magazine, vol. 5. p. 104.
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from the junction of that creek with the South Fork. Morgan crossed at Sherrill's Ford on the evening of the 23d of January, ITSI.
1781. At the Island Ford, on the east bank of the Catawba. " Maior Hyrne, the Commissary of pris- oners, received from Pickens the 600 prisoners," and they took the upper route, going northwest, into Vir- ginia. Prisoners were generally kept in the neigh- borhood of Charlottesville, Virginia, at that date.
Returning now to the British camp we find that it was not until the 19th, the second day after the battle, that Cornwallis moved north, taking all his cumbrous baggage along. and with orders to the cavalry to return to his camp every night. He marched up the east bank of the Broad, crossing Buffalo and King's Creek, to the second, or little Broad River, where, hearing that Morgan had gone east, he turned to the northeast until he came to the old Flint Hill road, which Morgan had traveled, and thence down that road to Ramsour's Mill. on the 25th day of January, 17St. If he had made a forced march, even as late as the 19th, directly across from Turkey Creek, he could have easily reached Ramsour's Mill on the 20th, where he would have intercepted Morgan at this junction of their respective roads, and Tarleton censures Corn- wallis for not moving in that direction. It is prob- able, however, that Morgan would have been early advised of this movement and escaped by the upper route. When Cornwallis reached Ramsour's Mill Morgan had crossed the Catawba River twenty-five
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