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 15
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" At Cowan's Ford, besides General Davidson, there were killed James Scott of Lieutenant Davidson's picket, Robert Beaty of Graham's cavalry, and one private of General Davidson's infantry-in all, four. We had none wounded or taken. The enemy's loss, as stated in the official account, published in the Charleston Gazette two months after, was Colone'l Hall of the guards, and
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another officer, ard twenty-nine privates --- thirty-one in all, killed, and thirty-five wounded. They left sixteen, who were so badly wounded they could not be taken along, at Mr. Lucas' (the nearest farm), and a surgeon, under protection of a flag, was left with them. Two wounded officers were carried on biers, and such of the other wounded as could not walk were hauled in wagons. Some of their dead were found down the river some distance, lodged in fish-traps and on brush about the banks, on rocks, etc. An elegant beaver hat, made agreeably to the fashion of those times, marked inside. " The property of Josiah Martin, Governor," was found ten miles below. It never was explained by what means his excellency lost his hat. He was not hurt himself. " When General O'Hara sent on Tarleton, bis men kindled fires on the battle-ground to dry themselves, cook their breakfast, etc. They buried their dead, dis- posed of their wounded, and about midday he marched, and in the afternoon united with Lord Cornwallis at Givens' plantation, two miles from Beattie's Ford and one mile south of the Salisbury road. Tarleton joined them before night. It had rained at times all day, and in the evening and at night it fell in torrents.
"The men under Colonel Williams and Captain Potts, who were guarding at Tuckasvege and Tool's fords, had early notice of the enemy's crossing, and retired. The different parties met in the afternoon at Jno. McK. Al- exander's, eight miles above Charlotte. By noon the next day all the men who were not dispersed were col- lected near Harriss' Mill, on Rocky River, ten or twelve miles from the enemy.
"On the '2d of February the morning was clear, though the roads very bad with the rain that had fallen
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the preceding night. The British army marched ten miles to Wilson's plantation and encamped. On their way they burnt Torrances' tavern {at that time kept by the widow Torrance ; her husband had been killed at the battle of Ramsour's Mill, and the dwelling-house of John Brevard, Esq. Mr. Brevard was the father-in- law of General Davidson, and at that time had several sons 'in the regular service. No other cause coukl be assigned for this barbarous mode of waffare.) Being now within twenty miles of Salisbury, the British Gen- eral, not doubting that the rains and bad roads would obstruct the march of General Morgan as much as it did his own, on the ad of February marched at an early hour. His pioneers opened a kind of track in the bushes on each side of the road for a single file. The wagons, artillery and horsemen only kept the road. By the time they got within.eight miles of Salisbury, their line of march was extended tour miles, but there were no troops near to intercept them. Their van arrived at Salisbury about three o'clock. Before the rear came in, Brigadier General O'Hara and the cavalry moved on. It was seven m'les to the Trading Ford on the Yadkin, and it was getting dark when he came near. General Morgan had passed his regulars and baggage all over, and there remained on the south side only one hundred and fifty militia and the baggage-wagons of the troops which had escaped at Cowan's Ford, and some others. Finding the British approaching, the militia were drawn up near a half a mile from the ford, where a branch crosses, which was covered with small timber and bushes, and there was an old-field along the road in their front. When O'Hara came, twilight was nearly gone. The American position was low along the branch, under
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shade of the tiniber ; that of the advancing foe was open and on higher ground, and between them, and the sky was quite visible. When they came within sixty steps the Americans commenced firing; the enemy returned it and began to form a line. As their rear came up they extended their line to the right, and were turning the left flank of the militia by crossing the branch above. This being discovered, a retreat was ordered, after having fired, some two, some three rounds. It was easily effected in the dark. They passed down the river two miles and crossed over, abandoning the baggage and other wagons which could not be gotten over, to the enemy, after taking out the horses. Two of the militia were killed. The loss of the enemy was not known, but from appearances of blood in different places, believed to be ten or twelve. They were by far the most numerous, vet from the positions of the contending parties, were most exposed. After the firing ceased the British marched on to the river, but found the water was too deep to ford, and still rising, and that General Morgan, encamped on the other side, had with him all the boats and canoes. General O'Hara returned to Salisbury the same night, notwithstanding the badness of the roads. Those under his command marched thirty-four miles in the course of this day and part of the night. On the 4th the army needed rest. and their commander being, . it is supposed, undecided what course to pursue, they remained in Salisbury."
From Sherrill's Ford, on the 30th, General Greene writes General Huger explaining the military situation and ordering him to lead the army to the fords of the Yadkin and there await further orders.
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In this letter General Greene expresses an appre- hension that Arnold would make an incursion, by way of Wilmington and the Cape Fear River, and he directs that Colonel Lillington should call out the militia to oppose him. He closes by saying : "I am not without hopes of ruining Lord Coin- wallis if he persists in his mad scheme of pushing through the country. Desire Colonel Lee to force a march to join us. Here is a fine field and great glory ahead." It is astonishing to discover how many varied circumstances are foreshadowed and orders given to meet them, and the many details and particulars discussed in this lengthy letter. Greene was not only comprehensive in intellect, but accurate and specific in his information, and saga- cious beyond measure, ready for any emergency. In another letter of the goth he mentions the fact that Cornwallis had arrived at Ramsour's Mill. This demonstrates that Cornwallis was not press- ing the pursuit closely, and General Graham's narrative confirms this view. It is strange that Colonel Lee should have fallen into the common error of supposing that Morgan was saved from the grasp of Cornwallis by a flood of water. But it is appropriate to remark that Lee's "general inaccu- racy," as Johnson calls it, is conspicuous through his whole Memoirs. He had the infirmity of Lord Erskine, of using the personal pronoun, first person, singular number, rather too often, and his memory was frequently treacherous in describing the acts of others. These defects are not perhaps incon-
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sistent with patriotism or military skill, but are a little annoying to the patient investigator of truth. On the 31st of January. Morgan had gone to Beat- tie's Ford, six miles nearer Salisbury, and on that evening, perceiving that Cornwallis would force a passage at some of the numerous fords. all of which could not be defended, he moved silently away towards Salisbury, marching all night and a part of the next day, thus gaining a full day's march on the British army. When Cornwallis crossed at Cowan's Ford on the morning of the ist of Febru- ary. Morgan was well on his way to the Trading Ford, ou the Vadkin, seven miles east of Salisbury, which he crossed on the evening of the 3rd."
General Greene remained behind to bring off the militia, and directed them to rendezvous on the Salisbury road, sixteen miles from the river, and thither he repaired to await their coming. His danger was more imminent at this point than he apprehended. He was unattended, and only six miles in advance of Torrance's Tavern, where Tarleton, at noon. had scattered the carousing Whigs. He was unaware of Greene's proximity and of the fact that twenty of his troopers could easily have led Greene captive into the British camp. Here, perhaps, Divine Providence was more conspicuously displayed. At midnight of the Ist of February, Greene left the rendezvous, with his staff, for Salisbury. Johnson relates the story of
*NOTE .- Trading Ford is just below the railroad bridge on the North Carolina Railroad.
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the General's reception at the Steele tavern so well that we give it in his words :
"On his arrival at Steele's tavern, in Salisbury, it was imposible not to perceive, in the deranged state of hi- dress and stiffness of his Thats, some symptoms of his late rapid movements and exposure to the weather ; and to the inquiries of Dr. Read, who received him on his alighting, he could not refrain from answering, . Yes. fatigued, hungry, alone and penniless.' This reply did not escape the quick ears of his benevolent landlady : and he was scarcely seated at a comfortable breakfast when sh. presented herself in the room, closed the door and exhibited a small bag of specie in each hand. . Take these,' said she, 'for you will want them, and I can do without them. ***
The meal being finished, he hastened away to over.ake General Morgan.
Cornwallis made but little progress on the Ist, owing to the narrowness and badness of the private road he travelled from Cowan's Ford. He now added General O'Hara, with his mounted infantry. to his cavalry and ordered them to push forward rapidly to overtake the Americans, but this flying corps only came to Trading Ford in time to capture a few militia wagons that had been stuck in the mud, and for which the militia fired upon them from an ambuscade and killed about twenty, as related above.
Morgan had transferred his troops across the
"This lady was Mrs. Stecle, the ancestor of Hon. John Steele Hen- derson, of this generation.
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river on boats which Colonel Carrington had pre- viously collected. and the cavalry forded the stream. So that if the Yadkin had been too high to ford the ferry-boats were, by General Greene's foresight, in readiness to put his army across. These boats, and all others for iniles around, were secured on the eastern bank, and Morgan, complacently viewing the swelling tide between him and Cornwallis, halted for a much-needed rest. Frustrated in this attempt to overtake the Americans, O'Hara gave vent to his anger by opening upon them a furious cannonade. Morgan had none to reply, as he had sent the little three-pounders, called "grass-hoppers," which he captured at Cowpens, along with the prisoners to a secure retreat. Morgan would not be encuin- bered with artillery.
During the cannonade General Greene occupied a little cabin under a hill, only the roof being visi- ble above it. Here, while issuing his orders, a cannon-ball struck the roof and scattered it in every direction, but Dr. Read, who relates the incident. says that the General "wrote on and seemed to notice nothing but his dispatches."
Cornwallis awaited O'Hara's return to Salisbury, where he came the same night. Having sent out recomnoitering parties higher up the Yadkin, and discovering that he could cross at Shallow Ford, Cornwallis put his army in motion on the 5th and crossed at that point on the evening of the 6th."
"NOTE .- I follow General Graham in preference to Johnson as to the last two dates Tarleton says it was on the 5th, but Graitim, who was in their rear, says it was the 5th.
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Greene had already sent forward Colonel Car- rington and Captain John Smith, of the Maryland line, to secure the boats on the Dan and provide all possible facilities for crossing that stream, and had issued orders to Huger to press forward to Guilford Court-House, where a junction of the two armies was to take place. General Greene did not move from the Trading Ford amil the evening of the 4th of February. IfSt. The retirement was orderly and deliberate, and was not the " race" which some imaginative writers have colored with the figures of rhetoric. Greene was master of his own movements, and forced Cornwallis to change his.
After leaving Trading Ford, General Greene moved in a direction nearly north, as if he were making for the upper fords of the Dan, and Corn- wallis pushed on with great spirit to intercept him on the way, but this was a part of the strategy of the American General, whose original purpose was to cross the Dan River lower down in ferry-boats.
At the forks of Abbott's Creek, a few miles from Salem (in Forsyth County now), he halted the army to obtain definite information as to the move- ments of the British, and then turning due east, he marclied to Guilford Court-House, where he made the junction with his army, under General Huger, on the roth of February.
On the Sth of February Greene had hoped to be able to fight Cornwallis at Guilford Court-House, where he formed a junction with his main army, and on that day addressed earnest proclamations to the
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militia to turn ont and meet him there, and couriers were sent to Hillsboro to bring up a few troops who were left there, and further supplies of ammunition. As soon as Greene arrived at Guilford Court-House he began to reconnoitre the grounds and adjacent country.
"It was at this time that the celebrated position was selected, which directed the steps of Greene to this point a month after, when he found it advisa- ble to give the enemy a challenge to battle; so truly did he exemplify the military maxim, that 'a good general will fight ouly when and where he pleases.'" **
But Greene was disappointed. The militia did not turn out with the alacrity that he expected, nor had the recruits and ammunition from Hills- boro arrived. About 200 of the Guilford militia, under Colonel James Martin, including the com- pany under Captain Arthur Forbis, were, perhaps, the only reinforcements that responded to the call. As a reason for not having more men, Colonel Martin says "that guns were wanting by a num- ber of the militia, and that he had to impress all he could to arm the few militia that did assemble." These men marched with Greene to the Dan and about half of them crossed the Dan into Virginia, as volunteers, and subsequently returned with him and participated in the battle at that place.
Greene called a council of war at Guilford Court- House and submitted to it the question of further
*Johnson, vol. 1, p. 425.
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retreat or giving battle where they were. The council was unanimous that the army should retreat across the Dan. The returns of the army at that time showed that Greene had, of rauk and file, of all arms, only 2036 men; of these 1420 were regu- lars. The Virginia militia, whose time had expired, were already discharged. The force of Cornwallis was ascertained to be 3000, all regulars, in the highest state of discipline and equipment. It is said that Greene would have risked a battle if he could have collected 1500 militia. He writes that retreat would depress the Whigs and encourage the Tories, and he believed, with his splendid cavalry, in which arm of the service he had great confidence, that he could prevent a route of his army in any event; he also expressed great sympathy for Meck- lenburg and Rowan counties, which he desired to protect from the ravages of the enemy.
The resolution to retreat was, however, adopted, and General Greene made his dispositions accord- ingly. The Dan was to be crossed at Irwin's Ferry. seventy (70) miles from Guilford Court-House, and Colonel Carrington was sent to secure all the boats and make every preparation necessary for the army to cross.
"The route of retreat being determined, the place of crossing designated and measures taken for the collection of boats, General Greene formed a light corps, consisting of some of his best infantry, under Lieutenant Colonel Howard, of Washington's cavalry, the Legion of Lee, and a few militia rifle-
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men" ( most probably the Guilford men who joined Greene at the court-house), "making in all seven hundred. The troops were to take post between the retreating and advancing army. to hover around the skirts of the latter, to seize every opportunity of striking in detail, and to retard the enemy by vigilance and judicious positions; while Greene. with the main body, hastened towards the Dan, the boundary of his present toils and dangers."*
General Morgan, who was at that time prostrated with a severe attack of rheumatism, contracted in his late retreat by exposure to wet and cold, was offered the command of these light troops, but was reluctantly compelled to decline the honor. His sufferings at the Catawba River were intense, often compelling him to abandon duty and seek comfort in a bed or an ambulance. He had in former years suffered greatly from this painful malady, and it had now returned upon him with more distressing symptoms. He had not only to refuse this com- mand, but to retire, by slow and easy inarches, taking rests by the way at the hospitable homes of his friends, to his own home in the western part of Virginia.
There was no man in Greene's army, or perhaps in the whole service, so fitted to command such a force, in the execution of the duty assigned them. as Morgan, and there was no associate of General Greene's who so entirely possessed his confidence and enjoyed his friendship.
*Lee's Memoirs, p. 235.
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Greene, not being well acquainted with the mode of warfare on the frontiers and in the South, was greatly dependent on Morgan for advice and conn- sel in this respect, and the splendid achievement at Cowpens and the masterly retreat to the Catawba, had so impressed General Greene with the pre-emi- nent abilities of Morgan that he leaned upon him, in this hour of need and this crisis in the affairs of the country, as a brother and a friend. His distress and. disappointment was strongly manifested when General Morgan communicated to him the condi- tion of his health and his determination to retire temporarily from service. In the sequel it will be seen that Morgan's heart was still with his friend, and that he wrote him letters containing valuable suggestions, upon which General Greene did him the honor to act.
Upon Morgan's declining this important com- mand, it was tendered to and accepted by Colonel Otho Williams, of the Maryland line.
In order to deceive Cornwallis, who was then at Salem, about twenty-five miles west of Guilford Court-House, Williams made a sudden movement north as if to secure the upper fords of the Dan and cross them in front of the British army. The British commander, mistaking this detachment for the main body of the American army, hastened for- ward to cut it off from escape by these fords into the mountains of Virginia, which he supposed they were endeavoring to reach for safety. In the meantime, Greene, with the remainder of the army.
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marched rapidly to Irwin's Ferry, according to his original design, and crossed the Dan in safety.
The strategy was completely successful, and Williams now changed his course, and annoying the advance of the enemy, which camped in sight of him every night, he finally reached the vicinity of the Dan on the rath day of February, and having received the joyful news that Greene had crossed that day, Williams, leaving his camp-fires burning, stole away from Cornwallis, who reached the bank of the river on the next day, the 15th, only to see the last of Williams' command ascending the hill on the opposite side.
The 15th February, 1781, found Greene and his united army at the end of their long and toilsome retreat, and with an impassable barrier between him and his adversary. Cornwallis, crest-fallen, outwitted and desperate, knew not what to do. His subsequent movements manifest indecision, want of purpose and a knowledge of the great danger in which he was placed by the Fabian tactics of his wily antagonist. He was in an enemy's country, his .winter supplies all burned, the militia were "swarming in his rear," recruits were increasing Greene's army, his base of supply was far away and his foe refused to fight until he selected his own time and place. A beleaguered situation indeed !
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CHAPTER VI.
Greene on the Din-Cornwallis at Hillsboro-General Andrew Pickens, of South Carolina, selected by a Brigade of North Carolina Militia at Shallow Ford to lead Them-Movements of General Richard Caswell with the Militia in the East-"Count- cil Extraordinary." its Acts-General John Butler's Move- ments -- Major Craig, of the British Army, enters Wilmington January the 29th, IFSt-Letter of Governor Abiter Nash -Greene Recrosses the Dan February 23d, 175 :- Graham's Dash at Hart's Mill -- Pyle's Defeat, 25th February, 17SI-Affair at Whitsill's . Mill. March 6th-Lieutenant Colonel Webster's Marvelous Escape from Death- Reinforcements Reach General Greene at High Rock Ford, ou Haw River, Sunday, March the tith, 1781.
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T HE final conclusion of Cornwallis was to march to Hillsboro, then the capital of the State, and the recent headquarters of the American army, at that time quite an important place. It was also in easy distance of the Scotch settlements, whose inhabitants were generally loyalists or neutrals in the fight.
His lordship, after taking one day of repose, began his march on the 18th to Hillsboro, where he "raised the royal standard." and invited, by his proclamation, "all liege subjects to prove their fidelity by contributing their aid in restoring the blessings of peace and order in their convulsed country."*
"In the camp of Greene," says Lee, "joy beamed on every face, as if every man was conscious of
*Lee's Memoirs, p. 251.
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having done his duty; the subsequent days to the reunion of the army on the north of the Dan were spent in mutual gratulations; with the rehearsal of the hopes and fears which agitated every breast during the retreat, interspersed with the many simple but interesting anecdotes with which every tongue was strung."
But Greene relaxed no vigilance nor neglected any precaution against surprise. The waving of 'a handkerchief by a patriotic lady on the North Carolina bank of the river announced the retro- grade movement of Cornwallis. Major Pierce, of General Greene's staff, with a select party, were sent to reconnoiter and give intelligence, while Colonel Williams and Colonel Campbell, two emi- nent North Carolina militia officers, with their faithful adherents on horseback, patroled and guarded the passes, and Otho Williams, with his light troops, were thrown across the stream to harass his lordship's retreat."
Leaving the two contending armies watching each other, and preparing for the conflict, which must sooner or later occur, it is necessary to nar- rate events transpiring elsewhere in North Caro- lina which influenced, to a great degree, the subse- quent results of the unfinished campaign.
The militia, who had defended the fords of the Catawba, had made good their retreat to the Rocky River, a western tributary of the Yadkin, which traverses from west to east the present county of
*Johnson's Life of Greene, vol. I. p. 448.
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Cabarrus, North Carolina, but which at that time was a part of Mecklenburg County. They were advised as to the location of the British army, and Captain Joseph Graham, who had been sent to reconnoiter, followed in its rear; but beyond the capture of half a dozen stragglers, and killing a Tory or two in arms, was not able to do more than gather infor- mation.
About the roth of February the militia were in camp near Shallow Ford, on the Yadkin. General Davidson had been killed, and "no small conten- tion" had arisen between the different colonels of the regiments as to the seniority of their commis- sions and their right to command. But this con- tention, hot as it was, did not lead to a separation. The fervent patriotism of these brave men rose above self and State, and the difficulty was happily and generously settled by electing Andrew Pickens, of South Carolina, who had recently been appointed Brigadier General, to the command. Pickens was at that time a refugee in North Carolina, accom- panied by not exceeding forty (40) South Caroli- nians and Georgians; among the latter was Lieu- tenant Jackson, afterwards Governor of that State.
Lieutenant Jackson was appointed Brigade Major. Rev. James Hall, then of Rowan, was selected as chaplain. "The only infantry in the brigade was placed under the command of Colonel Locke of Rowan County, and Major John Caruth of Lincoln County." This statement is taken from General
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Graham's narrative, written in 1821, and he adds a note in which he says:
" This circumstance :the election of Pickens to the command has occasioned every professed writer of his- tory to represent these troops as South Carolina militia. whereas they were simply the brigade of Davidson, from Mecklenburg and Rowan, the field officers of which conferred the command on General Pickens, who was with them as a refugee, to avoid conflicting claims of rank among themselves, there not being forty South Carolinians in the body of ;oo men."
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