USA > North Carolina > Sketches of North Carolina, historical and biographical : illustrative of the principles of a portion of her early settlers > Part 14
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Those that had come to the province of their own accord, pre- vious to the great emigration, by authority, in 1746 and 1747; and many of those who emigrated afterwards, followed out their inclinations and their principles in taking part in the revolution ; -and many, perhaps most of those who came in that emigration, took part for the king,-feeling themselves bound by their oath of
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allegiance, and their present position, to defend the rights and do- minions of the crown. For a time, at least, the majority of the inhabitants of what was Cumberland were in favor of the crown, and even disposed to assist Governor Martin, who kept them in- formed of the preparations made by the crown for the subjugation of the colonies ; and appealed to their sense of honor and religion and loyalty to rally around his standard, which, after his flight from Newbern on the night of April 24th, 1775, was raised at Fort Johnson, on the Cape Fear ; and from that removed to an armed vessel until the arrival of forces enabled him to take again his posi- tion in safety on land.
The following paper shows that those in Cumberland who felt free to act for the revolution were no less spirited than those in Mecklenburg or any other part of the State. After the Declaration made by the inhabitants of Mecklenburg, the different counties formed what were called associations ; a paper being drawn up ex- pressing their sentiments on the great questions agitating the public mind, they subscribed their names, pledging themselves to the de- fence of American Liberty. Within a month a paper was circulated in Cumberland county, of which the following is a copy.
" THE ASSOCIATION, JUNE 20TH, 1775.
" The actual commencement of hostilities against the Continent, by the British troops, in the bloody scene of the 19th of April last, near Boston, in the increase of arbitrary impositions from a wicked and despotic Ministry, and the dread of instigated insurrections in the colonies, are causes sufficient to drive an oppressed people to the use of arms. We, therefore, the subscribers, of Cumberland county, holding ourselves bound by the most sacred of all obliga- tions, the duty of citizens towards an injured country, and thoroughly convinced that, under our distressed circumstances, we shall be jus- tified in resisting force by force, do unite ourselves under every tie of religion and honor, and associate as a band in her defence against every foe, hereby solemnly engaging, that, whenever our continental or provincial councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes to secure her freedom and safety. This obligation to continue in full force until a recon- ciliation shall take place between Great Britain and America, upon constitutional principles, an event we most ardently desire, and we will hold all those persons inimical to the liberty of the colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe to this association ; and we will in all things follow the advice of our general committee respecting the
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purpose aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individual and private property."
This paper was the composition of Robert Rowan, whose name stands first on a long list of subscribers ; it is still in existence in Robeson County. The phrase, " instigated insurrections," in the above paper refers probably to a charge made against Governor Martin, that he favored the effort that was made for an insurrection of the Slaves, planned by the captain of a coasting vessel.
The difference of opinion in Cumberland county led to much distress and trouble, not from the foreign foe, for the British forces never visited the county, except in the hasty retreat of Cornwallis to Wilmington, after the battle of Guilford ; but from the inhabit- ants themselves. Some of the most ardent Whigs in the State were citizens of Cumberland county, who hesitated not to give the Royalists much trouble. We shall not stop to dwell upon or re- count the plunderings, the skirmishes, and battles, the personal ren- counters between the two parties in Cumberland and the surround- ing counties, though they afforded many thrilling scenes of courage and of suffering; and shall relate the circumstances of only one engagement between the Whigs and Tories in the lower part of the State, as the consequences were of importance to the country through the whole war.
Governor Martin had issued a Commission of Brigadier General to Donald M'Donald, a leading man among the Scotch, and perhaps the most influential among the Highlanders ; and had sent him a proclamation without date, which the General might send forth at any time he should think it advisable, commanding all the king's subjects to rally around the General. On the 1st day of February, 1776, M'Donald erected the Royal Standard at Cross Creek, and issued his proclamation. In a short time fifteen hundred men were assembled under his command, well armed and provided with proper military stores for a march to join the Governor at the mouth of the river. The celebrated Flora M'Donald, whose history will fill another chapter, is said to have used her influence over her clans- men and neighbors to join the standard of the old veteran, who had held a commission in the army of the Pretender, Charles Edward, and taken part in the battle of Culloden, in 1745, and had saved his life by the oath of allegiance and emigration to Carolina, and was now prepared to fight for his king as his only proper sovereign ruler. Her husband took a Captain's commission; and others of the name held commissions, and were in the camp, which was well
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supplied by contributions, and the king's money, a large amount of which was secured by the Whigs after the battle.
Colonel James Moore of New Hanover, who had been commis- sioned by the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, in 1775, and had a regiment under his command of five hundred men, four hun- dred of whom had been stationed at Wilmington, marched, with his regiment, and a detachment of the New Hanover militia, to- wards Cross Creek, and fortified a camp on Rockfish River, about twelve miles south of M'Donald head-quarters; and by his scouts and spies broke up the regular communication between the General and the Governor. The first move of M'Donald was towards Moore. Halting a few miles from his camp, he sent a decided but friendly letter to the Colonel, urging him to prevent all bloodshed by joining the royal standard ; and offering, in the name of the king, a free pardon and indemnification for past rebellion,-" other- wise he should consider them as traitors to the constitution, and take the necessary steps to conquer and subdue them." Moore, after the delay of some days, returned his answer-that he and his men were engaged in the most glorious cause in the world, the de- fence of the rights of mankind, and needed no pardon ;- and urged the General to sign the test proposed by the Provincial Congress, -otherwise he might expect that treatment which he had threatened him and his followers.
McDonald having in the meantime received information that Sir Henry Clinton and Lord William Campbell had arrived at the head- quarters of the Governor, determined, if possible, to avoid an en- gagement with Moore, and decamped at midnight, and commenced his march to join the Governor. By rapid marches and crossing the Cape Fear, he eluded the pursuit of Moore, and was bending his course to the sea shore, intending to leave Wilmington to the left, when, on the third day's march, crossing the South River from Bladen into Hanover, he comes to Moore's Creek, which runs from north to south, and empties into the South River about twenty miles above Wilmington, and finds the encampment of Cols. Alexander Lil- lington with the minute men of the Wilmington district, and Rich - ard Caswell, with the minute men of New Berne district, who assembled their forces on hearing of McDonald's proclamation, and had united their regiments, and were in search of the army of the Tories.
McDonald's situation admitted of no delay ; Moore was in rapid pursuit, and these Colonels in front ; he determines upon an attack upon the forces in front. A certain individual, who claimed to be
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neutral, visited the camp of Lillington that night, and informed him that an attack would be made the next morning. The Colonel drawing up his men in a very advantageous position, to command both the road and the bridge, and removing the planks from the bridge, keeps his men under arms all night. About day, the 27th of February, the Scotch forces advance for battle, under the com- mand of Colonel McLeod, the General himself being confined to his tent, too unwell to lead his forces. McLeod is speedily killed, and also Colonel Campbell; and the forces of Lillington and Cas- well rushing on with great spirit, the forces of McDonald, deprived of their leaders, are thrown into confusion, and routed, and either taken prisoners or entirely dispersed. McDonald was found sitting on a stump near his tent, alone ;- and as the victorious officers advanced towards him, waving the parchment scroll of his commis- sion in the air, he delivers it into their hands. Colonel Moore arrived in camp a few hours after the battle was over, and his for- ces all came up during the day.
By this battle the spirits of the loyalists were broken, and they never again were embodied in large companies till the fate of the war became doubtful by the movements of the army of Cornwallis.
The Provincial Congress determined to show kindness to the prisoners and their families, respecting their principles, though op- posing their course ; and on the 29th of April published a mani- festo from which the following are extracts. " We have their secur- ity in contemplation, not to make them miserable. In our power, their errors claim our pity, their situation disarms our resentment. We shall hail their reformation with increasing pleasure, and re- ceive them among us with open arms. Sincere contrition and repentance shall atone for their past conduct. Members of the same political body with ourselves, we feel the convulsion which such a severance occasions ; and shall bless the day which shall restore them to us, friends of liberty, to the cause of America, the cause of God and mankind."
" We war not with helpless females, whom they have left behind them ; we sympathize in their sorrow, and wish to pour the balm of pity into the wounds which a separation from husbands, fathers, and the dearest relations has made. They are the rightful pension- ers upon the charity and bounty of those who have aught to spare from their own necessities, for the relief of their indigent fellow creatures ; to such we recommend them."
" May the humanity and compassion which mark the cause we are engaged in, influence them to such a conduct as may call forth
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our utmost tenderness to their friends, whom we have in our power. Much depends upon the future demeanor of the friends of the insur- gents who are left among us, as to the treatment our prisoners may experience. Let them consider these as hostages for their own good behavior, and by their own merits make kind offices to their friends a tribute of duty as well as humanity from us, who have them in their power."
The Congress granted to General McDonald and his son, who held a colonel's commission, a liberal parole of honor; and com- plimented both these officers on their candor. Some time in the summer, the general and twenty-five of the officers taken prisoners in the battle at Widow Moore's Creek Bridge, were taken to Phila- delphia, and held in confinement for the purpose of promoting an exchange of prisoners between the two armies.
We cannot but admire the integrity of these men, though we lament their course; we reverence their moral principles, while we deplore their mistake. We pass by their error, and glory in receiving and instructing others in the principles of religion and morality which governed these men. Their descendants are among the best citizens of the States. The great principles of their an- cestors still reign among the descendants along the Cape Fear ; and though divided on the party questions of the day, as might be expected in a nation of freemen, they are united on the great prin- ciples of republicanism.
The descendants of these men are altogether in favor of an en- lightened ministry ; and are patrons of efforts for the instruction of the rising generation. They are firm friends to the grand princi- ples of the supremacy of law, and yield a cheerful obedience to the laws of the land enacted by the legislators, chosen by freemen from their own body. Not given to change either in their politics or their friendships, they support the government of their choice ; and are divided only on the question respecting the powers of a repub- lican government.
When once it was settled, by the surrender of Yorktown, that monarchical government was at an end in the colonies, those along the Cape Fear that had felt themselves bound to support the royal authority while that authority could be supported, joined heartily with their countrymen, who had all along been struggling for the independence of the colonies, in preparing and adopting and de- fending the constitution that guards our liberties. But it is to be remembered that the most earnest defenders of the rights of the crown, along Cape Fear, contemplated monarchy as hedged in
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and centralled by the principles of their Solemn League and Cove- nant, which in due time lead all men that adopt them, to struggle as for life, for the liberty of conscience and freedom of property and person. The free church of Scotland have struggled nobly for the first ; one more step, and they are republicans of the American stamp. Martin, who knew the power of an oath over the Scotch on Cape Fear, used it skilfully to keep them to their allegiance. He saw its power in Orange and Mecklenburg, but knew not how to ingratiate himself with that peculiar race of people, in whose politics, as among the Scotch, a strong religious principle pre- vailed.
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CHAPTER XII.
FLORA M'DONALD.
AMONG the emigrants to the Scotch settlements on the Cape Fear, was Flora McDonald, a name held in the highest reverence in the traditions of North Carolina and the Highlands of Scotland, though English history has given her neither a name nor a place in her pages, crowded with the events and personages of that day, that no human art can save from the oblivion they deserve. With or without history, the descendants of the Highlanders in North Carolina will love the name of Flora McDonald, while female ex- cellence can be found among their sisters and daughters.
In those heart-stirring events that succeeded the rising in favor of the Pretender, and led to the emigration of the Scotch settle- ment on the Cape Fear river, Flora McDonald first makes her ap- pearance, a young and blooming girl ; in the troubles and dis- tresses that affected the honest yet divided Scotch in Carolina, at the commencement of the American Revolution, she is the digni- fied matron; before the disasters and radical principles of the French Revolution troubled her country and employed her chil- ren, she was carried to the cemetery of Kilmuir.
The most romantic escape of the Pretender, Prince Charles Edward, in his five months' wanderings in the Highlands of Scot- land, hunted from mountain to dell, from crag to cavern, by day and by night, by the soldiers of the Duke of Cumberland, and a price set upon his head as a fugitive felon, was planned and ex- ecuted by the McDonalds, the most powerful of whom had op- posed the attempt to place the Prince upon the throne, as a hope- less rebellion, and many of whom were bearing arms for the house of Hanover ; and some even then leading forces in search of the Royal fugitive, into the wilds and fastnesses of the High- lands and the Western Isles.
Roderick Mackenzie aided the flight of the Prince by his chival- rous death ; Flora McDonald by her romantic spirit and womanly contrivance. "This young man," says one, " sought conceal- ment in the mountains of Ross-shire after the battle of Culloden, and was surprised by a party of soldiers sent in pursuit of Charles Edward. His age, his figure, his air, deceiving the military
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completely, they were going to secure him, believing they had got hold of the true prince. Mackenzie perceiving their mistake, with great fortitude and presence of mind instantly resolves to render it useful to his master. He drew his sword, and the courage with which he defended himself, satisfied these soldiers that he could be no other than the Pretender. One of them fired at him ; Mackenzie fell, and with his last breath exclaimed-' You have killed your Prince.' This generous sacrifice suspended for the time all pursuit, and afforded an opportunity for the unfor- tunate Charles to escape from the hands of his enemies."
The escape by the aid of Flora was less bloody and more ro- mantic. With great difficulty he had made his way across the Highlands to the western shore, and setting sail in an eight-oared boat from the farm of Arasag, after encountering a most furious storm, such as are frequent on that northern sea, when, in the language of Ossian, "The thunder of the skies, as a rock, penetrated the heavens, and a fiery pillar issued from the black cloud," he landed on one of the western islands, South Uist, and found a shelter for a time at Ormaclet, with Laird McDonald, of Clan Ronald. The keen scent of his pursuers at length traced him to this place, and three thousand soldiers, red coats as they were called, were sent to search the island, through every dell, and rock, and crag, and cottage ; and armed vessels were station- ed all around to intercept every ship or boat that might attempt to leave the shore and convey away the royal fugitive. Many pro- jects for his escape were proposed by his anxious friends, and laid aside in rapid succession. At length Lady McDonald suggested a romantic plan,-that, arrayed in female clothes, he should ac- company a lady as her waiting woman, or servant maid. Two difficulties were to be encountered ; what lady would engage in the dangerous, though romantic enterprise ? and how should they obtain a passport from the hostile officers for such a company to leave the island ? Two young ladies in the house of McDonald were appealed to, but their courage was less than their tenderness.
At this critical time, who should come to the house of Laird McDonald but the kind and beautiful Flora, from Millburg, in the same island, to visit her relations, on her return from Edinburgh, having just completed her education in that metropolis. The father of this accomplished young lady had been some time dead, and her mother was united in marriage with Captain Hugh McDonald, the one eyed ; the son of Samuel, the son of great James, the son of young Blue Donald, of Armadale, in the Isle of Skye. Her
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step-father, Capt. Hugh McDonald, was then in Uist, in command of a company of the clan McDonald, in the service of King George, searching for the Prince.
The peculiar feelings of the Scotch towards the Royal family of their nation is beautifully exhibited in the occurrences connect- ed with that young lady's visit. While these McDonalds could not take arms to place the prince upon the throne, esteeming the effort madness, and were defending the reigning house of Hano- ver, and even then in arms in search of Charles, hemmed in among the crags of Uist, they could not find it in their heart to seize him, now in their power, though some of them were so pressed with debt that the large reward offered might have been a temptation, and the fines and confiscations that would follow sus- picion of their favor for the Pretender, might have been a suffi- cient reason to hold them back from any effort for his escape. " Will you," says the lady of Laird McDonald to Flora, after making her acquainted with the presence and hiding-place of the Prince on the island, and the plan she was meditating for his escape, " will you expose yourself to this danger to aid the escape of the Prince from his enemies that have him here enclosed ?" The maiden answered, " Since I am to die, and can die but once, I am perfectly willing to put my life in jeopardy to save his Royal Highness from the danger which now besets him." Delighted with this response, the lady opened the matter to an officer named O'Neill, who expressed the same romantic desire to aid the escape of the very man for the apprehension of whom he was then in arms. He accompanied Flora to Carradale, a rocky, craggy, wild, sequestered place, where the Prince lay concealed, in a cave, that they might concert with him the details of the plan of his escape. On entering the cave they found the Prince alone, broiling a small fresh fish upon the coals for his lonely repast. Startled at their approach, and supposing his retreat had been discovered by the soldiers, and escape to be hopeless, he put himself on the defence to sell his life as dearly as his dignity required. The gallant young officer and the beautiful lady do him reverence as a prince. At their kind salutations his alarm gives place to astonishment ; and the unfolding of the plan for his escape from his desperate condition, filled his heart with unmeasured delight. After a short interview, Flora left him, and calling on her brother at Millburg, finds a youth, Neill McDonald, the son of Hector, as noble, gen- erous, and romantic as herself, who entered with devotion into the plan for the escape of the Prince, in whose company she returns
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to Ormaclet, to complete the preparations for the departure from the island.
The most important step was to procure a passport from the island, that might protect them from the search of officers, and detention by the vessels on the coast. Flora at length obtained one from her step-father, Captain Hugh McDonald, for herself, her youthful companion Neill McDonald, and three others, to con- stitute a boat's crew, and also for her serving maid, BETSEY BURKE, a stout Irishwoman, whom Flora pretended she had en- gaged for the special purpose of becoming her mother's spinster, at Armadale, in Skye. As the Captain gave the passport, and wrote by Flora a letter recommendatory of Betsey Burke as a spinster, it is conjectured, not without reason, that he was not altogether unaware of the designs of his fair step-daughter, though he wisely kept himself in ignorance.
While the arrangements were in progress for this visit of Flora to her mother, in Skye, Allan McDonald, of the hill, arrived at Ormaclet with a company of soldiers in search for the Prince, without any particular suspicions that the fugitive was near, or any thought that his fair kinswoman was concerting a plan of escape which his presence might particularly discommode. There was now no time to be lost. Flora, hastening to his hiding-place, clothes the Prince in the attire of an Irish serving woman, and on the afternoon of Saturday, the 28th of June, 1746, the party em- bark from Uist for the isle of Skye. Soon after they launch forth, there comes upon them a furious storm of wind. Tossed to and fro, and driven about all night, the courage of the maiden never forsakes her ; anxious for her charge, rather than for herself, she encourages the men not to turn back. Inspirited by the exhorta- tions of the maiden, the oarsmen exert their utmost strength, and surmounting all the dangers of the tempest, at dawn of day they approach Point Vatermish in the Isle of Skye. As they draw near, however, the sight of a band of soldiers drawn up upon the shore to receive the boat, turns them back to the ocean; and the volleys discharged at them by the soldiers hasten their flight, while the balls are whistling by and rebounding from the waves. Turn- ing eastwardly they pursue their course, and about noon, on Sab- bath, land at Kilbride, in the parish of Kilmuir, near the Magustat- house, the residence of Sir Alexander McDonald, the Laird of Sleite, to repose like the dove after her flight over the waters, for a little space, in the ark.
Concealing the Prince in a hollow rock on the beach, Flora re-
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paired to the chieftain's mansion, and met a most cordial reception from Lady McDonald, in the absence of the Laird. The hall was full of officers, whose sole business was to search for the royal fugitive ; and the Laird himself was known to be hostile to his pretensions. The maiden, more self-possessed from the danger, with confiding enthusiasm makes known to the lady the hiding- place of the Prince, and the circumstances of his escape from Uist. The lady's heart answers to the maiden's confidence, and she espouses her cause, and sends by Alexander McDonald, the Laird of Kingsburg, Baillie to Sir Alexander, her husband, who happened to be in the house, refreshments of wine and other comforts suited to the necessities of the fatigued and distressed wanderer. By advice of Lady McDonald, who feared discovery from the numerous officers and soldiers then on the estate, Flora and Betsey Burke set out immediately for Kingsburg, about twelve miles distant, accompanied by the Baillie as their guide. On their way they met many of the country people returning from church, whose curiosity was much excited by the coarse, negli- gent, clumsy-looking, long-legged female figure that accompanied the Laird and the maiden. Without any indignity or suspicion they reached the place of their destination about sunset, wearied from the storm and perils of the preceding night, and the escapes and journeys of the day. The next morning Flora accompanied the Prince to Portaree, and there bid him adieu. On parting he kissed her, and said, "Gentle, faithful maiden, I entertain the hope that we shall yet meet in the Palace Royal." They never met again ; the hopes of the Prince were as unsubstantial and evanescent as the shadows of the clouds, and the fogs that rest upon the hills. His escape was the work not of his chivalry or courage, but of woman's tenderness, and the loyal feelings of Scottish hearts.
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