USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, Vol XV > Part 11
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The information given to Shelby by the condemned prisoners turned out to have been substantially correct. Lord Cornwallis had detached Tarleton to pursue and attack the patriots and to rescue the prisoners. Soon after Tarleton was dispatched, the former took an old Whig prisoner and examined him ; He told the prisoner he could not learn who defeated Ferguson. The old
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man told him. Cornwallis then inquired the force of the patriots ; He told him it was three thousand riflemen. Cornwallis asked where they were gone ; He replied, they replied they were bear- ing down on him. Whether this was told under the belief that it was true, or told as a ruse de guerre, it answered a very excellent purpose. Lord Cornwallis and Rawdon immediately consulted together, beat to arms, struck their tents, burned some extra clothing and retreated to the south side of Broad river in confu- sion. At the same time, a messenger was sent to recall Tarleton, who was overtaken after he had proceeded eighteen miles, and who immediately returned to Cornwallis' camp.
At the time Shelby and his co-patriots raised their force Corn- wallis supposing that he would meet no further serious resistance in North or South Carolina, had projected the invasion of Virginia in three columns. He was to advance in the centre, a second detachment was to march on his right, and Ferguson was to command the left wing. The time for the invasion was fixed ; officers were out through the country collecting the Tories, and a few days more would have made them very strong. The defeat of Ferguson prevented this invasion, and so intimidated the Tories that most of thein declined joining the British, generally prefer- ring to make a profession of faith to King George, rather than take up arms in his behalf.
At the time the nine hundred and ten men were selected to pursne Ferguson, they were informed that there were six hundred Tories embodied near them, and it was suggested that they should be attacked. Shelby opposed this, saying that if they turned after any other object they would lose Ferguson. After the bat- tle of King's Mountain, this force, like all other partisan bodies, called out for a peculiar emergency, was difficult to be kept embodied. The men one after another returned home, so that when they reached the Catawba there were not more men than prisoners.
It is impossible for those who have not lived in its midst to conceive of the exasperation which prevails in a civil war. The execution, therefore, of the nine Tories at Gilbert Town will by many persons be considered an act of retaliation unnecessarily eruel. It was believed by those on the ground to be both neces- sary and proper, for-the purpose of putting a stop to the execu-
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tion of the patriots in the Carolinas by the Tories and British. The event proved the justice of the expectation of the patriots. The execution of the Tories did stop the execution of the Whigs. And it may be remarked of this lamentable and cruel mode of retaliation, that whatever excuses and pretences the Tories may have had for their atrocities, the British officers, who often ordered the execution of Whigs, had none. Their training to arms and military education should have prevented them from violating the rules of civilized warfare in so essential a point.
Those patriots who desired to continue in the service after the battle at King's Mountain, especially the refugees, wished to be formed into a corps, and to be under the command of Gen. Morgan. To effect this Col. Shelby went to Head Quarters and saw Morgan, who said they were just the men he wanted. Gen. Gates consented, and the Board of War of North Carolina ordered out these militia, who marehed up and joined Morgan ; most of them were with him the next campaign, and proved the stuff they were made of at the nobly won battle of the Cowpens.
COL. WM. R. DAVIE TO GEN. JETHRO SUMNER.
- Miles from Charlotte, Tuesday, 7-8 O'clock.
DEAR GENL :
I have just received Intelligence from one of my patrole parties that the Enemy moved yesterday at One O'clock in the Afternoon, and were taking the Route by one Roush's, on Sugar Creek, lead- ing to the Waxhaws.
Their Waggon Horses are so poor that they make very slow marches. For want of provisions and ammunition, it will be out of my power to march before the Afternoon.
()! for a few Light Troops.
I am, Sir, with Hum. Esteem, your &e., &c., WILLIAM R. DAVIE, Col. Comd. Ma. Cavalry.
To Genl. Sumner.
t
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COL. JNO. CHR. SENF TO BRIG. GEN. BENBURY.
CAMP AT THE NORTH WEST BRIDGE,
Oct. Sth, 1780.
The Honble. Brigadier Genl. Benbury.
DEAR SIR :
Just when I had a little time to spare to send off an express to acquaint his Excellency, the Governor of the State of North Caro- lina, of our retreat, I had the pleasure of receiving your kind Letter. The 26th Inst. in the evening I arrived at the great Bridge, but to my great astonishment found every thing in the greatest confusion ; The men, believing the Enemy were gone off, became careless & a number of Officers & men retired to their Homes. I have done as much as laid in my power to keep the men together that were there. The 27th Inst. towards the evening I got certain intelligence that the Enemy had relanded again, & by all reports more than before ; they landed likewise about 30 flete Horse. Genl. Nelson had sent from Portsmouth two ships' cannon which were posted at the Bridge, but considering in case of a retreat the Cannon might be lost, & the place, by the number of Men I had & in the greatest want of amunition and Arms & natural inattention, by no means defensible, I sent one piece by an ox cart to this Bridge & should have sent the Other if I could have procured a Cart ; I was about to mount that piece on a Car- riage, & had impressed Horses for such, when, this morning at Day break they attacked us at the Bridge & soon drove off the small number of men I had to defend the place. Not being able to remove the piece of Cannon I had remaining at the great Bridge, it has fallen into the hands of the Enemy. With one piece I am at this side of the Northwest Bridge, but have not as yet rec'd any assistance from any of those Counties you mentioned in your Letter.
By Intelligence some Ships are gone up Nansemond River & troops are Marched from Portsmouth to Suffolk ; if so, they cer-
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tainly aim for Edenton. Be so kind as to send off a copy of this letter to His Excellency Governor Nash.
I am, with due respect,
Yo. mo. Humble Servt.,
JN. CHRISTN. SENF, Colo. Engineers.
If a Map of No. Carolina could be had I' should be infinitely Obliged to you to send me one by an opportunity or express.
HON. WILLIE JONES TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 10, 1780. DEAR SIR :
I rec'd your favours of the 10 & 14 ulto. by Mr. Sharp, for which I am much obliged to you. Gen. Washington is directed to order a Court of Inquiry on the conduct of Gen. Gates, and to appoint an Officer to take the Command of the Southern Army until the Inquiry shall be made. I wrote to you fully on the 1st Inst., & another short Letter subsequent per favour of Mr. Stanley. In the first of these I informed you that the Board of War had procured 800 Tents for the Southern Army ; when they told me so, they counted upon 300 Tents, which they made no doubt of obtaining from the Executive of this State, in which, however, they were disappointed, and this reduces the number to 500, and I fear it will be a considerable time before they can be forwarded.
It was yesterday reported that eleven Regiments had einbarked at New York, bound into Chesapeak Bay. Had I not the utmost Confidence in the consummate Virtue & Wisdom of Genl. Wash- ington, I should murmur that greater Reinforcements have not been detached from the Grand Army to march to the Southward. Colo. De Binsson told me that he met the new Maryland Regi- ment on its March to Carolina, (which was compleat in number of Mem when they left this,) and that it was reduced by Desertion to about 150 Men. I flatter myself the Col. was mistaken. I expect the British will make vigorous Efforts against No. Caro- lina in the course of the ensuing winter ; but as Virginia seems to be some what aroused from the Lethargy in which she slept, and the spirit of our Countrymen is yet unbroken, I make no doubt in the end they will prove ineffectual. Colo. Andre was executed 15-8
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the 2nd Inst. ; He refused to disclose any thing, and died like a gallant Soldier.
My Compliments to Mrs. Nash and my Friends at Newbern. I am, Dear Sir, Your most Odedt. Humble Servt.,
WILLIE JONES.
Inclosed the Paper of the Day.
GENL. JETHRO SUMNER TO MAJ. GENL. GATES.
[Letters of Genl. Gates, 154, Vol. 2, P. 291.] CAMP YADKIN, October 10, 1780. VIII o'clock, Evening.
SIR :
With great satisfaction I inform you of the Defeat of Major Ferguson on King's Mountain, + o'clock Saturday afternoon. The Particulars I enclose yon as rec'd a few minutes ago, also a Let- ter from General Davidson of his securing twenty-nine Barrels of Powder, which was secreted some time since near Charlotte.
I am, Sir, with great Respect, Yr. Very hble. Servt., JETHRO SUMNER.
P. S. The Draught General Davidson mentions of the Enemy's lines was omitted, by some means or other, being not enclosed to me, but you may expect it next Express from this if the mistake is discovered. J. S.
Genl. Gates.
[Endorsed] (10th Octr. 1780,) From Generals Sumner and Davidson, with the partienlars of the Defeat of Major Ferguson on the 7th Oct., 1780.
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COL. CAMPBELL'S ORDERS OF THE DAY.
CAMP BELOW GILBERT TOWN, October 11th, 1780.
Return of the strength of the different regiments, with the rank and number of the dead and wounded in the late action, to be imine- diately made out. Two hundred privates, with the proper and necessary number of officers, to mount guard every morning who, with the field officers of the day, are to march with the front of the army, and when we camp are to take charge of the prisoners immediately, to detach the necessary pickets and patrols. I must request the officers of all ranks in the army to endeavour to restrain the disorderly manner of the slaughtering and disturbing the prisoners. If it cannot be prevented by moderate measures, such effectual punishment shall be executed upon delinquents as will put a stop to it.
GENERAL GATES'S LETTER OF THANKS FOR KING'S MOUNTAIN VICTORY.
HILLSBOROUGH, October 12th, 1780.
To the officers commanding in the late defeat of Maj. Ferguson. SIR :
I received, this morning early, the very agreeable account of your victory over Maj. Ferguson. It gave me, and every friend to liberty and the United States, infinite satisfaction.
I thank you, gentlemen, and the brave officers and soldiers under your command, for your and their glorious behavior in that action. The records of the war will transmit your names and theirs to pos- terity, with the highest honor and applause. I desire you will acquaint them with the sense I entertain of the great service they have done their country. I have, this morning, by a special mes- senger, transmitted the intelligence of it to Congress.
I am now only anxious about the disposal of the prisoners, as they must be ready to use in exchange for our valuable citizens in the enemy's hands. Send them under proper guards to Fincas- tle Court House, Virginla. I will desire the Colonel of that county
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to have a strong palisade, eighteen feet high out of the ground, instantly set up, within which log huts may be built to cover them. The guard must be without, and the loop holes eight feet from the ground. Provisions, etc., shall be ordered to be provided for them.
COL. ISAAC SHELBY TO COL. ARTHUR CAMPBELL.
[From the Virginia Argus, October 26, 1810.1
NORTH CAROLINA, October 12, 1780.
I have herewith the honor to acquaint you that on Satur- day, the 7th inst., in the afternoon, after a forced march of forty-five miles on that day and the night before, a detachment from our little army of mountain men of about nine hundred, under command of Col. William Campbell, came up with Col. Ferguson, who lay encamped on King's Mountain.
The forenoon of the day was wet, but we were fortunate enough to come on him undiscovered, and took his pickets. We were soon formed in such order as to attack the enemy on all quarters. The Washington and Sullivan regiments began to attack on the front and left flank ; the North Carolina regi- ments, under Cols. Williams, Sevier and Cleveland, attacked the rear and the other flank. The firing in about fifteen minutes became general and was kept up with fury on both sides for near an hour.
On the first onset the Washington militia attempted rapidly to ascend the mountain, but were met by the British regulars with fixed bayonets and forced to retreat. They were soon ral- lied by their gallant commander and some of his active officers, and by a constant and well directed fire of our rifles we drove them baek, in our turn, and reached the summit of the moun- tain, where the enemy, being closely surrounded, surrendered prisoners at discretion. Their commander, Col. Ferguson, attempted, a little before the close of the action, to make his escape on horseback, but was intercepted by a few riflemen of the Sullivan regiment, and fell dead when foreing his way.
The post taken by the enemy gave them confidence that any force the Americans could bring against them could not defeat
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them. Truely the situation of the ground gave them greatly the advantage, as the mountain was high and exceedingly steep in front, and interspersed along the top with eraggy cliffs of rocks ; in short, it was almost equal to storming regular works.
The inelosed list contains an account of the loss of the enemy. Ours is small as to numbers, being about thirty killed & some- thing over fifty wounded. Among the former are some brave men of our best officers, whose services their country men ought long to remember with gratitude.
GENL. GATES TO GOVERNOR JEFFERSON.
HILLSBORO, October 12, 1780.
SIR :
This instant I received the great and glorious news contained in the enclosed letter from Brig. Gen. Davidson to Gen. Sum- ner, who directly dispatched it to me by express. We are now more than even with the enemy. The moment the supplies for the troops arrive from Taylor's Ferry I shall proceed with the whole to the Yadkin. Gen. Smallwood and Col. Morgan are on their way to that post. The latter, with the Light Infantry, was yesterday advanced eighteen miles beyond Guilford Court House. The former, with the cavalry, lay last night thirteen miles on this side of that place. I desire your Excellency will dispatch copies of all letters I now send to the President of Congress.
COL. ALEX. MARTIN TO DELEGATES OF NORTH CAROLINA.
[North Carolina State Papers, Vol. 72, P. 105.] WAR-OFFICE, HILLSBOROUGH, Oct. 12th, 1780.
GENTLEMEN :
The great number of small arms our Militia lost in the late Defeat near Camden, and our Magazines greatly exhausted, caused the Board to address Govr. Jefferson on this Subject, that he would supply this State with what Stands of arms could be spared from Virginia. This day we have received his answer, which we
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have enclosed yon, that none can be expected from thence ; hence our next Resource must be from Congress. A supply of 3 or 4,000 are immediately wanting. You will be pleased to Manage this matter with Congress as your prudence will direct. Procure what you can and have them sent on with the utmost Expedition. An account of Ferguson's Defeat you have enclosed with this from Gen. Davidson.
I have the Honour to be, By order, Gentlemen, your Most obedient humble servant, ALEX. MARTIN.
The Honble. Delegates of North Carolina.
[Endorsed.] Letter from board of war of No. Carolina to the delegates of that State, Oct. 12, 1780. Read in Congress, 23.
COL. CAMPBELLS ORDERS OF THE DAY.
Parole-New Bern.
CAMP AT COL. WALKER's, October 13, 1780.
The Deputy Quartermasters, under the direction of the Quar- ter Master General, to dispose of the wounded of their respective regiments, who are not able to march with the army, in the best manner they can, in the vicinity of this place.
The Quarter Masters to call upon the companies to which the wounded belong for any necessary assistance for their removal. The Adjutants to wait upon the Brigade Major at six O'clock every day for the orders. The army to march without fail by two O'clock.
CAMP AT, October 14, 1780.
The many desertions from the army, and consequent felonies committed by those who desert, oblige me once more to insist that proper regimental returns be made every morning, noting down the names of those who desert, that such may hereafter be pun- ished with the justice which their crimes deserve ; and officers commanding regiments are requested not to discharge any of their troops until we can dispose of the prisoners to a proper guard. The
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Quarter Master General to see the ammunition taken from the enemy properly issued to the troops, who have not yet drawn any of it. The Commissary General is to send small parties before ns upon onr route to collect provisions ; and he is hereby empowered to call upon the commanding officers of the different regiments for such parties. It is with anxiety I hear the complaints of the inhabitants on account of the plundering parties who issne ont from the camp, and indiscriminately rob both Whig and Tory, leaving our friends, I believe, in a worse situation than the enemy would have done. I hope the officers will exert themselves in suppressing this abominable practise, degrading to the name of soldier, by keeping their soldiers close in camp and preventing their straggling off npon our marches.
October 13, 1780.
Honble. Thomas Burke, Esquire, Hillsboro, No. Carolina. Mr. B Compliments to Dr. Burke ; is sorry he cannot have the pleasure of Breakfasting with him this Morning. He will attend Mr. Penn as early as possible.
HON. WM. SHARPE TO DR. THOMAS BURKE.
13th October, 1780.
SIR :
Before this reaches you Colo. Mahmnadie, who is gone to Hills- borough, will inform you respecting Genl. Gates's recall, Genl. Arnold's Treason, and in short all the intelligence that is current. I expect Mr. Hill will write you largely, therefore 'shall only sug- gest that our affairs here have no flattering aspect at present.
I am sorry to hear that there is no appearance of money from the Board of Trade. Be so kind as to write to them and paint our distresses here for want of money in high colonrs.
My compliments to Mrs. Burke.
Sir, Your most obt. Servt., WM. SHARPE.
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JOHN LYNN TO HON. THOMAS BURKE.
CAMP, 16th Oct., 1780.
The Honble Thos. Burke, Esqr.
STR :
I am surprised and concerned to hear by Colo. Williams that my Conduct when at your farm has been so Misrepresented that yon consider it as an injury and an offence. I'm persuaded, Sir, that if you could know the particular circumstances under which I acted, your resentment cou'd not be directed against me.
Genl. Smallwood issued a Brigade Order for the Quarter Master to procure Straw and Corn Tops for Covering our Huts, and parties were appointed for bringing those Articles to Camp. I was ordered to take command of one of those parties, and went by direction of the Q. Master to get Corn Tops in a Field. I was for- bid executing my command by a man calling himself your Overseer, who behaved with an Impertinence which nothing but the respect I have for the privileges of a Citizen sho'd have prevented me from punishing ; but, Feeling the delicacy of my Situation, I tho't I acted with discretion in dismissing him with a rebuke, giving him my name and saying I wo'd be answerable to his master if called upon. I hope this representation of my Conduct, which I give upon my Veracity, will convince you that I co'd have no intention of injuring or insulting you, and that you will have a more favourable Opinion of my Character, as I assure you I am very Conscious of the Supremacy of the Civil power, and am convinced the most essential service I can render my Country is to aid with my last abilities the Establishment of that power on a permanent foundation.
I am, Sir, yr. mo. obdt. Hble. Servt., JOHN LYNN.
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HON. WILLIE JONES TO GOV. ABNER NASH.
Oct. 18th, 1780.
DR. SIR :
I wrote to you of the 1st Oct. & 10th, to which I refer. The Resolution of Congress, directing Genl. Washington to appoint an officer to take the Command of the Southern Army instead of Genl. Gates, was immediately sent to Head Quarters, but the General has not informed Congress of his proceedings thereupon, nor can I advise you who will be appointed to that Command. Genl. Gates sent us dispatches three or four days ago, advising that Ld. Cornwallis had penetrated our State as far as Charlotte. These Dispatches were immediately forwarded to the Commander in Chief, and I have some small hopes that he will be thereby induced to detach some troops to the Southward, perhaps Lee's Corps-for every. Idea of acting to the Northward is now laid aside. However, I am not sanguine in this Expectation. We have Reports every day of Reinforcements going from N. York either to No. Carolina or Virginia, but nothing which can be depended on. I hope both those States will consider it as a thing certain that Reinforcements will be sent from New York in the course of the ensuing winter.
The News papers will inform yon of the Capture of the British Et. & Wt. India Fleets outward bound. A Letter to the Commer- cial Committee gives a more authentiek account, thus: The British Fleet, consisting of 58 Sail, fell in with the combined Fleet in the Night. The Ramillies and Thetis escaped to Madeira, where the former remained eight days, and only four Merchantmen came in. The Southampton Frigate eseaped and brought the first Intelligence to St. Kitts.
The Ramillies is since arrived at Jamaica. The Thetis was dis- patched to give Adın. Geary Intelligence of the combined Fleet. From these Circumstances it is conjectured that about 50 of the British Ships were captured. I hope to leave this place in three weeks, but this depends on Remittances from Carolina, for I have long been out of Cash.
I am, with the greatest truth, Dr. Sir,
Your most obedt. & Humble Servt., WILLIE JONES.
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P. S. It is said that Gen]. Washington, upon Arnold's appoint- ment to the Command at West point, gave him the names of several Gentlemen of the first Rank in N. York, (thro' whom he obtained Intelligence of Sir Henry Clinton's Motions,) together with the Plan of Correspondence all which the execrable Villain Arnold disclosed on his arrival at N. York, and the aforesaid Gen- tlemen were consequently apprehended & confined in Irons, and, if this be the case, will probably lose their Lives.
WILLIE JONES.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
No. 1.
SURRY COUNTY, CAMP AT CRESON'S, October 19th, 1780. 5
Orders. At 11 O'clock a Council of the North Carolina Offi- cers present are desired to meet and Consult on such Measures as are Expedient to be put in Immediate Execution against the Insur- gents. The Gentlemen Officers from Virginia are to set in Coun- cil if they think proper. Maj. Hunter will send a Sargent and three privates to wait on the Council and Receive Orders.
MART. ARMSTRONG, C. C.
No. 2. STATE OF NO. CAROLINA, SURRY COUNTY.
CAMP AT ABRAHAM CRESON'S, October 19th, 1780. 5
Agreeable to the order of the day for all Field Officers and Cap- tains to assemble in Council, their appears in Consequence of said Order the following Officers (to-wit) :
Martin Armstrong, Colo. Comd. Joseph Williams, Lieut. Col.
William Meridith, Capt. Surry.
Samuel Henderson, Capt. & Guilford.
Abraham Penn, Colo.
Peter Harston, Capt.
Samuel Harston, Do.
John Dillard, Do. Thomas Bush, Do. James Poteat, Do. James Terrents, Do.
Henry County Virginia.
It is the General Opinion of the above Officers that it be Recom- mended to Colo. Martin Armstrong the Commanding Officer, that he Issue his proclamation Requesting all those deluded people in the County of Surry who have taken up arms against their Conn- try, and in open Violation of the Laws thereof, that they come in
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on or before the first day of November Next, and deliver their Horses, Guns and Military Stores to Some officer that he may appoint for that purpose, and for a further Encouragement to said People to Come, it is Required of the said Martin Armstrong that he set fourth in said Notice that he will make use of all his Influ- ence with the General Assembly of said State to Obtain pardon for all those who Avail themselves Under his Proclamation.
SAM HARSTON, Capt. JO. WILLIAMS, L. Col.
JOHN DILLARD, Capt.
WILLIAM MERIDITH, Capt.
THOS. BUSH, Capt. SAM HENDERSON, Capt.
JAMES POTEAT, Capt. ABRM. PENN; C. Y. Lt.
JAMES TERRENTS, Capt. PETER HARSTON, Capt.
No. 3.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, L SURRY COUNTY.
Agreeable to an order of Council of the Officers present in Camp at the Shallowford, October 19th, 1780, I hereby give this Public Notice, Requesting and Commanding all those deluded people in the Cot'y of Surry who have been Con- cerned in the late Insurrection and taken up arms against their Country, in Open Violation of the Laws thereof, to Come to Richmond on or before the first day of November Next and Deliver up all their Arms, Ammunition, Shotpouches, Horses, Saddles, Bridles, &c., which they or any of them have taken from the good people of the said County, or had in the field of Battle at the Shallowford or elsewhere; Give Security for their Good behavior, be Subject to Such Other Rules, orders and Regulations as the Commanding Officer shall think Requi- site for the better Security of the Lives and properties of the peaceable Inhabitants of said County and the Service of this and the United States ; then and in such Case I promise to make Use of my Influence with the General Assembly of this State to Obtain for all such A pardon.
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