USA > North Carolina > The state records of North Carolina, vol. XXII, pt. 1 > Part 8
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DANIEL ALEXANDER.
(Extract from Declaration of Daniel Alexander of Mecklenburg Co. Revolutionary Soldier. Pension Office Washington. O. W. & N. D .- Invalid File No. 2905. "Minute Man." 1778-1781.)
"I also volunteered under Captain Martin Fifer on the same duty
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STATE RECORDS.
10th Regiments of the (N. C.) Continental Line, under the following named officers, To-wit: he was enlisted by Lieut. John Low in the month of May, 1777, for the Term of three years; at the time he enlisted, he resided in Caswell Co., North Carolina; he was attached to the company commanded by Capt. James Wilson ; he was marched from Caswell County to Kingston on Neuse River, where his com- pany joined the 10th Regiment of Infantry commanded by Col. Shep- herd, Lieut. Col. Dozier, and Major Ashe. Ilis Regiment marched from Kingston to Halifax, from Halifax to Georgetown, where him- self and nearly all the Regiment were inoculated with the small pox. From Georgetown he marched with his Regiment to the Valley Forge which was head quarters. At the Valley Forge the 10th Regiment was disbanded and attached to the first and second Regiments. He fell in the first Regiment, which was commanded by Colonel Clark and Major Ashe, in the company commanded by Lient. Callender. From the Valley Forge he marched to the White Plains, from whence he marched to Mommonth, but was not in that Battle, as he was left with the baggage. After the battle of Mon- month he was marched to West Point, from here to Elk River, where the troops took water with a view of going to Charleston, but the cold setting in so severe that it became impracticable, in consequence of the Ice to go by water, and it was abandoned. From Elk River he marched with the Army to Charleston. He was there under the connnand of Lieut. Shaw. He reached Charleston, as well as he can recolleet, in the month of March, 1780; he remained with the army in Charleston until that city fell into the hands of the Enemy. Ilis term of service expired on the 6th day of May, 1889, which was a few days before the city was surrendered. He did not apply for a discharge at the end of his service, as he did not think he could get home in safety, and was taken prisoner with the rest of the army. He remained a prisoner a few weeks when he made his escape and re- turned home."
DANIEL ALEXANDER.
( Extraet from Declaration of Daniel Alexander of Mecklenburg Co. Revolutionary Soldier. Pension Office Washington. O. W. & N. D .- Invalid File No. 2905. "Minute Man." 1778-1781.)
"I also volunteered under Captain Martin Fifer on the same duty
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STATE RECORDS.
and at the Moravian Town over Yadkin River and also in Guilford Co. under Capt. Alexander. In this duty we were 4 months employed in 1780. We were called out and went under the command of Major Win. R. Davie-an Attorney and Officer, later Minister to France, I believe-to join Gen. Gates near Camden. Major Davie was a tall, sallow-complexioned man with blue eyes. On getting as far as Gaston's( ?) which is near the South Carolina line, we met the American Army retreating. Gen. Gates and Major Davie had some conversation. We advanced some distance, when, on meeting some French Officers flying, we also joined in the retreat.
Gen. Gates had on a pale blue coat with epanlettes, with velvet breeches, and was riding a bay horse. We retreated as far as Char- lotte very much fatigued and worn down."
JESSE ALSOBROOK.
(Extract from the "deelaration" of Jesse Alsobrook Private of N. C. Continentals, filed in Pension Office, Washington, D. C. O. W. & N. D. Invalid, No. 16,600. Dec. 26th, 1832.)
"He enlisted in Halifax Co., N. C., as a regular soldier, as well as he now recollects, on the 25th April, 1781, for one year and entered the service as a regular soldier under Captain Robert Ruiford-a brave and good Captain. His Lieutenant was by the nume of Dudley. A Col. Dixon and Major Armstrong commanded the regiment to which he belonged.
There were two of the Armstrong's in the Army and one of them was called Colonel. He recolleets there were two regiments of regulars from North Carolina, cach enlisted about the same time and called twelve months regulars. The two were together for that time. Ile served in the first Regiment commanded, as he thinks, by the above regimental officers. Gen. Summer commanded both these regiments. Among the officers of his acquaintance, from North Carolina, in the above forees were Col. Lytle, Major Donahoe, Cap- tains Sharpe, Dixon and Lytle, in addition to those above mentioned.
Curtis Ivey was Adjutant of the 1st and Capt. Win. Bush was Adjutant of the 2nd Regiment.
We met in small companies at the High Ilills of Santee (S. C.), and joined Gen. Greene, and were then regulated into companies,
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STATE RECORDS.
battalions and regiments. Before we got to the High Hills of Santce, we had a little skirmish with Tarleton and Cornwallis across the river Roanoke at Halifax, but the only principal Engagement of much note that he recollects to have been in was at the Entaw Springs. Two miles before we reached the place of the general engagement we had a little fight between the horse on each side. Just before the com- mencement Captain Raiford and twenty four men, of whom this ap- plicant was one, were ordered by Col. Armstrong to advance ahead with two field picees and the officers belonging to the artillery, and when we had advaneed some distance in a run we discovered an advanced party of the British foot on our left in ambush just ready to fire and at that moment Capt. Raiford, commanded us to squat, and as we were in the in the act of doing so, the British fired and killed Jolin MeCoy and John Russel, two of my mess-mates. At this moment we raised and fired, and then our horse, commanded by Marion and Pickens, came to our relief, and eut that party of the British off. The general engagement then commenced and lasted for some time when the British took Col. Washington. Gon. Greene told Col. Washington that day to keep out of the fight, and save his men for a reserve, as this applicant was then told, but long before the battle ended Col. Washington and his horse broke two or three times thro' the British lines and back but at last he was wounded. The British rushed him into a big brick house that they retreated to. In this engagement the Lieutenant of my company was wounded. This applicant and two others carried him off the field. Ilis leg was broken by a grape shot. This applicant knows not whether he ever recovered.
* * -X- * *
* * * *
Captain Sharpe of the 2nd Regiment had on that day 29 of his men killed. Of Captain Raiford's company there were but about 5 or 6 killed, two of whom are named above. From this engagement we were marched back to the High Hills of Santee where we stayed for most of the winter."
JESSE ALSOBROOK.
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STATE RECORDS.
battalions and regiments. Before we got to the High ITills of Santee, we had a little skirmish with Tarleton and Cornwallis across the river Roanoke at Halifax, but the only principal Engagement of much note that he recollects to have been in was at the Eutaw Springs. Two miles before we reached the place of the general engagement we had a little fight between the horse on each side. Just before the com- mencement Captain Raiford and twenty four men, of whom this ap- plicant was one, were ordered by Col. Armstrong to advance ahead with two field picees and the officers belonging to the artillery, and when we had advanced some distance in a run we discovered an advanced party of the British foot on our left in ambush just ready to fire and at that moment Capt. Raiford, commanded us to squat, and as we were in the in the act of doing so, the British fired and killed John McCoy and John Russel, two of my mess-mates. At this moment we raised and fired, and then our horse, commanded by Marion and Pickens, came to our relief, and ent that party of the British off. The general engagement then commenced and lasted for some time when the British took Col. Washington. Gen. Greene told Col. Washington that day to keep out of the fight, and save his men for a reserve, as this applicant was then told, but long before the battle ended Col. Washington and his horse broke two or three times thro' the British lines and back but at last he was wounded. The British rushed him into a big brick house that they retreated to. In this engagement the Lientenant of my company was wounded. This applicant and two others carried him off the field. His leg was broken by a grape shot. This applicant knows not whether he ever recovered.
* * * * *
* * * *
Captain Sharpe of the 2nd Regiment had on that day 29 of his men killed. Of Captain Raiford's company there were but about 5 or 6 killed, two of whom are named above. From this engagement we were marched back to the High Hills of Santee where we stayed for most of the winter."
JESSE ALSOBROOK.
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STATE RECORDS.
COL. RICHARD ALLEN, SR.
(Extract from the declaration for pension (dated Sept. 4, 1832), of Col. Richard Allen, a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina. )
* That he was born on the 26th day of November, 1741, in Baltimore County the State of Maryland, the record of which is made in his old family Bible; that he continued to reside in the said County until he was twenty-one years of age when he removed to Frederick County, in the State of Virginia, where he lived about seven years, and then removed to Rowan County (now Wilkes), in North Carolina which was in the month of September, 1770. In the month of October, or November, 1775, he entered the service of the I'mited States as a volunteer for six months in Capt. Jesse Walton's Company of minute men (it being the first company ever raised in the county of Wilkes), of which company he was appointed first Sergeant. Immediately after the company was raised and organized they marched to Salisbury, where they remained about sixteen days engaged in training and exercising the men, after which they were discharged and returned home, where. they arrived a few days before Christmas.
On the 13th day of February, following, they set ont upon their march for Cross Creek or Fayetteville, having understood that the Scotch Tories were committing great depredations in the country round about that place. On their way they were joined by Col. Martin Armstrong with the Surry militia at a place called old Rich- mond. After joining Col. Armstrong they continued their march until they reached Randolph County, where they were joined by Col. Alexr. Martin of the Continental line with a small body of troops under his command. From thence they pursued their march dirret to Cross Creek or Fayetteville. The day before they arrived at that place a battle had been fought between the Tories under Gen'l MeDonald and the Whig militia under Gen'l Moore in which the former were defeated with considerable loss and a great mumber taken prisoners. The prisoners taken in this engagement were delivered over to Capt. Jesse Walton and his company who were ordered as a guard to convey them to Hillsboro'. They immediately set ont with the prisoners for that place but before they reached it they were met by two companies of Light Horse under the command of Cap- 22-7
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STATE RECORDS.
tains Mebane and Shepard who took charge of the prisoners, when Capt. Walton and his company were discharged and returned home, where they arrived the 29th March, having been gone near two months.
After their arrival at home they mnet twice every week and con- tinned to train and exercise themselves until their term of six months had expired. Not long after the expiration of his first term this deponent was chosen an ensign in the company of militia command- ed by Capt. Benj. Cleveland, and very soon afterwards they received orders from Col. Armstrong to go against the Indians who were com- mitting great depredations upon the frontier of the Western part of North Carolina. In this expedition they served about two weeks principally in scouring the frontier settlements. Soon after their re- turn orders were received by Captain Cleveland from Col. Armstrong to take his company and go in pursuit of Col. Roberts (a Tory Colo.), who had embodied a number of Tories on the North-west side of the Blue Ridge. They immediately set out in pursuit of Col. Roberts and continued to pursue him and his company without being able to overtake them until they advanced considerably into the State of Virginia, when they learned that Roberts had disbanded his men and that they had dispersed. Upon receiving this information they re- turned home, having been gone about three weeks.
Early in the year 1778, Captain Benjamin Cleveland was ap- pointed a Lieutenant Colonel and this deponent was appointed to succeed him as Captain of the company which commission he held until the close of the war. In the latter part of the year 1779, a call was made for troops to march to the defence of Charleston. A draft was made from the militia in Wilkes for the company and a draft also made from the Captains of Companies for a Captain to command that company. The lot fell upon this deponent and he accordingly repaired with his company to Hamblin's old store, where they ren- dezvoused on the 13th of January, 1780. As soon as they could or- ganize and make the necessary preparations they marched direct to Charleston, S. C., where they joined the third regiment of North Carolina militia, commanded by Col. Andrew Hampton. After join- ing the regiment they were stationed about two miles from the city at the smoky camps where they remained a considerable time and until a report obtained currency that the Tories intended to set fire to the town and thereby enable the British to effect a landing.
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STATE RECORDS.
Upon hearing of this report Gen. Lincoln ordered all the troops into the city where they remained until the term of service of this deponent and his men expired, when they were discharged and re- turned home, where they arrived sometime in the month of April, 1750, having been gone between three and four months. From the mouth of April, to September, 1780, this deponent, with small detach- ments, of the men under his command, served three short tours, the prreise length of each not particularly recollected, one of which was against a body of Tories assembled near the head of the Catawba river, another against Col. Bryan (a Tory Col. ), who had embodied a band of Tories in the Southern part of the State, and the other against some Tories on the north-west side of the Blue Ridge. In these three tours this deponent believes he served about two months. In the month of September, 1780, information was received by Col. Benjamin Cleveland that Maj. Ferguson of the British army was ad- vancing from South Carolina with a large body of British and Tories, upon which Col. Cleveland immediately issued orders for all the Troops within the County of Wilkes to rendezvous at the Court House. This deponent with what men he could colleet repair- ed thither immediately and after the troops were organized they all set out on their march to meet Maj. Ferguson. Upon the way they were joined by Col. Campbell with a body of troops from Virginia ns also by Cols. Sevier, Shelby, and MeDowell, with troops from North Carolina. After a junction of the troops was formed, as most of them had horses, it was proposed that all those who had horses or could procure them should advance immediately upon Ferguson. This deponent had a horse and was anxious to proceed with the main army but as a great many were on foot and would necessarily be left behind, it became necessary that the charge of those should be com- mitted to some officer. The command of the foot men was first offered to Col. Jos. Herndon but he positively refused to accept it unless this deponent who he said had more experience than himself, could be de- tailed to stay with him. In this state of affairs Col. Cleveland thought proper to order this deponent to remain in charge of the foot men and he acordingly done so. They continued their march, however, with all possible speed in the direction of King's mountain but was not able to reach it in time to engage in the battle, it having been fought and the Americans with their prisoners being on their return some short dis- tance before they met with them. When they rejoined the army
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STATE RECORDS.
they continued with them and assisted in guarding the prisoners until they proceeded as far as the Moravian towns in the County of Stokes, and after remaining there a considerable time they were relieved by Col. Winston with a detachment of fresh troops and Col. Cleveland and his men returned home, which place they reached some time in November-the precise time not recollected -- but they were in service in this expedition about two months.
About the latter part of January, 1781, an express arrived at Capt. Benjamin Herndon's, in Wilkes, from Gen. Davidson, inform- ing that Lord Cornwallis was approaching the State from South Caro- lina and requesting that as many troops as possible should be collect- ed immediately to oppose him. This deponent collected all the men under his command that he could get and set out with the other troops from the County in order to rendezvous at Salisbury ; but when within about fourteen miles of Salisbury they heard that Lord Cornwallis had crossed the Catawba and was then in Salisbury. Upon receiving this information they changed the direction of their route and march; ed towards Salem in order to join Gen. Green who was at that time supposed to be on Dan river or near the borders of Virginia. When they had advanced as far as Person County, North Carolina, they received orders from Gen. Green to return and endeavor to form a junction with Gen. Pickens, who was expected to be advancing from South Carolina through what is now East Tennessee and to in- form him of the situation of affairs, as also to condnet him through the country so that he might be within a convenient distance of Gen. Green's army and to co-operate with him if necessary. They did re- turu and this deponent met with Gen. Pickens at Mitchell's river in the County of Surry, and conducted him to Salem where they join- ed Col, Locke with his regiment. When they left Salem Gen. Pickens and Col. Locke with the respective troops under their command sep- arated, the former taking the direct road to Hillsboro' and the latter taking a route leading higher up the country. This deponent was attached to the troops under Col. Locke and when they had proceeded as far as Stony Creek in the County of Guilford or Rockingham, information was received from Gen. Pickens that a large muuber of Tories had embodied themselves with Col. Pyles, and requesting Col. Locke's troops to repair with all possible dispatch to meet him at Trollinger's ford on Haw river. Col. Locke with his troops set out immediately but before they reached Trollinger's ford Gen. Pickens
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STATE RECORDS.
had engaged with the Tories and defeated them. As soon as they heard of the defeat of the Tories they turned their course and march- ed directly for Gen. Green's army which they met with near the High Rock. After remaining with Gen, Green a few days Col. Locke's regiment was discharged and returned home together with some others of the troops. In this expedition this deponent served a month to tive weeks.
In addition to the service above enumerated this deponent per- formed a member of short tours (amounting perhaps to twenty), against the Tories in various parts of the Country, and disarming and arresting suspected persons and bringing them to trial, but it would be impossible for him to specify the particular periods of these ser- vices.
This deponent further states that he was duly commissioned as an Ensign and Captain as stated in the foregoing declaration. Ile can- not now recolleet by whom the Ensign's commissioned was signed, but he believes the Captain's commission was signed by Governor Caswell-both of which are lost or mislaid so that they cannot now be produced.
RICHARD ALLEN, SEN'R.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. R. ALLEN, J. P.
WILLIAM ALLEN.
(Extract from the declaration of William Allen, dated 18th Sept., 1832, filed in the Pension Office, Washington. "O. W. & N. D., In- valid, No. 30,822.")
"He volunteered as a private in the militia of North Carolina about the 1st of September, 1781, and redezvonsed at Hillsborongh, N. C. The Captain who commanded his company he has no recollec- tion of, only his appearance which was that of a keen aetive man. The Lieutenant of his Company was by the name of John Campbell, and the Ensign was Robert Scoby. Hle states that he was under the command of his officers but a short time, as the sequel will show, but that the Colonel of his regiment was Archibald Lytle, who was a regular officer. Much else of the organization of the troops, and of the officers, he does not now recollect. At the time of entering the
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STATE RECORDS.
service he resided in Orange Co., N. C. He was born in the State of Pennsylvania, and went to Orange at an early age. He voluntecered for a six months tour and the troops to which he belonged were raised for the purpose, as he understood, of marching to join Gen. Greene at the Iligh Hills of Santee River, thence to march to a place in South Carolina called Ninety-six, now Cambridge; but while at Hills- borough preparing to go on this expedition, the Tories under the com- mand of Tory Fanning, and the British under Col. MeDougan, came upon us and took three hundred of us prisoners, among whom was Governor Burke. Ile saw Col. Lytle wounded by a sword in the head by Tory Fanning. This transaction took place at Hillsborough as above stated on the 4th of September, 1781. That night we re- mained near Hillsborough and were carried next morning by the British and Tories to a place called Lindley's Mill, where a pretty severe and well fought battle took place between a force of the Repub- lieans and the British and Tories, during which engagement the pris- oners were kept in a close place with a strong guard around them. Ile recollects well of seeing there killed the celebrated Tory Colonel MeNeil. That night, after the battle of Lindley's Mill, we were forced off by our captors and taken by Wilcox's Iron Works to Wil- mington, where we were put on board of British ships, which steered towards the West India Islands, and then tacked and disem- barked us at Charleston, where the greater part remained until peace, but this applicant states that he was exchanged on the 11th of August, 1782, and came on back home in Orange."
his WILLIAM X ALLEN. mark
Affidavit made in State of Illinois, County of Gallatin.
JOHN ALLISON.
That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated :
Ile entered the service for nine months in the year 1778, in the County of Orange, in the State of North Carolina, under Capt. Wil- liam Lytle. We rendezvoused at Hillsborough, the County Seat of Orange County. From Hillsborough we were marched and crossed the Yadkin river at a place then called the Island Ford, as well as
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STATE RECORDS.
be recollects, continuing their march they passed through Salisbury, Charlotte, Camden, and crossed Santee river at Nelson's Ferry, thence to Monk's Corner thence to the Ten Mile house where we remained for some short time. From this latter place we marched through Dogester and crossed a small stream at Bacon's Bridge. We then marched to Purysburg where we joined Gen. Lincoln.
This declarant belonging to the Third Regiment; Col. Archibald Lythe, Capt. William Lytle's brother, was the Colonel of the Regi- ment. We were here stationed in the winter where this declarant, was taken siek and placed in the Hospital. Ilis brother, James Alli- son, then at home, learning the diseased condition of this applicant came and proenred from Gen. Lincoln a furlough and took him to his father's in Orange County where he remained siek until the troops re- turned home, when Col. Lytle gave him a discharge. He remained with his father, but how long he does not recollect, when he entered the militia service for three months. He has forgotten the names of both his Captain and Lieutenant. His Sergeant's name was William Riley. The company to which he belonged, with other companies, were marched to Hillsborough where he remained until the expiration of our three months.
The object in calling and stationing the militia was to protect the town against the Tories. After the three months had expired he received a discharge from his Captain and returned home. Shortly after he volunteered, but for no particular time, under Capt. John Whiteside; his Lieutenant's name was Joseph Allison, the brother of this declarant; General Butler was our head commander. We were marched by Gen. Butler from Orange County down to Granville Old Court House, in Granville County, where we remained some time. Some here obtained leave to return home for the purpose of ascer- taining the condition of our relatives many of whom had suffered from the depredations of the British under the command of Lord Cornwallis, who, with his army, had lain in the neighborhood of this declarant's father for two days and nights. When he arrived at his father's he found his house stripped of furniture. They had taken a wagon and team from his father and as much corn as they could carry. This property was never regained.
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