USA > South Carolina > School history of South Carolina > Part 10
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2. Some of the North Carolina militia met at Anson Court House, on July 20. to be roaly to co-operate with them. On the approach of the Americans the British maior, McArthur, who commanded on the Peedee, called in all his detachments und joined the main army at Camden. As the British with- draw from the Pardee country. the people, disgusted with their rapacity. generally took up arms. Major Thomas. with a party of Americans. lately received as loyal subjects of Britain, took prisoner Lord Maire and 100 British invalids. A large boat from Georgetown with supplies for Major Me- Arthur was seized for the use of the American army.
3. The people who had given their adherence to the British government, instead of being treated as subjects and citizens. Were regarded as conquered rebels and treated with contempt and ignominy. The royal officers, instead of pursuing a polev calentated to keep the inhabitants in good humor, often ag- gravated intolerable injuries by more intolerable insults. They did more to re-establish the independence of the state than could have been effetel by the archives of Congress.
1. Baron DeKalb continued in command of the American
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forces until July 27. when General Gates arrived with orders from Congress to assume the command in chief .. Great wer" the expectations of the people anl the clouds that had over. hung the affairs of the country began to disperse, and the hope was entertainel that the British would soon be expelled from the state. What a terrible disappointment to their hopes soon came.
3. On August 15 General Stevens, with a brigade of Vir- ginia militia, joined General Gates. With this addition the army amounted to 3.863. Of these about 900 were conti mental infantry. and 70 cavalry.
6. As this approach of the Americans was unexpected! ! the British. Lord Cornwallis was distant from the seane of action: but as soon as possible be took command in perso: and superseded Lord Rawdon on the 14th. The British fore. iu number was inferior to the Americaa. It consisted of about 1,700 infantry and 300 cavalry. Convallis had some hesitation about giving battle and might have declined with honor, as the American army was larger than bis. But he considerel that a retreat would itself be disastrous to the the British cause and be determined to risk a battle.
7. On the night of the 17th he marched out with his whole forces to attack the Americans. At almost the same hour General Gates put his ar uy in motion in order to take a position between Sanders erek and Green swamp, about eight miles from Caniden. The two armies met about mid- night and firing hegalt at Oo In this engagement Coloquei Pettertiebl, of Virginia, was mortally wounded This engage. ment, which was not general, lasted but a short time. when both parties withdrew to their main bodies and lay in position mutil morning.
> In the morning a satte and general engagement took place, in which the Americans were completely defeated, their forces rohitel, and the militia scattered to the winds. The
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continentals behaved well, but all attempts to rally the militia, after their ranks were broken, proved vain. Colonel Tarleton chargal them as they broke, and as they fed he pursued thoum Lad great numbers fell under the sabres of his LIPO.
9. Major- General Baron DeKalb, au illustrious German, re- ceived eleven wounds and. although well. treated by the onemy after his capture died in a short time. Lieutenant- Colon DuBaysion. bis aide, in trying to save him was severely woundel. Brigadier General Rutherford of North Carolina, and Major Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina. were taken prisoners.
10. The American lass in this battle was eight field pieces tall they Led. more than, 200 wagons and nearly all their baggage. The loss of the British in killed and wounded was about 304. Their success was. owing in a great measure to the fight of the millidia aud to their superiority in cavalry. If the American militia had stood firm it is altogether proba- ble that the fate of the day would have been very different.
11. Goperal Gates retreated with his continentals into North Carolina. He was severely blamed at the time, and has been by historians since, for his want of caution and his great self-confidence. . It is, perhaps, very true that his great success at Saratoga caused him to look forward to a conflict with Lord Cornwallis as to an assured victory. It is not well for one to despise his enemis or to be too sure of beat- ing him.
12. This sad defeat somed to destroy for a time. almost the Last hope of the friends of independence in South Carolina, and made the enemy still more insolent and rapa- cions. In almost every district their progress was marked by blood, and by deeds of atrocity, which reflected dis- grace upon their ang .. Many of the bading citizens of Charlestown, parolal prisoners as they were, on August 27
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were removed to a guard ship and in a few days were transplanted to St. Augustine. Lieutenant-Governor Gadsden was one of them, and he. to express his indignation at such treatment, refused to accept an offered parole in St. Angus- tine, and bore c'est confinement in that castle for forty weeks rather than te paroled a second time by a power which nad violated its first parole.
13. From that time St. Augustine was used as a terror to frighten prisoners into becoming subjects and citizens of the British empire. And to convince the people that they were resolved to kanish all who refused to become subjects. on November 15 they sent off an additional number of prisoners who had been paroled. They, also sent off General Ruther- ford and Colonel Isaacs of North Carolina, who had been captured near Camden in August, 1750.
14. It was while General William Moultrie was a prisoner on parole, be having been in Charlestown at the time of its surrender, that he was offered a position in the British army by his friend. Lord Charles Montagne, if he would desert the cause of American independence. To which Moultrie replied that when he entered into the contest he did it with the
' most mature deliberation and a resolution to risk life ant fortune in the cause. And he begged leave to decline the proffered honor.
15. But though great depression and gloom had come over the people of the State, yet the spirit of liberty was not dead, nor was opposition to arbitrary rule at an end. Never did Carolinians behave more nobly than when they were depressed by misfortune. The measures of Cornwallis to depress had the contrary effect. The day of prosperity began to dawn when the despest gloom spread over the country after the defeat of General Gates. Even the proclamation of Lord Comosallis, in which he instructed his subordinate. to hang every nul da man who, ouro having borne arms with
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the British. afterwards joined the Americans: even this procla- mation, vindictive as it was. failed to crush the spirit of the people, or to strengthen the British cause.
16. After Sumter's successes, mentioned in the last chapter, he started on his return to meet General Gates, but hearing of that general's disastrous dofeat at Camden, he began his retreat up the Wateree. Being ecenmbered with a great quantity of captured baggage. 40 wagons and 800 prisoners. he was pursued by Colonel Tarleton. who had been. dispatched by Lord Cornwellis for that purpose: surprised at night. and his forces completely routed. The carnage was dreadful. and the whole loss in killed, wounded and prisoners was little less than that of General Gates on the 16th at Camdem.
17. Sumter male bis escape, but very few others of the officers and men were so fortunate. Several of the prisoners were carried to Camden and hanged without trial as rebels and traitors, under the express orders of Lord Cornwallis. But these and other atrocities of like nature did his cause no good.
1S. General Gates, having collected the remnant of his forces at Hillsborough, N. C .. found that he had under his command only a little over 1,000 men. And after Sumter's defeat there were very few men in arms in South Carolina. besides a small band of about seventy-five under Marion. But he was untiring and always active. Learning that a body of prisoners, about 100 in number, taken at the battle of Camden. were on the way to Charlestown nader a strong gnard, Marion determined to effect their rescue. Placing his men in ambush near Monck's Corner he succeeded in taking the whole party. British as well as Americans. Ho then passed the Santer and made his way into North Carolina as rapidly as possible with the prisoners.
19. The departure of Marion into North Carolina left South Carolina almost, but not quite. entirelys abandoned to the
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enemy. General Andrew Pickens. in Ninety-Six district, never ceased to exert himself and to stir up others to strike for independence. The fire was kept olive, and when it seemed mnoit nearly extinguished it burst into an inestinguishable flamme. The people of York district, from the beginning of the con- test. had always maintained an attitude of independence and had never male any coneysicas to the invaler. Amongst these. soon : free bis defeat, Samter began to recruit His fores -. Major Davie also Led egytippel as dragons som 50 or fo men in the same neighborhood, and they were now waiting for a favorable occasion to strike a blow.
20. It was to part a stop to these movements and to inter- cept Colonel Clarke on his retreat from Augusta, Georgia. which state he Had been trying to free from the British voke. that Colonel Ferguson. of the 7th British regiment. Was despatched to the upper part of the state An expedition which provol fatal to him at the battle of King's Mountain. anl fatal to British supremacy in South Carolina. This battle of K'ne's Mountain we. the beginning of that great return wave which broke the British power, and swept it. not only from South Carolina, but from all the states which had declared for independence. The Americans engaged in it were altogether militia mm of the upper country, mounted riflemen of the mountains, who had banded themselves together. under their own chosen leaders, in defence of their homes.
QUESTIONS .- 1. Who was ordered to the South during the seige of Charlestown ? Give his line of travel?
2. What did Mc Arthur do on the approach of the Americans? When the British withdrew from the Peedee country what dul the people do ?
3. How were the people treated who had given their adherence to the British government?
1. Who superceded De Kalb? What expectations feel the people?
5. Who joined Water? How many men had Gates at this time"
6. Give the British force? What did Cornwalli, determine to do?
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7 When did the Brittsh move? Americans? What was the result of these movements ?
S. When was the battle resumed ? Give an account of it ?
9. Who were among the killed and wounded ?
Io. Give the American loss ? British ? To what was the British success {lue ?
II. When did Gates go? Why was he blamed ?
12. What effect hadd this battle of the Americans? British ? What was done with some of the leading citizens ? What is said of Lieutenant- Governor Gadsden ?
13. For what was St. Augustine used ? Who else were sent there ?
14. What was offered General Moultrie? What did he reply ?
15. How did the people behave under the oppression of Cornwallis ?
16. What is said of Tarleton's pursuit of Sumter? Give the result of the battle ?
17. Who.escapel? What was done to some of Tarleton's prisoners ?
IS. Where did Gates collect his fordes? How many inen hal he ? How many men were in arts in south Carolina at this time? What did Marion do:
19. After Marion's departure. what lealler war left in the state ? What is said of the people of York ?
20. For what was Colonel Ferguson sent? Of what was the battle of King's Mountain the beginning ?
CHAPTER XXVIL
BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.
1. Colonel Ferguson, having received orders from Lord Cornwallis to attack the assailant of Augusta on his return. drew nearer to the mountains for that purpose and prepared to fall upon Colonel Clarke. While waiting for Clarke ho heard that a new enemy was approaching him. This new mummy was proceeding upon the same enterprise in which Colonel Clarke had just failed. But hearing of Clarke's retreat and of Ferguson's expedition at the same time, they gave up their march against Augusta and turned their atten-
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tion to Ferguson. with the resolution to whip him and not let their assembling together bo withont some gool result.
2. These men were from Kentucky, the western country of Virginia and North Carolina, and some from South Carolina, and were commanded by Colonels Campbell. Cleveland. Wil- liam-, Sevier, and Shelby. At Gilbert Town, which place Ferguson had just left, they selectel 1,500 of their warriors. and with these they followed the British partisan, bent upon his destruction.
3. Ferguson, apprised of their approach, took post on King's Mountain, & position thickly set with trees and more easily assailed by the rifle than defended by the bayonet. Here he was found by the Americans, who dismounted and arranged themselves for battle. They were formed into three, sonia say four. divisions, commanded by Cleveland. Shelby, Camp- bell, and Williams. Campbell bad nominally chief command, but each division fought independently of the others, led by its own colonel. One division ascended the mountain direct. while the others went round its base in opposite directions. so as to make the attack on three separate sides. Cleveland. who led one of the detachments round the mountain, first struck the puemy. But before the engagement began he made his men the following speech.
4. "My brave follows! we have beat the tories and we can beat them. They are all cowards. If they had the spirit of mon, they would join with their fellow citizens in supporting the independence of their country. When engaged you are not to wait for the word of command from me. I will show you by wy example how to fight. I can undertako no more. Every man must consider himself an officer and act from his own jodyneor. Fire as qmekly as you can and stand your grond as long as you can. When you can de no better get behind tres or ratrest, but I beg of you get to run quite off. If we are repulsed let us make a point to return and
-- -
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renew the fight. Perhaps we may have better luck in the second attempt than the first. If any of you are afraid. such have leave to retire, and they are requestel imme liately to take themselves off."
5. They then opened a destructive fire from behind trees. Ferguson charged with the bayonet and Cleveland gave way. But at that instant from another quarter. Shelby's division poured in their fire, alike destructive anl effectual. Fergu- son turned upon his new assailants, advanced with the bayonet and drove them back, but gained no other advantage. By the time he bad driven Shelby back. Colonel Campbell had gained the top of the mountain, where his men poured in a deadly fire. Ferguson again used the bayonet with the liko result. And now all the divisions returned to the charge in concert, and resistance by Ferguson became mere temerity.
6. Nevertheless he still fought on and showed no disposition to yield. After fighting bravely for nearly an hour he was struck by a ball and fell dead. The fire of the enemy instantly slackened. when the second in command beat a parley and surrender immediately followed. The enemy lost in this engagement 300 killed and wounded. 100 regulars and 700 tories were made prisoners, and 1,500 stands of arms were taken, Ferguson being provided with extra muskets to arm such of the tories as might join them.
7. The American loss was small in number, but among the killed was Colonel Williams of South Carolina, who had joined with his adherents from Ninety Six. and was one of the most active and resolute of this daring body of men. Colonel Williams, holding a commission as brigadier-general, might rightfully have assumed the chief command, but he waived it and separately led on his own troops to the charge. He behaved with the greatest bravery, and had the good fortune to encounter personally in battle Colonel Ferguson, who attempted to force his way at this point. They both fell on
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the spot, being shot, it was sapposed. by a ball from the British side. It was the last gun fired.
S. Ten tory prisoners were hanged by their conquerors, a it was alleged that they were guilty of crimes for which their lives were forfeited by law. Clarke had failed to take Augusta, but his attempt led to the destruction of Ferguson. and to the temporary relief of North Carolina. The following account of the battle of King's Mountain, drawn up by three of the leaders in that fight, ought to be inserted here:
9. "A statement of the proceedings of the Western army. from the 25th day of September, 1750, to the reduction of Major Ferguson and the army under his command: On re- caiving intelligence that Major Ferguson had advanced up as high as Gilbert Town. in Rutherford county, and threatened to cross the mountains to the Western waters. Colonel William Campbell with 400 men from Washington county. Virginia, Colonel Isaac Shelby with 240 men from Sullivan county, of North Carolina, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Sevier with 240 men from Wahington county, North Carolina. assemblei ot Wattanga, on the 25th day of September, where they were joined by Colonel Charles MeDowell, with 160 men from the counties of Buck and Rutherford, who had fled before the ettemy to the Westein waters.
10. "We began our march on the 26th, and on the 30th we were joined by Colonel Cleveland, on the Catawba river. with #30 men, from the counties of Wilkes and Surrey. No one offert having properly a right to command in chief. on the first of October we dispatched an express to Major-tien- eral distes informing him of our situation, and requested him to send a grand officer to take command of the whole. In the wanting. Colonel Campbell was chosen to act as com- mander i'll area general officer should arrive.
11. "We malached to the Cowpens, on Broad river in South Carolina, where we were joined by Colonel James William-
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with 400 men on October 6th, who informed us that the € enemy lay encamped somewhere near the Cherokee ford of Broad river, about 30 miles distance from us. By a council of the six principal officers it was then thought advisable to pursue the enemy that night, with 900 of the best horsemen. and leave the weak horse and foot to follow as fast as pos- sible.
12. "We began our march with 900 of the best men about > O'clock the same evening, and marching all night came up with the enemy about 3 o'clock p. m. on the 7th, who lav orcamped on the top of King's Mountain. 12 miles north of the Cherokee ford. in the confidence that they could not be forced from so advantageous a post.' Previous to the attack, on our taarch, the following disposition was male: Colonel Shelby's regiment formed a column in our centre of the left. Colonel Campbell's regiment another on the right, part of Colonel Cleveland's regiment benled in front by Major Wins- ton, and Colonel Sevier's regiment formed a large column on the right wing: the other part of Colon ! Cleveland's regi- ment, headel by Colonel Cleveland Himself. and Colonel Williams' regiment. composed the left wing.
13. In this order we advanced and got within a quarter of a mile of the enemy before we were discovered. Colonel Shelby's and Colonel Campbell's regiments began the attack, atul kept up a tire on the enemy. while the right and left wings were advancing to surround them, which was done in about five minutes, and the fire became general all around; the engagement lasted an hour and five minutes, the greater part of which time a heavy and incessant firing was kept up on both sides: our mon in some point where the regulars fought were obliged to give ground a small distance two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional arder to the attack.
14. "The troops upon the right having gained the summit
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of the eminence, obliged the enemy to retreat along the top of the ridge to where Colonel Cleveland commanded. and were there stopped by his brave men; a flag was immediately hoisted by Captain Depoisture, then commanding officer. (Major Ferguson having been killed a Ittle before) for a sur- render, our fire immediately ceased, and the enemy laid down their arms. the greater part of them charged, and surren- dered themselves prisoners to us at discretion.
15. "It appears from their returns for that day. found in their camp, that their whole force consisted of 1,125 men -- out of which they sustained the following loss: Of the regu- lars, one major. one captain, two sergeants, and lễ privates killed, 35 privates wounded, left on the ground not able to march. Two captains, four lieutenants, three ensigns. one surgeon, five sergeants, three corporals, one drummer, and 49 privates taken prisoners :- loss of the tories, two colonels. three captains, and 201 privates killed. One major, and 127 privates wounded and left on the ground not able to march: one colonel. 12 captains, 11 lieutenants, two ensigns, one quartermaster, one adjutant, two commissaries, 18 sergeants. and 600 privates taken prisoners. Total loss of the enemy. 1,105 men at King's Mountain.
"Given under our hands at camp.
'.W.M. CAMPBELL. "ISAAC SHELBY. "BENJ. CLEVELAND."
QUESTIONS. - I. What order did Colonel Ferguson receive? While waiting for Clarke, what did he hear? On hearing of Clarke's retreat, what did the new enemy do?
2. Where were these men from, and by whom were they commanded ? What did they do at Gilbert Town ?
3. When Ferguson heard of the approach of the Americans, what did he de' How was it decided to attack Ferguson? Where is King's Mountain?
4. Tell what you know of Colonel Cleveland's speech to his men.
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5. Tell what is saidl of Colonels Clevelan 1, Shelby, and Williams in the battle of King's Mountain. How did Colonel Ferguson attempt to repel the attacks of his assailants ?
6. What put an end to the battle ? What was the loss of the enemy?
7. What was the loss of the Americans ? What is said of Colonel Wil- liams:
8. What is said of the hanging of ten tory prisoners? What did Clarke's failure to take Augusta lead to ?
9. In the official report of the battle, what forces assembled on Sep- tember 25th to resist Major Ferguson's advance ? What officers were in command ?
IO. Who joined these forces on September goth? There being no officer in command of the whole army, what was done ?
It. Who joined the army at Cowpens and what news did he bring? At a council of the principal officers, what was determined upou ?
12. What is said of the march to King's Mountain ? What was the disposition of the artny ?
13. What is said of the attack by Colonels Shelby and Campbell ? What is further said of the battle ?
14. After the death of Major Ferguson, what did the enemy do ?
15. State as nearly as you can the loss of the British in this battle ? What officers made the official report of the battle ?
CHAPTER XXVIII.
RETREAT OF LORD CORNWALLIS. RUGELEY'S MILLS. BATTLE AT FISH DAM FORD. ELACKSTOCKS.
1. The defeat of Ferguson gave very serious alarm to Lord Cornwallis, who was then at Charlotte. N. C. He therefore immediately left that place and fell back to Winnsborougb. in South Carolina. On his retreat the militi of the country through which he passed took several wagons loaded with stores, and single men often riding up to within gunshot of his army fired at the retreating British and rode safely away. Ferguson's defeat and death, and the retreat of Cornwallis, so encouraged the American militia that many of them repaired to the camps of the respective commanders, and then sub-
9
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mitted willingly to the strict discipline and training of regulat soldiers.
2. Early in October General Gates sent General Morgan from Hillsborough, N. C., with 1, 500 Maryland and Delawas. troops, and SO dragoons, to aid the exertions of the whigs of Mecklenburg and Rowan Counties in North Carolina. From that detached position Lieutenant Colonel Washington with a small force penetrated to the neighborhood of Camden, and on December 4. 1750, appeared before Colonel Rugeley's position.
3. Colonel Rugeley, having takeu a commission in the tory militia in the British service, had made a stockade fort arouul his house, and had collected , therein a garrison of 112 meL. Colonel Washington, who had no artillery, might not have been able to take the fort. as without artillery. it would have been extreemly difficult. if not impossible, to make a breach in the works. But Washington quietly went to work and prepared a pine log to resemble a heavy cannon, mounted a: such, and then immediately demanded an instant surrender of the place. Rugeley surrendered at once.
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