USA > Virginia > Washington County > Washington County > History of southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870 > Part 30
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Washington County, 1777-1870.
regiment, headed in front by Major Winston, and Colonel Sevier's regiment formed a large column on the right wing; the other part of Colonel Cleveland's regiment, headed by Colonel Cleveland him- self, and Colonel Williams' regiment, composed the left wing. 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, and kept up a fire while the right and left wings were advancing to surround them, which was done in about five minutes ; the greatest part of which time a heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides ; our men in some parts, where the regulars fought, were obliged to give way a small dis- tance, two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional ardor to the attack. The troops upon the right having gained the summit 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 DePeyster, their commanding officer (Major Ferguson having been killed a little before), for a surrender, our fire imme- diately ceased, and the enemy laid down their arms, the greatest part of them charged, and surrendered themselves to us prisoners at discretion.
It appeared from their own provision 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 regulars, one major, one captain, two sergeants, and fifteen privates killed ; thirty-five privates wounded, left on the ground not able to march. T'wo captains, four lieutenants, three ensigns, one surgeon, five sergeants, three corporals, one drummer, and forty-nine 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, twelve cap- tains, eleven lieutenants, two ensigns, one quartermaster, one adju- tant, two commissaries, eighteen sergeants and 600 privates taken prisoners. Total loss of the enemy, 1,105 men, at King's mountain. Given under our hands at camp.
(Signed)
WM. CAMPBELL, ISAAC SHELBY, BENJ. CLEVELAND,
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Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
*The number of men composing the army of the mountain men on this expedition was as follows:
From Washington county, Va., under Colonel Wm. Campbell, 400 From Sullivan county, N. C., under Colonel Isaac Shelby,. ... 240 From Washington county, N. C., under Colonel John Sevier, .. 240 From Burke and Rutherford, N. C., under Colonel Charles McDowell, 160
From Wilkes and Surry, N. C., under Colonel Cleveland and
Major John Winston, . 350
1,350
The official report of the killed and wounded in the army of the mountain men, as published at the time and now on file with the Gates' papers in the New York Historical Society; gives the killed and wounded as follows :
RETURN OF KILLED AND WOUNDED.
KILLED.
WOUNDED
REGIMENTS.
Colonel.
Major.
Captain.
Lieutenant.
Ensign.
Sergeant.
Private.
Total.
Colonel.
Major.
Capta n.
Lieutenant.
Ensign.
Sergeant.
Private.
Total.
Grand Total.
Campbell's.
1
2
4
5
12
1
3
17
21
33
McDowell's
4
4
4
8
Thomas'
8
8
8
Cleveland's
8
1
2
10
13
21
Shelby's
Sevier's.
2
2
10
10
12
Hayes'
1
1
3
3
4
Brannon's
3
3
3
Col. Williams'
1
1
1
Total.
1
1
1
2|
4
19
28
1
3
3
: 5
62
90
It will be seen that this report is imperfect in this, that it does not report the killed and wounded in Colonel Shelby's regiment, and, in addition thereto, it is known to imperfectly state the killed and wounded in Colonel Campbell's regiment.
On the 26th day of October, Colonel Campbell issued an order appointing Colonel Cleveland to the command of the troops then encamped at Bethabara, after which, Colonels Campbell and Shelby
*Foote's Sketches, N. C., page. 266
331
Washington County. LET :- 1870.
repaired to General Gates's camp at Hillsborough, Colonel Shelby to offer the services of a number of mountain men under Major McDowell, to serve under General Morgan. The object of Colonel Campbell's visit is best stated in a letter written by him to Gov- ernor Jefferson from Hillsborough, which letter is as follows:
"Hillsborough, October 31. 1280.
"Sir .--- I came to this place last night to receive General Gates' directions how to dispose of the prisoners taken at King's moun- tain, in the State of South Carolina, upon the ith instant. He has ordered them to be taken over to Montgomery county, where they are to be secured under proper guards. General Gates transmits to your Excelleney a state of the proceedings of our little party to the westward. I flatter myself we have much relieved that part of the country from its late distress.
"I am, your Excellency's most obedient and very humble servant. "WILLIAM CAMPBELL."
General Gates directed Colonel William Preston to prepare a proper place for the reception and care of the prisoners, but Colonel Preston immediately answered General Gates, informing him that the Lead Mines would be an unsafe place for the prisoners, as a large portion of the inhabitants of Montgomery county were dis- affected, and advised General Gates to send the prisoners to Bote- tourt county. General Gates, upon receipt of Colonel Preston's letter, was in doubt as to the proper disposition of the prisoners, and Colonel Campbell advised him to send the prisoners north to Washington's army, which idea General Gates partially approved. and directed Colonel Campbell to proceed to Richmond with dis- patches to Governor Jefferson on the subject, which matter was re- ferred to the Congress of the United States by Governor Jefferson, and that body. on the 20th of November, expressed it as their opinion that the governors of the several States whose citizens were numbered among the prisoners should make such orders respecting the prisoners as the public security and the laws of the respective States may require. Acting under this recommendation of Con- gress, that portion of the prisoners that had not previously thereto escaped were either paroled or enlisted in the militia of the States of North and South Carolina.
Governor Jefferson, upon receipt of General Gates' report of the
*
338
Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
battle of King's mountain, transmitted the same to the Congress of the United Colonies, which body, on the 15th of November, adopted the following resolution :
"Nov. 13, 1780.
"A letter of the "th from Governor Jefferson was read, inclosing a letter of the first from Major-General Gates with a particular account of the victory obtained by the militia over the enemy at King's mountain, on the 7th of October, last, whereupon Resolved :---
"That Congress entertain a high sense of the spirited and mili- tary conduct of Colonel Campbell and the officers and privates of the militia under his command, displayed in the action of October, "th, in which a complete victory was obtained over superior num- bers of the enemy advantageously posted on King's mountain, in the State of S. Carolina, and that this resolution be published by the commanding officer of the southern army, in general orders."
On the 15th of the same month the Senate of Virginia passed the following resolutions :
"Resolved, nemine contradicente, that the thanks of this House are justly due to Colonel William Campbell, of Washington county, and the brave officers and soldiers under his command, who, with an ardor truly patriotic in the month of September last, without waiting for the call of Government, voluntarily marched out to oppose the common enemy, at the time making depredations on the frontiers of North Carolina, and on the seventh day of October, by a well-timed, judicious and spirited attack, with a force inferior to that of Major Ferguson's, then advantageously posted on King's mountain, with upwards of eleven hundred men, and by a perse- verance and gallantry rarely to be met with, even among veteran troops, totally defeated the whole party, whereby, a formidable and dangerous scheme of the enemy was effectually frustrated."
On the 10th day of November the Legislature of Virginia adopted the following resolutions :
"Resolved that the thanks of this House be given to Colonel William Campbell, of the county of Washington, and the officers and soldiers under his command, who spontaneously equipped themselves, and went forth to the aid of a sister State; suffering distress under the invasion and ravage of the common enemy, and who, combined with some detachments from the neighboring States, judiciously concerted and bravely executed an attack on
339
Washington County, 1777-1870.
a party of the enemy commanded by Major Ferguson, consisting of about 1,105 men, British and Tories, strongly posted on King's mountain, whereby, after a severe and bloody conflict of upwards of an hour, the survivors of the enemy were compelled to surren- der themselves prisoners of war; and that Colonel Campbell be rt- quested to communicate the contents of this resolution to the gal- lant officers and soldiers who composed his party."
Joseph Jones, Richard Henry Lee and Colonel William Fleming were appointed a committee to communicate the foregoing vote of thanks to Colonel Campbell, which they did, to which Colonel Campbell was pleased to return the following answer :
"Gentlemen,-I am infinitely happy in receiving this public tes- timony of the approbation of my country for my late services in South Carolina. It is a reward far above my expectations, and I esteem it the noblest a soldier can receive from a virtuous people. Through you, gentlemen, I wish to communicate the high sense I have of it to the House of Delegates. I owe, under Providence, much to the brave officers and soldiers who served with me; and I shall take the carliest opportunity of transmitting the resolve of your House to them, who, I am persuaded will experience all the honest, heartfelt satisfaction, I feel myself on this occasion."
Upon the receipt of Colonel Campbell's answer, the General As- sembly of Virginia adopted the following resolution :
"Ordered that a good horse, with elegant furniture, and a sword, be purchased at the public expense and presented to Gen- eral Campbell, as a farther testimony of the high sense the Gen- eral Assembly entertain of his late important services to his coun- try."
This resolution was not carried into execution in the lifetime of Colonel Campbell, but the horse and sword were afterwards pre- sented to William C. Preston, a grandson of Colonel Campbell's, and United States Senator for many years from South Carolina. The gratitude of the people of Virginia to Colonel Campbell and his brave men for the great service they had rendered their country was unbounded. and the General Assembly of Virginia exhausted every resource in their power to make evident the gratification of the people.
On the 14th of June, 1781, the General Assembly of Virginia adopted the following resolution :
340
Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
"Resolved, that Wm. Campbell, Esq., be appointed a Brigadier- General in the militia of this Commonwealth, and the Governor elect do commission him accordingly."
And on the 22d of November, 1783, after the death of General Campbell, the General Assembly adopted the following resolution :
"Resolved, That after the lands given by law as bounties to the officers and soldiers shall be surveyed and laid off, five thousand acres of the surplus be granted to Charles Campbell, in considera- tion of the meritorious services of his late father, General Camp- bell."
And on the 9th day of December, 1780, the General Assembly adopted the following resolution :
"Resolved, That the Governor be directed to forward to Wash- ington county, thirty bushels of salt and six hundred pounds cash, to be by the court of that county distributed among the widows and orphans of the slain and wounded officers and soldiers of the corps that fought at King's mountain, in such proportion as by the said court may be judged proper."
It is doubtful whether there is another county in this Union, whose citizens, either voluntarily or by command of the govern- ment, rendered such valuable services to their country in a time of imminent danger, as did the citizens of Washington county upon this occasion, and you may search history in vain for another instance in which the government of this Union or of any State has shown such gratitude to the actors.
Thomas Jefferson, in speaking of this expedition in after years, said : "I well remember the deep and grateful impression made on the mind of every one by that memorable victory. It was the joy- ful annunciation of that turn in the tide of success which term- inated the Revolutionary war with the seal of our independence."
And America's greatest historian, in speaking of this expedition and its effect upon the public mind, said :
"The victory at King's mountain, which, in the spirit of the American soldiers was like the rising at Concord, in its effect like the success at Bennington, changed the aspects of the war. The loyalist no longer dared to rise. It fired the patriots of the two Carolinas with fresh zeal. It encouraged the fragments of the defeated and scattered American army to seek each other and organize themselves anew. It quickened the Legislature of North
341
Washington County. 1997-1810.
Carolina to earnest efforts. It encouraged Virginia to devote hier resources to the country south of her border."
The appearance on the frontiers of a numerous enemy from settlements beyond the mountains, whose very names had been unknown to the British, took Cornwallis by surprise, and their suc- cess was fatal to his intended expedition. He had hoped to stop with ease from one Carolina to the other and from those to the con- quest of Virginia, and he had now no other choice but to retreat." **
Before closing this account. it is but proper that there should be given an incident connected with one of Washington county's brave soldiers, who lost a leg and who was badly wounded in his arm in this battle.
"Among the wounded left by General Campbell at Bicker- staff was William Moore. Upon the return of the Virginia troops to their homes, information was imparted to Moore's wife of the wounding of her husband. the brave part he had taken in the action and the disposition made of him at Bickerstaff. whereupon. she immediately mounted her horse and. alone, traveled in the month of November the long and dangerous road from her home in the upper end of this county to Biekerstaff in North Carolina, where she found her husband, nursed him back to health and strength, and brought him back to his home, where he lived an honored life until the year 1826.
Tradition says that he was an older in the Ebbing Spring Pres- byterian church, and that for many years before his death he con- -tantly attended his church: and, at every meeting. immediately upon the conclusion of the services, he would take his position. upon his crutch, at the entrance to the church. and receive the contribu- tions of the people. Many of the descendants of William Moore and his wife, who was equally as brave as he. at the present tin live in the upper end of this county and are numbered among our best citizens.
At the time Colonel Campbell decided to join the expedition against Colonel Ferguson, he was making the necessary prepara- tions for an expedition against the Cherokee Indians, under orders from Governor Jefferson, which orders were as follows :
*Bancroft.
342
Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
In Council, June 22, 1780.
Sir :- Orders have been sent to the county lieutenants of Mont- gomery and Washington, to furnish 250 of their militia to proceed in conjunction with the Carolinians against the Chickamoggas. You are hereby authorized to take command of said men. Should the Carolinians not have at present such an expedition in contem- plation, if you can engage them to concur as volunteers, either at their own expense or that of their State, it is recommended to you to do it. Take great care to distinguish the friendly from the hos- tile part of the Cherokee nation, and to protect the former while you severely punish the latter. The commissary and quartermaster in the Southern department is hereby required to furnish you all the aid of his department. Should the men, for the purpose of dis- patch, furnish horses for themselves to ride, let them be previously appraised, as in cases of impress, and for such as shall be killed, die or be lost in the service without any default of the owner, payment shall be made by the public. An order was lodged with Colonel Preston for 1,000 pounds of powder from the lead mines for this expedition ; and you receive herewith an order for 500 pounds of powder from Colonel Fleming for the same purpose, of the expendi- ture of which you will render account.
I am, sir, your very humble servant,
THOMAS JEFFERSON .*
Colonel Campbell, in his certificate heretofore given, states this to have been his authority for taking his men upon the expedition against Ferguson.
Upon the return of Colonel William Campbell and his forces from King's mountain, Colonel Arthur Campbell, the county lieu- tenant of Washington county, immediately proceeded to organize and carry on the expedition against the Cherokees, as directed by Governor Jefferson. Upon his return from this expedition, on the 15th of January, 1781, he made a report to the Governor of Vir- ginia, which is so full and complete, that I here give it in the words of Colonel Arthur Campbell :
"Sir :- The militia of this and the two western North Carolina counties have been fortunate enough to frustrate the designs of the Cherokees. On my reaching the frontiers I found the Indians
*Gibb's Doc. His. of the American Revolution, Vol. 2.
343
Washington County, 1777-1870.
meant to annoy us by small parties, and carry off horses. To resist them effectually, the apparently best measure was to transfer the war, without delay, to their own borders. To raise a force suffi- cient and provide them with provisions and other necessaries seemed to be a work of time that would be accompanied with uncommon difficulties, especially in the winter season ; our situation was cri- tical, and nothing but an extraordinary effort could save us and disappoint the views of the enemy; all the miseries of 1776 came fresh into remembrance, and, to avoid a like scene, men flew to their arms and went to the field. The Wattago men, under Lieutenant Sevier, first marched to the amount of about three hundred. The militia of this with that of Sullivan county made 400 more. The place of rendezvous was to be on this side of the French river. Colonel Sevier, with his men, got on the path before the others, and by means of some discoveries made by his scouts he was in- duced to cross the river in pursuit of a party of Indians that had been coming towards our settlements. On the 16th of December he fell in with a party, since found to consist of seventy Indians, mostly from the town of Chote, of which were killed thirteen, and he took all their baggage, etc., in which were some of Clinton's Proclamations and other documents expressive of their hostile de- signs against us.
"After this action the Wattago corps tho't it proper to retreat into an island of the river. The 22d I crossed the French river, and found the Wattago men in great want of provisions. We gave them a supply from our small stock: and the next day made a forced march towards the Tenasee. The success of the enterprise seemed to rest on our safely reaching the further bank of that river : as we had information the Indians had obstructed the com- mon fording places, and had a force ready there to oppose our crossing. The morning of the 24th I made a feint towards the Island Town, and, with the main body, passed the river without re- sistance at Timotlee.
"We were now discovered, such of the Indians as we saw seemed to be flying in consternation. Here I divided my force, sending a part to attack the town below, and with the other I proceeded towards their principal town Chote. Just as I passed a defile above 'Toque, I observed the Indians in force, stretching along the hills below Chote, with an apparent design to attack our van there with-
344
Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
out our view ; but the main body too soon came in sight for me to decoy them from off the hills. So they quietly let us pass in order, without firing a gun, except a few scattering shot at our rear ; at a great distance from the Cleft, we soon were in possession of their beloved Town, in which we found a welcome supply of pro- visions.
"The 25th, Major Martin went with a detachment to discover the route the enemy were flying off by. He surprised a party of Indians, took one scalp and seventeen horses loaded with clothing, skins and house furniture. He discovered that most of the fugi- tives were making towards Telico and the Hiwasee. The same day, Captain Crabtree, of the Virginia Reg't was detached with sixty men to burn the town of Chilhowee. He succeeded in setting fire to that part of it situated on the south side of the river, altho" in the time, he was attacked by a superior force. He made his re- treat good.
"The 26th, Major Tipton, of the Carolina Corps, was detached with 150 mounted infantry, with orders to cross the river, dislodge the enemy on that side and destroy the town of Tilassee. At the same time Major Gilbert Christian, with 150 foot, was to patrol the hills on the south side of Chilhowee and burn the remaining part of that town. This party did their duty, killed three Indians and took nine prisoners. The officer of the Horse, by unmilitary behavior, failed in crossing the river. This trip took two days.
"In this time, the famous Indian woman, Nancy Ward, came to camp ; she gave us various intelligence and made an overture in behalf of some of the Chiefs for peace, to which I avoided giving an explicit answer, as I wished first to visit the vindictive part of the nation, mostly settled at Hiwassee and Chistowee, and to dis- tress the whole as much as possible, by destroying their habitations and provisions.
"The 28th, we set fire to C'hote, Seitigo and Little Tuskeego, and moved our whole force to a town on Telico River, Kai-a-tee, where I intended a post, for to secure a retreat and to lay up pro- visions in. This evening, Major Martin, on returning from a pa- trol, attacked a party of Indians, killed two, and drove several into the river. The same evening in a skirmish we lost Captain James Elliott, a gallant young officer, being the first and only man the
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Washington County. 1717-1870.
enemy had power to hurt, on the Expedition. The Indians lost three men on the occasion.
"The 29th. I set out for Hiwassee, distant about forty miles, leas- ing at Kai-a- tee, under Major Christian. a garrison of one hundred and fifty men.
"The 30th. we arrived at Hiwassee and found the town of the same name abandoned. In patrolling the environs we took a sensible young warrior, who informed us that a body of Indians, with McDonald, the British agent and some Tories, were at Chistowec. twelve miles distant. waiting to receive vs. I had reason to believe the enemy had viewed us from the hills above Hiwassee: for which reason I ordered our camp to be laid off, fires kindled, and other shews jade, as if we intended to stay all night. At dark we set out with about three hundred men (the Wattago men refusing to go further), crossing the river at an unexpected ford, and that night got near the town. Early in the morning of the 31st, we found that the enegiy had fled in haste the evening before, leaving behind them as they had done at the other towns, almost all their corn and other provisions, together with many of their utensils for agriculture and all their heavy household furniture. with part of their stock of horses, cattle and hogs. These towns, I expected, would have been contended for with obstinacy, as most of the Chickamogga people had removed hence after their visitation in 1219. Our troops becoming impatient and no other object of importance being in view, it was resolved to return homeward. Major Martin, with a detachment. was ordered to Sattago, and the other towns on the Telico river. In his route he took four prisoners, from whom he learnt that several of the chiefs had met a few days before in order to consult on means to propose a treaty for peace. As I found the enemy were hinbled and to gain time, I took the liberty to send the chiefs a message, which was as follows :
"Chiefs and Warriors :-- We came into your country to fight your young men. We have killed not a few of them and destroyed your towns. You know you began the war, by listening to the bad coun- cils of the King of England and the falsehoods told you by his agents. We are now satisfied with what is done, as it may convince your nation that we can distress them much at any time they are so foolish as to engage in a war against us. If you desire peace. as we understand you do. we, out of pity to your women and chil-
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