Transcriber's Note:
Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have
been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal
signs=.
[Illustration: Sandy looked around quickly and saw Sidney standing
with his rifle aimed and resting on the branch of the tree.--Page 22.
_With the Regulators._]
The Boy Spies
With the Regulators
The Story of how the Boys assisted the
Carolina Patriots to drive the British
from that State.
BY JAMES OTIS
A. L. BURT COMPANY
PUBLISHERS NEW YORK
Copyright 1901
BY A. L. BURT
Under the Title of With the Regulators
THE BOY SPIES WITH THE REGULATORS
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER PAGE
I. OURSELVES 1
II. A TREASONABLE ACT 20
III. PROMISES 41
IV. THE RESCUE 62
V. AT BRUNSWICK 83
VI. BESIEGED 104
VII. TIMELY AID 125
VIII. SANDY WELLS 146
IX. TRYON'S DEMONSTRATION 167
X. THE LONG NIGHT 188
XI. THE TRIAL 209
XII. THE PROCLAMATION 231
XIII. WAR DECLARED 249
XIV. THE CONVOY 269
XV. THE BATTLE 289
The Boy Spies With the Regulators
CHAPTER I.
OURSELVES.
It is not for one like me to make any pretense at trying to fashion a
scholar's story out of the poor efforts of Sidney Hubbard, and myself,
Clare Butler, to second the brave work of those noble men who, by
enduring countless hardships and sparing not their own blood, finally
rid the Carolinas of those leeches who claimed to be the king's
servants--Governor William Tryon, Edmund Fanning and others of like
brood.
I count to set down on these pages such an account as I may be able to
give concerning what we of the Carolinas did in those dark days eight
years before the first patriot blood was shed at Lexington, and this
task is to be performed simply that my descendants may, by reading
our story, use their utmost efforts to preserve the fair country which
has cost their forefathers so much of blood, anguish and bodily
suffering.
To begin, Sidney Hubbard is my first cousin, his mother and mine being
sisters. We lived, in 1768, on the Alamance, near where, later, was
fought what may rightly be termed the first battle in the struggle of
the colonies for independence. Our fathers were humble farmers, with a
scanty store of this world's goods, and continually ground down by
those whom the king had set in authority over us, chief among which
may be reckoned the Irishman Tryon, and Fanning, who was born on Long
Island, if I remember rightly.
I cannot set down in my own words a picture of the Carolinas at the
time when Sidney Hubbard and I were come sixteen years of age,
therefore, in order that all the conditions of public affairs may be
fully understood, I shall copy here what was written many years later
by one who may justly style himself a historian:[1]
"The passage of the Stamp Act produced great uneasiness in the public
mind in North Carolina, as well as in the other provinces. Already the
extortions of public officers in the exactions of fees for legal services
had greatly irritated the people, and they regarded the requirements
of the Stamp Act as a more gigantic scheme for legal plunder....
William Tryon had been acting governor and commander-in-chief of the
province from the death of Governor Dobbs, April 1st, 1765, and now
began his career of misrule in America. He was appointed governor
toward the close of the year. This was the same Tryon, afterward
governor of New York, haughty, innately cruel, fond of show,
obsequious when wishing favors, and tyrannical when independent; he
was entirely incompetent to govern a people like the free, outspoken
colonists of the Upper Carolinas.
"For several years previous to the Stamp Act excitement, rebellion had
been ripening among the people in the western counties. The rapacity
of public officers, and the corrupt character of ministers of justice,
weighed heavily upon the property and spirits of the people. The most
prominent evils complained of were the exorbitant charges of the
clerks of the Superior Courts, whereby these courts had become
instruments of oppression; and oppressive taxes exacted by the
sheriffs, and the outrages committed by those officers when their
authority was questioned in the least. These evils everywhere existed,
and every petition of the people for redress appeared to be answered
by increased extortions."
It was William Husband, a Quaker from Pennsylvania, who banded our
people together in what was called "A Regulation," and each member
signed an agreement to pay no more taxes "until satisfied they were
legal; to pay officers no more fees than the strict letter of the law
required, unless forced to, and then to show open resentment; to be
cautious in the selection of representatives, and to petition the
governor, council, king and parliament for a redress of grievances; to
keep up a continual correspondence with each other; to defray all
necessary expenses, all differences in judgment to be submitted to
the whole Regulation, the judgment of the majority to be final."
Each member was bound by a solemn oath to stand faithful to the cause
until matters had been brought to a true and just regulation. Meetings
were held regularly in the vicinity of Hillsborough, and in a few
weeks the Regulation was a permanent and a powerful body.
About this time "the pride and folly of Governor Tryon led him to
demand" from the Assembly an appropriation of twenty-five thousand
dollars that he might build a palace, and this burden, together with
the many which had been laid upon us, was most oppressive.
"The inhabitants of North Carolina were now thoroughly awakened to the
conviction that both the local and imperial government were
practically hostile to the best interests of the colonists. The taxes
hitherto were very burdensome; now the cost of the palace, and the
appropriation to defray the expenses of running the dividing line
between their province and the hunting-grounds of the Cherokees, made
them insupportable. A poll tax of one dollar and fifty cents was
levied on every male, white or black, between the ages of sixteen and
sixty years of age.
"The rapacity of public officers appeared to increase, and the people
saw no prospect of relief. Among the most obnoxious men who had grown
rich by extortionate fees, was Edmund Fanning, a lawyer of ability. He
was regarded as a co-worker with the government. The people detested
him, and avoided no occasion to express their displeasure. His first
open rupture with the Regulators was in the spring of 1768. Tryon
issued a proclamation, half menacing and half persuasive, evidently
intended to awe the Regulation and persuade the other inhabitants to
avoid that association. He sent his secretary, David Edwards, to
cooperate with Fanning in giving force to the proclamation among the
people.
"They directed the sheriff to appoint a meeting of the vestry-men of
the parishes and the leading Regulators, to consult upon the public
good and settle all differences. Fair promises dispelled the
suspicions of the Regulators, and their vigilance slumbered while
awaiting the day of meeting. They were not yet fully acquainted with
the falsity of their governor, or they would never have heeded the
fair words of his proclamation. They were soon assured of the
hollowness of his professions, for, while they were preparing, in good
faith, to meet government officers in friendly convention, the
sheriff, at the instigation of Fanning, proceeded, with thirty
horsemen, to arrest Herman Husband and William Hunter on a charge of
riotous conduct.
"These, the most prominent men among the Regulators, were seized and
cast into Hillsborough jail. The whole country was aroused by this
treachery, and a large body of the people, led by Ninian Bell
Hamilton, a brave old Scotchman of threescore-and-ten-years, marched
toward Hillsborough to rescue the prisoners."
Some idea may be had of our unhappy province, by aid of the above
account, written in all fairness, and yet not stating our grievances
as thoroughly as they should be set down, and now I feel warranted in
saying that from the day of Masters Husband's and Hunter's arrest
Sidney Hubbard and I began to prove ourselves _men_ of the Carolinas.
We were both just turned sixteen, Sidney being but two days older than
I, and already had the sheriff warned us that we must pay the taxes
which had been assessed, or be sent to jail where many a poor wretch
was confined, simply because he had not the money with which to
satisfy the governor's unjust demands.
It was on the day after the arrest of our neighbors that we two lads
met old Jacob Peyster, a God-fearing man, and one who was ready and
willing to lay down his life for the good of the Carolinas.
"Why are ye abroad this morning?" he asked, reining in a mettlesome
horse which he had raised from a colt, and we were forced to bring our
steeds to a halt, or give fair proof that we lacked good breeding.
"We came out to learn if there was any news concerning those honest
men whom the king's knaves took into custody yesterday," Sidney made
answer before I, who was ever slow of speech, could do so much as open
my mouth.
"Masters Husband and Hunter have been clapped in prison at
Hillsborough," the old man said sorrowfully, "and unless the true men
of the Carolinas take the matter in hand, they are like to be held by
the brute Tryon till the little property they own has passed into the
hands of his majesty's gluttons."
"You speak as if there was some hope the men of the Carolinas would
resist this outrage," Sidney cried excitedly.
"Aye, lad, and so they will. Hamilton, the Scotchman, is in arms and
enlisting under his flag those who love the colony better than they do
the king. Have you youngsters paid the tax which is levied on all who
have lived sixteen years or more?"
"It is not likely that I shall be able to do so," I hastened to make
answer. "My father cannot give me the money, and the little I had
hoarded up from the sale of my furs, went toward paying the last levy
made against our poor home."
"It looks much as though both Clare and I might soon join Masters
Husband and Hunter at Hillsborough, for I have heard it said that but
a short time will be allowed us of the Carolinas in which to gather
the money to pay the tax, so eager is Governor Tryon to build his
palace," and as he spoke Sidney tried in vain to appear unconcerned,
but I, who knew that which was in his mind, had good proof that he was
in deadly fear of the arrest concerning which he spoke so glibly.
"Aye, lads, the time will be made short indeed. I hear that Lawyer
Fanning is issuing warrants for those who are not down on the
governor's books as having paid the unjust assessment. You are like to
be deprived of liberty soon, unless----"
"Unless what?" Sidney asked eagerly as Master Peyster hesitated.
"Perhaps it is wrong for me to speak further without knowing of what
minds are your parents."
"That can be easily learned; our fathers have not the money with which
to pay their own tax, after giving up all they owned to aid in
satisfying the thirst for gold with which the king's officers in this
colony are afflicted," Sidney said with a laugh which had in it
nothing of mirth.
"Then how will you answer the collectors?" old Jacob asked, eying us
sharply.
"If it so be I can find a hiding-place, there will be no answer
given," I made haste to reply. "Sidney and I were discussing the
matter even as we met you."
"By joining the force which Ninian Hamilton is gathering you may be
free from the sheriffs for a time; but it is possible that by so doing
you will be charged with treason."
"Do you count on serving with him, Master Peyster?" Sidney asked, and
the old man replied quickly,
"I have already set down my name as one who will serve the colonies to
the best of my poor powers, for I am of the Regulation, as are your
fathers. I am but now summoning all of the association to the rescue
of those who are so unjustly imprisoned--those who were taken because
they put faith in Tryon's sworn word."
"Where may Master Hamilton's force be found?" I asked eagerly, for now
my mind was made up to join those who would measure strength against
the king.
My plight could not well be worse in case I should be charged with
treason, for of a verity the inability to raise such an amount of
money as the hungry officeholders demanded was, in the Carolinas, a
greater crime than that of conspiring against the king himself.
"The rendezvous is near Chapel Hill, where the highway crosses the New
Hope River. You will not be welcomed, however, unless you go armed,
for the association can provide neither weapons nor money."
Having said this much old Jacob spurred his horse on, as if afraid of
saying anything which might influence us in our decision; but he need
not have been so particular, because even before he ceased speaking
both Sidney and I were resolved.
The dear lad turned to me with a question in his eyes when Master
Peyster rode away, and I answered it by saying:
"There is naught else left for us to do. From what the old man said we
know that the sheriff's officers will soon be at our heels, and
anything is better than rotting in Hillsborough jail."
"Then we have only to turn back for our weapons, and the treason is
complete," he said with a laugh, wheeling his horse around as he
spoke.
I could see nothing of mirthfulness in the act we were about to
commit, although I was none the less determined to join Master
Hamilton's forces.
This hurried visit to our homes would be the last, perhaps, forever,
and even under the most favorable circumstances, hiding as we should
be from the sheriff's officers, neither Sidney nor I would be able to
visit our loved ones, save by stealth, until many months had passed.
I say again, it was a desperate act for two lads hardly more than
sixteen years of age, and yet there appeared to be no alternative.
We rode to our homes swiftly, and without indulging in conversation;
each of us had so much food for thought that he could not speak of
ordinary matters.
The Hubbard plantation was no more than two miles from my home, and it
came first on our road.
I remained outside, not dismounting, while Sidney entered, and when
perhaps half an hour had passed he joined me, turning his head ever so
little lest I should see traces of tears on his cheeks.
He had with him his rifle, a brace of pistols which had been his
father's, a new hunting knife, and a package which I fancied was made
up of provisions.
"Did your father make any protest?" I asked while he was mounting.
"He set off for the rendezvous an hour ago," Sidney replied, doing his
best to suppress a sob. "Mother believed it was best for me to join
him rather than go to Hillsborough jail, and did what she might to
hasten my departure."
When he was mounted we rode on to my home, and he remained outside
while I broke the news to my mother.
She, dear soul, was not surprised. Old Jacob had stopped there to
summon father, who was one of the Regulators, and almost before I
could speak she clasped me to her bosom, saying gently and lovingly:
"Yes, you must go, my boy, and my share of the heavy burden which the
Lord has laid upon the colony will be to remain here alone, trembling
at every sound lest it betokens the coming of some one who brings
tidings that my son or my husband has been killed. If perchance such a
blow is dealt me, I shall know that you died like brave men in the
performance of duty--for it is your duty to aid the oppressed. Do not
delay, gather up such articles as will be needed, and then kiss me
farewell; I cannot linger on the parting."
In less than half an hour I joined Sidney, giving no heed as to
whether he could see the tears in my eyes, and during a full hour we
rode at a gentle pace towards the rendezvous without speaking.
In that time it seemed to me that I had passed the age of boyhood and
was become a man, for of a verity I had set my face towards a man's
work whether I might accomplish it or no.
Then we both struggled to throw off the grief which enveloped us until
the day was like unto the night, and spoke of what might be done if
all who had joined the Regulation came forward in response to duty,
little dreaming of that dreadful day when so many of our friends and
neighbors would lie stark and cold upon the field of battle.
It was but natural that we should speak of the possible glory to be
won, and not to be wondered at that each of us believed he could
perform all which might be required. We had yet to learn how great was
the task set the men of the Carolinas before the yoke of the
oppressors was finally thrown off.
From our homes to New Hope River was but little more than twelve
miles, and when we judged that half the distance had been traversed we
drew rein to give the horses a breathing spell, for they had traveled
ten miles or more before we came upon old Jacob.
We drew from our store of provisions sufficient for the noonday meal,
picketed the horses where they might feast on the rich grass, and gave
ourselves up to a brief time of repose.
The meal had no more than been eaten, however, when hoof-beats in the
distance told that a horseman was approaching, and I seized my rifle,
for the sorrows which had been mine during the day made me
apprehensive of danger from every point.
"Don't be foolish," Sidney said sharply. "It will be said that we are
afraid of our own shadows, if some friend finds us ready for an
attack. There are others beside ourselves who will ride to New Hope
River this day, and he who comes is most likely one of Master
Hamilton's party."
"If so he is headed in the wrong direction," I replied; but I drew
back from my weapon nevertheless, and an instant later regretted
having done so when Sandy Wells, one of the sheriff's officers, rode
up beside us.
"We are well met, young sirs," he said in a mocking tone as he drew
from his pocket two folded papers. "I was but this moment counting
the miles 'twixt me and your homes, for if I mistake not you are Clare
Butler," he said looking at me, and, turning toward my comrade, added,
"You are Sidney Hubbard."
It was useless to deny the fact, since Sandy knew our faces full well,
and I asked, steadying my voice till it sounded reasonably firm:
"What have we two lads to do with so gallant an officer as you, sir?"
"Nothing whatsoever, if it so be you have paid the poll tax which his
worshipful excellency has levied on all males, white or black, between
the ages of sixteen and sixty."
"You must know we have not paid that extortion to provide the governor
with a palace, for it is hardly more than six weeks since a levy was
made of two shillings to the acre of all tilled lands, and we, who
owned not a single rod, were forced to help our fathers pay that," I
said stoutly, noting the fact that Sidney was drawing his rifle toward
him.
"Then must I serve these warrants to the end that I may legally take
you to Hillsborough until such time as you shall pay the just and
lawful demands of his worshipful excellency, Governor Tryon."
"And how may we come by the money while we are shut up in jail?" I
asked, beginning to have an inkling of what Sidney would do.
"That is not for me to say, my pert gentleman. If you cannot pay the
tax, here is my authority for taking you to Hillsborough," and the
conceited rascal proceeded to read in a loud voice the documents he
had drawn from his pocket.
I could understand but little of their purport, so filled were they
with attorney's words and phrases, nor did I cudgel my brains
overmuch, because of what I could see out of the tail of my eye.
Sidney had his rifle in hand, and the expression on his face told me
that he had no intention of going to Hillsborough as Sandy Wells'
prisoner.
FOOTNOTE:
[1] Benson J. Lossing, "Field Book of the Revolution."