CLEAVELAND COUNTY.
Cleaveland county was formed in 1841, from Lincoln and Rutherford
counties and derives its name from Col. Benjamin Cleaveland, of Wilkes
county, who, with a detachment of men from that county and Surry,
under the commands of himself, and Major Joseph Winston, performed a
magnanimous part in the battle of King's Mountain. Shelby, the capital
of this county, derives its name from Col. Isaac Shelby, a sketch of
whose services with those of Colonels Campbell, Graham, Hambright and
Williams will appear in the present chapter.
BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.
"O'er the proud heads of free men, our star banner waves;
Men firm as their mountains, and still as their graves,
To-morrow shall pour out their life-blood like rain;
We come back in triumph, or come not again."
After the defeat of General Gates at Camden, on the 16th of August,
1780, and the surprise and defeat of Gen. Sumter, two days after at
Fishing Creek, by Col. Tarleton, the South was almost entirely
abandoned to the enemy. It was one of the darkest periods of our
Revolutionary history. While Cornwallis remained at Camden, he was
busily employed in sending off his prisoners to Charleston and
Orangeburg; in ascertaining the condition of his distant posts at
ninety-six and Augusta, and in establishing civil government in South
Carolina. Yet his success did not impair his vigilance in concerting
measures for its continuance. West of the Catawba river, were bands of
active Whigs, and parties of those who were defeated at Camden, were
harrassing their enemies and defending on every available occasion,
the suffering inhabitants of the upper country. Cornwallis, becoming
apprised of this rebellious spirit of upper Carolina, detached Col.
Patrick Ferguson, one of his most favorite officers, with one hundred
and ten regulars and about the same number of Tories, under captain
Depeyster, a loyalist, with an ample supply of arms and other military
stores. He was ordered to embody the loyalists beyond the Catawba (or
Wateree as the same river is called opposite Camden) and the Broad
rivers; intercept the "mountain men", who were retreating from Camden,
and also, the Americans under Col. Clarke, of Georgia, falling back
from an unsuccessful attack upon Augusta. Ferguson's special orders
were to crush the spirit of rebellion still too rife and menacing; and
after scouring the upper part of South Carolina, toward the mountains
of North Carolina, to join his Lordship at Charlotte. He at first made
rapid marches to overtake the mountain men--the "Hornets," from the
"Switzerland of America," and cut off Col. Clarke's forces. Failing in
this, he afterward moved more slowly and frequently halted to collect
all the Tories he could persuade to join him. He crossed Broad river,
ravaging the country through which he marched. About the last of
September he encamped at Gilberttown, near the present town of
Rutherfordton. la his march to this point, his force-increased to
upwards of one thousand men. All of his Tory recruits were furnished
with arms, most of them with rifles, and a smaller portion with
muskets, to the muzzles of which they fixed the large knives they
usually carried with them to be used as bayonets, if occasion should
require.
Although Ferguson failed to overtake the detachment of "mountain men,"
previously alluded to, he took two of them prisoners who had become
separated from their command. These he paroled and sent off, enjoining
them to tell the officers on the western waters that if they did not
desist from their opposition to the British arms, and take protection
under the royal standard, he would march his army over the mountains
and lay waste their country with fire and sword. This was no idle
threat, and its execution would have been attempted had not a brief
stay in Gilberttown satisfied him from the reports of his spies that a
storm of patriotic indignation was brewing among and beyond the
mountains that was destined soon to descend in all its fury upon his
own army. He knew that most of the inhabitants were of Scotch-Irish
and Huguenot descent, mingled with many Germans, whose long residence
in the wilds of America had greatly tended to increase their love of
liberty.
As soon as General McDowell heard that Gates was defeated, he broke up
his camp at Smith's Ford on Broad River, and passed beyond the
mountains, accompanied by a few of his unyielding patriots. While
there in consultation with Colonels Sevier and Shelby as to the best
means for raising troops and repelling the invaders, the two paroled
men arrived and delivered the message from Ferguson. It produced no
terrific effects on the minds of these well-tried officers, but on the
contrary tended to stimulate and quicken their patriotic exertions. It
was soon decided that each one should use his best efforts to raise
all the men that could be enlisted, and that these forces should
assemble at the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga river, on the 25th of
September. The plans for raising a sufficient number of men to
accomplish their purpose were speedily devised and carried into
execution. To Col. Sevier was assigned the duty of communicating with
Col. McDowell and other officers in voluntary exile beyond the
mountains. To Col. Shelby was assigned a similar duty of writing to
Col. Campbell of the adjoining county of Washington, in Virginia.
Among the refugees beyond the mountains was Col. Clarke, of Georgia,
with about one hundred of his overpowered but not subdued men. Their
story of the sufferings endured by the Whig inhabitants of upper South
Carolina and Georgia served to arouse and intensify the state of
patriotic feeling among the hardy sons of Western North Carolina.
The enlisted troops assembled at the Sycamore Shoals, marched from
that place on the 26th of September. They were all mounted, and
unencumbered with baggage expecting to support themselves partly by
their trusty rifles from the game of the forest, as they progressed
and partly by compelling the Tories to minister to their wants. The
assembled forces placed under marching orders, were as follows: From
Washington county, Va., under Col. William Campbell, four hundred men.
From Sullivan county, N.C. (now in Tennessee) under Col. Isaac Shelby,
two hundred and forty men. From Washington county, N.C. (now in
Tennessee) under Col John Sevier, two hundred and forty men. From
Burke and Rutherford counties, N.C., under Col. Charles McDowell, one
hundred and sixty men. On the second day's march, two of their men
deserted, and went ahead to the enemy. It is probable their report of
the Whig strength accelerated Ferguson's retreating movements. On the
30th of September, they crossed the mountains and were joined at the
head of the Catawba river by Col. Benjamin Cleaveland and Major Joseph
Winston, with three hundred and fifty men from Wilkes and Surry
counties. Upon the junction of these forces, the officers held a
council and as they were all of equal grade, it was agreed that a
messenger be dispatched immediately to head-quarters, supposed to be
between Charlotte and Salisbury to get General Sumner or Gen. Davidson
to assume the chief command. They were now in Col. Charles McDowell's
military district, and being the senior officer, the chief command
properly devolved upon him, unless his right, for the present, should
be waived, and by agreement, turned over to another. Col. Shelby
proposed, mainly through courtesy, that Col. William Campbell, who had
met them with the largest regiment from a sister State, should assume
the chief command until the arrival of some superior officer. This
proposition was readily assented to, and Col. Charles McDowell
volunteered his services to proceed to headquarters, and requested his
brother, Major Joseph McDowell, to take command of his regiment until
his return.
On the 4th of October the riflemen--the "mountain boys,"--advanced to
Gilberttown, unwilling that Ferguson should be at the trouble to
"cross the mountains and hang their leaders," as boastfully
promulgated only a few days before.
Ferguson's abrupt departure and retrograde movement from Gilberttown,
like that of Cornwallis from Charlotte two weeks later, clearly
betrayed his apprehensions of formidable opposition by the enraged
"hornets" of the mountains. Pursuit was immediately determined upon,
and the Whig forces reached the celebrated Cowpens on the 6th of
October, where they were joined by Col. James D. Williams, of South
Carolina, with nearly four hundred men, and about sixty men from
Lincoln county, under Lieut. Colonel Hambright. (Col. William Graham,
of the same regiment, on account of severe sickness in his family, was
not in the battle fought on the next day.) It is also known a company
was raised under Capt. Shannon, from the same county, but failed to
reach the battle-ground in time for the engagement.
On the evening of the 6th of October the Colonels in council
unanimously resolved that they would select all the men and horses fit
for service, and immediately pursue Ferguson until they should
overtake him, leaving the remaining troops to follow after them as
fast as possible. Accordingly, nine hundred and ten men a mounted
infantry, were selected, who set out about eight o'clock on the same
evening and marched all night, taking Fergusons trail toward Deer's
Ferry, on Broad river. Night coming on, and it being very dark, they
got out of the right way, and for some time were lost, but before
daylight they nearly reached the ferry. The officers thinking it
probable that the enemy might be in possession of the eastern bank of
the river, directed the pilot to lead them to the Cherokee ford, about
one mile and a half below. It was on the morning of the 7th of
October, before sunrise, when they crossed the river and marched about
two miles to the place where Ferguson had encamped on the night of the
5th. There they halted a short time and took such breakfast as their
wallets and saddlebags would afford. Every hour the trail of the enemy
became more clearly visible, which served to quicken their movements
and exhilarate their patriotic spirits. About the time they marched
from the Cowpens they were informed a party of four or five hundred
Tories were assembled at Major Gibbs, about four miles to the right;
these they did not turn aside to attack. The riflemen from the
mountains had turned out to _catch Ferguson_. This was their rallying
cry from the day they left the Sycamore Shoals, on the Watauga, to the
present opportune moment for accomplishing their patriotic purpose.
For the last thirty six hours they had alighted from their horses but
once at the Cowpens for one hour's rest and, refreshment. As soon as
their humble repast was finished on the morning of the 7th, at
Ferguson's encampment, on the 5th just alluded to, the riflemen
resumed their eager march. The day was showery, which compelled them
to use their blankets and overcoats to prevent their arms from getting
wet.
After marching about ten miles, the riflemen met a young man named
John Fonderin, riding in great haste from Ferguson's camp, then
scarcely three miles distant Col. Hambright being acquainted with him
and knowing that he had relatives in the enemy's camp, caused him to
be arrested. Upon searching his person, he was found to have a fresh
dispatch from Ferguson to Cornwallis, then at Charlotte, in which he
manifested great anxiety as to his situation and earnestly solicited
aid. The contents of the dispatch was read to the privates, without
stating Ferguson's superior strength to discourage them. Col.
Hambright then interrogated the young man as to Ferguson's uniform. He
replied by saying, "Ferguson was the best uniformed man on the hill,
but they would not see his uniform as be wore a checked shirt (duster)
over it." Col. Hambright immediately called the attention of his men
to this distinguishing feature of Ferguson's dress. "Well _poys_, says
he, in broken German, _when you see that man mit a pig shirt on over
his clothes you may know who him is_." Accordingly after the battle,
his body was found among the dead, wearing the checked shirt, now
crimsoned with blood and pierced with numerous balls. After a brief
consultation of the chief officers upon horseback, the plan of attack
was quickly arranged. Several persons present were well acquainted
with the ground upon which the enemy was encamped. Orders were
promptly given and as promptly obeyed. The Whig forces moved forward
over King's Creek, and up a ravine, and between two rocky knobs, when
soon the enemy's camp was seen about one hundred poles in front.
Ferguson, aware that he was hotly pursued by a band of patriots of
determined bravery, had chosen this mountain elevation as one from
which he boastingly proclaimed he could not be driven.
It was about 3 o'clock in the afternoon when the Whig forces reached
the battle ground. The rain had ceased, the clouds had nearly passed
away, the sun now shone brightly, and nature seemed to smile
propitiously upon the sanguinary conflict soon to take place. On the
march, the following disposition was made of the Whig forces.
The central column was commanded by Colonels Campbell and Shelby; the
right, by Colonel Sevier and Major McDowell; and the left by Colonels
Cleaveland and Williams. In this order the Whig forces advanced and
came within a quarter of a mile of the enemy before they were
discovered. Colonels Campbell's and Shelby's regiments commenced the
attack, and kept up a galling fire on the enemy, while the right and
left wings were advancing forward to surround them, which was done in
about five minutes. The fire soon became general all around and
maintained with the greatest bravery.
The engagement lasted a little over an hour, during which time, a
heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides.
The Whigs, in some parts where the British regulars fought, were
forced to give way two or three times for a short distance, before the
bayonet charges of the enemy, but soon rallied and returned with
additional ardor and animation to the attack. The troops of the right
having gained the summit of the mountain, compelled the enemy to give
way and retreat along the top of the ridge, where Col. Cleaveland
commanded and were soon stopped by his brave men. Some of the
regiments suffered severely under the galling fire of the enemy,
before they were in a proper position to engage in the action. The men
led by Col. Shelby and Major McDowell were soon closely engaged and
the contest throughout was very severe, and hotly contested.
As Ferguson would advance towards Campbell, Sevier, Hambright and
Winston, he was quickly pursued by Shelby, Cleaveland, McDowell and
Williams. Thus Ferguson continued to struggle on, making charges with
the bayonet and then retreating to make a vigorous attack at some
other point; but, his men were rapidly falling before the fatal aim
and persistent bravery of the Whigs.
Even after Ferguson was severely wounded and had three horses shot
from under him, he continued to fight on, and animate his men by his
example and unyielding courage--"extricate himself, he could not, and
surrender, he would not," although requested to do so, near the close
of the action by Captain De Peyster, his second in command. At length
he received a fatal shot in the breast, which closed his earthly
career forever.
Captain De Peyster then look command, and immediately ordered a white
flag to be raised in token of surrender. The firing however did not
entirely cease until Cols. Shelby and Sevier went inside the lines and
ordered the men to desist. The Whigs were still greatly exasperated
when they called to remembrance Tarleton's cruelty at Buford's defeat,
where no quarter was given. The victory was complete, and reanimated
the Whigs throughout the whole country. The Tory element of western
Carolina, before strong and menacing, was broken up and greatly
humbled, and Cornwallis himself when he received intelligence of the
battle and its result, became so seriously alarmed at his perilous
situation in a land of _assailing hornets_, that he suddenly decamped
from Charlotte to safer quarters at Winnsboro, South Carolina.
According to the official statement furnished to Gen. Gates, encamped
at Hillsboro, and signed by Colonels Campbell, Shelby and Cleaveland,
the enemy sustained the following loss:
"Of the regulars, one major, one captain, two Lieutenants
and fifteen privates killed, thirty-five privates wounded
and left on the ground not able to march; two captains, four
lieutenants, three ensigns, one surgeon, five sergeants,
three corporals, one drummer and fifty-nine privates taken
prisoners.
"Loss of the Tories, two colonels, three captains and two
hundred privates killed; one major, and one hundred and
twenty-seven privates wounded and left on the ground not
able to march; one colonel, twelve captains, eleven
lieutenants, two ensigns, one quarter-master, one adjutant,
two commissaries, eighteen sergeants and six hundred
privates taken prisoners.
"Total loss of the enemy eleven hundred and five men at
King's Mountain."
The loss on the Whig side was, one colonel, one major, one captain,
two lieutenants, four ensigns, and nineteen privates killed, one
major, three captains, three lieutenants, and fifty-three privates
wounded. Total Whig casualties, twenty-eight killed and sixty wounded.
Of the latter, upwards of twenty died of their wounds, making the
entire Whig loss about fifty men.
The victory of King's Mountain was the "turning point of the fortunes
of America," and foreshadowed more clearly than ever before, _final
success_.
As soon as the battle was over, a guard was placed around the
prisoners and all remained on the mountain that night. On the next
day, after the dead were buried and the wounded properly cared for,
the cumbrous spoils of victory were drawn into a pile and burned.
Colonels Campbell, Shelby and Cleaveland then repaired, with as little
delay as possible, to the headquarters of General Gates, at Hillsboro,
and made out to that officer on the 1st of November, an official
statement of their brilliant victory. Col. Sevier, Major McDowell and
other officers returned to the mountains and to their own
neighborhoods, ready at all times, to obey any future calls of their
country. The prisoners were turned over to the "mountain men" for safe
keeping. Having no conveyances, they compelled the prisoners to carry
the captured arms (about fifteen hundred in number) two guns each
being assigned to most of the men. About sunset the Whigs who had
fought the battle, being extremely hungry, had the pleasure of meeting
the footmen, who had been left behind at Green river on their march to
King's Mountain, pressing forward with a good supply of provisions.
Having appeased the cravings of hunger, they all marched to
Bickerstaff's old field, in Rutherford county, where the principal
officers held a court-martial over the "most audacious and murderous
Tories." Thirty-two were condemned to be hung; after nine were thus
disposed of, three at a time, the remainder, through mitigating
circumstances and the entreaties of their Whig acquaintances, were
respited. Several of the Tories, thus leniently dealt with, afterward
joined the Whig ranks, and made good soldiers to the end of the war.
In 1815, through the instrumentality of Dr. William M'Lean, of Lincoln
county, a head-stone of dark slate rock, was erected at King's
Mountain, near the spot where Ferguson fell. It bears this
inscription: On the east:
"Sacred to the memory of Maj. Wm. Chronicle, Capt. John
Mattocks, William Robb and John Boyd, who were killed at
this place on the 7th of October, 1780, fighting in defence
of America."
On the west side:--"Col. Ferguson, an officer of his Brittanic
Majesty, was defeated and killed at this place on the 7th of October,
1780."
Incidents: Among the captured Tories were Captain W---- G---- and his
lieutenant J---- L----, both of whom were sentenced to be hung next
morning at sunrise. They were first tied separately, with leather
strings, and then closely together. During the night they managed to
crawl to the waters edge, near their place of confinement, and wet
their strings; this soon caused them to stretch so greatly as to
enable the _leather-bound prisoners_ to make their escape, and thereby
deprive the "Mountain Boys" of having some contemplated fun. Like the
Irishman's pig, in the morning "they came up _missing_."
As a foraging party of Tories, belonging to Ferguson's army, was
passing up King's Creek, they took old Arthur Patterson and his son
Thomas prisoners; who, being recognized as noted Whigs, were carried
to Ferguson's camp, threatened with hanging, and a guard placed over
them. As the battle waxed warm and the issue of the contest seemed to
be turning in favor of the American arms a call was made upon the
guard to fall into line and assist their comrades in averting, if
possible, their approaching defeat. During the commotion the old man
Patterson moved gently to the back ground and thus made his escape.
Thomas Patterson, not liking the _back movement_, watched his
opportunity, _between fires_ and charge of the enemies' position,
dashed off boldly to the Whig lines, about one hundred yards distant,
and reached them safely. He immediately called for a gun, which being
furnished he fought bravely to the close of the engagement.
For several particulars connected with the battle of Kings Mountain,
hitherto unknown, the author acknowledges his indebtedness to Abraham
Hardin, Esq., a native of Lincoln County, N.C., and relative of Col.
Hambright, now (1876) a worthy, intelligent, and christian citizen of
York County, S.C., aged eighty-seven years.
COLONEL WILLIAM CAMPBELL.
Colonel William Campbell was a native of Augusta County, Va. He was of
Scottish descent (his grandfather coming from Inverary) and possessed
all the fire and sagacity of his ancestors. He assisted in raising the
first regular troops in Virginia in 1775, and was honored with a
Captain's commission. In 1776 he was made Lieutenant Colonel of the
militia of Washington County, Va., and on the resignation of Evan
Shelby, the father of Governor Shelby, he was promoted to the rank of
Colonel, that rank he retained until after the battles of King's
Mountain and Guilford Court-House, in both of which he distinguished
himself, when he was promoted by the Virginia Legislature, for
gallantry and general high merit, to the rank of Brigadier General in
the Continental service. La Fayette, perceiving his fine military
talents, gave him the command of a brigade of riflemen and light
infantry, and he was ordered to join that officer below Richmond, who
was covering Washington's approach to Yorktown in September 1781,
previous to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown on the 19th of
October following.
Colonel Campbell, suffering from the severe wound received in the
battle of Guilford, was taken ill and soon after died at La Fayette's
head-quarters, about twenty-five miles above Williamsburg, in the
thirty-sixth year of his age. His military career was short, but
brilliant; and on all occasions, bravery, unsullied patriotism and
manly rectitude of conduct marked his movements. La Fayette's general
order, on the occasion of his decease is most highly complimentary to
his efficient services and exalted worth. He is buried at Rocky Mills,
in Hanover county, Va. About forty years afterward, his remains were
removed to Washington county, to repose with those of his family.
Col. Campbell married a sister of Patrick Henry and left but one
child, the mother of the late Hon. William C. Preston and Col. John S.
Preston, both of Columbia, S.C. He was a man of high culture, a good
classical scholar, but was chiefly given to the accurate sciences and
_practically_ to land surveying for himself and his kindred who were
large land-holders in Virginia, east Tennessee and Kentucky. When
under thirty years of age, he commanded a company in the Point
Pleasant expedition on the Kenhawa river, in which occurred one of the
most sanguinary battles in the history of Indian warfare and there
acquired that early experience in arms which qualified him to perform
a conspicuous part in the Revolutionary War.
When the emergency arose for expelling the boasting Ferguson from the
soil of the Carolinas, Col. Sevier sought the assistance and
co-operation of Col. Campbell, of Virginia, whose bravery and
gallantry had become widely known. On the first application, Col.
Campbell deemed it imprudent to withdraw his forces from their place
of rendezvous, for fear of an attack from the neighboring Indians, but
on a second urgent application, his assent yielded to the appeals of
patriotism and he promptly marched with his regiment to co-operate
with Colonels Sevier, Shelby and other officers to gain an undying
fame, and glorious victory at King's Mountain.
The preceding statement of facts, corrects an error into which several
historians have unintentionally fallen by confounding Lieut. Col.
Campbell, a brave officer of a South Carolina regiment, who was
mortally wounded at the battle of the Eutaw Springs, with Col. Wm.
Campbell, of Virginia, one of the heroes of King's Mountain, who died
a natural death in his native State a few weeks before the surrender
of Cornwallis at Yorktown. The two officers were of no close family
relationship, but resembled each other in unflinching bravery and
genuine exhibitions of true patriotism.
COLONEL ISAAC SHELBY.
Col. Isaac Shelby was born in Maryland, near the North mountain, a few
miles from Hagerstown, on the 11th of December, 1750. He was the son
of General Evan Shelby, a native of Wales, who came to America when a
mere youth. General Shelby was distinguished for his indomitable
courage, iron constitution, and clear intellect. He served as a
Captain of Rangers under Gen. Braddock, and acted bravely in the
attack under General Forbes in 1758, in which he led the advance, and
took from the French Fort Du Quesne. In 1772, he removed to the west
and in 1774, commanded a company under Colonel Lewis and Governor
Dunmore against the Indians, on the Scioto river. He was in the
sanguinary battle of Kenhawa, October 10th, 1774, when Colonels Lewis,
Fleming and Field were killed and he was left the commanding officer.
In 1779, he led a strong force against the Chickamauga Indians, on the
Tennessee river; and for his services and gallantry, was appointed a
Brigadier General by the State of Virginia; the first officer ever
vested with that grade on the western waters.
Thomas Shelby, a brother of Gen. Evan Shelby, joined the great tide of
southern emigration and settled on Caldwell's Creek, in the eastern
part of Mecklenburg county (now Cabarrus) about 1760. He died near the
beginning of the Revolutionary war, leaving four sons, William, John,
Evan and Thomas. One of these sons (Thomas) served as a private in
Captain Charles Polk's company in the spring of 1776, in the
Wilmington campaign.
Col. Isaac Shelby, the immediate subject of this sketch was born to
the use of arms, blessed with a strong constitution and capable of
enduring great exposure and fatigue. His whole educational training
was such as fitted him for the stirring scenes in which he was
destined by Providence to become so prominent an actor.
His first essay in arms was as a Lieutenant in a company commanded by
his father, in the celebrated battle, previously mentioned, at the
mouth of the Kenhawa, the most sanguinary conflict ever maintained
against the northwestern Indians, the action lasting from sunrise to
sunset, with varying success.
Night closed the conflict and under its cover, the celebrated chief
_Cornstalk_, who commanded the Indians, abandoned the ground. In July,
1776, he was appointed Captain of a company of minute men by the
Virginia committee of safety. In 1777, he was appointed by Governor
Henry, a commissary of supplies for an extensive body of troops to
guard the frontiers and one of the commissioners appointed to form a
treaty with the Cherokees at the Long Island of the Holston river. In
1778, he was elected a member of the Virginia Legislature from
Washington county, and was appointed by Thomas Jefferson, then
Governor of that State, a Major in the escort of guards for the
commissioners, engaged in running the line between Virginia and North
Carolina. On the completion of that line, his residence was found to
be in North Carolina, which circumstance induced Richard Caswell, then
Governor of the State, to appoint him Colonel of the militia of
Sullivan county. In the summer of 1780, he was engaged in Kentucky in
surveying, locating and securing the lands which five years
previously, he had marked out, and improved. It was at this time, that
he heard of the surrender of Charleston. This disaster aroused his
patriotic spirit, and caused him to return home, determined to enter
the service of his bleeding country and never to leave it until her
liberty and independence were secured. On his arrival at home, he
found a requisition from General Charles McDowell to furnish all the
aid in his power to check the enemy, who flushed with their late
success in overrunning South Carolina and Georgia, had entered North
Carolina with a similar object in view. He immediately sought
enlistments from the militia of Sullivan county and in a few days
crossed the mountains at the head of two hundred and forty riflemen.
He reported to Gen. McDowell near the Cherokee Ford, on Broad river,
and was by that officer detached, with Colonels Sevier and Clarke, to
surprise and take a fort held by Captain Patrick Moore, a noted Tory
leader, on the Palcolet river. This service was promptly executed
without losing any of his men. The fort was surrounded, and, after a
short parley as to terms the enemy surrendered as prisoners of war.
Captain Moore, one British Major, ninety-three Tories and two hundred
and fifty stands of arms and their ammunition greatly needed at that
time, were the fruits of this victory.
It was at this period that Major Ferguson of the British army, in his
progress to the mountains of North Carolina, made several attempts to
surprise Col. Shelby, but in every instance, he was baffled through
his vigilance and activity.
On the first of August, 1780, the advance of the British force came up
and attacked Shelby at Cedar Springs. The situation had been chosen by
Shelby and his martial, adventurous spirit did not avoid the issue of
battle. A sharp and animated conflict ensued, which lasted half an
hour, when the whole force of Ferguson advanced to the scene of
action. Shelby deemed it prudent to retreat before superior numbers,
carrying off as the fruits of his victory thus far obtained, fifty
prisoners, including two British officers. The enemy made a rapid
pursuit, but Shelby, availing himself of every advantageous ground,
completely eluded their efforts to overtake him and soon afterward
joined Gen. McDowell with only a loss of ten or twelve killed and
wounded.
On the 19th of August, 1780, Colonels Shelby, Williams and Clarke,
under orders from Gen. McDowell, again attacked, with seven hundred
mounted men, a large body of Tories near Musgrove's Mill, on the south
side of the Ennoree river. On the night of the 18th of August, these
officers left Smith's Ford on Broad river, took a circuitous route
through the woods to avoid Ferguson, whose whole force lay between,
and at dawn of day, after riding about forty miles, attacked the
patrol of the Tories, about half a mile from their camp. A brisk
skirmish ensued, several were killed, and the patrol driven in. At
this moment, a countryman living near informed Col. Shelby the enemy
on the night before had been re-inforced by a body of six hundred
regulars (the Queen's American regiment from New York) under Col.
Innis. This was unexpected news. Fatigued as were their horses,
retreat was impracticable; and to attack an enemy of such superior
force, would have been an act of rashness and the certain defeat of
his own little band of patriots.
Col. Shelby met the trying emergency with unflinching courage and
great promptness of action. It was agreed that Colonel Williams should
have the chief command. Accordingly, the whole Whig force, except
Capt. Inman's command, was ordered to form a breastwork of old logs
and brush, and make as brave a defence as circumstances permitted.
Capt. Inman, with twenty-five men was directed to proceed to the ford
of the river, fire across upon the enemy, and retreat when they
appeared in strong force. This stratagem being the suggestion of the
brave Capt. Inman, was successful. Col. Innis immediately crossed the
river to dislodge the "rebels." Capt. Inman and his little force
instantly retreated, hotly pursued by Innis until within the area of
the patriot ambuscade when a single shot by Col. Shelby gave the
signal for attack. The Whig riflemen, with sure and steady aim, opened
a destructive fire which was kept up for an hour, during which time
Col. Innis was wounded; all the British officers except a subaltern
were killed or wounded. The Tory Captain, Hawsey, and Major Fraser, of
the British regulars, with sixty-three privates were killed, and one
hundred and sixty made prisoners. The American loss was only four
killed and nine wounded. In the pursuit Captain Inman was killed
fighting hand to hand with the enemy. After this victory Col.
Williams, with the prisoners, encamped at the Cedar Spring, in
Spartanburg County and from thence proceeded to Charlotte, N.C.
Colonels Williams and Clarke then returned to the western frontier and
the prisoners under Maj. Hammond marched to Hillsboro.
Excited by this brilliant victory Col. Shelby prepared to attack the
British force at Ninety-six, about thirty miles distant, when an
express arrived from Gen. McDowell, with a letter from Governor
Caswell, dated on the battle ground of Camden, informing him of Gates'
defeat and advising him to get out of the way. This advice came in
good time, for on the next day a strong detachment from Ferguson's
army sallied forth to overtake the victors, but through the energy and
activity of Col. Shelby the designs of the enemy were completely
baffled.
The brilliancy of the affair shone more brightly by the dark gloom
which now overspread the public mind in consequence of the defeat of
Gen. Gates at Camden. This caused Gen. McDowell to disband for the
present his little force and retire beyond the mountains. The whole
country was now apparently subjugated, the hopes of the patriot were
dimmed, and many took protection under the British standard. But the
brave spirits of the west, as firm as their native mountains, were
still undismayed; and, if for a moment subdued, they were not
conquered, and the fire of freedom glowed deeply in their patriotic
bosoms.
At this gloomy period, Col. Shelby, in consultation with Col. Charles
McDowell, proposed to Colonels Sevier and Campbell to raise a force as
quickly as possible from their several counties, and attack the
boasting Ferguson. A concert of action, and junction of their forces
were promptly agreed upon, the battle of Kings Mountain followed soon
thereafter, and the result is well known. It will be seen, the first
movement for organizing forces and bringing to a speedy accomplishment
this most decisive victory of the South originated in Western North
Carolina.
Inspired by this victory, the forces of North Carolina assembled under
General Davidson at New Providence, in Mecklenburg County, near the
South Carolina line. Gen. Smallwood, with Morgan's light corps and the
Maryland line advanced to the same point. Gen. Gates, with the remnant
of his army, and General Stevens with levies from Virginia enabled
General Greene, after he assumed the chief command in December, 1780,
to hold Cornwallis in check and frustrate his design, at that time, of
marching to Charlotte.
It was at the suggestion of Col. Shelby that General Greene sent out
the expedition which achieved the brilliant victory at the Cowpens. In
1781, Col. Shelby served under Gen. Marion, and with Col. Mayhem, was
in the skirmish near Monk's Corner. On attacking this post it
immediately surrendered with one hundred and fifty prisoners. Soon
afterward he obtained leave of absence from Gen. Marion to attend the
General Assembly of North Carolina, of which he was a member from
Sullivan County.
In 1782 he was again a member, and was appointed a Commissioner to
settle the preemption claims upon the Cumberland, and lay off the
lands allotted to the officers and soldiers south of where Nashville
now stands. He returned to Boonsboro on the April following where he
married Susanna Hart, whose father was one of the partners of Judge
Henderson. The liberties of his Country being nearly established he
devoted himself to his farm on the first pre-emption and settlement
granted in Kentucky. In May, 1792, he was elected the first Governor
of the new State. In 1812, a stormy period in our history, he was
again elected to the same position. When the war with Great Britain
broke out his well known energy and Revolutionary fame induced the
Legislature of Kentucky to solicit his services in the field. At the
head of four thousand volunteers he marched to the shores of Lake Erie
to assist Gen. Harrison in the celebrated battle of the Thames. For
his bravery in this battle, Congress honored him with a gold medal. In
1817 President Monroe appointed him his Secretary of War, but on
account of his advanced age he declined the honor. His last public act
was that of holding a treaty with the Chickasaw Indians, in 1818, in
which General Jackson was his colleague. In 1820 he was attacked with
a paralytic affection but his mind still remained unimpaired. In July,
1826, he expired from a stroke of apoplexy, in the seventy-sixth year
of his age, enjoying the love and respect of his country and consoled
by the rich hopes of a joyful immortality. Worthily is his name
preserved in North Carolina in a region that witnessed his exalted
patriotism and valor.
COLONEL JAMES D. WILLIAMS.
Col. James D. Williams, a brave and meritorious officer, was mortally
wounded at King's Mountain, near the close of the action. He died on
the next morning, and is buried within two miles of the place where he
so gallantly fell. Tradition says his first words, after reviving a
little, were, "For God's sake, boys, don't give up the hill."
He was a native of Granville county, N.C. He moved to Laurens county,
S.C., in 1773, and settled upon Little river. He early espoused the
patriot cause, and was active in raising troops and defending the
territory of the "Ninety-Six" District, abounding with many
evil-disposed loyalists.
He first appears as a Colonel of militia in April, 1778. In the spring
of 1779, he went into actual service, and was probably at the siege of
Savannah. He was with Gen. Sumter in 1780, and in the early part of
that year he was in the battle of Musgrove's Mill, on the Ennoree
river. After that engagement he went to Hillsboro, where he raised a
corps of cavalry, and returned to South Carolina. During Ferguson's
movements, after crossing the Wateree with the intention of embodying
the loyalists, and intercepting the "Mountain Men," Col. Williams
continually hovered around his camp, prepared to strike a blow when he
could, and cripple his advance.
Colonel Williams was a worthy member and Elder of the Presbyterian
Church, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. It is to be
regretted more has not been preserved of his efficient military
services.
COLONEL WILLIAM GRAHAM.
Colonel William Graham was the son of Archibald Graham, of Scotland.
He was born in Augusta county, Va., in 1742. He emigrated to North
Carolina several years previous to the Revolutionary War, became the
owner of much valuable land, and finally settled on First Broad river,
then Tryon county, but now in Cleaveland. His patriotic principles
soon became known, and were called into active service at the
commencement of the Revolution. As the commanding officer, he had the
general superintendence of several Forts, erected on and near the
frontier settlements, as protections against the hostile Cherokee
Indians. Whilst in command of Fort McFadden, near the present town of
Rutherfordton, he formed the acquaintance of Mrs. Susan Twitty, widow
of William Twitty, and, as the "darts of Cupid" are often
irresistible, he married her, and the union proved to be a happy one.
In the Provincial Congress which met at Halifax on the 12th of Nov.,
1776, when the first State Constitution was formed, Colonel Graham was
one of the delegates from Lincoln county, his colleagues being Joseph
Hardin, Robert Abernathy, William Alston and John Barber.
In the expedition which marched in 1776, under General Rutherford,
against the Cherokee Indians, Colonel Graham commanded the regiment
which went from Lincoln and Rutherford counties. This expedition, as
is well known, was completely successful, and caused the Indians to
sue for peace.
In the expedition which marched for the relief of Charleston, in the
spring of 1780, from Charlotte, the place of rendezvous for several
counties, Colonel Graham led the regiment from Lincoln county. On the
arrival of the several forces at Charleston, they found the city so
completely invested by the British army that they could not render
assistance to the American garrison.
Soon after his return home, Colonel Graham again marched with his
regiment, General Rutherford commanding, against a large body of
Tories assembled at Ramsour's Mill under Lieut. Colonel John Moore,
(son of Moses Moore) near the present town of Lincolnton. General
Rutherford, with some Mecklenburg troops, crossed the Catawba river at
Tuckaseege Ford, on the evening of the 19th of June, 1780, and camped
at Colonel Joseph Dickson's plantation, three miles northwest of the
ford. On the morning of the 20th, Gen. Rutherford marched, at an early
hour, with the expectation of co-operating with Colonel Locke, of
Rowan county, in making a combined attack against the Tories, but
failed to reach the battleground until about two hours after the close
of that sanguinary engagement, in which the Tories were signally
defeated.
When a call was made upon the commanding officers of the militia of
Lincoln county (under its old limits) in September, 1780, for troops
to oppose the boasting Ferguson, Colonel Graham marched with his
regiment, and joined Colonels Campbell, Sevier, Shelby and others at
the "Cowpens," where, a little more than three months afterward,
General Morgan gained a brilliant victory; but, it is known, in
consequence of severe sickness in his family, Colonel Graham did not
participate in the battle which took place on King's Mountain on the
afternoon of the 7th of October, 1780, and which resulted so
gloriously for the American arms.
During the year 1775, the Province of North Carolina, ever in the van
of early patriotic movements, formed "Associations" throughout her
territory, mainly as _tests of patriotism_. The county of Cumberland
formed an Association on the 20th of June, 1775. The county of Tryon
(embracing Lincoln and Rutherford) formed a similar "Association" on
the 14th of August following, which was signed by the "Committee of
Safety," and ordered to be "signed by every freeholder in the county."
Among the forty-eight signatures may be conspicuously noticed those of
William Graham, Charles McLean, (who at one time commanded the Lincoln
regiment), Frederick Hambright, (see sketch of his services in this
volume) John Walker, Jacob Forney, (father of Gen. Peter Forney),
Thomas Espey, (brother of Capt. Samuel Espey, severely wounded at the
battle of King's Mountain), Andrew Neal, Joseph Neal, John Dellinger,
George Dellinger, Joseph Hardin, Jacob Costner, Valentine Mauney,
Peter Sides, Joseph Kuykendall, James Coburn, James Miller and others.
One of the signers, Peter Sides, (properly Seitz) belonged to a family
from Switzerland--all true Whigs, and worthy representatives of the
land of William Tell.
Colonel William Graham died in April, 1835, in the eighty-seventh year
of his age, and is buried at the old homestead, on First Broad river,
in Cleaveland county, N.C.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREDERICK HAMBRIGHT.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hambright was born in Germany in 1727, emigrated to
Pennsylvania about 1740, and after remaining there a short time
removed to Virginia about 1755, where he married Sarah Hardin, with
whom he lived happily until her death during the Revolution. A few
years after his marriage he moved to Tryon county in North Carolina,
being accompanied by his brothers-in-law, Colonel Joseph Hardin, John
Hardin and Benjamin Hardin; also, by James Kuykendall, Nathaniel
Henderson, Robert Leeper, and others. He first settled at the Fort,
erected near the mouth of the South Fork of the Catawba river, as a
protection against the attacks of the Indians. From that place he soon
afterward moved to Long Creek, in the same county, and was living
there when the battle of King's Mountain took place, in which he so
gallantly participated. A short time previous to that battle he had
purchased a tract of land on King's Creek, and had built a cabin upon
it, preparatory to a future removal of his family.
Colonel Hambright was twice married. By the first marriage to Sarah
Hardin, previously noticed, he had twelve children, of whom six were
raised, viz: 1. John H. Hambright, who fought at King's Mountain. 2.
Elizabeth. 3. Frederick. 4. Sarah. 5. Benjamin, and 6. James
Hambright. Of these, Elizabeth married Joseph Jenkins, and Sarah Peter
Eaker, both of whom have worthy descendants.
By the second wife, Mary Dover, whom he married in 1781, he had ten
children, of whom eight were raised. Mrs. Susannah Dickson, the tenth
child by the second wife, and the youngest of the twenty-two children,
is still living and retains in her memory many interesting traditions
of the Revolution.
Colonel Hambright early displayed a fervent patriotic zeal for the
independence of his adopted country. In 1777 he received the
appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel, and was throughout the war an
active and courageous officer. He was constantly watching the
movements of the Tories, whose malicious influence and plundering
habits seriously disturbed the peace and welfare of society. His name
soon became a "terror to the Tories, who well knew the determination
of his character and the vigilance and prowess of his arms in
arresting disaffected persons, and defeating their designs."
At the battle of King's Mountain Col. William Graham, having charge of
the Lincoln regiment, not being present on account of sickness in his
family, the command devolved on Col. Hambright and most nobly and
courageously did he sustain the responsible position. No portion of
the advancing Whig columns evinced more irresistible bravery, and
suffered more severely than the troops under his immediate command.
Major William Chronicle, one of his most efficient and gallant
officers, fell early in the action. There, too, Captain John Mattocks,
Lieutenants Robb and Boyd, and others, all from the same neighborhood,
lost their lives in that fiercely contested battle, which resulted so
gloriously for the cause of liberty.
In this conflict Colonel Hambright was severely wounded by a large
rifle ball passing through the fleshy part of the thigh. It was soon
discovered by the soldiers near him that he was wounded and bleeding
profusely. Samuel Moore, of York county, South Carolina, requested him
to to be taken from his horse; he refused by saying, "he knew he was
wounded but was not sick or faint from the loss of blood--said he
could still ride very well, and therefore deemed it his duty to fight
on till the battle was over." And most nobly did he remain in his
place, encouraging his men by his persistent bravery and heroic
example until signal victory crowned the American arms.
At the close of the action, when Colonel Hambright alighted from his
horse, the blood was running over the top of the boot on the wounded
leg. He was then conveyed to the cabin erected on his own land, as
previously stated, before the war, where he was properly cared for
until he was partially recovered. Although the wound, in process of
time, seemed to have healed, yet its deep-seated injury caused him to
falter in his walk during the remainder of his life. The reason he
assigned for refusing to be taken from his horse when severely wounded
does honor to his exalted patriotism. He said if he had complied his
men would neglect to _load_ and _fire_ as often as they should; would
gather around him to administer to his wants, and thus fail to do
their whole duty in opposing and conquering the enemy.
Such true devotion to the cause of freedom is worthy of our warmest
admiration, and forcibly illustrates the heroic spirit which animated
the band of patriots who achieved, on King's Mountain, one of the most
important and decisive victories of the American Revolution.
Colonel Hambright was long a worthy member and elder of the
Presbyterian church at Shiloh, in the present limits of Cleaveland
county. On his tombstone we have this plain inscription:
"In memory of Colonel Frederick Hambright, who departed this
life, March (figures indistinct) 1817, in the ninetieth year
of his age."