THE WAR CONTINUED.
A. D. 1777 to 1779.
All of the North Carolina Continentals were with General
Washington early in the new year 1777. They reached him in a
great emergency. His army had just been driven from New York
across the State of New Jersey, and such had been his losses by
battle and otherwise, that when he reached the Delaware River he
could hardly muster five thousand men.
2. Sir William Howe, the British Commander-in-Chief, had twenty-
nine thousand trained soldiers available, and when Lord
Cornwallis, who had been pursuing the Americans, was halted by
him, it was the salvation of the force left with General
Washington. Had Sir William forborne to stop the pursuit of
Cornwallis the struggle might have soon ended in the capture of
Washington. After a week of delay, Cornwallis was permitted to
advance, and even then came up in time to see the last boatloads
of the American troops crossing the great river which so
effectually stopped all further pursuit.
1777.
3. When General Nash arrived at the American camp, after his long
march from the south, he brought six full regiments of North
Carolina Continentals, nearly doubling the force upon which the
hopes of America mainly depended. By this means General
Washington was soon after able to confront the advancing enemy in
the battle of Brandywine, on September 11th. At this and other
engagements the North Carolina troops displayed both courage and
discipline.
4. It was on the bloody occasion of the attack upon the British
force at Germanton, October 4th, that their most glorious record
was made. General Washington entrusted the post of honor on the
extreme right flank of his line of attack to General Francis
Nash. The British were driven by the North Carolinians a long
distance on the right of the village, but the American divisions
which had been sent in on the left failed to dislodge the enemy,
and in this way left General Nash's force exposed both on his
left and rear.
5. It was a glorious but bloody day for North Carolina. The
brigade suffered heavy loss in advancing, but greater when
compelled to fall back for want of support. General Nash and
Colonel Edward Buncombe were mortally wounded. Lieutenant-
Colonel Irwin and many other gallant officers were slain upon the
field.
1778.
6. At length the British forces were directed again toward the
south. On December 29th, General Robert Howe was driven from
Savannah by General Prevost, on which occasion the Second
Regiment of Continentals was confronted by a regiment of North
Carolina Tories under Colonel John Hamilton. Howe and his
command were transferred to West Point, on the Hudson River, of
which important post he was soon commander, with the rank of
Major-General.
1779.
7. After 1778 the courts were fully established, and Judges Ashe,
Iredell and Spencer held terms at Wilmington and at five other
towns twice a year. Waightstill Avery, as Attorney-General,
was busy in trials for treason against the State. There were
many men who yet labored to restore the King's authority, and
against them was needed all the vigilance possible, both in the
courts and at military headquarters.
8. More than three years of the war had passed away without
serious disaster to North Carolina. No invaders disturbed her
borders, and beyond the grief for friends slain in battle, there
was cause for gratitude to God that so few evils of the war had
yet visited the State.
9. General Washington had evinced such nobility of soul and great
military capacity that all American hearts were soon filled with
love and admiration. With far-seeing wisdom, he was patiently
biding his time to strike his enemies, and in foreign lands other
great soldiers were applauding the mingled caution and boldness
of his military movements.
QUESTIONS.
1. Where were the North Carolina troops at this time? What was
the condition of Washington's army?
2. How were the Continental troops benefited by an order of Sir William Howe?
3. What battle was fought on September 11th, 1777?
4. On what battle field did the North Carolina troops specially
distinguish themselves on October 4th? Relate the circumstances.
5. How did General Nash and his troops suffer on this occasion?
6. What occurred at Savannah on December 29th, 1778? To what
place was General Howe then transferred?
7. When were the courts of North Carolina fully established? Can
you tell something of the judicial system in that period?
8. For what had North Carolina cause to be grateful?
9. What is said of General Washington?