Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-06-24

pToach of Ferguson he ADD Col. Sewer assem-
hled at Vataga" then in the state of North
Carolina)" with $50 men and that Campbell
brought with him from Virgin 100" The
latter bringing within 80 as nisuy men as both
th- others pun together.
Gov. Shelby IN his late pamphlet does not
pretend 10 affirm in terms that lie and Col.
Sewer, two citizens of North Carulina AT that
period, had any thing to oin raising and en-
6otyiag the men who followed Campbell from
Virginia "a that expedition. But by way of
reconci!Ing his two Statements, he says that
Ca.npbel, at that time WAS preparing an eX-
pcd'tion into the South of Virginia, and that
he induced hun to change his plan of opera
tons by letters which he addressed to him
and that therefore, 1.-THE conclusion it is pre-
suned for which he contends) he aud col Sc
vIer are entitled To The credit of " raising aud
em6odpng" the great body of men who cross
ed the mountains on that expedition. If gov.
Sheibys premises are correct, | cannot see
how his conclusion follows. Changing the
plan Of operations does not mean raising aud
em6odyiag troops Colonies Shelby aud Sewer,
two citizens OF North Carolina, had certainly
nothing TO do in raising and embodying the
men IN Virginia who followed Campbell To
Kings Mountain. What authority had they
To raise and emhndy men in Virginia ? Were
all the officers OF Virginia in that country really
slumberiug over the public safety at that peri
cd, amidst the dangers which surrounded il !?
Aud yet colonies Shelby and Sewer must have
raised and embodied the principal part of the
men who went from Virginia, if really the
great body of the men ictO crossed The mouil-
fdtas were raised by them, for nearly half the
men who crossed the mountains On that eX-
petition went from Virginia. If gov. Shelby's
memory has then SO totally failed him in one
,.c
sactiJn, is it unfair to conclude that il has
iailevl him in another?
Gov. Shelby states in his pamphlet, that
while he was attempting TO rally the men at
the distance OF about goo yards from where
the scene of action mad been, he looked
" down the mountain, and saw col. Campbell
sitting on his bald face black horse, about 600
yards farther of, appaI emily looking right at
" him"
Col. Newell or Kentucky, who was a gallant
officer in the Virginia regiment, who received
wound in the early part of the action, and
afterwards mounted horse and Joined again
IN the battle, gbirms positively, that Campbell
at that time was at the head of his regiment
on foot, his horse having given out through
excessive fatigue, and thar the horse he hud
rode was a bag horse.-Maior Snodgrass, II
most respectable citizen of Washington cuun-
ty, who was volunteer in capt Dysart's com
pany OF CampbeiPs regiment, S,0edrS poSjtiueLy
TO the SAME facts.-Mr. Dickenson, the clerk
of Russell county, of whom Judge Peter
Johnston of the general court of Virginia has
said, that there is no man living in whose
veracty and integrity more peri feet confidence
may be reposed," has Stcorn positively that at
that time Campbell was on foot eXertng him
self TO rally his men.
Mr.. Evlns of Kentucky, who belonged to
Campbell's regiment in the battle, aIii m- Do
sitIvely that the horse Campbell rode III The
early part ofthe action was ban horse that
he gave out and that after wards Campbell
commanded on foot.
The question then may be put to the can
dor and good sense of the world, tChose state
ments and recollectiOns are most In be conf
ded In, IN relation TO col. Campbell's conduct
in the battle of Kings Mountain the officers
and soldiers OF his o,un regiment who kneuO
him perfectly, who had followed him from their
homes, and who in the hour ofdanser would
naturally Turn their eyes upon him, being their
commanders, or, the officers and soldiers of IA
different regiment, who were fighting in "A diff
ierent part ofthe mountain, and who more
over are speaking of facts that il is utterly i'm
possible they could know with any thing like
certainty
How could col. Shelby in the moment and
confusion of retreat, distinguish { oil Camp
bell with any thing like certainty in The woods
at tile distance of eco yards, and if am not
mistaken in a wet cloudy day of October
And how can he affirm with any thing like
confidence, that Campbell was not within IA
quarter of a mile of the enemy when they
surrendered te Sewer and himself, when he
says that the last time he saw him was in the
position before stated If he ever saw him,
as nc thought he did, idly and ingloriousIy
gazing on the conflict, at the distance of 900
yards from it, does he know that he cOnlinu
ed stationary Did he know where he was il
he did not see him or hear hims
And yet governor Shelby concludes his
pamphlet with the most solemn declaration
" Standing thus beside my grave and between
two worlds sOIemnly declare, that the facts
have stated in relation tu the conduct of col
Campbell in the battle of Kings Mountain are
true"
IL is hen true according 10 gov. Shelby
that col. Campbell was doubtless brave
man and deserved great credit for the man
ner IN which the action was brought on, and
for his conduct through great part of ii
.fnd tiS also true that he had very little share
in it,"
1t true, that he rallied his retreating troops
as gallant commander and brought them
back to the conflict, after which they sue
ceeded IN driving The enemy TO the place oi
surrender And it is also true, that at that
moment he was seated on his horse 200 wards
from them idly gazing on
! 1t is true, that the great body of the men
who crossed the mountains on the expedirion
To Kings Mountain were raised and embo
died by col. Shelby aud Sewer And il is
also true, that Campbell brought toto the field
as many nearly as both Of them put together
These are in substance all governor Shel.
by's own statements in relation 10 the con
duct OF his dead fellow soldier in the battle