Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-06-24
RICHMOND, JUNE "a, 1875.
To he Editors of die E:iquIer.
lIE FATE GEN WM CANlpRI

The following documents with the accom-
.napying remarks are submitted TO the public,
ne an act of simple Justice To the memory ola
deceased officer of the revolution, who has
been upwards of 40 years in his grave. The
writer has no wish that they should iniure the
feelings or the reputation of Gov. Isaac Shell
by. His object is purely and exclusively to
defend the reputation of departed friend
from charges most unjust, and as he believes
he has proved, altogether unfounded. The
respect due to Gov. Shelby, as am aged man,
and as patriot of the revolution, has pre-
vented the employment in these remarks of
any thing like asperity of language; and | am
willing that the world shall believe, that the
unjust statements he has made in relation TO
the military conduct of Col. Campbell have
been owing, altogether, to failure of his re-
collection. Gov. Shelby may believe them
TO be true but it does not therefore neces-
sarily follow that they are true; or, that, ques-
toning their truth is calling in question his
veracity and surely he has no right To com
plain, that the friends, whom Col Campbell
has left behind him, should have undertaken
10 defend his memory from reproach. What
would be Gov. SIS. feelings, might he asked, if
in his old days he could be brought to believe
that some so or 40 years after he has been
laid TO rest, his character as a soldier should
be assailcd, and that it would be his fate TO
leave no friends behind him who would dare
TO undertake his defence, although the means
of it were perfectly within their reach He
wa, d say and correctly say, that they would
deserve the universal scurn of society.
The friends Of col. Campbell have certainly
not been the cause of this controversy, nor
are they To blame forit. Gov. Shelby writes
letters in 1910 To- his friend col Sewer These
letters are published TO the world IN 322 by
the son of the latter gentleman. They con
tain statements which are calculated To dps-
troy the reputation ofcol. VIM. Campbell as
soldier. What were his friends Ia do under
such circumstances To fold their arms and
seal their lips in humble silence, although
they solemniy believed the statements 10 be
altogether incorrect? And the means of rroy-
ing them so within their power? Such con
duct On their part would have deserved the
public Indignation. But, II is not The relatives
alone ofcOl. Campbell who are interested in
this controversy. His character is the public
property of his country. She has rewarded
him with honors which he would not have
deserved, if the statements of Gov Shelby in
relation To him are correct.
But 1t IS confidently believed they are prov
ed to he wholly incorrect I; and by the follow
ing species of testimony:
l. BY Governor Shelby's own statements
in 1890.
.. BY the high standing as soldier which
Col. Campbell seems To have occupied in the
estimation of the American army after the
battle OF Kings Mountain
8. by the positive declarations of eye wit
nesses OF the first responsibility who fought
by his side.
lst. Col Shelby'sown account of The battle of
kIng,s Mountain in 1850, five days after the
battle was fought.
The Washington militia of (which he speaks
in the following letter, were commanded by
Col VIM. Campbell.
Copy Of letter from On, Isaac sEelJut 10 COL .4tnr
C"RpdeH Of Wdshirgfon ComRnJ, Dircitia dyted
North Cdroiina Oct 12th, 173O.
nave herewith thu honor To acqlIint YOU that
on Saturday the II h instant in the afternoon after
forced march of Is miles on that day aud The nigh,
belofe. detsrl,meui of uur ie a,niv Of mnunra in
men OF about 200 under the command of Col. VIM
Campbell came up with Col FergHsnm who lay eu-
camped on The top of Kings Mountain.
The forenoon ofthe day was wet but we were (ortu-
nate enough To come on him undscov ed and took
ms pIqueis We were auon formed in such order us
20 auhrk NC enemy on all quarters. The Wash
ingion aud Sullivan regiments began the attack on
'he 'front.' and left nink--tle Nnrlh Carolina req i,
ments under colonies Williams, SEWER and CIeve-
IAN" attacked HE rear and oher flank the firing
W H""n' IL minutes became general aud was kent I'm
WIN Jury on bath sides for near an hour On The
N'S onset He washington militia aHenptsd raDid{y 10
dsce"d he mo""tai" int rere mdBye British ysg,,irs
Ioh hIed bcyonets and /orced IN getreu TB,y ,rsrs
soon fof'ed NJ their gallant commander Sad some ofhis
Hctre 9tcsrS and by constant and nell diytcte6 lire
~ orr rifles zee drore them bark ia our turn, and
Ie!cted me summit ofte HsOuHiqiH loiere he eDpay
"snS ci0Sefy surrounded surrendered prisoners ut dis
creiiOH
Their commander Col Ferguson ntlempted a
hile before the close OF the action 10 make his es-
oape on horseback, but was u'ercep,ed by Few
iihenien OF tie Sullivan regiment and fell dead when
forcing his way. The post taken by the enemy ga We
mem confidence that any force the Americans could
n' against them could not defeat Them T,uI,
s s'u'ion oil the ground gave them greatly the adj
'"aSe, us the mountain was high aud exceedingly
s~ep 'n lront aud nterspersed along the ton with
lacy cihs OF rocks iD shot, i, was almost equal
10 slormng regular works"
NOi. Shelby writes this letter, as has been
stated, I'VE days after the battle was fought
Mnen all The circumstances of it were fresh
upon i'IS recollection. In this letter he speaks
In terms of applause Of the gallant conduct OF
COL Campbell in The battle.
Our rl0emcn were forced fo retreat be
'9re The bayonets Of British regulars - but
,'ey We're B" soon rallied by their gallant com.
{, hiandcr and some of his active officers. and
{. constant and well directed fire Of our
=, hs we drove them back in our turn and
q. ,edchcu the summit Of the mountain where
C Iuc enemy being closely surrounded surreu-
u''en prisoners at discretion - Five DAYS az
o. =" pat'ie 1t IS presumed, The conduct of each
Inicer In 1.-THE part ne bore. and the merit
81 81 ehiltied To, are pretty well discussed and
thoroughly understood throughout the army
t fnu yer, governor Shelby gives an account Ot
.o "a'ur forty years afterwards, in which he
,ePrssents the conduct Of this gallant com
;;"apuet' VINO thus rallied his refreating troops
:" lne iaee ofBritish regulars, as such as would
nave d'ssracrd him in the eyes of the army
"Hu uenied him the honorable place he occtl-
p'IS ~ history. In 1898 gov Shelby says
49,, campbell was 200 yards from the troops