The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-03-29
From the Wilmington Chronicle.
Battle OF EIiZabethtOwn,


From the Wilmington Chronicle.
Battle OF EliZabethtOwn.
One of the mos, daring and successful
onse,s upon the Tories by the Wings dur.
ing the Revolutionary war, was at Eliza
bethtown, in the county of Bladen, OF this
State. No notice of the battle is found 10
any history Of that period. We understand
there was an imperfect relation OF It pub
lshed in a Fayetteville paper twenty five
or thirty years ago. That memorial OF
SO gallant an act might be revived, aud
placed within reach of some future hlsio-
ran, we addressed letter to distinguish
ed gentIemao of Baden, desiring such III
forDalion 10 regard 10 the affair as be
should possess, or be able 10 collect. Ibe
annexed letter from him furnishes very
satisfactory account OF the information
sought fo., and will doubtless be peiused by
every North Gayoinian with much interest.
Our respected correspondent, probably
through inadvertanee, omitted to put down
the date of the battle. II was 10 1871, and
as near as we can ascertain, in The month
of July.
BLADDER County. Fb. 2lSt, lo44.
A. A, BRovS, Esq.
Dear SIR - ours OF the 3 instant was
received, soliciting such information as
possessed, or NAV be able to collect respect.
ing tue battle fought d. Ehzabelhto"n, du.
ring our revolutionary struggle, between
he Wings and Tories. | have often re
GREETED thai. the actions and skirmishes
which occurred in this and New Hanover
county, should have been overlooked by
historians. The battle Of Elzabethlown
deserves place 10 history, and ought 10 be
recollected by every true hearted North
Carolinian with pride and pleasure. Here
sixty men, driven from their homes, their
estates rava ged. and houses plUndered, who
had taken refuge with The Wings of Duplin,
withou, funds and bare Of clothing, resolv.
ed TO return, fight, conquer, OF die. After
collecting all the ammunition they could,
they embodied and selected Col. Thomas
Brown TO command. They marched fifty
miles through almos. a wilderness country
before they reached the river, subsistlng on
ierked beef aud scaniy supply Of bread.
The Tories had assembled, three hundred
or more, at Ehzabeihtowu, and were CON.
rnanded BY Siingsby and Golden; the for.
mer was talented mau, and we'll fitted for
his station; the latter, bold, daring, and
reckless, ready to risk every thing TO put
down the Wings. Every precautionary
measure was adopted TO prevent surprise,
and to render this the strong hold Of Tory
ism. Not beat vas suffered TO remain on
the East side Of the river. Guards and
senlries we're regularly detached and post.
ed. When the little band Of Wing heroes,
after uighlf4l!, reached the river, Got boa:
VS. o "a found; bot It must be crossed,
sl5 nat speedily lis depth was ascertain.
ed By some who we're tall and expert swim.
ners; they to a man cried out, at is ford.
able, we cau, we will cross IT," Not a
murmur was heard, and without moments
delay they ali addressed, tied their clothing
Bad ammunition 90 their heads, baggage
they had none } each man graspIng the bar.
rel Of his gun, raised the breech 80 as Il
Keep the lock above water, de scended the
banks, and entered thc river. The taller
men found less difficulty those OF lower
stature, were scarcely able TO keep their
mouths and noses above water but ell safe.
ly reached the opposite shore, resumed
their dress, fixed their arms for action
made their way through the low grounds
then thickly sc; with cane, assembled tht
hills which were high and PERCEPTIONS, eros
sed the Kings road leading through the
town, and took position N rs rear. Hero
they formed, and IN about two hours aftei
crossing mile below, commenced furious
attack, driving in the Tory scn,ries anC
guards hey continued rapidly to advance
keeping Up a brisk and well directed fire
and were soon in the midst OF the foe
mostly Highland Scolcameu, as brave, a
loyal, and highminded, as any Of hrs Ma
Jesiys subjects; 50 sudden and violent al
onset for the moment produced disorder
but they were rallied By their gallant lead
ef, and made for O Whhe the most deter
mined resistance. Sngsby fell mortal,
wounded, aud Golden vas killed, with mos
oil the officers Oh 'u'euor grade. They re-
treated, some tak,ug refuge IA houses. 9th
ers, the largest portion, leaping pell-mel
into a deep ravIne, since called the Tory
Hole. As the Tories had unlimited sxa,
from the river to Lilie Pee Dee, the Why
re crossed, taking With them their wound
ed. Such was the general panic produce
by this action, the Tories became dlsprlled
and never after were s. troublesome. Tn
Wings soon returned to their homes i
safety. Ia the death Of SIngsby, The r.
RES were deprived oC an officer whose plac
/, was difficult TO Gl' but few were equal I
Golden in partztn warfare.
This battle was tough, mostly by rive
planters men who had sacrificed much 70
their country. To itdge of Il correctly,
should 90, be forgotten that the couatr
from Little Pee Dee 20 the Caharas wa
oyerun by the Torres. Wilmington wa