The North-Carolina standard., 1845-09-24


ing dispatch to Lord Cornwaffis. no doubt in.
forming him of his situation and soliciting aid.
The letter was committed to the care of the noted
Abraham Collins, (since of counterfeit memory J
and another person, by the name Of Quin, with
InJunctIons to deliver it soon as possible. They
set out and attempted to pass the direct road TO
Charlotte, but having to pass through some whig
settlements, they were suspected and pursued, and
being compelled to secrete themselves bv day and
travel by night, they did not reach Charlotte until
the morning Of the 9TH of October, (the dav of
the battle.) Col. Ferguson encamped the first
night at the noted place called the CoaOpens about
20 miles from fIilbertstown On the 5th October.
he crossed Broad river, at whnt is now called
Deer's Ferry, l6 miles. On the 9th he marched
up the Ridge Road, between the waters of Kings
| and Buffalo Creeks until he came to the fork
turning 10 the right, across Kings Greek and
through a gap Of the mountain towards York
vile, about 4 mills. Then he encamped on the
summit OF that part of the mountain 10 the right
of the road, where he remained until he was at.
tackled on the 7th
When the troops from the different counties
met, at the head of The Catawba river, the com.
mandlng officers met. and finding that they were
all Of equal grade, and no general officer to COM
mand, it was decided that Col. Charles Nc DowelI
should 60 to Head Quarters, supposed to be be-
tween Charlotte and Salisbury to obtain Gen
Sumner or Gen Davidson 10 take the command
In the meantime, it was agreed that Col Will
liam Campbell. who had the largest regiment.
should take the command until the arrival of a
general officer, who was to act according to the
advice of the CocneIs commanding, and that
Major Joseph Nc Dowell should take The COM
mand OF The Burke and ford regiment un-
tit the return Of Col. Mcdowell
Shortly after these measures were adoptcd. in
trlligrnce was received that Col Ferguson had
left Gilbertsown, and il was drcidtd that they
would march after him, by that place, and on
their way received evidence that it was his design
TO evade an engagement with them. On the eve
ming of the 9th of October, the CnloneIs in coun-
Gil unanimously resolved, that they would select
all the men and horse fit for service and immedi-
ately pursue Ferguson until they should overtake
him, leaving such as were not able to 90, to come
after as fast as they could. The next evening,
the selection was made, and 9IO men, including
officers, were marched before, leaving the others
TO follow
They came to the Cowprns, where Ferguson
had camped on the night of the 4lh and there met
Col Williams, of South Carolina, with near 400
men, and about 60 from Lincoln county, who had
joined them on their march, under Col Hambrite
and Major Chronicle. After drawing Talions of
beef, the whole proceeded on, q little before sun
set. taking Ferguson's trail towards Deers Ferry,
on Broad river Night coming on, and being
very dark, their pilot got out of the right way,
and lor some time they were lost but before day
light they reached to the ferry, and by direc.
ton of the officers the pilot led them to the Chero-
kee ford, about mile and half below, as it was
not known but the enemy might be in posses
sion of the Eastern bank Of the river. II was on
the morning of the 7th 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 short time, and took such
breakfast as their wallets and saddlebags could
afford The day was showery, and they were
Obliged to use their blankets and greatcoats 10 pro-
tect their arms from wet They passed on doz-
en- OF miles without seeing any person at length,
they met lad, in an old field, by the name of
Fonderin, about twelve or fourteen years of age,
who had brother and other relations in Fergu-
sons camp. and who was directly from it, within
less than three miles. A halt was ordered, and
the Colonels met in consultation Several persons
knew the ground well on which the enemy was
encamped, agreeable to the information given by
the boy of their position The plan of battle was
Immediately settled that the force should be near
y equally divided, and one half would take to the
right, cross over and occupy the South East side
Of the mountain and that the other should advance
to the Northwest side, and that each division
would move forward until they formed junction,
when all should face 10 the 'front.' and press upon
the enemy up the sides of the mountain Orders
were given to prepare for battle, by laying aside
every incumbrance, examining well their arms
and guarding against alarm The orders were
speedily obeyed, and they moved forward over
Kings Creek, and upa branch and ravine and
between two rocky knobs, which when they had
passed, the top of the mountain and the enemy's
camp upon it, were in full view, about 100 poles
in front. Here they halted. and tied their horses
leaving the necessary guard with them. 1t was
now o O'Clock in the afternoon
The enemy's camp to the right Of the
road, 70 or 80 poles in length, and on the sum-
nit of the mountain, which at this place runs
nearly NORTHEAST and South West (tke shadow
Of the timber at halfpast one p. NJ, ranges with
t) The troops were led on in the following or.
der:-To the right, Major Winston, Col Sewer
Col. Campbell, Col Shelby and Major Nc Dow.
ell-To the left, Col Hambritc, Col Cleveland
and Col. Williams, Of South Carolina.
Each division moved off steadily to the place
assigned them in the order Of battle Some Of the
regiments suffered much under the CALLING FIRE Of
the enemy, before they were in position 10
gage in the action. Some complaints began to be
uttered, that 1t Neper uoouLd do to be shot dolcn
without returning the fire. Col. Shelby replied,
"press on to your places and then your fre will
not be lost"
The men led by Shelby and Mcdowell were
soon closely engaged, and the contest from the
first was very severe Williams and Cleveland
were soon in their places and with the utmost en-
ergy engaged the foe. Ferguson, finding that the
End of his line was giving way. ordered forward
his regulars and rif4men, with bayonrts, and,
made furious charge upon Shelby and Nc Dow