The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-01-06
PATRICK M'NoGGIN.
SKETCHES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
WAR IN North CAROLINA.


WAR IN North CAROLINA.
was busily Oceupsd one summers morning in
my garden, when was salutod by an old fashioned
farmer. on his way ia toin lie rode a stout we'll
limbed, active young horse. with the manner Of one
eaiy accustomed to the saddle, and managed him, in
his humors, and with the tact and address Of a man
fcnd OF pet nnifnnl
The old mans hat low crowned and slouched,
bu, looked as f j, bad oBes topped, or cooked up
style which may reoolleet as incidental to
many = revolutionary veteran.
The weather invited to rest; we both seemed
willing to enjoy SHADE and conversation; and by OBJ
ssrvnIion casually NADIA which probably the old
mans appearances nssistsd-we talked Of the times
ofIbc RevolOnou-he siding on his horse (f6r Ike
many good takers. he made no time to alish) and
standing on the .aiher side OF my fence, in the gar
den. bo'h oC ~ shaded BY fine oaks which re-
ffeshed the road by which he was passing.
In this way picked up the following narrative OF
"1HEsURPRIsE At M'INTRE's."
The inhabitants q a large plantation, on the road
'sadng from TIE town OF Charlotte to Beate's Ford,
on the Catawta. alarmed one morning early in
su'umn by tie report Of country lad, that detneh-
meni OF British hshi horse with line of empty bag
gags wagons were their march, TO procure forage
for ti.o Englsh troop, under the command Of Lord
CORVALLIS. I'ho bad bis headquarters in the county
town Of Msobsnbars North Carolina.
As tLs boz passed the farm. house he gave tbs al
arm aud galopsd on. The women we're strug-
Cling after lin some loaded with the rites and ac-
eootremcnls Of the men VINO were at work in the
dslds-whHs others, assisted by the negroes, leo
foJIh horSss from the stables, and hastily saddled
them FOR the service.
The mfn were promptly armed, the women and
children Sith such neeessares as could be ssutched
up, mounted by t~os and threes upon the hors-
es, aud accompanied by tho servants directed their
coUrsa J'rOugh the woods to such neshbors as were
most retired from the main road.
Although the boy who gave the alarm had used
every sEsrtion. and, mounted upon faded colt Just
taken from The plough, had dashed through the most
direct 10y paths tie had scarcely time to conceal
themselves In deep thioket and swamp, which Dor
dered the extremity the plantation, before the
British vdsties were in sight. They halted upon the
brow o. bill, above the branch Of creek, for the
approach Of the main body, end then, in complete or
der, advanced to the plantation
A1sr recent .sring the premises finding no one
present, bot all appearances Of the hasty flight of the
inhabitants. the dragons di.moun.ed the horses were
tetisred, and guard detailed. Some sump,or hors-
es were harnessed to the farm wagons, and parties
began to load them with the various products Of the
fsds while military baggage wagons under the charge
Of rear guard. gradually arrived, and were employ
ell ia gathering the corn, and in carrying stacks
Of oais aud Of the freshly pulled cornfodder.
Il was the practice with our countrymen--led to
seaulOn by their early contests with the aborigaos
a. i
'Ual support IN case Of danger, aud in their visits of
friendship or Business, they always bore arms There
were twelve men now lying in close ambush on the
edge Of the plantation. They had oil acted on scout
ng parties-werS expert in the of the rihe-and
g,srfeety acquainted with the peculiarities of the
eouhtry. They divided, at irregular distances,
INTO couples concealed very near each other, that
they might readily communicate and have aid in
their concerted action for it had been agreed among
them await the OF the British, in the hope
that they might portion of the plumber
ed crops with the greatest prospect of success.
Il was with much restraint however that they
the fruits OF their industry suddenly withdrawn while
the soldiers, enjoyed the prospect OF free living,
shouted joyously amid their plumber Separate par
ties regularly Detailed shot down and butchered the
hogs and calves-huutcd and caught the poultry Of
different descriptions which upon large plantation,
from the luxury of the farmer and the pride and ia
vorites OF the good wife and the little ones.
In full view Of this active stood the COM
mander Of the British orcea porty, ford, cheerful
EnsIishman--one hand on each side of the doorway
OF the farm house where the officers were enjoying the
abundant provisions prepared for the owners of the
plantation and their friends. -