The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-29
CHAPTER VIII

CHATTER VIII.
Ambrose Carey, whose maeination was still A.
fected by the scenes on the Pilot Mountain, felt
more curiosity than he chose to express. concern
ing the family Of Council Redwood The Regu.
la'ors house was much better and more hand
some one than those Of most of his contemporaries ;
but there was about it, and the thick woods in its
vicinity, and the venerable oaks in the yard an air
OF quaintness that made a strong impression on
the mind of Carey. To his surprise. however,
he found that Redwood's daughter was mere
girl, and his sons about the ages of fifteen and
thirteen; nor was there anything in their con-
Duct, or In that Of the servants, which seemed in
the least unnatural But the young man was
disturbed with painful doubts; long watching
and sorrow, and his recent fatigues, brought on
fever, and orseveral months he lay in a critical
state. During part Of this time he was deirous
and when he had recovered his senses, insisted
that he had often seen the spirit of Mary White
That she was dead and buried he had the evil
dence of his own senses and still he was equally
positive that while he lay wasting with fever, the
form OF his beloved was often ut his bed, minister
ing kindly to his wants and soothing his per-
turbed spirit with music that seemed not of
earth. Redwood assured his friend that some
guardian spirit did, no doubt, watch over him ;
and the young Regulator for such he had now
become. felt, with his returning strength, a new
heart beat within him. The crisis had passed ;
his soul had successfully wrestled with its sor-
rows, and when his feysf had left him. Ambrose
Carey Iouno mmselr man TN
",~' SN~"D >- ---,> - '~.;--~- Ant~-os;aAS
Redwood, so absorbed with attentions to his
friend, had been unable TO exert the influence he
wished among his brother patriots, and now he
found that bis counsel would come too late Civil
war had already displayed his crimson banner,
md all ha Ssata hoo ha huou
of preparation. The Governor had been busy in
levying troops and organizing IN army ana the
Regulators, eeger for D contest of arms were col
lecting in great numbers from every part of the
country. Redwood and Carey, the former with
sad forebodings, the latter fall of fire and hope,
Joined in the general movement, and soon con-
siderable army was in the field. Unhappily, how
ever, this army was without leaders without dis
cipline and without arms 1t was mainly under the
influence of Husband, who was Quaker, and
averse to bloodshed, and of demagogues who
knew nothing of war These men wished only
to intimidate with great show Of numbers, and
generally the wisest and irmest among the Regu-
lators held back, while only the most boisterous
Joined ia the instruction. There were however
in this mob, the materials for fine army il con-
tanned many brave spirits, and many excellent
men, all of whom, unhapply, were unable TO ef-
- >. - nss.So $1,000. 4'r-S-
on, at the head Of a considerable and we'll
appointed army, took the field, and the opposing
forces ativanoeo AZ fhsI escn ulncr, DC Gfss
tors from the west, and the State forces from the
east. The farther he marched, the more did Am
brose Carey become discouraged but the philo-
sophie Redwood began to view things in iifer-
eDt light. He became more and more convinced
of the universal love of liberty in the State and
he concluded that an eng cement, however it
might end, would ultimately produce sslutary |
effects.
We must fight" said he to Carey there
must be bloodsbed and then our cause is safe. |
A vast majority of the people of this State are
ready for rebellion; but vague awe, a supersti-
tous sort of dread of power and of royalty, holds
them back They cannot at once fight against
sovereign under whose sway they have been |
raised up they entertain an underlined sort Of
fear of such a collision But let there be blood
shed, let but one of their brethren be slain in
rebellion, and the charm will be dissolved forev-
err! This blood will fertilize the earth, and, like
the tabled dragons teeth, produce armed men
it will make fountain that will never dry up
Yes, let there be blood shed in the cause of
liberty, and if there be but drop, it will make
another and everlasting blot on the CORY hands Of
Tyranny and It will be the blood of our breth-
rem and kindred and none of our kindred will
ever again kiss those hands"
On the 9th of May, 177l, the opposing forces
met at Alamapce On the one side was tumut-
uous multitude without leaders, without artil-
lery, and even to great extent without guns or
swords; on the other well-sppointed army,
eleven hundred strong, with experienced and
skful officers, and a train of heavy guns.
The contest was sharp, but Of short duration
and after a few rounds the iDsurgent multitude
began to dispense, carrying off their dead and
wounded. Some few of them fought with despe-
rate valor, and killed or taken prisoners,
and among the latter was Ambrose Carey, who In
vain wished that day to meet a soldiers grave.
a good many prisoners were taken, and some
hanged on the spot Of the others, some took the
bath of allegiance and others were carried in
triumph back to HIillsborough.
To this place, however, the Governor did not
return Immediately, but, as if to give finishing
blow to the lettering power Of royalty, took cir
,uitous march to the west, burning and destroy
ng private property, levying heavy exactions of
provisions for the support of his army and exhib-
ting his prisoners in chains.
When be arrived in Hillsborough, special
court of oyer and terminer was ordered for the
rial of the prisoners, a number Of whom were
harged with high treason others were accused
# sedition, murder and assaults On the officers
# the law. Among the former was Carey, his
principal acouser being Edmund Tanning. But
While he was awaiting his trial, great efforts
we're made to procure his pardon and release
Many respectable people of Orange who had
lot joined in the movements Of the Regulators,
igned memorials and petitions in behalf OF this
,oung man even officers Of the Governors army
oined in the request, and ladies of distinction,
Who had heard of his romantic love, made inter-
,st in his favor. 1t was all in vain Tanning |
controlled the Governor, and he insisted on the
leath Of bis former rival.