The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-10-15


Of the good and true from the caEebrakes oil
French Broad. four hundred miles away over
the Alleghanles. have moved round the noun
tain from the west. They are headed by the
rifle with the white paper on its mnzzle, and
thew discharge cataract of flame into the Brit
ish flank. Look now, how the scarlet uniforms
roll backwards up the acelvity, faster than they
came, leaving many red cross behind them.
acainSthe freshmen having learned how
to charge, too, without bayonets. They charge
in condensed columns, with fire and hot lead,
and drive the slaves down the western slope in
disorder 10 the deep base. Then the breeze
springs up and clears the mountain OF 1t mist
and battle smoke, and the broad sun OF heaven
smiles on the living and the dead. :.
As last resort, the brave Ferguson forms his
entire force into columns, to cut hls way out
of t.. at awful circle of fire. He Hings his sword
wildly on lish. He shouts in thunder, "for-
ward-chargew The next instant he is a
corpse. A rifleball from the muzzle wreathed
with snowy paper, has gone through his heart;
The British, panic stricken, throw down their
arms and cry for quarter A number equai 10
tie whole American army are prisoners. ana
now the old man raises yell, that sounds
above the pean-shout of nine hundred strong
tlroats -"king's mountain is ours forever J"
Thus terminated gloriously, an engagement
in MANY respects the most important, waged
during the war. It struck the savages OF the
frontier with terror from Ohio to Florida. 1t
laid in tie dust Britain's grand schcmea OF TO-
ry co-operation. Lord CORVALLIS heard OF 1t
paused in bis triumphant career, and ordered
hasty retreat to WinnsborouglI, eighty miles in
his rear. Marion and Sumter heard OF 1t, and
renewed their deadly ambuscades.
The battle shock, was over; the battle'snoke
drilted away Oh the wind, and the sun shone
brightly on the dead and dying-on broken
arms and bleeding bosoms-when jury-mar-
tiol sat to decide question of avengng justice;
The atrocious Tories were summarily arraigned
to answ er the charge Of fifty murders.
Among these pale wretcles pleading for mer.
CIV, Tom Bell, the Hercules in red hair, was
most abiect of all; and so earnest were his
PRAYERS and promises for the future, that he
was on the point of being acquitted, when an
old man, with streaming white locks, broke
through the circle of guards, and confronted
the shivering culprit.
"Do YOU remember French Broad, and the
10th of August!''
,"Saye me fion, him :" cried the Tory cap.
tain, stretching forth his chained hands for help
to the astonislled bystanders. ,,.,
Have YOU forgotten Mary Copeland Z
asked the old man, grinding his toothless gums
till the blood ran out on the foam Of his lips.
"I did not kill her--oh! you cannot say
killed herp exclaimed the coward, falling on
his knees, and seeking to embrace the feet oil
his enemy.
"No-But you forced her to kill herself, as
the sole means of salvation from foul GIshouor!'
"Oh!I did not intend to harm her" per-
sisted the false Tory, writhing i'll the dust like
the mcanest OF reptiles.
"Tlien rise and swear" answered the other
with grim smile.
The wretch sprang up and pledged oaths
wild enough to wake the dead.
DO you see this daggerl" inquired the aged
hero pointing to silver hilt glittering in Ills
belt
"Mercy! Mercy!" shrieked the murderer.
The eyes of the old man shot sparks of liv-
ing fire, as he said in hoarse, Kissing whisper
This dagger, on the night of the 10th of
August, was in the heart of an angel. But now
it is in yours, devil he added, striking home
the sharp steel with motion prompt and pow.
full like lightning.
There was moan, and then gurgle, and
then gush of warm blo"d and the victim lay
a corpse at the avengers feet.
Five minutes afterwards nine others-equal
traitors and homicides-hung dangling from
the swinging limbs of oak and pine tees, there
on the summit of Kings Mountain, which no
King should again call his own, any more for
ever.