Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-05-31

commanded by Col Patrick Ferguson The dextsy Of the
provncas msksmen bad been frequently quoted and held
out a. an object Of terror to British rocps Ferguson
man Of genius which exercised in professional aanmen
invented species Of rife that combined unprecedented
quckness Of repetition with certainty of effect and security
the soldiers.
The invention being not only approved, but highly ad
mred author appointed to form and train corps for
the purpose of pscce but opportunity did not offer Of
calling their skill into action until the period at which
arrived Ferguson with his corps, supported BY Wei
MISS American Rangers was appointed to cover the front Of
Knyphausens troops, and secured the ground so e6ectuay
that there was not shot fred by the Americans annoy the
column in its march, So secured. Knyphausen enabled
to advance without Interruption attacked the enemy obliged
hem though protected by their batteries, to cross the river
made good the passage of his division, and opened the
way to the rest Of the army.
The meritorious conduct Of COL Ferguson acknow-
lodged by the whole army, and publicly attesed by order Of
the commanden-chief Ferguson, in private letter, Of
which Dr. Adam Ferguson has transmitted copy, men
tons very curious incident from which appears that the
life Of the American General in imminent danger. While
Ferguson lay with part Of his rifemen skirt of wood
in front of Gen. Knyphsusens division, the circumstances
happened of which the letter in question gives the following
account:
We had lain long (says Ferguson in this letter.
when rebel officer, remarkable by hussar Dress passed
towards army, within hundred yards of my right flank,
not percevng He followed by another, dressed in
dark green and blue, mounted good bay horse, with
remarkable high cooked hat ordered three good shots
them and FIRE them but the idea disguised
me- recalled the ORDER The hussar, in returning, made
circuit but the other passed within hundred yards Of
US upon which advanced from the woods towards him.
Upon my calling he stopped but after looking at me, pro-
ceeded again drew his attention. and made sign to him
to stop dwelling my piece him but he slowly continued
his way. As was within that distance at which, in the
quickest firing, could have lodged half dozen balls IN
about him before he out of my reach, had only to
determine but pleasant TO fire at the back Of m
unofsndng individual who was acquitng himself very
'cooy Of his duty So let him alone. The day after,
haIk
lay in the with me, when Of surgeons
who bad been dressing the wounded rebel officers, in
and told that they had been informing him that Gen.
WAsHNeros all the morning with the light troops,
and only attended by French officer in hussar Dress he
himself dressed and mounted in every point above de-
scribed am not sorry that did not kow at the time
,pho IL ,Dds.
In the year l779 COL Ferguson employed in several
IF the detached expeditions which, unmporant they prov
ID in result yet have seen, called forth great degree
If British valor and ability, and particularly distinguished
himself in the Inclusive the North river in l779
Ferguson being engaged in the expedition Charleston was
If very signal importance the British army and men
Toned with great praises BY Sir Henry Clinton, the comms
Of the British army. After the reduction al
Charleston in May, 1850, when CORVALLIS attempting
justice and n'dnessjustice and mildnes such perhaps
Taeton pracsel about this time upon COL Bufords
yiment-
"When Lord CORVALLIS CONTINUES this British wrier)
was attempting BY justice and mdness harmony
between the province and the mother country he called for
the assistance of Ferguson. To the vao enterprise and in
vehion which were important in war; Ferguson was
known to add the bengnant disposition and conclaing man
which generate good will and friendship in situa
lions Of peace Among the propositions Of CORVALLIS
the security and tranquility Of the recovered colony one
scheme was TO arm the weascted for their own defence
Ferguson lieutenant colonel in America was entrust
ed with the charge Of marshalng the militia throughout
wide extent OF country Under bis direction and conduct
militia at once numerous and select enrolled and dsc
pinned One OF the great of ceaness and vgor of un
is ready classification either of things or men,
according to the qualities which they possess and the purpo
ses they are fitted or intended to Ferguson exercis
ed his genius in devng summary Of the ordinary tactics
and manual exercises for the use of the militia He had
them divided in every district into cassesone Of the
young men, the single and unmarried who should be ready
to join the Kings troops repel any enemy that infested the
province another Of the aged and heads Of families who
should be ready to unite in defending their own townships
habitations, and FARMS In his progress among them be soon
gained their confidence by the attention he paid to the n,e
rest of the weaected and by his humanity the IA
miles OF those who in against him We come
not, said be, to make upon and children, and
gave them money to relieve their dsresses The move
ments Of the Americans having compelled Lord CORVALLIS
proceed with great caution in bis northern expedition the
genius and rapid efforts of Ferguson required for pro-
tecng and facilitating the march Of the army, plan
collateral operations devised for that purpose In the
execution of these schemes he had advanced Ninety
Six, about two hundred miles from Charleston and with bis
usual vgor and success acting against different bodies Of
the coonss that still disputed the possession, when ine
gence arrived from The British officer, COL Brown comman-
der OF the Kings forces in upper Georgia. that corps Of
bels under COL Clarke had made attempt upon Augusts
and being repulse was retreang by the back settlements Of
Carolina. To this information Col Brown added that he
meant TO hang the Of the enemy and that if Fergu
son would cut his route he might be intercepted and
his party dhpersed This service seemed be perfectly con-
slsten with the purposes Of his expedition and did not give
time to wait for fresh orders from Lord CORVALLIS Fergu
son yielded to his usual ardor and pushed with his deach
ment composed Of few regulars and militia into Tryon
county
SIN the time numerous bodies Of back settlers west Of
the Allegheny mountains in arms, Of them intend
log to seize upon The presents intended for the Creek and
Cnerokee Indians which they understood but slightly
guarded at Augusta Georgia. Others had assembled upon
the alarm OF enemies likely visit them from Souh Carolina
These, meeting with COL Clarke secured his retreat and
made eIpedient for Brown to dess from his pursuit and
return to his station Augusta while Ferguson having no
intelligence Of Browns retreat still continued the march
which was undertaken at his request.
As ne was continuing his a numerous fierce, and
enemy suddenly sprung up in the woods and
wlds. The Inhabitants Of the Allegheny mountains assem-
bed without noise or warming under the conduct of six or
seven OF their militia colones to the number of daring
we'll mounted and excellent horsemen Discovering these
enemies he crossed Kings Mountain Ferguson took the
best position for receiving them that the ground would pe
nit But his men, neither covered by horse nor artillery
and being likewise dismsyed and asonished finding them
selves Unexpectedly surrounded and attacked on every
side by the cavalry Of the Mountains were not capable Of
wthstandng the impetuoty Of their charge Already $50
of his soldiers were killed upon the spot and greater num-
her wounded still however, the unconquerable spirit
of this gallant officer refused surrender He repused