Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-29
For the Standard.


as printed BY steam, revised edition of work of
this nature, naturally leads US to conclude it must be
one well worth reading: under this impression we
opened Horseshoe Robinson, and though we must
confess ourselves little disappointed in it, we are
heartily glad to good tale of the Tory ascen-
dency again before the public, and welcome all the
cordially from the fact OF the being laid
in the States OF Virginia. North and South Carolina.
yet we think that it would have been advisable had
the author, while revsng also compressed his nara
tive He tells us in the preface this edition that
Galbrah alias Horseshoe Robinson is fictitious
character. After relating the manner in which he be-
came acquainted with him he adds, " AS l expressed
great interest in his adventures he yielded himself
to nv leading, and got out of him rich stock of
adventures, of which his life was full. The two
famous passages to which had been asked to ques-
ton him-the escape from Charleston, and the cap
ture Of the Scotch soders-the reader will find pre-
served in the narrative upon which he is about to
enter, almost in the very words of my authority.
Horseshoe living in 1885, when the first edition
of this work was published, and frieEi commission
ed by the author to read it to him reported that he
seemed much interested in it. and when asked his
opinion replied, SIT is all true and right-in its right
place-exceptDg about them women, which dlsre-
member. That might be true too; but my memory
is treacherous-I disremember.'' This testimony
adds greatly the interest of those chapters relating
the history of the particularly the graphic de-
scrpton of the battle of Kings Mountain, In which
Horseshoe bore part. Our limits will not allow US
to insert the whole of this battle and we
could do the author justice by striking out any of
it reluctantly it over and select instead, the
5
men. Arriving, Sunday morning, at the house
of farmer in South Carolina he found the good lady
in great distress, the loss of sundy chickens and
ducks, which had been stolen an hour before by a
Scotch ensign, who, with four men, had marched up
just after her husband had left home to attend meet
ing" Horseshoe finding pistol and rifle in the
house determines, with the aid of the youngest
lad about thirteen years DID, capture the cnking,
Gathering bues.' After overruling the mother s
objections they started the expedition. Horseshoe
explaining his plan as they went.
tAnd,' he said, IS we have got rather tickish
sort of job before US, so must give you your lesson
which you will understand better by knowing some
thing of my plan. AS soon your mother told me
that these thievng Williams had left her house about
fifteen minutes before the rain came on, and that they
had gone along upon this road, remembered the old
field up here. and the little log hut in the middle of
it: and it natural to suppose that they had just
got about that hut, when this rain came ups and
then it was the most suPposable case In the world
that they would 60 into it, the driest place they
could find. So now, you see II is my calculation
that the whole batch is there at this very point of time
We will go slowly along, until we get to the other
end of this woods, in sight Of the old field, and then
if there is one on the lookout we will open our
first trench you know what that means Andy? %
cit means, I s'pose, that we'll 60 right smack at
them,' replied Andrew.
Pretty exactly, said the Sergeant. IS But listen
to Just at the edge of the woods you will get
down and put yoursel: behind tree. I'll ride for
ward if had whole troop at my heels, and if
catch them, expect they'll have little fire kind
led and as like as they'll be cooking some of your
mothers chickens" The Sergeant then explained to
the boy that he not to leave the woods until he
heard him cry out stand fast, which the signal
the enemy had surrendered, and charged him then to
run in and the Arriving in view of the
hut they judged by the smoke that all was they
wished, so leaving Andy in the woods, Horseshoe
galloped up to the hut. To spring from the saddle
and thrust himself one pace into the door
ment which the Sergeant executed in instant shou
ing the time, Hal d! file off right and left
to both sides of the house and wait orders. Idemand
the surrender of all here" he said, as he placed
himself between the party and their weapons-I will
shoot down the first man that budges foot.''
"Leap to your arms,'' cried the young officer who
commanded the little party inside the house. Why
do you stand !'' don't want to do you your men
any harm, young man, but by my fathers son I'll moi
! leave one of you to put muster roll if you raise
hand at :his moment
Both parties stood for brief space cycling
each other in fearful suspense, during which there
was expression of doubt and irresoIuiion visible
the countenances of the soldiers as they surveyed
the broad proportion, and the glance of the
Sergeant, whilst the delay also began to raise an ap
gem would be discovered. " Shall let loose upon
them, Captain -! said Andrew, now appearing, mos
Unexpectedly to Robinson, at the door of the hut
| " Come on boys!' he shouted he turned his face
towards the field.
| keep them outside the door-stand fast !'' cried
the doughty Sergeant with admired promptitude in
the new and sudden Porture of his affairs caused BY
the opportune appearance of tile boy. "Sir you see
it is not worth while fighting We one and should
be to be the death of any of yonr brave fellows
take my advice, and surrender to the Continenta
Congress and this scrap of its army which l com
mand.'
During this appeal the Sergeant was ably second
ed by the lad outside, who was calling out first one
name and then another, if in presence of a troop
The device succeeded, and the officer within believing
the foIbearance of Robinson be real at length said
Lower your rifle, sir in the presence of superio
70 rec, taken by surprise, and without arms, it is my
duty to save bloodshed. With the promise of fa
usage, and the rights OF prisoners of war; I surren
der this little foraging party under my commando
CPL make the terms agreeable,'' replied the Ser
geant, never doubt me sir. Right hand file advance
and receive the arms of the prisoners!'
I'm here captain, said Andrew, in conceited tone
as if it were mere occasion of merrment and the
lad quickly entered the house and secured the weap
ons, Tetreating with them PAGES from the door
Now sir said Horseshoe, your sword and whatever
else you might have about you of the ammunition Of
war; The officer delivered up his sword and pail
of pocket pistols.
As Horseshoe received these tokens of victory he
asked, with lambert smile, and what he intended
to be elegant and condescendng comp osure youl
name, sir, if might take the freedom9' "Ensign ST.
Jermyn, of his majesty's seventy first regiment OF
| light infantry
| Is Ensign your servant added Horseshoe still
preserving this unusual exhibition of poteness YOU
have defended your post like an old sodger although
you han much beard on your chin but seeing Won
have given up, you shall be treated like a man that
has done his duty. You will walk out now and form
yourselves in line at the door, I'll engage nv men
shall do you no harm they of mercifnl breed
When the little squad of prisoners submitted 10 this
command they were stricken with equal establishment