The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1853-02-16


junction with Mcran. In execution
Of this design. Morgan's light troops,
joined by Few militia. were posted at
sherrill's Ford Gen. Davidson, who,
in this critical period. was ever on the
alert. had called out the militia fnrce
under his command, Lnd while watch
was kept at various lords on the river.
with directions 10 give information Of
the approach VI the enemy. a conside-
rable Cody of his troops Was placed at
Reattie's fBrd. he himself taking posi-
tion at cowan's ford. with about three
hundred and fifty men, on the evening
Of the SIst Of January. Lord Corn
wallis. in the meanwhile. foiled in his
pursuit, had encamped at Ramsour's
mill, the scene Of the action between
the Wings and Loyalists the preceding
summer; and having experienced delay
in his late march, from the incum-
brance of his baggage, he here destroy
ed all that could be regarded as super
fous. himself setting the example by
casting into the flames the baggage Of
headquarters, and converted has whole
army into light troops, with view Of re-
newing the pursuit VI Morgan. or fore
ing Gen. Greene to an action. Thus dis
eneumbered, he lost no time in approach
ing the Catawba upon the abatement Of
the flood, and while a feint was made
at Eeattie's Ford, the most public and
eligible pass. by detachment under
Lieutenant Colonel Webster. his Lord
ship, moving with the main army in
the night, was at dawn OF day at the
private pass Of cowan's Ford, where
he had been anticipated by the yigi-
lance Of Davidson. Plunging into this
bold river. which is here the fourth Of
a mile wide, with its waters not yet
assuaged, the British troops waded
through, and we're received by a well
directed fire from our militia but sue
ceeded in making good their landing,
with the loss Of about forty killed aud
wounded, including Colonel Hall. On
the American side the loss was incon-
siderable, except in the fall Of the gal.
liant Davidson, who here sealed with has
life's blood the vows of devotion and
duty to his country, which he had made
in the outset Of the struggle, and which
he had zealously maintained By fivc
years of service IN the field.
Our repulsed forces retired to Tor.
rence's tavern. SIX miles distant, on
the Salisbury road. where they were
Joined BY their comrades from Beattie's
Ford. who retreated on hearing of theil
General; and halting there in confusion
and no individual assuming command
they we're surprised by 'rarieton's caya
I RI, who had been sent in pursuit. ant
put TO rout, but without serious loss
Zen. Greene now fastened eastward tt
Salisbury with the troops under Nor
gan, and despatched orders to Hugel
and Williams not to advance to that
place, but to unite with him at Gull.
ford Court House, some fifty miles fur.
ther east, Pressing on, pursued eager.
ly BY the British, he crossed the iad-
Kin at the Trading Ford eastward OF
, Salisbury. And here again Heaven smil'
! ed ON the American cause. His casal'
ry forded the stream at midnight OF the
Sd of February, and the infantry pas.
sed in boats at dawn the next morning.
a few Of their wagons being cut Oft by
the pursuers. But the boats were
secured at the place of landing, and a
rise in the river during the night arrest.
ed the passage OF the enemy, and forced
him to proceed up its western bank
some thirty miles, to the shallow ford,
near the village Of Huntsville. Here
he received Intelligence Of the success
ful junction OF the two divisions ol
Greene's army at Guiliord Court House
, aud lost all hope Of attacking them in
, detail but being confident OF his power
/. to encounter both, he moved forward,
in the ardent hope Of compelling them
to battle before they could reach Vir.
, ginia, where ammunition, supplies and
. recruits awaited them. His movement
up the Yadkin had thrown him nearer
, to the upper iords Of the Dan river
than Gen. Greene, and eGabled HIM Z
| cut him off from that mode 0t CROSSING
and trusting so to overcome that dls
tance between them as to arrest his pas
: sage in boats, he urged on his march wit
!, all possible expedition. Greene, rest
;, ing his wearled troops for three days
/ Gullforl Court House, where many Q
/ them within month were to find thei
n last repose, aud calmly surveying HI
o condition, determined to continue hs re
h treat into Virginia; and, with twenty
!. FIVE miles the advantage IN distance
set of in new race with the Britisl
!. General for the lower ferries OF tn
! Dan. Long and weary was the marc
|. -keenand close the pursuit, Orsanlz
. ing seven hundred suitable. troops IN
It light corps. under the-comand. Of Col
-&Nilliams, subordinate to whom Mer
Il Coils. Howard, Washington and Lee
!. Gen. Greene placed these in his rear
. to watch and skirmish with the enemy
r while the army, with its baggage ant
!, stores, should pursue its way wlthou
!, molestation. The British General, wit
/, a like policy, sent forward vangnar
~ s,,n,t.r trannS untipr fen @ TIA ia