Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-10-05
Chronicles II.


1. Now when the people were returned
home they again consulted with one another
what they should do, seeing that their Law
givers disregarded their prayers and they
agreed among themselves to wait until their
Legislature should again convene in the city
Of oaks:
2 When, they said, we will go up in our
might and demand of them Law for the
protection OF our lives and our property:
3. And they said moreover, We will not be
idle, lestthe enemy strengthen himself and
fortify his strong holds and thus deprive us
of tie victory but We will go to work to
STIR fd.s the people that they may see their
danger and unite against this common foe,
even King Alcohol.
4. For we have seen the great destruction
that he hath caused over all the land, how
that he hath filled it with the dry bones of
he dead, and blasted everything therein
that is green and beautiful;
5. Therefore we are determined to carry
the war into his own country, and compel
him with his bacchalian host to depart from
among us for it is not meet that he should
longer reign over US.
6. Asd they marshalled their forces and
appointed captains over hundreds and cap
tains over thousands, and the great Lion of
Temperance, Philip S. White, made they
captain Of the hosts.
7. And it came to pass about this time
that news was brought that King Alcohol
had invaded the land of Edgecombe, where
he was laying waste and ravaging the coun-
try land it was noised abroad that he had
gathered bis forces together and fortified him
self in the city Of Tarborough, which is in
the land of Edgecombe.
8. Now when Philip, the captain of the
hosts, heard that the enemy had fortified
themselves in the city Of Tarborough, he de-
termined to 60 over and give them battle.
g. And he arose up early in the morning
he and those that were with him and depar-
ted for the land of Elgecombe, and when he
had come near unto the city of Marlborough,
behold, there came out men and met him
saying:
10. We pray thee enter not into the city,
for the enemy under the command of the
valiant Billy Webb and the renowned pat
riarch Jesse Hogan have fortified themsel-
yes, and armed themselves with jugs and
bottles which they have filled with brandy
and with whiskey, and if thou goest up
thither they will surely slay thee.
II. But when Philip heard these things
he was not otafraid, but he determined the more
to 60 up and give them battle.
IL. And when Jesse and Billy heard tha
Philip was come up against them they were
sore afraid, and every man was filed witt
CONSERVATION and dismay, and they would
fain have fled from before the face Of Philip
and hid themselves among the mountains
t had they not been prevented by the grea
| weight Of the bricks which they carried ii
3 their hats.
e 13. And they lifted Billy upor the heao
= of a brandy cask and he stood up in theil
:, midst and exhorted them to stand fast and
:, be firm to their principles and to fight vail
t antly for their King. even for Alcohol.
a IA. And he exhorted them by the recol
IS lection Of the daring deeds and noble feat
in arms of their ancestors, even the ancien
d patriarchs, and by their love for Nash bran
} dy, which he said was absolutely necessar,
: for, and inseparably connected with the spir
If ltuaI welfare of Edgecombe, should be pro
y tected even at the risk of being slain.
u Is. And when Billy had made an end Q
speaking, behold, there arose shout fror
among the assembled hosts of Bacchus, sue
a as was never heard before in all the land
,r and every man raised his bottle to his mout
u and put brick in his hat and cried out wit
s.? loud voica and said, lead US up to the battle
re for we are now ready.
4 l6. Meantime the forces of Philip an
l. those of Billy had drawn near unto eae
= other, and the battle began and waxed he
d on both sides, and they continued to 6gt
l. from the rising Of the sun until the goin
le down thereof
% II. And behold, the enemy under Bill
III and Jesse was defeated and routed with gre;
Id slaughter, and the number of slain was
It. great that it has remained unknown fro
It that day even unto this.
S, 18- Billy and Jesse themselves narrow
10, escaped being made captives. Now it WI
uI told for truth that Billy made his escaE
lie by getting himself into an empty brandy ba
Il, rel, which had inscribed on it in large cap
ne tails, Pale Nash, and sent into the land
ur Nod while Jesse the valiant being file
ot- with good liquor, was tapped by the few +
Ii, naming faithful and drunk up!
: ~. Thus was ended the great battle
IS Edgecombc.