Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-03-04

by DIR. Murphy, or TINS county, WIZ i0eoA's
from Hon John B. Ashe, Of Texas, as VIII De seen
from the note annexed By Mr.. Ashe. 1t may per-
haps be valuable throwing some additional hgh'
upon the revolutionary history of this section OF the
State and is therefore well worthy of preservation
It will be seen that it is simply series OF shgh'
memoranda made for the use of the writer's Son.
Snending some time in Paris, and in view OF con-
templang the physical tenets and practice III the Oil
ferent Universities, he, DANES OFallon) Travelled |
through France Switzerland great part of Italy and
Germany, through Holland, and thence returned to
London after attending the Hospital for some time IN
this city, he returned Edinburgh, the best physical
school in Europe; DR.. Cullen taught there at this tme
that first of modern theorists and practitioners OF phys
c as his writings evince He there arred two years
in close attendance the school, then made the tour
Of both the Lowlands and Highlands OF Scotland ar
irving in Glasgow in 1774, where he was most anec'
t;onately received by that sound philosopher phys
cian Dr. Stephenson, Professor in the University
being Young ardent and bookish man, that gentle
man advised him 10 visit British America, where re-
volt in favor of liberty then talked Of 10 be serl-
ou.ly medated against the Metropolitan Government.
The strong spirit OF freedom already III James,
(Dr. OFallon,) and, as genuine Irishman, and an
hereditary aversion TO British oppression but the spir
it required some tanning TO enklndle II. lhls my
friend Dr. Stephenson, easily effected. James accor-
dinghy set out for Port Glasgow and Greenock, where
he took his passage for South Carolina, IN fine brig,
commanded by Captain Archdeacon the brig was cast
away on the American coast, Oft Cape Haeras, and
James finally landed Edenton, in North Carolina, in
May, l774.
l In Edenton, he was (from strong recommendations
which he bore with him) most Hospitality entertained
for some weeks by the first families, by the Johnsons
/ Bunkhams Jones, Palmers. Nashes, &c. &c. He was
rs years old the 1th March before. James purcha-
sed horse and chaise, and set out tor 1arboroUgh
Newbern and Wilmn cton, on his way 10 Charleston
in South Carolina but purposed to rest for some weeks
| in this last seaport. While here, the most lntu-
entail families OF the country requested strongly, that
he would settle and practice among them These were
Martini Governor under the British King the Noores,
Ashes, Howes, and James agreed. All America at
this time was convulsed with political spasms, which
inevitably indicated ACKNOWLEDGMENT from Britain,
and James gloried in the idea; he sooner breahed
the American air, than he perceived the stronger I'M
pulses of liberty, and the desire OF humbl!ng the an
cent oppressor Of his native country and family hrob
bling within him. These rebelIlous sentiments were
disclosed his friend, the Governor, who abored
ceedingy to have him his side; they fell out, on
which James wrote very animatedy against him,
his Sovereign, and the Scotch, as we'll in verse
( as in Prose Scot aud he had duel, the
Scot had his pistol-arm broken; James cured him
The Governor and Council, for til .se writings,
mitted him, for three days. to his house the
County Militia under General Ashe, consisting OF
500 men, soon forced him therefrom carried him on
their heads, chair, through the streets, and
the tunult SUCH that the Governor constran-
ed to fly his Government, and to take shelter board
L a Kings ship then in the river-he, Qhe GOVERNOR
e never came shore afterwards. Soon after this
the Scotch settlers at Cross Creek, and some Regula
tors, as they were called, amounting, in all, to neal
1000 men, united, in the view of ling Martin tC
his Government. The Militia under General Ashe, by
! whom James had been rescued from durance, were
+ still in arms. The design OF the Insurgents was
(besdes the reinstatement Of the Governor) to seize
on the stores, which, the people devoted to liberty
" had been collecting at Wilmington, for the purpose o
e supporting the Federal army, which Congress was
l. then raising TO oppose the vile pretensions Of TIT
II Court and Parliament of Britain General Ashe, il
conjunction with Col. Moores detachment, marched
from Wilmington to Cross Creek, against these Insur
gents, distant 80 mles,) and encamped within abou
: miles of the place, Rockish James accompanie,
n the General volunteer, but so young gentlemen
the of respectable families, in and about Viii
r mlngton, who composed troop of cavalry, sool
70 elected him their Captain. The Insurgents Tories
II under the command of General Mcdonald, regula
British officer, were then increased to 5000 men
from desertion the revolutionary force scarcely
ed to 700 men. Ashe and Moore were then consraine
~ to retreat towards Wilmington, TO the stores
that town. At to Moore's Creek, they wer
1t reinforced by 800 men, under Colonel Caswell, the
at bridge, which gave passage over the Creek tn
C. Americans encamped and determined to dispute tina
passage with McDonald's army, however strong
ne The forces attempted to force their way over tn
of bridge, battle ensued and the Americans gained tn
in day. This the first military action James had
at this time, He was supposed to have disn
ur guished himself, and in much, that a Captain
Commission in the regular Army of the United States
b. was soon sent to him by the State Of Georgia. al
though he never, at that time, had been there. Hi
" command was annexed 10 the 4h Georgia Battalion
lt James accepted the Commission, in preference to
Captancy in the Federal Cavalry, which the State
- North Carolina had offered him. In one fort
ID night he recruited, in the back part of Mort
,e Carolina, a brave, desperate and devoted Com
pany OF irlshmen, consisting of 100 rank an
file. Thos Washington, afterwards Major, wa
his Lieutenant. James was ordered by Brigadier Ger
eral Mcintosh, of The Georgia line march his Com
l. Pany TO Philadelphia where the rest of his regiment
j, under Col. White, after TO join the main ar
~ my, under Gen. Washington, ana he Joined that arm
n. in March, 1777, The battle Of Brandywine wa
ne Tough, towards the close of this year and in fey
days alter this engagement, Gin which James acted
j.. a Captain and without his solicitation or knowledge
- Congress was pleased TO have him taken out of the lin
~ by commissioning him 10 the rank of senior princpa
, Physician, and Surgeon of the General Hospital of tn
United States army. This gave him the pay ola Brig
adler, and the rank of Colonel atHat time He con
tinued in this office of experimenting the medical de
parmen of the General Hospital to the end of the wal
~ and for his fidelity and ability that service was 20
l., the establishment OF peace) honored with the thank
> Of Congress and the Commander in -Chef. The wa
having terminated in 1888, and the army being dis
banded, James retired TO private practice In compa
s ny with his friend, Major Pierce Butler, Mrs. Butler
- and Commodore Alexander GiIlon he set out fc
Charleston, IN South Carolina, and there settled in
60 tens'Ve practice. In 1888 James in conjunction wit
IF Gov. TeIfar, Judges Osborne and Walton, and Co
Mcintosh OF Georgia, and with Gems. Moultre an
T.I a