Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-10-22
THE BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN.

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THE BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN.
This day completes seventy-three years since the
battle of Kings Mountain-one of the many glorious
and ever-memorabe events which illustrated our soil
and history during revolutionary struggle, glorI-
in its tendencies as it was beneficial in sresus
It was of the lessons (of which all our wars have
furnished instances that teach to appreciate our
sJlves-that show us what militia sodlery OF a
patriot army can accomplish, if guided by the right
spirit and controlled by competent leaders The for
egn observer looking at the extent and resources of
country, and the growing complexty OF ouIFela-
TONS is struck with astonishment at ourlnsignihcant
military establishment, especially when comparing it
with the vast armies which European policy has
deemed necessary Here is the solution. Our in
stutions do not need the defence and support OF the
mere soldier such, for without sinking the citizen,
we make of every citizen soldier. We need but a
military establishment sufficient to garrison our most
impol posts to look after the Camanehes on our
borders and to furnish standing school for ofhcers
where may be impaired that degree of technical pre-
; csion and scientific knowledge of the conduct ana
management of an army, without which courage
alone would avail but little. If our army or our
West Point gives us the officers the country IS ever
ready with the to bear the muskets, as our MS
tory, from King Mountain to Buena Vista, abun-
dainty tcstifies Hitherto, the whole we have
had no reason to complain; our officers have been
worthy of any army, while our soldiers have proved
themselves fit to follow the noblest leaders
The battle of Kings Mountain was in this respect,
a noble illustration of the true partiZan and patriot
soldier The American forces had been collected to-
eether from various quarters-the di$ject0 Hnen6TG
of various armies and divisions scattered and dsor-
ganized by disasters elSewherewere here drawn TO-
Gether and increased by acccssions from the hardy
yeomanry of the mountain regions of this and neigh
boring States. The officers, too, bore the commits
sions of three different States-were all pretty equal
in authority and while there that could OF
right assume the command of army conStltu-
ted, there was scarcely one that military martinez,
from an old and elaborate system of military culture,
would have recognized as an officer at ALL
By common consent the command was yielded to
Col William Campbell of Virginia, and nobly did he
Justify the choice of his associate officers Among
these officers were SEWER the hero of the Franklin
State episode; Shelby, who lived to do good service
again in our second with England, the last acGT,
as it is called emphaticay, and it is to be hoped,
prophetically; Cleveland and Winston, true repre-
sentatives of the hardy patriot Mountancers OF Yves
tern North Carolina; and Williams, with all the fiery
impetuosity and headlong valor OF the Palmetto On
the enemys SIDE the leader was Col Patrick Fergu-
son, brave, gallant and thoroughly accomplished in
the arts of partzan warfare He too had the choice
of position and had planted himself on an elevation
deemed by him impregnablc, and to which he gave
the name (still rctained) of htng'S Mountain He
fought to the last with characteristic impetuosty
rallying his troops when quaiing before the deadly
American rifles and inspirting all by the we-known
signal of shrill silver WHISTLE which he was accus
toned to carry and use in action as token OF hope
and encouragement to his army.
Considering the time occupied by the action and
the number engaged, the Battle of Kings Mountain
exhibited remarkable loss on the enemy's part-a
result attributable doubt to the fact, that the
Americans were all riAemen using in most the
identical guns they had used as backwoodsmen and
hunters. The amount of trophies captured was also
considerable, and we remember to have seen in the
State Arsenal at Columbia (now the Arsenal Acade-
mv-several British pieces which related to have
been taken in this action, and that of Coupons. Our
eloquent and distinguished felow-citizen, William
Campbell Preston, whose genius and abilities are
such that he can derive additional honor even
iDcludoc fha hero 0f Xmas
Mountain and the sister Of Patrick Henry, is now,
we believe. the possessor of a sword, voted by the
State of Virginia, in commemoratlon of this battle
and of the eminent merits and services of her son
William Campbell. Col afterwards GeneraD Camp
bell having deceased before the presentation took
place. the sword presented to his grandson then
mere youth, and the representative of the family.
The presentation made, we believe, by Gov.
Monroe, afterwards President
It is needless, however, to enter into details con-
corning tho history of this remarkable and glorious
action If the recurrence of the day and notice
of it. shall stir up the recojections refresh the
memories of any, our end will be accomplished and
to those who would roview their historical readings
on this point, we can confidently recommend Ram
sey' -Ann1ls of IefnesSee-whch contains the best
account vet published of this affair." and furnishes
many valuable contributions to American history.
The conductors of presses and intelligent in
qurers in the whole section of country represented
at Kings Mountain, may also do much to perpetuate
local recoectons and traditions after careful sif
ing. There arc still living in that healthy mountain
region those who remember the affair at Kings
Mountain; and many more who remember wildly
the accounts and reports of the actors; and from in
quiry and research In time, much addition might be
made to our stock of historical knowledge. Onthis
as on many other points, we have to regret the de-
cay of great names and the evanescence of recolec
tions once vividly glorious; and the South, moro
than all other people has suffered injustice, because
her heroes and champions mighty with the sword,
found not in time chronicers equally versed in the
use of that humble, but in many respects more po-
tent instrument, the pen
Charleston Courier.
AGRICULTURAL FAIRS. The increase of agricultu-
raj fairs, throughout the country is of the most
favorable signs of the day. American farming is
confessedly inferior to that of Great Britain that
whatever tends to elevate it is public benefit, and
should be encouraged by all good citizens The great
est benefactor ofhs kind it has been sad is he who