Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-11-07

commander stood Ikea stag at bay He
could do nothing but fight or surrender,
and like true Briton, he scorned the lat
ter alternative, although it was proposed
by some of the Tory officers. He formed
his army in u hollow square, facing the
enemy on every side, and awaited their as
sault-and it was not long delayed.
The Americans formed in tive bodies of
half moon shape, and advanced briskly,
encircling the hill as they closed up. Col.
CAMPBELL, previous to the attack, briefly
addressed his men, urging them in Gods
name never to quit the field until the day
was their own. He exhorted every man
to be cool and not to throw away his am
munition; also to beware of the bayonets of
FERGUSON Regulars. Everything be-
ing ready, he gave the signal to advance.
There was no particular attempt at disci-
pline. No rolling of drums or flourish Of
bugles cheered on the charge. But with
determined step and steady rifles, the bold
mountaineers drew near their mortal foes.
Colonel CANPBELL's detachment opened
fire first, the men firing as occasion offered,
without the word of command. In few
moments, the men of Col. SnELBY's division
leading off with his own rifle The British
opened with regular volleys, cheering at
every roll of musketry, while the Tories,
knowing that hanging was the doom of
many of their band, if captured, fought with
great courage.
The Mountaineers, advancing, many of
them on horseback, the fire from both par
ties became heavy and incessant. a cloud
of smoke enveloped the hilltop, from which
sheets of fire continually flashed and glim-
mered. The red uniforms Of the British in
fantry shone conspicuous in the fray. The
American commanders were in the front
ranks, some on foot and some mounted
Colonel SHELBY had two horses killed under
him in less than twenty minutes then throw
ing off his coat, he plunged on foot, rife in
hand, into the hottest of the fight.
There was no forming of solid solumns for
the charge. The Americans had no bayo-
nets. Some of the men had fastened knives
to their rifles to act as bayonets, and with
these weapons they met the enemy hand to
hand. FERGUSON men fought with perfect
desperation; the list regiment especially,
stood like wall of living fire, which would
not be broken down. Major FERG URsoN,
mounted on his large white horse rode round
the inside Of his square, and with q voice
heard above the roar of battle, ordered his
men to close up and stand firm. Still the
mountalneerS came on, nearer and nearer.
until they began to pick off the British off,
GERS, and NOW down the men in heaps. But
they suffered severely. The hill side was
covered with dead and dying. The stalwart
form ofmany a Virginian lay bleeding a.
mong the bushes that covered the sloping
1 ground. At last FERGURsoN seeing how rap
idly his men were falling, determined to try
the strength of the bayonet- He ordered a
general charge from his regulars, supported
by the tores.-This manneuvre was most
fortunate for the Americans for, giving way.
they were followed down the hill BY the Brit
ish in such haste that they broke ranks, and
upon receiving terrible pcliey from the ri
femen, were almost disorganized The pa
triots instantly advanced, firing with sure
aim, and after terrible hand to hand strug-
gle with the butts Of their rifles, their toma-
hawks and knives, gained footing upon the
/ hill top.
At this instant Major FURGURsoN was shot,
receiving two balls ut the same instant A
moment after Col. WILLIAMS, of the Ameri-
cans, received mortal wound. lie stagger-
ed back upon little knoll, gasping for
breath. His first words were on reviving a
little: For Gods sake, boys, don't give up
the hill" And the "boys" did not give i
up, for after few struggles the enemy called
for quarter, and Internationally surrender.
ed
Thus closed one of the severest battles of
the revolution. 1t lasted one hour and FIVE
minutes, and both parties displayed great he
rosm.
The British loss in killed, wounded aud
q prisoners, was eleven hundred and twenty
five men. Among the killed was two colo
: nels, four captains, one major and four ser.
geants. The tory portion of the force had
y two hundred and one privates killed-tht
: British fifteen privates killed. thirty-five dan
c gerously wounded: The Americans had no
n many men killed, but a large number were
= wounded, some of them severely. FifteeI
! hundred stand of arms, with considerabl,
e r clothing, much ammunition, and provisions
'i for four days fell into the yictor's hands
rs The American officers could with great dii
1t fculty, prevent their men from taking sum
= mary vengeance upon the tories, for th
n crimes they had committed. On the day a
20 ter the battle, a court martial was organize
- and such tories as were clearly proven gui
y ty of crimes and Outrages, were hanged
Ten of these miserable traitors were susper
IS ded fron one tree! This decisive and vel
ey merited act proved salutary warning-th
c- Btitish cause received very little tory aid al
n er that event. in the Carolina.
no Major FegursOn's grave, in little rayir
! near the cattle ground, is marked with sls
ID- OF Slate-stone bearingthis inscription IN
elr jor Fergurson, an officer belonging to his Brl
. ta,,ic Hqjesty's service, 1oGs here defeated an
cir killed"