The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-03-11

| the 18th July he marched to Waxhaw, and
formed a junction with Davies Cavalry
The place being unfavorable for support,
: on the 18th he marched down Waxhaw
creek on the south side past Waxhaw Meet
ing House to DIR. Harper's plantation,
who was said to be disaffected. Waxhaw
| Meeting House was at this time the hospi-
| tai for the survivors of those who were
wounded ct Bufords defeat, about so in
number, and being between the two armies,
were neglected in nurses, medical assistance,
and suitable provisions. Perhaps moro
/ complicated scene of misery. in proportion
| to their number, was not exhibited in the
whole war. The horses were turned into a
| green eornfeld, not having provender for
! the whole, upwards of 700. Early on the
| 10Th, the party of observation near the en-
emy communicated that they had marched
from below the Hanging Rock creek, the
road towards Charlotte. The horses wero
caught in great haste, and marched briskly
to gain the ford on the Waxhaw creek be-
fore the enemy, (there being no convenient
ford below,) and they halted at noon about
would move on in the evening or night, and
disposition was made for their reception.
Major Davies Cavalry and 100 gun men
were placed opposite the ford on the North
side of the creek, and upwards of 500 south
of the creek, about thirty poles west of the
road, in a thick wood where Cavalry could
not act, and continued in this position until
next morning, but the enemy did not move.
If they had advanced, they were to have
let them pass until they had encountered
the party with Major Davie, when those
with General Sumter we-e to have moved
from their concealed position and attack
them in flank and rear. From the nature
of the ground, and disposition of the Amer
lean force, they must have been destroyed
Neither cavalry nor artillery could have
been of service to them. It was not thought
advisable to attack the enemy at his camp,
! and as Lord Rawdon when here before had
! consumed the forage at the neighboring
farms, General Sumter moved back on tho
! road to Charlotte 16 miles, to Glenn's
Branch, and cncamped where he could
! draw his supplies from the fertile settlement
of Providence on his left.
He continued in this place near a week;
the number of his men daily diminished
While he kept moving, and they expected
to meet the enemy, they kept with him but
whenever they came to attend only to the
dull routine of camp duty, such as mount
ing, relieving and standing guard, and en-
| during privations, they became discomfort
ed, and those in convenient distance went
home, and others to the houses of their ac-
quaintances, having no camp equipage or
| utensils but what each man brought with
him. Though the officers had rolls Of their
| companies, they were seldom called, and
they could not tell who were present, ex-
cept as they saw them in camp.
This was the first practical lesson to our
commanders of militia, showing that while
they kept in motion and the men expected
that something would be achieved, they
continued with the army, but few days
stationed in camps, they became discon-
tented and would scatter, and those who
staid, the careless and slovenly manner in
which the duty of guards was performed af-
forded no security to the camp. OF this
experience Gen. Sumter and other officers
availed themselves afterwards to the end of
the war.
By the 25th of July, he had not with him
more than 100 men, and he sent out some
of them through the adjoining settlements,
giving notice to all to repair to camp, that
he intended to attack the enemy. By the
28th such numbers joined him as induced
him to march. 1t was known that the main
party of the enemy were at Hanging Rock
Greek, and detachment at Rocky Mount
on the west of the Catawba. He decided
to attack the latter, and crossed over the
Catawba with that view.
On the lst day of August he arrived at
that place, situated on the top of high
hill, on the west side of the Catawba, just
below the mouth of Rocky Creek, three
miles below where now stands the United
States establishments and the base of the
Mount is bounded by the river on the east,
and the creek on the north. The log build
incs, which were fortified with abattis and
had loop holes to shoot through, stood on
the summit of the Mount, and was held by
Col. TurnbulI with party of British and
some Tories, supposed $50 in the whole
The slope from the top of the hill was gra-
dual, and nearly equal on all sides, and the
land cleared. There was no swell in the
ground to shelter them from the enemy's
fire, except on the west side ledge of
I q
l4O yards from the houses.
The men were drawn up in line below
these rocks, and advanced up to them and
| party sent round on each flank. A brisk
| fire commenced on both sides, which lasted
considerable time, aud great exertions