Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-08-27
THE TORY MAssACREE,
BY RICHARD EVERETT.

A little more than a year ago last winter,
we made a tour through the Southern
States, and in the course Of our rambles
tarried awhile at the little village of Hills
borough, in North Carolina. In his memo
rable retreat across North Carolina, in Feb
runry, 1871, the ragged but gallant army of
General Greene forded the river Haw, a
short distance from Hillsborough. All
through the Revolutionary struggle the
neighboring county was noted for its af-
trays, which were constantly occurring,
either between the patriots and the Eng
lish troops, or the patriots and their traitor
Gus enemies, the tories.
Not far from Hillsborough we were
shown the scene of terrible massacre Of
tories by the troopers of "Lee's Legion"
Great changes have taken place since those
eventful times, and our guide could only
point out the vicinity Of the conflict, there
being no old veteran to designate the exact
spot. Let US recall the circum stances of
that terrible affair. "
Although driven across the river Dan,
into Virginia, Greene had no idea of aban
doning the South, but in the old and wealthy
county of Halifax, endeavored to recruit his
wearied troops, and prepare again to meet
the foe. As preliminary step for the
movements Of his whole army, Greene sent
Col Henry Lee wifi ,his legion of cavalry
and two companies ofistafylabd militia, TO
harass the British iorce and asperse the
bands of tories which were Organizing
throughout the Carolinas.r W.,
Col. Lee had formed squadron Of caval-
ry uniformed and armed precisely after the
fashion of Tarleton's celebrated corps, and
no man in the American service was more
dreaded by the foe than "Legion Harry" as
as he was generally styled throughout the
American camp, especially when backed
by his American troopers. About the mid
die of February, Lord CORVALLIS Issued a
proclamation, inviting all those who were
loyal 10 the king to join his standard, pro-
mising protection and reward, at the same
time threatening erebels" with the halter,
if found with arms in their hands. Soon
after this event Lee crossed the Dan and
advanced slowly into North Carolina.
BY curious circumstance it happened
that just at this time Col. Tarleton, with
his legion and some companies of infantry,
left the British camp and moved towards the
Virginia line on marauding expedition
Leehad advanced only one days march
when his scouts brought information Of
Tarleton's approach, and that he was then
encamped at plantation only six or eight
miles distant Lee resolved to attack the
English troops that very night. Arrang-
ing his forces he moved up within short
distance of the British camp and waited for
darkness.
1t SO happened, however, that Tarleton
was on the point of removing his camp to
another plantation; that very afternoon he
put his arrangement in force, and moved
away some fifteen miles in direction con-
trary 10 Lees calculations. Therefore, in
the evening, on approaching the British en-
campment with great circumspection, the
American troops were sorely mortified tc
discover that the sagacious Briton was no
where to be found. 1t was rule with
Col. Tarleton never 10 camp two nights il
the same place, if an enemy was within
fifty miles. .-.......- -- ...-
Greatly chagrned, Lee was on the point
of pushing with all haste after the British
colonel, when the indomitable scouts agair
came in with information. They brought
intelligence that one Col, Pyle, a noted 10
ry, with company Of four hundred mount
ed Loyalists, was close at hand, making
for Tareton's camp, unawares that he ha'
moved. Lee resolved to capture the who'll
party by stratagem. Sending forward
couple of troopers TO meet the tories ant
conduct them TO camp, he placed his milit
and riflemen in ambush on each side of tn
road and drew up his legion in proper form
form to receive the tory battalion. 1t wa
his intention TO lead Tie tories into an am
buscade, and take them all prisoners. II
the honor Of Col. Lee, be 1t recorded, tha
he did not contemplate nor plan the massa
ere which followed.
As the tory band nppFsaohsd Lee sen