Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-03-07

strong TO be forced, they retraced Their steps and
crossed the river at Completion On discovering
well who was coming up with about one hundred
men, to take position at Corbett's Ferry on Black
River, with view of intercepting the enemy. Coils
Ellington and Ashe were ordered to make forced
march, and if possible, reinforce Caswel or, failing
in that take possession of Moores Creek Bridge
that field of fame on which stand. lie himself
at once proceeded with the remainder Of his army,
to the river at Elizabethtown, the hope of
being able to aid in arresting the progress OF the
Royalists, who crossed three miles above Caswells
position on Back River. Meanwhile, Ii lingon,
with his brave comrades reached Moores Greek
Bridge on the 25th, where he was Joined on the en-
suing day by Caswel with his minute men, Soon
as the junction effected, preparations were
made to receive the enemy, who had hurfieo up,
and arrived on the 26tb, confident, no doubt, OIL
| victory as was Ferguson at King Mountain, when
he said that all the rebels out of h-ll could not
drive him from hia position. The main features OF
the scene then were very much as they are now,
and the eye g!ancing around, can easily appreciate
the strength of the patriots position and admire the
judsmcn which selected it.
The night of the Goth passed in busy preparation.
The morning came and brought with it the note Of
conaict-the Highland blood was stirred by the bu-
gle and bag-pipe-the Highland column presses on
unbroken until it nears the American lines, where
all is silent. But that silence is broken by the roar
of musketry-the hot fire bursts from the lines and
Tie CoIuIuu SiLhS DeiOTe 1.-THE cannon sweeps lle
crowded Bridge-McLeod, the Highland leader, falls
Campbell falls-stl the fight goes on, until por
ton Of the American forces having crossed the Creek
take the enemy in the ;-bereft of the leaders,
the cansmen seized with panc-the battle of
Moores Creek is won, and the standard of King
| George is in the dust Thus was fought, and thus
was won the battle which commemorate The
| immediate loss of the enemy was considerable-the
ultimate effect of his repulse would be difficult to
! innate. Many men were, most probably, wounded
on the American side; but one is known to have
been killed. That man was John Grady of Duplin,
a private in Caswelfs regiment of minute men, who
Won his death by an intrepidity which scorned tie
shield of the breastworks.
| The tror es of the field were large quantities of
arms, over eight hundred prisoners, and box of
English gold. Among the prisoners was General
| Mcdonald. But the great result was the breaking
up OF the concerted plan for the in, aston of the State
the elevation of the hearts of the patriots and the
depression of their enemies. The State, if not the
| whole South, saved The ranks of the royalists
| were thinned and broken, and the preponderance
given TO the patriot in the councils OF the State.
! which it never subsequently, lost The banner of
liberty, before dropping was never subsequently
| lowered.
North-Carolina followed up the blow by the first
legislative recommendation of Declaration of Inde-
pendence by the Continental Congress, made on the
American Continent. That blow, the first victory
ever achieved over British power in America, was
succeeded by other ,riumphs until the GROWING
day at Yorktown left tOrefatherS in undiSputcd
20 session of the precious liberties they had won,
| and which enjoy.
| But it might be asked, who was the commander
at the Battle of Moore's Creek. To Gen. Moore was
due the stratageca arrangement that indicated the
! point at which the stand was 20 be made: whether
! the Immediate command at the battle rested with
Iaswell or Ellington, was veXed question, which
he regretted his inability discuss fully at this time
while ne did not feel at liberty to totally pass
! -,,cts0r ~, H. A..
! New Hanover were involved. lie briefly reviewed
the evidence of history and the circumstances of the
case, which had led him to the conclusion that, how
ever common report, and even ofiic q! action, had
led to the impression that Caswell was in command,
the truth was that the command on the occasion
rested with Ellington and that if to one man more
! than another could be awarded the title of the
hero Of Moore's Creek" that man was Col Liliiny-
| ten, Of New Hanover
But the revolution had other fields, and the Cape
Fear Country justly termed the Gibralter of North
| carolina, had other brave spirits, who struck many
gallant blow for their country. Time would not
| serve to biaZon their Names ampiify their deeds
He would ask them to 60 with him in imagination
to but one Of those fields of fame where a battle
was fought, only second in importance to that which
we had met to commemorate He alluded to the
battle OF Eiizabehoxn fought by the gallant pari-
| ots,-among whom were Owen and Morehead and
Robson and others Of Baden county, uuder their
! chosen commander, Col I. Brown, who marched
with his forces against the stronghold OF the Tories
at h'lzabeh, crossed the river roiseessly and gave
notice OF their presence to the foe only by the wild
war.cry of death or victory. The stronghold of the
Tories was stormed, and his forces defeated. Thus
was achieved victory which shattered the strength
OF the Tories, thrilled through the heart of the Cape
Fear with JOY, and exhibited degree of skill and
vasor only exceeded by the patriotism which called
them into action
! Such were the men and such the days of the Rev.
laws in h'o1, hal L
the camp, but also in the council-your Hoopcrs
and your HarnettS, well as your Moores and
! l.lllngtons, and your Ashes Men unsurpassed in
valor or devotion by the proudest names of antiqu
ty-nen whom we must hold in honor or be recre-
ant to all the feelings of gratitude and patriotism
Let US not be so recreant Let us build high, at
least, that monument the found ,ton stone of which
we this day lay in honor of victory enoblcd BY
noble cause. Let US hallow in our hearts the
spot on which We stand-let the monument we
build on It ever be an altar to freedom, where we
may relumc the fires of patriotism and hither like
Hamcar of old. let US come with our children, and
swear on such altar undyng hostility to the enc
mics of their country.
we have thus briefly glanced at some of the points
in an address, which was listened to with marked
pleasure and enthusiasm by the vast audience as.
sem6led-much has been unavoidably omitted
much merely limited at rather than reported
After Mr.. Wright had concluded, the ceremony
OF laying the corner stone Of monument commcm-
oratve OF the event celebrated, proceeded with
under the direction Of the committee of arrange.
ments Dr. F. j. Hill of Wilmington, made a brief
but highly appropriate address and proceeded to
deposit box containing the publications Of the day
all the remains of the patriotic Grady that could
be found ETC., after which the stone was sealed up.
the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr. Grier,
the military fired salute and the ceremonies of the
day were at close.
Some little inconvenience was experienced from
some OF the arrangements not ha wing been made in
anticipation OF SO large a crowd, but these matters
| will always hammer and cannot ,r,u L.