Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-09-30
The Tory Massacre.
BY RICHARD EVERETT.


A little more than year ago last win
ter, we made a tour through the Southern
States, and in the course of our rambles
tarrIed while at a little village Of Hills,
borough, in North Carolina. 1t was a
location halIowed 70 our mind by many
Revolutionary associations. In his mem
orable retreat across North Carolina in
February, 1871, the rugged but gallant
army of General Greene forded the river
Haw, short distance from lEiIlsborough.
All through the Revolutionary struggle
the neIghborlng county was noted for It's
ARRAYS, which were constantly occurring
either between the patriots and the En-
giiSh troops, or the patriots and their trait
or"us enelaies, the tories.
Not far from IEiIsbornugh we were
shown the scene of Il terrible massacre
ofturles by the troopers Of Lees Legion
Great changes have taken place since
those etentftll times, and our guide could
"ny point oat the vicinity of the conflict,
there being no odd veteran to designate
the exact spot. Let as 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 wealthy
county of Halifax, endeavored to recruit
his wearied troops, and prepare again to
meet the foe. As a preliminary step to
the movements of his whole army, Greene
sent Col. Henry Lee with his legion of
cavalry and two companies of Maryland
militia, to harass the British force and dis
perse the bands of tories which were or
ganizing throughout the Carolinas.
Col. Lee had formed squadron Of
Cavalry, uniformed and armed precisely
after the fashion of Tarleton's celebrated |
corps; and no man in the American ser>
vice was more dreaded by the foe than
Legion Harry as he was generally styl
ed throughout the American camp, espe-
cially backed by his troopers. About the
middle of February, Lord CORVALLIS is
sued proclamation, inviting all those
who were loyal to the king to join his
standard, promising protection and re-
ward, at the same time threatening 're~
Dels' with the halter, if found with arms
in their hands. Soon after this event,
Lee crossed the Dan and advanced slow
y into North Carolina.
By curious circumstance it happen
ID that just at this time Col. TarIeton,
vith his legion and some companies of !
infantry, left the British camp and moved /.
oward the Virginia line on marauding
expedition. Lee had advanced only one
ay's march when his scouts brought inS
of Tarlton's approach and that
% was then encampcd at plantation on
: six or eight miles distant. Lee resolV- I
to attack the English troops that very e
light. Arranging his forces, he moved y
p within short distance of the British 81
amp and waited for darkness. ~
1t SO happened, however, that Tarleton Q
as on the point of removing his camp G.
another plantation; that very afternoon y
3 put his arrangements in force, and 81
IoVed away some fifteen miles in direc- v
on contrary to Lees calculations ~
therefore,, in the evening, on approach~ 9
g the British encampment, with great !"
the American troops were
rely mortified to discover that the saga
Gus Briton was no where to be found. re
was rule with Col. Tarleton never to el
mp two nights in the same place, if an W
emy was within. fifty miles. 70
Greatly chagrined, Lee was on the
int of pushing with all haste after the
'itish Colonel, when the indomitable sir
outs again came in with information. re
ley brought intelligence that one Col. wi