Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-03-06

subjects under it, and meet him (Martin) at
Brunswick on the 18th of the following February
for the purpose of eecting junction with Sir Henry
Clinton and Lord CORVALLIS. Strangers to the SOIL
ignorant of its language their cannish feelings aP
pealed to, the Hghanders survivors OF the dark days
of Culoden whom experience had taught to dread the
weight of the Royal power while they were anxious
to conciIiate the royal favour, rallied promptly
around the standard of King George. Called upon
{" 10 step forward and draw their broad swords as
their orefathers had often done IN defence OF 'ne
King "-strirred by the piboch OF their native ano'
they did step forward, with the martial enthusiasm
of their race. They came, but they came not alone
the rascal tory-traitor to his native land, was with
them.
But the patriots were not idle. AS soon as the rally
of the cansmen AID their allies atsCross Creek be-
came known, they few to arms. The plough was
left in the furrow-the wife girded her husbands
sword and the boy not yet fully arrived at mans es-
tate pressed forward to the enemies OF his cOun
try. with all the determination of mature years. Led
on by the able and gallant General James Moore,
The patriot forces at moved forward towards the
rendezvous of the Royallsts, and being joined by
Co.'s Ellington, Ashe and Kenan, with their resPec-
tive commands, they encamped at Rockfsh, about
eight miles from the enemy.
On the 10Th of February, Gen. Moore received
letter from Gen. Mcdonald offering Royal Clemency
to all who would join the Royal standard, and de-
nouncing Royal Vengence against all who W )uId not
The Royaist overtures were promptly rejected. On
the goth, the Highland army, TWO thousand strong
left their position at Cross Creek, with the evident
view of forcing Moores position and continuing their
march to Wilmington but finding it 100 strong to
be forced, They retraced their steps and crossed the
river at Campbleton. On discovering this movement
Moore sent an express to Col. Caswell who was
coming up with about eight hundred men, to take
position at Corbett's Ferry on Black River, with
view of intercepting the enemy. Co.'s Ellington
and Ashe were ordered TO make forced march
and if possible reinforce CasweIl or, failing in that,
take possession of Moores Creek Bridge-that field
of fame on which We stand He himself at once
proceeded with the remainder of his army, to cross
the river at EliZabehtown, in the hope OF being able
to aid in arrestng the progress OF the Royass, who
crossed three miles above Caswes position on Black
River. Meanwhile, Ellington, with his brave com.
rades reached Moores Creek Bridge on the 25th,
where he was Joined the ensuing day by Caswell,
with his minute men. Soon the junction was eff.
fected PREPARATIONS were made receive the enemy,
who had hurried up, and arrived on the Goth, conf
dent, no doubt of victory, Ferguson at Kings
Mountain, when he said that all the rebels out of
hill could not drive him from his position. The
main features of The scene then were very much as
thew are now and the eye CHANGING around, east
ly appreciate the strength OF the patriots position,
and admire he judgment which selected it.
The night of the Goth passed in busy preparation.
The morning came and brought with it the note of
confict-the Highland blood was stirred by the bugle
and bag-pipe-the Highland column presses on un.
broken until it hearers the American lines. where all
is silent But that silence is broken by the of
musketry-the hot fire bursts from the lines, and the
column sinks before 1.-THE cannon sweeps the crowd,
ed Bridge -McLeod, the Highland leader, falls -
Campbell fals-still the fight goes on, until portion
of the American forces having crossed the Creek,
take the enemy in The ;-bereft of the leaders,
the clansmen are seized with panlc-the battle OF
Moore's Creek is won and the standard of King
George is in the dust. Thus fought, and thus
was won the battle which commemorate. The
immediate loss of the enemy was consderable-the
Ultimate effect of his epulse would be difficult to es
innate Many men werc, most probably, wounded
on the American side; but one is known to have
been killed. hat was John Grady of Duplin,
private in Caswes regiment of minute men, who
won his death by an inrepidity which scorned the
shield of the hreastworks.
The trophies Of the field were large quantities of
arms, over light hundred prisoners, and boz of
English gold Among the prisoners was General
Mcdonald But the great result was the breaking
up of the concerted plan for the invasion of the State
the elevation of the hearts of the patriots, and the
depression ii their enemies. The State, if not the
whole South, was saved. The ranks Of the royaliss
were thnned and broken, and the preponderance CIV
en- to the patriot cause 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 indie
pendence by the Continental Congress, made on the
American Continent That bloW, the first victory
ever achieved over British power in kmerioa, was
succeeded by other trumphs, until the cTowning day
at Yorktown left forefatherS in undisputed pos
session of the precious liberties they had won, and
which now enjoy.
But, it might be asked, who the commander at
the Battle of Moores Creek To General Moore was
due the sratagecal arrangement that indicated the
point at which the stand to be made; whether
the in mediate command at the battle rested with Cas-.
well or Ellington. was vexed question, which he
regretted his inability to discuss fully at this time,
while he did not feel at liberty to totally pass
question IN which the claims of fsvorite son of
New Hanover were involved He briefly reviewed
the evidence of history and the circumstances of the
case which had led him to the conclusion that how
haAl La