The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-12-07
For the Charlotte Democrat.
Revolutionary Incidents.
CAPTURE OF CHARLOTTE.
ICONTISUED.

while encamped at Charlotte from the brave anu
honest veomanry of Mecklenburg, who were ever
on the alert to strike blow for their country, In
dueed him to remark to Col. Balfour, in letter
d.tad at this Mace. that "Charlotte pleasant
little village but in a ID rebellious country
He thought the presumption and daring OF these
,rory rebels was certainly inflated and encouraged
hv the approach of the American Army, which he
feared would attack and cut him of in this unfa-
vorabe position and therefore he resolved to leave
the "Hornets' nest and fall back into South Caro-
lima.
Accordingly, on the night of the Ia OF Octr,
the British army evacuated Charlotte, and pre-
cinitously took up it's line of march for Winnsboro
Doubtless their banners did not float so freely, nor
did the buge-notes sound so triumphantly, as when
thew proudly entered For, in reality, CORVALLIS
vacation of the place might be justly termed re-
treat. rs from the following incidents it may be
clearly inferred On leaving Charlotte he privily
engaged Tory merchant ofthe place, by the name
of McCharty, to pilot him over private way to
Lands Ford on the Catawba river. This Tory
was known to CORVALLIS from the time he entered
Charlotte as he had parolled and taken protection
at the commencement of the war, and CORVALLIS
placed the most implicit confidence in him. The
road that led to the Catawba rather a blind
and unfrequented way and was very announcement
for the passage of an army. But it was supposed
that CORVALLIS preferred this secluded way in or
der to shun the American army, from which he
was apprehensive of ambuscade attack. Ills
apprehensions were still further awakened by the
seeming nonchalance of his stupid and confding
pilot and the increasing roughness and narrowness
of the road; which had now dwindled down to
common cow-trail In leading the army over
rough Doggy ford on Steel Creek, some of the
baggage wagons were mred down and others brOk-
en- As the air itself was rife with suspicion these
circumstances seemed but to augmant CORVALLIS
imaginary fears; and his illboding thoughts led
him to conclude that his pilot was leading him
into an evil snare. He began therefore to up
braid him, and charged him with base intentions;
but his Tory friend persisted that he acting i'll
good faith CORVALLIS, however, Immediately
called convocation of his officers; whereupon
McCharty grew apprehensive that they ght be
concerning about his fate, and in the confusion,
hustle and darkness, quietly disappeared, and re-
traced his steIs to Char otte, leaving CORVALLIS
in a dreadful dilemma. Here every moment he
expected preconcerted attack, and throwing his
army in a position of defence, he awaited the
imaginary foe till daylight; then hurredly made his
way the best he could to the Catawba, leaving his
unextricated wagons and baggage behind, crossing
at Lands ford and pursued his way uninterrupted
to Winnsboro.
The distressed women and children hailed with
nnspeakable joy the departure from Charlotte of
the British army, the uneallant and uncorteous
manners Of which were highly repugnant to the
high-toned patriotic females of Mecklenburg,
whose noble hearts had called forth that memoir
able, ever-to- be praised Convention-a kindred
sequel to the Declaration itself-which passed the
following resolution:
"That we, the young ladies of Mecklenburg
county, Y. c., have entered into a voluntary
citation that we will not receive the addresses of
any young gentleman of this place, except the
brave volunteers who have served in the expedi-
ton to S. c. and assisted in subduing the Scova-
tie insurgents. The ladies being of opinion that
such persons as stay lettering at home when the
important calls of their country demand their mill
tary services abroad, must certainly be destitute
of that nobleness of sentinlent-that brave, manly
spirit-which alone qualities them to be the de-
tenders and guardians of the fair SEX"
This was an exhibition of the true spirit that
characterized the fearless herones of those trying
times, and which certainly prompted the sterner
sex to truer sense of their duty.
The efficient services of Col. Davie, Gen'ls JOS
and George Graham and those brave hardy woods
men, were blessed with peace and quiet to that
region; and that generation held in revereDtal re-
spect their noble names. And with US, too,
'These are deeds that should not pass awav
Aud names that should not wither tho the earth
ForgetS her empires with just decay
The cnslavers and enslaved their death and birth
But these gallant men have long since passed
away. The tall green grass has matted their sod
and the flowers of spring have bloomed and re-
bloomed over their graves. Their names and
deeds may live bright in memories; but they
should be rewarded by something more than the
hearts tribute. Some outward expression is more
than due them. Are they not entitled to "mon-
umental pile! We see many proud column
loom up over places of less note. We now take
occasion to ask, where is the Association" that
few years ago formed itself for this noble object
and why did it fail Was it because the old whig
blood cooled by amagamatioE, or did it still
run pure, and only the spirit was strong while the
flesh was weak! If from any of these causes will
not the other sex, who have in their pure hearts
some of the spirit of their heroic mothers re-
yve this patriotic undertaking. and place upon the
bosom of that hallowed spot monument worthy
of the cause, and whose peering height and stately
proportions may proclaim to the passing stranger
that We too cherish fond remembrances 1t would
serve to impress upon the minds of our own citizens
the chivairouS deeds of those who sleep in honor
ed DUST and children they trip around its base
may raise their soft eyes and read with reverence
the names of those who gave their signatures to
that memorable Declaration, and who barred their
own arms to achieve the liberties whibh we eniov
Then let true appeal come up from your noble
sex, and if the State has any pride of her own she
will certainly respond; but if she does not, then
let Mecklenburg her lone self exhaust her bounties
And even at this the cost would be trifinp TO
weigh with the imperishable glory that would ac-
crue to haF name and the qualification - r-o,,ll