The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-11-30
For the Chrlote Democrat.
Revolutionary Incidents.
CAPTURE OF CHARLOTTE.

i
ANY spot endeared to us by historical associations
we love to inger around; and while we contemplate
the noble deeds associated with that particular
place, our bosoins arc wont to swell with emotions
of pleasure and especially if they have been enact
ed under the most adverse circumstances so as to
give them romantic east, our minds naturally
turn with anxious enquiry for the particulars OF
tht@e deeds connected with that particular place.
In consideration of this, we hope that we will
be ndul oGd i'll attempting to place before the pub
lie the capture of Charlotte, and the incidents con-
nected with it. Some of the facts may appear
novel in themselves, as they have never aspired to
popular circulation in the departments of history,
and have been to a great extent dsinterred from
the dust of time by the hand of tradition alone
1t WILL perhaps, be necessary to take view OF at
fairs immediately prior to that time. 1t was one
of the most critical events in any period OF our
country history Kcverses seemed attending the
American arms Oh every occasion. The North
had experienced series Of disappontments and
disasters. The British army had been successful
in all its operations South. Georgia literally
under British guard Charleston had fallen. The
impcuosty of Gates had lost to the battle OF
| Camden. Here the best remnant OF the Southern
army was broken and scattered over the barren
pine hills of kershaw. Here the brave old veteran
Dckalh Terished with his gallant handful of true
and devoted followers. And dispair and gloom
seemed now 10 ScttlC on TIE American cause.
success tended but to feed the base cruclties Of
the British Commander who then ordered total
prescription against all the Rebels Of Carolina; and
| those unfortunate patriots--such llayne and Il
host of othcrs-who had been lingering i'll the
! damp dungeons Of Charleston were led forth TO an
| ignomnous execution. And the cries of widowed
mothers and orphan children were heard through
out the borders Of that ll-tated State!
After our disaster at Camden, CORVALLIS direct
ed his course towards Charlotte, which lay III a
dcfenceless condition. As the defeat of our forces
at Camden was looked upon total subjugatlon
Of the South, the conquered country was regarded
as one open 70 common rapine and Tlunder; and
consequently cowardly bands of Tories and low
bred British were inest;n@ the country in the front
and rear Of the British army, leaving dcsoatlon
and ruin in their track. These laWlcss bands were
scarcely interrupted in their wonted depredations
save when occasionally sailed upon by Marion or
Polk's dauntless little bands, who were ever ener-
nctic in keeping the spirit of Revolution aglow i'll
that gloomy period As CORVALLIS advanced to-
wards Charlotte these marauding bands grew more
numerous and insolcnt, and the hep pless whig fam
lies were entirely o to their raIacious propen-
stiles About this time Col. Davis and Gen. Jos
Graham were ordered to repair to McckIcnbuTg
and take command of such forces could be col
lected there They mustered together about one
hundred and fifty of the Mccklcnburg yeominry
Charlotte on the Salisbury road. CORVALLIS had
advanced to within eleven miles of Charlotte and
law cncamped in the settlement of Providence, on
the main road to Camden on the left bank OF -Four
Mile Creek On the night of the 25th of Sept
1880 Col. Davis with company OF thirty mount
ed Rfemen took his position in the village, whiIt
Gen. Graham occupied the post at the camp; and
on the morning of the Goth, CORVALLIS resumed
his march for Charlotte. At noon, the quctness
81 H., ttG
in the lap of dense forest, which had never been
troubled save by the occasional crack Of the hunts
man rife or the wild cries of the lurking panther
was now broken by the distant notes OF the war
rroclainling buge; and Notwithstanding the ap
preaching tramp Of a triumphant army, this little
handful of sturdy yconianry were resolved to avail
an honorable retreat Each one, doubtless, wa!
fired in his mind at the fearless sentiments whlcl
a short time before had been propa9ated on tha
spot, together with the cruelties that had beer
rracticed on their friends, which fully nervcd then
for any danger. True, they had learned the disas
ter at Camden they had heard of the untlmel,
. fate of the martyrcd lIaync and his compatrlots
and of the total prescription Of all Rebels; yet the.
stood firm and undaunted, determined to give th
enemy reception with their trusty rifles
Charlotte at that time contained about 40 houses
the two main streets crossing at right angles witt
the Court House in the centre, and was sklrted b.
STATIONED part of his men behind the Court House
and the others on each side of the street behln
the garden fences and calml awaited the approac
Of the enemy Cornwas halted his army a
Town Creek thrce-fourths OF mile distant, an
sent forward portion of Tarlton's Legion, uEde
Major Hunger, (Tarton being unwell,) to heral
his approach They came dashlng up the MAJ
street in front of the Court house at full rein, nC
dreaming of foe when Davis and his men thre'
themselves before the troop. and with their deadly
unerrinp rifles unhorscd halfthcr number, and tn
remainder, panic stricken, wheeled their charger
and made back to the main body of the army
which was now advancing on hearing the unc1
ncctcd alarm Major Hunger severely rcfr
nIar,led by his chagrned and enraged commando
whose swearing rropensties served to give tu
vent to his disappointed feelings. The Legle
was again recruited and kept III advance OF til
army. which now hove in sight. The martial MI
sic was struck up and 400 proud steeds were cha
ING their bits and 5000 bright muskcts OF a roy
- army were clittcrng i'll the nOon-day sun, viii
scarcely 800 yards in advance waited the gaH"j
Mirtv, mounted on their guant, hardy, long hare
a ponies prepared for another salute, and calm
Of resting their long, rusty-barreled, greasy-stockC
- rifles upon the wcthers of their ponies. 1he
J. daring presumption led CORVALLIS to beieye tn
p they were surely the outposts OF the Amerci
st army: and accordingly the advance was approac
c; ing cautiously, until it came within good bull
III distance. when these minute-men again deberat
tO fhpIr