The Feliciana Democrat., 1858-01-16
Tgs felitiana 9sn1otrat.
THE TORY MASSACRE.

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North Carolina 1t was location hallowed
to our mind by many revolutionary associations.
In his memorable retreat across North Carroll
na, in February, 17sl, the ragged but gallant
army of Gen. Greene. fordcd the river Haw, a
short distance from Hillsborough. All through
the revolutionary struggles, the neighboring
county was noted for its ARRAYS which were
constantly occurring, either between the patri-
OTIS and the English troops, or the patriots and
their traitorous enemies the tories
Not far from Hillsborough, we were shown
the scene of terrible massacre of tories by
the troopers Of Lees Legion" Great chan.
ges have taken place since those cventful
times, and our guide could only point out the
vicinity of the conflict there being no old ye-
teran to designate the exact spot. Let us re.
call the circumstances of that terrible affair.
Although driven across the river Dan, into
Virginia, Green had no idea Of abandoning
the South, but in the old and wealthy county
of Halifax, endcavored to recruit his weari-
ed troops, and prepare again to meet the foe.
AS preliminary step for the movement of his
whole army Greene sent Col. Henry Lee with
his legion Of cavalry and two companies of
Maryland militia, to harrass the British sol
ders and disperse the bands Of tories which
were organizing throughout the Carolnas.
Col Lee had formed squadron Of cavalry
uniformed and armed precisely after the fash
ion Of Tarleton's celebrated corps, and no man
in the American service was more dreaded by
the foe than Legion Harry" as he was gene
rally styled throughout the American camp,
especially backed by his troopers. About the
middle Of February, Lord CORVALLIS issued a
Y,rro1 oo,o finu inyifipr oil fhncn whn 1oy-
al to the King to join his standard, promising
tening rebels with the halter, if found with
Lee crossed the Dan and advanced slowly into
North Carolina.
BY curious circumstance, it happened that
just at this time Col Tarlcton, with his legion
and some companies of infantry, left the Brit
sh camp and moved towards the Virginia line
OH q marauding expedition. Lee had advan-
ced only one days march when his scouts
brought information of Taretons approach,
and that he was then encamped at a planta-
tion only six or eight miles distant. Lee re-
solved to attack the English troops that very
night. Arranging his forces, he moved up
within short distance of the British camp
and waited for darkness.
1t SO happened, however, that Tarleton was
on the point of removing his camp to another
plantation that very afternoon he put his AZ
rangement in force, and moved away some fif
teen miles in direction contrary to Lees cal
culations. Therefore, in the evening" on APP
preaching the British encampment with great
circumspection, the American troops were sore
ly mortified to discover that the sagacious Bri-
ton was nowhere to be found. 1t was rule
with Col. Tarleton never to camp two nights
in the same place, if an enemy was within fifty
miles
Greatly chagrined, Lee was ON the point of
pushing with all haste after the British Colonel,
when the indomitablc scouts again came in
with information. They brought intelligence
that one Col. Pyle, noted tory, with COM
pany of four hundred mounted loyalists, was
close at hand, making for Tarleton's camp, un-
awares that he had moved. Lee resolved to
capture the whole party by stratagcm.-
Sending for a couple of troopers to meet the
tories and conduct them to camp, he placed
his militia and rihemen in ambush on each
side of the road and drew up his legion in pro-
per form to receive the tory battalion. 1t was
his intention to lead the tories into an ambus-
cade, and take them all prisoners. To the
honor of Col Lee, be it recorded, that he did
not contemplate nor plan the massacre which
followed.
Al the tory band approached, Lee sent his
adjutant to greet the colonel and direct him
where to put his men. The adiutant sent him
word that "Col Tarleton's wishes should be
cheerfully complied with !" Lee saw that his
stratagem was working to perfection. Colonel
Pyle marched his men to the place indicated
by Lee, and drew them up in two ranks along
the road, in such manner that they were
hemmed in by the concealed militia on one
side and Lees legion on the other. When the
tory line was formed, Lee, at the head of his
troopers, rode slowly towards it, and passed
along directly in front, until the two colonels
were opposite to each other AS Lee extend
ed his hand to Pyle, the loyalists raised the
shout of "God save the king" in which the
Americans joined, in order to carry out their
plan and prevent discovery Col Lee then
complimented the tory colonel on the number
and fine equipment of his corps, and hoped
they would do good service in the kings cause
He then turned, and was about to give the
signal for the legion to cover the tory troops
with their cabines, when sudden burst of
,o,cI,o ,,;noo1 with vaIIc apd choore h,oJ,