Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-08-31
MARY SLOCUMB.


of will. The occurrence took place at time when
the whole country was reused by the march of the
British and loyasts from the Cape Fear country, to
,in the royal standard at Wilmington. The veto
an Donald Mcdonald issued his proclamation at
Cross Creek, in February, 1776, and having assem-
bled his Highlanders, marched across rivers and
through forests, in haste to join Governor Martin
and Sir Henry Clinton, who were already at Cape
Fear. But while he had eluded the pursuit of
Moore the patriots of Newbern and Wilmington
Districts were not idle 1t was time of noble en-
terprise and gloriously did leaders and people come
forward to meet the emergency The gallant Richard
Caswell called his neghbors hastily together; and
they came at his call readily the clans Of the
Scotch mountains mustered at the signal OF the
burning cross The whole country rose in mass;
scarce man able to walk was left in the Neuse re-
gion The united regiments of Colonels Ellington
and Caswell encountered Mcdonald at Moore's creek
where, on the twenty-seventh was fought one of
the boodest battles of the Revolution Col. Slo-
cumbs recollections of this bravely contested field
were too vivid to be dimncd by the lapse of years.
He was accustomed to dwell but lightly on the gal
liant part borne by himself in that memorable &C
ton but he gave abundant praise to his associates
and well did they deserve the tribute. "And," he
would say, "my uite vas there" She was indeed
but the story is best told in her own worls:-
"The men left on Sunday morning. More than
eighty went from this house with my husband Il
looked at them well, and could see that every man
had mischief in him. | know coward as soon as
set my eyes upon him. The Tories more than
once tried to frighten me- but they always showed
coward at the bare insinuaton that our troops were
about
"Well, they got off in high spirits; every man
stepping high and light And slept soundy and
quietly that night, and worked hard all the next
day; but kept thinking where they had got to
how far; where and how many of the regulars and
Tories they would meet and could not keep my
self from the study. | went to bed at the usual
time but still continued to study. As | lay, wheth-
er waking or sleeping | know not had dream;
vet it was not all dream. (She used the words,
unconsciously, of the poet who not then in be-
ing.) I saw distinctly body wrapt in my hns-
bands guard-cloak, bloody, dead; and others dead
and wounded on the ground about him. | saw
them plainly and distinctly. | uttcre! cry and
sprang to my feet on the floor; and so strong was
the impression on my mind that | rushed in the d.
rection the vision appeared and came up against the
side of the house The fire in the room gave little
light, and gazcd in every direction to catch anoth-
err glimpse of the scene | raised the light; every
thing still and quiet. My child was sleeping,
but my woman was awakened by ny crying out or
jumping on the floor. If ever felt fear. it at
that moment. Seated on the bed reflected few
moments and said aloud: Il must go to him.
told the woman could not sleep and would ride
down the road She appeared in great alarm: but
merely told her to lock the door after me, and
look after the child went to the stable, saddled
my mare-as fleet and easy nag ever travelled
and i'll one minute we tearing down the road
at full speed. The cool night seemed after mile or
twos galop to bring reflection with it, and asked
myself where was going. and for what purpose.
Again and again was tempted TO turn back but
was soon ten miles from home, and my mind be-
came stronger every mile rode should find my
husband dead or dying, was as firmly my PRESENT.
mcnt and conviction any fact of my life When
day broke, | was some thirty miles from home
knew the general route Our little army expected to
take and had followed them without hesitation
About sunrise came upon group of women and
children, standing and sitting by the road side each
one OF them showing the same anxiety of mind
felt. Stopping few minutes inquired if the bat
tie had been fought. They knew nothing but were
assembled on the road to catch intelligence They
thought Caswell had taken the right of the Viii
mington road, and gone towards the northwest
Cape Fear) Again Was | Swimming over the
ground, through a country thinlv settled and very
roor and swampy; but neither my own spirits nor
my beautiful nag's failed in tie least We followed
the well-inarked trai! of the troops
"The sun must have been well up, saw eight or
nine o'clock, when | heard sound like thunder,
which knew must be cannon. 1t was the first
time ever heard cannon. ! stopped still, when
presently the cannon Numbered again The battle
was then fighting. What fool! my husband could
not be dead last night and the battle only fighting
now! Still, as am so near, will 90 and see how
they come out So away we went again, faster than
ever; and | soon found by the noise of the guns
that was the fight Again l stopped
could hear musketS, could hear rifles, and could
hear shouting. spoke to my mare and dashed on
in the direction of the firing and the shouts now
louder than ever The blind path had been fol-
lowing brought me into the Wilmington road lead
ing to Moore'S Greek Bridge few hundred yards
below the bridge. y few yards from the road, I'M
der cluster of trees, were lying perhaps twenty
men. They were the wounded. | knew the spot
the very trees; and the position Of the men knew
as II had seen it a thousand times. had seen it
all night! saw it all at once; but in an instant
my whole soul was centred in one spot; for there,
wrapped in lis bloody -guard-c!oak, was my hus-
bands body! How passed the few yards from my
saddle to the place never knew. remember un-
| covering his head and seeing face clothed with
! gore from dreadful wound across the temple.
| put my hand on the bloody face; twas warm, and
an unkno~n roice begged for water. A small camp
| Kettle was lying near, and stream of water was
close by. brought it. poured some in his mouth,
and washed his face; and behold-it was Frank
| Cosdcl He soon revived and could speak. was
washing the wound in his head Said he 1T is not
that; it is that hole in my leg that is killing me-
puddle of blood was standing on the ground
about his feet took his knife, cut away his trow'
scrs and stocking and found the blood came from a
shot-hoe through and through the feshy part of his
leg. looked about and could see nothing that
looked as if it would do for dressing wounds but
some heart-leaves gathered handful and bound
them tight to the holes, and the bleeding stopped
then went to the others, and--Doctor! DRESSED
the wounds of many brave fellow who did goot
fighting long after that day had not inquired
for my husband; but while I was busy Caswcl
came up. lie appeared very much surprised to SCI
me- and was. with his hat in his hand about to pay
some compliment; but interrupted him by ask
ing: Where is my husbandy
"Where he ought to be, madam in pursuit o
the enemy. But pray said he, how came yo,
hereY
"'Oh, I thought replied I, you would nee,
nurses well as soldiers. See! have alread.
dressed many of these good fellows and here i
one'-going to Frank and lifting him up with nj!