Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-30
NOVEMBER 80. 1859.
From the Hiilsboro Recorder.
The Tery's Mistake.

{
It was in theyear 1881, that dark and
gloomy period of the revolution, when Geor-
gia and South Carolina bad been overrrnn
by the British. General Gateshad been de-
feated at Camden, and CORVALLIS, With his
victorious army, had marched into North
Carolina, compelling General Grees, with
his little band of patriots, to retreat across
Dan river into Virginia for reinforcements,
to enable him to give battle to his powerful
rival. CORVALLIS finding all his attempts
to bring Greene TO action unsuccessful, and
ascertaining that he had lately crossed
the Dan, returned in easy marches to
Hilsborough, believing that North Caroli- |
ma, like Georgia and South Carolina, was
ready to submit TO the Royal yoke. Hel
had raised the Royal standard on the 2oth
of FEBRUARY, sand issued proclamation in
viting all loyal subjects to repair to it and
assist him to restore the English rule" and
it was at this time that the circumstance
which we wish to relate occurred. Living
few miles south or southwest from the
town, was an old man by the name of Ba-
ker, a rank old Tory, who hearing of the
approach of CORVALLIS, and being too old
to join him as soldier, was greatly per-
picked to know how he could best exhib-
it his friendship and zeal in the cause of
the English +; he referred the matter to the
consideration of the old lady, his wife, who
at once recommended that they should
gather up all the butter and eggs, of which
they had plenty, and take them to Corn
wallis aud make him a present of them !;
and she had no doubt but it would insure
them hearty welcome from his Lordship.
Such an excellent idea was immediately
adopted; and long before day the next
morning their packages Of butter and eggs
were all ready, and they set ont on their
journey of loyalty, in order to reach the
town at an early hour, unfortunately un-
conscious of the changes which had taken
place there the evening before. Cornwall
lis being informed of the advance of Gen.
Greene towards Guilford Court House, had
suddenly broke up his camp and left town,
/, which was entered by some Of the Ameri-
can troops But our Tories not being in
formed Of this fact, continued their jour
5 ney, and about the break of day they
: crossed the bridge and entered the south>
ern part of the town; and here they were
4 met and hailed BY some American dra
s. goons, who were coming down towards the
/ river, the results Of which we will give in 8
J. few verses which We have often heard re
peated by the old people:
;c "Old woman" says he, 40 what shall be done,
The great English Lord, CORVALLIS, has come;
Ie He has raised his standard, is now in the town,
Has invited to come in all good friends of Ii
or Crown"
"Very WE'LL" says she, "you can understand,
~ Some butter and eggs We can quickly command
With these as present, to CORVALLIS we'll go,
He'll be glad TO receive them and welcome US so.
Mt
With their packages all sung. and long before day
With their loyalty burning, they were far on thsi
h way;
And at the break of the day they entered the sowr
"A And here they met some dragons coming down
:" "Hillos," they say, ''my good friends which wa
ry Are you going in this ear part of the day"
at 4" We are good friends of the King, o, long ma
he live,
We have somc butter and eggs to Cernwallis
III give"
er Very well, they replied, eve viii sscort yOu
And no doubt you'll be rewarded as friends of Il
eI Crown"
er. They marched us to the market, where ne th'
m then tied,
!. And thirty -nino lashes we're laid on my hide.
oi My tears and entreaies and prayers were in Val
a On my poor ba ok the lashes were heavily lain,
nt. o, 1 never shall forget, SO long as live,
\ The butter and eggs to CORVALLIS give.