Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-09-07

A DESCENDANT.
from the Charleston Courier, Sept. 8, 1872
COLONEL SLOCUMB, OF NORTH-CAROLTNA.
In the year $751; after the battle Of the Cowpens,
Guford &C., Lord CORVALLIS led his troops through
this part of North Carolina; for several days his
headquarters were at Springbank on the Neuse, the
plantation at present Of General Nicholson Wash
ington while Colonel Tarleton, with his renowned
legion, encamped on Slocumbs plantation, and had
his headquarters in the mansion 80 graphically de-
scribed by Mrs. Butlcr.* Slocumb, at that time,
held subaltern's commission in the State line, un
der the command of Colonel William Washington.
His troop consisted of Carolina "boors," raised in
his own neighborhood, and as rudey armed as such
troops ever were. He, Lietenant s., had been sent
into the low-country, with some twelve or fifteen
men, for recruits and to act scouts in the neigh
borhood of the renowned British General The
morning of the day on which Tarleton took posses
sion of his plantation, he vas 10 the neighborhood
of Springbank, and reconnoitred CORVALLIS en-
campment supposing it was his whole force. The
manner of this reconnaissance was so peculiar and
characteristic of the men who fought our revolu-
tonary battles, that cannot refrain from relating
concisely, the history, although having no direct
connexion with the subject of this memoir. except
it occurred on the same day. The lieutenant had
done of his bolest and most trustworthy men,
the name Oh MChlnnc, tWnOSe OeSCenu1ntS arc
among most respected citizens, and one Of them
has the honor of representing his native district in
our National Legislature to 60 and make care
full examination of the British encampment, and re-
port On reaching the vicinity of Lord Corvallis
post he concealed his horse in thicket and ad-
vanced under of the wood to the skirts Of the
plantation. Here he saw square mile covered with
the tents, the baggage and artillery Of the best
equipped and disciplined army which had ever Wis
tied America.
The sight one to strike terror 10 any but such
. heart but he resolved never to leave the ground
without doing something for his country. He had
not long been in his concealment when an officer
wearing two epaulettes rode within range of his
deadly weapon. The ball Sped and the unfortunate
invader bit the DUST without loss of time, he gain
ed his horse in whose speed he had full confidence;
but on emerging from the thicket he found himself
within one hundred yards Of three British troopers,
apparently as we'll mounted as himself A race
across the sand hills ensued and for mile and
half, the distance between him and the headmost
horseman was little varied Here . bullet whis-
tied past his ear-"good your short gun is not 50
true as my long rife" said he, but his congratula-
ton was short An instant after, came a second
report and his gallant horse fell, the ball having
struck and broke the bone of his off fore-leg, and
before he could recover from his fall the two head
most troopers flew by like lightning, each giving
him dreadful sabre cut across the head and shout
ders. The third came up more lesurely, and passed
his sword through his body, near the shoulder, and
was preparing to give the final coup de grace when
his sword arm was severed nearly in two, and he
rolled dismounted in the sand near his fallen enc
my: The second dragon was encountered instant
ly by the same powerful arm, and fell with his head
and helmet cleft-while the foremost, seeing his
comrades discontinue, di>mounted and surrender
ed himself prisoner to Major Williams, whose
name is enrolled among the heroes of our country,
and who, being engaged in the same service Of re-
connoitering, had joined in this singular race with
out the knowledge of either party. To secure his
prisoner, and mount the half dead rifleman on one
of the dragon horses, was the work of hut few
minutes; and, by his careful assistance they reach
ed Whitehall in safety, where McKinne's wounds
were dressed in their rude manner and Williams
joined Slocumb and his small troop of recruits.
Such feats of the Carolina "boors" were too CON,
mon to gain the attention of our historians while
our "agnanimous enemies stigmatized such acts q.
assassinations
They risked certain death, if caught but to de
stroy an enemy, the risk was frequently taken
The party under Slocumb and Williams, pursued
their way slowly on the south bank of the Neuse
in the direction of Slocumbs house, little dreamin,
tEat his peaceful home, where few months befor
he left his wife and infant was then in possession
of the terrible Tarleton.
The writer had the following scene, almost eerba
tam, from Mrs. Slocumb many years since, and Din
fers copying from notes then made, her account q
Tarleton's residence with her.
About 10 o'clock, of beautiful spring day.
splendidly dressed officer, accompanied by two aids
and followed at a short distance by guard of som
twenty troopers, dashed up to the piazza, in from
OF the house, where Mrs. Slocumb, with her chill
and young lady, q near relative, afterwards tn
wife of Major Williams and few house servants
were sitting
Raising his cap and bowling to his horses necI
he addressed the lady.
"Have the pleasure Of seeing the mistress ,
this house and plantationr"
ut belongs to my husband"
Is he at homer
HE is not"
Is he a rebel?'
mo, sir, be is IN the army of his country. IN
fighting against our invaders, therefore not rebel
Us 1t not strange the people of that day eloried
Their rebellion, but always took offence At bein
II fear we differ in opinion, madam. A frieu
MASTER" 'e' ~
"Slases only acknowledge master in this cou,
try" ~'
A deep flush ran over the ford cheeks Of Tarl
Jon. ior he was the speaker, and turning to one
nus aos he ordered him to pitch the tents and for
W encampment in the orchard and field on the
ngn. beautiful ground, which regret the dar
ness prevented Mrs. Butler from admiring, q 8
snen would know our State is not entirely made
setmlnanie pine barrens") To his other aid l
Oue!s were 10 detach . quarter guard and stati
piaoets on each road. Then bowine verv low.
added: Madam, the service Of his msiestv
quires the temporary occupation Of vour nrocer,
and If 1t would not he tnoore.t ~, :...s-.