The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-08-18

9iograp hies.
FOR THE PREss.l
William Davidson.
BY W. D.

William Davidson, Lieut. Col, commandment
in the n orth Carolina line, and Brigadier General
in the Militia of that State, was the youngest
son of George Davidson, who removed with his
family, from Lancaster county, Pa, in the year
1850, to Rowan Co., North Carolina.
William was born in the year 1746,' and was
educated in plain country manner, at an acade-
my in Charlotte county, town Of Mecklenburg,
which adjoins Rowan.
Like most Of the enterprsing youth Of this.
country, Davidson repaired to the standard of
his country, at the commencement of the revolu-
tonary war, and was appointed Major in one
of the first regiments formed by the government
of North Carolina
In this character, he marched with the North
Carolina line, under Brigadier General Nash, to :
the main army in this state where he served I'M
der the commander-in- chief until tile North Caro-
lima portion of the army was detached in NoYem-
Der. 1879, to reinforce the Southern army, COM
manded by Major General Lincoln Previous
to this event, Major Davidson was promoted to
the command of regiment, With the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel Commandant As he pas
sed through North Carolina, Major Davidson OBJ
tanned permission to visit his family, from which
he had been absent nearly three years
The delay produced by this visit, saved him
from captivity, as he found Charleston so close
ly invested when he arrived in the neighborhood,
as to prevent his rejoining the regiment
Soon after the surrender of Gen Lincoln and
his army, the loyalists of North Carolina, not
doubling the complete success of the royal for
ces who began to embody themselves for the
purpose of contributing their active aid in the
field to the subsequent operations of the British
General. They were numerous in the western
parts of the State, and especially in the highland
settlement about Cross creek Lieut. Col Da-
wilson put himself at the head of some of the
militia, called out to quell the expected insur-
rection He proceeded with vigor in the exc
cution Of his trust and in an engagement with
party Of loyalists near Calsons Mill, he was
severely wounded the ball entered his BODY
above the left hip, and passed near the right
kidney going entirely through his body This
confined him for eight weeks when recovering.
he instantly took the field having been recently
appointed Brigadier General by the Government
of North Carolina in the place of Brigadier
| General Rutherford, who was taken at the bat
tie of Camden He exerted himself in coniunc-
ton with Gen. Sumner and Col Davie, to inter-
cept the progress of Lord CORVALLIS in his adj
vance towards Salisbury, and throughout that
eventual period, gave unceasing evidence of his
zeal and frmness in unfolding his falling country
After the victory obtained by Morgan at the
Cowpens, Davidson was among the most active
of his countrymen in assembling the militia of
his district, to enable Gen. Greene, who had
joined the light corps under Morgan, to stop the
progress Of the advancing enemy and was de-
tached by Gen. Greene, on the night of the last
day of January, to guard the very ford selected
by Lord CORVALLIS for his passage of the Ca
tawba river on the next Col Davidson pos
sessed himself Of the post in the night, at the
head of three hundred men, and having placed
picquet near the shore, stationed his corps at
some distance from the ford Gen. Henry Lee,
(from whose memoirs copy the following sketch
of General Davidson gives a particular account
of the battle.
A disposition was Immediately made to dis
lodge Davidson, which the British General, o.
/ Hara, with the guards effected. Lieut.. Col
Hall led with the light company, followed by
the grenadiers. The current was rapid, the
stream waist Deep and five hundred yards in
width. The soldiers crossed in platoons, sup
porting each others steps. When Lieut. Col.
Hall reached the middle of the river he was de-
serted by the American sentinels whose chal-
enge and fire brought Davidson's corps into
array. Deserted by his guide, Hall passed d.
rectly across, not knowing the landing place
which lay below him.
This deviation from the common course rem
dered it necessary for Davidson to incline to the
right; but this maneuvre, although promptly
performed, was not effected until the light in
fantry had gained the shore.
A fierce conflict ensued, which was well sup
ported by Davidson who, while mounting his
horse to direct the retreat was killed Our loss
was small excepting Gen. Davidson, an active,
jealous. and influential officer. The British
Lieutenant Hail. was also killed, with three of :
the light Infantry, and thirty six wounded Lordi
CORVALLIS horse was shot from under him, and
fell as soon as he got upon the shore. Leslie's
horses were carried down the stream and with
difficulty saved; and O'Harra's tumbed over
l;,o - +ho u,o4or