Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-09-07


ed. BY way of neutralizing the effect of these I'M
deserved snecrs. the subjoned sketch was sent to
the Charleston Courier, by one who knew him well,
and appreciated his sterling worth: and the same
was published in that paper in September, 1912.
Yours truly,
from the Charleston Courier, Sept. 5, 1872
COLONEL SLOCUMB, OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In the year 1871, after the battle of the Cowpens,
Gulford, &c, Lord CORVALLIS led his troops through
this part Of North Carolina; for several days his
hcadq uarters 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 SO graphically de-
scribed by Mrs. Butler* Slocumb, at that time,
held subaltcrns commission in the State line, I'M
der the command of Colonel William Washington.
His troop consisted of Carolina "boors," raised in
his own ncighborhood and as rudely 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 was in the neighborhood
of Sprngbank, and reconnoitred CORVALLIS en-
campment, supposing it was his whole force. The
manner of this Reconnaissance peculiar and
characteristic of the men who fought revolu
tonary battles, that cannot refrain from relating
concisey, the history, although having no direct
connexion with the subject of this memoir, except
it occurred on the same day. The lieutenant had
directed one of his hodest and most trustworthy men,
by the name of McKinne Whose descendants are
among our most respected citizens and one Of them
has the honor Of representing his native district in
our National Legisature.t) 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 thcket and ad-
vanced under cover 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 was 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 hundred yards of three British troopers,
apparently we'll mounted as himself a race
across the sand hills ensued, and for mile and a
half the distance between him and the headmost
horsenan was little varied. Here, bullet whis
tied past his ear-"good, your short gun is not so
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 leisurely, 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 ceft-while the foremost, seeing his
comrades discontinue, d>mounted and surrender
cd himself a prisoner to Major Williams whose
name is enrolled among the heroes of our country,
and who, being engaged in the same service of re-
connoterng, had joined in this singular race, with
out the knowledge of either party To secure his
prisoner, and mount the half dead rifcman on one
OF the dragoon horses, was the work of but few
minutes; and, by his careful assistance they reach
ed Whitehall in safety, where McKnne's wounds
were dressed in their rude manner. and Williams
joined Slocumb and his small troop of recruits.
Such feats of the Carolina Doors" were too conf
mon to gain the attention of our historians, while
our magnanimous enemies stigmatized such acts as
assassinations
They risked certain death, if caught, but to de-
The party under Slocumb and Williams, pursued
their way slowly on the south bank of the Neuse,
IN the direction of Slocumbs house, little dreaming
tEat his peaceful home, where few months before
he lett his wife and infant was then in possession
Of the terrible Tarleton.
The writer had the following scene, almost nerDa-
t'n, from Mrs slocumb, many years since, and pre-
fers copying from notes then made, her account of
Iaretons residence with her.
spendidly dressed officer, accompanied by two aids.
and followed at short distance by guard of some
twenty troopers dashed up to the piazza, in front
OF the house, where Mrs. Slocumb, with her child
and young lady, a near relative, afterwards the
wife Of Major Williams, and few house servants,
were sitting.
Raising his cap and bowling to his horses neck,
he addressed the lady.
Have the pleasure of seeing the mistress Of
this house and plantation?'
ut belongs to my husband"
Is he at home?
He is not"
is he rebel?'
NO, sir, ne is IN the army of his country, and
ngntng against our invaders therefore not rebel
Us it not strange the people of that ay eloried If
Their rebellion, but always took offence at being
81 fear we differ in opinion, madam. FRIEND
"iS oouheiy VIII oc Tie IrlenQ OF the king Oil
master" e WI
Slaves only acknowledge master in this coun
try" ''''''
deep flush ran over the ford cheeks OF Tarle
ton, for ne was the speaker, and turning to one q
MS aids he ordered him 10 pitch the tents and form
tne encampment, in the orchard and field on thei
rlgnt "a beautiful ground, which regret the dark
ness prevented Mrs. Butler from admirng, as sh
then would know our State is not entirely made O
"lnterminable pine barrens.") To his other aid hi
oioers were to detach quarter guard and station
Piqnets on. each road. Then bowling very low. h
added: MADAM, the, service Of his majesty re
qures the temporary occupation of your property
anu .,, would not be too great an inconvenienc,
WILL take my quarters in your house."
Inc tone admitted no controversy
Mrs. ). replied, "My family consists Of only m,
seal' my SISTER and child, and few negroes. W
From the piazza where he seated himself Tarl
ION commanded a view of the ground on which Il
troops wese< arranging their camp Different Sod
= A1as, Fanny kemb,e -
Hon, VIM II W,sb;nu.o.