Weekly Trinity journal., 1859-04-23
Battle of the COwpens.

! camp OF Lord Cornwallis?' inquired Morgan, as
he atfectonately placed the boy-or child. as
might call him-upon the rough table near by.
! yes, SIR was the immediate reply of the lad.
! drove the old bull and some potatoes down to
the British camp, and daddy told me not to for
get anything heard; and don't forget, Captain
Dan. Daddy likes you, and so do L.
The boy put his thumb in his mouth and con-
tinued to gaze at Morgan from head to foot with
as much astonishment as at first
well, my little lad, what do you think of
me p said the General.
Think p said he, and his voice swelled as be
spoke-'I think that you can lick daddy, and it's
pretty hard to do that; but you are mighty big
man, General
This sally of the little fellow created quite
laugh, in which the father joined as heartily as
the rest. There was something in the manner and
tone of the lad that indicated truth and firmnese.
Now, my little boy, want you to tell me all
you know or heard about this movemnnt OF Tar
Teton, and there's guinea for you,' said Nor
gan.
Put the piece of gold back in your pocket,
or won't tell you word, General! This was
uttered in so firm tone that Morgan took up
the piece of money and restored it to his pocket.
Now, sir. I'll tell you all, said the lad Il
sold the old bull and potatoes to the British com
missary, as they called him, and he gave me the
money in gold. l didn't care about that, for
daddy sent me into camp to learn something
about matters and things to send you or General
| Green. When | got through | asked if | could
see Lord CORVALLIS, and the commissary took
me to him. What do you want to see me for,
! little boy 2? CORVALLIS said; and | said I'd heard
good deal about him, and wanted to see him.
Well. he's pretty big man, Dan, but he amt as
tall as you are; and he treated me, little as am,
Just as kind as if I'd been his own boy. He made
me eat with him at dinner, and asked me to drink
the kings health in glass of wine; but drank
General Washingtonis health, and he laughed
and said was little rebel. Soon stont man
came into the tent, dressed in scarlet and blue,
and don't know why, but thought at first he
was Col. Tarleton, and it was him. So he and
CORVALLIS had long talk in one corner of the
tent, and they didn't pay much attention to a
little boy like me. heard enough Captain Dan.
The Colonel was ordered with a thousand men to
follow you up and fight you wherever you cou Id
be found, and they know your whereabouts. Col
onel Leslie-I think they call him by that name
is on his way to attack General Green's out
posts
My dear boy, said the General, you have
given us information Of the utmost Importance.
Now will you accept of the gold picce?'
'No Captain Dan, or General-for you are
both--I won't. But if my daddy will let me go
with you as drummer boy-l know how to beat
a drum III be glad to do IT,
you've my permission, Dick was the prompt
reply of his 'daddy'--as he called his father.
Then 90 with us now
A very short time elapsed before the boy was
fully dressed, and with adieu to his father, our
departure took place.
Look to the lad, Capt. Dan,' said his parent
If he shrink, shoot him down. he's no business
to do 50, considering the stock from which he
comes
The brave little fellow justified his conduct
throughout the war, and in 1912 occupied high
| government position.
Morgan's movements were speedily fixed upon.
| He had under his command about six hundred
men-thrce hundred infantry, led by the gallant
Col. Howard Of Maryland; Lieut.. Col. Washing
tons dragons did not number over eighty, and
in addition were two companies of militia formed,
however, mostly of discharged continental sol
| die RS perfect veteranS-under the command OF
Captains Taitc and Triplet.
On the morning Of the ! ith Of January, 1871,
Morgan crossed the PacOlrt and awaited the at
tack of Tarlrton. The position where Morgan
drew up his troops has been matter of comment
That he intended to engage Tarieton, cannot be
| a matter Of doubt.
The biographer of Col. Pickens has endeavored
TO prove that Morgan was more anxious to retreat
from Tarleton, than to fight him. This Is wrong
for was near Morgan when he gave his orders
to Col Howard.
Tarleton crossed the Pacolot on the night oi
the 10th Of January, six miles below Morgan
camp at the Cowpens 1t was about O'Clock in
the morning when Tarlcton commenced his move
mtnts on Morgan. His advance was composed
of cavalry and many of the horsemcn carried
behind them an infantry soldier, with his musket
and haynnet, little thinking of their reception.
Morgan, the instant he heard of the advance of
Tarleton, selected his position Of defence. 1t
was hilly cminCnce-partially, might say, an
! open wood Our whole force did not amount to
| 800 men. The front line was composed of some
! North Carolina and Georgia volunteers, led by
two Majors from their respective States. The
| md fbno Of DipEnpC
and was composed chiefly OF militia and the ir-
regular contincntals as consider the two Vir-
ginia companies of veterans They were brave
fellows; never knew militia to fight SO well.
Morgan himself remained in command Of the
rear line of the continentals, upon which all OF
us depended. Col. Howard was the next officer
in command; he headed the Maryland and Della
ware regiments. When Tarleton advanced, he
received terrible fire from the militia under
Pickens, and his men recoiled Our cOntinentals
were astonished at the courage of the militia, and
advanced at once. They hardly awaited orders
from Morgan, when Howard gave the word
Sweep the field with your bayonets my lads !!
And they did sweep the field.
The battalion of the British regiment and the
light infantry company soon threw down their
arms--for Tarleton and his legion fed from a
reception so unexpected. The biters were Dit.
/ | remember seeing Col Howard with at least a
dozen swords of the officers who surrendered in
| his hands, SO sudden and complete was the dis
/ comfture.
| was never more affected in my life than when
I saw Morgan take up the little drummer boy,
before mentioned, and kiss him on both cheeks.
/ This boy, nine years of age only, had saved Nor
gans command and beat the first charge on his
/ drum at the battle of the Cowpens
! GLOOMY PROSPECTS AT MARE ISLAND AND VAL
LEJo.-A correspondent of the Solano County
Herald gives the following gloomy prospects of
matters and things about Vallejo and Mare
| Island.
A general gloom prevades the town, since the
evening Of March 25th when the news from the
Eastern States arrived by the Overland Mail.
Heretofore, our appropriations have been from
$500 900 to S400. 900 which, for the coming year,
is reduced to $4,000. The wages paid on the
Island must be materially reduced, and many
hands discharged. There are at least hundred
families here who have just purchased small lots
and hnit houses Ilernnn- nNnsIinn all thew had.