Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-07-05
KINGS MOUNTAIN.
BY MRS. MARY A. EWART.

Sewers troop formed the right; Cleveland's
and Williams together, under whom were
our heroes Davie and Bowen, the left
Campbell's the right of the centre, and
Shelby's the left centre. Hurriedly as the
order of attack was made, it could not be
excelled for judgment and military skill.
There was a common centre for these col.
umus, and that was the standard of Eug.
land on the crest of the ridge, Autterine
proudly and majestically over the scarlet
uniforms and glittering beyonets of Fer
guson's undauuted regulars. Their game
was before them, and these mountain hun
tiers needed neither leader nor captain tc
show them how to fight. With hope thai
he might be spared the necessity of telling
Captain Bowen his sad news, MIR. Adams
still urged by duty, rode through the ranks
in search of him. At length, he deserted
him handing despatch to Campbell, which
his ubiquitous corps had just intercepted
on its way from Ferguson to Corvallis
1t was read aloud at the head of the line
He said: Il hold a position on the King''
.Nountaiu, and all the rebels out of h-A
cannot drire me from it,
There was no hoastful shout of scorn a
mong that determined little band, but 6
grim smile, as each muscular hand graspec
the rife or the sword in tightening clasp
and with their chivalric leaders at theil
head, answering 20 their cry Of forward !
they struck into gallop. Riding up tc
Bowen, as he took his position in his troop
Mr. Adams said,
You are surprised to see me here, El
lick, but I have had much to perve my arm
since last saw you
Il have heard of it, Mr.. Adams, replied
Bowen, not comprehending the full impor
Of his words, 'and I sympathise with you
deeply in your loss, but he continued with
an eager look, I'VE are to settle such mat
tiers to-day
Mr. Adams could not find it in bis heart
to damp, by news of such sorrow, the i'm
petuosity and ardor of the young trooper
For some time he rode by his side in 81
lence, and listened to the eager hopes Of
the patriot, or watched with a sickening
heart, the excited flush on his manly cheek
and the sparkling of his dark eyes A,
length with manner Of careless security,
Bowen turned toward him, and asked in a
low tone, with a smile trembling on his lip,
How is Bessie"
God knows, Ellick,' replied Mr.. Adams
with cheek blanched in deep feeling
For an instant, Bowen gazed upon him,
every particle of color fading from his cheek,
then in an unnatural calmness asked:
What has befallen my Bessie .
The manner and the calm tone deceived
Mr.. Adams, and he replied
The worst you can imagine
The hitherto pale face of Bowen, flushed
to the deepest scarlet, the blood started
from the bitten lips, as with shudderiue
recoil he involuntarily reined his horse
back upon his launches, then burying his
spurs into his sides bounded madly on for q
few PAGES, as with a thckened utterance be
cried:
And that is worse than death ? Fo,
Gods sake speak and free me from this
terror or my brain will burst; and he grasp
ed the good minister's arm in a clasp tina,
left its blackened impression.
Would to God, could, Ellick, replied
the good man, frightened, as he well might
be, at the agony before him; but car
say nothing-but would to God, Bessie were
dead
There was pause, and amid the clatter
ing of the hoofs around, Mr. Adams could
distinctly hear the deep suffiocating respira
tions of his companion.
At length, with look of the most wretch.
ed despair, he turned, and in those pain
fully inarticulate tones, said:
Whcn?'
Only last night replied Mr.. Adams,
the tears spriuging to his eyes in his deeI
sympathy.
'And I so near. My little wife Oh
Bessie The strong man was melted, the
reaction saved perhaps his reason, and for
an instant, his heart was flooded witha mem.
ory of iuetfable tenderness, but ouly to be
followed by desire of unconquerable ven.
geauce.
Tell me all, he said when seeing Mr.
Adams hesitate, he continued, 'doD't be
afraid-see yonder,' and he pointed with
his cleaning sword to the heights they
were now rapidly approaching. His active
fancy and knowledge of Ferris hate, filled
up all that Mr.. Adams could not under,
stand, and the wild desire for revenge
could scarcely be restrained to discipline
necessary to his military position. Fortu
nately, in this moment of irrepressible ven
gcauce, they came upon an advanced pique,
Of the royal army. The simple and laconc
speech of COL Cleveland suited we'll the
excited spirit of Bowen, and was speech
the men could understand:
My brave fellows he said, swe have
beaten the tories already, and we can bea,
them again. They are all towards if they
we're not, they would support the indepen
deuce of their country. When engaged
with them, you will want no word of com
mand from me. | will show you how t.
fight by my example. | can do no more
Every man must be his own officer and act
from his own judgment. Fire as fast as
you can, and stand your GROUND as long as
you can. When you can do no better, run
but do not run quite off. Get behind trees