The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-07-10
From the Lancaster rs. c. Ledger.
BUFORD'S DEFEAT.

! OUR last issue contained interesting account
or the proceedings of the meeting held on Satur-
turday, I'd instant; the purpose OF said meeting be-
ing the rearing ofa monument over the graves of
those who fell in the of freedom at Ruford s
battle ground nine miles east of this place Some
thing was said in that report of meeting held at
this place several years ago, looking to the very
object that was contemplated few days since. The
proceedings of that meeting were published in the
Camden Journal of June 18th. 1915. and copy of
! that issue is before US. That such demon
stralon made here at that time, is doubtless as
new to many of our readers it is to ourself, and
we re-publish the following report of Committee
that had been appointed collect facts relative to
the battle It. gives clearer and more detailed
history of the massacre than is to be found in any
of our books of history The Committee, through
their Chairman, James H. Witherspoon, submit
ted the following report:
The facts in relation to the battle which took
place in this District at the spot known 'Bu-
ford's battle ground, as far as can be ascerained
from history and tradition are as follows: Col.
Abraham Buford commanded regiment OF infan-
try and one company of artillery, of between
three and four hundred men, who had marched
from Pittsylvana and the other adjoining coun-
ties in Virginia the North Carolina line, to the
relief of Charleston, South Carolina. This regi-
ment must have left their homes early in the
spring Of 1870 and proceeded far as the Santee
before they heard Of the surrender of Charleston
by Gen. Lincoln, the American commander to Sir
Henry Clinton who commanded the British At
the Santee, hearing of the fall Of Charleston, and
that further march unnecs sary and entirely
too hazardous, they returned to Camden. During
this time Col Butord, according to some histo-
rians was accompanied by Gen. Caswell Of North
Carolina, who also marching to the relief of
Charleston and who commanded about 10 militia
and contnentals. According to others, Gen Cas-
well joined Col Butord in his return to Camden.
At Camden, Gen. Caswcll filed off to the Pee Dee
country. Bufords regiment was then placed un-
der the command of Gen. Huger as an escort to
Gov. Rutedge; there his regiment detained
for few days with apparent security, not fearing
or suspecting the approach of the enemy, and from
which they Were aroused by the warming of gen
tleman professedly opposed to the Americ N cause.
After this, Cen Huger gave up the command to
Buford, who took the road to Charlotte, n. T.,
Lord CORVALLIS, at that time, was at Nelson's Ferry.
and hearing Of the approach of Buford and Gas
well, despatched the bloOdthirsty Col. Tarleton,
with about 800 cavalry and infantry in pursuit,
each trooper having trooper man behind him.
After rapid forced march of over LOO miles in
81 hours, Iareton came up with Buford on the
29th May, 1880, when the battle, which ended in
most brutal aud bloody massacre, took place.
Tarleton sent flag and summoned them to surren-
der. Butord submitted the summons to a council
of his officers with three propositions. lst, Shall
comply with Tarletons summons? I'd, Shall
we abandon the baggage and by rapid movement
save ourselves? Sd, Shall tortty ourselves
by the wagons and wait bis approach? These
each rejected, and the conclusion was, that they
would continue the march in the best order to
ceive the enemy. This conclusion, no doubt, was
the more readily agreed upon, as they had no GER
tanty of Tarleton attack, of his number, and
irbf ha fax o1a Tba
was continued by Col Butord, with the baggage
wagons and the company Of artillery commanded
BY Capt Carter, in front. 1t is believed that this
company seven miles ahead at the time of the
attack At the sound of Tarletons buge, the first
ntimation of the attack, Buford prepared for bat
tie, but unfortunately it was in open woods, which
highly favored the movements of the cavalry.
Tarleton advanced with the infantry in the centre
and the cavalry on the wings The rear guard of
Buford commanded by Lieut.. Pearson, cut to
pieces, the Lieutenant himself was shot down
had his nose and lip cut off and his teeth knocked
out; notwithstanding he survived by being fed
with milk through quill for weeks. The main
body received Tarlcton with frmness, and was
about beating his infantry back, when they dis
covered his cavalry coming round in the rear.
Then Buford ordered flag to be hoisted and to
ground arms. Ensign Cruit who bore the flag of
truce, was cut down by Tarleton History is ST.
lent TO what became of Buford, but tradition
says he fed Tarleton, totally regardless of the
rules of civilized warfare, began indisernnate
massacre and torture, which continued as long as
life was supposed to exist. Capt. Stokes received
twenty three wounds; he was attacked by two
dragons. one Of whom cut off his, ri ght hand,
which was extended to ward off the blow aimed at
his head--the other cut off the forcfneer of the
left hand-he was then cut down by blow on his
head, and after he fell, he transfxed four
times with the bayonet; yet strange to relate, he
survived and was afterwards promoted to a seat on
the Bench. (1he county of Stokes, in North |
Carolina was called after his name) Others of
the wounded were pitched about with their bayo-
nets and tortured to death-even the dead were
not spared.
The loss of the Americans was 113 killed, and
l5l so badly wounded to be left on the ground, |
being between two-thirds and three-fourths of the
whole Of their force. Tareton himself reports 1t at
two-thirds of the whole American force Capt /
Carter, who commanded the artillery company,
was bef,re the attack in front and led the van
lie continued his march and did not stop for the
engagement, nor did be take any part in the ac-
ton "His conduct" says DR.. Brownheld, ''was
regarded as suspicious, and more particularly so,
as his whole company was paroled by Tarleton af-
ter the battle without injury" According to tradi-
ton in that neighborhood Carter was at Silver Rum
seven miles ahead. If he was sent on in advance
by Buford it was then Buford's and not Car
ter's fault Except this company, the few sur
vivors whose names are known. were Captains
Stokes Lawson and Hoard, Lieuteuants Pearson |