The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-03-29
From the Petersburg Register.
AN OLD REVOLUTIONARY REMINIs-
CENCE.

n
Campaign in the Southern Department. of the
United States has, of course, brought to mind
much that we have read and heard of the famous
Torleton, whose very name was so terrific, that
our grandmothers of Revolutionary times failing
BY other means to reduce to obedience their re-
| fractory eIitte ones," would awe them to good be-
havior by telling them that s:Tareton will get you
| if you don't behave yourselves" There is an an
ecdote concerning Tarleton's indomitable will that
we published in the petersburg Intelligencer," "
| in June, 1S43, and which copied into "Par-
toms Life of Andrew Jackson" with commenda-
ton of the graphic manner in which it was nara
ted. This anecdote was communicated to the
"Inteligencer' by John Cameron, Esq, then of
the town of Hillsborough, and now resident of
Halifax county, N. G. Mr.. Cameron derived the
! account from survivor of the revolution, and
unvarnished tale" that he got from the old man,
and at our request communicated it to the 'Intel-
ligencer.' 1t is as follows:
GAS soon," wrote the old tory messenger, "as
came 10 view of the British lines, | fastened to
deliver myself up to the nearest patrol, informing
him that 1 was the bearer OF important dispatches
from Lord CORVALLIS to Colonel Tareton The
guard was Immediately called out, the commander
of which, taking me In charge, carried me at once
to Tarleton's marque A servant informed him of
my arrival, and returned Immediately with the
answer that his master would see me after awhile,
and that in the meantime, was to await his plea
sure where | then was. The servant was grave
and sedate looking Englishman, between fifty and
sixty years of age, and informed me that he had
known Colonel Tarleton from his earliest youth,
having lived for many years in the family of his
father, worthy clergyman, at whose particular
request he bad followed the colonel to this coun-
try with the view that, if ovcrtaken by disease and
suffering in his headlong career, he might have
some one him who had known him ere the
pranksome mischief of the boy had hardened into
the sterner vices Of the man. He was always
wild blade, friend, said the old man, 'and many
heart-ache has he given us ALL but he'll mend in
time, hope just then my attention was at
tracted by the violent plungings of horse which
two stout grooms, one on each side, were endeav-
oring to lead toward the spot where We were
standing. He was large and powerful BRUTE
beautifully formed, and black as crow, with an
eye that actually seemed to blaze with rage at the
restraint put upon him. His progress was one
continued bound, at times swinging the grooms
clear from the earth as lightly as though they
were but tassels hung on his huge Spanish Bit, so
that with difficulty they escaped being tramped
uLder foot. | asked the meaning of the scene,
and was informed that the horse was one that Tar
Teton had heard of as being magnificent animal,
but one altogether unmanageable; and SO delighted
vas he with the description that he sent all the
way down into Moore county, where his owner re-
sided and purchased him at the extravagant
price of one hundred guineas and that moreover,
he about to ride him that morning. Ride
him. said l why, one had as well try to back
streak of lightning The mad brute will certain
ly be the death of him. Never fear for him. said
my companion, never fear him His time has
not come yet. BY this time the horse had been
brought up to where We were; the curtain of the
marque pushed aside, and my attention was
drawn from the savage stud to rvet itself upon
his dauntless rider. And picture of a man he
was! Rather below the middle height and with
a face almost femininely beautiful. Tarleton pos
sessed a form that was perfect model of manly
strength and vigor. Without particle of super
fuous flesh, his rounded limbs and full broad
chest seemed nodded from iron, yet, at the same
time, displaying all the elasticity which usually
accompanies elegance of proportion. His dress,
strange as it may appear, jacket and breech-
es of white linen fitted to his form with the utmost
exactness. Boots of russet leather were half way
up the leg, the broad tops of which were turned
down, the heels garnished with spurs of an i'm
mense size and length of rowel. On his head was
a low-crowned hat, curiously formed from the
snow white feathers Of the swan, and in his hand
ne carried heavy scourge with shot we'll twist |
ed into its knotted lash After looking around |
for moment or two, as though to command the !
horse and, disdahng the use of the stirrup, with |
one bound threw himself into the saddle, at the
same time calling on the grooms to let him GO |
For an instant the animal seemed lyzed; then
With perfect yell of rage bounded into the air
ike stricken deer.
The struggle for mastery had commenced
oound succeeded bound with the rapidity OF
hought, every device which its animal instinct
could teach was resorted to by the maddened brute
o shake OFT its unwelcome burden-but in vain.
It's ruthless rider proved irresistible, and clinging
Ike fate ITSELF piled the scourge and rowel like
lend The punishment was too severe to be long
Ethstood, and at length, after succession of fran
lc efforts, the tortured animal, with scream OF
gony leaped forth upon the plain, and few across
with the speed of an arrow. The ground upon
7hich larleton had pitched his camp was an al
most perfectly level plain, something than half
nile IN circumference Around this, after getting him
underway he continued urge his furious seed, amid
he raptures and shouts of the amiring soldery, ply
hs 'he WHIP and spur at every leap, until wea-ed ana
'orn ooWn with its prodgous efforts, the tired crea-
uEe uiscontnued all exeron, save that to whlcn IL
Tss urged by its merciless rider.
"At length, exhausted from the conflict, Tarieton
rev up before his tent, and threw himself from the
addle. Inc morse was completely subdued, ana at
he word of command followed him around like dog.
he victory was complete. His eye of fire dim and
lstreess crops of agony fell from his dropping trout
,ne from his laborng and mangled sides the mingled
loos and foam poured in thick clotted stream Tar
eton himself was pale death, and as he was
atished of his success retired and threw himself on
is couch. In short time was called nto his pre-
ence, and delivered my dispatches" II