Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-04-25
UNION AND AMERICAN.
ALAMANCE.
A Detailed AeeOunt OF the First Bat
tie Of the Revolution.

~HH
The first blood shed in a conflict between
the ColonIsts and the Kings troops was at
the battle of Alamance, in North Carolina,
on the 10th of May, III. On the 24th of
April Of that wear, Governor Trvon marched
from the town Of Newbern with about
three hundred men and a small train Of ar
tillery. On the Sd and 4th of Nay he was
strengthened by d-etachments which met
him on the way, and by a troop Of light
horse, until ths force under his command
exceeded a Thousand men. On the 18th of
May he approached the camp of the Regu-
latOrs at Alamsnce Greek, in the county of
that name. The story Of that battle is
well worth repeating. When TryOn had
reached The vicinity of Alamance Creekthe
Regulators sent a message to him demand
ing a redress Of their grievances, and giving
him four hours to reply. They complained
of exOrbitant fees eXacted by officers of the
Crown, and particularly On deeds and at
testatiOns of sales Of landed property. In
til these fees were reduced, the poll tax of
two dollars abolished, and official embez-
Element prevented and punished, they de-
Clared they would pay no taxes. They in
sisted on their right TO enjoy the privileges
and liberties Of their ancestors under the
Constitution framed by them, and their de-
termination TO maintain it on its ancient
foundation, so that it might stand firm and
mistaken. He promised to send an answer
by o the following day. In the mean
while he sent out two persOns-Ashe and
Walker-to find out the position occupied
by the Regulators. They were captured
by the latter, tied to trees, severely whip
ped, and held as prisoners. Whenthe mes
senger, promised by TTyCn, reached the
camp Of the Regulators, instead Of making
any concessions to them, he demanded
their submission, and gave them n hour
TO consider. Their ansW was, $50 back
10 Billy TryOn and say We defy him."
On the return of the messengers the army
marched to within three hundred yards of
the Regulators camp, and there halted.
The Regulators advanced also, in order of
battle, to a short reach of the road, where
they halted, waving their hats as a chal-
lenge to their opponents. Gov. Tryon now
sent a magistrate and an officer with a pro-
clamatiOn commanding the insurgents to
dIsperse within one hour, but they refused
to listen to him, crying out, "Battle, bat
tle,' On the return Of the magistrate, the
Governor, understanding that the Regula-
tors proposed 10 put Ashe and Walker in
front Of their lines, sent a message hat as
he should keep the prisoners he had taken
in a place Of safety, he hoped the same care
would be taken Of those gentlemen. To
this they returned no direct answer, but Of
fered to surrender the two prisoners if the
Governor would surrender those he had
taken, seven in number. The proposition
of so unequal an exchange, imply
ing a concession on the part Of the
Governor, was at first rejected; bat
afterwaru, at the solicitation of his men,
who were a~pprehensive of the treatment
these two persons MIGHT receive, he agreed
to the exchange. The enemy being taTdy
in their compliance, and the army com
planning of the extreme heat Of the sun and
manifesting great Impotence TO advance, II
was thought advisable to lead them on.
They marched in profound silence till the
lines Of both parties met, almost breast TO
breast. The Governor forbade his men TO
fire until he ordered them. The troops in
the first rank were almost mixed with those
of the vanguard Of the enemy stationed a
little before the main body, and who now
began to retire upon It, shouting defiance
and daring their opponents to advance.
The army kept on till within twenty-five
yards OF them, and then halted. The
Regulators continued 10 call Onthe Govern
orr 10 order his men to fire; several Of them
ad~vancingtOward the artillery, O~peningtheir
breasts and defying them to begin. As
TH0l still hesitated, they fell back slowly
TO a fine defensive position, leaving the
Governor and his troops open TO their fire,
whilst most Of them were secure from his.
Another parley ensued. An adjutant was
sent forward to say that if they did not d.
reCtly lay down their arms they should be
fired on. That order the Governor then
gave, but it was not Immediately Obeyed;
~Whereupon, rising in his stirrups and turn
ing To his men, he called out, "Fire on
them, or on me-" The action now began,
and almost instantly became general.
The insurgents, pursuing the Indian
mode Of fighting, did considerable injury
TO the Kings troops, who would have been
defeated, but fer the excellent service done
by the artillery, Which the Regulators, be-
ing poorly armed, were unable to capture.
Nevertheless, with the odds against them,
they fought desperately for more than an
hour, and did not take to flight until all
their ammunition was expended.
II is our duty to do horror 10 these men.
DisdaiBing to live under a ~tyrannical gov
eminent, many Of those who survived the
battle of Alamance crossed the mountains
into Tennessee, opened new settlements
there, and on the 4th Of October, 1I1O,
formed part Of the gallant band that
fought the memorable battle of Kings
Mountain.