The New York herald., 1876-02-28
CORNELIUS HARNLTr,
Died April 20 1881.
Aged 80 years.
Slave 20 no sect. he took no private road
But looked from Nature up to Natures God.


BY the way, the original St James church was at
Brunswick, fifteen miles below Wilmington, on the
west bank OF the Cape Fear. Brunswick settled
in 1928 1t frequently visited by piratical vessels
mostly Spanish In 1888 one of these predatory
blown up by torpedocs and the royal gov
ernment directed that the proceeds OF the sale of the
wreck should be applied toward erecting St James
church, which accordingly built in 1745 Its ruins
and the old cemetery with neglessd graves still
main Afterward this church transferred to wil-
mngton. The records OF the first yet preserved in
the archives Of its vestry.
SKETCH RATTLE
New Hanover county, in which this the most popu-
lous city of North Carolina located notable at
the outset OF the Revolution for the hot and venture
some patriotism of its people. The tory element was
indeed, not lacking in its population and loyalty to
the royal house of Hanover, in honor of which the
county received Its name intensely earnest
and. in many cases, profoundly disint err
ested and honest sentiment As early as June
1775 Its citizens joined those OF Brunswick,
Bladin Dupn and Onslow, the famous ''associatiop
for the defence of liberty, and declared themselves
''ready sacrifice their lives and fortunes secure
the freedom and safety of the country" More ex-
posed ravages OF the enemy than any Sec
ton OF North Carolina, none maintained stouter re
sstancc the tyranny of England. Upon the passage
by the British Parliament the Bost on Port Bill the
citizens OF Wilmington Originally called Newton) met
in July, IVA and declared 'the cause OF Boston the
common cause OF AmericAn few weeks thereafter
they seat by Parker Ounce shpload OF provisions
their Northern brethren. Under the intrepid lead OF
John Ashe they attacked and destroyed Fort Johnston
and forced JOSIAH Martin, the royal Governor, who
had retired thther lor safety, 10 seek refuge the
British soopotwar Cruiser Here too, lived William
Hooper, of North Cardinals sgners OF the Deca-
ration of Independence Among Other nlastrous
names which SHINE through the vista OF hundred
years are Cornelius Harnett, Thomas Brown Thomas
/ nwq Alexa nd
| Ellington. In this old historic county occurred
rHK FIRsr ARMED CONFLICT
after the military organization of the State Initiated by
the Provincial Congress, which met at HlsbOro in
August 117j, and completed by the Provincial Council
Mooros Creek on February %, 1776 The results Of
this action sgnaily important Chatting under the
indgnty OF his expulsion IRON the province eager
TO be rcinstatcd Governor Martin had found means
despite the vigilance OF the Wilmington Committee Of
Safety to communicate with the tories in the nteror
and especially TO arouse the loyal feeling OF the numer
and wariike Scotch Highlanders the Cape Fear
! region Many OF these were survivors Of the fatal
field OF Culloden, thirty years before. The Governors
emlssares had assured them that the colony would
soon be sabdued, and that Sir Henry Clinton to
South, reinforced by heavy
Lord CORVALLIS. In these intrigucs they
/ OF Macdonald, Donald Macdonald accepted a commis-
sion brigadIcr general rendered TO him by the Gov
crnor In the service OF His Majesty George Ill Tho
shr piping oil the Scottish pibroch blended with the
notes OF the English bugle On the LIST OF February
l576, General Macdonald
commanding all and loyal Highlanders to Join his
standard at Cross Creek--n0w known Fayetteville
for the purpose Of marching across the country and
encctng Junction with SIR Henry Clinton TOR the
relief and renstating OF Governor Martin. He rallied
according TO his own statement about 1900 men,
4 which run0r exaggerated TO double the number
Colonel James Moore, with the hrst provincial regi-
and the Cumberland militia took the field against
Macdonald He put his force IN position near bridge
/ on Rocky River some twelve miles from Fayetteville
and fortified IT, intending to prevent the contemplated
Junction OF with Governor Martin reinforce
mcnts Macdonald advanced tow ard Col Moores camp
and sent him copy OF the Governors proclamation
with request TO lay down his and take the oath
OF allegiance Colonel Moore declined the proposition
and cooiy invited General Macdonald TO join HIM In
the noble glorious cause the defence OF the rights
OF man. enclosing with bis reply the test oath devised
by the patriots No engagement took place al this
time beyond the mimic Of words. In the mean
time Colonel Richard Caswc, subsequently first Gov
Of North Carolina under her constitution
State, and Colonel Alexander Ellington had assembled
OF the districts Of Wilmington and Newbern and Joined
by volunteers had marched point on Mooro's
Greek, near whore II empties into South River In New
Hanover county. The forces OF Caswell and 1.ing-
ton rapidly increasing Macdonald fastened by rapid
marches To effect his desired junction with Sir Henry
Clinton, who had just arrived in the Cape Fear River
with Lord William Campbell the royal Governor Of
South Carolina and strong reinorccmcnts On the
2dth OF February, 1776, Macdonald and bis men
reached and crossed Black River and cncamped for the
night Just opposite the patriot forces, the narrow
waters OF the little stream Of MOorcs Crock alone sepa
rating the hostile armies. They could plainly the
gov OF each otners camp fires, aud
The fixed sentinels almost received
The secret whisper OF each others watch
The loyalist MacDor I'd had given orders TO attack
early next morning he had as has been stated about
], 500 men, while Caswell aud Ellington had barely
1000 wemay imagine the bold Scotchman calling