The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-04-25
THE BATTLE OF euILFoRD G. H.
by Rev. r. Il. Howison. Ii. D.

The book which has specially stimu-
lated the writing of this article isentitled
"North Carolina, 17SO-S1.' Its author
is Hon. David Schenck, Ill. d., "A lawyer
and, for some time, n Judge residing III
Greensborough. 1t il n work not often
found in Virginia. Having heard some
thing of its leading character and pur-
pose. sought and found n copy in the
state Library in Richmond. But could
not then examine it with the care and
attention it deserved. And when sought
it again it could not befound, and never
has been found. Some member of the l4egis-
lature, or other privileged person, had
taken it out and never returned it
Lately n copy of this work has been
kindly entrusted 10 me by Rev Egbert
Watson Smith, pastor of the First Pres
byterian church of GrcensbOrough. IL IL
the copy presented by the author to Rev.
|. Harry Smith. d. d., November 10Th.
1880. DR.. Smith was. for more than
thirty years. the pastor of the church,
and has been succeeded 10y his son, the
present pastor. All this adds to the kind
ness involved in the trust.
The book is beautifully printed, and
was published in 1889 in Raleigh, \. e.,
by Edwards & Broughton, Publishers.
And a careful reading aud examination
have satisfied me that as n work of his
tory of the events and times Of the Reyo-
luton and of the period of l7SO-Sl in the
South. with which it deals, it is in many
respects admirable and valuable
The style of the work is always clear-
the rhetoric scholarly and attractive-the
spirit enquiring and enthusiastic. And
many OF the historical passages, such ~
the elaborate narrative Of the whole
series Of events which led TO the battle OF
Kings Mountain" and OF the facts and
sequel of that victory of patriots, are
fuller and more satisfactory than those
found in any other history of those times.
Neither can we find fault with the love OF
the "Old North State" and her people
which glows in every page OF this work.
But when we come to the narrative oi
the battle OF "Guilford Court-house,
which was fought March 18th, 1871, we
discover purpose which is rather that
of an advocate than of n true historian.
That purpose is to vindicate, if possible,
from all charges of wrong conduct and
disorderly retreat. the brigade of North
Carolina militia under the command oi
Brigadier- General Eaton, who formed n
part ofthe front line of battle established
by General Greene at Guilford Court
house. Has Judge Schenck been success
ful in this effort? We think not. 4 calm
analysis of the evidence must guide us to
the conclusion that the view of this ques-
ton established and held by history for
more than n hundred years before his
book was published, is the sound and the
true view.
Maior-General Nathaniel Greene was
commander-in-chief ofthe American army
in the South, and, in person, commanded
at Guilford Courthouse He is above all
question in honor, in PATRIOTISM
truthfulness. He wrote his oflicialreport
of the battle OF Guiliord to the. President
of Congress on the 10th of March, ISL
the day after the battle. In it he makes
this statement: "The whole (Hessianf
and Guards under Webster) moved
through the old fields to attack the North
Carolina brigades, who waited the at
tack until the enemy got within onehun
dred and forty yards, when part OF then
began to fire; but a considerablepart left
the ground without firing at all. The
General and field officers did all they could
to induce the men to stand their ground
but neither the advantages OF the posi-
ton nor any other consideration could
induce them to stay"
"Light-Horse" Henry Lee was also in
this battle with his Legion. His testi
mony il personal, and is as follows:
"Iestie instantly advanced upon thu
North Carolina militia. These troops
were most advantageously posted under
cover of rail fence, along the margin o
the woods, and Campbell's rillemen anC
the Legion Infantry connected in lint
with the North Carolina infantry, turn
ing with the fence as it approached th'
riyulet, raked by their fire the right o
the British army, entirely uncovered.
"When the enemy came within long sho
the American line, by order, began to fire
Undismayed the British continued to ad
vance; and, having reached n proper dis
tance, discharged their pieces and rent TIN
air with shouts. TO our infinite distress
and modification, the North Carolina mi
litia took to Eight, few only Of Eatonl
brigade excepted, who elung to the militii
under Campbell; which, with the Legion
manfully maintained their ground. Ever,
effort was made by the Generals Buttoi
and Eaton, assisted byCol. Davies, commits
sary-general, with many Of the officers o
every grade, to stop this unaccountabl
panic for not man OF the corps hat
been killed or even wounded Lieut.-COl
Lee Joined in the attempt to rally tn
fugitives, threatening to fall upon then
with his cavalry. All was win s.
thoroughly coniounded were these un
happy men, that throwing away arms
knapsacks, and even canteens, they rushe'
like a torrent headlong through th