The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-14
COLONEL BUMCOMBE.
IN The REVOLT lion
CONTINUED from Page Nins.)

truly puDllc spirit uiSplayeu ny Him
in the prosecution of this work. Nv did
not, however, personally participate in
the Alamance campaign, as the regiments
Of his section of the colony We're not
called into active service.
In religion, Colonel Buncombe was a
member of the Church of England, and.
when he left the West Indies, a chaplain
is said to have accompanied his house
hold to North Carolina.
In the several years preceding the out
break of the Revolution, the natriots of
North Carolina were boldly preparing for
any emergency which might arise. As
early as April 26, 1774, William Hooper
had asserted in letter addressed to
Judge Iredell, that the colonies were
"striding fast to independence, and ere
long would build an empire upon the
ruins of Great Britain; would adopt it's
constitution purged of its impurities, and
from an experience Of it's defects guard
against those evils which had wasted it's
vigor and brought it TO an untimely end"
These were troublous times times call
ing for men of high purpose and courage
GUS bearing, who. in the face Of King,
Parliament and Royal Governor would
boldly contend for the rights which were
land. Nor was courage alone sufficient
to cope with King Georges representa-
tives in Carolina Political dexterity play
ed no small part in the controversies of
that day. Some years prior to the time
OF which we treat, when the British Far
lament passed the Stamp Act, more re-
sistance, and armed resistance, too was
encountered in North Carolina than any
where else But no resistance came from
the Assembly for Governor Tryon pro-
rogued that body to prevent official ac-
ton This propagation also prevented the
assembly from later electng delegates to
what is known as the Stamp Act Congress.
Tryons ,trickery worked so well that his
successor. Governor Josiah Martin, de-
cided to play similar game in IVA.
controversy arising over the laws es-
tablishing courts in the colony, and the
Kings instructions being at variance with
the ideas of the Assembly, that body re-
fused to YIELD and Governor Martin
thereupon put a stop to proceedings by
proroguing it. He also determined not
to re- convene it until the members were
more inclined to obey the royal will. This
latter purpose being divuged by the gov
ernor's private secretary to John Har-
vey, that bold statesman determined that
ali independent assembly, or convention,
should be called He left Newbern, the
seat of government. and on the third of
April, discussed the matter with Willie
Jones. The night following found htm at
Buncombe Hall. in the county of Iyrrell
At this place Mr.. Harvey confideG his
nlan to Samuel Johnston and Colonel
Buncombe. These notables We're Impress
cd with the gravity of the situation, ard
the night was far spent ere their con-
sultaton came to an end. Referring to
this conference. in his History OF Norm
Carolina. Moore says: "Buncombe was I'M
pulsive and impressionable, but Johnston
WIS the embodiment of caution and de.
liberation. He was full of determination
to resist Lord North's measures, but he
feared the effects of too much popular
power These eminent men, with Hooper,
John Ashe. Caswell, Person, and others,
at once acceded to Harvey's proposition,
and the ball of the Revolution was put in
motlen."
Despite Governor Martins frantic pro-
clamation forbidding its meeting, the in
dependent convention gathered in New
bern on the 25th of August, 1874. No as
selnbly of its kind had ever before con-
yened IN America. II was followed by
others of like character. Delegates &c
the Continental Congress We're elected
The breach with Great Britain became
WIDER anc finally, as last resort, indie
pen1enoe was declared. And it may be
Well just here to observe that North
Carolina was the very first colony to au-
thorze national declaration of inde-
pendence, when in the Provincial Or Stata
Congress. at Halifax on April Il, 1,,G,
Cornelius Harnett submitted committees
report (which was unanimously adopted,
setting forth a resolution: that the lele-
gates for this colony in the Continental
Congress be Empowered TO concur with the
delegates of the other colonies in declar
ing INDEPENDENCE" This was more than
month before the passage of the famous
Virginia resolutions; and even those who
que stion the genuineness of the Mecken-
burg Declaration of Independence have
never attempted to disprove the anthem
ITCHY of this resolution adopted by the
Provincial Congress at Halifax. So North
Carolina will ever claim the proud dis
tinctlon OF having been first TO move
Tor Independence, as she was also first
TO ole. resistance to the Stamp Act. The
preamble to the above resolve in favor
Of independence is a mastery vindca-
mss, and should be read of all men,
AS well may be supposed, a man Of
Colonel Buncombe's spirit and patriotism
was not the person to hold hack from par
ticipation In a war, however perilous,
which he himself had been instrumental
in bringing about. On September 9, Ul5,
he was elected Colonel OF the militia
forces of Tyrrell county by the Provincial
Congress of North Carolina then in ses-
sion at Halifax. He fulfilled the duties
of this position for about seven months,
and, On the 18th of April 1776, was trans
ferred to the regular service, being made
Colonel of the Fifth Regiment of North
Carolina troops in the Continental Line.
During the period intervening between
its organization and the time when or
dered to the field, the Fifth Regiment was
maintained at his private expense. On
May T. 1T76, the appointment of Colonel
Buncombe was confirmed by the CONT
mental Congress. and his regiment was as
signed to General Francis Nashs brig
ade. This brigade was made up at VIII
mington North Carolina, in the summer
of 1776. and remained n that vicinity till
November of the same year. Having been
ordered to join Washngtons army, then
operating in tie north, General Nash and
his troops set out from Wilmington about
tho 18th Of November and on reaching