The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-14

each fired thirteen times.
At Alexandra. in the latter part OF
May, the march of Nash's bris1de had
been delayed to noculate the troops
against smallpox.
Early in July. the North Carolinians. TO-
gether with the other troops around Phlla-
delphia, were detailed to complete the
Notifications on the Delaware river.
On the 18th of August, HI, while the
Continental forces were in camp at Tren-
ton, we find Colonel Buncombe and the
other field Officers of Nash's brigade UNI
iting in a protest against pennsylvania
Colonel Edward Hand, being made brig
general to command North Carolina
troops, vice General James Moore, who
had recently died. While not question
ing Colonel Hands merit, they declare
that the appointment of any outsider
would be reflection on North Carolina
ami stab at military honor throughout
the continent in general" The memoriaf
also contained some rather unpleasant
references to Thomas Burke (then dele
gate from North Carolina in the Contl-
mental Congress- and charged with with
neglecting the interests OF the state ne
represented to advance one CT hiG own
countrymen-he and Hand both being ma
tives of Ireland. Burke was so cnraged
thereby that he declared referring to the
signers of the protest: Their behaviour
in this instance has determined me TO
forego all particular attention tG them.
hope they will so distinguish themselves
that their merit alone will be sufficient
for .Gler promotion, without standing III
need of any assistance which | eoclc
give Whether Doctor Burke did forego
all particular attention TO the North Car
olinians does not appear, but he certainly
succeeded in his efforts to secure the
promotion of Hand, who, It is pleasure
to add. rendered long and honorable SER
vice during the war, and held major
generals commission in the regular army
after the return of peace.
On the nth day of September, 1777. was
fought the battle of Brandywine, and here
Colonel Buncombe's regiment was active
" engaged. In this conflict, the North
Carolina brigade and Greene's division
were ranged in the centre OF the Ameri-
can Army. Being ordered to support the
right wing tthen sorely preSseD, their
absence left the troops under General
Wayne TO cope alone with vastly SUI
perior force of the enemy. After brave
ard bloody resistance. Wayne was forced
to retire. anil the day was lest.
After his reverses at Brandywine. the
ver-despairing Washington drew to-
go+ter his forces and prepared again to
attack He was. in truth, a leader whom
no disaster could anrall
The next scene of action was at Ger
mantown, Pennsylvania. fhis fight CT
Cured on the 4th of October, and was des-
tined to be Colonel Buncombe's last bat
tie for there he received the wound which
ultimately caused his death while a pris-
oner in the hands Of the British. The
brigade of North Carolinians was selected
bv the COMMUNICATIVE chief to act as a
part of the reserve corps at Germantown,
but it may be questioned if it would have
suffered more terribly if placed in the
van. The brave General Nash with his
thigh shattered by solid shot and
fainting from the loss of blood, was borne
to nearby house and fingered only
three days. Lieutenant Colonel Henry
Irwin Of Buncombe's regiment 1.-THE Fifth,
Captain Jacob Turner of the Third ami
Lieutenant John Mccain of the Sixth
North Carolina, lay dead on the field.
Major William Polk of The Ninth, receiv-
ed a shot in the face, which, for time,
deprived him OF the power of speech.
Captain John Armstrong of the Second
Lieutenant Joshua IIadley OF the Sixth,
and Ensign John Dawes of The Second,
were also among the wounded, as were
doubtless many others, of whom. unfor-
tunately we have now no record.
knd the prvates. How many Of those
forgotten heroes shed their blood and
gave UP their lives, as freely as did the
officers, will never be known. May their
devotion be rewarded III a better world.
When struck down on the field of Ger
mantown. Colonel Buncombe was left for
dead by the retreating Americans and lay
wnere he fell until the next day, when
British officer recognized him as an old
sohool-mate and had HIM removed to Phil
adelphia. There he was paroled within
the city limits. His wound at first yield
ed to treatment, and it was thought he
would recover. But as life dragged on,
he realized that the weakened state or
his constitution could not longer with
stand continued privation. Being in great
financial straits, and his physical condi-
ton growing worse day by day, he at
last applied to Sir William Howe, the
British commandant of Philadelphia, for
leave TO go as paroled prisoner either
to England or to North Carolina: but.
if this request was ever granted, he did
not avail himself of the privilege. Fear
ing that the motives which prompted his
application had been misconstrued, he
addressed to General Washington let-
ter the original of which is now in pos
session of the Goelet family, Washington
having returned it to one of that connec-
ton. after the Revolution, as memorial
of its brave author.
The unfortunate captive, by whom this
letter was written, never lived to enjoy
the freedom he so much loved. He was.
at times, addicted to somambulism; and
about the middle of May, ITS, while walk
ing in his sleep, fell down fight OF
stairs. This accident caused his wound
to open afresh; and, before assistance
could avail, he bled to death.
Thus passed the spirit Edward Bun
combe, soldier and gentleman
Ethan whom, knight
Was never dubbed, more bold in fight;
Nor, when from war and armor free,
More famed for stately courtesy
And when they buried him, an entry
was made on the parish register of Christ
church, Philadelphia, noting the inter-
ment of Cornelius Buncombe: while many
North Carolina historians, in later years
have given his first name as Richard! This