The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-06-20
THE BATTLE OF MO0RE'S CREEK
BY ELISE GREGORY

lHt bAiIlt Uf MUURt'S CRttk.
BY ELISE GREGORY.
(Paper read at the closing exercises OF
Henderson Graded School May II, 19Ol.)
There is no State in the Union
whose early history is marked by
purer patriotism, more unsullied
devotion to liberty, or more indomit-
able opposition to every form of
tyranny than North Carolina
Yet how little of that early history
has been given to the world!
While Virginia, on one side, has
had the labors Of her jefferson. whose
intellect shed lustre on every sub
ject it touched; and a Marshall, who
was as illustrious as Chief Justice Of
the highest judicial tribunal of our
land as his character was pure in all
the relations of life; and the classic
genius of her Writ, Stith, Campbell,
Howe, and many others devoted to
her history, and to the biography Of
her distinguished sons. While South
Carolina, on the other, has employed
the ''philosophic pen" Of her Ramsay,
Drayton, Simms, and others; North
Carolina, earlier colonized in point of
history, full oil glorious examples of
patriotism and chivalric daring, has
been neglected by her own sons and
others.
Among the glorious specimens of
patriotism manifested in our dear old
State was the struggle at the bridge
of Moore's Greek, in New Hanover
county. near where it joins South
River. Our fearless patriots, under
the command of Caswell and Lilling-
ton, had met and entrenched them
selves on the East, or farther, side of
the Creek, which, though narrow,
was deep and muddy. With keen in
sight they removed the planks from
the rude bridge and creased the sleep
ers-round, smooth pine logs from
which the bark had peeled-with tai
low and soft soap to make them still
more slippery. They numbered
about eleven hundred and were full of
enthusiasm. Those from Craven
wore silver crescents in their hats
with Liberty or Death inscribed on
them, and their determination was to
rid themselves of the harsh hands of
England or to die The enemy, COM
manded by General Mcdonald, had
crossed South River on the banks of
which Caswell and Ellington were
encamped, and here they also en-
camped for the night, determined to
attack the patriots on the morrow.
This night the small stream Of
South River only separated the belIig-
erent camps, the watch fires OF both
were plainly visible to each other.
Like on the famed and bloody field of
Agincourt,
"From camp to camp, through the foul
womb Of night,
The hum of either army Silly sounds,
That the fixed sentinels almost receive
The secret whispers of each others watch.
Fire answers fire
Give dreadful note of PREPARATION
BY the dawn Of day, February 27th,
1875, the royal forces were in motion,
the shrill notes of their pilroch were
heard summoning their belted chiefs
with their clans to battle. Our troops
were ready to receive them and an
active and brisk fire. commenced on
both sides of the stream, which for a
moment was severe and fatal, when
the Scottish leader, Colonel Mcleod,
in attempting a gallant charge across
the bridge, was killed. His troops
were confused by the loss of their
leader, and the unexpected absence of
the planks on the bridge. Availing
themselves of these advantages, our
troops charged in turn with great
animation across the stream and en-
gagged the whole force of the enemy
After a gallant resistance the royal
troops were routed and their general,
Mcdonald, taken prisoner.
1t was an overwhelming victory
and most important in it's effects.
Had it not been for this defeat of the
Tories, they would have effected q
union with Clinton and his troops
from abroad, and then the whole
country would have been at their
mercy.
There was only one of our men
killed in this battle. His name was
Grady, from Duplin county. When
he was buried the captain Of his com
pany, James Love, took off his own
sword, wrapped silk handkerchief
round it, and laid it on his dead
friends breast. His is among the toe
many unknown or unmarked graves
| of cur lost heroes.
This defeat of the Tories placed
North Carolina in her proper place
among the foremost on the side OF
liberty; it inspired her patriots with
fresh confidence; it taught the Tories
lesson; and, above all. it saved the
! State from a threatened invasion by
Lord CORVALLIS.
The dav after the battle Colonel
Caswell sent his report Of it to the
/ State council. The ardor excited by
such glorious news was so great that
in less than fortnight full ten
! thousand men were in arms and en-
rolled. ready to march to Wilmington
Tallust informs us that Scipio and
Maximus, when beholding the statue.
of their illustrious countrymen, be-
came violently agitated. 1T could
not" he says, "be the inanimate
marble which possessed this mighty
noble actions which kindled this
generous flame in their bosoms. only
to bs quenched when they, too, by
their achievements and merits, had
acquired equal reputation"
And so, by the light of our fore
fathers, let every gallant youth with
ardor move to do brave deeds and
follow in their patriotic footsteps.
You may as well expect to run a steam
engine without water as TO find an active
enerpetic man with a tornid liver and yo.