The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-19
SOME NEGLECTED. HISTORY OF

ny w lllldUl
Edward Fitch, NJ. D., including the
Battle OF .Alamance, the First Battle
of the American Revolution, Svo.
DID. sos: illustrated; price 50. Pub
lishers The Neale Publishing Com
pany, Fifth avenue and Twenty
third street, New York.
This book will have wide reading
everywhere among students of early
history, particularly in North Caro-
lima It's author is an eminent physi-
elan in Georgia, who has given much
time TO historical research and writ
ten several books of historical value.
Here is the dedication:
Dedicated
to
Hon. Joseph NJ. Morehead
In acknowledgement of his cOnSum-
mate wisdom as q statesman, his
Salor as a soldier, his incorruptible
integrity, and his researches in the
history and causes of the Revolu-
ton of the Regulators, unsurpassed
by any writer; and
To
General Julian Shakespeare Carr
Because of his love for the old North
State his veneration for her heroes
who bled at Alamance. his success
as y model man. his philanthropy
and loftiness OF character
The Savannah Morning News con-
tains an elaborate and excellent re-
view of this work which should ma
n place in every school and intelligent
nome In North Carolina and we
therefore give place to is here:
DIR. Fitch has wisely called his DOCK
Some Neglected History Of North
Carolina and one cannot READ II
without seeing the wisdom OF the
title The work contains numerous
n, Or-tx
cial and colonial history of North
Carolina hitherto unrecorded, and one
will be surprised at many of the re-
markablc historic events which the
author depicts and substantiates by
authorities.
THE author points out the rebellion
of the colonists to the Stamp Act
in 1895, when the people forcibly ex-
pressed their righteous indignation
by making Gov. Tryon, the Kings
commander-in-chie prisoner In his
own palace capturing the appointed
stamp agent of the colony. and fore
ing his resignation, taking prisoners
the commanders of king Georges
armed vessels, which mad aboard the
stamped paper for the colony, and
forbidding them to land single piece
of the Kings stamped paper within
the borders of the province. He says:
Eight years after this the Boston
tea party took place, which has been
heraidcd by historians as great.
daring deed, while the former. of
much greater import, goes unmen-
toned"
1.-The author next calls attention to
the tyrannical Gov. TIyon and records
instances of the most outrageous OPP
preston and extortion at the hands
of all public officers from the Cover
nor down to sheriffs. He says when
these expressions could be no longer
endured the people, with a spirit of
successful resistance. took up arms
against the officers Of the crown, and
the War OF the Regulators began
at the Battle of Alamance, fought
Nav t6, I'LL. The author says: The
struggle for American liberty and in
dependence. which began at the Bat
tie of Alamance,' was momentous
event in the great drama of
the signing of the Mecklcnburg Decla-
ration Of Independence According
10 the author, the Battle of Alamance'
was the first battle of the American
Revolution. and there was kindled the
flame. though small in the beginning,
yet Vesuvius-like. spread with the
rapidity of a wild forest fire. until
the oppressed of the thirteen colonies
We're aflame with a determination to
throw off forever the yoke of British
oppression. The author quotes from
Gov. Tryon'S books and papers of his
campaign against the Regulators,
showing how we'll he was prepared for
battle, a well ofticered army, includ-
ing artillery and cavalry, numbering
more than 1,200 men, drilled and
trained for war. The Regulators are
described as unused to military tao
tics, not Differed, without general
TO lead them.
THE battle is described In detail.
The loss killed and wounded of the
Kings soldiers was about seventy men,
and the Regulators less, the Cover
nor's army was victorious. The au-
thor compares the Battle of Ala
nance to the Battle of Lexington.
fought April 10. 1775. giving the loss
OH both sidcs---tilc American d loss
Of seven men, and the British three
men, proving that the Battle of Ala
NANCE so far as the two are con-
ccrned, was greater conflict, with
greater fatality to both sides and of
longer duration. He quotes Ban
croft as saying that the Battle of Ala
nance was the first battle OF the
American revolution.
After the battle. the author fol-
lows the victorious Gen. Tryon
through the western counties and
records his devastation to property,
MS forcing the people to subscribe
TO his new coined oath of allegiance |
TO the King. and the manner in which
lie dragged in chains the prisoners
captured OF the battle, and their trial
and execution at Hillsborough on June
10. 1771.
The work is intcrspersed with his
toric events prior to and after the
battle, many Of which are interest
ing to the student Of history. The
organization of the Regulators. their
meetings and petitions are recorded,
their attitude towards the Governor
is clearly set forth in a petition of
over five hundred signers. A few
incidents of extortion at tho hands
OF sheriffs and county officers are
mentioncd: one instance whore the
sheriff sells u homespuu dress from
of d woman's back to pay her hus-
bands taxes: another where the coun-
~ clerks charged as high as three
aud five pounds sterling for maria ge
license, which the people could not
afford, aud took each other for bet
ter or worsa' without law or license.
THE work contains short biogra-
prical sketches of some of the priuci-
nal -h,a tn, 4I,f