The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-06-07

Nv
Before leaving the seat OF govern
ment. Governor Tryon sent an ex'
press to Charleston, S. G. requesting
| three wagon loads Of munitions o.
war, powder, f1ints, blankets and otnei
material for the quartermasters De
partment. He also ordered a detach-
ment of 25O men. commanded by ms
most trustworthy colonel, to marcn
to the westward, collect forces from
the western counties and rendezvous
between Salisbury and Charlotte. there
to await the convoy from CnarieS-
ton with the supplies for his army
| When the convoy was ncamped tins
Regulators captured and destroyed the
entire outfit. (Hunter's sketch OF
Western n. c. pages 1852 and Some
Neglected History Of n. 60
The Colonel in command or 1ryon 5
western detachment soon received in
t%elligence of the by the
Regulators of the Kings wagon train
containing the munitions OF war Tor
Tryon's army. He at once decided TO
rejoin Tryon's army and sent a cou-
rier with Information of the capture,
and took up a line Of march in the d.
rection Of Hnlsboro; but had advanced
only a short distance when he Was
surrounded by Regulators and most or
his command captured. whereupon he
again dispatched couriers to Tryon in
- l. AAfAA W LIZ HoA
Tryon, who was already alarmed from
reports that the Regulators were con-
centrating their forces on the banks
of the Aiamance on the Salisbury
road, Immediately raised camp and
begun marching toward the enemy
On May 14th Tryon's Who'll army
crossed over and encamped on the
west bank of the great Alamance-
there to await the arrival Of his west
ern detachment He had q we'll Off
cered army with which to attack the
Regulators, who were not organized
for warfare. They had 10 military
organization, no commander-in-ch
no officers. cavalry nor artillery. They
were familiar with the rife and were
men of undaunted courage, besides
hey had none of the qualifications OF
soldiers. The Regulators, numbering
about 1000 men, only half of whom
bore arms, were encamped on he
Salisbury road, five miles from the
British camp and near where the bat
tie was fought
On Thursday morning. May 18th,
III, Tryon'S army flying the British
flag, as per orders issued the even
ing befOre-waS marching at day.
break, but without the beat Of drums,
hoping to creep upon the Regulators
The Governor mounted
upon a handsome white charger, led
his army which marched in military
order, when nearing the Regulators
who were alert and watching for the
enemy. he halted II sent his aide
de-camp with a proclamation issued
the evening MISUNDERSTANDING the
Regulators outlaws, and demanding
that they lay down their arms, sur
render themselves and thIer leaders to
the leniency OF the government. (col-
and Rec. of n. c.. vol. 3, page $40
The Governors aide WSl told Go
and tell Billy Tryon that we will fight
for our principles" The opposing
forces were now marching towards
each other, and as Robert Thompson,
an unarmed non-combatant. who had
been to plead with Tryon for the
Regulators started to return-thea aide
delivered the message from the Regu-
lators. which irritated the Governor.
In an unguarded moment he snatched
a rifle from a private and with his
own hand shot and killed Thorn pson.
He instantly perceived his folly and
returned his aide with a white flag,
the bearer had proceeded only a few
steps when the Regulators began fir
ing with deadly aim, the flag fell, but
whether the aide was killed is not
known. The Governor was enraged.
and raising in his stirrups he cried
out. fire. fire! fire on them or fire on
me-" he commanded. Fire and be
damned" cried a Regulator, and the
din Of battle began in earnest
The followers of the British flag
obeyed the command of The general
and opened fire on the Americans. At
the beginning the British seemed to
be getting the worst of the situation.
(Caruthers Life Of Caldwell, page
1859 The Regulators were fighting
from behind trees. fences, rocks and
any other object that furnished the
least protection; while Tryon's forces
were firing In platoons. His men il.
the open field made splendid targets
for the Regulator sh~arpshoCters. It is
said that one of the sharpshooters lay
behind a ledge of rock with three
companions to load for him and killed
fifteen Of Tryon's artillerymen. (Some
Neglected History of N. CO
At last Capt. Montgomery led a
charge against Tryon's artillery.
routed the gunners n captured two
small amor one of which is now