Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-30

They met ana nXeo opoAA
8. as the time for election OF Henoe'
Of a convention to form new soveln
ment for Pennsylvania. Tnis coh'en
ZION was composed of 96 members anu
was in session in Philadelphia WIN
BENJAMIN Franklin as president OF the
body. from July Is to SeptempeI-so'
177s. when the first constitution Oh ING
state Of Pennsylvania was adopted anu
Observation-Disclosures Post.
Gen. Piekens, Hero OF Cowpens' Dor"
III Years Ago.
Andrew Pickens, who at the battle OF
the Cowpens led the militia which 1or
the first time in the Revolution re-
turned to action after being once oe-
feated, was born in Paxton, Pa, Sep
TENDER 10, 1889, and died in Pendleton'
S. c.. August II, 1917.
During the revolutionary war the
South produced a number OF partisan
fighters. whose exploits have been the
theme of song and story. Among these
were Marion, Sumter and Pickens. the
last named operating on less extern
sive scale and. necessarily with less
brilliancy, but serving his State and
country with recognized fidelity and
ability.
Andrew Pickens began his fighting
career as a volunteer In the expedition
Of the British Col. James Grant against
the Cherokees soon after attaining the
age of q. He was SO years old at the
beginning of the Revolution and was
made captain of militia, and rose rap
idly to the rank of brigadier general.
Sentiment in State Divided.
In some parts of South Carolina the
sentiment Of the people was so divided
and on each side was so bitter in its
expression that it was perhaps a more
distressful struggle for independence
in that State than in any of the others
of the American Confederacy.
The British overran South Carolina,
but Pickens. at the head of a partisan
corps, kept the field. Early in 1879 his
force Of 400 men met British party of
700 under Col. Boyd at Kettle Creek.
Boyd was shot down early in the bat
tie. and the British retreated.
The success that was won by Pickens
and his men was complete, the British
losing more than half OF their whole
number. and it was a victory Of far
more importance than the numbers en-
gagged would indicate.
It broke up the British partisan or
ganization. and the tories that had
been terror to their foes never again
were serious menace in that region.
Had Horse Killed Under Him.
Pickens was with Gen. BENJAMIN
Lincoln at the battle Of Stone, and had
his horse killed under him while he was
covering the retreat that had been or
dered. At the famous battle of the
Cowpens Pickens commanded the mil
itia forces, Of the standing quality Of
which there was always grave doubt,
and with Just reason.
Two-thirds Of the American forces at
the Cowpens were militia under Pick
| ems, and the glory Of that famous field
reflected credit forever on the fighting
character Of that body Of men when
properly oficered
The complete American force was
under the command Of Gen. Morgan,
against whom was opposed Tarleton,
the dashing British cavalryman
Militia Rallies and Wins.
Tarleton had been sent by Gen. Corn
wallis to cut off Morgan from the main
army under Gen. Greene, and hoped to
do so by his fierce style Of assault On
this occasion. however, and for the
first time. the militia, having been once
defeated, were rallied and brought in
good order to the second fire and
charge. This feat was due to Pickens,
to whom Congress voted a sword and
gave the rank of brigadier general.
Upward Of 5000 British were killed or
wounded; more than 500 were captured,
with artillery, baggage, etc. The vic
tory had a tremendous effect on the
whole country. and was followed by
series of American successes up to the
battle Of Eutaw Springs and the cap
ture OF CORVALLIS at Yorktown.
AT Eutaw Springs Pickens was
struck by a bullet which but for the
buckle of his sword belt would have in
flicted a mortal wound.
The grandson of Gen. Pickens was
Francis Wilkinson Pickens, governor of
South Carolina. who demanded Of Mai.
Robert Anderson the surrender of Fort
Sumter, gave the order to fire upon the
steamer Star Of the West and carried
out the spirit Of secession until his re-
tirement from Office in 1S62.-Washing-
ton Post.
Peasants Wore Platinum Buttons.
With platinum now costing around