Year: 1877

1871.


across the Dan. The main body Of the Amer


icau army pushed forward, and without be


ing materially incommoded, crossed the Dar
on the thirteenth. The safe retreat of Greene


was mainly due to the skill with which
Colonel Williams managed the movements o.
his corps. In this he was aided by the illus
trious Colonel Lee, and by Colonel Washing


ton, Of the cavalry, and by Major Campbell


Leading to the Dan there were three roads


nearly parallel to each other. Greene was


marching on the lower one, CORVALLIS on the
upper one, and Williams on the middle one
Thus the forces Of Williams we're between
CORVALLIS and Greene. 1t was necessary
that Williams provide that CORVALLIS should
not slip past him and get between him and
Greene. Such an event would have proved
fatal to both Williams and Greene. In order
to retard, as much as possible, the progress oi
the British, the rear of Williams force and the
van of the British were in sight of each other
during the whole day. The British advance
was commanded by OHara, an experienced
and brave officer. The rear guard of Viii
liams was commanded BY the dashing Lee


During the retreat from Guilford Court
House to Twins ferry on the Dan, neither
the officers nor men in Williams command
had much time to eat or sleep. The only
meal that they pretended to take was break
fast. At three in the morning, the march
commenced. A party was sent ahead to kin.
die fires, generally at some farmhouse, where
there was probability Of obtaining some
corn meal and bacon, together with corn and
fodder for the horses. When the men came
up, halt was ordered for one hour, during
which the horses were fed and the men baked
their ash.cakes and roasted their bacon on
the Goals. This was not all. So vigilant was
the watch, that each man got only six hours
sleep out Of forty.eight. To prevent an at
tack at night, Williams took the preoaution
to camp as far as possible from the British.
So soon as the men entered the camp, which
was always late in the night, those not on
patrol threw themselves down any where to
Sleep. a.
"4uring the night of the twelfth or morn.
ing of the thirteenth, CORVALLIS determined
to change his course and fall into the middle
road. This would place him directly in the
rear of Williams. The move was made with
skill, and so secretly that it was not observed
by Williams until effected. The front of his
army was required to continue as before,
whilst he, with the main body, pressed from
the upper to the middle road.


On the morning of the thirteenth, Williams
set out as. usual at three o'clock. Parties
we're sent forward to kindle fires at which to
prepare breakfast. The weather was cold
and drizzly rain was falling. The wood was
wet and much difficulty was experienced in
kindling the fires. Every thing was arranged
as usual. Lieutenant Darlington, who was
with patroling party watching the move
ments of the enemy, reported from time to
time that every thing was as usual. Just as
the cold and wet and hungry soldiers had got
their ash.cakes in the fire and their bacon on
the glowing Goals, countryman rode into
camp. He had been sent by sergeant of a
patrol party. The man, on being conducted
to headquarters, related that only q short
time before, the British had fallen into the
road on which the Americans we're, and that
CORVALLIS was only about four miles in the
rear. The man rodea very small pony which
was very much exhausted. ,' -


In order to ascertain the truth Of thisstate-
ment, and allow the men time to eat their
breakfast, Colonel Williams requested Lieu.
tenant-C Colonel Lee to send back q detachment
of cavalry. The countryhan was ordered to
accompany them as guide. This he readily
assented to do. A squad Of cavalry was soon
selected, and Capt. Mark Armstrong placed
in command of them. These had not left
camp long before a messenger came from
Lieutenant Darlington, with the news that
the van of the British was moving slowly.
This led Col. Williams to suspect that some
new movement was making in the British
forces. To support Armstrong, Col. Zee was
sent back with another detachment. It was
understood that the two detachments would
unite, and Lee take command Of the whole.
A single horseman was sent on at full speed
to overtake Armstrong and inform him Of
what had been done, and request him to move
slowly until the detachment under Lee would
overtake him. When Armstrong had gone
about mile he was overtaken by Lee, when
the whole advanced two miles farther. No
enemy was to be seen, and some began to sus-
pect the veracity of the guide. Lee himself
concluded, that though he might be an honest
maH'and true patriot, he was in some way
mistaken. It was concluded that Lee and the
larger number of the detachment should re-
turn to- the camp and finish their breakfast.
Capt. Armstrong and three cavalrymen were
ordered to take the countryman as q guide
and proceed to the spot where he said he had
seen the British an hour before. ....9 ...


The countryman, who had willingly ac-
companied the detachment up to this moment,
now refused to 90, unless good horse were
given him. This fact led all to credit the
statements which he had previously made.
The bugler, beardless youth by the name Of
Gillies, was placed on the pony of the coun-
tryman and sent back to camp, and the coun.
tryman placed on the horse on which the
bugler rode. This was agreeable to both.
The little bugler mounted the pony and set
out for the camp of Williams, and the coun.
tryman, mounted on the buglers horse, set
out to find the whereabouts of the British.


So soon as Armstrong left, Lee and his men
rode into the woods so as to keep concealed
from the enemy, should any be near. Arm.
strong had advanced but short distance,
when the report of muskets announced the
fact that the enemy were near by. The Amer
ican videttes came dashing in at full speed,
pursued by detachment of British dragons.
Lee felt no anxiety for Armstrong and his
companions, for he knew they were wellmount-
ed; but his anxiety for the little bugler,
mounted on the countryman's pony, was great,
Waiting until the British passed by, he fell
into the road and dashed forward after them
at full speed. Armstrong and his men dash
ed past the bugler, who was overtaken and
barbarously put to death by the British, al