A Family Paper, devoted to State Intelligence, the News of the World, Political Information, Southern Rights, Agriculture, Literature, and Miscellany.
gffBT JOHN I PALMER, I
CHARLOTTE, MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.
$2 PER ANNUM
In Advance.
5
KTMTOK ASI PROPKIETOR.
VOLUME 4.
NUMBER 33.
on Main. Street, )
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1856.
Ia"ox7- Series
ONE DOOR SOUTH OF SADLER'S HOTEL. S
M! ft
or Tin
7
2L
Having recently visited a York, and ee- '
leetod from the old nod elegant
Foundry of Gen. Brace, Eq.,
A U" Wi l l V
lire anb aslionable ct'iipr,
We ate now prepare.! to Kxecute
In -tne Best Stylo,
ALL KIM'-, OF
I
'Multiply the .Ufuns, ttti you
multiply Ihr Kesuits,"
I- oof of the established niaximsof business.
r .
uiOKKS run
PAMPHLETS, CLERKS' BLANKS!
HANDBILLS, ; SHERIFF'S
CARTS, 4 'OX STABLES' du.
CIRCULARS, MAUISTRATES'do,
LABELS, I ATTORNEYS' do.
OB I'OB
Ueipiired bv the Imsim ss Community.
WILL BE EXE 1 II l WITH
ant ies j. t ess,
COBBECXHESS. I
I . '3' V H"
AN li
VP
AI.W
I. WAYS OX HAND.
rH' (fowotfi) to Orbrr.
ICnfm iutd RrfVethiiaent
fMlHE no : d
M. turn his thanks to his hi.-nds
ral encowageaaenl which has been extended to
him in hi line of business, ami to in ft trill them
that he has sold hi- Ktablishmenl to Sir. .1. Ad- :
hhwaa, who wiil couth ne the business si the
s.im' stand. 1 liail n main in the Saloon, as '
heretofore, and will be happj to receive the calls
f mv friends, a-s usual.
Fresh 4r!o!K Ovtor
Will at all times be hept on hand and
avid ut in :mv styk desuvd.
Fine Tobacco, Segars, Wines
Brandies.
And the best of Liquors generally,
Ala ai s on hand.
MEALS, composed of snrh dishes as inav be
called for, served it :t all hours, in the nitt :q
pioved style of COOKeTV.
n Boarders
Are taken, upon reasonable t. r:e. Call at the
Saloon, two doors north of Kerr's Hotel, if you
desiiv soin 'thiiur nice to cat t;ud drink and to re
cruit th-- ianef man.
W IF. JORDAN,
Dec 9 1S55. tf lorl. Adkinson,
FKOT1 NEB A STOP I..
T5 npiIKKK is uotlrnsr new from
fc-t-a -tJ, B the Crimea, bv the !at ar
rival, bat at Scbastopol, on Trade
Ptre t. th i' i Nomfthms aew.
Th.
uadt-nKarned has Durrhasetl of James Briant.
hi grocery and Liquor eetahHshmi at, and invites
the ptibbC to rive him a all. asaurinc them that
he will accommodate them with articles of the
best quality, and in a style to suit the mast fas.
Bfimn tass.- Give s. battopal a call, and judge
lor yenrs. lv, .
. . WM. PHELAN.
r t-h. ,, (
FASHIONABLE TAILORING.
THE sahticriber announces
to the miblic generally, that he
is now ree iin , a iargC a5:orl.
mint ot new
Cloths, ( assimeres
ana
i for Gentlemen's wtar, sad will
be sold lor Cash at a raiall prcfit.or made te or-
oer acrorouig to I lie latest stvlcs. Snop next
door to Kim' t;rocery Store.
Sept. aj, is.-4.io,i p. L. REA.
A. BETHUNE,
No. Springs' llmi-.
4 UOORS KST OV THE t II AKI.HTTi: B XK
CHARLOTTE, n. c.
Feb. 10. 1855. 30if
Congress Gaiters for Ladies.
JUST Received at 4
Bjone's Boot Jc Shoe Emporiura.
M AND
PlBilstullitQJ
x7
THE CHILD OF EARTH
I AM CONTENT TO DIE. BUT OH. NOT NOW
Human nature is beautifully portrayed iu the
following lines:
bv ana. mmktov.
Fainter her slow step falls from day to day ;
Death's hand is heavy M her dark'ning brow ; ;
Yet doth she loudly cling to earth, and say,
" I am content to di but oh, not now !"
Not while the blossoms of a joyous spring
Make the warm air such luxury to breath
Not wh '--the birds such lay- of gladness sinsj
Not while bright flowen around my footsteps
wreathe.
Spare me. Great God ! lift tip my drooping brow ;
I tun content to di but oh! not now."
The spring has ripened into summer time;
The season's viewless boundary is past !
The glorious sun has leached hi burning prime,
o!i ! must this glimpse of beauty be the last.'
" L-l toe not perish, while o' r land and si a,
With silent steps the Lord of Light moves on ;
Sir while the murmur of the mountain bee
Gn eta my dull ear with music in it tone !
Pale sicklfe ss dims my eye and clouds my brow ;
I am cent) at to di but oh, not now!"
Summer is gon and autumn's soberef hues
Tin! the ripe fruits and gild the waving com ;
The huntsman swift the frying game pursues.
Shouts the hallo! and wind- hi eager horn.
" Bpare me awhile, to wander forth and gaae
'a the broad meadows and theqniel stream!
Te watch in MlencewluTe the v.-niug rays
Slant throng ibeUtdins tn with ruddy gleam!
Cooler th Un r play around my broa ;
I am content to die but oh, not now ."'
The bleak wind whistles, snow showers, for and
near,
Drift without echo to the whit'ning ground;
Autumn hath passed away, and cold and drear.
Winter stalks on with froaen mantle bound ;
Tot ti!! that prayer ascends : H !i ! laughingly
I Nu little brothers round the warm hearth crowd;
Our home fire blazes broad, and bright and high,
And the roof tings with voices light and loud,
spare me awhile ! raise up my drooping brew ;
I am content to di but oh, not now !
The spring is come again the joyful spring!
Again the banks with clustering flowers are
spread ;
The wild bird dips upon its wanton wing;
The child of arth is numbered with the dead .
"Thee never mote the sunshine shall awake,
beaming, all redly, through the lattice pane ;
Theateps of friends thy slumbers may not break
Nor fond, familiar voice arouse again.
1 -nt li's silent shadow veils thy darken d brow
Why did.-i thou linger' thou art happier mm 1"
mis. WHEALAIY,
IDress HVEalsLoiT;,
Opposite Io.l-Oflicc.
A 1.1. DRESSES cut and
mad hv I he celt-brat
A-D-C method, and war
ranted to tit.
BONNETS
Trimmed in the hit. st si
i,
M I
he shortest notice. If)
Charlotte, Feb 12, 1856. tf ' i
ROBERT GIBBON, Rf D.
PEERS his proittsional services to the pub
lic, in the practice t 3UBGERY, in all
its various departments.
Dr. GinnoS will op rate, treat, or give advice
in all cases that may require his attention.
: Iffice No. 5, Granite Range, Charlotte.
Ft b. It), 1. ly
ROBERT . WARIIYCr,
Attorns)' .-it L.a w,
hi building attached to the American 1 1 -
tel, Main street.)
Charlotte, N. C.
Jan. 89, i:t;. tf
tt. W. WAV IN.
Attorney 6c Counsellor at Law,
V MtJtREiO TTE, JIT. C.
Jan. 1 , 1856. tf
S. V. WESTBROOKS,
Proprietor ol
tlie (alliilord
POMOLOGICAL
GARDENS
AND
iKTurseries,
TlTin,li respectfully call the attention of
T w our Southern eitizens to his select collec
tion of native and acclimated arietiea of l'l.'l 'IT
TREES, embracing some FORTY THOUSAND
trees of the following varieties, viz: Apple, Pear, j
reach. Plum, Apricot, Cherry, Nectarine. .1
rmmd ANo a choice MMortment ot GRAPE
VINES, Raspberries, Strawberries, dtc. &c.
ilAH orders, accompanied with the cash,
" ill receive prompt attention, and the trees will
be in atly packed and directed to any portion ot
the country.
P. S. Persons wishing Ornamental Trees cui
be supplied. Addr si Greensboro', N. t".
Dec. I. I-.V). 9m
CARRIAGE SHOP.
rTWE SUBSCRIBER HFt.S leave to inform
L his friends and the public senerally,that
in' is sti I carrying on the ' n rr i :i art?
Inkinc ISliiie!iii in all its various
branches with all the increased facilities af
forded by modern improvements. He has now
on hand a larse number of CL'GGI ES, CAI!
IlAt;KS, KOCKAv AYS. &c, made on the
most approved styles out of the best material,
to which he asks the inspection of purchasers.
His establishments is on College and Depot
streets, where he will be glad to see his
tnends.
JOHN II ARTY.
Jnly 8, 1853. j.lt
RK7IOVAL.
R. W. Beckwith
has removed his Jewelry
Store toXo. 2, Johnston's
Row, three doors South
ot Kerr's Hotel.
30-ly
Keb. 15, 1855.
! f82iX., eV&.
mm
' i? '-if
s ai.
M)onie Pislorj.
From the Lady's Book.
SWJSAIfMAM SJIART,
A NORTH CAROLINA WOMAN OF
THE REVOLUTION.
The county of Mecklenburg, N. C. so"
! mous for its "battles, the spirit of its p pie,
i the prowess of its heroes. and the noblo dar
I ing of its women, during the Revolutionary
struggle, has many records of heroism writ
I ten in the hearts of the inhabitants, which
' have never been made public. The histo
rv of the Scottish Pre.-ovtenans or the
whole Catawba retrion. will be remembered
' with thrilline interest, and told to youthful
generations as an example both political
and religious, its long as the principles of
true republicanism and the love of liberty
shall reign in the laud. One of these home
pictures which have found no place in the
great gallery of history, 1 shall offer to the
reader. The subject was living in 1851,
ninety years of age, keeping bouse by her
self, and entertaining travellers; having
twenty or thirty negroes under her charge,
and dispensing with the services of tin
overseer. 1 he intelligent gentleman who i have something to cat, if only a piece of
furnished the details of this sketch D. G. johnny-cake and a cup of milk !" The ma
Stinson, Esq. said her servants were bet- tron answered: "General, 1 have fed more
i ler trained than an
he ever saw, and tip-
eared perfectly bappy, as did their indul-
rent and venerable mistress. Tlx- late
Colonel Dickinson was a relative of Mis.
j Smart, and visited her shortly before bis
j departure for Mexico.
fhe maternal grandfather of our hero-
ine, Thomas Spratt, was of Irish extraction,
j and removed from Pennsylvania to Meck
! Icnburg County ; being the first settler who
I ever crossed the Yadkin in a carriage, for
such luxuries were unknown in those log
cabin days. Tho first court corened in the
county wits held in his dwelling. He had
two sons who fell in battle, and six daugh
ters, one of whom was the wife of Colonel
Thomas Neil, who commanded in the cam
paign of 177(! against the Chorokoes, and
was noted for his bravery and services.
Another daughter married Colonel Thomas
Polk, who. with his son William, served
witli distinction under the immediate com
mand of Washington, and was, besides, cel
ebrated for his efforts in the cause of public
education. To him Mecklenburg was in
debted for the establishment of Queen's
Museum, or Liberty Hall. Ann Spratt,
another daughter, was the mother of the
subject of this memoir. Slu married John
Barnett, who also emigrated from Ireland.
Mary, their eldest daughter, was said to be
the first child born between the Yadkin and
( Jatawba Rivers. She married C'tijd. James
Jack, the bearer of the Mecklenburg De
claration of Independence to the Continen
tal Congress. Mr. Wylie, of Charleston,
is one of her descendants.
Susannah Barnett was born in 1761. As
her family and connections were conspicu
ously active in the Revolutionary war, her
earliest recollections were of its stirring
events. She was present at the great gath
ering of the people at Charlotte, on the 19th
-moi. f trr-, nri. ,.:,...:..i
j UI1H yji .nil , . & A 111 i U illl
convention ot , orth uarolinanau assembled
;it Newbern, in opposition to the proclama
tion of Governor Martin, and had approved
of the acts of their representatives in the
( 'entinental Congress of the united colonies,
(dithe 19th May, handbills were brought
ly express, containing news of the battle of
Lexington, which had taken place exactly a
month before. These were read to the vast
! assemblage, and filled till with enthusiasm,
j Then there was no sectional feeding; but
i the same sentiment pervaded the masses
l north and south. An attack on the liber-
ties of Massachusetts was viewed as an at
' tack upon Carolina, it was u glorious day
; for old Mecklenburg: and often described
by Mrs. Stuart "the day of throwing up
! of hats." The love of country and liberty
i fired the hearts of all classes. The brother
of Susannah, William Barnett, though but
i a lad, was bent on joining the patriots.
ne oersuaueu an oiu ucirro, ierrv, to tin e
. , , n , . : , .
nts clothes in tne woods, and swinmner him-
c o
I self from the window by a rope, one night,
he went to Charlotte, volunteered, and did
excellent service iii the snow campaign of
i 177G.
In 1780, in that darkest period of the
i Revolution for the Carolinas, when, after
, the fall of Charleston, British military cov-
CTnmeflt prevailed every where, the state
in the language ot General Greene "cut
off from the Union like the tail of a snake;'1
the inhabitants forced to take protection or
flee the country. Susannah, with the rest of
her family, gave all possible help to the re
fugees. She was accustomed to say, in after
life : '( Hi, bow we love the people of Fish
ing Creek, Chester District, (S. C.) They
Buffered so much, at.-l perilled everything,
rather than receive British protection. 1
saw the uev
Jl ... , .
oliu Simpson, ot tislune
Creek, with these very eyes, assist my
mntliu in nii.l .1 1 - 1 . . . 1
UIVUIl I 111 . , . , UK U..U. HiaAUIg I tic, IIM I'l ;
bags, in June, 17 -d ; while the refugees of
South ( 'arolina wei
i .
collecting: and forming
a.1 1.1 ,.ii?-l 1
, a"T '" rancn.
-
f, -itb -. Iri-i vt I m t i r.r ; i r T
I ; i'J I' '' I 1
log house occupied by John Barnett. and
ci.tvuimuij . as nuoumiei
1 I . :, ..... . t o . .. :
with his family. His wife, u cripple from
infancy, was placed on a feather bed ou
l... I.'.. .1. ...:.t K..1.:.. l .
MUiU.v, null a lieio . ...iu L'eiiniil
hold heron. She had fallen off several time
U, 1 Oil. .lit Ililll lilllt. Il Oil BvtClttl iiines, i
.er face was black with bruises. Her
Tom, a boy of sixteen, was with them, i
tuid i
son
and a young woman, their house-keeper,
named Nancy Davis. She told their kind
hosts how the British and Tories had come
to Sumter's house ; how she had locked up
everything, and flung the keys among the
gra-s in the yard ; but it availed nothing ;
the enemy fired the house, and all was soon
a pile of ashes. General Sumter's family,
who had escaped wih difficulty, were re
ceived most warmly, and remained here
inure than a month.
After the slaughter of Buford's men at
the Waxhaws. the wounded were brought to
Barnett's house. Susannah saw her mother
feed :dx men, who had but two arms among
them. Her father and two brothers were
at the battle of Hanging Rock. Trembling
for their fate. Mrs. Barnett went to Charlotte
to obtain tidings, and there heard of the
lintflo- mid the iK.ntVi AfP.nl. in Oncol Reid.
riverwhi lmed with nnwIwMimi. )ni hnrt i
into tears. A friend tho aired John Gas-
ton, of Fishing Creek rode up. and inquired j
ot her the news. "Oh." she replied, "
j have dreadful news from tho battlefield ;
I Captain Reid is dead ; your son, Alexandor,
was left near the Waff ill of the smallpox
and is since dead; your three sons. Robert,
Ebenezer, and David, are among the slain,
and Joseph is severely wounded." Such
was the story of a single family in those
times ! The aged and bereaved father turned
deadly pale, bat uttered not a word. The
wounded were brought to Charlotte, where
our heroine remembered seeing Mrs. Mary
McClure in attendance on her gallant son,
who, with his lieutenant, Bishop, afterwards
died of his wound-. In crossing the river,
the matron had lost her bonnet, and walk d
bareheaded by his side; Mrs. Bishop also
attending on her husband. The Gastons
and McCluros were old acquaintances of the
ii.,-.,,,. v.,;i,- William dUtin
.,;...a . ilm unm-. was
: ftndent at Libert v Ball, and was often sent
: ou horseback to the river, by Mr. Harnett,
when be wished to visit his mother.
The defeat of Gates, and the memorable
surprise of General Sumter, tilled the coun
try with terror and dismay. Early on the
morning of the 19th of August. 1780, the
road was full soldiers and fugitives, mak
ing their way to Charlotte. General Sum
ter, with one or two of his aids, rode up to
Mr. Barnett's house, dismounted, and en
tered. "Mrs. Harnett," he said, "do let us
i ti,.nl ,,.,, this morning, hut I'll trv."
I ,some provision hue
family; it was then
id been laid by for the
produced and set out :
I for the General. While eating, he turned
to Susannah and said: "Miss Sukey, please
j to arrange my hair; but never mind combing j
it, it is so tangled." His hair was long,
and rather light-colored. The young-lady,
during his repast, clubbed it up as well as
she could, tangled as it was. In reply to
Mrs. Barnett's inquiry, how it was that tin
American soldiers and patriots were all i
flying? Sumter stud: "It was indeed a sur
prise; the enemy crossed the creek before
we knew of it. and was m the midst ot the ' him, the l ory made Ins escape. J lie com
cainp: I was in the marquee asleep at the 1 passionate matron took a cup of water, and
time, and Was carried out at the back part, I went in .search of the wounded man.
and mounted a hre that stood ready, 1 Tracking him by the blood, she found him
which, however, was soon shot down from lying behind a log, two hundred yards from
under me. I obtained this one I now have;
not ;i very good one, to be sure, and the
saddle rather the worse for wear. So I am
here. You see I have lost my cocked hat
and line feathers; but this old hat, torn in
the rim as it is, has sheltered my head from
the burning sun; it was the gift of a noble
soldier." With many thanks for his break-
fast, and a hearty shake of hands, the Gen- ; The British took thirty or forty from the
eral then mounted his horse, and went on plantation of Colonel Thomas Neil. Mrs.
his way to Charlotte. Neil went to Charlotte, then in possession
Another of the refugees from South Car- of Lord Cornwallis, and applied to him, re
liuu was Walter Brown, with his family, the ! questing that her slaves might be restored,
father of the distinguished divine, Dr. John Cornwallis coolly told her she should not
Brown, so celebrated for his zeal and elo- have them. She pleaded that most of her
quence. This old and feeble man had been children were daughters, raised without
plundered of everything, and came to seek knowing how to labor, and that she could
sin Iter and protection. His family was for not well get along without servants. "You
some time at Barnett's house. At length will have to teach the girls to work," gruffly
the news came that the British were ad- j replied the officer. "But let me have some
vancing on Charlotte. Mrs. Barnett. stand- of the negro children," persisted the ma
nic at the door and looking anxiouslv down tron ; "they are attached to me, and I to
tli
e road, perceived some one approaching,
Sukey and Jenny Brown," she cried, ad-
.... . m
uii.. "p ...... - .. " 1
daughter of her guest, "run out to the road
and innuire the news." The traveller was
itvAccinrr loo' own ellllil. MOM too ltrottv
aladon a sorely jaded horse; the face of cd.
the rider was very long and sunburnt. Mecklenburg had bur few Tories. Some
Susannah asked him whence he came ? of the wealthy took British protection, but
"From the Waxhaws," was his reply. not one in a hundred ; and those who did,
"Do you know Major Crawford?" had occasion to repent very sorely. The
"To be sure 1 do; he is my uncle." j case of one may be mentioned as strikingly
"And who are you ?" ! illustrative. He was at heart a patriot, and
"Mv name :s Andrew JACKSON." ' all his connections were Whigs, and when
"What is the news about the British?" he took protection, he soon found it a bitter
"They are on their way to Charlotte." : cross to him. When it was ascertained
'What are you doing down there?" ; that the British were going to retreat to
"Why.we are popping them occasionally." Winnsboro', he sent his wife (whose maiden
The long, slender face of the stripling was : lnune was Mary Wilson) to Captain Barnett
lit up with a pleasant smile, and bowing ; on tin errand she was bid to conceal from
with the grace and ease of a polished gen- i old Mrs. Spratt. Mary was highly respect
rle.man. he said: '2 od-morninir, ladies," ed by the Whics, who were willing at all
and went "on his wav
As he passed the
house, Mrs. Barnett had a full view ot his
vellow cheeks audlougface, and she laughed
i .:t 1 , i, 1
heartily wnen !le i
.
icard of his remark about
"Little Andy," as young Jackson was
called, was followed by an advance of some
.' )(). under the command of Colonel Davie,
who had a skirmish with the British by night
at Wahab's in the Waxhaw settlement.
Jack Barnett, the brother of Susannah, was
of thisoarty. As Davie's dragoons went up
the lane, he saw something in a corner of I
the fence, dismounted and saw it was a
Torv, whom he knew, named Dixon. The
Torv threw down his gun and ran: Jack
was left on foot, his horse bavincr cone on i
with the mounted troopers. The fighting J
just then commenced, and while the young
soldier was making his way towards the
scene of action, the flashing of the guns :
showed him the corurows in the field, and '
! .1 l.,.ll..f ! , ; wtl. .1! -.1-, .1111.1 V,;m 1 it..l.-l -.- .
II1C UUI1I.I-- II IU.-IHU H V. W llllll I I I . V 1 v I . . ,
, ... ,i . 1. . ? .i .
1 nn i-j-'im-i 111 in-. iir ii. 1 1 iiwii u hi 1 .
he
. V v. mi - ' - - - 'IX
to use
in the midst ot the discharge ot three hun-
-, ,
ar o .
yet he escaped, bearing Dixon's
. i , ,i . ' vim i : or t ! i t"i i ii i , i t n i
his hand. Passing through the
v.i'u '"ii iti mo muni. " r- ,
, 1 A . i . k ekAn.. cLj
i :i ill ' mhiiv i' u im eiivm i , jut u tit
t i,.;t;l, ,iramK that came nod !
went on. Presently, be was challenged by
of the Americans, and gave the com,-
. - . U:,rn,.tt. : ihnf rnnT"
UMMiT"
n .,W5H Polk : "where is vourhtirsel
1 . . ,
the last 1 saw ot mm, answerea jaca
he was running after Charlie Polk." "Get j
. l -W I
up behind me, then," said the other, and the
. ,1. . I
tw0 oVcd oil togetlu r (
In this battle, Thomas Spratt then over !
I tmv. received three miner woumis, anu was j
! carried from the field to his own bonse. A !
, party of British soldiers not long afterwards j
arrived there. They were told that Mr. i
Spratt was ill : but ihev insisted on having i
the house for their own sick, and the owner ;
was removed to the kitchen. It was here j
Major TFrazer, of the British army, died
while Cornwallis and Rnwdcn both stood ;
hv bis bed. and averrea, wan tinea lianas, ,
that "he was one of the best officers who bad i
crossed the ocean." A Scotch physician I
was in attendance : he afterwards went in
to the kitchen to examine Mr. Spratt.
What is the matter with you. maun?"
he aked.
"1 have a fever." The physician felt his
pulse, and exclaimed: "Why, maun, you
are wounded!"
"And what if I am ?"' said the patient.
"Ah. I am fearful yon have been fieht-
"g against your lawful sovereign, King
George.'
"I have beentigntingiOrmy country, ana
if I was well, I would do it aguin," replid
Spratt.
"Well, well, yon are a brave soldier, and
I'll dress your wounds for you," said the
Scotchman ; and he did so. and attended on
him as long as the British troops occupied
the house.
These unbidden guests took from Spratt
over a hundred head of cattle, hogs, &c.
When the time came for marching, the ar-
my formed line before the door, and then
formed a hollow square, with their drums
mu tiled. These played a mournful air; till
tit length the army deployed, and took up
the line of march "with a "lively tune and a
quickstep. The cause of tins ceremony was
the punishment of one of their own soldiers
whose body hung from the limb of a tree,
havlno- h,'u nvociited for an alleced attemnt
to desert, and ioiu Davie's troons.
Mr. Barnett's house was also visited by died in 1609. He built the house she oc
the British soldiers, who plundered it of cupied in Idol. She lived usually alone,
everything. When one of the hor.-es was and gave accommodation to travellers who
brought up and bridled for their use, Mrs. passed, as the road lay near. William H.
Barnett walked up and pulled off the bri- Crawford, of Georgia, one of her most
die. Some of the men threatened to kill esteemed acquaintances, always sta ved with
her. "You can do so," she answered, "I her, as he went to and returned from Wash
am in your power; but if you do, you will ington. She became extensively acquainted
be punished for it." Seeing a crock of with men travelling in the south, and having
milk which the intruders had brought from a retentive memory, knew almost every
her cellar, she passed near, and pushed it family, their pedigree and connections, for
over with her foot. The infuriated soldiers several generations. Young or old might
rushed at her, swearing they would cut her j find her ready to converse on any subject,
to pieces. "Do it if you dare !" said she, j "I bare lived at home," she was wont to
with an air of haughty defiance ; "you will ! say, "and yet 1 have seen two of our Presi
be shot at from every bush in the country." i dents. I knew Andrew Jackson ; and many
They did not molest her, but went away
without the milk or uorse.
Some two weeks alter this attair at a-
hab's a young man named William Elk t,
whose brother had been killed, came to Bar-
nett's house, having with him a Tory pris
oner. After eating, he drank freely, and
recurrying to the scenes of the battle, and
his brothei's death, he became violently ex
cited, and struck his prisoner on the head
The blood spouted from the wound. Mrs.
Barnett persuaded r.uet to go into tne
house, and while she endeavored to pa ify
the house, gave him water, and bound up
his head. This incident, among others,
may show that kindness was otten inter
changed between eneudes.
The residents in the country found it ne
cessary to bide their negroes, and some
carried them beyond the Yadkin for safety.
Barnett's were concealed out of the house
them." "You arc a cunning old woman,"
said Cornwallis; "carry home the calves,
1,1 1 1 J 1 1 i.l
and tne cows win iotiow; get tne young ne
groes, and the old ones will run off and go
back." With this answer she wasdismiss-
times to do her a serv ice, while they dis
approved of her husband's course. She
took Mrs. Barnett and Mary Jack apart,
and told them what she wanted the captain
to do for her. On the morrow, said she, two
British officers were to dine at her house;
she wished the captain to collect ten or a
dozen men well armed, and come up in the
rear. Her husband would give them a sig
nal by coughing, when they were to lire off
their guns in rapid succession ; he would run
off with the two officers his guests; they were
to give chase, make him a prisoner, and bear
him off in siirht of the officers. This little
plot was literally carried out. The husband
was taken prisoner ; the two officers made
their escape to Charlotte, where the British
dragoons were ordered out for the rescue
of the captive. They made no great effort,
however, merely whooping when they came
near the place of his capture, and firing off
pistols ; while Captain Barnett took the road
to Vntiim Kurd, his men siirrnundiocr the
' - ' I " " ....... ' -
,..t,.,i..i -ttl. ,1,-., ,.,1. i,,
i'ivi nui ' 111. -wn 1 o 11 11 . 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
fore every house they passed on their way.
From every quarter the news reached
1
ii.. i .it., . l . .......... . . . . . i ..... i
i. ;i iihi; ui int.: kzh uuic ti un. iiiiu Kiiuii.
J. . i .
i t i with 111111 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 nr iifivr rn iHir;i wm
i t: kUl ,'
tlu. hands of those murderous buahmen who
killed His Majesty's foreign soldiers in cold
k. l.n.i-f
! house crviufir in risrbt erojd earnest for tlieii
i i . i t- r t iiuit'ii l unittii iii'
CJ V w . ...
father. Tne quasi prisoner, meanwhile,
was brought into the presence of Colonel
Polk, from whom he received a severe
, , ,., 1 1
lecture, and wept like a child. Captain
Barnett told bun be might thank his wife
rr wnar nau oeen uouu 101 nun, anu warned
him if be ever got into such another scrape,
be might get out of it the best way he could,
The British issued a number of handbills
(for they had a printing-press at Charlotte,)
and had them posted up all over the county,
warning His Majesty's subjectsnot tomtdest
or take anything firent Mrs. .the wife
of the protectionist. Iu the following Jan-
nary, wnen me onusa irm v was again ar
Hritish arm v
proaching Charlotte, this same man tied j
precipitately with his family, and travelled
as far as Pennsylvania, nearly killing bis I
horses iu his flight. His experience was a j
warning to others. After his departure.
Colonel Polk placed the family of General
o . :.. u: , I. T ,-fl 'r.
ouiuun in uuuoo. uituc itw item iaj
school in the neighborhood more than six
months. The young women of the vicinity, !
wuile tiie enemy were m possessnni ot
Charlotte, were removed by their friends,
beyond the Yadkin. Miss Barnett was taken
away with the rest, and did not return till
some time iu October.
Shortly before the British left Charlotte.
' -! n WV i Annrnro An nmrnca Vita
to Camden, bearing a letter from Lord Corn-
wsllis, which stated that he intended to leave
the town; the inhabitants being so hostile
to him that they killed his nu n from every
bush, in cold blood, while they were engaged
in collecting forage for his army. Before
j the enemy retreated from the place, they
j buried their deud in Liberty Hall, and
j burned down the building. This college
j was the same which tho British government
! refused to charter underthe name of Queen's
Museum. From this seat of learning, many
eminent men in Church and .State received
j their education, who have done honor to
j their country.
Susannah Barnett was married in 1795,
I to Georcrf W. Smart. She had three
! children, whom she lost, and her husband
a time little Jamie Polk has passed along
the road there, with his breeches rolled up
to his knees. He was a bashful little fellow."
Mrs. Smart was reared iu the doctrines
of the Presbyterian church, and remembered j
till the ministers who occupied the seven
pulpits in Mecklenburg at the time of the
Revolution. She talked with interest also of j
the politics of the day, and read the news- j
papers, even at the age of ninety. She in- i
formed Mr. Stinson, on his visit to her, that
one of her relatives had been telling her of
a political meeting to be held in fork EMs- !
trict, and had advocated the secession of
South Carolina from the Union. She inti
mated to him that she had heard of this new
device, and had also been informed that
many of the good, gifted, and great, of South
Carolina were not in favor of secession. For
her own part, she said: "The North and
South stood shoulder to shoulder in the
times of '76. We should settle our family
bickerings at all times by a compromise."
The stump speeches delivered at this
period brought to her mind the time when
she was ti girl of fourteen. For hours at a
time she remembered to have heard the
Reverend James Hall, of Iredell, who was
also a captain of dragoons. There he stood
upon the stump, in his fringed hunting shirt,
his broadsword by his side, haranguing the
people. Although young, she understood
every word of his soul-stirring speech. His
theme needed no big words to set it off; it
was the liberty taught us in the Bible and
the Church, at the family fireside. Tho
response to the orator was the noble darincr
of patriots, in the maintenance of national !
and individual rights; ami every bush in old
Mecklenburg was vocal with the rifle's re- '
port, driving back the ruthless invader.
Then the United States formed one country ;
and a Washington led her armies.
From the X. C. University Magazine.
BRITISH INVASION OP NORTH
CAROLINA. IN 1780 '81.
HHPs Iron Works burned ly the enemy
General Sumpter is placed at the head of
the JSorth Carolina Militia Unsuccessful
attack on Rocky Mount.
On the 7th of July, it was understood a
party of British and Tories were inarching
up the west of the Catawba river, and it was
ordered that the men in the West of Meek- !
Icnburg should attend public worship at j
Steel Creek Church with their arms on Sun
day the 9th. After sermon, parting with '
their families, the men were organized, mid
marched down the East side of the river.
The enemy advanced the same day as far i
as Hill's Iron Works, about 10 miles below
said church, on the West side. They set
the works on fire. In the evening when our I
party approached within four miles of tho ;
works on the hills above Bigger's Ferry,
they saw the smoke ascending, and heard
tho enemy was there. At night our men ;
were joined by other companies from the
North of Mecklenburg, and a few South :
Carolina refugees under the command of
Genera Sumter. He being the officer
highest in grade, was vested with the com
mand of the whole party. Next morning j
we had information bv our patrol that after
the enemy bad burned the Iron Works,
they marched towards where Vorkville now
stands.
General Sumter moved seven miles to j
the east, where the road from Charlotte to j
the Old Nation Ford crosses Hagler's
Branch, near Spratt' s farm, in the course
of the day, and on the 12th had upwards of
500 men. The position being favorable for
collecting supplies of provisions, he deter
mined to occupy it a few days ; but doubt- j
fj of being visited by the enemy's Cavalry,
the ground being hilly and covered ' 'ith j
oak timber, the General ordered the timber j
to be felled in different directions around
the camp, somewhat in the form of an abat
tis, and the body of the trees split and lean
ed over a strong pole supported by forks
or some high stump, the other end on the
ground at an angle of 3d degrees elevation,
and facing the uvenues left through the
jrui, or ahattis for passage, so that it would
., , , ..
"nK-1 LUU """""" '
he under and for defence. If the enemy
had come, unless supported by a large bo
dy of infantry or artillery, they could not
, forced the am
orce ie camP'
Major Davie, at his station near Waxhaw
creek, by his scouts discovered a party of
the British were advancing up the road from
Camden, and immediately sent an express,
to General Sumter, who, by this time, had
intelligence that the party on the west side
of the river bad entered Rooky Mount. On
the 17th July he marched to Waxhaw, and
formed a junction with Davie's Cavalry.
The place being unfavorable for support,
on the 18th he marched down Waxhaw
creek on the south side past Waxhaw Meet
ing House to a Dr. Harper's plantation,
who was said to be disaffected. Waxhaw
Meeting House was at this time the hospi
tal for the survivors of those who were
wounded at Buford's defeat, about 80 in
number, and being between the two armies,
were neglected in nurses, medical assistance,
and suitable provisions. Perhaps a more
complicated scene of misery, in proportion
to their number, was not exhibited in the
whole war. The horses were turned into a
green cornfield, not having provender for
the whole, upwards of 700. Early on the
19th, the party of observation near the en
emy communicated that they had inarched
from below the Hanging Rock creek, the
road towards Charlotte. The horses wero
caught in great baste, and marched briskly
to gain the ford on the Waxhaw creek be
fore the enemy, (there being no convenient
ford below,) and they halted at noon about
six miles farther on. It was expected they
would move on in the evening or night, and
a disposition was made for their reception.
Major Davie's Cavalry and 100 gun men
were placed opposite tho ford on the North
side of the creek, and upwards of 500 south
of the creek, about thirty jndes west of the
road, in a thick wood where Cavalry could
not act, and continued in this position until
next morning, but the enemy did not move.
If they had advanced, they wero to have
let them pass until they had encountered
the party with Major Davie, when those
with Generul Sumter we.e to have moved
from their concealed position and attack
them in flank and rear. From tho nature
of the ground, and disposition of the Amer
ican force, they must have been destroyed.
Neither cavalry nor artillery could have
been of service to thorn. It was not thought
advisable to attack the enemy at his camp,
and as Lord Rawdon when hero before had
consumed the forage at the neighboring
farms, General Sumter moved back on tho
road to Charlotte 10 miles, to Glenn's
Branch, and encamped wliero ho could
draw his supplies from the fertile settlement
of Providence on his left.
He continued in this place near a week;
the number of his men daily diminished.
While he kept moving, and they expected
to meet the enemy, they kept with him ; but
whenever they came to attend only to the
dull routine of camp duty, such as mount
ing, relieving and standing guard, and en
during privations, they became discontent
ed, and those in a convenient distance went
home, and others to the houses of their ac
quaintances, having no camp equipage or
utensils but what each man brought with
him. Though the officers had rolls of their
companies, they were seldom called, and
they could not tell who were present, ex
cept as they saw them in camp.
This was the first practical lesson to our
commanders of militia, showing that while
they kept in motion and the men expected
that something would bo achieved, they
continued with the army, but a few days
stationed in camps, they became discon
tented and would scatter, and those who
staid, the careless and slovenly manner in
which the duty of guards was performed af
forded no security to the camp. Of this
experience Gen. Sumter and other officers
availed themselves afterwards to the end of
the war.
By the 25th of July, he had not with him
more than 100 men, and lie sent out somo
of them through the adjoining settlements,
giving notice to nil to repair to camp, that
he intended to attack the enemy. By tho
28th, such numbers joined him as induced
him to inarch. It was known that the main
party of the enemy wero at Hanging Rock
Creek, and a detachment at Rocky Mount
on the west of the Catawba. Ho decided
to attack the latter, and crossed over the
Catawba with that view.
On the 1st day of August he arrived at
that place, situtitt d on the top of a high
hill, on the went side of the Catawba, just
below the mouth of Rocky Creek, (three
miles below where now stands the United
States establishment.) and the base of tho
Mount is bounded by the river on the east,
and the creek on the north. The log build
ings, which were fortified with abattis and
had loop holes to shoot through, stood on
the summit of the Mount, and was held by
Col. Turubull with a party of British and
some Tories, supposed 150 in the whole.
The slope from the top of the hill was gra
dual, and nearly equal on all sides, and the
land cleared. There was no swell in the
ground to shelter them from tho enemy's
fire, except on the west side a ledge of
blackish kind of rocks at the distance of
140 yards from the houses.
Tho men were drawn up in a line below
these rocks, and advanced up to them and
a party sent round on each flank. A brisk
fire commenced on both sides, which lasted
a considerable time, and great exertions
were made by the ussailunts to discover
some point where they might carry the
works, but fouud them equally difficult at
all points. The enemy were under cover
in the fortified buildings and sustained but
littlo damage from the Americans, and the
rocks were not so extensive as to shelter
them from tho firo of the (British. The
General finding it impossible to taks the