Newspapers / Shelby Daily Star (Shelby, … / March 27, 1925, edition 1 / Page 1
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Part Col. Shelby Played In Kings Mountain Battle Many people in this section will be interested in the continued ex. ploits of Col. Isaac Shelby, for whom Shelby was named, at the Battle of Kings Mountain as is told by Rev. J. D. Bailey in the Gaffney Ledger. The portion of Rev. Mr. Bailey’s narrative as taken up here deals with the movements of Colonel Shelby just before and during the famous battle: Shelby Proposes Joint Movement. Before the officers and men separat ed, Colonel Shelby proposed that an army of volunteers be raised on both sides of the mountains, sufficient to cope with Ferguson; for, as they ex peeted, he subsequently, followed then, advancing as far as Gilbert Town. All the officers and some of the privates, agreed to the propriety and feasibility of the undertaking. “Tell it in Gat.i, publish it in the streets of Askelon.’’ that the idea, which being carried out, resulted in the death of Ferguson and the annihilation of his army, origin ated in the patriotic brain of Colonel Isaac Shelby. Ferguson, hearing the muttering? of the gathering storm, paroled Sam uel Phillips, a relative of Colonel Shel by. with the following message: “That if they did not desist from their op position to the British arms, he would march his .\rsny over-the mountains, hang their leaders, and lay their coun try to waste with fire and sword.’ Phillips went directly to Shelby with the message; but, instead of intimida ting them by his threats, they fired the Patriots with greater determine tion. 10 carry out tne plans which he had designed, Shelby rode 40 miles to a horse-race, near where the present town of Jonesboro, Tenn., now is, to see Colonel John Sevier and others. ‘‘Shelby and Sevier there resolved that if Colonel Campbell would join them, they would raise all the force they could and attack Ferguson; and if this was not practicable they would co-operate with any corps of the army of the United States with which they might meet. If they failed, and the country was over-run and subdued by the British they would then take wa ter, and go down to the Spaniards in Louisiana.” (Shelby’s statement). The story of the gathering of the ‘‘clans” and their advance over the mountains, ha* been told in the nar rative of Colonel Campbell; also the flight of Ferguson from Gilbert Town to Kings Mountain, where he took post and bade defiance to both heaven and earth. All the available Whig forces hav . . , — » ■ -.. iriK made a final junction at “Ths Cowpens'’ on the evening of Octobei Jth, they halted for refreshments. A Party of six hundred Tories were as. sent bled at Major achariah Gibbs', who resided about four miles to the right of Gowpens, who were intending to join r erguson the next day. Ensign Rob ert f ampbell made the following entry On passing near the Cowpens, w<. heard of a large body of Tories about etgh (four) miles distant. and, al though the main enterprise was not to b° delayed a single moment, a part Of eight v volunteers, under Ensign Kolcrt Campbell, was dispatched ir, pur: uit of them during the night. They had, however, removed before the mountain: ers came to the place, and who, after riding all nitflit, came up with the main body next day.” Col onel Shelby states, that, “At the time the 910 men were selected to pursue rerguson, they were informed that there were six hundrd Tories embod ied near 'hem. and it was suggested that they should be attacked.” Shelby opposed this, saying that if they turn ed after any other object thev would .lose Ferguson. Then, it appears that j Shelby’s stern objections prevailed, and that the small detachment sent ! out under Ensign Campbell, was the result of a compromise. If the whole army had turned its attention to the party at Gibbs, the story of Kings i Moumain might have been very differ ent. This is another evidence that th* chief honor for the successful catch . of Ferguson belongs to Colonel Shelby. At about nine o’clock in the even ing the nine hundred and ten took up I their line of march in attest of th« main object of their pursuit. They crossed Broad river at the Cherokee Ford, a little after daylight the nex-. morning. Advancing some distance be yond the river, owing to the difficulty of travel, which a dark rainy night had caused, the men and horses were greatly jaded and much in need ot refreshments. This led Colonels Camp bell, Sevier and Cleaveland to consid er the necessity of halting. Riding up to Shelby, and apprising him of theii , ideas, he replied roughly with an oath. “I will not stop until night,jif I follow Ferguson into Cornwallis’ lines.” Without any reply, they returned to their respective commands and con tinued the march. This place, still, ad ditional responsibility and glory on Colonel Shelby, for Ferguson’s over thrown. Had the halt been made, re sults might have been very different. In the meantime, Ferguson could have been apprised of the approach, and, therefore been better prepared to repel the assault, or, he could have moved I off towards Charlotte, where Cornwal lis was posted. But Shelby’s unflinch ing, and determined reply caused the advance to continue and about three o’clock in the afternoon, the mountain was reached. In Shelby’s Kings Moun tain narrative, it is stated that, “When the patriots came near the mountain, they halted, tied all their loose bag ! gage to their saddles, fastened their ! horses, and left them under charge o* a few men, and prepared for an imme diate attack. About three o’clock the patriot force was led to the attack in four columns—Colonel Campbell com manded the right centre column, Col onel Shelby the left centre. Colonel Sevier/ the right flank column, and; Colonel Cleaveland the left flank. As they came to the foot of the mountain, the right center, and right flank col umns deployed to the right, and thc left centre and left flank columns to the left, and thus surrounding the mountain they marched up, commenc ing the action on all sides.” To get the correct position occupied by the different commanders from the above description, visitors to the battle ground should stand at the heel of the horse-shoe-shaped ridge, and look along the crest towards the northeast. About midway between the new and centennial monuments is the right, place. Ferguson was posted on the top of the ridtre. Shelby's Fart in Contest. Draper says: “The first firing was heard on the north side of the moun tain—evidently made by the enemy upon Shelby’s column, before they were in position to engage in the action.. It was galling in its effect; and not a little annoying to the mountain, eers, some of whom in their impati ence, complained that it would nevei do to be shot down without returning the fire. Shelby cooly replied, “press on to your places, and then your fire will not be lost’.” But before Shelby’s men could reach their position, Colon el Campbell had gained his on the op posite side, and was leading the brave Virginians to the attack. Coming, sud denly upon the enemy, Campbell yell ed at the top of his voice, “Here they are, my brave boys; shout like h—1, and fight like devils.” Says a writer, “The woods immediately resounded with the shouts of the line, in which they were heartily joined, first by Shelby’s corps, and then instantly caught up by the others along the two wings.” While the Britons were mak ing a bayonet charge on Campbell’s column, and driving it down the hill, Shelby was pressing up on the.ir rear, from the opposite side, and doing such execution that the Provincials found it necessary to turn back and give that body of mountaineers their attention “Shelby,” says Bancroft, “a man. of the hardiest make, stiff as iron, among the dauntless singled out for daunt lessness, went right onward and up. ward like a man who had but one thing to do, and but one thought—to do it.” Another says, “But brave as he and his men were, they, too, had to retreat before the charging col umn, yet slowly, firing as they re tired. When at the bottom of the hill, Shelby wanted to bring his men to or der, he would cry out—‘Now, boys quickly re-load your rifles, and let’s advance upon them, and give them another hell of a fire!” One of the most alert, and keenest of sharpshooters, under Colonel Shel by, was Josiah Culbertson, a son-in law of Colonel John Thomas, sr.. whose brilliant career, and thrilling adventures have been briefly mention ed by this writer in his “Some Heroes of the American Revolution.” Draper says: “He hud been selected with otii ers to get possession of an elevated position, for which a Tory captain and a party under him, stoutly con tended, but Culbertson and his rifle men were too alert for their antagon ists, and pressing closely upon them forced them to retire to some large rocks, where Culbertson at lengtt shot thejr leader in the head, whet, the survivors fled, and soon after with their fellows were compelled to sur render.” v Captain Moses Shelby was a broth er of the colonel, and was twice wounded in the action. The second ball passed through his thigh, and so disabled him, that he could not stand without help. He was assisted down to a branch at the foot of the mountain and was left with his rifle, for pro tection, if he should need it. Seeing a soldier come down to the branch too often under the plea of thirst, Captain Shelby informed him that if he came back again,, he would shoot him; that it was no time to shirk duty. Ensign Robert Campbell, in his ac count of the battle of Kings Moun tain, narrates the part borne by Col onel Shelby in that memorable contest as follows: “The British beat to arms and immediately formed on the top of the mountain, behind a chain of rocks that appeared impregnable, and had their wagons drawn up on theh flank across the end of the mountain, by which they made a strong breast, work. “Thus concealed, the American army aiKaneed to the charge. In ten or 15 minutes the wings came aroun-<, and the action became general. The enemy annoyed our troops very much from their advantageous position. Col onel Shelby, being previously ordered to reconnoitre their position, observ* ing their situation, and what a de structive fire was kept up from be hind those rocks, ordered Robert Camp bell, one of the officers of the Virgin la line, to move to the right with a small company to endeavor to dislodge them, and lead them cn nearly to the ground to which he had ordered them, under fire of the enemy’s lines and within forty steps of the same; but discovering that our men were repul sed on the other side of the mountain, he gave orders to advance, and post themselves opposite to the rocks, and near to the enemy, and then returned to assist in bringing Up the man in order, who had been charged with the bayonet. These orders were punct ually obeyed, and they kept up such a galling fire as to compel Ferguson to .order a company of regulars to face them, with a view to cover his men that were posted behind tht, rocks. At this time, a donsiderablb fire was drawn to this side of the mounta n by th' repulse of those ot the other, and the Loyalists, not be ing permitted to leave their posts. This scene was not of long duration, for it was the brave Virginia volun teers and those under Colonel Shelby jon their attempting rapidly to ascend the mountain, that were charged with the bayonet. They obstinately stood still until some of them were thrust through the body, and having noth i'UT but their rifles to defend them selves, they were forced to retreat. They were soon rallied by their gal lant commanders, Campbell, Shelby and other brave officers, ard by a con stant and well directed lire of their rifles, drove them back in their turn, strewing the face of the mountain with their assailants, and kept ad vancing until they drove them from some of their posts.” After a short while, Ferguson being pressed so hard on all sides, became desperate, and not willing to fall into the hands of his much bated enemies, be attempted to break through their lines and escape. The result was that he fell from his horse with six or eight bullet holes in his body. Fergu son s fall was soon followed by a coni plete surrender. The wounded leader was then carried down to a spring on the southeast side of the mountain and, gently bolstered up with rocks and blankets. Colonel Shelby rode up and thinking that Fergus* .* might be consrioiM—that he evidently was not —exclaimed: “Colonel, the fatal blow is struck—we’ve Burgoyned you!" In a few moments more, his lost soul went out into the “blackness of dark, ness,” and at the great white throne of judgment, to stand before the God whom ho had so boastingly defied while on earth. i lu' following is Ensign Campbell's account of the British losses: “one hundred and fifty of Colonel Fergu son’s party were killed, and some thing over that number were wound oil. Eight hundred and ten of whom one hundred wrre British regulars, surrendered themselves prisoners and one thousand, five hundred stand of arms were taken." An account of the march from the scenes of victory, into North Caro lina, and the part played by Colonel Shelby, have been given in the narra* live of Colonel Campbell. DON’T BE CROWDED OUT During its run of two solid years at the Booth Theatre, New York. “7th Heaven” played to the absolute capacity of that theatre. SEAT SALE NOW. BUY EARLY AND BE SAFE. PRINCESS THEATRE —SHELBY One Nihgt, MONDAY, MARCH 30. JOHN GOLDEN BRINGS TO YOU By AUSTIN STRONG Usual Excellent Golden Cast. PRICES:-—Lower Floor $2.50, $2.00, $1.50. Balcony $1.00 Plus Tax. This is a JOHN GOLDEN Attraction. Guaranteed Cast and Production. Shelby’s Valuable Residence Property At AUCTION-SATURDAY. MARCH 28 Al 2:00 Shelby, N. C. On the above day and hour we will sell first the FORTUNE PROPERTY fronting 269 feet on South LaFayette Street, which has been subdivided into 25 foot units. This being one of the most desirable p-eces of property so close to the heart of the prosperous and progressive Town of Shelby to be had at any price. It offers wonderful possibilities in the near future for either residence or Business sites, so don’t forget the hour that this property will be sold. c* „At £\3.° P* M- we r 1 Lse the^arkJerJP,"Ce^C^tedritht CleLveland. SPrm« Hard surface road, close in, and right in the heart of the best Residential sec: * n of Shelby. This property has been subdivided into Choice high class home sites, and in a manner that we are sure will meet the approval of the most exacting There is no section of Shelby that is making the wonderful progress m building that this section is at this time. This property has a large frontage on the Cleveland Springs road right in the midst of one of the largest developments m Western North Carolina. We ask that in taking y ovtr evening drive you look this property over and make your selections as we have only a limited number of lots on this sale, but will be the largest Austion Sale ever held in Shelby on this type of property. These properties are Shelby’s best, and should hkve everyone’s careful consideration. They are gilt edge investments, and wonderful opportunities for the Homeseeker. No Restrictions, all modern conveniences. You cannot afford to miss this great opportunity. So don’t forget the day and hours and meet us on the ground. — ALSO A BIG BALLOON ASCENSION — Prof. J. A. Park America’s greatest Aeronaut, will take the death leap from the sky in the big balloon, dropping over 3000 feet in a parachute. Bring the ladies and children to see this great attraction, and meet the thousands of people who will be there. TERMS EASY - BAND CONCERT - BALLOON ASCENSION This Sale Conducted for the J. B. NOLAN CO., Local Real Estate Agents, Shelby, N. C. i SALE WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE FAMOUS PITTS BROTHERS, TWIN AUCTIONEERING FORCE OF AMERICA. HEAR THEM—Its wortK your time CAROLINA LAND COMPANY agents, i rran ran ran ran ran rati fr-il fHili2fUSiUSIU£l',J5IUS fl rrHl fi?n fr3!! fiFflJrWI JHfl fr=3t1 /ran ran ran ran ran ran ran ran ran ran ran ran nan ran ranran r HICKORY, N. C.
Shelby Daily Star (Shelby, N.C.)
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March 27, 1925, edition 1
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