Col. Ferguson, having accurate intelligence of Col. Williams, of South Carolina, with near 400 the force collecting against him, early on the 4th | men, and about 60 from Lincoln county, who had of October, ordered his men to march, and re-joined them on their march, under Col. Hambrite mained half an hour after they had started, wri- and Major Chronicle. After drawing rations of ting a dispatch to Lord Cornwallis, no doubt in- beef, the whole proceeded on, a little before sunset, forming him of his situation, and soliciting aid. taking Ferguson's trail towards Deer's Ferry, on The letter was committed to the care of the noted Broad river. Night coming on, and being very Abraham Collins, (since of counterfeit memory.) | dark, their pilot got out of the right way, and for and another person, by the name of Quin, with in- some time they were lost; but before day light junctions to deliver it as soon as possible. They they reached near to the ferry, and by direction of set out and attempted to pass the direct road to the officers, the pilot led them to the Cherokee Charlotte, but having to pass through some whig ford, about a mile and a half below, as it was not settlements, they were suspected and pursued, and known but the enemy might be in possession of the being compelled to secrete themselves by day and Eastern bank of the river. It was on the morntravel by night, they did not reach Charlotte until ing of the 7th, before sunrise, when they crossed the morning of the 7th of October, (the day of the the river, and marched about two miles, to the place battle.) Col. Ferguson encamped the first night at where Ferguson had encamped on the night of the noted place called the Cowpens, about 20 miles the 5th. from Gilbertstown. On the 5th October, he crossed Broad river, at what is now called Deer's Ferry, 16 miles. On the 6th he marched up the Ridge Road, between the waters of King's and Buffalo Creeks, until he came to the fork turning to the right, across King's Creek, and through a gap of the mountain towards Yorkville, about 14 miles. Then he encamped on the summit of that part of the mountain to the right of the road, where he remained until he was attacked on the 7th. There they halted a short time, and took such breakfast, as their wallets and saddlebags could afford. The day was showery, and they were obliged to use their blankets and greatcoats to protect their arms from wet. They passed on a dozen of miles without seeing any person; at length, they met a lad, in an old field, by the name of Fonderin, about twelve or fourteen years of age, who had a brother and other relations in Ferguson's camp, and who was directly from it, within less than three When the troops from the different counties met, miles. A halt was ordered, and the Colonels met at the head of the Catawba river, the commanding in consultation. Several persons knew the ground officers met, and finding that they were all of equal well on which the enemy was encamped, agreeable grade, and no general officer to command, it was to the information given by the boy of their posidecided that Col. Charles McDowell should go to tion. The plan of battle was immediately settled, Head Quarters, supposed to be between Charlotte that the force should be nearly equally divided, and and Salisbury, to obtain Gen. Sumner or Gen. Da- | one half would take to the right, cross over and vidson to take the command. In the meantime, it was agreed that Col. William Campbell, who had the largest regiment, should take the command until the arrival of a general officer, who was to act according to the advice of the Colonels commanding, and that Major Joseph McDowell should take the command of the Burke and Rutherford regiment, until the return of Col. McDowell. occupy the South-East side of the mountain, and that the other should advance to the North-West side, and that each division would move forward until they formed a junction, when all should face to the front, and press upon the enemy up the sides of the mountain. Orders were given to prepare for battle, by laying aside every incumbrance, examining well their arms and guarding against Shortly after these measures were adopted, in- | alarm. The orders were speedily obeyed, and telligence was received that Col. Ferguson had they moved forward over King's Creek, and up a left Gilbertstown, and it was decided that they branch and ravine, and between two rocky knobs, would march after him, by that place, and on their which when they had passed, the top of the mounway received evidence that it was his design to tain and the enemy's camp upon it, were in full evade an engagement with them. On the evening view, about 100 poles in front. Here they haltof the 6th of October, the Colonels in council ed, and tied their horses, leaving the necessary unanimously resolved, that they would select all guard with them. It was now 3 o'clock in the the men and horse fit for service and immedi-afternoon. ately pursue Ferguson until they should overtake The enemy's camp was to the right of the road, him, leaving such as were not able to go, to come 70 or 80 poles in length, and on the summit of the after as fast as they could. The next evening, mountain, which at this place runs nearly Norththe selection was made, and 910 men, including | East and South-West : (the shadow of the timber officers, were marched before, leaving the others at half-past one P. M., ranges with it.) The troops to follow. They came to the Cowpens, where Ferguson had camped on the night of the 4th, and there met VoL. XI-70 were led on in the following order :-To the right, Major Winston, Col. Sevier, Col. Campbell, Col. Shelby and Major McDowell-To the left, Col. Hambrite, Col. Cleveland, and Col. Williams, of Col. Beaufort's defeat by Tarlton, where no quarSouth Carolina. ters were given. A guard was placed over the prisoners and all remained on the mountain during the night. Each division moved off steadily to the place assigned them in the order of battle. Some of the regiments suffered much under the galling fire of the enemy, before they were in a position to engage in the action. Some complaints began to be uttered, that it would never do to be shot down without returning the fire. Col. Shelby replied, "press on to your places and then your fire will not be lost." The party which led the left wing under Col. Hambrite, suffered very much, having to pass very difficult ground to reach their place of destination, and within 80 yards of the enemy's marksmen. Col. Hambrite was wounded, and Major Chronicle was killed. Col. Williams, of South Carolina, a brave and efficient officer, was also killed. The loss of the whigs was not exactly ascertained, but believed to be about 30 killed and 50 wounded. The enemy had about 150 killed and all the rest taken prisoners. The men led by Shelby and Mc Dowell were soon closely engaged, and the contest from the first was very severe. Williams and Cleveland were soon in their places, and with the utmost energy engaged the foe. Ferguson, finding that the end of On the morning of the 8th, a court-martial was his line was giving way, ordered forward his reg-held, several of the prisoners who were found ulars and riflemen, with bayonets, and made a fu-guilty of murder and other high crimes, were rious charge upon Shelby and McDowell, charging sentenced to be hanged. About twenty were exdown the mountain some 200 yards. A united and ecuted. destructive fire soon compelled him to order his At the forks of the branch where Major Chronparty back to the top of the mountain. To ward icle and Captain Mattocks were buried, a monuoff the deadly attack from Col. Williams, Fergu-ment was erected. On the East side is the folson again charged with fury down the mountain. lowing inscription: When Shelby's men saw this, they raised the cry, come on men, the enemy is retreating." They rallied by the time Ferguson returned from the charge against the South Carolinians, renewed their fire with great resolution. Ferguson again charged upon Shelby but not so far as before. Col. Williams' men, in turn, called out, "the enemy is retreating, come on men." "Sacred to the memory of Major William Chronicle and Captain John Mattocks, William Robb and John Boyd, who were killed at this place on the 7th October, 1780, fighting in defence of America." Inscribed on the Western side of said monument, facing the battle ground: "Col. Ferguson, an officer of his Britannic Majesty, was defeated and killed at this place, on the 7th of October, 1780." SOME ADDITIONAL ANECDOTES. At this stage of the action, Hambrite and Winston had met, and a brisk fire was poured upon Ferguson's men all around the mountain. As he would advance towards Campbell, Sevier, Winston and Hambrite, he was pursued by Shelby, McDowell, Williams and Cleveland. When he would turn To the preceding account, permit me to add some his forces against the latter, the former would press traditionary facts. It is said that Col. Ferguson, on in pursuit. Thus he struggled on, making char-when he encamped on King's Mountain, after some ges and retreats, but his left was rapidly losing days of retreat before the gathering militis, exground. His men were rapidly falling before the claimed to his men, Here is a place God Almighty skilful aim and unbending courage of the whigs. can not drive us from." He never left the moun Even after being wounded, he fought on with cour-tain; he fell the next day, in battle. age. He made every effort that could be done by a brave and skilful officer, according to his position. At length he was shot dead, and his whole command driven up into a group of 60 yards in length, and not 40 in width. The British officer, Captain Dupiester, who took the command, ordered a white flag to be raised, in token of surrender, but the bearer was instantly shot down. He soon had another raised, and called out for quarter. Col. Shelby demanded, if they surrendered, why did they not throw down their It was instantly done. arms. During the action, Col. Campbell rode down two horses in performing his duties on the mountain side. His own bald face black horse proving skittish, he exchanged him in the beginning of the action with a Mr. Campbell, who was in his corps. In the heat of the battle, he was seen on foot at the head of his men, with his coat off and his shirt collar open. Some two hundred yards down the mountain was bald face, mounted by the Colonel's servant, a tall, well proportioned mulatto, who said, "he had come up to see what his master and the rest were doing." But still the firing was continued, until Shelby Ex-Senator Preston, of South Carolina, a grandand Sevier went inside the lines and ordered the son of Col. Campbell, in his youth, stopped at a men to cease. Some who kept it up, would call tavern in South Carolina, near the North Carolina out, "give them Beaufort's play." Alluding to line, in sight of King's Mountain; and while break fast was preparing, observed that the landlady frequently turned to look at him. While eating his meal, she asked his name, and observed, by way of awkward apology, that he was very like the man she most dreaded on earth. "And who is that?" said Preston. "Col. Campbell,” said the woman, "that hung my husband at King's Mountain." Col. Campbell was appointed commanding officer of the militia in Eastern Virginia, after the battle of Guilford, in which he acted a conspicuous part, and died in the service, of a fever, while yet but a young man, and was buried at Rocky Mills, in Hanover county. After an interval of 40 years, his remains were removed to Washington county-the bones and hair undecayed, though they had lain in a moist, clay soil. Col. Campbell was a native of Augusta county, Virginia, and removed early to Washington county; a bold and active man, extremely popular with the militia of his county, and an untiring enemy of the tories, who hated him as much as he loved his country. Shelby was afterwards Governor of the State of Kentucky. There are, Mr. Editor, a multitude of interesting particulars respecting the men of the revolution, which, when gathered, will form the history of that epoch, that are now, scattered here and there, and likely soon to perish from memory of the living. May your efforts to collect them prove successful. They will come in, one by one, but chapters form the history, as drops the ocean. Very respectfully, yours, GROUPED THOUGHTS AND SCATTERED FANCIES. By the Author of "Atalantis," "Southern Passages and Weave me, sweet minstrel, into gentlest song, If loving truly, is made whole in heaven. LXXI. Methinks, there is no blindness such as this- Vouchsafed, when earth had lost all right to bliss; Lowly brings life-and, when all fortune spent, Cheers with devotion and the sweetest proof, So that the sufferer freshens with content; And, in the desolation at his door, Sees but the sweet security of all, Which, lost to hapless Adam at the fall, Eden regained, had left possession poor! Yet daily, in our blindness, we rush on, Though hearts around us cry imploring to be won. Would we go forward boldly, and gain heart To fresh endeavor; and the eye grows bright, When the first fresh beginnings of the march, Lie bright beneath the broad and sheltering arch; And, re-possessed of childhood, we are near Heaven's sources,-for the true humanity, Keeps past and future still in either eye. LXXIV. Three children play'd beneath a spreading tree, But, delicate by nature, in the strife, And knew no more each other;-then a gloom, LXXV. Oh! what is there of magic in the name, That thus my heart should tremble,-though long years Have pass'd, since, following that delusive flame, I learn'd how little profit came from tears,How great the shame of weakness, what the scorn Of power, at meek devotion,--and, how vain, When pride finds pleasure in bestowing pain, To hope that nobler feelings may be born In the tyrannic bosom !--Shall it be, That, from the passion which has brought me shame, The sacrifice of human hope and fame, The Fates deny my spirit to go free? Ah! wherefore love if thus ?--but love reproves The murmur, since he lives alone who loves! LXXVI. Methinks each noble purpose of man's heart, The solitude on Ruin, and her gray, And based its shrines on worship. In the stone Dismember'd, sits that guardian shape alone, Twin-being with the precious trust whose birth, Brought down a wandering genius to a throne, And gave him thence a realm and power on earth. LXXVII. Thy thought, but whisper'd, rises up a spirit, Wing'd and from thence immortal. The sweet tone, Freed by thy skill from prisoning wood or stone, Doth thence, for thine, a tribute soul inherit! When from the genius speaking in thy mind, Thou hast evolved the godlike shrine or tower, That moment does thy matchless art unbind A spirit born for earth, and arm'd with power, The fabric of thy love to watch and keep From utter desecration. It may fall, Thy structure,--and its gray stones topple all,— But he who treads its portals, feels how deep A presence is upon him,-and his word LXXVIII. At every whisper we endow with life, A being of good or evil,—who must, thence, Allegiance yield to that intelligence, Which he must seek forever! The good thought, Which, calling into birth, decreed the strife, Is born a blessed angel, that goes forth, In ministry of gladness, through the earth Still teaching what is love, by love still taught! The evil joins the numerous ranks of ill, And, born of curses, through the endless years, "Till Time shall be no more, and human tears Dried up in judgment,-must his curse fulfil! Dream'st thou of what is blessing or unblest, Thou tak'st a God or Demon to thy breast! LXXIX. How beautiful, thus fading from the eye, Are the sweet things we scarcely saw before; Scenes that, 'till now, ne'er challenged smile or sigh, How lovely seem they, fleeting evermore; We feel, too late, our blindness and would buy From memory, all that memory can restore! Thus, the o'erburthen'd form, as on the bed Of Death, and the last trial, it reposes, New freshness feels in all around it spread, And finds new sweetness in the leaves and roses. 'Till now there had been nothing in the things, Most precious near us, and our eyes unfold, Even as they close forever, to behold How dear the gifts of home our blindness from us flings. LXXX. Men were ye!-fearless and strong hearted men, And, slow to conflict, slower still in flight! men, Forever battling in the good old cause, Of man!--his rights, his liberties and laws, And, over all, his progress! Be it then, Your glory to have struggled through the strife, Renewed, and sure of still-renewing life. LXXXI. The record should be made of each great deed, Grows hush'd, as if a shape, unseen, beside him Nor, aught forgetting of the glorious past, heard. Lay good foundations in the future's womb; So, when the hardy sire descends at last, Still mightier,--and the column that mounts high, Gray, granite speaker, still, to glad and guide the LXXXII. Thy sun has set, and yet the sun shines on, In blood, and battle, and o'erwhelming night,-- Were there to thwart, if not to shame, the few, As to a mother's grave,-nerved by a strength LXXXIII. Thou hast enamor'd me of woodland scenes, FITZALLAN. A SKETCH. CHAPTER I. "The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men; Music arose with its voluptuous swell, Childe Harold. The soirée of the Misses Hamilton was the most brilliant of the season. All the fashion and beauty of the exceedingly fashionable city of Charleston were present, groups of lovely women were seen gathered in different parts of the splendid suite of apartments, and were charming their attendant cavaliers with the most pleasing and delightful vivacity. One group, in particular, elicited the attention of every stranger who entered, not only from the magnetic influence which personal attractions invariably possess, but also from the unrestrained abandonment of the soul to "the laughing hours," which characterized the merry circle. It consisted of three ladies of very distingué air, and two officers, in the handsome and attractive uniform of our gallant navy. The young belles forming this Good shepherd, for thou show'st them with an coterie, were two sisters and an intimate friend. air Of truth, to win even wilder hearts to hear, Which, as they rouse no passions up, must be, LXXXIV. Sit thee beside me for awhile, and rest, The person of Ella St. Clare, (the elder of the sisters,) was slight and sylph-like, and the character of her face decidedly Jewish; a soft and melancholy expression, dark hazle eyes and brilliant complexion, gave interest to a countenance, which would be otherwise considered plain. Her sister was a tall, commanding girl-a perfect Hebe; her beauty was almost infantine, and yet no one could read aught in her expressive eye, save talent of the highest order. Her cheek wore the bloom of the ripe red peach, and in her sweetly dimpled chin, Cupid might have found a sunny resting-place. Her manner would have been perfect, but for an affected naïveté, if we may use the expression. So deeply had this simplicity of manner been studied, that the most astute observers were frequently deceived, and could scarcely believe that every look, word, and action which appeared so "bewitchingly simple," were but the result of deeply studied art and never ceasing vigilance. Had she suppressed one trait in her character, she might perhaps have appeared unsophisticated, and successfully palmed her little airs upon the lynx-eyed cynic, as the gentle wellings of unrestrained nature; but unfortunately, her whole disposition was deeply tinctured with the acrimony of satire, whose venom was scattered unsparingly alike on friend and foe. Not even her gentle and shrinking sister was exempt from the poisoned darts of her sarcasm, when seeking for some passive and defenceless ob |