Part 19 (1/2)

2. Sir William Howe, the British Commander-in-Chief, had twenty- nine thousand trained soldiers available, and when Lord Cornwallis, who had been pursuing the Americans, was halted by him, it was the salvation of the force left with General Was.h.i.+ngton. Had Sir William forborne to stop the pursuit of Cornwallis the struggle might have soon ended in the capture of Was.h.i.+ngton. After a week of delay, Cornwallis was permitted to advance, and even then came up in time to see the last boatloads of the American troops crossing the great river which so effectually stopped all further pursuit.

1777.

3. When General Nash arrived at the American camp, after his long march from the south, he brought six full regiments of North Carolina Continentals, nearly doubling the force upon which the hopes of America mainly depended. By this means General Was.h.i.+ngton was soon after able to confront the advancing enemy in the battle of Brandywine, on September 11th. At this and other engagements the North Carolina troops displayed both courage and discipline.

4. It was on the b.l.o.o.d.y occasion of the attack upon the British force at Germanton, October 4th, that their most glorious record was made. General Was.h.i.+ngton entrusted the post of honor on the extreme right flank of his line of attack to General Francis Nash. The British were driven by the North Carolinians a long distance on the right of the village, but the American divisions which had been sent in on the left failed to dislodge the enemy, and in this way left General Nash's force exposed both on his left and rear.

5. It was a glorious but b.l.o.o.d.y day for North Carolina. The brigade suffered heavy loss in advancing, but greater when compelled to fall back for want of support. General Nash and Colonel Edward Buncombe were mortally wounded. Lieutenant- Colonel Irwin and many other gallant officers were slain upon the field.

1778.

6. At length the British forces were directed again toward the south. On December 29th, General Robert Howe was driven from Savannah by General Prevost, on which occasion the Second Regiment of Continentals was confronted by a regiment of North Carolina Tories under Colonel John Hamilton. Howe and his command were transferred to West Point, on the Hudson River, of which important post he was soon commander, with the rank of Major-General.

1779.

7. After 1778 the courts were fully established, and Judges Ashe, Iredell and Spencer held terms at Wilmington and at five other towns twice a year. Waightstill Avery, as Attorney-General, was busy in trials for treason against the State. There were many men who yet labored to restore the King's authority, and against them was needed all the vigilance possible, both in the courts and at military headquarters.

8. More than three years of the war had pa.s.sed away without serious disaster to North Carolina. No invaders disturbed her borders, and beyond the grief for friends slain in battle, there was cause for grat.i.tude to G.o.d that so few evils of the war had yet visited the State.

9. General Was.h.i.+ngton had evinced such n.o.bility of soul and great military capacity that all American hearts were soon filled with love and admiration. With far-seeing wisdom, he was patiently biding his time to strike his enemies, and in foreign lands other great soldiers were applauding the mingled caution and boldness of his military movements.

QUESTIONS.

1. Where were the North Carolina troops at this time? What was the condition of Was.h.i.+ngton's army?

2. How were the Continental troops benefited by an order of Sir William Howe?

3. What battle was fought on September 11th, 1777?

4. On what battle field did the North Carolina troops specially distinguish themselves on October 4th? Relate the circ.u.mstances.

5. How did General Nash and his troops suffer on this occasion?

6. What occurred at Savannah on December 29th, 1778? To what place was General Howe then transferred?

7. When were the courts of North Carolina fully established? Can you tell something of the judicial system in that period?

8. For what had North Carolina cause to be grateful?

9. What is said of General Was.h.i.+ngton?

CHAPTER x.x.x.

STONY POINT AND CHARLESTON.

A. D. 1779 TO 1780.

The capture of Savannah caused uneasiness in all the Southern States. It was seen at once that Georgia was but a starting point in a general scheme of transferring hostilities from the north. Early in 1779, General John Ashe reached Charleston with two or more brigades of militia. These were hurried off, at the importunate demand of the Governor of South Carolina, to attack the British at Augusta.

2. General Ashe remonstrated, saying his men were not yet ready for active service in the field; he obeyed orders, however, and took the field as directed. On his approach the enemy retired down the Savannah River, and Ashe, dividing his force, was so unfortunate as to fall into an ambush on Brier Creek, where his men, who were raw, undisciplined troops, were taken by surprise and routed.

3. A little later, and elsewhere, there was better fortune. At Stony Point, on the Hudson River, a strong American fortification had been recently captured by the British.