BftlllkflDS OF GOUIRMGEOUS MARSBUL DElANCEY HAYWOOD Class / ^ yfj 255 Copyright 1914 BY Marshall DeLancey Haywood 0^^^-4 1914 4 ./^S-^ G!,A387821 To president of The North Carolina Society of the Cincinnati IN PEACE and in WAR A LOYAL NORTH CAROLINIAN and a worthy representative of heroic revolutionary ancestors This Work is Inscribed AS A TOKEN OF FRIENDSHIP AND ADMIRATION CONTENTS Old Colonial Days - - - - 7 Roanoke Island _ _ - - 8 Blackbeard the Corsair - - - 12 The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence - - - - 16 The Masons of '76 - - - - 20 The Flint-Lock Rifle — Battle op Moore's Creek Bridge - - - 30 King's Mountain - - - - 36 The Turkey and the Judge - - - 42 Zebulon Baird Vance _ - - 45 To Our Confederate Dead - - - 46 A Toast: To the Sons of the Revolution 48 Reveries of a Tar-Heel Scribe - - 49 BALLADS of COURAGEOUS CAROLINIANS Old Colonial Days To the present let us bid adieu And with the past commune; As Holy Writ enjoins, we'll view The rock whence we are hewn. Tales of a brave and warlike race My pages will unfold — Of peace and strife, of death and life, Of word and action bold. I'll seek to tell of men long gone, Of long forgotten ways. And how our fathers wrought and fought In old colonial days. 1903. 8 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians Roanoke Island Ob the Landing of Captain Ralph Lane, with Sie Walter Raleigh's Colonists on the Coast of Cakolina in 1585. If sandy hills could only tell What deeds in ancient days befell, We first would hear of Redskin braves Whose bones now moulder in their graves. And then upon this western shore, Where Christian never trod before. Bold Raleigh's voyagers were seen — Sent hither by the English Queen. Above their ships within the bay Floated St. George's banner gay, While on the decks, for action set. Stood culverin and falconet. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 9 Then Captain Lane, with eye serene, Gazed proudly on the quiet scene; And when his voice the silence broke. In solemn tones he slowly spoke : *^My noble men — so true and brave When tempest-tossed upon the wave — In safety we have now been brought To this good haven which we sought. "This fertile land, so fair and green. We claim of right for Britain's Queen, And our good blades, on land and main, Shall guard it from the fleets of Spain. 10 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians "In Holy Scriptures we may read A man once took a mustard seed And cast it in a garden fair, When soon its branches filled the air. ^"^We plant a nation ! — may it stand For all that makes a noble land ; And English laws shall rule this State Where dwell the happy, wise, and great. "May God, to Whom our fathers ]Drayed, Still shelter those who seek His aid ; And may His favor rest on all Who gather at our Sovereign's call. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 11 "So up St. George, and down with Spain ! Long may onr Queen in honor reign ! We'll sweep her foes from every sea, And make this western country free!" 1913. 12 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians Blackbeard the Corsair Being an Account of the Mateimonial and Pieatioal Exploits of a Noted Navigatob. On tlie coast of Carolina, In the dim and distant past, Lived a gay and fearless pirate, Who could weather any blast ; And all the ladies madly loved This buccaneer so bold. Who wore a gorgeous uniform With epaulets of gold. He had thirteen loving spouses To share his earthly joys. He had several hundred daughters And ninety little boys; And when within the nursery These brats began to cry, He'd start out on a voyage — In a ship he didn't buy. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 13 He raised his sable standard Beside the Spanish main, Then scuttled twenty galleons, And started north again; In bleak JSTew England's waters He rode before the gale, And for the coast of Africa Put forth his dreaded sail. Along the sands of Guinea He went in search of gold, And came off with some natives Stored snugly in his hold; When he was home again, he said He'd sell his human goods To planters on the Albemarle In Carolina's woods. 14 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians Then he returned to Oeracoke And, as he looked around, He thought he saw two merchant ships Come sailing through the sound ; "We'll take these now/' the corsair said, "And soon will have them plundered" — But, as he spoke these careless words, Two crashing broadsides thundered! What he had thought were merchant ships, Like drones without a sting. Were sloops of war from Hampton Roads, Sent out bj England's King ! They shot the pirate's sails to shreds, Thej slaughtered all his crew, They made his boat a floating wreck, And cut his neck in two. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 15 High on a mast his head they kept — A warning sad and dire ! — While all his little children wept To lose their noble sire ; And all his winsome widows, too, With grief would nearly choke When thinking of their lover true Who died at Ocracoke. So now, my friends, to end this lay, A moral let me press — Don't act as did this rover gay And marry to excess ; Eor wives galore engender strife. And you will have to roam. Or pass away your weary life With squalling babes at home. 1911. 16 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence At Charlotte, N. C, Mat 20, 1775. You have heard of bloody exploits And deeds of daring done ; You have heard of matchless valor, In battles, lost and won ; You have heard of armies fighting With frenzied desperation, But what I now relate was done With cool deliberation. The patriots of Mecklenburg Were men of spirit bold, Who scorned to wear a tyrant's chains, Or profit by his gold ; They loved their native forests. Their mountains and their streams, And freedom was the only thought That filled their daily dreams. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 17 So to the trusty Polk they said : ^'The time still nearer draws, When we shall strike our fetters off, Or die in Freedom's cause ; Be watchful of our sacred rights, We'll gather at your call. And, rising in our righteous wrath. Will break our country's thrall." With this they journeyed homeward. To rest until the day That they were called together In the pleasant month of May ; And then, in solemn council. They gathered to proclaim 'Twas death to aid oppressors. Or their country's honor shame. 18 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians Then rang with fierce defiance: 'We'll serve no earthly king ! They've stirred the dreaded 'Hornets' Nest/ They'll feel the hornets' sting ! Our countrymen at Lexington Inhumanly were slain, And now, with God's assistance, Our freedom will we gain !" Then came the Eevolution That shook this mighty land, And the thundering of cannon Was heard on every hand ; Our rifles dealt destruction From the mountains to the sea, And the people of America Became forever free. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 19 All hail to Carolina ! First of the ^^Old Thirteen'' To face the wrath of Britain's King With calm and fearless mien ; All honor to old Mecklenburg And her great Declaration, And to the men who first conceived The freedom of our !N"ation. 1893. 20 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians The Masons of '76 A TALE OF THE GEAND LODGE OF AMERICA, AT HALIFAX, NORTH Carolina, which ceased work during the War of the Revolution in consequence of the facts that Provin- cial Grand Master Josei'h Montfort expired at the beginning of hostilities, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Cornelius Harnett died in a British prison at Wilmington, and Provincial Grand Secretary Wil- liam Beimaoe was exiled for Toryism by the Ameri- cans. In Halifax, renowned of old, I've heard a stirring legend told, How Masons of an ancient day Were ruled by Montfort's gentle sway. Their working-tools they wielded long. Then closed the Lodge with happy song ; Or round the table formed a ring And drained their cups ^Ho Craft and King." Yet once, when Montfort took his place, A troubled look was on his face. While Harnett, in his apron white, Sat silent at the Master's right. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 21 The visiting Brethren, one and all, Were welcomed to the spacious hall, And Brimage made a record fair Of all the Craftsmen gathered there. "Mj Brothers,'' said the Master old, ^'Sad tidings for the Craft I hold ; The King, whom we have honored long, ]^ow seeks to do our country wrong. "His forces march and take the field To conquer all who will not yield ; His free-born subjects he defies. And all their chartered rights denies. 22 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians ^'If for the King we take our stand, We prove untrue to this fair land ; If to the land such help we bring, We fight the armies of our king. ^^l\e told you this unwelcome news, And listen now to hear your views ; In thisj our sad perplexing plight. Wise counsels yet may guide us right.'' Then up rose Brim age in his place, To Montfort bowed with courtly grace. And to the Lodge, assembled there, Hastened his homage to declare. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 23 ^'Most Worshipful/' he slowly said, ''In England I was bom and bred, And to this far-off western land I journeyed at my King's command. ''Sworn to maintain his righteous laws. If war must come, I'll back his cause ; Take heed, lest treason on you bring The vengeance of our country's King. "Forever honored be his name, And may we all uphold his fame ! Call me a Tory if you will — To good King George I'm loyal still." 24 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians Then Harnett rose, with heart of fire, Bj long oppression roused to ire. And curses loud he showered down, On all adherents of the Crown. In scornful tones rang out his cr j : "Let cowards yield who fear to die ! But rest assured, my Brothers all, With freedom's friends I'll stand or fall. "Our fathers, reared on English soil, Were long inured to blood and toil ; They swept the Spaniards from the sea. And founded here a country free. Ballads of Courageous Carolinmns 25 ''Shall we, the sons of such a race, Our sacred heritage disgrace ^ Better the gibbet and the grave Than creep on earth, a cringing slave! ''Grand Master Warren gave his life At Bunker Hill, in deadly strife ; And Masons here, in brave array, Have fought where Caswell led the way." Beneath the Lodge's windows then There passed a line of mounted men, While blatant bugles, ringing clear, Awoke the echoes far and near. 26 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians A banner strange these horsemen bore Which none had ever seen before ; Fair were its white and crimson bars And azure field, bedecked with stars. Three gallant soldiers, Craftsmen all, I^ow sought the old Masonic Hall ; And by their grips and tokens true Soon passed the portals safely through. Patten and Lamb, and Murfree too. In uniforms of buff and blue. With sabres dangling at their side. All entered with a hasty stride. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 27 "Short time for greetings have we here!" Bold Patten cried, in accents clear, "With our brave men we're riding post To Washington's beleaguered host. "From this old State, so dear to all, Southward we heard our country's call ; And bloody fields the tale can tell We tried to do our duty well. "Our troops are camped within your town, But, ere another sun goes down. We'll strike our tents and northward go To seek again the hated foe. 28 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians ^'America has sought redress And shown the cause of her distress ; But England's monarch fiercely swore He ne'er would treat with rebels more." ^'Farewell to peace/' said Montfort then, *^You now must fight like free-born men, Since by their conduct well we know The purpose of the coming foe. ''But here on earth I cannot stay, For sickness holds me in its sway ; God have you in His keeping long And shield our land from force and wrons: 1 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 29 'With fond farewell, and wishes warm, I close this Lodge in Ample Form ; May Heaven's richest blessings fall On all the Masons in this hall !" When next the Craft in session met, The sun of Montf ort's life had set ; Thus closed the Master's honored sway, Thus passed his noble soul away. 1913. 30 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians The Flint-Lock Rifle A Tale of the First Whig Victory of the Revolution at Moore's Crkek Bridge, North Carolina, February 27, 1776. A rifle on mj chimney hung With lock of flint and steel — A piece whose summons sharp had rung Beside the cannon's peal When patriots for freedom fought, When waved their blades in air Around the homes their sires had sought Mid Indian forests fair. Within an arm-chair's warm embrace In weariness I lay, Before a cheerful fireplace Which drove dull care away ; Then gazing on the weapon grim, I thought upon the past, I^or recked I that my blaze grew dim, And wintry was the blast. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 31 And now, it seems, in vision clear, Another scene I see — In comes an ancient pioneer And doffs his cap to me; Around the room he casts his eyes Till on the gun they fall. And then, unheeding my surprise, He lifts it from the wall. "In spirit land I long have dwelt," He thus his tale began, "And in the silent hours have felt So far remote from man That o'er the earth my eyes were cast To find some token old. And fate rewards my search at last With this dear prize I hold. 32 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians "This rifle true, now owned by jou, Was once mj pride and trust, It heard the red man's fierce halloo, And dashed him to the dust ; In peace, it filled mj board with game, In war, it played its part, And when the Tories charging came It found their leader's heart. ^^Recalling now the years long dead, Methinks again I hear MacDonald's Highland legions tread The pathway to Cape Fear; A winding creek they soon behold. Spanned by a bridge of pine. Where, like the Spartan host of old. Stands drawn our battle line. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 33 " ^King George and broadswords !' fierce and loud 'Next rings their slogan call, As the great chieftain, brave MacLeod, Comes rushing to his fall ; Yet onward still, with charge and cheer, His clansmen press the fight. As paladins, unknown to fear. With claymores long and bright. "The bridge was long, with planks uptorn, The stream ran swift below. Yet quick to dare this hope forlorn, Pressed forward still our foe; Before our rifles' deadly crack Full brave they made a stand. But faltered on the narrow track Ere they had gained the land. 34: Ballads of Courageous Carolinians "Then, drenched with blood, they onward bore, While still was spared them breath, And fell our fatal guns before — Unconquered still in death! Thus darkly closed that deadly fray And Freedom's sun uprose. To shine on happier scenes today When vanquished are our foes." The pioneer thus closed his tale, Assumed a martial tread, And pausing there, so tall and pale, Thus solemnly he said : "When other foes our country smite. And she's cast down with doubt, I'll bring this rifle to the fight And help to drive them out.'' Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 35 Then waving me a fond adieu, My guest no longer spoke, His presence faded out of view — And slowly I awoke! Upon the chimney once again Was seen the hunter's friend, My fire in ashes long had lain And night was at an end. 1909. 36 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians King's Mountain* October 7. 1780. Fierce Ferguson came marching down And pitched his tents at Gilbert Town, Within the Old Korth State ; No man who viewed his strong array, Upholding Britain's iron sway, Could then foresee his fate. He bade his messengers proclaim A pardon, in King George's name. To each repentant foe ; And tales they told on every hand Of how the rebels brought the land To misery and woe — ^'Georgia has yielded to the Crown, The old Palmetto flag is down, Xew England sues for peace; Upon Virginia's rugged shore Our reinforcements daily pour, So let your treason cease." *Tlioiigh the campaign against Ferguson was organized in North Carolina, he was two miles inside of Sonth Carolina when the battle took place. In his work. South Carolina in the Revolu- tion, 1775-1780, pp. 7S9-790, McCrady says the American forces at King's Mountain were "composed of 200 Virginians, 510 North Carolinians, and 100 South Carolinians. The small party of Georgians present served with Williams." Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 37 Then spoke an ancient mountaineer : "Naught of New England can we hear, But trust her valiant sons; Those other States will share our fame By helping us your pride to tame With hunting-knives and guns. "Our own McDowells, hrave and true. Are forming now a rendezvous On Quaker Meadows fair; Hambright, Lenoir, and Cleveland stout, With Vance and Winston have come out To join their forces there. "Shelby and Williams, strong Sevier, And Chronicle, devoid of fear. Are longing for the fray ; And trusty allies from afar Are marching to the scene of war With all their brave array. 38 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians "At home, in his Virginia glen, Bold Campbell marshals now his men To join us in the fight; The State upon our southern side, Where Lacey's daring troopers ride, Is rising in her might. "And far away, on Georgia hills, Hammond and Clarke resent the ills Our country undergoes ; They even now, with grim intent, Are on this deadly errand bent To strike our tyrant foes. "So let your gasconading Scot Beware the Deckard rifle's shot — We know its use full well ! And how we'll track him to his lair, Leaving his lifeless body there. The future years shall tell.'' Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 39 The speaker paused : then saw afar The crippled spy, young Joseph Kerr, Come limping on his way ; He ran to meet that scout so bold, Whose tidings (in a whisper told) Described the King's array — "Our foes decamped within the night And on yon mountain's lofty height Have fortified their post; They revel there with song and wine, And even swear the Power Divine Shall not molest their host." The old man answered : "Let them stay ! Tomorrow, at the break of day, We'll seek the Eedcoats there; And Ferguson shall sorely rue The time his base marauding crew First breathed our western air." 40 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians The morrow's clouds hung low and still As up the steep and rugged hill A thousand hunters sped; With rifles pouring fire and smoke, Through bayonets they fiercely broke, And piled the ground with dead. The Tory leader, in his pride, With brave DePeyster by his side, The fight would never yield ; His silver whistle wildly blew, Till, pierced with seven bullets through, He dropped upon the field. And many a bold assailant fell. To save the land he loved so well, Before the day was won ; Pale Chronicle could rise no more. And Williams weltered in his gore Beneath the autumn sun. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 41 When Ferguson was stricken dead His men in consternation fled To reach the level plain ; But in the mountain's lower glades They met with countless ambuscades, And sought the hill again. Surrounded there and brought to bay, They yielded up the hopeless fray To those bold rebel bands ; And never more, with vaunting pride. In warlike guise they dared to ride Throughout our mountain lands. May we, in all the coming years. Honor those stalwart pioneers Who battled for the right ; And may our discords pass away Until we reach that happy day When men shall cease to fight. 1913. 42 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians The Turkey and the Judge A Legend or the Pee Dee "Valley in North Carolina. While scorching rays of the sultry sun Were beating through the trees, An old judge lay, one summer's day, Reclining at his ease. His hairless pate was shining Like the mighty gilded dome That towers o'er St. Peter's, ISTear the Vatican, at Rome; And many pleasure-seeking flies Had exercised that day By skating on his cranium. To while their time away. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 43 A scarlet nightcap then he finds, To keep away the flies, And meanders through the garden Till a shady nook he spies; And then his slumber he resumes, Lulled by the humming bees And the odor of the roses That was wafted on the breeze. Soon a stately turkey-gobbler Sauntered down the winding path, When His Honor's flaming turban So stirred his inmost wrath, That then and there he gobbled out: "ril punch his old bald head!" And, flying on his prostrate form. He struck the jurist dead ! 44 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 'Twas thus the old colonial judge Was gathered to his sires ; And even at the present day, Beside their cottage fires, The farmers of the old Pee Dee With morbid fears grow pale. And shudder at the rustling leaves, As they relate the tale — Of how, at midnight's silent hour. Within the churchyard green. The aged sleeper's ghastly form In calm repose is seen ; And how the feathered murderer, In phantom shape, is said To strike again the deadly blow Upon his victim's head. 1895. Ballads of Courageoiis Carolinians 45 Zebulon Baird Vance i^ever did Fame record a name From falsehood's taint more free; ISTever did sinful earth give birth To son more brave than he. In peace, he was a leader sage, In v^ar, a soldier true; No secret strife he waged in life, His actions all men knew. "No ill-got treasure stained his hands, 'No selfish ends he sought; God send our State such men again — Men who can ne'er be bought. 1900. 46 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians To Our Confederate Dead On Laying the Coenerstone of the Confederate Monu- ment IN Raleigh on Mat 22,* 1894. !N'oble martyrs ! gently sleeping On the hills throughout the South, From the lordly old Potomac To the Mississippi's mouth, From the wave-beat shoals of Ilatteras To Antietam's Moody plain, In a holy cause you suffered — For your country you were slain. Now does grateful Carolina This fair column proudly rear To her chivalrous defenders Who, without reproach or fear, Four long years, in bloody conflict. With the sword her rights maintained — Fighting for a land invaded Which their fathers' valor gained. *The cornerstone of the Confederate Monument in Raleigh bears date May 20 (the anniversary of the signing of the Ordi- nance of Secession) ; but, as May 20 in 1894 fell on Sunday, the laying of the cornerstone took place on the following Tuesday, May 22. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 47 In the shades of Southern forests Many of you now repose, All unheeding, in your slumbers, Earthly joys or human woes; Waiting for the final summons Of the Master up above. To be joined with happy kindred In the realms of peace and love. 1894. 48 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians A Toast Here's to the Sons of the Revolution — May they defend the Constitution, Uphold our ITation's ancient glory, And praise her name in song and story. 1914. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 49 Reveries of a Tar-Heel Scribe In legends of the Table Kound And Arthur's knights so bold, We read of Caradoc renowned, Bedecked with spurs of gold. He fought for fame of lady fair, Who was his wedded wife ; And lovely maids had champions there To mingle in the strife. Their swords in deadly combat rang. To win the world's renown ; And troubadours their praises sang In castle, field, and town. 50 Ballads of Courageous Carolinians But now the brave Sir Lancelot, Sir Ector, and Sir Kay ]^o longer tilt at Camelot Before their ladies gay. Those stalwart knights have passed away To join the silent dead; And I prefer sweet peace's sway To that fierce life they led. Honor and fame I may not gain In any warlike guise, And never win a '^sweet Elaine" With love-light in her eyes. Ballads of Courageous Carolinians 51 For I'll not mount a war-horse strong To make a minstrel's rhyme ; Or kill men as I ride along, To pass away my time. The pen, as I've been often told. Is mightier than the glaive. Wherewith were slain those knights of old And hurried to their grave. So in my Carolina home I'll write in peace, and never roam, Pass happy moments while I may, Welcome the friends who come my way. And fill my cup and drink a toast To those who love their neighbors most. 1914. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 419 5413 #