......»I:.;;...m......:vA:....mm.....m;....._:I:...%..nn......:u.;....anu;...m-- A-3"- -*"?A--rlmunl::..%...:lijmmlIuumlmumliimg-nlm..ml1n..ut% ;A1iI* 1n1;ifi*?i=:11w'-133%!"*u:jim'=:i}:is-nliisw"=igIAw#=i1}si1*'¥I:{E‘ com ‘NI , aufilixefiflflilxniillnnaiihliu{;:ll§::§.fiI_fI1I;uzih:2miiliziumiiizzurxillm:uiL3_ A % 4 A FIFTHNWORTHCAROLINA A _ His LIFE, MiLITARYOAREE?R, AANDDEATI-I WI-IILEA A * WOAUNDED 1=>RIS0NER%INP14I1LA4DELPHIA DUR-__ A A QINGATI-IEAWARAQFVTI-EIAEREVOLUTION. A A A v E Am%m=§E:ss m~:;mVERE:D%%BE%FQ1=m%Afm)3;%AN3ORf1:fI:i% AQARQLINA SAOCIAE'I‘Y C33?‘ A :. jg‘ A THE cINwIN‘NATIATITsMm*rINGHELDINA:I-III4Ls+%A ~ ”"“% A ‘ A“‘i1§3**§‘§3A‘?'“§*%‘*' i£:i1§1ltx;§3§1f1“i‘I,%\‘i[£‘!.§'fi5”‘*éi\;§“ i T T co LO N E) L EDVVARD BUNCODMDBDE: F‘].FTH NOVRTH CAROLINA CONTINENTAL REIGIMENT. ¢¢O4 H 1.8 LI 1:?" A13, Ml fI;..gIT'1‘"AF? C AR E53 1*}, A fN' D ID I-BATH "W H ILE3 A O U N D 13?. D R I. S O INA IE‘. R If N P 1-fIf %I' L. A D 1:3‘. LZPLIEI II" A D U R “' I N" G "L“.1%~ IN H1I...[...S-« r:3c;:> IRCTJIJ C73’!-~l, .11;;rm' 1;, A1,:::,m1. % BY M AAI"—?SI{-IA.L;I;. DEDLAANOEY” HAYLWOOJ3. 11A°T;J‘I‘3I'.4I‘.C-‘5I-II:'31':) BY ’1“H'E ssocrmv. RALE3I‘GIr-1': A ALFORAD, ESYNUM & CHARISTOPHERS, PRINTERS, ‘ 1901. fig ADDRESS, Mn. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN on ’1.‘I~IZI+Z‘. SOCIETY: It is no small privilege which the North Carolina Society of the Cincinnati enjoys when it meets in this ancient Revolutionary capital, for here our organiza- tion was first brought into being. The year of grace i 1783, which is the date of its birth, was one of mingled joy and depression to the people of America. The War, it is true, had been fought to a successful close; and, by a treaty wherein they were separately speci- fied, King Greorge l1ad acknowledged the thirteen colo- nies to be “free, sovereign, and independent States.” But how cliaiiged was the order of things! The deso- lation following in the Wake of War was scarcely less terrible than war itself, and no State had made greater sacrifices for the cause of liberty than North Oarolilia... Under daring partisan leaders at home, under VVash-— ington in the north, and Greene in the south, her sons had in countless fights lengthened the list of killed and wounded, while those who were spared came home A to prove that———-—- “ Peace hath her victories No less renoWn’d than war.” Yet many, so many, there were of the brave defend- ers of America who did not return, and their mortal. remains still rest on and about the old battlefields made memorable by their Valor. To this class be- longed the good and gallant oflicer of whom I shall speak today. ' T COLONEL EDWARD BUNOOMBE, of Bnncombe Hall, in the Colony of North Carolina, was born in the year 1742, on the Island of St. Christopher, sometimes 4 called St. Kitt’s, which is one of the Leeward group in the W'est Indies. - The register of St. Ann’s Parish, in the above island, shows that: “Edward, son of Thomas and Esther Buncombe,” was baptized on the .“23d of September in the above year. Thomas Buncombe, the father of Edward, was a geiitleman of Eiiglisli birth and ancestry, and died in the Fall of 1747. He had four children: John, Edward (of wliom this sketch treats), Sarah, who married first a Mr. Beach and then a Mr. HL11r1l)erg'en, and Aiin, who married Mr. Gaines. Joseph Buncoinbe, a brother of Thontias, and hence an uncle of Edward, lived for a time in North Caro- lina and inarriecl Ann, a daughter of Cleoigge Durant; but he is said to have died while absent from the col» ony on a visit to relatives. ‘When in North Carolina, his home was in what now the county of Wasl1ing- ton (_ then a part (if Tyrrell). where he owned a val uable estate. He probably died childless, for his property wzs l;)equezitlf1ecl by him to his nephew. The latter, upon viewimgg; the lands in Tyrrell, was so well pleased with them that he disposed of his W'estlndian pos- sessions‘ a.nd settled permanently in North Carolina about the year 1768. Shortly after this, the mansion l§'.11(Z)VVl1:lS Buncombe Hall was erected on the site of his uncle’s foriner residence. Buiicoinbe I-lall lay about twelve miles south of Edenton, across Albeinarle Sound. At present a. small hamlet called Chesson, in W'asl1ington County, marks the place where it stood. It was famed throughout the colony as a seat of boundless hospitality. Over an arched gateway, tl11'o11gl1 which the grounds were entered, was inscribed the couplet——— A “ Welcome all, To BuncornbetHall.” Not only Nortll C21l"O1i1'1i.?L11S, but b1*ave11e1°e3 in gen- eral, frequently so11gg;11t shelter there (for it was on a road 1a1*ge1y nsecl‘), and :1 warm 1'ece1:)tion awaited ezwll Visitor. In 1773, when Josiall Qnincey, of :M2LSSELCh1l_- setts, was 1*et111;’ni11g f1*o1n. a s0uthe1*n tolw, he 1nade this entry in 111.9; Dia,1'y,,"“ while at New 3e1‘n, on the 2d of April: “ .T11<:1g;e I€[<;)Vv:1.1:*d waited upon me in the evening WH311 1'e<:3<‘)111ni1enda;t01'*y lentters to C(j)1()1.'l(31 Palm e 1' of B a th, 211:1 <1 G (1>1(;1>.11(+3]. ]~31'11:1e0n:11[>e <1>tf Ty1:'1'e1]n C<)unty.” Refe1*;1:*i1:1g t(,,>.A.1:f>1"i.41 5,11e “]e§3n:1:+}—3n,]:<.» fasted xvvitll C3 <:>]mi1e1 ]:~3 1nn111mn>11:1b «:3: Wm) w.'a.ite(f1 1.1 1;) <1» n me . to Ede11t0n S('"f)“l"1T.l.d,, m;1.d g;.,jfz1ve me letteem tr) ?.11in.~3 :f:1,'in<;»3n(1s t11e1;'e. Spe11‘t 111n1is mnfl t[l1<—_-:2 ]‘j].f:"3Xf. «flay in <::;1e'<.*>::sss:i11g;' A.1l:)e— n1::1,1‘°1e S(_.)1‘]l1I1C”.1 m;1<:71 in d.ifr1i.n m“;1<;":1 <;;:<:;:>1::1vemille Fvi~:1:‘1a (.3 0 11:1- 1) am y w:i_t1e:1. the 1;m::>sst <3. «:21. ek)1n*:a,t¢:a <11 1:n1,‘we;1.‘s of E¢ef1e1;1ntn." N 01; 10.11 z'1;fte1:- 1:115‘ :*u;*1;‘i.v::n1,Tlnn ;i. 11 N <;;>'1n*f-11. (3 2151'uI]niin1f:1:1;, (3 <“nt>]_01:'1.e]_ Bm1c:<:)1n1‘>e 1:1n1.:::ni‘1e 2:1. 1:1n1::1.g;,r‘i::4t1n*i1.te, aim <11 se;1.*vene (.)fTz1]€3J1f1Sti(".38S <1) :1? 1: 11 e I 11fe;;>.1*i :1f ”m1‘11e*t: (1)11? '17‘ y 'fIL‘j1\'(i.‘, 11 (3 mt1,1i1ty. He seelm; to 11 ave 1;) e (31.1 v<:+:1r_'y' 1%)“. 13:1 <11: 13 en. :;1.]. "i:r;1n1;]1e (Eli mt ]jm‘1;*_<&1§'e of 11155 <:;>ffiai.:;1.1 ~(Tl1nenLt.ines% ; f<:;1.', in :11. Z1et.tv*enn'1— 1f>e1* 2:), 1"/'7], by Clf‘1:e1(;n;n J on mg» N z.e1n.1;1ne1:;1,1f1nii<:::1 T)nki11~ field, 211 111611] ’l:>e1f <1) ‘J1’ H.‘1¢E.*. (:3‘rve1:1:m1:" O 0 1111 einln, E11 e :lf(;f)1n;*rne1n‘* myss t.].1.z1t M 271, I'm: e 111. 17, (f:<;nf1.i1;*1; C1‘<;>i1nm1e]. 13171I1(;’:([)TITI11')(F3 n a11(1 J<;>11n 1\;.lIcz1~Zi1n¢;1.m—:a were itiltm <.;>I11y n1e1ir111)e1*:3 }_:)1.*e.ee11t.+ M1‘. Jone.:‘ :;u1<1.<3: ” Tlle ;pe<5>p1e 1TH317(E;‘.1’1(_:].(?j!(I1VVii31Ll. 1)e(3<;‘)I11i_ng; deceneymxci 1:)z:Lt;:ie11.<:=e})11t; net 1(i:¥I1g't1Tl g1.-ew <:3]:;1.n1o1*<)11s, da1nn’d blue, a,1i;)sent J1TlSti(3£E’:S (I 1;11inl.{ with 1;)1.'<;)p1'iety), and then 131*ev::a,i],e<;m MeKi1d<;>e to :é1e (L<>11:t:11:y, WN01*t11 Ca.1*o1i1m, was celeb 'a.te,é1 at AS11evi11e, the c,o11n-V A by-seat. At t11at tiztne 21 s1%:.etch of Colonel Bnnconlbe, written by one of his clescsendants, Mrs. 'W:.%L1te1* H. A Rog:e1*s (born Gr0€1(-3t-), of New O1*].eam3, a‘_ppea1*e‘c1 in the * Memoir of the Life 01’ J(T)é§i2iL}1 Qnixmey, .'I‘un., by his; Son Josziah Quincey, pp. 1.20, 1.21. e % n ” 1 ‘ + co1onm;1 Reecaraé. of Noam (;‘zm')1ix1a., Vol. IX., p. 60. 6 Asfzcmille 0735232372, and from it we extract the following . concerning his residence: “Buncombe Hall, like its founder, has passed away. It remained in the family till after the last war. H Ere we quit the subject, let me describe this historic spot. The mainbuilding, L shape, contained eight large rooms, and a four-room basement under thewhole, which served as storeérooms and a kitchen. The brick used in the building was brought from _,England_. All necessary out-houses, including offices, were upon the premises. The yard was filled on one side with the most beautiful flowers and ever- T greens; on the other, with fine trees and velvety l grass. To the south, stretched away a large peach and apple orchard————-the whole surrounded by broad fields under cultivation, set in a background of for- ests. Here the contemplative mind might revel in historic thought. The old hall, with its lofty ceilings, high oak panels, and chimney casings, seemed to whis—— per secrets of revolutionary times. Over the door of the dining—room hung the coat-of—arms of the Groelet family (a rising swan on a helmet); and, on the walls, were family portraits of Colonel Buncombe, his sister Mrs. Gaines and her little daughter.* On a closet door i still remained traces of sealing wax, used by the Col- onel in sea.ling up his silver plate and valuables when he went to the war-—-vain precaution! His agent, left in charge, turned Tory, robbed him of not only the contents of this closet, but sold off his slaves and val- uable timber and then decamped. T “ Soon after the fall of Roanoke Island, the Federal soldiers took possession of Plymouth. Then Bun- , combe Hall fell a prey to them, as Dr._ Edward Bun- combe Haughton, its owner, was fighting on the Con»: H federate side. He returned after the war, bankrupt * These portraits were afterwards destroyed in a fire when the residence of Dr. Icdward H. Groelet, of Goldsborough, N. 0., was burned,---M. DeL. H. 7 in purse, as all good Southerners were, and the old hall was sold to a Connecticut carpet—bagger. It could even then have been restored to its former greatness, but he razed it to the ground and did not leave a brick standing. It passed, again, out of his posses- sion. The Southern Groelets, all descendants of Colo» nel Buncombe, were left too poor by the war to rescue his home from annihilation; and so passed away, a.nd was wantonly destroyed, Buncombe Hall.” Before proceeding with my narrative, justice requires that acknowledgement be made to Mrs. Rogers, not only for the above quoted passages, but also for the U letters hereinafter given, and other items relative to the family connection of her distinguished ancestor. There are now nine localities in the United States called Buncombe, most (if not all) of which derive the name either directly or indirectly from Colonel Bun- combe. They are: Buncombe County, North Caro- lina; Buncornbe, in Johnson County, Illinois; Bun- combe, in Dubuque County, Iowa----and Buncombe Township, in Sioux County, in the same State; Bun- combe, in Union County, Mississippi; Buncombe, in Lafayette County, ‘Wisconsin; Buncombe Ridge, in Lawrence County, Arkansas ; Buncombe, in Knot-t County, Kentucky; and Buncombe, in Jackson County, Oregon. S g l The word “buncombe” -----which dictionaries give as signifying a bombastic utterance, usually employed in windy harangues to gain popular favor---had its origin through the following circumstance : In the Congress of the United States, between the years 1817 and 1823, the mountain district of North Carolina was represented by the Honorable Felix Walker many of whose constituents were denizens of the now famous county of Buncombe. One day, as Mr. Walker sat pondering over his past political career, he remem-— 8 herecl that c1uri11g that sessiml he had 11121,c1e very few speec11e:e: ~«——-z1.,11c1 tllis, 1i)y the way, was a,11;1'1ost rareta, ihult with Oc)ng1'ess111e1t1 i11t11c>se d21.ys as it is now. So he decticlecl to speak; he did speak; 11,6 spoke at (3011- side1:'ah]_e1e11g't11; m1z:Ltie11(ze lmd ctezitsecl to he a, vi1"'tue., a11d :sc>11‘1e <:.>*I:' his 1('j)1i1§5'-SllffGI‘i11g c11ez;1,g11eas Wf-_’.1‘8 1:>e3gin— 11i11g t1e::we the 11:111., he told the 1fIl(ff)1‘B polite 1ne111he1"s w11c>1*e11:mi11ec1 that tliuaey 111.ig11t g;<:>,. too, if tlley wished, f01*11e i.11te11<;1ed to 11:we 1f1i..~=;4 1'e1:11a.1‘1s:t3 1:>uh1is11e<:1 a.11(i1 S(-311ttvO t1i1e—311ome pecxplte, t11e s31i‘>e«:-3:511 VV’:El,-S 1:1oti11te11ded fan‘ the }Ic‘>t1se, but m2,Z;z/ for B"2£«7ZC(»772J.)6.-' But to 1-<-3tu1*11 toCc>101w1 Eclward B1111C.0111be. He 1>e(:eiV(:u:1 his e<:111c.;:1,tic:>n in Cvtmat B1°ita,:'m.; and, ’W11i.1e 1ix*i11.tg in St. O111:‘it$tc;:)1‘)11.e1*, xvaes "unitecl in 1I1a1*1“ia.g‘e (.A1i”)'lI‘i1 10, ]."76{:3,) with E1iz:11:)et11 Daw.~3o11 T:-W101‘, who :1rm:2<:)11'11:‘>%:>1.11ieead him tc) N<;>1't11 Ca.1*<;.>1it1t1a,, but died just p1~i(>1' to tlm <.tt>1:Lt1i>1"ea1{ oi’ the ReV01“11ti01:1. She a.11(1 A 111.631‘ ::s<:>11 T]”1(iQ)II1£*LS are h111;*ied u11c1e1: ‘St. Pa,u1:‘s Ch111*oh, Ede11t<;:>11. 'J;‘11e c-.1t1i]td1‘e11 of Colonel B1f111oc>mht:2 by his 1111 ]1‘1‘i€l1. Wtitljx I\:["i$5s ’".I‘.‘::x,ty-'11' Weme: I. E1im1;>et1h:1 Ta,y]_<;i>1;* B111i1c:<:)1nhe, hc>I*11 011 the Is1a;11d of CH'11‘i.Sf«(‘)1f)h~e]L’, 1\f[::t1'(z];1 11, 1767, who was b1“(t)11g11t W1;1e11 2111 i.11;fa1*1t to Nmrth C€l.1"‘()1iI121.. Her ec111Qatio11. wztus I'<+2cei.ve(1 in New Y‘mr]s: ::111d New J ersey, 1111c1e1*t11e 1:'1+:;(.a.fte1'wa1'd.:€sof NN01'*t11 Oa.ro1i11a.), zmd left 11111‘1:1e1;'cm.=5 deS<3e11Nda¢11ts. N A II. T];1c>1;1mS B1“111c~.c>111he, h01*11 in North Czu*01i11a., Fe1:>1*1h1at1f*y 3, 1.769, who died youilg. 3 A III. ‘I:Ieste1* Azrim‘ B1111co1"r;1the,% ho1*11 April 25, 1771, who nm.1'I*i.e<;1 J01111t C1a1*1«:, of Bertie County, North Carolina, and had two c,11i1d1'en: Thomas Clark, and 9 Ann Booth Pollock Clark (Wife of John CoX).""‘ Both Thomas Clark and his sister Mrs. Cox died without issue. A From the above it Will be seen that the only de- scendants now living of Colonel Buncombe are through his eldest daughter Who married John Croelet, of New York. Mr. Goelet was of Huguenot descent, born in 1759, on the date of the fall of Quebec, and himself saw service in the Revolution. After the war was over and he had married Buncombe, he removed with his Wife (about 1791) to Buncombe Hall, and died there in the ninety-fifth year of l1is age, October, 181"’ In the sketch by Mrs. Rogers, l1eretofore quoted, she says: “VV:i.th the death of Colonel Buncombe, the name died in this country, though his patriotic spirit survived, he having eight great-gra.ndsons who volunteered in the Confederate army, one of Wl101I‘l, John Buncombe Croelet, died on Malvern I-Iill in defence of Richmond, Virginia. He was color-—bearer of the Third Alabama Regiment, and belonged to Company A, Mobile Cadets.” Prior to the Revolution, Colonel Bunoombe held a commission in the military establishme11t of the colony. He commanded a regiment of the 1:>rovinc.ia1 troops of North Carolina, in the county of Tyrrell.+ Like nearly all of the better element of -North Ca1"o—, 1inians——-- suchmen as Robert Howe, RichardCasWell, Francis Nash, Thomas Polk, Alexander Lillington, Crrifiith Rutherford, and others who afterwarcls Won fame in the Revolution---he used every effort to aid Governor Tryon in suppressing the excesses and riots of the Regulators, and received the oflicial thanks of * Mrs, Ann Bootli Pollock Cox is interred in the old burial ground of St. Pm11’s Church, Edenton, N. G. On her monument is an elaborate inscription relative to ' the military record of her grandfatlier Colonel Bunc-.on'1 be. +Go1onia.l Records of N_ 0., Vol. VIII, ‘pp. 705, 707. 10 His Excellency for the “truly public spirit” displayed by him in the prosecution of this Work. He did not, however personally participate in the Alamance cam- paign, as the regiments of his section of the colony were not called into active service. . In religion, Colonel Buncombe Was a member of the Church of England, and, when he left the VVest Indies, a chaplain is said to have accompanied his household to North Carolina. P P In the several years preceding the outbreak of the Revolution, the patriots of North Carolina were boldly pre]"a1‘-ing for any emergency which might arise. As early as April 26, 1774, William Hooper had asserted in a letter addressed to Judge Iredell, that the colonies were “striding fast to independence, and ere long would build an empire upon the ruins of Great Britain; would adopt its constitution purged of its impurities, and from an experience of its defects guard against those evils which had wasted its vigor and brought it to an untimely end.”* These were troublous times---» times calling for men of high purpose and courageous bearing, who, in the faceof King, Parliament and Royal Governor, would boldly contend for the rights P which were as dear to them as to the people of Eng- land. Nor was courage alone suflicient to cope with King Greorge’s representatives in Carolina. Political dexterity played no small part in the controversies of that day. Some years prior to the time of which we treat, when the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act, more resistance, and armed resistance, too,Was encountered in North Carolina than anywhere else. , But no resistance came] from the Assembly, forGrov«- ernor Tryon prorogued that body to prevent official , action.‘ This prorogation a1sopreventedtheAssembly from later electing delegates to What is knownas the , *I)efence~of North Carolina, by Jo. Seawell J ones,‘ 1). 314. 11 . Stamp Act Congress. Tryon’s trickery worked so well that his successor, Governor Josiah Martin, decided to play a similar game in 1774. A controversy arising over tl1e laws establishing courts in the colony, and the King’s instructions being at variance with the ideas of the Assembly, that body I'efused to yield; and Governor Martin thereupon put a stop to proceedings by proroguing it. He also determined not to re-con- vene it until the members were more inclined to obey the royal will. This latter purpose being divulged by the governor’s private secretary to John Harvey, that hold statesman determined that an independent assembly, or convention, should be called. He left New Bern, the seat of government, and, on the third of April, di.scussed the matter with VVillie Jones. The night following found him at Buncombe Hall, in the county of Tyrrell. At this place Mr. Harvey , confided his plan to Samuel Johnston and Colonel Buncombefli These notables were impressed with the gravity of the situation, and the night was far spent ere their consultation came to an end. Referring to this conference, in his l"§Ii.story of North Carolin.a,”r Moore says: “Buncombe was impulsive and impres- sionable, but Johnston was the embodiment of cau-- tion and deliberation. He was full of determination to resist Lord Nor-th’s measures, but he feared the efiectslof too much popular power. These eminent men, withHooper, John Ashe, Caswell, Person, and others, at once acceded to Harvey’s proposition, and the ball of the Revolution was put in motion.” Despite Governor Martin’s frantic proclamation for- bidding its meeting, the independent convention gathered in New Bern on the 25th of August, 1774.: p *Defence of North Carolina. by J o. Seawell Jones, 1). 124. T ‘W01. 1., p. 163. I Colonial Records of N. 0., Vol. IX., 1). 104-1. p 12 No assembly of its kind had ever before convened in America. It was followed by others of like character. Delegates to the Continental Congress were elected. A The breach with Great Britain became Wider, and finally, as a last resort, independence was declared. And it may be well just here to observe that North Carolina was the very first colony to authorize a national declaration of independence, when in the Provincial or State Congress at Halifax on April 12, 1776, Cornelius Harnett submitted a committee report ‘(which was unanimously adopted), setting forth a resolution: “that the delegates for this colony in the Continental Congress be impowered to concur with the delegates of the other colonies in cZecZcm"'mg 'z37zde]9e77.-- \ de2v2.cy.” This was more than a month before the pas- sage of the famous Virginia resolutions; and even those who question the genuineness of the Meclilenburg Declaration of Independence have never attempted to disprove the authenticity of this resolution adopted by the Provincial Congress at Halifax. So North Carolina will ever claim the proud distinction of hav- ing been first to move for independence, as she was also first to offer resistance to the Stamp Act. The pream- ble to the above resolve in favor of independence is a or masterly vindication of the course pursued by the colonies, and should be read of all men.* As Well may be supposed, a man of Colonel Bun- combe’ s spirit and patriotism was not the person to hold back from participation in a War, however perilous, which he himself had been instrumental in bringing about. On September 9, 1775, he was elected Colonel of the militia forces of Tyrrell Countyif by the Provin- cial Congress of North Carolina, then in session at T *For full text of preamble and resolutions; see Colonial Records of N. 0., Vol. Kg, p. 512; Defence of North Carolina, by Jo. Se-awell Jones, p. 251. -1- Colonial Records of N.r(}..Vo1. x,. p. 205. 13 Halifax. He fulfilled the duties of this position for about seven months, and,_on the 17th of April, 1776, was transferred to the regular service, being made Colonel of the Fifth Regiment of North Carolina troops in the Continental Line."“ During the period intervening between its organization and the time when ordered to the field, the Fifth Regiment was maintained at his private expense. On May 7, 1776, the appointment of Colonel Buncombe was confirmed by the Continental Congress,‘r a.nd his regiment was assigned to Greneral Francis Nash’s brigade This brigade was made up at VVi1mington, North Carolina, in the Summer of 1776, and remained in that vicinity till November of the same year. Having been ordered to join W'ashington’s army, then operating in the north, General Nash and his troops set out from W"il- mington about the 15th of November, and, on reach- ing the town of Halifax, were ordered back south, the object being to keep the British from entering Georgia by way of St. Augustine. No sooner, however, had Charleston been reached, than orders were againcoun— termanded. Thereupon the brigade marched to Had» drel1’s Point, opposite Fort Sullivan, South Carolina, at which place it remained in A‘ the forces which were there opposing the operations of Sir Henry Clinton. In March, 1777, orders were again given the North Care olina brigade to join VVashington. Mfoving up through North Carolina and Virginia, and crossing the Po- tomac near Alexandria, the main army was finally reached on the Jersey side of the Delaware River, at Middlebrook. The accession. of these brave North 7 Carolinians was gladlylhailed by Wasl1ington,‘a.nd they were given a thundering welcome in the shape of ‘ * Colonial Records of N. 0., Vol. X., p.520. +An1erican Archives (4th Series), Vol. V., p. 1698. 14 “a salutation of thirteen cannon, each fired thirteen times.”"“' I At Alexandria, in the latter part of May, the march of N ash’s brigade had been delayed to inoculate the troops against small—poX. Early in July, the North Carolinians, together with I the other troops around Philadelphia, were detailed to complete the fortifications 011 the Delaware Riverfr On the 14th of August, 1777, While the Continental forces were in camp at Trenton, we find Colonel Bun- combe and the other field~officers of Nash’s brigade uniting in a protest against a Pennsylvanian, Colonel Edward Hand, being made a brigadier-general to com- mand North Carolina troops, mice General James Moore, who had recently died: VVhile not question- ing Colonel Hand’s merit, they decla.red that the ap- pointment of any outsider would be a “reflection on North Carolina and a stab at military honour through- out the continent in general.” 7 The memorial also contained some rather unpleasant references to Thomas Burke (then a delegate from North Carolina in the A Continental Congress), and—cl1arged him with neglect ing the interests of the State he represented toadvance one of his own countrymen I-—--~ he and Hand bothbeing natives of Ireland. Burke was so enraged thereby that he declared, referring to the signers ‘of the pro- test: “ Their behaviour in this instance has determined me to forego all particular attention to them. I hope they will so distinguish themselves that their merit alone willbe sufficient for theirpromot-ion, Without standing in need of any assistance which I could give.” Whether Doctor Burke did forego all particular at-g ’*This account of the movements of Nas11’s brigade is partly from narrative of Hugh McDonald in old series of North Carolina University Magaziiie (1853-’56, IL, 466-470; IV..,158-162; V.. 28—31. 208——211, 360-363), and partly -from State Records. -I-State Records of N, 0.. Vol. XL, 1). 783. l 7%.’; State Recordsyof N. 0., Vol. XL, pp. 562, 750. I 15 tention to the North Carolinians does not appear, but he certainly succeeded in his efforts to secure the promotion of Hand, who, it is a pleasure to add, ren- dered long and honorable service during the War, and held a 1najo1*~ge11.e1°al’s commission in the regular army after tl1e return of peace. On the 11th day of September, 1777, was fought the battle of Brandyvvine, and here Colonel Bunconi1be’s regiment was actively enga.g;ed. In tl1is conflict, the North Garolina brigade and Grreene’s division were ranged in the centre of the .American Arn'1y."“' Being ordered to support the riglit wing; (then sorely pressed), their absence left the troops under General VV ayne to cope alone with a vastly s11pe1*i.or force of the enemy.‘ After a brave and bloody resistance, "Wayne was forced to retire, and the day was lost. ‘ After his reverses at B "-andywine, the never-despair— ing VVasl1in.,g*ton drew tc3getl1e1;- his forces and prepared again to attack. He was, in truth, a leader whom no disaster could 27-Lpp«‘:1~ll. r A The next scene of action was at Germantown, Penn- sylvania. This fight occurred on the 4th of October. and was destined to be Colonel Buncombe’s last battle, ' for there he received the wound which ultimately caused his death while a prisoner in the hands of the British. The bri,g;ac1e of North Oarolinians was selec- ted by the comma.nder~in-chief to act as a part of the reserve corps at Grerinantown, but it may be questioned if it would have suffered more terribly if placed in the van. The brave General Nash, with his thigh shat» tered by a solid shot,+ and fainting from the loss of blood, was borne to a nearby house and lingered only ~* State Records of N. 0.. Vol. XI. page 621'. 7 ,+iMoore’s History (1., 243, Norm) states upon the authority of my father, the late Dr. Richard B. Ilaywood, that Col. William Polk said that Greii. Nash received his mortal Wound from a shot through the eyes. , Tliat Col. Polk also made this state- ment to persons other than Dr. Haywood appears in Dr. W. M. Po1k’s biography of Bishop Polk (I . 27), which quotes Col. I-‘out as as saying Nash “ was }:;1iz1c1,’? and almost in syncope from loss of blood. Yet, strange as it may seem, though oflicial 16 three days. Lieutenant—Oolonel Henry Irwin of Bun- con1be’s regin1ent (the Fifth), Captain Jacob Turner of the Third, and Lieutenant John McCann of the Sixth North Carolina, lay dead on the field. Major , VVillian1 Polk of the Ninth, received a shot in the face, which, for a time, deprived him of the power of speech. Captain John Armstrong of the Second, Lieutenant Joshua Hadley of the Sixth, a11d Ensign John Daves of theSecond, were also among the wounded, as were doubtless many others, of whom, unfortunately, we have now no record. And the privates! How many of those forgotten heroes shed their blood and gave up their lives, as freely asdid the oflicers, will never be known. May their devotion be rewarded in a better world. “ ’Tis to the virtue of such men, man owes His portion in the good that heaven bestows; And when recording history displays Feats of renown, though wrought in ancient days-——— Tells of a few stout hearts that fought, and died, Where duty placed them, at their country’s side- The man that is not moved with what he reads, That takes not fire at their heroic deeds, Unvvorthy of the blessings of the brave, Is base in kind, and born to be a slave.” ‘When struck down on the field of Grerliiantown, Colonel Buncombe was left for dead by the retreating records show he was hiinself present and severely wounded at Gerinantown,Col. Polk was Inistaken in this, as will now be shown. John Penn, writing from near the battlefield (on Oct. 10th) only three days after Nash"s death, says: “ Poor General Nash was killed by at cannon ball, with his horse.” An obitiiary publishcdin the NORTH CAROLINA GrAZE’J."J.‘E, less than a month later (Oct. 31st), states: “The winged Messenger of Death, a cannon ball, ”‘ * ‘F * struck him on the thigh, tore his body in a most dreadful manner. and killed his horse 1111Cl€‘.1’l'1i1?11..” In the legisla- tive proceedings in honor of Gen. Nash (Nov.l19th),,1ess than six weeks after his death,, it appears that he “ received a wound from at cannon ball; and, after Ian-i guishing some days, * °" * * closed his useful life.” See State Records of North Carolina, Vol. XL, pp. 6-1.9, 789; I.bid., Vol. XIL, p, 279. Pennsylvania accounts ’ alsossy Nashwas killed by aleannon ball which struck him on the thigh. ’Jl‘he statement by Col, Polk was made when he was a very old nian, fifty years or more after the battle; hence his mistake niay have been caused by confusing Gren. Nash with some other wounded Ofl'lGe1‘ atflrermantown who may have been shot through the eyes. Col. Polk’s second wife was a sister of Dr. Haywood’s mother. , 17 Americans and lay where he fell until the next day, when a British officer recognized him as an old school- mate and had him removed to Philadelphia. There he was paroled within the city limits. His wound at first yielded to treatment, and it was thought he would recover. But as life dragged on, he realized that the weakened state of his constitution could not longer withstand continued privation. Being in great financial straits, and his physical condition growing worse day by day, he at last applied to Sir iWilliam Howe, the. British commandant of Philadelpliia, for leave to go as a paroled prisoner either to England or to North Caro- lina ; but, if this request was ever granted, he did not avail himself of the privilege. Fearing that the mo» tives which prompted his application had been miscon- strued, he addressed to General Washington a. letter, the original of which is now in possession of the Groelet family, Washington having returned it to one of that r connection, after the Revolution, as a memorial of its brave author. Following is the communication in full: Sir, 0 As I deem myself accountable to you, as my General, for every part of my conduct, permit this letter to speak what in person I cannot deliver. Distressedl have been, repeatedly soliciting a supply of money from camp, yet hitherto I have not been obliged. I never was accus- tomed to adversity. Let the feelings of Your Excellency’s heart I speak for me. I It is true I havepmy failings. Human nature will operate no perfec- tion. But, as an officer, have I in any shape or respect disgraced my regiment? Have Inot been anxious to fight for America? Can one = of YourtExcellency’s officers accuse me of cowardice? I Prompted by my distress, I was inevitably compelled to apply to His Excellency Greneral Sir William Howe either for a parole to the . southward or to Britain. Here I cannot command hard money; there I can. , g _ g '.l.‘he exigency of my case, I am persuaded, will point out the expe- I diency of my adopted measure. a I request that you will not thinkmy 18 departure from America a desertion of it. Always amenable to my Greneral’s call, in six months I shall be ready to obey your orders if you think proper to have me exchanged. r I have the honor to be, with sincerity, Your Excel1ency’s Very respectful and obed’t serv’t, - E. Bunoozuma. To His Excellency General Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of the United Colonies. The unfortunate captive, by Whom this letter was Written, never lived to enjoy the freedom he so much loved. He was, at times, addicted to somnambulism; and a.bout the middle of May, 1778, while walking in g T his sleep, fell down a flight of stairs. This accident caused his Wound to open afresh; and, before assis- tance could avail, he bled to death. , Thus passed the spirit of Edward Buncombe, sol-— T dier and gentleman--- “ Than whom, knight Was never dubbed, more bold in fight; Nor, when from war and armor free, More famed for stately courtesy.” And when they buried him, an entry was made on the parish-register of Christ Church, Philadelphia, noting the interment of 00'r7zeZ'z3us Buncombe; While many North Carolina historians, in later years, have given his first name as Richard! This consideration for his memory brings to mind Byron’s remark on reading of the death, at ‘Waterloo, of an old college mate: “ There is fame! A man is killed. His name is Grrose, and they print it Grrove.” ' , A T The death of Colonel Buncombe occurred at the house of a Mrs. Kendall. This we learn from a letter written on July 22, 1778, by Thomas Franklin, a Phil» 19 adelphia Quaker, to General Benedict Arnold (then in the American. service), giving a list of Buncombe’s effects, “left in ye hands of ye widow Edy Kendall, I where he lodged last and died.” ' . During Colonel Buncombe’s service in the army, he was accompanied by a faithful slave, Charles, and to this negro he bequeathed freedom. The following reference to him is found in a letter from the Reverend Adam Boyd, Brigade-Chaplain in the North Carolina Line, dated in camp, at Wliite Plains, New York, August 24, 1778: “Charles, I believe is entitled to his freedom. The Colonel has often been heard to say he should not serve anyone after his death; and some of his officers have heard him say he had, in his will, orderedhim his freedom. A law of our State forbids such emancipation without the consent of the court of that county in whi.ch the master usually resides. But an appeal to that law in this case I do not think would be right, because it would defeat the testator’s intention, which I think should be held sacred. Tliough I think; it would be easy for his heirs,should they avail themselves of the law, to enslave Charles for life, I hope such a thing will not be attempted. The prin- I cipal object of this law was to prevent the dlS0l1a1‘g'6 of slaves that were not able to earn their living———-a cruel practice which had scandalously prevailed to avoid paying taxes, from which old age or other in- firmities do not exempt slaves.” The will, by which Charles was supposed to be emancipated, could not be found among Colonel Buncombe’s papers, but the A A negro was allowed to go free in deference to his late owner’ so expressed wish. The only will found was one which had been made before the war. I The spot where Colonel Buncombe lies buried is not marked, but itis somewhere within the “additional r church—yard” of theparish of Christ Church, on the 20 corner of Arch and Fifth Streets, Philadelphia. In this enclosure are also deposited the remains of Ben- jamin Franklin, and other ‘patriots; while not many miles off sleep Nash, Irwin, Turner, McCann, and their brave comrades, who counted not life above lib- erty. And North Carolina should little grieve that her sons are left on the soil of Pennsylvania. There they fell, fighting for the common cause of America; there let them rest. “ The neighing troop, the flashing blade, The bugle’s stirring blast, The charge, the dreadful cannonade, The din and shout are past; Nor wax-’s wild note nor g1ory’s peal ’ Shall thrill with fierce delight Those breasts that nevermore may feel ‘ The rapture of the fight.” As a grateful tribute to the memory of Colonel Bun-~ combe, the General Assembly of North Carolina, at its session of 1791, created a new county just westward of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and called it in his honor. This is a monument which will stand when the proudest memorials of our day have become mis- shapen masses of stone. For ages‘ it will tell of the brave soldier who fought for his country’s freedom and now sleeps in a forgotten grave, awaiting the last summons when the earth and the sea shall give up their dead. Peaceful be his rest! ---and may genera- tions yet tocome draw inspiration from the life he led.