Autobiography of a Revolutionary soldier

Front matter

Cfce JLI&rarg

of tt>e

SJnitjersttp of iSottf) Carolina

Preface

IV

ent feelings. To stand aloof and not participate in these sen¬ timents, is surely depriving ones-self of all the real enjoyments

of life. v , , .

The present work is written in an unpolished and plain

style ; but it is written in the words of truth. It is. written by a soldier who stood in the front of the many battles of • the enemy — whose liio was exposed to whatever dangci that should be necessarily encountered, both by night and by day, undergo¬ ing fatigue of all kinds. The latter part ot this work contains more of the history ol his life in a private capacity, than of the fields of battle, and his only characteristic as a man of bold¬ ness of sentiments and “ truth unvarnished.”

There are facts, in the present work, in regard to the battle of the King’s Mountain— which former historians have not altogether taken so much notice — which goes to show the 9 actual situation of the scattering and small troops of Col. Moffit, their difficulties and struggles with the home enemies at that time (i. e., the Tories) being compelled to rely almost entirely upon their own resources, or in fact, absolutely having no pros¬ pect of future reward from the public, the majority being very poor and unable to obtain the necessary means suited to the field of battle. But these embarrassments did not baffle their designs, for they were determined to conquer or lose their lives in the contest. They were contending for freedom, for liberty and for the prosperity of a new republic, that America should be the home of social and national happiness, and it is presumed that no one will doifbt but that their efforts have been crowned with triumphant success.

It may appear strange to the reader that the author of the present narrative closes his memoirs so suddenly and apparently unfinished. It is doubtless that he did not more than half finish his design, for he moved and lived in the State of Louisi¬ ana quite a number of years after the time that his autobiogra¬ phy closed, having reared a number of children, whom even now, may be living in this State ; but at the time of his under¬ taking the present work, he was of extreme age and nearly blind. Not to boast of the merits of our old, and now nearly all deceased, sires of the revolution, beggars a proper want of knowledge as wrell as a proper want of a pure principle of pat¬ riotism in our hearts.

Everything that we may claim as a happy republic, is alone through the bold and vigorous exertions of those bravo and gallant men, their trials and undertakings, as well as all the fatigues of war. They were guided by the spirit of freedom and happiness. The atmosphere they inhaled, inspired them with a love of freedom ; the pure water fhey drank from the

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pebbly rivulets, stimulated them ; the evergreen shade, the fertile soil enchanted them by their magic charms to industry ; while an indomitable disposition not to be fettered in the chains of despotism, awoke them to a double energy that has never been equalled in the annals of the world. Yes, ‘reader, this old and venerable father of the revolution died before he had completed his own story; but his “ handwriting is on the wall/7 and brings fresh and living associations of the loveliest char¬ acter to our hearts — it calls as with a “bugle blast77 to our recollection, the perilous condition that awaited moral, religious and civil liberty. To undertake to describe the boasted wealth and honor of the American republic, in comparison with any other nation now on the globe, would be extreme vanity ; but we cannot charge our minds with too much veneration for the character of our past and deceased fathers of the revolution, however simple and plain may have been their manner and style of speaking and writing, or however rough and seemingly unpolished their habits and manners in comparison with the present age of wealth and luxury, for like Napoleon, they had no friend but their sword, yet the same untiring, immortal, unalterable disposition to implant the true and genuine princi¬ ples of social and national happiness inspired their souls to deeds of noble daring and the “paean notes of liberty 77 clang to them as the dreams of the Messiah Ben David does to the Wan¬ dering Jew to this day. They beheld by faith the star of freedom in the distance*. They beheld, the Star of Bethlehem by inspiration whose cheering beams they fervently, hoped would shoot athwart the else rayless void of more than midnight gloom. Yes, yes, — the gentle dove that rested on Mount Olivet, was not a stranger to their hearts’ feelings, although deluged in blood and carnage and yet they hoped to see the gentle messen¬ ger return with the olive branch of peace — not that they felt like surrendering the love of country, but to accomplish a far more rational deed — a deed of universal enfranchisement — to establish an asylum for the oppressed of every nation, where the altars of religion, the temples of justice and the free and actual happiness of man could rest undisturbed and man should gain his living “ by the sweat of his brow.'7 These were the sentiments of our old forefathers ; they loved their country, for it is natural and should be so; for everything like prosperity depends on that one sacred tie. Hear the words of a gentle¬ man of this State, on the same subject, in a public address. I here quote as I think them appropriate to the present theme : “ Love of country seems to be an universal principle. Even the inhabitant of the ice-bound and frozen regions of Green¬ land regard it as the best country upon which the sun ever shone.

VI

PREFACE.

Should we compare then, ourselves to any nation on earth at the present time? If the history of our country ; if the benign blessings which our glorious institutions shed like dews from heaven upon each and every one of our citizens ; if a love and veneration of the tombs of our fathers, the memory of Washington and his time-honored compatriots and the sweet name of America itself; if these are not sufficient to inspire one of Columbia’s sons with emotions of patriotism, he is too far lost for salvation to reach him — too detestable to dwell in the habitations of man, and should be driven with eternal infa¬ my from the face of the earth, banished to the dreary rock of Patmos, or some solitary isle of the ocean, uninhabited by mor¬ tal man, and unfrequented, save by loathsome vultures which are drawn thither to feed and gloat themselves upon the putres¬ cent substances which old ocean; in the mighty expurgating commotion of her waters, indignantly heaves "from her surface. No American, I repeat, need be advised of his duty as a patriot and lover of Ids country: the scenes enacted -on the battle-fields of _ York town, King’s Mountain, the Plains of Chalrnette, the heights of Cerro Gordo are sufficient.”

This is one side of the picture and it is fervently hoped to be a correct one ; but let us examine the matter a momernt by way of premise : First, who would deny that it was the duty of the parent to give and render all the care in the bounds of reason, and even sometimes overleap this mark to protect their offspring? Again, it must be admitted that it is the duty of the parent to admonish and devise the best and most whole¬ some comfort to the health and happiness of their offspring • place before them the best advice, moral and religious, as well as inculcate the feelings of love to country, kindred and friends, to have the mind properly prepared to enter into the various scenes and occupations of life, fulfilling in every sense the sacred word of the old book of the Bible, “ Raise up a child in the way he should go and when he gets old he will not depart from it.” So great was this principle once inculcated in the laws ol some of. the Oriental nations, that if the child was 2iot educated for some ostensible occupation in life, the parent was subject to the greatest penalty, and prevented from being recognized on a par with the same advantages of other citizens, and sometimes almost the forfeiture of life, so great has this one principle been adhered to : ’so great has this point been carried in the Divine Law of our Heavenly Father towards the happiness and salvation of sin-atoning man, that he gave his “ only begotten Son” to ransom by a vicarious death on the rugged cross, as an expiation of the guilt of man ; thereby set¬ ting an example ol parental fidelity to man. God has by holy

PREFACE.

YII decree indelhbly stamped this cardinal feature in all animal creation, from man, who was formed after his own image and likeness, to the lowest of the beast creation. No opinion of man can set aside the “ Law of God,” and it is to be regretted as a lamentable error in the faculty of man to seek any means to contradict these rules.

Second — It is for the purpose of perpetuating natural kindness and brotherly union that the “ golden rule of charity ” was pronounced with so much emphasis in the expressions of the Apostle .Paul in his writings to the first Corinthians, in his chapter thirteenth, and particularly in his first verse, ho remarks : “ Though I speak with the tongues of men and an¬

gels and have not charity. I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” (Please read this chapter.)

Now let us turn and contemplate the reciprocal affections that should be manifested from the offspring to the natural parent, and let us apply these rules to our natural, national, moral and civil conditions in life : First — Is it natural for the child to love the' parent to which it owes all its protection and care, being entirely weak and destitute of all power of selfprotection ?

Second — Why should these principles be* applied in a national sense? In the great volume of universal love the lan¬ guage bursts forth in strains too eloquent and apprises man of the truth. Not to love home — the place from which he first inhaled his breath of existence — not to love the numerous fond and endearing associations of youthful recollections — the littlestream, the tall tree, the old fence overgrown with the briar — - where the wild bird builds her annual nest ; the mother's smile* and the father’s stern advice, the old schoolhouse, the college wall, the youthful girl with sweet and innocent caress, the friend’s warm hand, the prayer, the song, the “ dance of fearless, thoughtless joy ” — can these be erased from the human heart ?' Methinks not.

Third — The moral condition that may exist, brings a dif¬ ferent tide of feeling, and places man under a different position

in life.

Fourth — The civil or social state. In this character man stands amenable and quite responsible to the power above him aswell as to the earthly power equal with him. The responsibility lie owes to his fellow man in this world, is the highest consider¬ ation he can contemplate ; to forget this, man forgets the link of chain by which he is bound, he becomes a drone and dies as he lived : fashion, pomp and wealth are buried with him. This theme is worthy of our serious reflection ; to comment would be but to strain the mind and lead to endless disclosures and mere

VIII

PREFACE-.

waste of time. Let ns again ask, why should there be a dere¬ liction of duty on man to continue an unceasing devotion to country, home and friends? Is it for the .purpose of personal gain? This question requires some investigation. 1. There are reasons that may induce a man (as I may say) to leave or forsake the early idols of his heart, youthful affections, and all the circumstances that surround his happiness or his interest — • condition in this life. 2. Oppressive control, ungenerous and predominant suasion, the cruel exercise of self-will and regard¬ less management are some* causes, perhaps the hope of health is one :■ these are plain reasons, under qualified circumstances. Now let us ask ourselves — Is the love of honor, love of ambi¬ tion, and unrestrained power, and self-sacrifice a cause sufficient to erase those earth-born principles and national fidelity. Is it the love of mammon or sordid gold a useless ornament to the miser who cannot take one cent with him when the last duty is required of him, (that is to die, leaving all his earthly hoardings here behind him?) Is it for the sake of health? Let him remember that all mankind are subjected alike to the same dispensations of Divine Providence. It is a lifeless subterfuge and weighs not a fraction in the scale of reason. Let us, as a nation apply the foregoing questions to our own hearts. Have we by wealth and almost unrestrained power forgotten “ the Dock whence ye are hewn, and the hole of the pit whence ye are digged ? ” Are the memorable days that have been celebrated as typical of our national independ¬ ence, such as the Fourth of July, Washington’s birthday and the Eighth of January beginning to fall back into the shades of forgetfulness? Is the nation engulphed in a political mania, or is it mammon or ostensible wealth, false show, that causes us to turn a deaf ear to those memorable and early scenes? It is to be hoped that the foregoing hints will be sufficient and duly appreciated.

Yes, our venerable father of the revolution, died in his eighty-first year, in the State of Texas, after “ running the race that was set before him.” after enjoying immeasurable happi¬ ness and devotional thankfulness, and submissive feeling of ad¬ oration for the mercies and blessings of that omnipotent God who crowned the efforts of his life in establishing “ peace on earth and good will to men.” He died as he lived, resigned to his fate — he died without a murmur, composed, serene — his body was consigned to the dust, and his soul to bloom in an undying immortality. Our venerable patriarch was known to be a man of exceedingly industrious habits, was always engaged in some enterprise or business — lie threw away but a few hours, believ¬ ing it a great error in man to while away the hours of his life rilEFACE.

IX in idleness and frivolity — “that Satan doth still mischief find for idle hands to do.” Thus, we may ascribe as one reason for his longevity. He was small in stature ; he had but little sick¬ ness in comparison to other persons ; he possessed robust health ; he was also a very neat person in his dress ; easy and polite in his manners ; filled with good humor and jokes, and was very fond of company at times ; his manners were nevertheless grave and dignified. He made it a rule not to be forward in break- . ing conversation, rather reserved ; yet you could see the fire of wit kindling in his eye, which is said to be the unerring index that declares the power of the soul that sits enthroned within. He was kind and generous to a fault — the chamber of the sick, the pillow of the dying, the vigils of the dead, never missed his sympathy and kind attention ; administering on all occasions whatever services he could render. Many will long remember him for it, for if there is a sentiment in the human heart that truly indicates a noble, God-like spirit, a spirit of a great and generous soul, filled to the last expansion with patriotism and philanthrophy, it is to visit our poor and afflicted humanity in hours of sickness and want. Our old friend was universally respected by all who knew him, and. greatly beloved by those who were intimately acquainted with him. Asa husband- - as a father — in those attributes the time honored and lasting recollections cling, if possible, closer than the bark to the tree, to the bosom of his family ; for like the lofty tree which lifts its umbrageous head towards Heaven, basking in the free air in majestic grandeur, where thousands take repose and exult beneath its refreshing shade, so did our venerable friend stand among the children of men, “ that no power could break or favor bend ”■ — one straight and onward way in life- — always ob¬ serving truth and punctuality as the polar star and sheet-anchor to direct and maintain his course ; for he was never known to fall behind, if possible, with his obligations to his fellow men. This was his tried character. His accumulations of wealth were comparatively small, but he always strove to have a sufficiency to meet the necessary wants of a respectable life, and enjoyed it to the full fruition. His doors were thrown open to distress, and the hand of charity extended, wherever he thought it really necessary. He was remarkable for his frank¬ ness of expression, and candid in the transactions of business. He was a man who had not all the early opportunities of what is termed a liberal education, but he devoted in the latter part of his life, considerable of his time to reading, especially the Bible, and seemed to reflect a great deal on its holy pages. His opinions were received in all matters, when consulted ; he had few enemies which caused his opinions to go farther than

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X

PREFACE.

perhaps the most of men, as he was not meddlesome with other people's affairs. He was not quarrelsome, but at times, we sup¬ pose, from the many early conflicts with the enemies of his country, became excited at the mention of the revolutionary war, especially at the mention of the name of Tory, for he had an undying hatred for them which sometimes caused him to betray the weakness of his feelings, and would become trans¬ ported by that monster which he termed his greatest self-enemy. We consider it to be almost universally the case in those whose • temperaments are naturally given to excitement, and who have had to go through sanguinary scenes, and have coine off Victo¬ rious, to give way at times to exuberance of passion ; but they were soon over with him, provided the object of his indignation was removed immediately, otherwise, battle to the hilt. As observed, he devoted a great deal of his time in his old age to reading, and among other works, were those containing descrip¬ tions of the battles of the revolution, and among them were those in which he was engaged. He thought that their descrip¬ tion was not sufficiently elaborate, which brought him to the conclusion to write a narrative of his own life and adventures. The relative position he stood in as a spy, in the beginning of the war, and as a soldier at its conclusion, he thought it “ might not be amiss 7; to add a few words in his way, to the world, and to the rising generation. We believe that it is a natural in¬ stinct in the bosom of all men, who have passed through similar trials — as our venerable father did — to tell all about it as far as possible ; and it is right that we should listen to their stories with care and attention. In this w# show respect to them as well as gratitude on our part. . This light which he has left, is fervently hoped to burn forever in the heart of every true lover of liberty : it is his tribute that he owes to his country — come and get it.

OP

A REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER:

Chapter I. Early Days And Ancestry

** Praise to the warriors, who fought and who bled In Liberty’s battles. Praise ! Praise to the dead.

Bind on the brows of the living’, though hoary,

A chaplet of laurels they merit so well,

And sing to the dead one loud anthem of glory.

Loud, louder, yet louder, their proud notes shall swell.”

N REFLECTING on past events, and conn paring them with the present, and having arrived at that period of life which unfits me for the more active employments and busy pursuits that have hitherto occupied my time, I thought it might not be amiss to amuse my¬ self by writing a few incidents of my life, although they may not be interesting to any one (who may chance to read these pages), yet might be, in some instances, amusing as well as important to -some of my progeny when I am no more. In writing the incidents of my past life, I am forced to depend entirely upon memory ; by moving from one place to another, and meeting with sundry accidents, I lost all the important papers and notes which I could apply to as refe«

* rences, and can therefore give but an incomplete and unfinished idea of many things.

Before I proceed farther, it will perhaps be necessary to say something of my parentage, of which I can detail but little, being only in possession of some statements given to me by my father, after I became of an age to listen, and hear him recite, the most interesting stories about our ancestors and familiy. I learned from him, that my grand-father, Charles Collins, resided in the city of Waterford, in Ireland, a man of considerable wealth ; my grand mother Susannah was of a noted family of the Radcliffes. Their family consisted of seven sons and one daughter ; the sons were, John, James, Edward, Charles, Josiah, Alexander, and Daniel. My grandfather, after giving his sons a liberal education, settled them in some professional busi¬ ness ; but what particular occupations or business I am unable to say, except that the two eldest sons, John and James, were put in command of two ships engaged in the African slave-trade. My father, Daniel, the youngest son, was continued at school, and my grandfather about that time dying, my father was left under the control of his mother, who continued him at school until he completed his education, as far as wras intended. He being of a restless disposition, became dissatisfied with his mother’s plans respecting his future course of life : every prop¬ osition he made to his mother was discountenanced and abso¬ lutely rejected, and she on the other hand, being of a resolute and determined mind, forced him to obedience contrary^ to his will. His mother, however, furnished him with a sufficient amount of money necessary for his expenses on all occasions, re¬ quiring at the same time, a strict account of the manner in which it was expended. While matters were in this state between them, he determined to leave his country and sail for America. This design he had to keep a profound secret, for if his plans weie discovered by his mother, immediate steps would be taken to pi event his leaving. He found an opportunity of conferring

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER.

with the captain of a vessel, then bound for America — perhaps for the sake of getting some money. The captain agreed to favor his plans, and also assisted him in devising schemes to obtain the requisite amount of funds from his mother. Success favored his plans, and all things were arranged satisfactorily, for my father. When the ship was ready to sail, he was con¬ veyed on board without the knowledge, or even suspicion, of any of his friends, and accordingly sailed for America. The exact age of my father at that time, I am unable, positively to give, because I am without dates, and can only guess from sub¬ sequent events : at all events it was while he was under control of his mother, and not authorized to manage his own affairs. He landed at Philadelphia, and there got into some temporary

* i

business, being a good penman and calculator, for I believe I can say, without being in error, he was one of the first class of penman I have ever met with ; he was so considered, at least, by those who professed to be good judges, besides which he stood in the first class in arithmetic. He next undertook to teach an English school in the country, near Philadelphia, and continued in that business until the commencement of what was called the French and Indian war. He then quit his school and joinec^the army — I think according to his statement to me, this was in 1754. He continued in the army until some time in the winter after Braddock was defeated, and his time of service expiring, he quit the army and returned to Philadelphia, when some short time after he married my mother ; this was early in the winter of 1756. He again resumed his former occupation of school teaching, out in the country, where he continued about five * years. People were at that time emigrating to the South* ; but be¬ fore I proceed further, I must here mention a circumstance which occurred one day while my father was at his school. The house caught fire, and my mother with difficulty, saved her children, while the house and every article in it were consumed.

My father, in order to secure land on which to support a family tliat appeared to bo increasing, determined to look in the South for the object, and immediately set out in the spriug of 1763, in order to view the country. In the fall of the same year, perhaps in the month of October, he started with his fam¬ ily for his place of destination, and had arrived within four miles of it when he stopped at the house of a Mr. Jourdau. In the morning, my mother was unable to proceed, and the good man furnished my father with a house, or rather a cabin, in which to shelter the family from the weather, at which place my mother brought me forth on the 22d November. Thus was I born by the way and have been a wayfaring man ever since. My father proceeded to build some kind of shelter, and improve the land on which he had determined to settle, and move his family, so soon as my mother's situation admitted. The place was then supposed to be within the limits of North Carolina and then called Tryon County, and my father was appointed Clerk of the first court that was ever held in the countv, called Tryon Court ; but afterwards, when the boundary of the State was ascertained, it fell about four miles in the State of South

Carolina, in what was called York County, or District. Of my mother I have but a very imperfect recollection ; however, as well as I can remember the statement given metier parents had emigrated from Ireland previous to the time that iny father came over and settled in Philadelphia. Her name was Eliza¬ beth Helarid ; she was a small woman and of a delicate consti¬ tution, and old women, who were her neighbors, have since spo¬ ken of her to me in highly flattering terms. She lived to have seven children, of which I was the fourth ; three sons and four daughters. She died a few days aficr the birth of her seventh child, and it died a few days after her. My father was then left with six children, all young. I was about three years old. Some of the neighboring women took three of my sisters, and my father retained his sons at home, I being one of that num¬ ber. Occasionally, a neighboring woman, who had no children,

REVOUU'TIONARY SOLDIER.

would take me with her and keep me sometime. My father continued to stay at home and keep house, after some manner, I know not how, for perhaps about fourteen months, when he married a young widow, with one child ; who, after marriage with my father, had thirteen children. I recollect to have eaten at my father’s table, when fifteen of his children, all grown, and mostly all heads of families, sat at the same table. It was my father’s practice to be engaged in teaching every winter season and working on his farm during the summer ; so soon as the marriage with bis second wife took place I was put at school. During the summer season, the schoolhouse was ahvays occupied by some other teacher, but was invariably reserved for my father during the winter. In summer, I was only sent to school at intervals, as I could not be spared out of the farm, for I was put to ploughing before I could turn the plough at the end of the land.

My father was rigid in his discipline, both at school and at home, and every rule that he laid down, must be strictly com¬ plied with, or on failure, punishment was the inevitable conse¬ quence, and I often thought he used more severity towards me than necessary, in order to make me an example for others. So it was, I was continued at school, sometimes under his tuition and sometimes under that of other teachers, until I was about twelve years old ; but, by the way, I always got more indulgence when under the control of any other teacher, than of my father.