1776 Moore's campaign five miles above him, and by erecting a bridge had passed it with the whole army. I then determined as a last expedient to proceed immediately in boats down the Northwest River to Dollerson's Landing, about sixty miles, and to take possession of Moore's Creek Bridge, about ten miles from thence; at the same time acquainting Colonel Caswell of my intentions, and recommending to him to retreat to Moore's Creek Bridge if possible, but if not to follow on in their rear. The next day by four o'clock we arrived at Dollerson's Landing, but as we could not possibly march that night, for the want of horses for the artillery, I despatched an express to Moore's Creek Bridge to learn the situation of affairs there, and was informed that Colonel Lillington, who had the day before taken his stand at the bridge, was that afternoon reënforced by Colonel Caswell, and that they had raised a small breastwork and destroyed a part of the bridge. The next morning, the 27th, at break of day, an alarm gun was fired, immediately after which, scarce allowing our people a moment to prepare, the Tory army, with Captain McLeod at the head, made their attack on Colonel Caswell and Colonel Lillington, and finding a small entrenchment next the bridge, on our side, empty, concluded that our people had abandoned their post, and in the most furious manner advanced within thirty paces of our breastwork and artillery, where they met a very proper reception. Captain McLeod and Captain Campbell fell within a few paces of the breastwork, the former of whom received upward of twenty balls in his body; and in a very few minutes their whole army was put to flight, and most shamefully abandoned their general, who was next day taken prisoner. The loss of the enemy in this action from the best accounts we have been able to learn, is about thirty killed and wounded, but as numbers of them must have fallen into the creek, besides many more that were carried off, I suppose their loss may be estimated at about fifty. We had only two wounded, one of whom died this day. In order to avoid as much as possible the heavy expense unavoidably incurred by this expedition, I sometime ago directed Colonel Martin to disband all the troops under his command, except one thousand, including the regulars, and with those to secure the persons and estates of the insurgents, subject to your further orders, and then to proceed to this place, unless otherwise directed. However, as I do not think the service just now requires such a number of men in arms, I shall immediately direct them to disband all except the regulars, and with those to remain in and about Cross Creek until further orders, . . . etc. JAMES MOORE. THE SIXTH EPOCH-1775-83 THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE CHAPTER XXIX THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1775-76—Continued The Provincial Congress.-The spirit of independence. In the Continental Congress.-At Halifax.-The committee.-The undaunted spirit to declare independence.-The delegates instructed. -North Carolina leads the way.-The captured Tories.-The drums and colors.-War measures.-On the water.-The Tories. -Four new battalions.-For defence of Cape Fear.-Militia drafts. Civil affairs.-The members of the congress. The Provincial Congress C. R., X, 499 It The situation Called to meet on April 2d, it was not until Thursday, the 4th, that a majority of the members of the congress assembled at Halifax. Seldom has a body met under similar April, circumstances. The insurrection of the Highlanders and Regulators and the movement of the Tories in many parts of the State were in themselves causes of inquietude. was evident that in many counties, indeed, in nearly every community, there was a considerable element of disaffected persons not only unwilling to sustain the revolutionary movement but so far attached to the royal cause as to take up arms against their neighbors. Besides, the province stood in the shadow of a great peril. It was well known that a large British force was on its way to the Cape Fear and had been detained only by protracted storms, and its arrival was now daily expected. Dunmore, from the Chesapeake, was also sending expeditions along the coast to harass the inhabitants, capture vessels, and interrupt commerce. Within and without there was cause for foreboding. The jail at Halifax was filled with officers of the insurgent force and promoters of the insurrection, of whom some disposition had to be made to render them harmless, while policy and 1776 1776 McRee's Iredell, I, 275 The development of the purpose C. R., X, 446, 447 wise statesmanship required that a conciliatory course should be pursued reconciling the Loyalists at least to an acquiescence in the measures of the congress. The period for which the minute men had been enrolled was expiring, and the great need for additional troops, for arms, ammunition, and equipments was a cause of anxious solicitude, while the province was absolutely without funds. The condition of affairs, too, seemed to demand a more efficient system of government, one that could direct military operations and conduct the civil administration with more despatch than the temporary arrangement that had been adopted by the previous convention. Such a pressure of important matters demanding immediate consideration and prompt action had never before been experienced by North Carolina statesmen. But the courage of the congress rose equal to the occasion, and with brave hearts the patriots addressed themselves to devising measures required by the exigency of their novel situation. The spirit of independence Not only were they strengthened by their overwhelming and glorious victory, but now they were animated by the spirit of independence. In this they were unanimous. Sam Johnston, the wise, prudent, and cautious, the counsellor and guide, was again chosen president without dissent, and he joyfully wrote at once to his brother: "All our people here are up for independence." A fortnight later, when Hooper and Penn came from Philadelphia, they learned that "in many counties there was not a dissenting voice." The Continental Congress and the people of the other provinces were dilatory, dallying with a delusive hope of reconciliation. Early in January Paine had published in Philadelphia a pamphlet, "Common Sense," that arrested attention. Among the deputies it seems to have been regarded "as a curiosity." Save a few individual expressions in local papers, it was the first cry for independence since Mecklenburg had raised her voice in May, 1775. A month later Penn, always among the boldest, sent a copy to Person without comment; and Hewes forwarded one to Johnston, saying only: "It is a curiosity. We have not put up any THE CRY FOR INDEPENDENCE 11th 515 to go by the wagon,* not knowing how you might relish independency. The author is not known; some say Dr. February Franklin had a hand in it; he denies it." Hewes's spirit led him to say: "All accounts from England seem to agree that we shall have a dreadful storm bursting on our heads through all America in the spring. We must not shrink from it; we ought not to show any symptoms of fear; the nearer it approaches and the greater the sound, the more fortitude and calm, steady firmness we ought to possess. If we mean to defend our liberties, our dearest rights and privileges against the power of Britain to the last extremity, we ought to bring ourselves to such a temper of mind as to stand unmoved at the bursting of an earthquake. Although the storm thickens, I feel myself quite composed." In the 1776 Continental Congress At the close of October the king had from the throne charged the colonies with levying war for the purpose of establishing an independent empire; but he proposed, while employing a hireling force from the continent to subdue them, to send commissioners with power to grant pardons and receive the submission of the several colonies. He would not, however, treat with the Continental Congress. That was resolutely determined. By two to one the Parliament was of the same mind. Such was the information that came across the seas early in January. And yet the congress and the people waited-anxiously waited for the arrival of the commissioners. On February 14th Penn wrote to Person: "Our dispute with Great Britain grows serious indeed. C. R., X, Matters are drawing to a crisis. They seem determined to persevere, and are forming alliances against us. Must we not do something of the like nature? Can we hope to carry on a war without having trade or commerce somewhere? . . . The consequence of making alliances is perhaps a total Foreign separation with Britain, and without something of that sort we may not be able to provide what is necessary for our defence. My first wish is that America may be free; the second, that we may be restored to peace and harmony with Britain upon just and proper terms." 455, 456 alliances phia Two days later, on February 16th, it was proposed to open At Philadelthe ports and renew commerce with all the world except *For general distribution. 1776 S. R., XI, 289 CR, X, 494, 495 At Halifax, C. R., X, 504 The undaunted spirit Great Britain. In the discussion, Wythe, of Virginia, said: "How, as subjects of Great Britain-as rebels? No; we must declare that the colonies have a right to contract alliances with foreign powers!" The eloquent Virginian struck the same chord as Penn; but the question of opening the ports, involving this difficulty, was destined to remain undecided for more than two months. Later Hewes wrote to Johnston: "I see no prospect of a reconciliation; nothing is left now but to fight it out. Nor are we unanimous in our councils. Jealousies, illnatured observations, and recriminations take place of reason and argument. Some among us urge strongly for independency and eternal separation, others wish to wait a little longer and to have the opinion of their constituents on that subject. You must give us the sentiments of your province when your convention meets." And on March 1st, the North Carolina deputies wrote to the Provincial Congress asking directions concerning forming alliances. On the organization of the Provincial Congress, Johnston was unanimously called to preside, and committees were at once appointed to map out the business of the body. Now it was determined to arrange for at least one year of actual war, and a committee of ways and means was directed to devise measures for supporting troops to be raised for that period. A committee of secrecy was appointed, of which Johnston was the head, to whom all intelligence was first submitted, and it was their province to determine what should be imparted to the congress itself. And on the fourth day of the session, April 8th, a committee composed of Harnett, Allen Jones, Burke, Nash, Kinchen, Person, and Thomas Jones was appointed to take into consideration the usurpations and violences attempted and committed by the king and Parliament of Britain against America, and further measures to be taken for frustrating them and for the better defence of the province. The congress-all the members-were unanimous for separation, for declaring themselves no longer British subjects, but citizens of a new-born nationality. It was a momentous matter. It would change the nature of the struggle. Not as subjects rebelling against the oppressions of Par |