Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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HORSE-SHOE ROBINSON A TALE OF THE TORY ASCENDENCY BY JOHN P. KENNEDY upon King's mountain, Lindsay was persuaded by bis companion to make the rash adventure which, we have already seen, had been the cause of his present misfortune. It is not my purpose to attempt a description of the scene in the cot tage, where Arthur Butler and his wife, and Henry, first saw Lindsay stretched upon a rude pallet, and suf fering the anguish of a dangerous ! wound. It is sufficient to say that, in CHAPTER LVIII. The conclusion. The victory was won. In the last assault, Campbell liad reached the crest of the mountain, and th > loyal ists had given ground with decisive indications of defeat. Ferguson, in the hopeless effort to rally his sol diers, had Aung himself into their "Friends," said Horse Shoe calmly to the multitude, "there ii better game to hunt than this mountain-cat. Let me have my way.” "None has a better right than Horse Shoe Robinson," said a speaker from 1 the group, "to say what ought to be done to Wat Adair. Speak out, Horse Shoe!” "Speak! We leave it to you,” shouted some of the leaders: and in stantly the crowd fell back and form ed a circle round Horse Shoe and Adair. “I give you your choice," seld the sergeant, addressing the captive, “for though your iniquities, Wat Adair, de- sarve that you should have been the you fiist that was strung up to yonder tree, yet you shall have your choice, to tell us fully and truly, without the midst of the deep grief of the by- tention was drawn to a stranger who standers, Lindsay was composed and lay upon the ground. His wan and tranquil, like one who thought it vain haggard cheek, and restless eye, t 0 struggle with fate. “I have for- showed that he suffered acute pain; | seen this day, and felt its coming,” and the blood upon his cloab, which he muttered, in a low and broken had been spread beneath him, indi- voice; “it has happened as it was cated the wound to have been receiv- ordained. 1 have unwisely struggled ed in the side. A private soldier of against my doom. There, take it,” the British army was his only attend- ] ie added, as he stretched forth his bolding back name of high or low, van ’but*a biiliet'at this instant reach- ant. To Campbell’s solicitous and hand to Butler, and in tones scarce-; who put you on to ambush Major Ar- ed his heart- he fell from his seat, kind inquiry, he announced himself, ] y audible breathed out, "God bless thur Butler’s life at Grlndall’s Ford.I and his white horse, which had been in a voice that was almost over-mas- y 0Ui my chcildren! I forgive you." Tell us, that, to our satisfaction, and conspicuous in the crowd of battle, tered by his bodily anguish, to be During the night fever ensued, and answer all other questions besides bounded wildly through the ranks of Philip Lindsay, of Virginia. with it came delirium. The natient that we may ax you, and you shall the Whigs, and made his way down “You behold," he said, “an unhajK acquired strength from his disease, have your life, taking, however, one the mountain side. Py father in pursuit of his children." t 0 his waking superstition. The same hundred lashes to the back of it." Campbell passed onward, driving Then, after a pause, he continued, vision of fate and destiny hanmeor *•[ will confess all, before God the royalists before him. For a mo- “My daughter Mildred, I have been ids imagination; and he almost truly,” cried Adair with eagerness, ment the discomfited band^ hoped to told, is near me; I would see her, frightened his daughter from besida "James Curry told me of your coming, join their comrades in the rear, and, and quickly.” his couch, with the fervid eloquence and gave me and Mike Lynch money bv a united effort, ^o effect a retreat: "God have mercy on us!” exclaim- oi his madness. to help Hugh Habershaw.” but* the parties led by Sevier and ed Campbell, “is this the father of -phe cottage was situated near half “James Curray had a master in the Cleveland cheered by the shouts of the lady who has sought my protect- a mile from the encampment of the, busimvs," said Robinson: "His their victorious companions, urged ion? Wounded too, jind badly, I fear! army. Towards daylight, Lindsay name? i & v>.v their attacks w'th new vte° r > and won Where is Major Butler, who ( Was had sunk into a slumber, and the at- tho hill in time to Intercept the fugi- lately prisoner with Ferguson?” he tendant surgeon began to entertain lives. All hopes of escape being thus said, addressing the attendant—"Go, hopes that the patient might success- at aii end a white flag was displayed go, sir," he added, speaking to the f u iiy struggle with his malady. Mild- in token of submission; and the rem- same person, "bring me the first sur- red'and Mary Musgrove kept watch rant of Ferguson’s late proud and geon you can find, and arreci some i n the apartment, whilst Butler with boastful army, now amounting to be- three or four men from the ranks to Horse Shoe Robinson and Allen Mus- tween eight and nine hundred men.! c4»me to your aid. Lose no time." grove, remained anxiously awake in surrendered t 0 the assailants. The soldier went instantly upon the adjoining room. Henry Lindsay, It has scarcely ever happened that'the errand, and soon returned with wearied with the toils of the preced- a battle has been fought, in which the desired assistance. Lindsays j ng day, and old Isaac the negro, not the combatants met with keener in- wound had been already staunched g 0 f rom the vocation of pre- divldual exasperation than in this, and all that remained to be done was v lous labor as from constitutional The mortal hatred which embittered to put him in some place of shelter torpor, lay stretched in deep sleep the feelings of Whig and Tory along and comfort. A cottage at the foot upon the floor. this border here vented Itself in the of the mountain was pointed out by . guch was the state of things when, ergerness of conflict, and gave the Campbell; a litter was constructed, ne ar sunrise, a distant murmur impulse t 0 every blow that was struck and the sick man was borne upon the reached the ears of those who were rendering the fight, from beginning shoulders of four attendants to the awake in the cottage. These sounds to end relentless, vindictive, and designated (spot. Meantime, Camp- attracted the notice of Horse Shoe, bloody.’ The remembrance of the bell rode off to communicate the dis- w lio immediately afterwards stole thousand cruelties practiced by the covery he had made to Mildred and out of the apartment and repaired to royalists during the brief Tory do- he? brother. . the camp. During his walk thither minion to which my narrative has Lindsay’s story, since we last part- the uproar became more distinct, and been confined, was fresh in the minds ed from him, may be briefly told. He shouts were heard from a crowd of of the stern and hardy men of the and Tyrrel had journeyed into the low soldiers who were discovered in a mountains, who had pursued their foe country of Virginia, to meet the confused and agitated mass in the w-ith such fierce animosity to this his friends of the royal government, valley, at some distance from the en- last stage. Every one had some wrong These had wavered, and were not to campment. The sergeant hastened to tell, and burned with an unquench- be brought together. A delay en- to this spot, and, upon his arrival, able rage of revenge. It was, there- sued, during which Tyrrel had pre- tf {J s struck with the shocking sight fore, with a yell of triumph that they vailed upon Lindsay to extend his of the bodies of some eight or ten saw’the symbol of submission raised journey into North Carolina; whence, of the Tory prisoners suspended to aloft by the enemy; and for a space, after an ineffectual effort to bring the the limbs of a large tree, the forest, rang with their loud and Tory party to some decisive step they The repose of the night had not al- reiterated huzzas. ^oth returned to the Dove Cote, hav- layed the thirst of revenge amongst Many brave men fell on either side, ing been nearly three weeks absent, the Whigs. On the contrary, the op- Upon the slopes of the mountain and Upon their arrival, the afflicting in- portunity of conference and deliber- cn its summit, the bodies of the dead telligence met Lindsay of the depart- ation had only given a more fatal and dying lay scattered amongst the ure of Mildred and her brother for certainty to their purpose. The re rocks, ami the feeble groans of the the seat of war. Mildred’s letter was cent executions which had been per- wounded mingled with the fierce delivered to him; and its contents al- milled in Cornwallis’s camp, after the tones of exultation from the living, most struck bim dumb.. It related battle of Camden, no less than the The Whigs sustained a grievous loss the story of Arthur Butler’s misfor- atrocites lately practiced by some of In Colonel Williams, who had been tunes, and announced, that, for near- tlu Tories who were now amongst the struck down in the moment of victory, ly a year past, Mildred had been the ( ,.] t irel. suggested the idea of; signal He was young, ardent, and brave; wedded wife of the captive officer, retribution. The obnoxious Individuals and his many soldier-like virtues The marriage had been solemnized were dragged forth from their r inks combined with a generous and ami- in the preceding autumn, in a hastj at early dawn, and summary punish able temper, had rendered him a che- moment, as Butler travelled south to ment was Inflicted by the excited rlshed favorite with the army. His join the army. TV- only witnesses soldiery in the manner which we have death served still more to increase were Mistress Dimock, under whose described, in spite of all remonsirance the exacorvation of the conquerors roof it had occured, Henry Lindsay, or command. , against the conquered. !,n, l clergyman. The motives Tbj s dreadful work was stiil in The sun was yet an hour high when that induced this marriage were ex- progress when Horse Shoe arrived, the battle was done. The Whigs plained: Both Mildred and Arthur The crowd were, at that moment, were formed in two lines on the hoped, by this irremediable step, to forcing along to the spot of execution ridge of the mountain; and the prison- reconcile Lindsay to the event, and a trembling wretch, whose gaunt ers! more numerous than their cap- to turn his mind from its unhappy form, crouching beneath the hands tors, having laid down their arms, breedings: the increased exaspera- that held him, and pitiful supplica- were drawn up in detached columns tion of his feelings, during the sue- tions for mercy, announced him to on the intervening ground. There ceeding period, prevented the dls- the sergeant as an old acquaintance, were many sullen and angry glances closure which Mildred had again The unfortunate man had caught a exchanged, during this period of sus- end again essayed to make. The re- glance of Robinson, and, almost fran- pense, between victors and vanquish- cent dangers -which had beset Arthur tic with despair, sprang with a tiger’s od; and it was with a fearful rank- Butler, had determined her to fly to leap from the grasp of those who ling of inward wrath, that many of tii* 3 rescue. As his wife she felt it to held him, and, in an instant, threw Adair hesitated for an instant and stammered out “Capt. St. Jermyn.” "He was at your house? Speak it, man, or think of the rope!” "He was there,” said Adair. “By my soul! W'at Adair, if you do not come out with the whole truth,” said Robinson, with angry earnest ness," "I take back my promise. Tell me all you know.” “Curry acted by the captain’s di rections,’’ continued the woodsman, "he was well paid for It, as he told me, and would have got more, if a quarrel amongst Habershaw’s people hadn’t stopped them from taking Ma jor Butler’s life. So I have heard from fhe men mvself." “Well, sir?” "That’s all,” replied Adair. “Do you know nothing about the court-martial?” asked Robinson. “Nothing, except that as the Major wasn’t killed at the Ford, it was thought best to have a trial, wherein James Curry and Hugh Habershaw, I as I was told, had agreed to swear; agaipst the Major’s life.” “And were paid for it?” “It was upon a consideration, in course," replied Adair. “And Captain St. Jermyn contrived this?” “It was said,” answered Adair,; “that the captain left it all to Curry, and rather seemed to take Major But-1 b r's side himself at the trial. He didn’t want to be known in the busi ness!” “Where is this Captain St. Jer myn?” demanded many voices. Tliis interrogatory was followed by the rush of the party towards the quarte r in which the prisoners were assembled, and, after a lapse of time: which seemed incredibly short for the performance of the deed, the unhappy victim of this tumultuary wrath was seen struggling in the agonies of death, as he hung from one or the boughs of the same tree which had .nipplied the means of the other exe cutions. By this time Butler and Henry Lindsay, attracted by the shouts that reached them at the cottage, had ar rived at the scene of these dreadful events. Wat Adair was, at this mo ment, undergoing the punishment for which his first, sentence was commut ed. The lashes were inflicted by a -‘X*. 0 it am m / •V V.-<. v A YTRACiOOn CLOTHES FOR BOYS Ederheimer, Smin u Co. - Makers M AKE a list in your mind of all the* good qualities you want to find ia the hoys’ clothing you buy. Then come here and get more than you thought of—in an X——’Li_!D suit. Good as it can be, stylish as it should be, lower priced than it ought to be. Sailor, Junior and Russian suits in many variations of style and fabric. Carefully tailored and trimmed. Also a large show ing of idorjolks and double-breasted suits. Carroll & Byers DU others’ lives are sure to come to ac count. The devil put it into this St. Jermyn’s head to make Ferguson a sturdy arm upon his uncovered back; vr i p it- He came yesterday with Mr. and it was remarkable that the wretch Lindsay, and got the poor gentleman who but lately had sunk, with the hurt. James Curry has done most slavish fear, under the threat working for him n °w, Major. Master of death, now bore his stripes with a man h ave travelled one road, fortitude that seemed to disdain i was n °w closed. The the Whigs detected, in the columns be her duty, and she had, accordingly, his arms around the sergeant’s neck, | complaint or even the confession of business of the day called the troops pain. Butler and Henry hurried with to other labors. Campbell felt the a natural disgust from this spectacle, of an immediate retreat and soon found themselves near the wlt ^ prisoners to the mountains, spot where the lifeless forms of the aL d ^ 8 earliest orders directed the victims of military vengence were ar my to prepare for the march, suspended from the tree. When Butler returned to the cot- “Gracious heaven!” exclaimed But- f oun( l himself surrounded of the prisoners, some of their bit- resolved to encounter the peril of the where he clung with the hold of a terest persecutors. journey. drowning man. This spiri., was partially suppress- For a day or two after the persual “Oh save me, save me, Horse ed in the busy occupation that follow- of this letter, Lindsay fell into a deep Shoe Robinson!” he exclaimed widly. ed Preparations were directed to be melancholy. His presentiments seem- “Friend Horse Shoe, save me!” made for the night-quarters of the ed to have been fatally realized, and “I am no friend of yours, Wat army; and the whole host was, ac- his hopes suddenly destroyed. From Adair,” said Robinson, sternly, would fain believe, for the sake poetical justice, that this was true. Another item of intelligence, to b« found in the history of the war, may have some reference to our tale. I find that, in the summer of 1781, Colo nel Butler was engaged in the pursuit of Cornwallis in bis retreat from Al* bemarle towards Williamsburgh; my inquiries do not enable me .to say, with precision, whether it wps our friend Arthur Butler who had met thia promotion. His sufferings in the cause certainly deserved such a reward. THE END. cordingly, ordered to march to the this despondency, Tyrrel’s assiduous “Spoak for me—Galbraith—speak, | ler, "is not that St. Jermyn? What by a mournful group. The malady of valley. The surgeons of each party artifice groused him. He proposed for old acquaintance sake!" has he done to provoke this doom?”I^ D ^ sa y bad unexpectedly taken a were already fully employed in their to Lindsay the pursuit of his child- “Hold!” said Robinson to the “It is Tyrrel!" ejaculated Henry. I turn. Mildred and Henry were vocation. The bodies of the wounded ren, in the hope of thus luring him crowd who had gathered round to “Major Butler, it is Tyrrel! That 8ta t e d by the couch of their father, were strewed around; and, for the into Cornwallis’s camp, and connect- pluck the fugitive from his present! face, black and horrible as it is to w^b^S m mute anguish the last eb- protertion of such as were not in a ing him with the fortunes of the war. refuge. "One word, friends! stand look at. I would know it among a bings of life. The dying man was condition to be moved, shelters were The chances of life, he reasoned, back, ] have somewhat to say in this ibousand!” composed and apparently free from made of the boughs of trees, and were against Butler, if indeed, as matter." "Indeed!" said Butler, gazing with I )a ' n > an d tbe few words he spoke fires kindled to guard them from the Tyrrel had ground to hope, that of- “He gave Butler into Hugh Haber- n melancholy earnestness upon the w( ‘ r e of forgiveness and resignation, early frost of Hie season. All the rest liter were not already the victim of thaw’s hands.” cried out some of the scene', and speaking scarce above his . In ^be midst of their sorrow and retired slowly to the appointed en- the dnares that had been laid for crowd. breath, "it is so! Tyrrel and gt. silence, the inmates of the dwelling campment. him. t 00 j. the price of blood, and •brniyn the samg person! This is a ha d their attention awakened by the Whilst Campbell was intent upon Upon this advice, Lindsay had set sold Butler’s life for money- in these cares, a messenger came tq out for Cornwallis's headquarters, <’ie!'’ shouted others, summon him to a scene of unexpect- where he arrived within a week a!; ‘No words!" exclaimed manv. • lint efl interest. He was informed that a the interview of Mildred and Henry up with him’" gentleman, not attached to the army, with the British chief. .. Vlr Hob!ns , )n •• Sf . |V . lin , , V(h j . had been dangerously wounded in the whilst he delayed here, he receiv- wifi, tears ‘ starting’ from bis eves ♦rlm,* an< L n ?v^ ^ ,he t,mt •»'« (laughter had “only hear me! i was forced to take tremlty of the mountain ridge. It abandoned her homeward journey, side-': ago'nst \ was added that he earnestly desired and turnd aside in quest of Butler. Tories would an interview with the commanding This determined him to continue his bouse- the officer. Campbell lost no time in at- pursuit. Tyrrel still accompanied obliged. shall Grange mystery.*’ military music of the retiring army, 1 These cheerful sounds vividly con- Ifobinson. at this moment approach- trasted with the Ief of the ^ ourn . d and u mswer to Butler s ques-, erg and told of ? he profess i 0 nal in- .( IlS, told th' wlldft stoiy of the Uiffo-onpo cnlHtnro tn the ..nlamitics s. i < liV y difference of soldiers to the calamities n.id jusr. aguatea ot . war de g reeB> the martial tones became more faint, as the troops re tending to the request. Upon repairing to the spot, his at- ajor Mutle . The have burnt dewn my y suspected me. -| was Mike Lynch was witness- Jermyn was not with Fergu- ceded up the valley; and before they .-.aid Butler, when the sergeant were quite lost to the ear, Campbell him; and the two travellers having iw rev, mercy!’’ and here t:i« arrived at the moment of the attack ered culprit cried loud and rngnt- Paint Ready for Use- L. &. M. 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"Si son," !■ -d finished hi* narrative. “How and Shelby appeared at the door of i i!>- lie here today?” the cottage to explain the urgency of "FiM or last," replied Robinson, their present departure, and to take "it is my observation, Major, that a sad farewell of their friends, (itteriy. th'so schemers and contrivers against Stephen Foster, with Harry Winter and a party of the Rangers, remained behind to await the movements of Butler. Horse Shoe Robinson, Allen Musgrove, an(j his qpughter, were in constant attendance. Here ends my story. In a lonely thicket, close upon the margin of the little brook which wat ers the valley on the eastern side of King’s mountain, the traveller of the present day may be shown an almost obliterated mound, and hard by he will see the fragments of a mde tombstone, on which is carv ed the letters P. L. This vestige marks the spot where the remains of Philip Lindsay were laid, until the restoration of peace allowed them to be transported to the Dove Cote. There, also, in a happier day, Ar thur Butler and Mildred “took up their abode; and notwithstanding the fatal presentment in regard to the fortunes of his house which had thrown so dark a color upon the life of Philip Lindsay, lived long enough after the revolution to see grow up around them a prosperous and estimable family. Mary Musgrove, too, attended Mil dred. and attained an advanced, and I hope, a happy old age, at* the Dove Cote. Wat Adair, I have heard it said in Carolina, died a year after the battle of King’s mountain, of a horrible difc* temper, supposed to have been pro duced by the bite of a rabid wolf. $ State Line statements. State Line, March 31—The farmers are In a rush now with their farming after losing several days on account of wet weather. The ground is in fine fix for work now. The ladles are carrying their garden work right along. Some of them have onions, peas and cabbage plants looking fine. The Sunday school convention at State Line was of great interest. Wa had some good talks on Sunday school and teaching of children. Rev. W. T. Tate, of Belton, was with us on Saturday and preached a fine sermon. Prof. J. B. Cash will teach school for Miss Belle Humphries while she attends the State Sunday School Con vention at Union. Miss Ethel Scruggs will teach for Mr. K. O. Huskey while he attends the convention. Hon. J. E. Clary and daughters. Misses Venla and Ethel, attended the Sunday School Convention at State Line Saturday and Sunday. Billy. Cures Bleed. BfcMi Piss sees. Csneerv Greatest Blood Purifier Free. If your blood Is impure, thin, die- eased, hot or tell humors, if yon have blood poison, cancer, eartou* cles. eating aorta, scrofula, ecsema. Itching, risings and tramps, scabby, pimply skin, bone pains, catanh. rheumatism, or any blood er Alt disease, take Botanic Blood Bala (B. B. B.) Soon all sores heal, aches and pains’stop and the blood is made pure and rich. Druggists or by sot- press 91 per large bottle. 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