"An Inundation of Barbarians"

       In my last post, we took a look at a description of the “over mountain” men who were soon to attack the British and Loyalist forces of Patrick Ferguson at the battle of King’s Mountain.  As the patriot forces are beginning to assemble in September of 1780, Ferguson is beginning to realize that he may be in for more than he had bargained for.  In desperation, Ferguson addresses the local residents:

       While at this Ford [Denard’s Ford], the old crossing of Broad river, half a mile below the present Twitty's Ford, and some eight miles from Gilbert Town, Ferguson issued the following energetic appeal—apparently almost a wail of despair—addressed "to the inhabitants of North Carolina," and, doubtless, similar ones to the Loyalists of South Carolina also:

       "Gentlemen:—Unless you wish to be eat up by an inundation of barbarians, who have begun by murdering an unarmed son before the aged father, and afterwards lopped off  his arms, and who by their shocking cruelties and irregularities, give the best proof of their cowardice and want of discipline; I say, if you wish to be pinioned, robbed, and murdered, and see your wives and daughters, in four days, abused by the dregs of mankind—in short, if you wish or deserve to live, and bear the name of men, grasp your arms in a moment and run to camp.

       "The Back Water men have crossed the mountains; McDowell, Hampton, Shelby, and Cleveland are at their head, so that you know what you have to depend upon. If you choose to be degraded forever and ever by a set of mongrels, say so at once, and let your women turn their backs upon you, and look out for real men to protect them.

       "Pat. Ferguson,  Major 71st Regiment.” ¹ 

       

       A bit hyperbolic, wouldn’t you agree?  There’s no evidence of the “unarmed son” incident that Ferguson refers to, although it is true that there were atrocities committed by both sides during this conflict.  Perhaps Ferguson is bolstering his own courage by trying to, at least on paper, tear down the character of the men he is soon to face in combat.  At any rate, the “inundation of barbarians” is on its way and Ferguson’s plea is a sign that he is not as smug about the final outcome of events as his bold comments might lead one to believe.  How will it all turn out?  Lord willing we’ll find out in my next post.   

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)      Lyman C. Draper, King’s Mountain and Its Heroes (Cincinnati, OH: Peter G. Thomson, 1881), p. 203-4.

The "Over Mountain" Men Head for King's Mountain

       I have recently been reading Lyman C. Draper’s work on King’s Mountain.  I found this passage particularly interesting in its description of the “over mountain” men and thought I would share it here.   

   

       On Monday, the twenty-fifth of September [1780], at the place of rendezvous, at the Sycamore Flats or Shoals, at the foot of the Yellow Mountain, on the Watauga, about three miles below the present village of Elizabethtown, Colonel [William] Campbell's two hundred men assembled, together with Colonel [Isaac] Shelby's and Lieutenant-Colonel [John] Sevier's regiments of two hundred and forty men each. There [Charles] McDowell's party had been for some time in camp; but Colonel McDowell himself, as soon as the expedition had been resolved on, hurried with the glad news over the mountains, to encourage the people, obtain intelligence of [Patrick] Ferguson's movements, and hasten the march of Colonel [Benjamin] Cleveland and the gallant men of Wilkes and Surry. While yet in camp, all hearts were gladdened by the unexpected arrival of Colonel Arthur Campbell, with two hundred more men from his County, fearing the assembled force might not be sufficient for the important service they had undertaken; and uniting these new recruits with the others, this patriotic officer immediately returned home to anxiously watch the frontiers of Holston, now so largely stripped of their natural defenders.

       Mostly armed with the Deckard rifle, in the use of which they were expert alike against Indians and beasts of the forest, they regarded themselves the equals of Ferguson and his practiced riflemen and musketeers. They were little encumbered with baggage — each with a blanket, a cup by his side, with which to quench his thirst from the mountain streams, and a wallet of provisions, the latter principally of parched corn meal, mixed, as it generally was, with maple sugar, making a very agreeable repast, and withal full of nourishment. An occasional skillet was taken along for a mess, in which to warm up in water their parched meal, and cook such wild or other meat as fortune should throw in their way. The horses, of course, had to pick their living, and were hoppled out, of nights, to keep them from straying away. A few beeves were driven along the rear for subsistence, but impeding the rapidity of the march, they were abandoned after the first day's journey.

       Early on the twenty-sixth of September, the little army was ready to take up its line of march over mountains and through forests, and the Rev. Samuel Doak, the pioneer clergyman of the Watauga settlements, being present, invoked, before their departure, the Divine protection and guidance, accompanied with a few stirring remarks befitting the occasion, closing with the Bible quotation, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon;" when the sturdy, Scotch-Irish Presbyterians around him, clothed in their tidy hunting-shirts, and leaning upon their rifles in an attitude of respectful attention, shouted in patriotic acclaim: "The sword of the Lord and of our Gideons !" ¹

       I know that the reenacting community has mentioned the use of the parched corn/maple sugar foodstuff but this is the first time I’ve seen it mentioned in a book, so I was pleased to see that.  I also found the picture of the men dressed in their hunting shirts and rifles standing around the Presbyterian preacher who prayed for their Divine protection as a welcome departure from some of the prevailing beliefs that all backwoods people were degenerate pagans.  Were all men who lived in the more primitive conditions along the frontier completely debauched, immoral people?  Perhaps some might have been, but it is not likely there were many.  If we desire to portray to the public a fair representation of these men, it is not enough that we dress (insofar as we may) like them; we must also act like them.  Rough dress does not necessarily equal rough lives and so we ought to honor the memory of these “heroes” by giving an honest portrayal of their lives.

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)      Lyman C. Draper, King’s Mountain and Its Heroes (Cincinnati, OH: Peter G. Thomson, 1881), p. 175-6.

Duty

“The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.” (Ps. 78:9)

       We hear so little in our day of the concept of “duty.”  It just seems so antiquated, as if it were some old-fashioned concept that the less-enlightened folks in the days of yore used to believe in.  “Live for yourself!” is the mantra of our day.  Ask anyone to engage in any sort of enterprise or undertaking and, no matter how minimal the level of involvement which may be required of them, they are more likely than not to ask “What’s in it for me?”  The concept of duty may not be getting its fair share of respect in our day, and perhaps such has been the case since Adam’s fall, yet history gives us examples of those who risked and even lost all for causes they believed they were obliged by honor and duty to advance.

       After the battle of Culloden in Scotland (April 16, 1746), when the Jacobite forces of “Bonnie Prince Charlie” had been smashed by the English army, there began a series of reprisals against all those who took up arms in support of or otherwise furthered the cause of the exiled James Stuart, the “king over the water.”  Those foremost in the crosshairs of English vengeance were the Scottish aristocracy, as they were esteemed to be the leaders who had fomented dissent against the Hanoverian regime.  Several of the Scottish nobility were arrested and transported to London to stand trial for treason.  One such noble was Arthur Elphinstone, the 6^th Lord Balmerino.  Although convicted in England of treason and sentenced to death for his role in supporting Prince Charlie, his resolution and faith in the cause never wavered.  Before his accusers he made a bold speech, part of which was: “…When his Royal Highness [Charles Edward Stuart, a.k.a. “Bonnie Prince Charlie”] came to Edinburgh, as it was my bounden and indispensible Duty, I joined him, tho' I might easily have excused myself from taking Arms on account of my Age; but I never could have had Peace of Conscience, if I had stayed at Home when that brave Prince was exposing himself to all Manner of Dangers and Fatigues, both Day and Night.”¹ On the eve of his execution, he wrote to the exiled James Stuart, “Sir, when his Royal Highness the Prince your son came to Edinburgh, as it was my bounden and indispensible duty, I joyn’d him for which I am tomorrow to lose my head on the scaffold whereat I am so far from being dismayed that it gives me great satisfaction and peace of mind that I die in so righteous a cause.”² Whatever might be your opinion of the Jacobites and their claims, or even if you have no opinion at all in the matter, one has to admire the sense of duty Balmerino had in regards to what he perceived was his responsibility to serve his king.  May we be people who follow the admonition of another king, Solomon: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Eccl. 12:13)”  

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)      Balmerino et al, True Copies of the Papers, etc. (Google e-book http://books.google.com/books?id=1qBbAAAAQAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s), p. 6.

2)      Hugh Douglas, Jacobite Spy Wars: Moles, Rogues and Treachery (Thrupp, Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK: Sutton Publishing, Ltd., 1999), p. 146.

The Affirmation of Providence

       In my last post, we saw the Baptist missionary David Jones grieving the loss of his son who had passed away while Jones was absent from home during his travels amongst the Indians of the Ohio River country.  We’ll pick up his story there.

       Tuesday 27 [April, 1773], in the morning, soon after I awoke, while ruminating on my case, these words were impressed on my heart with both power and comfort, viz. "ye have heard of the afflictions of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."  The whole dealings of God towards Job opened very clearly to view, and it was evident that his case far exceeded mine: at once he lost all his children and wealth, not by what we call a natural Death, but by one fatal stroke the vital flame is quenched in the ruins of an house.  That clause which saith, "the Lord is very pitiful," ministered truly great comfort to my soul.  Had then a lively sense of the tender compassion of the Lord; and though he causeth grief for wise ends, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.  By this means, found myself much supported, and enabled to believe that I should yet find God very pitiful, notwithstanding that now the chastisement was severe.  The words are in the epistle of James, chap. v. and verse 11, only with this variation, viz. in James the word is patience,  and the word affliction was used instead thereof, as being most suitable to my case.  It may be observed, that in giving comfort, the Lord doth not always use the very word in the text, but is pleased to adapt the substance thereof, according to the circumstance of the afflicted.  'Tis more than probable, that there are some, who are strangers to comfort from the scriptures by the application of promises, and such may think it only a kind of fancy; but they who are better acquainted with God, and know the mysteries of the kingdom, can bless his holy name, for such glorious displays of his love. ¹

       Those who are Christians can affirm that their faith is made stronger, their love for Christ made dearer, as He comforts and carries them through times of great trial.  I can testify in my own life that my greatest times of spiritual growth have come when I have been brought to the end of myself.  None can know how merciful God is until they experience that mercy first-hand.  

        As I came within a few miles of home, sorrow returned again afresh in such a degree, that human nature seemed too weak to sustain the heavy load, till these words were impressed on my mind with a degree of power, viz.  "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?  Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee."  For a little space, that part calmed the surges of sorrow, which says, "yet will I not forget thee."  But had not rode far before my wounds began to bleed afresh, then these words  came with such power, that not only my distress was removed, but also, greater assurance of eternal life was enjoyed, than what I had been favoured with for some years past, viz. "that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."  Being thus supported, came home in the strength of the Lord, having great cause to speak both of judgment and mercy.  This tour contained six months and one day, in which greater hardships were endured, than are spoken of, but may be conceived by remembring [sic] that in rainy and snowy weather blankets stretched were all my house: and in fair weather no other shelter than the open air: but in many respects, have learned more in this time, than in all my life before.  In the description of this country, and account of the Indians, my endeavour and view was, to inform all who were pleased to read: but the narrative, respecting my troubles, was chiefly designed for the sons and daughters of affliction, hoping it may not be altogether in vain to others.  To all parents of children, who may be pleased to read, would close this Journal with a few words of advice, viz.

     

       1.   Consider  the most lovely child only lent to you from God,  who has a sovereign right to call for his own, when, and in what way seemeth good unto himself; and none should say, what doest thou? Alas! we are prone to forget this, and act as if there was none that ruleth above, ordering all events here on earth.

       2.  Never suffer your affections to be fixed too much on any child, for our children are all mortal, and at best but uncertain comforts.  How often may it be observed, that God is pleased to take away the flower of a family? and that in the morning of days and bloom of life.  He has wise ends in all his proceedings, and gives no account of his actions to man.  If he is pleased to spare our children, how often doth it prove only a continued cause of sorrow? for such is the corruption of the age, that very few seek after  God,  and endeavour to keep themselves unspotted from the world.  We are too subject, if God endows our children with any thing distinguishable, to idolize such; but often he shews us our fault, with broken hearts.  This was my unhappy case.  All my concern was about my son Joseph.  He was as dear to me as Absalom to David, or as Benjamin to Jacob.  But, was soon made to see my folly, and the great instability of worldly comforts.  All that I would say on this occasion is, "the Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord."  We find that God makes his dearest children pass under the rod: and this we may expect, though we are not at ease; for our blessed Lord says, "as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten."

       3.   Endeavour to be single-hearted, not loving the world, nor the things of the world, for, when this is our case, we are fit to live or die; having our affections on things above, far from all disappointment. 'Tis said this is not our rest, and so we shall find it; but there remains a rest for the people of God.  'Tis but a little while, before all our concerns about this world will have an end.  Some of our children have gone before us, and we shall soon follow after; these bodies shall remain in the solitary confines of the grave 'till time shall be no more.  How are we disquieted in vain! for all things here are but vanity and vexation of spirit. 

       4.  And lastly, when in adversity, beware of murmuring against God.  Cannot say that I was free from it, but am so far from justifying it, that 'tis expected, that among other iniquities, this also is washed away by the precious blood of Christ.  We find this sin cleaving to the best of men.  Jeremiah curses the day of his birth.  'Tis indeed a great evil—it represents God lacking wisdom or goodness in disposing events on earth: but he is wise in all his providences, and not only good, but he doeth good continually, and nothing but what is for the best to all his children.  David could say, it was good for him to have been afflicted.  And we have this gracious word to support us, viz. "all things do work together for good to them that love God."  Wherefore let us lift up our hands that hang down, and be encouraged, for whatsoever we suffer, it is the Lord that has done it, and can direct it, and bless it for good.  He is at hand himself, and while we are here, let him be the delight and joy of our hearts, then we may say with calmness, when our spirits are demanded, come Lord Jesus, come quickly, amen.

F   I   N   I   S   ²

       It is just astonishing to see such mature wisdom coming from a man who has lost his very son.  Do we rest in God’s providential control of our lives or are we apt to complain, as if He is treating us unfairly?  What do we have in our lives, be it people or things, that we love more than Christ?  Certainly Jones’ “words of advice” speak to us from ages past.

       Thus ends our look at the journal of this remarkable man.  I hope those of you who read my blog have enjoyed his story as much as I have!

Christ, not man, is King!

Dale

1)      David Jones, A Journal of Two Visits Made to Some Nations of Indians on the West Side of the River Ohio in the Years 1772 and 1773 (Burlington, NJ: Isaac Collins, 1774), p. 87. 
2)      Ibid., p. 88-90.