Museum, in Charlotte, under the control
of Dr. Alexander McWhorter, an eminent Presbyterian clergyman from New
Jersey. In the summer of 1780, this institution, having assumed in
1777, the more patriotic name of "Liberty Hall Academy," was broken up
by the approach of the British army under Lord Cornwallis. The school,
then in a flourishing state, was dismissed; the young men were urged
by Dr. McWhorter with patriotic appeals, to take up arms in defence of
their country; and upon all he invoked the blessings of Heaven. At
this time Gen. Gates was on his way to the Southern States. Under
orders from Gen. Rutherford, a brigade was promptly raised to
rendezvous at Salisbury. In this brigade Hunter acted for a short time
as Commissary, and afterward as Lieutenant in the company of Capt.
Givens. This force first marched from Salisbury down the northeast
side of the Yadkin, scouring the Tory settlements of the Uwharrie and
Deep rivers, previous to its junction with Gen. Gates at Cheraw. From
this place Gen. Gates moved forward to Clermont, where he arrived on
the 12th of August. On the 15th he marched towards Camden, progressing
as far as the Gum Swamp, where sharp skirmishing took place in the
night between advanced parties of the Americans and the British. On
the 16th of August, 1780, the unfortunate battle of Camden was fought.
A contagious panic seized most of the militia early in the action, and
a precipitate retreat was the natural consequence. The regulars of
Maryland and Delaware, with a small portion of the North Carolina
militia, firmly stood their ground until surrounded with overwhelming
numbers. The subject of this sketch was there made a prisoner and
stripped of most of his clothes. Soon after his surrender he witnessed
the painful incidents of battle, resulting in the death of Baron
DeKalb. He informs us he saw the Baron without suite or aid, and
without manifesting the designs of his movements, galloping down the
line. He was soon descried by the enemy, who, clapping their hands on
their shoulders in reference to his epaulettes, exclaimed "a General,
a rebel General." Immediately a man on horseback (not Tarleton) met
him and demanded his sword. The Baron reluctantly presented the handle
towards him, inquiring in French, "Are you an officer, sir." His
antagonist not understanding the language, with an oath, more sternly
demanded his sword. The Baron then rode on with all possible speed,
disdaining to surrender to