scended a tree, and there poured out
his soul in prayer to the Almighty Ruler of the Universe for
protection.

COLONEL CHARLES M'DOWELL AND BROTHERS.

(Condensed from Wheeler's "Historical Sketches.")

Colonel Charles McDowell and his brothers, Joseph and William, were
sons of Joseph McDowell and Margaret O'Neal, who emigrated from
Ireland and settled in Winchester, Va. Here, Charles and Joseph were
born, the former in 1743. Soon afterward, Joseph McDowell, Sr., moved
to Burke county, N.C.

In June, 1780, Colonel Charles McDowell being joined by Colonels Isaac
Shelby and John Sevier from Tennessee, and by Colonel Clarke, of
Georgia, near the Cherokee Ford on Broad river, in South Carolina, he
determined to attack a post held by the enemy on Pacolet river, in
Spartanburg county. The position was strongly fortified under the
command of Captain Patrick Moore, a distinguished loyalist. On being
surrounded, the enemy, after some parley as to terms, surrendered as
prisoners of war. One British Sergeant Major, ninety-three loyalists,
two hundred and fifty fire-arms and other munitions of war were the
fruits of this victory. Soon afterward Col. McDowell detached Shelby
to watch the movements of Ferguson, and attack him. On the 1st of
August, 1780, Shelby met the advance guard of Ferguson at Cedar
Spring, about six hundred strong, when a spirited contest commenced;
but on the enemy being reinforced, Shelby made good his retreat,
carrying off from the field twenty prisoners, including two British
officers.

On learning that a body of five hundred Tories had assembled on the
south side of Enoree river, near Musgrove's Mill, Colonel McDowell
detached Colonels Shelby, Williams and Clarke to attack them. Colonel
Ferguson, with his whole force, lay encamped between them. They left
the camp on the 18th of August at Smith's Ford on Broad river, and
taking a circuitous route through the woods, avoided Ferguson's
forces. They rode hard all night, and at daybreak encountered a strong
patrol party of the enemy. A skirmish immediately ensued and the
Tories retreated. They then advanced on the main body of the Tories.
At this juncture a countryman living near, a friend of liberty, came
to Shelby and informed him that the enemy had been reinforced the
evening before, by six hundred regular troops, and the Queen's
American regiment from New York, commanded by Colonel Innis, marching
to join Ferguson. Here was a position that would have t