|
|
|
North and South
Stories and Genealogy of Theodore Charles Anderson and Sara Carlene Shuttleworth
Revolution in the South
|
|
The Lead Mines, Virginia 1775
 James Tribble (1756–1840)
Mining in Virginia has taken place in one form or another since man’s initial habitation of the land. Early mining in Virginia began with the retrieval of flint and stone by the Indians for use as tools.
Mining of bog iron ore began near Jamestown in 1609 immediately after the Colony was founded. The first ironworks were set up by the Colonists in 1619 about 66 miles above Jamestown on the James River. The Virginia ironworks were small local operations using local sources of ore for raw material.
The only other metal of any importance in Colonial America was lead, which was used mostly for bullets. The Austinville Lead/Zinc Mine in Wythe County, Virginia operated in the 1700’s and was important in the Revolutionary War.
In 1775, at the age of 19, Ted’s 5th Great Grandfather James Tribble signed up with a volunteer company commanded by Captain William McClenahan to guard and protect the Austinville Lead/Zinc Mine. After 6 months there, his unit was dismissed and he returned home.
Two years later in 1778 he joined another volunteer company, this time under the command of Captain James Thompson. This company was part of a Regiment under the command of General Morgan, “the Swamp Fox”. Since most of the Revolutionary War at that time was being fought in the north, around New Jersey, James never saw any action.
In January 1780, he rejoined his first volunteer unit, still under the command of Captain McClenahan. This time they crossed over the Haw River from Virginia into North Carolina where they meet the British in the Battle of Gilford. James survived.
|
Captain Samuel Hopkins, 5th Virginia Regiment
Pvt. James Sandefur, Jr. (1750–1824)
On the Sandefur side of the family, Sara’s 3rd Great Granduncle, James Sandefur Jr., fought in the Continental Army during the Revolution. He was a private, serving for a period of two years from the fall of 1778 to the fall of 1780.
He enlisted with Captain Samuel Hopkins at Mecklen Court House, Virginia. He served in the 5th Virginia Regiment, which was commanded at various times by Colonel Buckner, General Lewis and General Lee. James Jr. was at the Battle of Stony Point with General Wayne.
He was honorably discharged from Captain Hopkins Company, at the time commanded by Abraham Clay, at Williamsburg, VA.
|
Epic Battles in the South
The military stalemate in the Mid-Atlantic region in 1778 caused the British commanders to shift the war to the South under the command of General Charles Cornwallis.
In the beginning, things went well for Cornwallis. He conquered Georgia in 1779. The next year he took his offensive into South Carolina where he soundly defeated General Horatio Gates at the Battle of Camden.
After Gates’ defeat at Camden, the Continental Congress authorized General Washington to appoint a new commander of the Southern armies. Washington selected General Nathanael Greene.
Greene made a huge difference and things took a decided turn for the worse for Cornwallis.
|
The Battle of Cowpens, January 17, 1781
Robert Black (1732–1781)
Joseph Augustus Black (1763–1843)
|
General Daniel Morgan
|
Upon his arrival in the South, General Greene split his army, sending General Daniel Morgan (known as “the Swamp Fox”) to western South Carolina to menace the British troops and attempt to capture British Post 96.
Cornwallis responded by sending his Colonel Banastre Tarleton, with about 1,000 soldiers, to Post 96. There, Tarleton received further orders from Cornwallis to seek out and destroy Morgan's forces.
Morgan shrewdly maneuvered his small force, setting the stage for one of the most critical battles of the war. He had a mixed force of militia and Continental regulars numbering around 1000.
Morgan placed his soldiers on a gentle but commanding hill known locally as “the Cowpens”, deploying them in three lines. The most reliable soldiers among the Continental troops and Virginia militia were placed just forward of the crest. Below were two lines of militia, the furthest forward being the best sharpshooters.
|
Morgan did not expect they would be able to stand against a line of British regulars, so he gave them explicit orders to fire no more than three rounds and then fall back to where the horses were being held. Morgan placed 130 mounted men in reserve under Colonel William Washington.
At 4:00 AM, Tarleton's forces broke camp, and Morgan was duly notified.
At 8:00 AM, Tarleton reached the American lines. Morgan went up and down the line repeating his famous words:
Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!
A fierce cry went out from the British forces: Morgan responded loudly, “They give us the British Hallo, boys. Give them the Indian Hallo, by God!” A wild cry went out from the Americans.
The sharpshooters took aim and fired. They did their job, firing a few times then falling back to the second line. The British continued to advance and, as the second line began to fire, the British began to run up the hill with bayonets ready. The second line retreated. British dragoons thinking they had routed them tried to cut down the retreating Americans.
Just then, Colonel William Washington's cavalry appeared and clashed with the British dragoons.
Morgan was waiting for the militiamen where the horses were. There, he formed them into a new line of battle. Meanwhile, the final line of Continentals was still holding off the British. The tactical situation forced them to retreat slightly.
Tarleton thought the battle had been won, and he ordered a general charge. As they charged, Morgan ordered the retiring force of Continentals to turn and fire. At the same time, the militiamen were coming up on the left. At once, the British were halted in their tracks. The Americans began charging with fixed bayonets.
Just then, the militia attacked from the left, and Colonel Washington's cavalry attacked from the right. In what would become a classic military victory, one of the most famous of the war, the entire British force was captured.
The British had lost 910 men, 110 killed and 800 taken prisoners, as well as all of their supplies.
The American lost only 73 people, 61 wounded and 12 killed; unfortunately, one of them was Ted’s 4th Great Grandfather Robert Black (age 49). He had enlisted on November 4, 1775 in the 2nd South Carolina Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Marion.
Another of Ted’s ancestors, Joseph Augustus Black (Ted’s 1st cousin, 5 times removed), was also there. He had enlisted in the North Carolina militia. He was 18 years old at the time.
|
The Battle of Eutaw Springs, Sept 8, 1781
Bloodiest Battle of the American Revolution
James Black (1728–1818),
Joseph Augustus Black (1763–1843),
Benjamin A. Washburn (1752-1841)
In 1781, seven years of British attempts to bring South Carolina to her knees had met with failure.
By midsummer 1781, the Southern Continentals under the command of General Nathanael Greene had gained virtual control of South Carolina. The retreating British, disillusioned and sick with summer heat, united forces under Colonel Stewart at Orangeburg and began their march to Charleston. Early in September, the 2,300 well-equipped British camped in cool shade besides the gushing springs of Eutaw, little dreaming that the Continentals were close upon their heels.
General Greene, hearing of Washington's plan to battle the British at Yorktown, was determined to prevent southern British aid from reaching the beleaguered Cornwallis. Contingents under Marion, Pickens, Lee, William Washington, Hampton and other South Carolina leaders were called together, and reinforcements from other colonies joined them. These 2100 poorly equipped, underfed, and nearly naked Americans camped on Sept. 7th by the River Road at Burdell's Plantation, a few miles from Eutaw Springs.
The strategy for the ensuing attack is credited to the genius of the "Swamp Fox," General Francis Marion, who knew every foot of the Santee swamps and river.
Sept. 8th dawned fair and intensely hot, but the Americans, on short rations and with little rest, advanced anyway in the early morning toward the springs. At their approach, the surprised British left their uneaten breakfast and quickly threw up lines of battle across the road in a heavily wooded area. Behind them, in cleared fields, stood a large brick house with a high-walled garden. The woods and waters of Eutaw Creek were on the north.
Heavy firing soon crackled and boomed through the shady woods. At first, the center of the American line caved in, but while opposing flanks were fighting separate battles, Greene restored the center with Sumner's North Carolina Continentals. The whole British line then began to give way, but the British Colonel Stewart quickly pulled up his left-flank reserves, forcing the Americans to retreat under thunderous fire. The encouraged British shouted, yelled, and rushed forward in disorder; whereupon Greene brought in his strongest forces: the Maryland and Virginia Continentals, Kirkwood's Delawares, and Colonel Washington's South Carolina cavalry, with devastating effect. The British fled in every direction and the Americans took over their camp.
Only the British Major Majoribanks, on the right flank and pushed far back into the woods near Eutaw Creek, was able to hold his unit together. Major Sheridan took hasty refuge in the brick house; Colonel Stewart gathered some of his men beyond it, and from this vantage point, they "picked off" many American officers and men.
Greene sent Colonel Washington's cavalry to deal with Majoribanks, but penetrating the woods with horses proved to be too difficult, so Washington tried to encircle and rout them from the rear, thus exposing himself to dangerous fire. His horse was shot out from under him, he was wounded and his company practically ravaged. Hand to hand fighting developed. A British solder poised his sword over the wounded Colonel Washington, but Majoribanks saw it and gallantly turned the solder away, thus saving Washington’s life.
In camp, eating the deserted breakfast, and feeling the battle was won, the hungry Americans began plundering the English stores of food, liquors, and equipment. Thoroughly enjoying themselves, they ignored their leaders' warnings and commands.
Majoribanks, realizing this disorder, fell upon them again. Sheridan and Stewart pounded at their right, and Coffin came in from their left. The stunned Americans fought bravely, but they were put to flight from the British camp.
After more than four hours of indecisive battle under a merciless sun, both armies had had enough. Casualties were extremely high. The area was strewn with the dead and dying. Greene collected his wounded and returned to Burdell's Plantation. Stewart stayed the night at Eutaw Springs but hastily retreated the next day toward Charleston, leaving behind many of his unburied dead and the seriously wounded.
Total casualties of the battle came to 1,188. Many were buried where they fell; therefore the whole battlefield became a cemetery.
This was last major battle in South Carolina. Even though it was pretty much a draw, it completely broke the British hold in the South and, more importantly, denied needed aid to Cornwallis in Yorktown. Only six weeks later he surrendered to General Washington and American Independence was assured.
Ted’s 4th Great Granduncle, James Black (age 53), fought in this battle. He served in Captain Bailey's Company, 10th North Carolina Continental Line Volunteers Regiment, commanded by Col. Abraham Shepard
His son, Joseph Augustus Black (age 18) was also there. Both survived, as did Benjamin A. Washburn.
|
The Hayes Station Massacre, South Carolina, November 18, 1781
Joseph Irby, Sr. (1728–1781),
Joseph Irby, Jr. (1758–1781), and
Greaf Irby (1759–1781)
Ted’s 5th Great Grandfather, Joseph Irby, Sr., was a plantation owner who lived in Culpepper County, Virginia. He was a staunch Whig who fought the Tories in Virginia and South Carolina until the time of his death, which occurred at Hayes Station, South Carolina, where he and 2 of his sons were massacred by Colonel "Bloody Bill" Cunningham and his party on November 18, 1781.
"Bloody Bill" was a fanatic Torie loyal to the Crown. Even though the war was all but over, he set out on November 17, 1781 with 300 men in a raiding party that was to leave a trail of death behind them. On the 18th, he reached Hayes Station, which was a small militia station of 20 men commanded by Colonel Joseph Hayes. Among his men were the Irbys (Ted’s 5th Great Grandfather and 2 of his sons).
Cunningham’s raiders surrounded the Blacksmith Shop in which Colonel Hayes had positioned his men, and set it on fire. As the defenders surrendered, the women and children were separated from the men, which Cunningham and his men then proceeded to hack to pieces with their sabers.
There now stands a monument at the spot marking what is now known as "The Hayes Station Massacre".
|
General Thomas Posey (1750-1818)
|
Thomas Posey Portrait by John Bayless Hill
|
General Thomas Posey (Sara’s 3rd cousin 5 times removed) was a favorite of George Washington during the Revolution. Scandal and rumors have it that he may have actually been the result of a love affair between his mother, Martha Price, the wife of Captain John Posey, and George Washington. This rumor has never been proved (or disproved) but it did make its way around the campfires during the Revolution.
Thomas Posey was the (supposed) son of Captain John Posey, the ner-do-well grandson of Lydia Shuttleworth and John Posey, Jr. of Charles County, Maryland. Lydia was one of the 4 daughters of Thomas1 Shuttleworth, the first of the Shuttleworth line to come over from England in 1661 (visit The Rifleman).
John Posey became a Captain under Colonel Bouquet during the French & Indian War in 1755.
|
About 1740 Captain John Posey married Martha (Price) Harrison, widow of George Harrison, from whom she had inherited a large estate, including 838 acres in Fairfax County, VA.
In 1755 Captain John Posey bought a small plot of land himself in Fairfax County, VA which he called "Rover's Delight." The plot was not far away from Martha Price Harrison’s estate and right next to Mount Vernon.
George Washington's diary indicates that Captain and Mrs. Posey and their older children were often guests there.
Captain John Posey lost "Rovers Delight", in a forced sale to pay his debts, primarily owed to George Washington and George Mason.
After that sale, Washington incorporated the property into Mount Vernon.
General Thomas Posey, the (maybe) son of Captain John Posey and his first wife Martha, was born in Virginia, on the banks of Potomac River, 9 July, 1750. He died in Shawneetown, Illinois, 19 March, 1818.
He received a common-school education, and in 1769 moved to western Virginia. In 1774 he became quartermaster of Andrew Lewis's division of Lord Dunmore's army, and took part in the battle with the Indians at Point Pleasant on 10 October of that year. This is the same bunch that the 4 Washburn brothers from Culpeper County, VA, Charles, Isaac, Jacob and Stephen belonged to (visit Indians).
In 1775 he was commissioned captain in the 7th Virginia Continental regiment. In this capacity he was present at the engagement at Gwynn's island on 8 July, 1776, where Lord Dunmore was defeated.
He joined the Continental army at Middlebrook, New Jersey, early in 1777, and was transferred, with his company, to Daniel Morgan's celebrated rifle-corps, with which he took part in the action with the British light troops at Piscataway, New Jersey.
The then Captain Posey was then sent to General Horatio Gates, and fought with him in the battles of Bemis Heights and Stillwater.
In 1778 he was commissioned Major, and led the expedition against the Indians in Wyoming valley in October of that year. This battle came after the Wyoming Massacre involving Daniel Washburn (See Chapter 9 - Indians!).
He was given the 11th Virginia regiment early in 1779, but soon was transferred to the command of a battalion in Colonel Christian Febiger's regiment under General Anthony Wayne; and, at the assault of Stony Point, he was one of the first to enter the enemy's works.
Subsequently he served in South Carolina, and was present at the surrender of Yorktown.
He then organized a new regiment, of which he took command with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and served under General Wayne in Georgia until the surrender of Savannah.
When he was surprised by the Indians under Gueristersigo on the night of 23 June, 1782, he rallied his men and led them on a counter charge with great bravery and skill, defeating them and inflicting great loss on his attackers.
At the close of the war, he settled in Spottsylvania County, Virginia, and in 1785 he was made Colonel of the county militia, becoming also County Lieutenant and Magistrate in 1786.
These offices he held until 1793, when, on 14 February, he was commissioned Brigadier-General, and served under General Wayne in his campaigns against the Indians in the northwest.
He resigned this commission on 28 February, 1794 and settled in Kentucky, where he was elected a member of the state senate. He chosen speaker of the Senate in 1805, becoming ex-officio Lieutenant Governor of the state.
In 1809, when war was threatening between France, England and the United States, Thomas was commissioned Major-General and given charge of the organization and equipment of the Kentucky forces.
Soon afterward he moved to Louisiana, and during the War of 1812 with England, he raised a company of infantry in Baton Rouge, and was for some time its captain.
He was appointed United States Senator from Louisiana, and served from 7 December, 1812, till 5 February, 1818. On the completion of his term he was appointed Governor of Indiana territory, and continued as such until its admission into the Union, when he became a candidate for the governorship, but was defeated.
His last position was Agent of Indian Affairs, including the Illinois Territory. He caught cold descending the Wabash River and died at Shawneetown, Illinois on March 18, 1818.
In addition to his brilliant military career, he was directly involved with the beginnings of five state governments: Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana and Illinois. Posey County, Indiana, is named after him. All in all, not a bad run for the “possible love child of George Washington”.
|
The Second Peace of Paris, September 13, 1783
Following the Battles of Cowpens and Eutaw Springs, things went from bad to worse for the British culminating in Cornwallis’ defeat at the Battle of Yorktown, VA, where on October 19, 1781 he surrendered to Washington’s young aide, Captain Alexander Hamilton, effectively ending the major fighting of the Revolutionary War (except for the Hayes Station Massacre).
Although Cornwallis commanded only a quarter of the British troops in America, his surrender had a devastating effect on the British government, who were now convinced they were losing the war. The House of Commons was in an uproar. The British Prime Minister North resigned and was replaced by Lord Shelborne.
Shelborne wanted to negotiate an end to the war. He sent an emissary to Paris to meet with the American representatives Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay.
The Peace of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, formally ending the war, and officially recognizing American independence.
Ted’s and Sara’s Honor Role
Ancestors Who Served in the American Revolution
(Those who have been identified so far)
|
Capt. James Black (1728–1818)
John Black of PA (1750-?)
John Black of PA (1755-1849)
Joseph Augustus Black (1763–1843)
Robert Black (1732–1781)
Sgt. Solomon Case (1735–1811)
Pvt. Benajah Case (1738–1818)
James Case (1753 –?)
Aaron Fuller
Abner Fuller
Capt. Abraham Fuller
Sgt. Amasa Fuller
Reverend Andrew Fuller
Asa Fuller
Ashbel Fuller
Azariah Fuller
Benjamin Fuller
Benjamin Fuller of MA (1742-?)
Benjamin Fuller of NY (1760-1848)
Benjamin Fuller of NY (1762-1837)
Darius Fuller
David Fuller of MA
David Fuller of NY
Pvt. Dayton Fuller (1758–1833)
Ebenezer Fuller of CT
Ebenezer Fuller of MA
Edward Fuller of MA (1746-?)
Capt. Edward Fuller of MA (1735-1819)
Sgt. Ezekiel Fuller
Ignatius Fuller
Lt. Isaac Fuller of MA
Isaac Fuller of NY
Jeduthan Fuller
Jesse Fuller
John Fuller
Lt. Jonathan Fuller
Capt. Joseph Fuller
Joshua Fuller
Capt. Josiah Fuller
Levi Fuller
Sgt. Moses Fuller
Colonel Nathan Fuller (1750–1851)
Noah Fuller
Pvt. Samuel Fuller, Sr. (1737–?)
Pvt. Samuel Fuller, Jr. (1758–?)
Seth Fuller, Jr.
Lt. Simeon Fuller (1762-1852)
Stephen Fuller of MA
Stephen Fuller of NH
Sgt. Thomas Fuller of MA (1731-1805)
Sgt. Thomas Fuller of MA (1754-1823)
Thomas Fuller of SC
Lt. William Fuller of MA (1743-1802)
William Fuller of MA (1761-1842)
Zadock Fuller
|
Grief Irby (1759–1781)
Joseph Lafayette Irby (1728–781)
Joseph Lafayette Irby, Jr. (1758–1781)
William Carter Irby (1760-1828)
General Thomas Posey (1750-1818)
Pvt. James Sandefur, Jr. (1750–1824)
Pvt. James Tribble (1756–1840)
Elijah Tuller
Cpl. Elisha Tuller
Pvt. Isaac Tuller, Jr. (1749–1776)
Jacob Tuller, Sr.
Jacob Tuller, Jr.
Sgt. Abner Washburn
Abiel Washburn (1726-?)
Capt. Abraham Washburn (1752-?)
Alden Washburn
Capt. Amos Washburn
Barzaleel Washburn
Benjamin Austin Washburn (1752-1841)
Bethuel Washburn
Bildad Washburn
Charles Washburn (1744-1789)
Daniel Washburn of MA (1726-?)
Pvt. Daniel Washburn of PA (1763–1846)
Lt. Ebenezer Washburn (1734-1795)
Eley Washburn (1739-1785)
Eliab Washburn
Ezra Washburn (1721-1793)
Pvt. Hosea Washburn (1762-?)
Isaac Washburn (1746-1778)
Sgt. Isaiah Washburn
Israel Washburn, Sr. (1718-1796)
Sgt. Israel Washburn, Jr. (1755-1841)
Sgt. James Washburn (1748-1778)
Pvt. Japheth Washburn (1746-1828)
Lt. John Washburn
Pvt. John Washburn (1753-1811)
Capt. Jonah Washburn
Jonah Washburn, Jr.
Lt. Joseph Washburn (1763-1853)
Judah Washburn
Lettice Washburn (1758-1844)
Luther Washburn
Moses Washburn of MA (1730-?)
Moses Washburn of VA (1763-1841)
Nathan Washburn
Robert Washburn (1740-1831)
Col. Seth Washburn (1723-1794)
Ensign Solomon Washburn
Stephen Washburn (1750-1778)
Lt. William Washburn
Pvt. William Washburn (1767–1851)
Pvt. Ezekiel Wilson
|
|
Tune "Masterpiece Medley"
The introductory tune used on this page is "Masterpiece Medley" performed by the
Old Barracks Fife & Drum Corps of Trenton, PA.
During the American Revolution, in both the British and Continental Armies, each of the 8 to 10 companies of every regiment supported one fifer and one drummer, who were often young men in their early teens. Chief among their duties were the playing of distinctive beats accompanied by short tunes that comprised a system of signal by which the entire soldier’s day was organized, as well as his performance in the drill and on the battlefield. There were “calls” or “duties” for reveille, assembly, going for fatigue details, loading weapons, firing, ceasing fire, marching to the right or left, etc. In addition to their signaling duties, they adapted many popular songs and contemporary dance tunes for marches, and would often play airs by noted composers of the time for the entertainment of their officers and visiting dignitaries.
Playing such a critical role, fifers and drummers traditionally wore uniform coats of the reverse color combination worn by the other soldiers in their regiment. A Continental regiment who wore uniform coats of blue with red facings, for example, would field musicians wearing red coats with blue facings.
The medley played on this page was arranged using two tunes referring to the use of the word Masterpiece... and that is the only connection. The first melody is by Jean Joseph Mouret (1682-1750), also known as "Fanfare for a King's Banquet", and originally written for the harpsichord. A modern connection to this melody was its use as the theme for the series "Masterpiece Theatre". The second melody, "Fifer's Masterpiece", was part of Thomas Nixon's fife melodies (1778), but was untitled. The Robbin's book of 1812 lists the title as "Fifer's Master Piece". In this particular coupling the minor tonality is a stark contrast to the opening theme.
|
|
This page and all genealogical data contained on it are Copyrighted © 2007/2008
by Theodore C. Anderson
|
|
|
|