recently, the writer looked around for a piece of some broken plate or other vessel, but sought in vain.  The only mementoes of this natural table he could bear away were a few chips from its outer edge, without seriously mutilating its weather-beaten surface, now handsomely overspread with moss and lichen.  Where once the tramp and bustle of a large army resounded, all is now quiet and silent around, save the singing of birds and gentle murmurs of the passing breeze in the surrounding forest.

After Cornwallis left, Forney ascertained that the Tory informer was one of his near neighbors with whom he had always lived on terms of friendship.  Considering the heavy losses he had sustained attributable to his agency, he could not overlook the enormity of the offence, and accordingly sent a message to the Tory that he must leave the neighborhood, if not, he would shoot him at first sight.  The Tory eluded him for several days by lying out, well knowing that the stern message he had received meant action.  At length Forney, still keeping up his search, came upon him unawares and fast asleep.  He was immediately aroused from his slumbers, when beholding his perilous situation, he commenced pleading most earnestly for his life, and promised to leave the neighborhood.  Forney could not resist such touching appeals to his mercy, and kindly let him off.  In a few days afterward the Tory, true to his promise, left the neighborhood and never returned.

Jacob Forney, Sr., died in 1806, aged eighty-five.  In his offspring flowed the blood of the Huguenot and the Swiss—­people illustrating in their history all that is grand in heroic suffering and chivalric daring.  His wife survived him several years; both were consistent and worthy members of the Lutheran Church, and are buried in the “old Dutch Meeting House” graveyard, about three miles from the family homestead, and near Macpelah Church.

GEN.  PETER FORNEY.

Gen. Peter Forney, second son of Jacob Forney, Sr., was born in Tyron county (now Lincoln) in April, 1756.  His father was the son of a French Huguenot, and his mother Swiss.  His origin is thus traced to a noble class of people whose heroic bravery, unparalleled suffering and ardent piety are closely connected in all lands where their lots have been cast with the promotion of civil and religious liberty.

Gen. Forney was one of the earliest and most unwavering Whigs of the revolutionary struggle.  He first entered the service about the first of June, 1876, in Capt.  James Johnston’s company and Col.  William Graham’s regiment.  The command marched to Fort McFadden, near the present town of Rutherfordton, and found that the greater portion of the inhabitants had fled for protection against the Cherokee Indians.  After remaining a short time at the fort, he joined a detachment of about one hundred men in pursuit of the Indians, under Captains Johnston, Cook and Hardin.  They marched about one hundred