As a foraging party of Tories, belonging to Ferguson’s army, was passing up King’s Creek, they took old Arthur Patterson and his son Thomas prisoners; who, being recognized as noted Whigs, were carried to Ferguson’s camp, threatened with hanging, and a guard placed over them.  As the battle waxed warm and the issue of the contest seemed to be turning in favor of the American arms a call was made upon the guard to fall into line and assist their comrades in averting, if possible, their approaching defeat.  During the commotion the old man Patterson moved gently to the back ground and thus made his escape.  Thomas Patterson, not liking the back movement, watched his opportunity, between fires and charge of the enemies’ position, dashed off boldly to the Whig lines, about one hundred yards distant, and reached them safely.  He immediately called for a gun, which being furnished he fought bravely to the close of the engagement.

For several particulars connected with the battle of Kings Mountain, hitherto unknown, the author acknowledges his indebtedness to Abraham Hardin, Esq., a native of Lincoln County, N.C., and relative of Col.  Hambright, now (1876) a worthy, intelligent, and christian citizen of York County, S.C., aged eighty-seven years.

COLONEL WILLIAM CAMPBELL.

Colonel William Campbell was a native of Augusta County, Va.  He was of Scottish descent (his grandfather coming from Inverary) and possessed all the fire and sagacity of his ancestors.  He assisted in raising the first regular troops in Virginia in 1775, and was honored with a Captain’s commission.  In 1776 he was made Lieutenant Colonel of the militia of Washington County, Va., and on the resignation of Evan Shelby, the father of Governor Shelby, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel, that rank he retained until after the battles of King’s Mountain and Guilford Court-House, in both of which he distinguished himself, when he was promoted by the Virginia Legislature, for gallantry and general high merit, to the rank of Brigadier General in the Continental service.  La Fayette, perceiving his fine military talents, gave him the command of a brigade of riflemen and light infantry, and he was ordered to join that officer below Richmond, who was covering Washington’s approach to Yorktown in September 1781, previous to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown on the 19th of October following.

Colonel Campbell, suffering from the severe wound received in the battle of Guilford, was taken ill and soon after died at La Fayette’s head-quarters, about twenty-five miles above Williamsburg, in the thirty-sixth year of his age.  His military career was short, but brilliant; and on all occasions, bravery, unsullied patriotism and manly rectitude of conduct marked his movements.  La Fayette’s general order, on the occasion of his decease is most highly complimentary to his efficient services and exalted worth.  He is buried at Rocky Mills, in Hanover county, Va.  About forty years afterward, his remains were removed to Washington county, to repose with those of his family.