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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Declaration by Andrew Carson concerning his military service in the Revolutionary War, including related certificates
Carson, Andrew, 1756-1841
August 22, 1832
Volume 22, Pages 113-115

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ANDREW CARSON.


State of North Carolina,
Iredell County.

On this 22d day of August, 1832, Personally appeared in open court now sitting for said county, Andrew Carson a resident of said county and State, aged 76 years who being sworn, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of June 7, 1832. The first campaign he served under Capt. Joseph Dixon, Lieutenant Carr or Kerr, Ensign Ewin. He does not recollect the year, but it was late in the fall—recollect the snow was plenty (it was cold)—familiarly the snow campaign—Went out to 96 (now called Cambridge) South Carolina under the command of General Rutherford—his son James Rutherford was aide to his father, Wm. Lee Davidson was Adjutant. Was engaged with the Tories at 96, S. C. Was gone three months and discharged at Sherrill’s Ford on Catawba by Captain Dixon, which discharge is lost.

The next campaign was against the Cherokee Indians under the command of Captain David Caldwell, the same general, adjutant and aid as before; started about August, 1776, lay 6 weeks at Cathies Fort, on Catawba, waited for the army to collect, marched against the Cherokee Indians, had a battle and defeated them on Tennessee River and destroyed some of their towns—don’t recollect names—was gone 3 months and discharged at Cathie’s Fort by Captain Caldwell, which discharge is lost. The next campaign was under Captain Caldwell and General Rutherford—was stationed at Purysburg on the Savannah River—remained say 4 or 5 weeks, then moved up the river to Two Sisters (so called then) S. C., with the British on Georgia side of the river, whom we were watching. As the British moved the Americans followed them for 3 days when they learned the British had moved back and the Americans retraced their steps to the Two Sisters, then to Parisburg (Purysburg) lying alternately at the two places for 4 or 5 months. During the latter part of the Campaign had a battle at Brier’s Creek, March 3, 1779, in which affair he lost two good horses. The tour was 5 months and was in fall and winter 1778-9 but he staid about 6 months owing to the relief not coming in time and was discharged by Generals Lincoln and Rutherford. From this time until Shallow Ford battle with Tories, he was

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engaged in several small tours of days and weeks, at a time not recollected, except one month he was out under Capt. John Read going to the Congaree, where he joined Col. Wade Hampton and was discharged. Another tour was under Capt. D. Caldwell after Tories and foraging—about 52 days. Also he was on duty for 6 weeks after the Tory Bryan who was followed down to the Pedee, under Col Lewis—overtook and defeated him at Colston’s. Also a tour under General Davidson of 4 weeks. Another of 31 days—was after the Tory Bryan under Capt. John Graham—he was at all times on the alert and considered a minute man with a good horse and arms. Previous to the battle at Shallow Ford he was informed of the marching of the Tories and mounted his horse to ride 62 miles to Headquarters of General Davidson, where he arrived about sunrise next morning, who immediately gave him the command of 52 men, with which he returned and after manoeuvering for two weeks he came upon and routed the main body of the Tories at Shallow Ford on the Yadkin after an obstinate engagement in which Captain Francis, a Whig was killed. There being no officer ranking above Captain—each one commanded his own men. He was out more or less until the battle of Guilford, where he arrived the day after it. This activity he continued until the end of the war, serving as a ranger and commanding a Company of Volunteers at other times. He omitted to state that in 1776 in May he joined Colonel Mebane at Norfolk, Va., being one months service. The Colonel was going to Charleston “but did not get on he thinks till the battle.”

He was born in Rowan County, N. C., March 1, 1756, and when in the service he was on Catawba in that part of Rowan, now Iredell County and now lives there. He was mostly in what was called the partisan warfare and very little with the regulars as the Tories of North Carolina were sufficient to keep the Whigs engaged. He had a family record as kept by his father; it is lost.

ANDREW CARSON.

This is to certify that Andrew Carson hath served fifty-two days in my Company in actual service by general orders. Given under my hand March ye 23, 1781.

D. CALDWELL,
Captain.

This may certify that Andrew Carson hath served in the public service four weeks and two days under command of General Davidson.

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Given under my hand this 28th day of Feb’y, 1782.

MICHAL ELSBURRY,
Lieutenant.

These are to certify that Andrew Carson hath served in public servis two weeks after Briens and fifteen days at Deep river under the command of Captain Beasley.

Given under my hand this 5th day of August, 1782.

JOHN GRAHAM, Captain.

Inscription on tombstone in the family burying ground near Houstonville, Iredell County, N. C.:

CAPTAIN ANDREW CARSON,
Born 1st March, 1756,
Died 29th January, 1841.
He was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War.