1836 - Death of Joseph Graham

The following article appeared in the Charlotte Journal, December 2, 1836, p.3

A Revolutionary Hero gone!
 
Died, at his residence in Lincoln county, on the 12th ult., Major General JOSEPH GRAHAM, aged 77 years.
 
When a man descends to the grave highly esteemed and much beloved by all classes of society, distinguished for arduous, faithful, and efficient services as an officer of his country, and distinguished for all those tried and sterling virtues which give a high and just claim to the most elevated rank among the benefactors of men, a due regard for excellency of character demands something more than merely a passing tribute to his memory.
 
Gen. Graham was born in Pennsylvania, October 13th, 1759.  His mother being left a widow with five small children, and slender means to support them, removed to North Carolina when he was about seven years of age, and settled in the vicinity of Charlotte.  He received the principal part of his education at an Academy then taught in Charlotte, and was distinguished among his fellow students for talents, industry, and the most manly and conciliating deportment.  His thirst for knowledge led him at an early period to become well acquainted with all those interesting events which preceded and prepared for, our Revolutionary struggle.  He was present in Charlotte on the 20th of May, 1775, when the first Declaration of Independence was formally and publicly made.  The deep impression made upon his mind by the solemn and illustrious decisions of that day, gave good evidence that he was then preparing for the noble stand which he took during the war.
 
He enlisted in the army of the United States in the month of May, 1778, at the age of nineteen years.  He served in the 4th Regiment of North Carolina regular troops, under Col. Arch’d. Lytle, and acted as an officer in Capt. Gooden’s company.  The troops to which he was attached were ordered to rendezvous at Bladensburg in Maryland.  Having proceeded as far as Caswell county, they received intelligence of the battle at Monmouth, and that the British having gone to New York, their services would not be needed.  He returned home on furlough.
 
He was again called into service on the 5th of Nov., 1778, and served under the command of Gen. Rutherford [here original transcript end and Erin’s entry from microfilm print begins:] in Purysburgh on the Savannah river, soon after the fdefeat of Gen. Ashe at Brier Creek.  He was with the troops under Gen. Lincoln, in the trying and painful struggles against Gen. Prevost, and fought in the battle of Stono on the 20th of June, 1779, which lasted an hour and twenty minutes.  During nearly the whole of the campaign he acted as Quarter Master.  In July, 1779, he was taken with the fever, and after two months’ severe illness was discharged near Dorchester and returned home.
 
After recovering from the effects of sickness and privation, he aided his mother in the support of her family, and was ploughing in her field when he received intelligence of the surrender of Charleston, and that the British had defeated Col. Buford at the Waxhaw, and were within 40 miles of Charlotte.  Instead of being deterred by the sufferings of the previous campaign, or the perils of that alarming moment, he resolved at once to leave his plough and enter the army.  He was immediately appointed Adjutant of the Mecklenburg Regiment, and spent the summer with them in opposing and stalling the troops of Lord Rawdon.
 
When it was understood that the British were marching to Charlotte, he was commanded by Gen. Davidson to repair to that place, and take command of such force as should collect there, and to join Col. Davie. The British Army entered Charlotte the 26th of September, 1780. Gen. Graham was assigned the command of those Troops which sustained the retreat of Gen. Davie, and opposed Tarlton’s Cavalry and a Regiment of Infantry for 4 miles on the road leading to Salisbury. After a heavy and well directed fire upon the British from the Courthouse to the Gum Tree, Gen. Graham retreated with the men under his command and formed on the plantation now owned by Jos. McConnaughey, Esq., and again attacked their advancing column of infantry. There his life was providentially preserved from the bursting of a gun, fired by the soldier who stood at his side, and whose arm was wounded. After again retreating, he formed on the hill above where Suger Creek Church now stands. There, owing to the imprudent but honest zeal of a Maj. White, they were detained too long, for by the time they reached the Cross Roads a patrol of British Dragoons were coming up the road leading from Capt. Kennedy’s, and after close pursuit for nearly two miles overtook them. Col. Francis Locke [sic. It was actually  Francis's nephew, George Locke.], of Rowan county, an intelligent and brave officer was killed upon the margin of a small pond, now to be seen at the end of Mr. Alex. Kennedy's lane. Between that spot and where Mr. James A. Houston now lives, Gen. Graham was cut down and severely wounded. He received nine wounds; six with the sabre and three with lead. His life was again narrowly and mercifully preserved by a large stock buckle which broke the violence of a stroke, which to human view, must otherwise have proved fatal. He received four deep gashes of the sabre over his head and one in his side, and three balls were removed from his body. After being much exhausted by loss of blood he reached the house of Mrs. Susannah Alexander, who yet lives near the same place, where he was kindly nursed and watched during the night, and his wounds dressed as well as circumstances would permit. The next day he reached his mother’s, where Maj. Bostwick now lives. From that he was taken to the hospital, and was two months recovering.
 
Thus, at the tender age of twenty-one years, we see this gallant officer leading a band of as brave men as ever faced a foe, to guard the ground first consecrated by the Declaration of American Independence, and when the foot of tyranny was treading it, and resistance proved unsuccessful, leaving his blood as the best memorial of a righteous cause, and of true heroism in its defence.
 
While the whole country was in distress, its property pillaged, its houses forsaken, and its defenceless inhabitants flying from the shock of arms, a few noble sons of Mecklenburg compelled Lord Cornwallis to designate Charlotte as the Hornet Nest of America.
 
As soon as he recovered from his wounds, he again entered the service of his country.  Gen. Wm. L. Davidson, who had command of all the militia in the western counties of North Carolina, applied to him to raise one or more companies, promising him such rank as the number of men raised would justify.  It proved not only his energy of purpose, but great influence, that, at that difficult and hazardous period, he could raise a company of 55 men in two weeks.  They were mounted riflemen, armed also with swords, and some with pistols.  They supplied themselves with horses procured their own equipments, and entered the field without commissary or quartermaster, and with every prospect of hard fighting and little compensation.
 
After Tarleton’s signal defeat at the Cowpen’s, Cornwallis resolved to pursue Gen. Morgan.  At that time Gen. Greene had received the command of the Southern Army, and had stationed himself at Hick’s Creek, on the north of the Pedee, near to Cheraw.  After Morgan’s victory and successful retreat, Gen. Greene left his main army with Gen. Huger, and rode 150 miles to join Morgan’s detachment.  The plan of opposing Lord Cornwallis in crossing the Catawba river, was arranged by Gen. Greene, and its execution assigned to Gen. Davidson.  Feints of passing were made at different places, but the real attempt was made at Cowan’s Ford.  Soon after the action commenced, Gen. Wm. L. Davidson was killed, greatly lamented by all who knew him, as a talented, brave and generous officer.  The company commanded by Gen. Graham was the first to commence the attack on the British as they advanced through the river, which was resolutely continued until they reached the bank, loaded their arms, and commenced a heavy fire upon his men, two of whom were killed.  It was supposed that Gen. Davidson was killed by a tory, who was pilot to the British in crossing the river, as he was shot with a small rifle ball.  Col. Wm. Polk and Rev. Mr. McCall were near to him when he fell.  His body was found that night and buried in the present graveyard of Hopewell Church.
 
The North Carolina Militia were then placed under the command Gen. Pickens, of S. Carolina, and continued to pursue the British as they advanced toward Virginia.  Gen. Graham with his company and some troops from Rowan county, surprised and captured a guard at Hart’s mill 1½ miles from Hillsborough, where the British army then lay, and the same day were united to Col. Lee’s forces.  On the next day he was in an action under Gen. Pickens with Col. Pyles, who commanded 350 Tories, on their way to join Tarleton.  These Tories supposed the Whigs to be a company of British Troops sent for their protection and commenced crying “God save the King.”  Tarleton was about a mile from this place, and retreated to Hillsborough.  Shortly afterwards, Gen. Graham was in an engagement under Col. Lee, at Clapp’s mill on the Allemance, and had 2 of his company killed, 3 wounded, and 2 taken prisoners.  A few days afterwards he was in an action at Whittsell’s mill, under the command of Col. Washington.
 
As the time for which his men had engaged was expired, and the country annoyed with Tories, Gen. Greene directed him to return with his company, and keep them in a compact body until they crossed the Yadkin, which they did, March 14th, 1781. 
 
After the battle at Guilford, the British retired to Wilmington, and but little military service was performed in N. Carolina during the Summer of 1781.  About the 1st of September, Col. Fanning surprised Hillsborough and took Gov. Burke prisoner.  Gen. Rutherford, who had been taken prisoner at Gates’ defeat, and with many other distinguished citizens had been confined in custody, was discharged and returned home about this time.—He immediately gave orders to Gen. Graham, in whose military prowess and general influence he had the utmost confidence, to raise a troop of Cavalry in Mecklenburg county.  Three troops of Dragoons and about 200 mounted Infantry were raised and formed into a Legion, of which Robert Smith, Esq., who had been a Captain in the North Carolina line, was appointed Colonel, and Gen. Graham was appointed Major.  They forthwith commenced their march towards Wilmington.—South of Fayetteville, with 96 Dragoons and 40 mounted Infantry, Gen. Graham made a gallant and successful attack upon a body of Tories commanded by the noted Tory Colonels McNeil, Ray, Graham, and McDougal.  This action took place near McFall’s mill, on the Raft Swamp, in which the Tories were signally defeated, their leaders dispersed in dismay, and their cause greatly injured.  That 136 Whigs should attack and triumphantly defeat 600 Tories, headed by 4 Colonels, reflects great honor upon the bravery and intelligence of their youthful commander.
 
A short time afterwards he commanded one troop of Dragoons and two of mounted Infantry, in surprising and defeating a band of Tories on Mr. Alfred Moore’s plantation opposite to Wilmington.  On the next day he led the troops in person, which made a resolute attack on the British garrison, near the same place.  Shortly afterwards he commanded three companies in defeating the celebrated Col. Gagny, near Waccamaw lake.  Shortly after this, the war was terminated in the South by the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown in Virginia.
 
This campaign closed Gen. Graham’s services in the Revolutionary War, having commanded in 15 engagements, with a degree of courage, wisdom, calmness and success, surpassed perhaps, by no officer of the same rank.  Hundreds who served under him have delighted in testifying to the upright, faithful, prudent, and undaunted manner in which he discharged the duties of his trying and responsible station.  Never was he known to shrink from any toll however painful, or quail before any danger however threatening, or stand back from any privations or sacrifices which might serve his country.  To secure her liberties he spent many toilsome days and sleepless nights—for her he endured much fatigue, and sickness, and suffering without a murmur—for her his body was [entire line illegible] ___ his fame [?], and treasury, and influence, during a long and unblemished time.  It was not by empty words or arrogant pretensions, but by self denying and long continued actions that he proved himself to be a friend to his country.
 
After [three illegible lines] great satisfaction by the faithful and exemplary performance of the duties of that office.  He was afterwards for a number of years, a prominent member of the General Assembly from the same county.  About the year 1787, he was married to the 2d daughter of Maj. John Davidson.  By this marriage he had 12 children, 7 of whom have survived him.  Not long after his marriage he removed to Lincoln county, and engaged in the manufacture of Iron, and for more than 40 years before his death conducted a large establishment with great energy and prudence.
 
In the year 1814, when the war with the Creek Indians was raging with violence, and Generals Jackson, Coffee, and Carroll, were repelling with signal bravery, their ruthless aggressions, North Carolina determined to send 1000 men to aid the volunteers from Tennessee and Georgia, in the conflict with those savages.  Gen. Graham’s renown as an officer, and his worth as a man, commended him as the leader of the troops from this State.  He received the commission of General, and was strongly solicited by the Governor of the State to accept the appointment.  Although the circumstances of his family rendered his absence one of great loss and self-denial, he promptly obeyed the call of his country, and marched at the head of a fine Regiment of Volunteers to the scene of conflict.  They arrived about the time the last stroke of punishment was inflicted upon the Creeks by Gen. Jackson at the battle of the Horse Shoe; and in time to receive the submission of those they expected to conquer.  Several hundred of the lower Creeks surrendered to them.
 
For many years after the last war he was Major General of the 5th Division of the Militia of N. Carolina. 
 
In the year 1802 he was earnestly requested by sundry persons in the western part of the State, friendly to the better organization of the Militia, to address the Legislature on the subject, and to propose a plan for a Military Academy.  The address evinced enlarged and judicious sentiments on the subject, and drew from the Assembly the following resolution:--
 
“Resolved, That the thanks of this General assembly be presented to Joseph Graham, Esq., of Lincoln County, for his plan of a Military Academy submitted to the consideration of this Legislature, and that the address be printed, ten copies for each County in the State, to be delivered with the Laws and Journals to the Clerks of the several County Courts and by them to the Commandants of the several Regiments, to bee at their disposal.”
 
His intercourse with others was marked by great dignity of deportment, delicacy of feeling, cheerfulness of spirit and equability of temper.  Men of learning and high standing have often expressed much gratification by his company and suprize at the extent and accuracy of his knowledge.  In the circle of private friendship his excellencies were strikingly displayed.  He was far, very far removed from all those feelings of selfishness, vanity, suspicion, or envy which unfit men for the duties and the joys of social life.  His eye was always open to the virtues of his friends.—His heart was always ready to reciprocate their kindness, to sympathize with their sorrows, and overlook their infirmities.  His hand, his time, his counsel and his influence were all at the command of those who shared his confidence and deserved his affection.
 
“A friend is worth all hazard we can run,
Poor is the friendless master of a world;
A world in purchase for a friend is gain.”
 
But there was another circle nearer to his heart in which he was still better prepared to shine; and in which true excellency displayed is a brighter and surer evidence of worth.  Justice could not be done to his character without being known in the family circle.  As a Husband, a Father and a Master, those alone who were the objects of his attachment, forbearance and tenderness could duly appreciate his conduct and demeanour.
 
His life was a bright pattern of those virtues which are essential to the purity and peace of society.  He possessed a lofty and delicate sense of personal  honor and virtuous feeling.  His presence was always a rebuke to the arts and abominations of evil speaking, profanity, and defamation.  If he could not speak well of his fellow men he was wise and firm enough to say nothing.  He regarded the reputation of others as a sacred treasure, and would never stoop to meddle with the private history or detract from the good name of those around him.  He felt that the sources of his enjoyment, and the causes of his elevation were not to be found in the calamities or the vices of his fellow men, and hence his lips were closed to the tales of slander and his bosom a stranger to the wiles of calumny.  Did all men set on the principle which governed him in this respect, a hideous train of evils which mar the purity and disturb the peace of Society would cease to exist.
 
But Gen. Graham did not believe, when he had served his Country, his family and his friends, that his work on earth was finished.  With an unwavering conviction of the truth and importance of religion he professed to serve God, and to seek for Salvation by faith in Christ.  For a long period of time he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and for ten or twelve years previous to his death was a Ruling Elder of Unity, under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Adams.  He cherished the most profound respect for the ordinances and duties of Christianity, and attended with deep interest and uniform punctuality upon the means of grace.  He delighted much in reading the word of God, and in hearkening to the instructions of the ministers of the gospel, for whom he always manifested the greatest regard.  In selecting his library he proved how high an estimate he placed upon Christian instruction, and in his most unreserved intercourse with pious friends, his deep and pervading concern for true and undefiled religion was apparent.  No circumstances would deter him from manifesting the most decided contempt for the grovelling spirit of Infidelity and irreligion.
 
By a life of temperance and regular exercise, with the blessing of God, he enjoyed remarkable health and vigour of constitution.  On the 13th of Oct. 1836, he made the following minute in his Day Book.  “This day I am Seventy-seven years of age, and in good health.  Dei Gratia.”
 
As the disease which terminated his life was apoplexy, its paralizing stroke was sudden and unexpected.  He rode from Lincolnton on the 10th of November, and on the evening of the 12th, closed his eyes upon the cares and trials of a long, useful, and honorable life.
 
“Hope looks beyond the bounds of time,
When what we now deplore;
Shall rise in full immortal prime,
And bloom to fade no more.”