 | The select poems of Dr. Thomas Dunn English (exclusive of the "Battle lyrics") |  |
THE RESCUE OF SEVIER.
The name of John Sevier is held in honor to this day by the mountaineers of Eastern Tennessee, who insist that their favorite, and not Shelby, Campbell or Cleveland, was the hero of King's Mountain. The claim is too large; but there is no doubt that his skill, promptness and courage did much to aid in the victory over Ferguson and his loyalists. Sevier was a man of note. He was the leading spirit in the settlement of Eastern Tennessee; and after the State was organized became its first and most popular governor. The attempt to try him for treason against North Carolina, and especially the mode of his arrest, excited the indignation of the mountain hunters, and a thousand of them, arms in hand, spontaneously assembled, threatening fight. Had civil war been begun, whatever might have been its immediate result, the bad blood and the consequent feuds following it, would have retarded progress. One of Sevier's friends, James Cosby, aided by Evans, and the two Sevier boys, effected his rescue, or, as an old Holston settler said: “Snaked him outen the court.” His neighbors welcomed him back with acclamations, and stood ready to resist his re-capture. The trial was wisely dropped. Sevier was at once elected to the Senate of the State, and President Washington appointed him to the command of the district around him with the rank of Major-General. After that he led a campaign against the Cherokees, whom he signally chastised. He was elected governor for six successive terms, and his administration was marked by tact and firmness.
How they kidnapped from his cabin, glorious Nolichucky Jack;
How with iron chains they fettered him who fought against the crown,
And the hero of King's Mountain bore away to Morgantown.
With their trusty Deckard rifles, sure at forty rods to kill—
Sturdy hunters, true and ready, not a fibre thrilled with fear,
Swarming eager to the rescue of the gallant John Sevier.
Was a leading man among them; Major Evans stood with him:
And its train of many evils, which all honest men abhor.
“Fierce their wrath in its beginning, what may be the bitter end?
Let us temper rage with cunning, the result may be the same,
And by peaceful method striving we shall reach our real aim.
But if once Sevier be mounted on his swift and matchless jade,
Safely she to Nolichucky will our gallant chieftain bear—
Not a steed they have among them that can overtake the mare.”
Doors wide open, and the people packed the place with faces keen;
John Sevier sat by his counsel; when there came outside a din,
And the crowd in twain was parted as Jim Cosby hurried in.
“Aren't you fellows through your fooling with the man, for goodness' sake?”
And he pointed o'er his shoulder to the street behind, where,
Ready saddled, ready bridled, stood the pawing, prancing mare.
Through the parting crowd he darted; on the blooded mare he sprang;
She was off! In vain the sheriff mounted quickly with his men;
For he never caught the bonny mare nor John Sevier again.
Not pursuers, but defenders, rode behind a thousand men,
Who had sworn the man who led them in the fight that made them free
Ne'er should captive, gyved and shackled, in the hands of foemen be.
Of the stern demand of justice, or more reverence for law;
But they meant no vile conspirators should wrest the law to wrong,
While from Holston hills and valleys friends of right could muster strong.
When he led them forth in triumph, beating back the Indian raid;
And to-day throughout that country in the cabins you shall hear
Blessings, when the name is uttered, on the memory of Sevier.
| The select poems of Dr. Thomas Dunn English (exclusive of the "Battle lyrics") | |