Chapter XXIV: Appendix: NOTE B: Page 75

According to Haywood and Ramsey, the ex-Governor of Frankland, when attempting to escape in the mountains on the way to Morganton, was pursued, became entangled in the woods, was fired upon by one of the guard, was recaptured unhurt and delivered to the High-Sheriff of Burke County, N. C. Gen. McDowell, Sevier’s compatriot at King’s Mountain and another friend, procured him a brief liberty, which the Sheriff renewed. The Court was then in session and the prisoner was arraigned before it as a traitor to North Carolina. Six of his friends had separately come from west of the mountains to Morganton:--Dr. James Cozby, his former Army Surgeon; Maj. Evans, his tried fellow-soldier; his two sons James and John, and two others, Greene and Gibson.

Dr. Ramsey’s history repeats the narrative in MS. of one who lived at that time. He tells that four of the six men above named concealed themselves outside the town, while Cozby and Evans went into it and entered the crowd attracted to the scene by the prisoner’s fame. Evans, apparently an unconcerned visitor, led Sevier’s horse, (celebrated for swiftness,) in front of the Court house, and threw the bridle carelessly over its neck. Cozby went into the house, and his eyes met those of the prisoner. Sevier at once knew that rescue was at hand, but a sign from Cozby restrained him. There was a pause in the trial. Cozby stepped forward in front of the Judge and asked him with quickness and energy: “Are you done with that man?” His hearers were startled and wondering, and while their attention was turned aside, Sevier sprang to the door, then to the saddle on the waiting horse and speedily was gone. He was followed by his rescuers and welcomed by the two friends who were without the town. Then, away the whole party went homeward, leaving their pursuers hopelessly behind.

There have been recent publications concerning Sevier, in which his antagonist, Tipton, has been spoken of unfavorably. J. C. Tipton, an aged grandson of Col. John Tipton, has been moved to publish, that there are two errors in current history of that early period. One of these is in the statement that Tipton would have hung Sevier’s sons, his prisoners, but was persuaded by friends to spare their lives. The second error, relates to Sevier’s deliverance from captivity. Mr. Tipton affirms that “Col. Tipton started Gov. Sevier to North Carolina for trial under a guard of two men, that Sevier escaped in the mountains on the way, and was not taken to Morganton.” He represents that these facts were received by him from his father, Jonathan Tipton, to whom they were communicated by Col. John Tipton. He admits that the errors of which he writes, should have met long since with correction, but the general character of both Tipton and Sevier having been that of “honorable, brave and magnanimous men,” the necessity for it sooner has not seemed urgent. The historical revival of the subject now invites this act of justice to the memory of his ancestor.