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cavalry were gaining the rear。 Buford now perceiving that further
resistance was hopeless； ordered a flag to be hoisted and the arms to be
grounded； expecting the usual treatment sanctioned by civilized warfare。
This； however； made no part of Tarleton's creed。 His ostensible pretext； for
the relentless barbarity that ensued； was； that his horse was killed under
him just as the flag was raised。 He affected to believe that this was done
afterwards； and imputed it to treachery on the part of Buford； but； in
reality； a safe opportunity was presented to gratify that thirst for blood
which marked his character in every conjuncture that promised probable
impunity to himself。 Ensign Cruit； who advanced with the flag； was
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instantly cut down。 Viewing this as an earnest of what they were to expect；
a resumption of their arms was attempted； to sell their lives as dearly as
possible； but before this was fully effected； Tarleton with his cruel
myrmidons was in the midst of them； when commenced a scene of
indiscriminate carnage never surpassed by the ruthless atrocities of the
most barbarous savages。
The demand for quarters； seldom refused to a vanquished foe； was at
once found to be in vain； not a man was spared and it was the
concurrent testimony of all the survivors； that for fifteen minutes after
every man was prostrate。 They went over the ground plunging their
bayonets into every one that exhibited any signs of life； and in some
instances； where several had fallen one over the other； these monsters were
seen to throw off on the point of the bayonet the uppermost； to come at
those beneath。 Capt。 Carter；* who commanded the artillery and who led
the van； continued his march without bringing his guns into action； this
conduct excited suspicions unfavourable to the character of Carter； and
these were strengthened by his being paroled on the ground； and his whole
company without insult or injury being made prisoners of war。 Whether he
was called to account for his conduct； I have never learnt。 These excepted；
the only survivors of this tragic scene were Capts。 Stokes； Lawson and
Hoard； Lieuts。 Pearson and Jamison； and Ensign Cruit。
* Not Capt。 Benjamin Carter； of Camden。
To consign to oblivion the memory of these gallant suffering few
would be culpable injustice。 When men have devoted their lives to the
service of their country； and whose fate has been so singularly disastrous；
there is an honest anxiety concerning them； springing from the best and
warmest feelings of our nature； which certainly should be gratified。 This is
peculiarly the truth in regard to Capt。 John Stokes； although in his military
character perhaps not otherwise distinguished from his brother officers；
than by the number of his wounds and the pre…eminence of sufferings。 He
received twenty…three wounds； and as he never for a moment lost his
recollection； he often repeated to me the manner and order in which they
were inflicted。
Early in the sanguinary conflict he was attacked by a dragoon； who
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aimed many deadly blows at his head； all of which by the dextrous use of
the small sword he easily parried； when another on the right； by one stroke；
cut off his right hand through the metacarpal bones。 He was then assailed
by both； and instinctively attempted to defend his head with his left arm
until the forefinger was cut off； and the arm hacked in eight or ten places
from the wrist to the shoulder。 His head was then laid open almost the
whole length of the crown to the eye brows。 After he fell he received
several cuts on the face and shoulders。 A soldier passing on in the work of
death； asked if he expected quarters？ Stokes answered I have not； nor do I
mean to ask quarters； finish me as soon as possible； he then transfixed him
twice with his bayonet。 Another asked the same question and received the
same answer； and he also thrust his bayonet twice through his body。 Stokes
had his eye fixed on a wounded British officer； sitting at some distance；
when a serjeant came up； who addressed him with apparent humanity； and
offered him protection from further injury at the risk of his life。 All I ask；
said Stokes； is to be laid by that officer that I may die in his presence。
While performing this generous office the humane serjeant was twice
obliged to lay him down； and stand over him to defend him against the
fury of his comrades。 Doct。 Stapleton； Tarleton's surgeon； whose name
ought to be held up to eternal obloquy； was then dressing the wounds of
the officer。 Stokes； who lay bleeding at every pore； asked him to do
something for his wounds； which he scornfully and inhumanely refused；
until peremptorily ordered by the more humane officer； and even then only
filled the wounds with rough tow； the particles of which could not be
separated from the brain for several days。
Capt。 Stokes was a native of Pittsylvania county； Virginia。 He was
early intended for the bar； and having gone through the usual course of
classical and other preparatory studies； he commenced the practice with
the most flattering indications of future eminence。 But the calm pursuits of
peace not comporting with the ardour of his mind； he relinquished the fair
prospect of professional emolument； and accepted a captaincy in Buford's
regiment。
At this catastrophe； he was about twenty…seven years of age。 His
height was about the common standard； his figure and appearance； even in
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his mangled situation； inspired respect and veneration； and the fire of
genius that sparkled in his dark piercing eye； gave indications of a mind
fitted not only for the field； but for all the departments of civil life。
Shortly after the adoption of the constitution of the United St