Fort Hamby on the Yadkin, Crossed the River

The following data is extracted from Trinity College Historical Society.

companies camped together that night, and the next morning marched up the river and crossed at a small ford. They came to the house of Mr. Talbert, who lived on the public road, and there they found a woman dying. She had been shot the day before, by the men from the fort while she and her husband were coming to the ford in a wagon, on the opposite side of the river from the fort ---nearly a mile distant.
Mr. Talbert begged the men to return, telling them that Wade was expecting them, and had sent for re-enforcements. He told them that it was impossible to dislodge him, and to make an attempt and fail would make it worse for the people.
Capt. R. M. Sharpe, of Alexander County, assumed command of both companies, numbering several hundred men. W. R. Gweltney was sent with a small body of men to reach a high hill, overlooking a creek (Lenoir's Fork), and to remain there while all the others marched around to the north and east of the fort. Gwaltney's men were to be notified by the firing of a gun, when the main body had reached their position. One or two men were seen to escape from the fort before it could be surrounded. They were fired at but escaped. The supposition was that they had gone to get re-enforcements from the other band. The companies had left their encampment before day, and by daybreak the fort was surrounded, the men being placed about twenty steps apart. The soldiers kept up the fire on the fort during the day and night. Wade's men, returning the fire, shooting with great accuracy. The soldiers were compelled to keep behind logs and trees, or out of range of the guns. It seemed impossible to take the fort. "Some of the bravest men were in favor of giving it up, while others said death was preferable to being turn over by such devils." (Rev. W. R. Gwaltney.)
This state of affairs continued until the night of the 19th, when the lines were moved nearer up, and about 4 o'clock in the morning Wallace Sharpe, W. A. Daniel, M. W. Hill, and J. L. Millsaps crept from their posts to a crib where the robbers had tied their horses and untied them, after which they were led away. From the crib these men crept up to the kitchen. It was found that some of Wade's men had prepared breakfast, but were compelled to leave it. The kitchen was set on fire, and the flames soon reached the fortress. The fact that the building was on fire seemed to completely unnerve Wade's men. "What terms will you give us?" cried out Wade. "We will shoot you," replied Sharpe, from behind the burning kitchen.
It was now about daybreak, and some of the men surrounding the fort began to rush up. Wade made a rush towards the river, through a body of Caldwell men, who opened fire on him, but as it was yet a little dark, lie escaped. Four men were captured, Beck, Church, Loockwad, and one whose name cannot be ascertained. The flames, which had caught the fort, were extinguished, and in the house was found property of almost every description. Fine ladies' dresses and bonnets had been taken for the dissolute women who occupied the house. About twenty horses were found stabled near the fort. Some of the property was restored to the owners. The men who were captured plead for a trial according to the course and practice of the courts. They were informed that they would be disposed of as summarily as they had disposed of Clark, Henley, Brown and Linney. Stakes were put up, and on the way to the place of execution they were given time to pray. They knelt down to pray, but the prayer was ' 10, men, spare us." Wallace Sharpe replied: "Men, pray to Jesus. He alone can save you." Capt. Sharpe requested W. R. Gwaltney to pray, but he replied that he never felt so little like praying in his life. Capt. Isaac Oxford said, "If you will hold my gun I will pray;" but instead of praying for the men, he thanked God that they were to be brought to justice and that none of the party had been killed. After this Rev. W. R. Gwaltney offered an earnest prayer for them, and then they were shot, I gas nearly in strict conformity to military usage as these old Confederate soldiers, under the excitement of the occasion could conform to."
After the prisoners were shot, the fort was set on fire. When the flames reached the cellar, the firing of guns was like a hot skirmish. Wade's men had stored away a great many loaded guns, and a large quantity of ammunition.
Wade was seen in the vicinity several days after. He claimed to have been a major in Stoneman's command and a native of Michigan. He said that he had escaped to the Yadkin River from the fort and had hid under the banks until night; that in searching for him the soldiers had frequently come within six feet of him.
On the way back to Alexander county Capt. Cowan, from Iredell, was met with a small body of men on their way to Fort Hamby. Also a company of Federal troops, then stationed in Statesville, were met on their way to the fort. They were told what had been done. “The captain ordered three cheers, which the men gave with a good will." (Dr. W. C. Green.)
The bodies of Linney and Brown were brought back home for final burial.
Though all the desperadoes were not brought to justice, this completely broke up their depredations.
Robt. L. Flowers.

Source: Trinity College Historical Society

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