Thursday 6th April from Tarboro to J. Hinnons

To Averysboro, 8th- To Mrs. Nelsons

Friday

7th

Saturday
Sunday

9th

To Jno. Hamers,

".75

$227.06

Miles

[Another diary of a journey made by Mr. Wills southward in 1840 is in the possession of the Association, and it is hoped to publish it as soon as possible.]

GENERAL JOSEPH MARTIN.

BY JOHN REDD.

WITH ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS.

(Continued.)

In the Company of Capt. Martin there was a man by the name of Andrew King this man had not more than half sense and was a notorious coward he was the laughing stock of the whole company he was one of the guard that evening around the horses while they were feeding on cane. King had manifested much fear during our march and particularly while crossing the river, that two of his companions Burns and Borker determined to have a little sport with him that evening. Burns & Borker went where King was minding his horses and informed him that one of his horses had gotten away, and if he did not find it he would be severely punished, they both went with King after the horse and every now and then they pretended to see the tracks of a horseuntil they had gotten about one mile and a half from the camp one of Kings companions fired off his gun the other fired the one who fired his gun hallowed out Indians! Indians! Indians! the one who first fired in a moment fired off his gun and the first who fired off gun fell whereupon King turned and ran to the camp when he reached the camp he was almost out of his wits he jumped up and hollowed out Indians Indians he continued running from tent to tent saying the woods are full of Indians. I have seen two meen fall the drums were beet, and the army soon called out. Col. Christian had King brought before him and catekised him in regard what he had seen. But all the Col. could get out of

him was the woods are full of Indians and he had seen two men fall, but could not tell who they were. Col. Christian ordered every Capt. to call his roll & see who was missing by the time this order was issued Burns and Borker returned and informed Capt. Martin what they had done. Capt. Martin immediately sent a message to Col. Christian informing him that it was useless to put himself to any further troubles for he would be up in a few moments and explain to him all the circumstances connected with King seeing the Indians. Capt. Martin soon arrived at Col. C. tent accompanied by Burns and Baker and informed Col. C. what these men had done and said that he never had better souldiers that they had never disobeyed a single known order of his, and as far as their courage had been tested they were brave and these men had not been in the army long and knew not that they were violating any military law and as for King he was the bigest coward he had ever seen. Col. C. said that Burns and Borker must be punished, Capt. Martin again remonstrated. Said he hoped that the fault would be looked over, and as they were present they could make their own statement, they said that King was such a coward they intended to scare him to death or make a souldier of him, when King started to run they ran after him with a view of overtaking him they followed him within sight of the camp but he was too fast for them but if they had overtaken him there would have been no disturbance. Col. C. ordered them to be put under guard and said they should be punished. Martin again remonstrated3 but all to no purpose, they were put under guard by this time the circumstances of their case was noised throughout the army and the feelings of almost the entire army was enlisted in their behalf. As soon as

From this to the end, the MSS. has appeared in the Virginia Magazine Historical and Biographical, Oct., 1899, vol. vii, No. 2, pp. 113-118, the Editor stating that the previous portion, here given, was missing from the MSS. in collection of Virginia Historical Society.