news-record.com

I recently discovered an 1893 book titled “A Memorial Volume of the Guilford Battle Ground Company.”

As a member of that company — now called Guilford Battle Company — I was overtaken with the quaint volume.

Not only does the book give explicit details of the organization but also minute details of the purchase and inspiration of the monuments placed at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro. The book was written by the heart and soul of Guilford Battle Company, Judge David Schenck.

I have walked the paths many times out at the old battlefield and gazed with respect at the names that appear on the granite that rises up to meet us at almost every bend.

With the passion of Schenck and his followers, we owe these tributes to the patriots of the Revolutionary War.

One such monument is the Holt monument in honor of the North Carolina troops. It was named for Thomas S. Holt, governor of North Carolina, who was part of the founding pulse of the Guilford Battle Ground company along with the honorable judge.

In 1893, the president of the Guilford Battle Ground Company (as it was called then) appeared before the legislature and asked for an increase in the annual appropriation to the GBGC from $200 to $500. Sadly, the bill did not go into effect until two years later. This was a blow to GBGC, but because of the economy of the state, it was almost impossible to secure any appropriation for any project, however worthy it might be at that time.

With determination for funds, Schenck went directly to the governor’s office to accomplish the vision of a monument to honor the North Carolina troops. Holt, a fervent patriotic supporter of GBGC, was sympathetic at once, and after making practical inquiries as to the probable cost of a monument dedicated to the troops, he promised to give the matter favorable consideration. Within a few days, Schenck received a response by letter from the governor that he would erect the monument at his own expense.

The monument was erected as planned and on July 4, 1893, the Holt monument was ready for dedication. Fifteen-thousand people assembled on the Guilford Courthouse battleground to witness the ceremony. The dedication procession began with 20 mounted marshals, who took the lead dressed in Continental uniform, under command of chief marshal Charles O. McMichael.

I am sure the scene was breathtaking. Next came the band and then distinguished guests in carriages. Also present were the North Carolina Confederate Veterans and the members of the Guilford Battle Ground Company. The procession wound its way through the beautiful groves and ground, stopping at last at the platform that was prepared.

Col. Joseph Morehead of Greensboro acted as master of ceremonies. After the opening prayer by the Rev. Dr. T. H. Pritchard, Schenck was then introduced.

Schenck, who had been ill for four weeks, left his bed to come to the great occasion. As he slowly came to the podium, “the old lion” was aroused. He proceeded to defend the North Carolina troops who participated in the fight at Guilford Courthouse.

On March 15, 1781, under Maj. Joseph Winston, the North Carolina troops fought the Hessians and Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s cavalry after the Continental Line had retreated from the field of battle.

The following newspaper account documented the passion for North Carolina in Schenk’s heart.

“At the first mention of the criminal injustice done to our soldiers in this engagement by historians, a feeling of righteous indignation pervaded the whole being of the speaker. It sent the blood tingling to his very finger tips; it brought the fiery flash to his eye. There was no longer the stoop in his shoulders, the halt in his gait. In thunder tones he denounced the slanderers. But nobody can ever realize how patriotic — how intensely, thrillingly patriotic — Judge Schenck is until they have seen him and heard him speak.

“Judge Schenck felt it necessary to cut his speech short. His conclusion was very solemn, as he thanked Governor Holt for his great heartedness in building this monument on the spot where North Carolina troops made the last stand at Guilford Court House, after Gen. (Nathanael) Greene had retired from the field, thus leaving them to face the Hessians and Tarleton all alone. He felt now that the desire of his heart had been accomplished.”

After Schenck concluded his address, Holt was introduced, and his appearance was greeted with a great applause. He said the erection of the monument for the North Carolina troops was the proudest act of his life. Another great applause followed.

He read the inscription: “If there is any people on the face of the American soil entitled to celebrate the Fourth of July it is the people of Alamance and Guilford counties.”

This followed with more applause. He had been taught that the Revolution was begun at Concord and ended at Yorktown, not a word of which was true. It began with Alamance and ended practically at Guilford Courthouse.

A shot rang out and the monument made of Surry County granite was unveiled. It remains today in memory of our North Carolina patriots.

Etta Reid, a local historian and educator, lives in Summerfield. She can be reached at etreid@aol.com.