Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 23.djvu/273

 Fort /Inmtn/ <>n tin Y>i.tl,-in. 267

county to Deep Gap, on the Blue Ridge. On the 26th of March he entered Boone, N. C, and on the 27th the column was divided, one division iindrr ( iriu-ral Stoneman marching towards Wilkrsboro, while the other, under ( inu-ral (iillam. crossed the Blue Ridge at Blowing Rock and went to Patterson, in C'aldwcll county, and then joined Stoneman at Wilkesboro. Leaving Wilkesboro on the ^ist, General Stoneman moved over into Surry county, going towards Mt. Airy. During the march through this section of the State, Stone- man's men committed many depredations, and after leaving Wilkes- boro a number of the lawless element of his command deserted. Shortly after this a number of men, some deserters from Stoneman' s command and other worthless characters, led by two desperate men, Wade and Simmons, completely terrorized a large portion of Wilkes county by their frequent raids.

In order to fully understand the situation, the condition of the country at that time must be taken into consideration. Almost every man fit for military service was in the army, and the country was almost completely at the mercy of the robbers. It was thought after Lee had surrendered and the soldiers were returning home that these depredations would be discontinued, but they were not.

These marauders were divided into two bands. One, led by Sim- mons, had its headquarters in the Brushy Mountains, and the other, led by Wade, had its headquarters near the Yadkin river, in Wilkes county. The bands at times operated together, but it is principally with Wade's band that this article is to deal. The house which Wade had chosen and fortified was situated near the road which leads from Wilkesboro to Lenoir, in Caldwell county, and about a mile from Holman's Ford, where the valley road crosses the Yad- kin river. The house was situated on a high hill, commanding a fine view of the Yadkin valley, and of the valley road for a distance of a mile above and a mile below the ford. The house fronted the river on the south, while the rear was protected by the "Flat Woods" belt, in which there were sympathizers, if not aiders and abettors, of the band. From this position the Yadkin valley and the surrounding country for at least half a mile in every direction could be swept and controlled by Wade's guns. There is a legend that this point was chosen by Daniel Boone as a splendid military post to protect himself against the Indians. At any rate, it would have been almost impossible to have chosen a stronger location, both offensive and defensive, than this. The house was built of oak logs, and was two stories high. In the upper story Wade had