Hide Article Text (OCR)
Maj. Micajah T. Gainey.Editor Sunny South: A few of your older readers may have known the above person, or seen in Horry’s life of General Marion what purported to have been bis picture, as he rode into Georgetown, S. C , with a bayonet sticking in his back, hotly pursue i by Sergeant McDonald on the back of the noted horse, Selim. This circunstance about closes Horry’s reference to the Pee Dee Tory—as he styles him.The writer knew Major Gainey well, having been a neighbor of his many years. He then lived in the lower end of Montgomery county, N. C., on Little River, not far from its confluence with the Pee Dee, at which place he died; whilst the writer lived in Richmond county, and has often entertained him at his home.The writer regarded Maj or Gainey as a gentleman of sobriety and strict integri'y, and he was so considered by his neighbors and the Legislature of North Carolina—for he was then a Justice of the Peace, which in that day meant much more than an empty title. He was, however, regarded by them as a Tory; but such was his k ndness of heart that he was held in respect and veneration and was not taunted with the opprobious epithet.I have often heard my grandfather (who was a Revolutionary Whig) say that Major Gainey was Very kind to his old neighbors in giving them permits to pass the Tory lines to Georgetown for sail; and such was their confidence in him after peace, that he was elected sheriff of Richmond county.With this prelude I cone now to the material object of this cornuunicaiioD, to-wit: In Sims’ life of Marion he says Major Gainey, with quite a number of his Tory men before peace was made, returned to his firit love, from which he had been seduced in Charleston by the offer of a commission as Major; that soon thereafter the officer to whom he and bis men voluntarily surrendered, was pursued by a British officer with a much superior force, and he was much perplexed what to do—having so many men in his command who had so recently given in their adhesion to the Whig cause; he therefore decided to place them in front, and to fire on them if they proved treacherous. Major Gainey and h s c imrades gallantly received the attack, and the combined force soon repulsed the British.I always intended to have written Mr. Sims for his authority for this statement, but neglected until his lips were sealed in death. Will some one of Mr. Sims’ friends or relations please be kind enough to furnish it through the Sunny South?My whole object in the inquiry is the vindication of history, being in no manner connected with Major Gainey either by consanguinity or affinity. f Senbx.Salisbury, N. C , August, ’87.
Newspaper Details
Atlanta Sunny South
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Sat, Sep 03, 1887
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Familysearch
Utah, USA 22 Aug 2023
Other Publications Near Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta Weekly Intelligencer and Cherokee Advocate
Atlanta Presbyterian of the South
Atlanta University Center Light
Atlanta Crogman Cycle
Atlanta Daily Constitution
