Foreword:

This brief anecdote appears in Alexander Garden's second collection, originally published in 1828, immediately following Bowyer's account of Waxhaws.

SERGEANT MITCHELL.

The intrepidity of this excellent soldier, merits particular notice. There were no Ensigns attached to [Buford's] command, and when it was ascertained that a contest must ensue with Tarleton, the Adjutant selected Mitchell to bear the colours, as he had always been distinguished for correctness of conduct, and was connected with a family of high respectability. In the progress of the battle, Tarleton led an attack on the centre of the line where Mitchell was posted, with his Standard. The intrepid Sergeant was cut down, and the staff of his colours broken. Grasping the part to which the colours were attached, he retained it firmly in his hands, while dragged to a distance of fifteen yards. The British Dragoons now gathered round him, and would immediately have mangled him to death, but Captain Kinloch dismounted and protected him from their rage, declaring that so gallant a soldier, though an enemy, should not perish. Mitchell survived his wounds, though severe, removed at the close of the war to Georgia, became, from his acknowledged merits, a Brigadier General, and was, but a few years back, a hale and hearty man. This narrative of facts, comes within my own knowledge, except what I have said of Sergeant Mitchell, which I received from Judge Stokes.

(Signed) HENRY BOWYER.

[Source: Alexander Garden, Anecdotes of the American Revolution. Illustrative of the Talents and Virtues of the Heroes of the Revolution, Who Acted the Most Conspicuous Parts Therein, 3 vols. (Brooklyn, New York, 1865), 3:129. Note: Volume 3 of this reprint set was originally published as a single volume, in 1828, under the same title.]