A History Of The Rise Of Methodism In America - Media Sabda Org

deserter to teach him the manual exercise. Having been elected a captain, and having all his men in
perfect uniform, and in a state of readiness for service, his zeal led him to offer himself for a
company in the continental establishment. His services were readily accepted, and he was selected
by Col. Anthony Wayne as an officer to be attached to his regiment, in which he continued until the
close of the campaign of 1776. In the February following he was in an engagement on the banks of
the Raritan, where he was much exposed, being the only officer on horseback, and the enemy
numbering three to one.
"We next find him in the battle of Brandywine. Here a particular friend of his, Major Lewis Bush,
a gentleman bred to the law, received a mortal wound near the side of Col. North, who had him
immediately remounted; but he soon fell from loss of blood, and expired. As they retreated, they bore
his body upon a horse, and buried him next morning, on their way to Philadelphia. After remaining
some time in the neighborhood of Germantown, the army recrossed the Schuylkill. General
Washington drew off the troops to the Yellow Springs; Wayne's brigade, being in the rear, was
ordered to watch the enemy, who was still moving toward the Schuylkill. On the second day Wayne
halted on a ridge, south of the Paoli tavern, on the Lancaster road, where they remained until the
third night, when, about 10 o'clock, the outposts failing in their duty, they were surprised, and thrown
into confusion. A retreat was effected, Gen. Wayne and Col. North covering the retreat with Captain
Stout's command. The next morning, after they had breakfasted together, General Wayne ordered
Col. North to return to the field of battle, to count the dead, and procure some of the inhabitants to
aid in burying them, which service was performed almost in sight of the enemy.
"His next scene of action was the battle of Germantown, where his post was one of much
exposure, and requiring great activity; after which he was with Washington at the Valley Forge,
where their winter sufferings were extreme. In the winter of 1778-9 he was ordered by General
Washington, with a detachment of 250 men, to Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he secured
provisions for the army, suffering much at Bound Brook; and had an engagement at Long Branch,
in which his success and conduct were such as to receive a letter of warm approval from Gen.
Washington, which letter is now before me.
"Being in Gen. Wayne's brigade at the battle of Monmouth, he was marching up the hill from
which they were driving the enemy by a charge, when Major Bumur, of Philadelphia, fell from his
horse slain, and Col. Henry Miller had two horses killed under him. These officers were on each side
of Col. North in the charge. He remained in the service until the close of the war; the latter part of
the time under Gen. Lincoln. Although in so many engagements, and so greatly exposed, yet he never
received a wound.
"Upon the restoration of peace he returned to his native county, and recommenced business. Here
he professed the religion of Jesus Christ, and became a member of the M. E. Church, though at what
precise time I am unable to say. Subsequently he removed to Philadelphia, where his hospitable
mansion was well known to Bishop Asbury, and the Methodist clergy of that day.
"In this city he enjoyed universal respect; a proof of which was given in his being elected several
years a member of the select council, and subsequently high sheriff of the county. For many years
he was president of the Society of Cincinnati, which office he held at the time of his death.