The following data is extracted from Sketches Of Western North
Carolina, Historical And Biographical, Mecklenburg County, North
Carolina. "Robert Irwin" was a distinguished officer, and
performed important military service during the Revolutionary
War. In 1776, he and William Alexander each, commanded a
regiment under General Rutherford, in the expedition from
Mecklenburg, Rowan, Lincoln, and other counties, to subdue the
Cherokee Indians, who were committing murders and numerous
depredations upon the frontier settlements. After the fall of
Charleston many of the unsubdued Whigs sought shelter in North
Carolina. Early in July, 1780, General Sumter had taken refuge
in Mecklenburg county, and having enlisted a considerable number
of brave and dashing recruits in that chivalric region, returned
to South Carolina prepared for new and daring exploits. Soon
thereafter, accompanied by Colonels Neal, Irwin, Hill and Lacy,
he made a vigorous assault against the post of Rocky Mount, but
failed in reducing it for the wa