DE KALB COUNTY. 207 



Mountain. — The Stone or Rock mountain, as it is some- 

 times called, is one of the greatest curiosities which can be 

 found in this or any other country. It is said to be 2,226 feet 

 above the creek, and is seven miles in circumference. This 

 wonder of nature is visited by thousands during the summer 

 season. 



Name. — In the Revolution which gave birth to American 

 freedom, many foreign officers of distinction, impelled by the 

 love of liberty, attached themselves to the American army. 

 Among these was the Baron De Kalb, to commemorate whose 

 gallant conduct this county was named. 



This meritorious officer was a German by birth, and came 

 to America in 1777 or 1778, with recommendations to Con- 

 gress as an experienced soldier, entitled to their confidence. 

 He was immediately appointed a Major General, and was 

 placed at the head of the Maryland division of the army. For 

 about three years he served in the American army with great 

 reputation, winning many friends by his simple manners and 

 amiable disposition. He fell in battle on the 19th of August, 

 1780. The incidents of this battle deserve to be remembered, 

 and we extract the following account from a work recently 

 published. " At the battle of Camden, De Kalb commanded 

 the right wing of the American army. In the commencement 

 of this action, the American left wing was charged by the 

 British infantry with fixed bayonets. This part of our army 

 was composed of militia, who were unable to stand the attack, 

 and threw down their arms, flying precipitately from the field. 

 The continental troops here, though inferior in numbers to the 

 British, stood their ground manfully, and maintained the con- 

 flict with great resolution. The British had the advantage of 

 superior cavalry, and notwithstanding the' brave example of 

 De Kalb, who encouraged his men not only by words, but by 

 deeds, they succeeded in gaining the day. The saddest loss 

 was sustained in the death of the gallant De Kalb. In his last 

 attempt to secure a victory, he received eleven wounds, and 

 fell. He was caught by his aid, Lieut. Col. Du Buysson, who 

 rushed through the clashing bayonets, and spreading his own 

 form over that of the prostrate hero, received the wounds in- 

 tended for his fallen commander, exclaiming, as he fell beside 



