The unfortunate captive, by whom this letter was written, never lived to enjoy the freedom he so much loved. He was, at times, addicted to somnambulism; and about the middle of May, 1778, while walking in his sleep, fell down a flight of stairs. This accident caused his wound to open afresh; and, before assistance could avail, he bled to death. Thus passed the spirit of Edward Buncombe, soldier and gentleman-- “Than whom, knight Was never dubbed, more bold in fight; Nor, when from war and armor free, More famed for stately courtesy.” And when they buried him, an entry was made on the parish-register of Christ Church, Philadelphia, noting the interment of _Cornelius_ Buncombe; while many North Carolina historians, in later years, have given his first name as Richard! This consideration for his memory brings to mind Byron’s remark on reading of the death, at Waterloo, of an old college-mate: “There is fame! A man is killed. His name is Grose, and they print it Grove.” The death of Colonel Buncombe occurred at the house of a Mrs. Kendall. This we learn from a letter written on July 22, 1778, by Thomas Franklin, a Philadelphia Quaker, to General Benedict Arnold (then in the American service), giving a list of Buncombe’s effects, “left in ye hands of ye widow Edy Kendall, where he lodged last and died.” During Colonel Buncombe’s service in the army, he was accompanied by a faithful slave, Charles, and to this negro he bequeathed freedom. The following reference to him is found in a letter from the Reverend Adam Boyd, Brigade-Chaplain in the North Carolina Line, dated in camp, at White Plains, New York, August 24, 1778: “Charles, I believe is entitled to his freedom. The Colonel has often been heard to say he should not serve anyone after his death; and some of his officers have heard him say he had, in his will, ordered him his freedom. A law of our State forbids such emancipation without the consent of the court of that county in which the master usually resides. But an appeal to that law in this case I do not think would be right, because it would defeat the testator’s intention, which I think should be held sacred. Though I think it would be easy for his heirs, should they avail themselves of the law, to enslave Charles for life, I hope such a thing will not be attempted. The principal object of this law was to prevent the discharge of slaves that were not able to earn their living--a cruel practice which had scandalously prevailed to avoid paying taxes, from which old age or other infirmities do not exempt slaves.” The will, by which Charles was supposed to be emancipated, could not be found among Colonel Buncombe’s papers, but the negro was allowed to go free in deference to his late owner’s expressed wish. The only will found was one which had been made before the war.