Cataloochee
 Haywood County, North Carolina
- A Valley and It's History ~

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Levi and Hiram Colwell

Levi and Hiram served with Coloney Robert Howell in defense of the Cataloochee Turnpike. It was during this service that they were both captured by Union soldiers in late 1863. Their captors took them to Young Bennett's home and tied them to the porch. While their captors were inside, Hiram managed to chew the bindings around Levi's hands. Levi untied Hiram and as they were fleeing, the Bennett house was torched and their captors came outside. The soldiers chased after Levi and Hiram.

The advantage that Levi and Hiram had was that they knew the country. The purposefully ran over rough terrain so as to slow down the soldiers, but despite their best efforts, an exhausted Levi was captured. Fortunately, Hiram escaped and made it safely home to about father's demise.

Levi was marched to Tennessee where he managed to escape. The way home was dangerous. The enemy was everywhere and the going was slow. About a year later, Levi came home to his beloved valley. He was terribly sick and weak. He never regained his health and died about a month later on November 4, 1864. (top)

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