North Carolina History

Friend | North Carolina History Craig Thompson Friend Georgetown College North Carolina History Alamance. Produced by Lue Simopoulos. University of North Carolina Center for Public Television, 1996. 55 minutes. From 1765 to 1771, the Regulation Movement erupted throughout backcountry North Carolina as colonists aired their grievances against both the royal governor and the provincial gentry, culminating in the Battle ofAlamance. Their story has always been presented as a prelude to the War for Independence that began less than four years later. Although the underlying causes for dissension may have been similar in both instances, the Regulator saga deserves some individual attention. Alamance—the first of a proposed fifteen-part television series on North Carolina history—retells the Regulator narrative emphasizing the process ofrebellion, the individual motivations of the primary actors, and the tensions between notions of wilderness and civilization that were foremost in the minds of Englishmen during the late 1700's. The story opens in May 1771 with two strangers wandering upon Herman Husband—a leader of the movement—in the Virginia wilderness. The rest of the documentary is Husband's recounting of the events leading to his flight to Virginia. It is in this initial scene, however, that the framework is set for the narrative. Husband explains that Governor Tryon is out of touch with North Carolina; that his aide—William Fanning—loves money and power; and that the targets of these two men are the simple farmers who share the survival load in the backcountry. Throughout the drama, these three stereotypes are constantly reinforced by the characters' actions and Husband's narration. It would be easy for any critic to slip into a condemnation of the portrayal ofTryon, Fanning, and Husband as simplistic. Fanning, in particular, is a one-dimensional character driven by the promotion ofhis own wealth. When asked how he likes Tryon's new mansion in New Bern, Fanning replies, "I see what I want." His ambition is not only questioned by the backcountry farmers who resent his power, but the governor as well. In contrast to Fanning, the other two major characters are far more complex. Struck by an infant child's death, wearied by the difficulties ofruling a diffused population, and frustrated by the corrupt practices ofbackcountry officials (including Fanning), Governor Tryon represents the complexities ofcolonial America's royal rule. The construction ofTryon's "palace," the French pastries, and the harpsichord music at the reception show that civility would eventually stabilize the disruptive forces ofwilderness life, including the rebellious farmers. Herman Husband emerges as the most complex character. Obviously uneasy with his role in the rebellion, Husband is an introspective and honest man who questions his fellow Regulators ' violence plus the injustice ofbuilding a governor's mansion in New Bern when most farmers could not afford a horse. Despite his attempts to remain above the fray, Husband's association with the Regulators makes him a target for Fanning. Occasionally , the film slips into a Robin Hood storyline, especially when a band of farmers rob two tax collectors on the road. Still, Husband is no Robin Hood. He is clearly uncomfortable with the thought ofchallenging the government, since he is an elected member of the colonial assembly. Unfortunately, the political relations between royal governor and representative assembly are conspicuously missing from this story's version. Despite the complexities ofTryon's and Husband's characters , however, it is Fanning who dictates the film's action. The governor seems reluctant to react to Regulation petitioning until Fanning pushes for military intervention. Tryon responds with an exasperated "Wilderness!" and concludes that he can only move onto the governorship ofNew York "... if I leave North Carolina in peace." Similarly, Husband seems confused about his leadership role until, upon his arrest , Fanning threatens him. Husband suddenly awakens to a "government who worshiped no god but themselves." Still, at the April 1771 Battle of Alamance, Husband's Quakerism restricts him from supporting armed rebellion. A one-hour production cannot communicate the fullness of the story and, despite its successes, Alamance as history is more simplistic than it should be. The building of Tryon's Palace—while a serious issue—was minor compared to larger concerns over the political dominance of the...