The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-06-22

who mmanded at CRANKY, had Hampton
taken prisoner, and detailed about sixteen
men, mostly Tories, TO take him TO Chafiss
ton, and put him on board a prison ship.
| Ills young clerk was present when he was
taken, and as soon as anppporiunity offer
ed, Hampton told the youth to 60 imme.
diately to Mrs. Howelps in the Fork, and
to request her to send a particular horse
he named, to Beaver Creek, lin Lexingtons)
the next day. y q
- II was a cold, raw day in, December,
when the British and Tories started with
him for Charleston. They stopped the
6rstnight al Beaver Creek, as he expected,
1t a miserable old house.. Half ofthe sol.
ders were ordered 10 slack their arms, and
take care of the horses
Hampton drew up to The fire. and pres.
emily one and then anolher of The soldiers
would stack his musket and draw upuear
him-all squa,,ing aroundit. They yproba:
bly. never entertained. a thought Of their
prisoners attempting all escape from so
many: but he watched eagerlyseyery mus
ket thaiswas stacked: all but two of the
Tories had gathered around the fires soon
one ofthem stacked his musket aid drew
up. Now, thought the prisoner, is my
time, and making sudden spring. he seiz-
cd a musket and presenting at the only,
armed soldier, ordered him, with tre-
mendous oath, to lay down his arms and
march out, or he would "blow him to the
.drvil.' The fellow taken by surprise, and
frightened by Hamptons determined man.
ner, threw down his gun. Now, said II.
turning to The Others, have got all the
GUNS, and if every one of you dod't march
out of this house, will blow You to-.
To contend with man of his known
desperate courage, with sixteen muskets
at his command. did not cpmpnrtwilh the
"be,ter part of valor," discretion, and out
thew marched Now clear the way, storm
ed Hampton, gathering up all the muskets:
they gave him clear field, and off he
marched, in the dark with his muskets.-
Just as he was out of the gate, he met
those who had gone to take care of the
horses, and were then returning from the
stables. With volley of oalhs, he order.
cd them to clear the way, telling them
who he was, and that he had their guns.
Aslonished at his audacily, and knowing
that one or two must certainly be killed il
they attempted his re-capture, they let him
pass, ss-;,<zessful, Es he lresii. (. ed7sa Tioment
wbether he should not make some of them
bring him his horse, but fearing that ne
,niq6t push success to far, he gaverhis up,
and hurrying forward, threw away his
load, and was soon out OF danger.
A day or two after Hampton's capture,
his young clerk left CRANKY, and as he was
mrsuing narrow path through thicket,
Tins, where the Columbia canaln now runs')
" ', man suddenly stepped out before him and
s,lutcd him familiarly-it was Hampton
himself, He requested his young friend
,o 90 back to the Fort at CRANKY, and ;tg
saw TO the surgeon there that he wishe.fan
interview with him at the ferry. Ehe
mcssaoe was delivered in presence ofMaj
Maxwell, and the surgeon, who was an
acouaiulauce, went with the youth as re-
oucs,ed. The object of the interview was
to gcl the surgeon to interest himself IN
orcrcn,ing some valuable papers of Hamp
INNS from being destroyed, which he told
Kim was of no use to his caplors, but mos
yalnnble TO him. Maj.r Maxwell, enrag
cd a, the escape of the prisoner, and hi:
coolnessin sending such message, tole
1.-The Young man to tell Hampton, that th'
next time they caught him, he would no
get off so easily, for they would hang hin
on the spot.