Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-08-11


entirely deserted, that intrepid officer was
surprised and'surrounded by large bo-
dy OF savages, who had lain concealed in
the dense felds Of cane on either bank of
the Iomossee River, an who now be.
gan to pe<af upon his unprotected ranks
continued and destructive fire; secure
IN their lurking places, every rock, bush
and tree sent forth its messenger, carry
ing death to the pale face; while the
mountains resounded with the roar of
musketry and the wild war-hoop of the
furious foe. The noise of the conflict
was heard as far as the Oconee, where
the garrison eagerly demanded to be led
to the assistance of their countrymen but
the officer in command there, unable to
believe that Indians were in the neigh
borhood and attributing the reports to
the tring OF cane, refused. to march his
men out TO participate in what he sup.
posed to be nothing more serious than
the accidental burning of q oane-brake.
however, some 9 or of his command
were SO eager to take part in what thew
were convinced was an engagement with
the enemy that, contrary to orders, they
stole out Of the Fort and hurried toward
the scene of action, which, when thew
had reached and discovered the perilous
situation of their friends, with that quick
perception and ready daring, for which
the men of the revolution were so much
distinguished, they concealed themselves
In the thick copse woods, and for the pur-
pose of deceiving the Indians with the
notion that q large force was attacking
them in their rear, and thus make a di.
version in favor of their countrymen, com
menced firing upon them, shouting and
screaming the while. and making the
noise of legion. Most admirably too
did their yuse succeed, for the Indians
supposing themselves attacked by large
reinforcement, fled in great precipitation,
leaving Pickens. whose ammunition was
now nearly exhausted, master of the field.
But independent of the interest which
this place received from its connection
with Indian history, the beauty and yani-
ty its scenery is alone sufficient to attract
attention and to consecrate it as classic
ground. The highlands, covered with
dense forest of oak, walnut, and pine, rise
abruptly from the valley and stretching
away in an unbroken line to the N. e..
sink at times into gentle hills, and then as
piring to the height of mountains, present
their bold and rugged peaks to heaven,
crowned with many stornnriyen rock
until at length they are lost in the great
range of the Blue Ridge. In TIE dark
cayems and impenetrable fastncsses of
these mountains, the bear, wolf, and pan.
ther still prowl in savage security, and
often in the dusk of evening their low
dismal howlings may be heard, rendering
loneliness more lonely; but here too, is
many siIvery stream ard CLASSY pool,
many shady recess and dew dripping
grot, where the spirits of Poesy and
Beauty diffuscd and commingling in the
blooming nature, seemed to live and love
IN blissfni hymen. And while the silver
fish, sport nstreams as clear and pellucid
as the waters ofEden, whose banks sum-
mer clothes in her green and gold, and
shadows with the blue canopy of heaven,
the rising slopes are covered with wreath
ing vines and blooming plants, so that
the balmy breezes that lift gently the
leaves of drooping trees, are filed with
their rich perfume.
The Oconee in making its way down
the mountain, on the top ofwhichi it finds
its source, rushes madly along over bro
ken rocks. foaming end screaming SIS il
the genius of wildness lived in its waves.
Some of the cascades OF this mountain
torrent, strike the beholder with peculiar
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