Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-05-18
AN INCIDENT AT GEN. MARlON'S
CAMP DURING THE REVOLT
TiONARY WAR

The War in South Carolina was a bloody
and extermiDating one. The English tories.
or loyalists--Carolinian by birth-to their
shame be it said, commenced the game of put
ting to death the whig prisonsers they took
with unparalleled ferocity. Neither sex nor
age were spared Whole plantations were
burnt, and the owners hung up on the trees
before Their own doors. The wings did not
long submit to this, but commenced a war Of
retaliation. Bloody errors and wrongs were
committed on both sides, murder and revenge
were synonymous terms, and the strife was
mutual. To the credit OF Marion be it said.
that he never hung tory when in command
except there was full proof that he was con-
cerned in the murder OF wing. Then wo !
to the poor wretch. Pardon was out of the
question.
The following incidents pertaining to the
disposal of a notorious tory named Hinchman
are related by Major CastIeton, Familiarity call
ed Mad jack who had been sent to Mar
/ ion with dispatches from Gen. Green On
presenting the papers, Marion greeted the
! Major with smile saying.
Il perceive that the bearer of these letters
IS Maj. Caseleton, otherwise ''Mad jack
you see your fame precedes yoh."
II am Major Castleton, sir, and my poor
services have received greater fame than they
deserve"
mo, no." answered Marion, laughing
Il have heard from the lips of some of the
British officers took prisoners, well as
from our friends, of the wild exploit Of GER
tain Major Castleton, who went into TarIe-
toms camp on the Congaree, in broad daylight,
passed himself off as an officer the new TO-
ry levies, hob nobed with Tar.eton himself O.
yer some old Madeira AT dinner. pumped ev-
erything out of the usually cautious officer
IN regard TO the next campaign, and was dis
missed from camp under military salute,
with present of TarIetoB's own PISTOLS
But come, supper is ready. My little staff
is absent on an expedition, and we will fall to-"
The supper consisted Of stewed and broiled
venison, beefstake, corn hoe cake, and roast
ed sweet potatoes-piain, bat substantial fare
TO couple of hungry men, fer Castleton had
tasted nothing since breakfast. Their drink
was a small flask of whiskey mixed with the
cool spring water. They had nearly finished
their meal when a fine looking officer entered
the tent.
s.Ah just in pot-luck time, Middleton
Draw up your stool. lad-there is plenty left.
Major Castleton, Liet. Middleton, my officer
OF all w0rk-secretary and adjutant''
The Lieut.. bowed, took his seat at the
board, and ale with an appetite that denoted
a long fast. Having satisfied his inner man,
he turned to Marion and said ,-'Thank God
we have got the scoundrel.''
THANK God ! Where is the tory wretch 2"
Under guard, with his hands and feet
tied.''
"In half an hours time" said Marion,
grinding bis teeth, "there will be one less muir
derer in Carolina. Call all the officers 10 camp
together, aud bring out the prisoner. Sum-
mon the witnesses-he shall have fair trial."
Marion paced backward and forward, his
dark eve lit up with unusual fire. He stop
4. 7
you will act as Judge advocate in this case
knowing none OF the parties, you serve inn
partially, and you will see specimen OF our
stern Justice"
| Five or six officers came into the tent, and
a row of benches for the court were ranged
outside. 1t yet wanted quarter of an hour
of sun set. 1t was a strange, wild place to
decide upon the life OF fellow mortal The
prisoner was brought in front of the court his
hands pinoned behind him. In truth his face
bore the mark of Cain "a bloated, swollen one,
marked with cruelty and severity in every
hneament.
John HinChman," said Marion in tone
and with look of disgust, what have you
to say for yourself -
Il hope We amt going to murder prison.
err, general - said the trembling villain.
Murder you The witnesses are here
proceed to trial, gentlemen" said Marion
t. the board of officers.
The first witness was boy of tender years,
fair to look upon, and gentle as a girl. His
father, mother, and eldest brother had been
hung two days before by band of tories IN
der the command of the prisoner. 1t was a
case of base, brutal murder-for the boys IN
unoffending parents were merely wings, who
| had never taken any active part against the to-
ries, but had only sheltered some friends of
/ their own way of thinking. The evidence
was clear and conclusive that they were hung
| by order of the ruffian prisoner. The boys
! eyiIence was corroborated by that of slave
who escaped and witnessed the execution of
/ his master and mistress from a cump of iu-
nipers. There was no defence, anda verdict
/ of guilty, with a sentence OF execution at sun
down, was brought in.
ssMercy mercy as you may wish for it
yourself, General Marion ~ screamed the
miserable wretch.
! stContaminate not my name by mentioning
/ it,'' said Marion, in loud voice. AT sun
down you die! Only two minutes more of
! life remains for you. Look your last upon
the tree-tops and the all but fading sun, and
make your peace with God. Take him away
men, and throw the moose over one of the
upper branches of wonder black oak. When
/ the gun fires string him up.'
They dragged the miscreant away, scream
ing with terror, and the roosting birds rose
| from their lairs, mingling their discordant
cries with the yells OF the now short lived
wretch The rope now thrown over the
branches and the moose placed around his neck.
| The sun went down II gun was fired. and up
he went dangling in the air ! a few struggles
OF body and horrid contortions OF counteuancc.
! and then all was over.