The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-03-11
c 0 NJ NJ ] MIC A THO Ms.
[For the Ledger.l
Beaufort's Battle Grounds.


in an east direction of, and ten miles distant
from the village of Lancaster. History fur
nishes us with no satisfactory account Of the
circumstances connected with it. A few
facts Of interest will, therefore, be presented
to the community. Beaufort on his march
from Camden to North Caro!:is, was closely
pursued by British troop Of soldiers far
outnumbering that of his own. He was
overtaken at the crossing of the Chesterfield
and Rocky River Shoals, VIXEN a messen-
ger with flag was sent TO- Col Beaufort to
demand his surrender. But he was not in
disposed to yield without some effort on his
part; and seemed to have been indignant at
this imperative message. from his reply,
which follows, "Come on-I am ready for
YOU" At the same time his artillery was Sc
ven miles in advance. The messenger re-
turned with this answer to the British which
aroused and determined them to make an
issue Of the matter by IN appeal to arms.
They Immediately charged to the onset and
came to halt within grape shot of the
Americans under Beanforts command. AT
the first round Of fire these Colonists, re-
solved to maintain their position, were so
successful rs to force retreat Of the Royal
lists to q considerable distance. At this aus
picious moment, taking off his hat, and pla-
cling it upon the head of an officer, Beaufort
gave loose reins to his foaming steed and in
an instant making his escape was seen no
more.
The brave little band of heroes seeing this
sudden fight of their Colonel were thrown
into confusion; and unable to resist the
mighty shock of their self-confident foe,
were broken rank after rank, and scattered
in every direction over the plains and forests
beneath towering pines, on which are many
signs and marks of the instruments of dire
full war ; which are to be seen even now af-
ter the lapse Of near n century, to remind all
who visit them what a terrible disaster be-
fell the lovers of the country They either
threw down their arms or gave them up to
the conquerers as the usual mode observed
in war, in like disaster with the vanquished,
and called for quarters with sighs and tears
and prayers. But instead of the strict OBJ
servance Of international law and so much
the more for their prudence and condescen-
ton, the Royalists it seems, however, rath-
er emboldened at such meekncss, and were
resolved to exterminate them so intoxica-
ted were they with power of exercising ty-
ranny and thirst of drinking innocent blood
with the points of STEEL
We should contemplate, as We can easily
imagine what their feelings were at this try
ing hour, when an escape from the enemy
was impossible and the hopes of mercy being
shown them were blasted and no other al
Tentative; their life must make an atone
ment for their "Country's cause"-the cause
OF justice and our free institutions. One
unfortunate soldier, as o last resort fell upon
his knees and begged "for God sake spare
my life" Scarcely had the words fallen
from his quivering lips ere his head was
cleft asunder and his soul launched into e.
ternity. Such is an outline picture of that
mighty yet almost forgotten scene, when
Liberty first began to dawn upon the inhab-
itants OF n new world, and to give them a
foretaste of its blessings by which the peo-
pie of these Uuited States should become n
very enlightened and powerful nation of the
catrh. Those that survive the scene of
slaughter and the perils of war, left many
brave heart upon the field of battle in the
cold embrace of death. Of whom no less
than eighty soldiers were thrown into one
heap and buried beneath the clods of the
valley to moulder into dust Behold, the |
embodied host of that Revolutionary Band |
OF military heroes lying in the vicinity of
Lancastervillc within the limits of the Pal
metto State without Monument, whatever.
to their honor or to their memory!
What judgement will History and Poster
ity pass against the citizens ofLancaster, at
no distant period, when this much.to-be-re-
gretted neglect of ours shall be called into
question!
For, to initiate the example of our ances-
tors-to cherish their memories-and to love
our country, is, at least, Inconsistent with
such an Indifference towards them, to wit
to suffer their bodies to 20 down to the
grave and pass into oblivion.
1t is disreputable to that glorious triumph |
OF our National Independence for which thew |
nobly struggled to purchase by tho she'd |
ding of their blood, and which afterwards
was so soon attained by their fellow SOL
diers, the fruits Of whose labors we now
enjoy as the richest and most liberal blessings |
gifted to mortals here below and which we
ever hope to maintain and transmit to our
posterity unimpaired.