Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-01-12
5}li5teltaneous.
EY REQUEST. E
EY REQUEST.
~ .,'gy From the Aud d;rsnn Gazette.
INCIDENTS OF THE REVOLUTION,
IN GEFIELD.
EY AUS1'EINCS.

TIE heroes and heroincs of our American
Revolution arc dropping of, one by orc, like
"autumna leaves before the wintry blast" )"
and very soon the portals Of the tomb will
have closed upon the last Smriror of that
ilustrious gencratinn, which poured out their
blood like water in the cause of Freedom.
Our memorable struggle for Independence
gave rise to many noble deeds, the mcmory
Of which will inevitably be buried along
with the pure patriots, who lived in the
times that tried meas souls, and wruuS
won,an's tender heart with untold agoncs.
We have, therefore, thought it not an un-
profitable work 10 secure from oblivion, some
Of those traditions, which have not vet M.
pearcd in any pubic print to the truth of
which, however, there arc still living witnes-
SOS in the country to testify. We propose
to write down among other things, a few
items respecting the hardships and suferings
Of priraie individuals whose history is too
often overlooked in the records of the past.
Johnson, in his traditions, has given brief
sketch of the lie and services of Captain
Michael Watson, but several incidents have
been omitted, which ought to have had "a
place in the picture" When quite youth,
he came from Virginia with his father, who
settled on the Ridge, in EdgeGeid District,
about the year l745. Most of Capt. Wat.
sons posterity are still living in this neigh
borhood; he had but one son, Elijah Wat.
son, Senior, who was member of the Ley
islaturc, when the Notification excitement
was at its zenith, and who was himself Il
Euliiicr. Johnson says that Mich;el Wat
son served in two expeditions against the
Cherokee Indians; once before the COM
mencemcnt of the American Revolution, mn.
der Col. Graut and the next time under Gen.
Williamson, during that summer when the
British made their ruilless attack on Sulli.
vans Island. His residence being directly
on the great tborough(are, leading from
Charleston to Cambridge, was exposed to
the hostile visits of the British, as well as
the Tories; and his well known energy and
courage, together with the great number o
active Wings who were attached to his
command, made him an object Of peculiar
hatred with his enemies. We will just
DleHtlOt, III tulS CulueCtOil, tudi, VI the
company under the command OF Captain
Watson, was the father Of Col. B: Hagood
the proprietor of Cnsar's Head) The To
tics had place Of gathering in large
swamp, near Orangeburg. This spot was
dry, firm spot of land, surrounded on al
sides by marsh-a sort Of og.island.-
One ght, whilst the Royaists were rcvel
ling, in Iancicd security on their terra frmo
in the swamp, Captain Watson, with party
of his brave followers, made an attack or
Them, and completely broke up this nest o
Kmg.1Orcrs. The Wings were under the
necessity Of stealing along ON their hand:
and knees, (or more than a hundred yards
through mud and water; when they hac
approached near enough, upon the firing o
signal gun, by their Captain, they pourct
in upon their incantious foes, a well directee
fire, killing some seven or eight men,, ant
either wounding or putting the rest to flight
Captain Watson and Scargcnt Vardel, or
hearing the surviving Tories making theil
way through the swamp, dropped their gains
and running after the fleeing enemy, took