The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-11-13
Hisrfllunfatls.
From the Columbia Cdroltntan.
Revolutionary Incidents.

PLEASANT MOUNT, (MAss,) Aug. 26.-Dear
Sir: Seeing from your excellent paper that you
are collecting Revolutionary Incidents, have
few that have never been recorded that |
know of, and ifthey are acceptable, they are at
your service.
The FIRST is one of the bloodiest tragedies
that have ever heard. 1t took place in New
berry district, S. c., on Indian creek, on the
road leading from Columbia by Mount Bethel
about six miles above that place. The land
belongs to William J. Taylor now, believe.
Immediately after the battle of fCowpens, three
brothers, William, JAS and Robert Dugan with
their ueighhor, Ford, returned home to the
place above mentioned. After dark, William
Dugan said he would not sleep in the house; as
the Tories might be after them. He took his
wife, and told James and Robert to come on,
and went to the woods; but they would not 60
but STAYED in the house, with the child OF
William, daughter six years old-afterwards
Mrs. Murray, of Green river, Buncombe county
N. c., from whom this narrative is obtained.
About midnight they were aroused by knock.
ing at the door. James and Robert Dugan
got up and seized their guns. They were told
to surrender, and they should have good quar-.
tiers. James was willing, but Robert wanted
to fight as there were but FIVE Tories. He
(Robert) said they could kill two at the first
shot and then load before they could get in,
and shoot again. But James said no. They
had a scuf1e about cpering the door, James
threw up the bar, and the door flew open.
The Tories presented their PISTOLS and told
them to surrender, which they did. They tied
their hands behind their backs; then searched
the house. They found sword, and asked
where they got it. James told them he got 1t
at the battle of Cowpens, from British officer
that he had killed. That was enough. They
took them out to a tree in the yard, and hung
them until they were nearly dead then chopped
off their heads on root OF the tree, quartered
them up and piled the pieces against the tree,
and left. They went to Ford's and shot him
as he attempted to escape. The report OF the
gun alarmed VIM. Dugan. He ran to the
house. His little daughter saw him co'ung
and ran to meet him. He asked for his broth
ers. She took him to the tree. His only
exclamation was 'great God'' 'He caught his
horse and fed to Capt. Casey's, afterwards
Gen. Casey. The nei ghborhood was aroused;
they met at the Dugan's and buried them.
Casey preached their funeral: they then knelt
down around the grave and swore to revenge
their deaths. Ten started in pursuit They
killed two and caught two One had the same
sword, all bloody with the butchery Of the
Dugans. They brought them back to the same
tree, hung them, quartered them in the same
manner, and piled them up at the root Of the
tree as food for the birds of the air. The other
tory escaped Il know his name, but as his
descendants are now living, aud as veil has
been thrown over this deed, let it rest
William Dugan was The father Of Colonel
Thomas Dugan Of Sumter District, and repre-
sented them as Senator. for several years. The
sword is in the possessin of the Murrays OF
Buncombe county, North Carolina.
Mrs. Murray was an eyewitness to the whole
affair, and gave the names of all; but have
forgotten them. She is dead now; but as
duty, thought perhaps, you might perpetuate
this to show what desperate struggle it took
to obtain our liberty and how little we appre.
ciate it.
If this is worthy Of your notice, | have
others as to "Who were Sumters scouts before
the battle of Backstocks and how they brought
Tarleton into trouble"-names unknown and
unsung, yet true Wings; who shall record their
deedss will give You their names, and you
can record them. Yours, truly, s. l..
r. w. GIBBEs NJ. D.