The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-10-16
J hriIIing a 9b:sa tufe Of
"a I.ieQf. Siccumb. ..o.... 49,,

~
tcresting sketch: When Lord Corn:
wallis set, ont from Wilmington, with
the avowed purpose OF conqucring Viz
GINA, he cncamped, on the march from
Halifax, OH the sNeuse, in what is now
Wayne County, North Carolina. His
head quarters, were at Springbaik,
while Colonel Tarleton, with his re-
nowned legion, encamped on tile plan
tation of Lieutenant Slocumb. The,
owner OF this fine estate held a .subal-
terms commission in the State line un-.
der Colonel Washington, and was m
command of q troop Of light horse,
raised III his own neighborhood, whose
duty it was to act rs rangers, securing
the, country for many miles around
watching the movements ofthe enemy,
and Furnishing the loyalists. when de
tected i'll their vocation Of pillage and
murder. These excursions had been
frequent for two or three years, and
were often of several days duration.
At the present time, Slocumb had. re-
turned to the vicinity, and had been
sent with twelve or fifteen recruits TO
act as scouts in the neighboorlood Of
the British General. The morning Of
the day OH which Tarleton took pos
session Of his plantation, lie was near
Springbank, aud reconnoitered the cn
campnent OF Cornwallis, which he sup,
posed to hc his whole force. lie then,
with his party, pursued his way slowly
back in the direction of his own house,
little dreaming that his beautiful and
peaceful home, where, some time be-
fore, he had left his wife and child,
was then III possion of the terrible
.Tartlctun. ''.
During these frequent excursions of
the rangers, and the Necessary
absence OF her husband, the superin-
tendence Of the plantation Lad al
ways devolred upon Mrs. Slocumb.
She depended for protection upon her
slaves, whose fidelity she lad proved,
and upon her OWL fearless and intrepid
spirit. The scene of the occupation OF
her house, and Tarleton's residence
with her, are drawn from her own re
lation. ''''.'
1t was about 10 o'clock, on a bcauti-
fnl Spring morning, that II splendidly
dressed officer, accompanied by. two
aids, and followed at 4 short distance
by a guard Of some twenty troopers,
dashed up TO the piazza in front OF the
ancient looking mansion. Mrs. Slo-
cum1 was sitting there, with her child
and near relative Young lady, who
Fattcrward became the wife of Major
Williams. y few house servants were
also on the piazza. sea-
/. The officer raised his cap, and bow
ing to his horses meek. addressed the
lady with the questions 3" - ~..3 a ,-E.
'sHaveI the pleasure of seeing the
mistress Of this house and plantation z"
at belongs to my husband" Hi
'''ls he at honeW .f IS a-. .a0iT
ale is not.n n2..# ... .'a.. " a-F
SIS lie rebel" 3D.. ....'.... Il
''No, sir. He is in the army of Ills
country, fighting against our invaders;
thercfroln not q. rebel"
1t is not a little singular that, al.
though the people OF that period gloried
in their rebellion, they always took of
fence at being called rebels. ra.' ..r.
81 fear, Madam" said the officer,
''that we differ in opinion. A friend
to his country will be friend to the
king, our master" ... .f.
''Slaves only acknowledge a master
in this country" replied the lady. ..
A deep flush crossed tho forid
checks Of Tarleton, for he was the
speaker; and turning to one of his aids,
lie ordered him to pitch the tents, and
form the encampment in the orchard
and field on the right TO the other
aid his orders were to detach a quar-
ter guard, and station piquets on each
road. Then, bowing very low, he add
ed "Madam, the services of his Ma
jesty requires the temporary occupa.
ton Of your property; and if it will
not be too great an Inconvenience, |
will take mp 'Smy quarters in your
house." ..iuTt 4.s4 .-aa .s.. "a !
The tone admitted no controversy.
Mrs. Slocumb answered NV family |
consists of only myself, my sister and
child, and few negroes, Wcare your
prisoners. ........ ....,. ........,. ..., |
From The piazza, where he seated
Tarlcton, commanded iayiew.
Of the ground on which his troops were
apranoin6, tba;. .o,,,n Tho .,,,ans;o,, !