Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-03-06

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Greek, Chester District IS. c. They suf
fered so much, and perilled everything, rath
er than receive British protection. I saw
the Rev. John Simpson, of Fishing Greek
with these very eyes, assist my mother in
serving and making up new meal bags, in
June, 1880; while the refugees of South
Carolina were collecting and forming theil
camp below, at Clen's Branch.
One day, dusty, travel-weary party Of
fugitives arrived at the large three-story log
house occupied by John Barnett, and craved
hospitality it was General Sumter with his
family. His wife, cripple from infancy
was placed on feather bed on horseback,
with a negro woman behind to hold her on
She had fallen off several times, and her face
was black with bruises. Her son, Tom, Q
boy of sixteen, was with them, and young
woman, their house-keeper, named Nancy
Davis. She told their kind hosts how the
British andsTories had come to Sumter's
house; how she had locked up everything
and flung the keys among the grass in the
yard but it availed nothing; the enemy
fired the house, and all was soon a pile Of
ashes General Sumter's family, who had
escaped with difficulty, were received most
warmly, and remained here more than Q
month.
After the slaughter of Buford's men at the
Waxhaws, the wounded were brought tc
Barnett's house. Susannah saw her mother
feed six men, who had but two arms among
them. Her father and two brothers Were
at the battle of Hanging Rock. Trembling
for their fate, Mrs. Barnett went to Charlotte
to obtain tidings, and there heard Of the bat
tie, and the death of Captain David Reid
Overwhelmed with apprehension, she burst
into tears. A friend-the aged John Gas
ton, of Fishing Creek-rode up, and inquir'
ed of her the news "Oh," she replied,
owe have dreadful news from the battlefield;
Captain Reid is dead your son, Alexander,
was left near the bluff i'll of the smallpox,
and is since dead; your three sons, Robert,
Ebenezer, and David, are among the slain,
and Joseph is severely wounded" Such was
the story of single family in those times
The aged and bereaved father turned deadly
pale, but uttered not word. The wound.
ed were brought to Charlotte, where our
heroine remembered seeing Mrs. Mary Nc
Clure in attendance on her gallant son, who,
with his lieutenant, Bishop, afterwards died
of his wounds. In crossing the river, the
matron had lost her bonnet, and walked
bareheaded by his side; Mrs. Bishop also
attending on her husband. The Gastons
and McClures were old acquaintance Of the
Barnett family. William Mcclure, distin-
guished as surgeon in the army, was stu
dent at Liberty Hall, and was often sent on
horseback to the river, by Mr.. Barnett, when
he wished to visit his mother. :.
The defeat of Gates, and the memorable
surprise of General Sumter, filled the coun-
try with terror and dismay. Early on the
morning of the 10Th of August, 1850, the
road was full of soldiers and fugitives, max
ing their way to Charlotte. General Sum.
ter, with one or two Of his aids, rode up to
Mr.. Barnett's house, dismounted, and en-
tered. "NIrs. Barnett" he said, edo let us
have something to eat, if only a piece Of
johnny-cake and cup of milk" The ma.
tron answered: "General, l have fed more
than fifty men this morning, but I'll try"
Some provision had been laid by for the
family; it was then produced and set out fol
the General. While eating, he turned to
susannah and said: "Miss sukey, please to
arrange my hair; but never mind combing it,
it is so tangled" His hair was long, and
rather light-colored The young lady, dur
ing his repast, dubbed it up as we'll as she
could, tangled as it was. In reply to Mrs.
Barnett's inquiry, how it was that the Anne,
rican soldiers and patriots we're all flying
Sumter said : "It was indeed surprise the
enemy crossed the creek before we knew Of
it, and was in the midst of the camp; was
in the marquee asleep at the time, and was
carried out at the back part, and mounted
horse that stood ready, which, however,
was soon shot down from under me. OBJ
tanned this one I now have; not very good
one, to be sure, and the saddle rather the
worse for wear. So I am here. You see
I have lost my cooked hat and fine feathers ;
but this old hat, torn in the rim as it is,
has sheltered my head from the burning
sun; it was the gift of a noble soldier. p
With many thanks for his breakfast, and a
hearty shake of hands, the General then
mounted his horse, and went on his way to
Charlotte.
Another of the refugees from South Caro-
lima was Walter Brown, with his family, the
father Of the distinguished divine, DR.. John
Brown, so celebrated for his zeal and elo-
quence. This old and feeble man had been
plundercd of everything, and came to seek
shelter and protection. His family was for
some time at Barnett's house. At length
the news came that the British were ad-
vancing on Charlotte. Mrs. Barnett, stand
ing at the door and looking anxiously down
the road, perceived some one approaching.
"Sukey and Jenny Brown" she cried, ad-
dressing her own child, and the pretty daugh-
ter of her guest, "run out to the road and
inquire the news" The traveller was lad
on sorely jaded horse; the face of the rider
was very long and sunburnt. Susannah ask
ed him whence he came? "From the Wax
haws," was his reply.
"Do you know Major Crawford?"
"To be sure I do; he is my uncle"
"And who are you? ?"