Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-11-19
THE GRAVE OF COL. WILLIAMS.


moment of victory. With the VOW that he would
silence the whistle of FERGUSON, whose shri! cla'
rion notes rang above the din of battle, and
brought again and again the wayering red coats
to the charge, he rushed upon the foe and fell just
as the enemy were giving way-iust as the whis-
tie ceased to ring-ustas the shouts Of The victors
were going up from the ''Grand Old Mountain" 4"
1t was fit requiem for the gallant soldier, the
music which sounded so sweetly in the ear OF
WoLFE On the Plains of Abraham. But it is not
generally known that the spot of earth where
sleeps the hero can be distinctly identified. The
tread of pilgrim feet have echoed through the
ravines of the mountain, baptized in the blood OF
heroes, but patriotism has never sought out, nor
love and veneration consecrated that little mound
the ''narrow house, of the big hearted WILLIAMS.
Two rude stones mark that sacred spot and oral
and traditionary evidence have alone given it a
''local habitation and pame."
But the chain Of testimony by which it is iden'
tilted, has recently been traced out, link by link,
by WM. C. BLACK, Esq. From him we gather the
following evidence, which he has taken the trou-
Bile to collect: WILLIAM CAMP, Esq, highly
respecta BILE citizen of this District, now upwards
of 70 years of age, who has resided in The imme-
diate neighborhood for thelast 5syears, saysthat
tradition, and the testimony Of the oldest citizens,
cotemporaries of the battle Of Kings Mountain,
have uniformly designated grave on the pianta-
ton of Mr.. JOHN B. MINTz, as the final resting
place of COL WILLIAMS. The plantation Of Mr..
MISrz lies between Buffalo and Broad River, just
at their confluence. The grave was pointed out
to him forty-odd years ago by Mrs. DANIEL
QUINN, the daughter of ANTHONY MORGAN, who
resided within forty rods of the grave when Col.
WILLIAMS was buried She was grown lady at
the time The American army on the night after
the battle camped near her fathers spring, and
early next morning their dead commander was in
TERED. This evidence accords with The we'll
known facts that the army retreated Immediately
after the battle for fear of CORVALLIS; that Col.
WILLIAMS died under chesnut-tree, which we
have often seen, which until recently stood near
the residence of A. HARDIN, ESQ.,; and that the
army, then in full retreat did not stop to bury
him, but carried him along with them.
The plantation of Mr.. M1srz would lie immedi-
ately on their route-with Buffalo in their front,
and Broad Riyerin their rear-they would feel
comparatively secure; it is about the distance
eight miles-from the battle ground which they
would probably march, and they would be likely
to camp near spring-all these are circumstan-
tial proofs that this is the place at which they en-
camped, and that the grave of WILLIAMS was
near this spot. At the time Mr.. CAMP first saw
the grave it was old, and enclosed with pen of
chesnut poles, nearly decayed
The statement of Mrs. QUINN was confirmed by
PETER MORGAN, her brother. Mr.. COLLINS, who
lived in o mile of the encampment at the time,
likewise attested the same. Quixotic adven-
ture brought him to the American camp. He was
quiet, harmless person, whose sole ambition was
to live and let live and few days previous to the
battle, neighbor, violent tory, told him that
the British had possession Of the entire country,
and that he would be "hung, drawn and quarter
ed," if he did not carry Immediately to their camp
a supply of provisions. He was credulous enough
like the witless CoRNwALLIs-to believe that
the country was conquered, and so he posted off
with bag Of meal for the British. This was the
very day of the battle. In the meantime the
mountaineers, like eagles from their asries, had
swooped down upon the confident FERGUsoN. Be-
fore the meal intended for the tories conld reach
them, many Of them had lost their appetites for
ever The pliable COLLINS was met by a neighbor,
who discovering his intention, told him the result
of the battle in the following unique language:
"FERausoN has been in hell three hours, and the
Wings will send you after him if you don't change
your course Immediately" He took the hint
from the gentle Mercury and returned home.-
That night he carried his meal to the American
camp. -
s1LAs RANDALL, who recently died at the age
of 90, gave Mr.. CAMP the following information: !:
He was with Col. WILLIAMS at A. HARDINs
raised his head and gave him drink, when be
Immediately went to sleep-his soul passing qui-
etly away-so that it scarcely seemed like death.
Mr.. R., also asserted that he, Col. W., was
carried on to the camp, and buried as above stated
No man ever possessed a fairer character than
the last witness, and therefore, his evidence is
conclusive.
.. ..-..... 20. #.r.. -,
The grave itself appears to be a fitting abode
for the hero of Kings Mountain. 1t is situated
on the side of hill sloping to the East-with the
head up-hill-in full view Of the blue mountain
top, SO that at the resurrection morn his eye will
rest first on the scene Of his glory and earthly