Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-05-07

An0tner LOyailSI camp, near tne mouth
of Wateree Greek, was surprised after night
of careless revelry; for, supposing the coun.
try subdued, they slept without sentinels
A few resolute Wings crept up stealthily on
their hands and knees to the place where the
guns we're stacked, and carried them Off
This accomplished, they posted themselves
around the camp, raised a terrific yell, and
fred off the guns in rapid succession. The
startled Tories, finding their camp surround
ed and their guns taken away, and confused
with the darkness, the sharp peals of the ri
fes, and the yelling of the enemy, with one
accord made for the creek, and, jumping
down the bank, swan across. 1t was cold
night, and much ice had formed on the edge
of the stream. The Wings took possession
of the camp, threw the firearms into the deep
water of the creek, and long before sunrise
were on their return to the upper distsicts.
Not many of the patriots remained in the
neighborhood after the memorable surprise
of General Sumter; though few ventured
back, and lay out in the woods. One day
they sent young man, William Lewis, to
procure some provisions. He found pota-
to-patch that promised we'll; but, while dig
ging, he was seized by some Tories, and car
ried off, withoutan opportunity to send word
to his party. At noon, the Loyalists stop
ped at house, and ordered the lady to
prepare dinner. There was in the yard a
ceder trough, which they filled with corn !;
then slipped their horses brides, and let
them feed.
The hostess got the dinner, and made pre-
paration to release the prisoner. She had
directed her little son to put the bride on
the best horse at the trough, which he did,
and, then lying down in the corner of the
fence, pretended to be fast asleep. While
the Tories were discussing their meal, the
matron beckoned to Lewis to come into the
back room, and get something to eat. She
then showed him the window, and told him
what arrangements she had made for his es-
cape; returning with more provisions to her
guests. Presently, the whole party was
alarmed by the tramp of horses feet, as he
passed up the lane. They rushed to the
door, and after their flying prisoner, but fail
ed to overtake him. The boy was very hard
to wake, and professed to know nothing of
the matter. Lewis remained some three
months in North Carolina before he burst
venture home When he was afterwards
about to marry the widow of Captain John
Taylor, some of his enemies endeavored to
prevent the match by charging him with
stealing the horse on which he had escaped; !;
but, when Mrs. Taylor was made fully ao-
quainted with the circumstances, she looked
upon it rather as recommendation.
Lieutenant William Grey removed to
Georgia, and, after few years, to East Ten
nessee; but died on the way, leaving a wild
ow and family. Robert died few years af-
ter the close of the war. Mary was induced
to give up her resolution never to marry by
Hugh Barkley, young Irishman, in 1872.
She was the last surviving member Of her
own family; and her husband died in 1911.
She lived afterwards with her son and daugh-
ter. In her ninety.third year she enjoyed
remarkable health, retaining her mental IA
culties in unusual vigor The Bible was her
daily companion, and she read chiefly reli-
gious books, though she always took de-
cided interest in the politics of the country,
read the newspapers, and expressed her opin-
ions freely on the questions of the day. She
expressed great contempt for the cowardice
of runaways during the Mexican war. "Our
days." she would say, "were the good old
times OIL g-cabips, and training in the Word
of God and the catechism. The people then
knew their rights, and dared to maintain
them; and made no false issue"
Mrs. Barkley was intimate with Mary
Johnston, another admirable matron, men,
toned in "The Women of the Revolution.
To the latest period of her life she was skill
full with her needle, and spent much time in
sewing. In person, she was of medium
height and large; her full face showing not
many burrows; her snow white locks shading
high and massive forehead; her eyes of
piercing brightness, and full of intelligence.
She was lively, and fond of cheerful conVer
sation, entering with interest into the mirth
of those around her; and esteemed by all
who knew her as one of the most interesting
Of women, considering her great age.