The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-12-01
From the Columbia Carolinian.
A REAL INCIDENT OF TIE REvO-
LUTON

L -
Carolina's swamps and lonely pines q
Can tell many thrilling tale,
Which now only tradition lie.
Ny venerable old grand father, a soldier
of the Revolution. in his last years of his
life was unusually free to talk of the ''times
that tried mems souls"-scenes with which
he was familiar, from his having acted in
them. -.. -~
One winter evening, as the snow was
falling thick and fast, we had gathered
around the sparkling fire of the old hearth
stone. The usual cheerfulness lit up the
old mans furrowed brow, all encircled with
his long snowy locks. His conversation,
as well remember ran on the disgraceful
acts of the tories. His sunken eye, dim as
it was, would casually fash with indigna-
ton. as he would recount story after story
of their infamous conduct. Although the
good old man has long since gone where
The tories yell is heard no more,
Nor the lannon's deafening roar.
I was then but child, yet one of his mar
ratives was as wildly impressed on myyouth-
full mind as though it had been told yester-
day, which imports as follows:
In the fall of 1871, Colonel Thomas Polk
of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, was sent
with detachment of sixty Dragons from
Gen. Green's army, to harrass and drive
out the tories, who had infested portions of
S. Carolina, and had been committing their
wonted outrages on the helpless Wing fami-
lies, without mOlestation, save when sailed
upon by Marion's weak but spirited little
band, who alone for time kept the spirit
of patriotism agow in that Inflated State,
but who, at that time, was SO worn down
by utter misfortune, as well nigh to unnerve
any further effort on their part.
But soon Polk, by his unwelcome in
trusion with his intrepid chargers, gave the
tories to understand that there was mo rest
for the wicked" He pounced upon their
midst, and had chased them from haunt to
haunt, until large body of them, some
distance below, had taken retreat i'll the
swamps of Waccamaw, near Georgetown.
And here, as they presumed no danger near,
would cowardly sneak out and commit their
usual depredations, and again skulk back
to their DOGGY dens. But the gallant
Polk, with his fleet troopers, was soon on
their trail. Now, their swamp retreat baf-
fed the colonels skill, for it was impossible
to penetrate it on horse back, and to set quietly
and await an enga gement would be in vain.
The continued cruelties practised by those
pests of humanity on the helpless inhabi-
tants, aroused the spirit of Polk to further
efforts. A general tory-hunt was institut
ed 4; and after securing the cypress thckets
and the pine hills of the neighborng coun-
try, not the track of tory could be seen.
Then their ingress and egress to the swamps
were closely watched yet no information
as to their whereabouts could be gained
from any source and from what could be
| learned, it was concluded that the tories
had dispersed or had moved their quarters
to some of the lower districts, as that region
had remained unmolested for some time.
Polk resolved TO strike camp and wait
further issues. Accordingly, an encamp
ment was formed on an old field hill side,
thanked by two extensive swamps,. and all
caution from futhcr attack were suspended.
The sentinels were withdrawn and thus
lulled in this state of false security, the
camps were quietly taking their ease, when,
suddenly, on drizzly, foggy morning,
about the break of day, their still slumbers
were aroused by the rafting peal of musk
etry pouring down upon them. Bustle and
confusion ensucd bat those brawny- brow
ed, stout hearted Carolinians were not to
be unnerved by the smell of gunpowder, OF
grow panic at the roar of a little NOISY kill
seed" But they were Immediately all in
front of the coloncl's tent, ready for orders;
and on the commons for parade, only eight ap-
peared on horse blackstone of these with
out saddles, and some even without brides,
with only the halter, as they hurriedly
united their steeds from the limbs. The
others had broken loose from fright at the
sudden firing. and were heard scampering
away at distance.
With the eight thus equipped on horse,
and the remainder on foot, as soon as the
colonel gave the word "charge,'' the firing
ceased, and the tories heels were seen in
the distance, making tracks, as fast as legs
could carry them, to the nearest point of
the swamp. And Our pursuing troopers
rent the air with shouts and bitter impreca-
tions, as they saw their prey escaping in
the recesses of the thick cypress swamp;
and could only give hasty farewell salute
from the mouths of their old horse pistols
T which did no execution farther than rid
die a few distended coat-tals of those not
, so well skilled in the foot race-which
: would probably give them darning job
, after the course was over. Now the pur-
, suit by the horse could be pressed no
/, farther, and by the time the foot company
came up, it was deemed inexpedient
, Thereuron they returned to the camp ;
and no loss was found to be sustained, save