Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-09-26
An Incident at Gen, Marions Camp dur
ing the KtS9oiutionary War.

and cxterminating one The English to-
ries, or loyalists-- -Carolinians by birth--to
their shame be it said, commenced the
game of putting to death the whig prisoners
they took, with unparalleled ferocity--
Neither sex nor age wcro spared, Whole
plantations were burnt, anu tho owners
hung up on the trees before their own
doors. The wings did not long submit to
this, but commenced war Of retaliation.
Bloody errors and wrongs were committed
on both sides, murder ands-rcyenge, were
Synonymous terms, and the strife was mu-
tual. 70 the credit of Marion be it said,
that he never hung tory when in com
mand, except there was full proof that he
had been concerned i'll the murder of
whig. Thenwo to the poor wretch. Par
don was ont of the question.
The following incidents pertaining to
the disposal of notorious tory named
Hinchman, are related by Major Castlcton,
familiarly called ''NIad jack" who had
been sent to Marion with dispatches from
General Greene. Onprcscnting the papers
Marion greeted the Major with smile, say
ing:
81 perceive that the bearer of these let
tors is Major Cnstlcton, otherwise, "NIad
Jack" You see your fame has proceeded
you"
81 am Major Castleton, sir, and my poor
services have received greater fame than
they deserve"
"No, no." answered Marion, laughing,
"I have heard from the lips of some of the
British officers took prisoners, us well as
from our friends, of the wild exploit of a
certain Major Castleton, who went into
Tarleton's camp on the Congareo, in broad
daylight, passed himself off as an officer of
thc new tory levics, hob nobbed with Tarle-
ten himself over somo old Madeira at din
ner, pumped everything out of the usually
cautious British officer in regard to the
next campaign, and was dismissed from
camp under military salute, with aprcsent
of Tarleton's own pistols. But come, sup
per is ready, My little staff is absent III
an expedition, and We will fall to-"
The supper consisted of stewed and broil-
cd venison, bcefstake, corn hoe cake and
roasted sweet potatoes plain, but substan-
tial and reliSlring fare to u couple of hun
cry men, for Castleton had tasted nothing
since breakfast. Their drink was a small
flask ofwhiskcy, mixed with the cool spring
water They had nearly finished their
meal, when fine looking officer entered
the tent.
t'Ah just in potluck time, Middleton,
Draw up your stool, lad-thcre is plenty
left; Major Castlcton, Lieut.. Middleton,
my officer Of all work secretary and adju-
tant." s
The Lieutenant bowed, took his seat at
the board, and ate with an appetite that
denoted long fast. Having satisfied his
inner man, he turned to Marion and said,
'Hrhank God we have gothic scoundrcl." :"
''Ihank God, indecd! Where is the
tory wretch2' s
"Under guard, with hands and feet tied, !"
ain half an hours time" said Marion
grinding his teeth Cthere will be one less
murderer in Carolina Call all the officers
in camp together, and bring out theprison-
er Summon the witnesses A7he shall have
a fair trial."
Marion paced backward and forward, his
eye Lit up with unusual fire. lie stopped
abruptly. "Maior Gastleton, request you
to act as Judge advocate in this case.
Knowing none of the parties, you wiilserve
inpartially, and you will see a specimen of
our stern Justice" m d, ~
Five or six officers came into the tent,
and a row of bcnchesfor the Court were
ranged outside Ityet wanted a quarter of
an hour of sunset. it was n .strlnge wild
| placet to decide upon tho life or death of q
follow mortal. The prisoner was brought
| in front of the court, his handspipioled be-
hind In'truth, his face bore tho brand of