Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-05-06

bic to accomplish, without avoiding Fergu.
son. The course thes, was very plain they
must make detour through the portion Of
country now known as Union District, and
regain the highway passing by MusgroVe's
Mill, at some point below the Tiger. So
they remounted their horses at dusk, and
marched with as much rapidity as the cir.
oumspection, necessary to success, would al.
low. Crossing the Paeolet and Fair Forrest
Creek, they came to the Tiger as the cocks
were proclaiming the approach Of day at
Blackstock's farmhouse. 1t was now ne
cessary to proceed with extreme caution.
Ferguson was only three miles up the river,
and it was double that distance yet, to
Musgrove's Mill. Should they fall in with
patrol, their situation would be desperate.
Forward l-Blaekstock's is left behind
time is every thing now they must fall up
on the Tories and rout them before any in
telligence can reach the force in their rear.
At length they hear the roaring of Mus.
grove Shoals. They can even trace, on
their left, the valley of the Eunoree, over
which a little brown cloud, already tinged
BY the sun, has stationed itself near the
horizon. In the grove, part of which is
still remaining above Mr.. Gordon's house.
the intrepid little band paused, and a re-
connoiteripg party was sent forward. Five
minutes after, firing was heard along the
side of the ridge descending towards the
river, and the reconnoiterers returned to re-
port that they encountered patrol of the
enemy, which they Immediately attacked
killing some and dispensing the remainder.
This was unwelcome news. The design. of
surprising the camp was frustrated, and the
hazardous attempt to cross the ford under
the fire Of the enemy must be made. But,
almost at the same moment, farmer of the
neighborhood approached the bewildered ad-
venturers of made known,to them the as
founding fact, that at nightfall of theprevious
day, Col. .Innis and Maj. Fraser, with one
hundred and fifty regulars, had arrived at
Hawsey's camp on their way to reinforce
Ferguson and had tarried over night, in
tending to continue their march leisurely
after breakfast. This was enough to warrant
an immediate retreat They could yet make
their escape by speedily retracing their steps,
but no; Williams, Clarke, and Shelby said
owe must fight them. If they have regulars
they can be induced to attack us. Let US
prepare for theml" The officers instantly
commenced survey of the ground in their
ueighborhood. Two hundred and fifty yards
beyond the site Of MIR. Gordon's house, they
found the heads of the two ravines | have
already described the one setting off from
the right of the road towards Cedar Shoal
Creek, and the other, distant about two hun
dred PAGES from the first, descending on the
left into the meadowy fat, which sweeps
around the ford below the mill. The space
between these ravines was selected for the
ground, upon which they would meet the
enemy. Now was busy scene presented
The horses were hitched in the grove, and
sixteen men were left with them as guard.
Twenty Eve picked men were sent forward
under the command of Capt. Shadrick In
man of Georgia, to fire upon their advancing
foes, and, in retreating, to take their position
upon the left of the line which on their re-
turn, they would find formed. The rest o!
the men were then extended in scattering
order, from one ravine across the road to the
other, and, leaning their rifles against the
trees, set about constructing breast-worb
of logs and brush.
"I'll stand here on the right" said Shell
by squaring his portly frame, and wiping the
persiration from his brow, "you, Williams
will take your station somewhere there
about the road" ~
every we'll, !" replied Williams, ''and,
say Clarke, do you oversee the men on the
left" -,
"With pleasure" "-rejoiued the Colonel
"Attentiou, menp' continued Shelby
"when you see the scoundreis approaching
every one of you, pick out your man, and
draw good sight upon the centre Of biz
breast. But don't fire, whatever turns up
until you hear the crack of my rifle ovel
here in the little hollow towards the creek
then blaze away"
This imaginary conversation is based upor
the actual arrangements instituted at this
-staga- of the battle le---------------------
I can picture to myself Innis and his mer
encamped before the house of Allen Mus
grove. 1t is hot midsummer night, and
the soldier prefers the air to the tent. A
the foot of every oak, dozens lie sleeping
with their heads pillowed upon the gnarlec
roots while the Katydids chattered above
them and the shoals murmured as lullingly
as they did the August night I myself SLEPT
near the spot. At the earliest drawn, Mary
Musgrove, with her milk-pail poised upor
her heads trips along to the enclosure, where
the COWS are lowing; and her inofensive ole
father is busying himself about his mill. In
mis- sends out his scout to see that hi
way is clear for pleasant march. Bu
suddenly every man springs to bis feet tht
report of rifles is heard the scout has beer
fred upon. Soon, a solitary fugitive rushel
into camp All his companions have beer
killed, or wounded, save one other, who hal
fed up the river and across the country, tt
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