The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-05-21

from one rnrlne across tne TOAD 10 the OlheT.
and, leaning their rifles against the trees, Sc,
about constructing breast work Of logs
and brush.
"l'll stand here on the right" said Shelly
squaring his por,ly frame, and wiping the
perspiraiun from his brow, "yon, Williams,
will take your station somewhere there,
about the road"
"Very we'll" replied Williams, "and, ]
say Clarke, do you oversee the men on the
left"
"Witll pleasure" rcioincl the Colonel.
"Attention, men ~ continued Shelly.
''when You see t. sroundrcls approaching
every one Of you, pick out Your man, and
draw good sight upou the centre of his
breast. But don't fire, whatever turns ur
"ht'' You hear the crack Of my rifle over
here in the little hollow towards tue creek :
then blaze away"
Ih's imaginary conversation is based up.
on the actual arrangements instituted al
this stage of the battle.
l can picture to myself Innis and his men
enca'nped before the house of Allen Mus.
grove. II is a hot midsummer ninl,. and
the soldier prefers the air to the tent. At
the loot OF every oak, dozens lie slecpinr.
with their heads piIlowed upon the cnarled
roots; while the Katydil< chattcre.l allow.
them aud the shoals lnnr,nure,l rs luiinply
"S they did The August night myself slept
near the spot. tlhr carli"st drawn. Mary
sMnsgr"vc, with her milk pail pni~cd upon
Her heads trips along to the enclosure, where.
the COWS are lowing; aud her inntfrnsiv..
old father is husying himself about his mill.
lnnis sends out his scout TO see tha, lis
way Is clear Cor a pleasant march. Bu,
suddenly every man springs to his feet; the
report of rifles is heard; the scout has been
fired upon. Soon, a solitary fugitive rushes
INT" camp. All his companions have been
killed, or wounded, save one other, who has
fled up the river and across the coanrv. to
give warning to Ferguson; the rebels were
coming. The Tories are hurried over Tie
river. ln'"an fires upon them. and slowly
retrca'ing, hal,s upon the left Of Col. Clarke.
The breast work, or rather barrica.le had
been flushed. The men stood wa;ir"
with their eyes fixed upon the point where
the read come winding up the ridge, from
behind the knoll opposite the mill. The
k"val's's soon made their appcarance-
They advanced in three columns militia
on the left, regulars in the centre, and mill
tia again on the right. As soon as they
saw the disposition Of the patriot forces,
they depioycd and rushed forward with
trailcd arms.
"Now. boys, take your aim; ; but he steady
and wait for Col. Shelby"'
When Innis approached within sixty
yards Of the brush barricade, he delivered
his fire; but he did not draw single ball
from his foe; and it was only when the dis
tance was scarcely forty PAGES, that Shelby,
down in the little hollow towards the creek.
stood up from behind his Lrush-beap, and.
taking good aim, touched his trigger. 1t.
not only discharged his own rifle, but a hun.
drcd and fifty others. The effect WAS terri
ble. The whole line OF Tories recoilcd in
disorder.-Ioefore they could receive an
other concerted discharge, however, they
had rallied, and were advancing. Then
commenced that irregular, and inces<ant
hr'n@, which announces the Stage Of the
conflict when every soldier fights according
TO his own notion Of circumstances. This
continued for more than half an hour, when
the regulars, Joining with the militia on
their left, drove Shelby from his position.
Williams remained firm in the centre; and
Clarke, being opposed to the right wing of
the enemy, which was unsupported by the
regulars, forced it back to distance CORES.
ponding with the advance Of Inuis upon
Shelby. The line Of battle. which in the
commencement of the engagement, was
across the road was changed, so as to be
parallel with il. The guard left in charge
of the horses was ordered to ShrILyseassist-
a""e. 1t checked the progress of Innis, by
Q flank, attack; and similar movement
executed, at the same time by Capt. Imam
against the right flank. caused the enemy
to fall hack. Shelby. Williams, and Clark,
then charged over their breast.works, and
completely routed their assai|ants. They
fled in thegseatest disorder along The ridge
and over the knoll, dispensing up and down
shesriver--tbe most of them, however, cross.
ing it. About eighty prisoners were sectir-
ed, and nearly n hundred were killed and
wounded. Among the killed wsere,siaj.
Fraser and Capt. .Hawssy. The latter is no
Al