Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-03-11
THE WARNING AT THE GREEN
SPRING

u ~
The recollection OF The courage and
patriotism of Mrs. billiard is associated
with the details Of a battle Of coasidera
Bile Importance, which took place in Spar
tanburg District, at the Green Spriag
near Berwick's Iron Works. The Amer
icans here gained great honor. Colonel
Clarke, of the Georgia yolunteers-j9ined
with Captains Mccall, Liddle, and Ham
mond, IN all about one hundred and nine
ty eight having received intelligence that
a body of Tory militia, stated to be from
two to five hundred, commanded by Colo
mel Ferguson, were recruiting for the
horse service, determined 10 attempt to-
rout them. They marched accordingly;
and, hearing that q scouting party was
IN advance Of Ferguson's station, pre-
pared to give them battle. Colonel
Clarke, with his forces, encamped for the
night at Green Spring.
On that day, the Americans had stopped
for refreshment at the house Of Captain
billiard, who was with their party as a
volunteer. They had been entertained
by his wife with milk and potatoes-tllo
simple fare which those hardy soldiers
often found it difficult to obtain. The
same evening, Ferguson and Dunlap,
with a party of Tories. arrived at the
house. They inquired of Mrs. billiard
whether Clarke and his men had not
been there, what time they had departed
and what were their numbers? She
ansH cred that they had been at the house;
that she could not guess their numbers;
and that they had been gone a long time.
The et1eers then ordered her to prepare
supper for them with all possible dis.
patch. They took possession of the
house, and took some bacon to be given
to their men. Mrs. billiard set about
the preparations for supper. In going
backwards and forwards from the kitch-
en-, she overheard much of their CONVEX
satlon. 1t will be remembered that the
kitchens at the south are usually separate
from the dwelling.heuses. The doors and
windows of houses in the country being
often slightly constructed it is also likely
that the loose partitions afforded facili-
ties for hearing what might he said with
in. Besides, the officers probably appre-
hended no danger from disclosing their
plans in the presence Of a lonely woman.
She ascertained that they mad deter
mined to surprise Clarke and his party;
and were to pursue him as soon as thew
had taken their meal. She also heard
one of the officers tell Ferguson he had
! just received the information that the'
rebels, with Clark, were to encamp that.
night at the Great Spring. 1t was at
once resolved to surprise and attack them
before day. The feelings may be mag
ined with which Mrs. billiard heard this
resolution announced. She hurried the
supper, and as soon as it was placed upon
the table. and the officers had sat down.
slipped out by a back way. Late and
dark as it was, her determination was 10.
go herself and apprise Clarke Of his dam
ger, in the hope Of being in time for him
to make a safe retreat; for she believed
that the enemy were too numerous to-
justify a battle.
She went to the stable, bridled a young
horse, ard without saddle, mounted and
rode with all possible speed to the place
described. It was about half an hour
before day when she came in full gallon
to one of the videttes, by whom she was
Immediately conducted to Colonel Clakeg,
She called to the colonel, breathless with
OaSOAAODo dld uuctt. Dc III ISdQlHcSS
either to fight or run; the enemy will be
upon you Immediately, and they are
strong !" ao
In an instant every man was up, audi mo-
moments were lost in preparing fer ac3
ton. The intelligence came Just in time
to put the Wings in readiness. Fereu,,
son had detached Dunlap, with two hun.
dred picked mounted men, to engage
Clarke and keep him employed till his
arrival. These rushed in full charge in
to the American camp; but the surprise
was on their part. They were met hand
to hand, with a irmness they had not an.
~ticipated. Their confusion was increased
by the darkness, which rendered it hard
to distinguish friend from foe. The bat
tie was warm for fifteen or twenty min.
utes, when the Tories gave way. They
were pursued nearly a mile, but not over
taken. Ferguson came ''teo late for the
frolic;' the business being ended. Clarke
and his little band then returned to North
Carolina for rest an2 refreshment; for
the whole Of this enterprise was performed
without one regular meal, and withcut
regular food for their horses.
re- 1t is said that an English wit
meeting Mr.. Brunei, the engineer, asked
him in the words of Job, Canst thou
draw out Leyiathan with a hook 2"
n N8 EAAtL ~