The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-06-13
Ruford's Defeat.

Salu uIeetiHp Ucinp the rearing OF mOnu
ment over the graves of those who fell in
the canse Of freedom at Buford's battle
ground, nine miles East OF this place
Something was said in that report of n
meeting held Mt this place several wears
ago, looking to the very object that was
completed few days since. The proceed
ings OF that meeting were published in the
Camden journal Of June 18th lSI5, and
a copy of that issue is now before us -
That such demonstration was made here
at that time, is doubtless as new TO many
of our readers rs it Is TO ourseIf and we
republish the following report of n COM
miiee that had been appointed to collect
facts relative to the battle. 1t gives clear
or and move detailed history of the massa-
ere than is to be found in any Of our Books
ofhistorv. The committee, through its chair
man, james ii. Witherspoon, submitted the
following report:
The facts in relation to the battle which
took place in this District ut the spot known
as "Buiords battle ground" ~ far as can
be asccrtaned from history and tradition
are as follows: Col. Abrahnm Butord com
mnnded a regiment OF Infantry and one
company of Artillery, Of between three
and fonr hundred men, who had marched
from PittsYlvania and the other adIunlng
counties in Virginia. near the n. c. line. To
the relief of Charleston. =. &. This reri-
ment must have left their homes early IN
the spring of 1880, aud proceeded as far
rs the Santce, before thuy heard of the sur
render of Charleston b, Gen. Lincoln, the
American Commander, to SIR Henry Gin.
ton, wlo commanded tnr British Al the
Santee; hearing Of the fall Of Charleston.
and tha$ further marrh Mas unncccssar,
and entirely too hazardous, they returned
to Camden. During this time Col Bufurd,
according 10 some historians, was accom-
panied by Gen. Caswell Of n c.. who WAS
also marching to tie relief of Charleston.
and who commanded about 700 militia and
cpntinentals. According To others, Gen.
CasweIl joined Col Buiord in his return
to Camden. At Camden, Gen Caswell Ill
ed off 10 the Pee Dee country. Burord's
regm, mt was then placed under the com.
maud of Gen. lluger, as m escort to Gov.
RuIiedgc; there his regiment was detained
for few days with apparent security. not
fearing or suspecting the approach of The
enemy, and from which they were aroused
by the warnirg of gentleman protrssed.
ly opposed TO the American cause. After
this, Gen l'ugcr gave up the command to
Col Buford, who took the road to Char
lotte, n. &. Lord CornwaIli~, ut this time
was near Nelson's Ferry. and hearing of
the approach of Buford .nd Casu ell, des
patched the blood hirsty Col. Tarlton
with about 700 cavalry aud infantry in pur.
suit, each trooper having an infantry man
behind him. After II rapid forced march
of over 100 miles in 81 honrs, Tarlton came
up with Buford on the 29tn Nav, 1880.
when the battle, which ended in "A most bru
tai and bloody massacre, took place. Tarl
ton sent n flag and summoned them to sur.
render. Buford submitted the summons to
council of his officers with threr PROPOSE.
tons. Isl, Shall We comply with Tur.ton's
summons? I'd, Shall We ab tndon the Dag
gage and by rapid movement save our
selves or Sd, Shall we furtify our, elves
by the wagons and wait his approach q
These were each rejected and the ,oncln.
sion VAS, that they would continue the
march in the best order to receive the enc.
my. This conclusion, no doubt, was the
more readily agreed upon, AS tuey had NJ
certainty of Tarton's attack ,or of his NUN.
ber. and SUPPOSED it might be IL false alarm.
The march was continued by Col. Buford,
with the baggage wagons and the company
of artillery commanded by Capt Carter in
front 1t is believed that this company
was seven miles ahead at the time of The
attack. AT the sound Of TnrIion's buple.
the first intimalon of the attack, Buford
prepared for battle, but unfortunately. il
was in open woods, which highly favored
the movements of the cavalry. TarItOn
advanced with the infantry in the centre
and the cavalry on the wings. The rear
guard of Butord commanded 10y Lieut.
Pearson was cut to pieces, the Lieut. him.
self was shot dOwn--had his nose and lin
ent oft and his teeth Knocked Out not
wiihstanding, he survived by being fed with
milk through quill for weeks. The main
body rccei,ei TarIton with hrmness and
was about beating hiI Infantry back when
they discovered his cavalry coming round
in ;hs rear. Then Buford ordered flag TO
be h"sted and to ground arms Ensign
Cruit, who bore the hug, Of truce, was cut
down by Tarlt"n. History is silent as to
what become Of BnfDr], but tradition SAYS
he fled JarItOn, totally regardless Of the
rules of civilized warfare began an indis-
eliminate massacre and tQTtuyc. which con.
tInued M long rs life was supposed to ex-
ist. Capt Stokes received % wounds he
was attacked by two dragoons, one of
whom cnt off his right hand, which was
exteGdCd d TO ward off the blow aimed at his
head-Ihe other cut OFF the foreRnger of
the left hand he vas then cot down by II
blow on his head, and after he fell, was
transfxed four times with the bayonet
yet, strange to relate, he survived and was
afterwards promoted Ia II seat on the Bench.
(The county Of Stokes in ~ C., was called
after his namc.) Others of the wounded
were pitched ahnut with their bayonels and
tortured 20 deaIh--even the dead were not
spared.
The loss Of the Americans was II2 kill.
ed and l5l so badly wounded, as to be left
on the ground, being between :wo.thirds
and three fourths of the whole Of their
force. Tarlton himself reports it at two
thirds Of the whole Of the American force.
Capt. Carter. who commanded the artillery
company was before the attack 10 front and
led the van. He continued his march and
"A. =. q 81