The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-08-23
Correspondence Of the Watchman.
CHEROKEE SPRINGS, Aug. IA, 1871.
Mr.. EDITOR: One Of most in-

CHEROKEE SPRINGS, Aug. IA, 1871.
Mr.. EDITOR: One Of the most iu-
terestiug objects in this neighbOrhood
is Pacoet River. This beautiful stream
is crossed by rude bridge about mile
and half from the "Springs," on the
Rutherfordtou road. The river is quite
rapid in its course, and flows over many
rocks, giving it the sound Ofa small
cascade. The trees which line its banks
present every hue and shade of green
that the eye could desire, and every
variety of foliage from the sharp leaved
willows to the shady oak. A splendid
swim may be enjoyed in the clear water,
and the place is so secluded that very
little fear of passers by need be enter
taiued.
About seven miles North East of this
River is the famous battle ground Of
"Cowpens." Were it not for the monu-
ment placed there in 1856, to mark the
spot, the stranger would pass it without
knowing that it was holy ground.
The "Covpens" Of the Camden stock
drovers presents now no trace of its
former use. A wild piece of woods,
with little angle partially cleared, at
the intersection of two by.paths, is all
that remains of the spot where the small
but decisive battle was fought. The
monument erected under the auspices of
the Washington Light Infantry" Of
Charleston, the inheritors of the flag
which Wm. Washington bore in triumph
on the 18th July 1871, has been very
roughly handled by the vandals who
infest this neighborhood. The tories
who disgraced this section of the State,
during the revolution, have worthy sue
ccssors in the wretches who have marred
this patriotic memorial. The gilded
eagle which surmounted the iron column
is gone, the iron railing which surround
cd the monument is entirely gone; the
white marble plintlh slabs and cap of
the octagon have been defaced and
Clipped off, until the very inscriptions
are almost iilegible. Nothing short Of
au iudestructible monoith such as that
cut Of which the "sphynx" is hewed,
could withstand the savage treatment to
which this shaft has been subjected. 1
epquired from some persons who live
near this spot if any explanation could
be given Of this conduct. They iu-
formed me that the only motive of the
destroyers was p7under. One gentleman
a ,Ir. Ezell, told me that finding the
iron gate had been taken down and hid
in the woods, he took it to his own
house, where he now has it in charge for
the true owner!
Fortunately the "Battle Of Cowpens"
has built its own monument "more en-.
during than brass or MARBLE" in the
memory Of those stirring times. Sitting
at the foot of this memorial pillar,
erected but fifteen short years ago, aud,
already well nigh destroyed, the past
comes up before inc in all its thrilling
details.
1t is the seventeenth Of January,
17Sl. Gen Morgan a man of gigantic
strength and standing six feet in height,
dressed in the we'll known rifeman's
hunting shirt, with its coarse fringes,
Indian moccasns on his feet, and a
wampum belt round his waist, bis
r~Dch,<h1H trumpet at haud-his trusiy
rife and his keen edged sword in readi-
ness, is marshalliDs his small but heroic
band. The continental troops under
the gallant Howard are placed where the
brunt of the battle may be expected.
Col Pickeus with the militia supports
them IieutC Col Wm. Washington holds
his snail body of cavalry we'll iu hand,
ready to pouncc upon the enemy at the
decisive moment; while behind every
tree and at every angle Of the roads and
split rail fences Morsan's unerrins
rifemeu are posted. Ou, men are ready
-orr force is small, but scsolutc. The
British Infantry are one fourth stronger
than ours, and his cavalry as three to
one. They number about one thousand,
all regulars, our force is largely COM
posed of militia. lie has two pieces Of
artillery, We have none.
The battle has begun. A few round
shots crashing through the woods an
nounce the advance ofthe enemy. There
they come in regular order of battle,
skirmishers in front-ihc red coated in-
fantry marching with cool British
courage as if on parade on their flank
the well mounted cavalry. with busles