Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-06-08

successful:
So soon as General Rutherford learned that
Lord Rawdon had returned to Camden, he
determined to make an attack upon this tory
camp at Ramsours Mills On Sabbath, the
18th of June, he set out from his camp, which
at that time was south of Charlotte, for the
Tuckasege ford on the Catawba Whilst en-
camPed at Mallard creek, General Ruther-
ford, not knowing as yet what course Lord
Rawdon would pursue, ordered Colonel Locke,
Major Wilson and Captains Falls and Bran
don, together with the other military officers
in the region, to raise men and disperse the
tories. Rutherfords object in this was to re-
tain his own force to oppose Rawdon. On
the same day that General Rutherford set
out in the direction of Ramsour's mill, he sent
a dispatch to COL Locke and his men to meet
him near Tuckasege Ford, on the evening Of
the 10Th, or the morning Of the 10th. The
early part of the 10Th was wet and unfit for
moving. About twelve o'clock, the rain
ceased and the sun shone out. The guns OF
the soldiers having become wet, were fired of:
This caused general rush of the Wings OF
the neighborhood to Rutherford's camp. On
the evening of the same day the Catawba was
crossed at Tuckasege ford, and that night the
men under Rutherford encamped about six
teen miles from Ramsour's mill.
No plan of operation was concerted between
Rutherford and Locke. The latter, in good
faith and with proper spirit, in concert with
other kindred spirits, set u bout making prepa-
rations in earnest to disperse the tories. On
the morning of the 10Th, the forces under
Mcdowell, Wilson, Falls, Brandon and Locke
encamped on Mountain creek; on the West
side of Catawba, about sixteen miles from
Ramsours mill, and thirty-6ve from the camp
of General Rutherford. The whole force
amounted to about four hundred men. Here
council of the officers was held, and their
future movements freely discussed. Some
suggested that they should recross the Cataw,
ba and wait for reinforcements; others pro-
posed that the whole force should march at
once and form junction with General Ruth
erford Both these propositions, for various
reasons, were objected to. Some, in the over
flowing of their patriotism, insinuated that
both propositions indicated fear of the to-
ries. This settled the question at once. 1t
was determined to boldly attack the tories as
soon as possible. Colonel johnson was sent
to inform General Rutherford of their conclu-
sion and to ask his cooperation. Johnston ar
rived at Rutherford's camp at ten o'clock on
the night of the 10Th. General Rutherford,
thinking that his message had reached the
camp of Locke shortly after the departure of
Colonel Johnston, remained in camp anxious
ly awaiting the arrival of Lockes forces.
Late in the afternoon, Locke, Mcdowell,
Wilson, Falls and others, set out, with the
four hundred men under them, for the tory
camp at Ramsour's Mill. At the west end
of the mountain the troops were halted for
an hour and the officers consulted respecting
the mode of attack. Every officer was left
to his own discretion and to act as circum-
stances might demand. The only thing def
initely arranged was that the companies un'
der Mcdowell, Brandon and Falls should act
as cavalry and march in front. At day light
they were within mile of the enemy's camp
The camp was favorably situated for those
occupying it. 1t was on the hill three hundred
yards from Ramsour's Mill and about half
mile from Lincolnton. The tories had 3
picket guard of twelve men stationed in the
road which passed over the hill. The horse
men under Mcdowell, Brandon, Wilson and
Falls were arranged by twos. So soon as
the tory pickets discovered the cavalry, they