Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-06-15

SlCKlo WnlcQ WAS uedT Wy anu "i'h ~ "e'e
about to cut the throat of the brave woman
He was only prevented from perpetrating
this savage deed by the officer second in com
mand to Huyck. After supper, their camp
was formed at Williamson's, less than half a
mile from Bratton's. The road ran by Will
liamson's house on the east. The house and
yard we're fenced up. The British and tories
were inside of this enclosure. Just aa day
began to dawn, the patriots began the attack
on the north and east of the house. They
were only about seventy-fve yards from where
the British and tories were lying, sound
asleep in their tents. 1t was complete sur
prise. They suspected no harm. When the
firing first commenced, Huyck woke up, but
thought it was only some struggling patriots
who had stolen in upon his camp and that
the whole thing would be over as soon as the
British regulars poured in one volley. With
this impression on his mind. he turned over
to finish his morning nap. Still the firing
continued. In haste he rose from his bed,
put on bis shoes and pants and ran out with
out coat, and commenced to ride back and
forward along his line. Thomas Carroll, who
lived and died op Toole's fork, near the pres,
ent residence of DR.. Calvin P. Sandifer, seeing
him and regarding him as Of more than ordi'
nary Importance, rested his gun in the fork Of
plum tree, saying to his companions near
by: 81 am going to try that fellow on horse
back in his shirt sleeves, and if [ kill him
you will know it, for have two balls in my
gum" He fired, the man fell, and after the
battle was over, Huyck was found dead with
two bullet holes in his head, one only short
distance above the other.
Before Huyck rose from his bed, Ferguson
had attempted to drive the patriots away BY
the bayonet, but he failed. They fought be-
hind the fence which surrounded the house,
and were not exposed. Ferguson and his
British regulars we're forced to give way be-
fore the murderous fire of the patriots. SO
soon as it was learned by the British and to-
ries that Huyck had fallen, they became con-
fused. The patriots were not long in making
this discovery, and the command was given
"Boys, take the fence and every man his own
commander p No sooner was the order CIV
en- than it was executed. Over the fence the
Wings leaped, and were, in moment, right
among the British and tories. The cry for
quarters soon became universal. Even Fer
guson raised his voice and pleaded for mercy.
This could not be granted, because it was
,known that either by him, or by his orders,
William Strong was shot in his own house on
the 18th of June. Ferguson was killed on the
spot The British and tory force was scat
tered to the winds. Near forty were left on
the battle ground, amongst which number was
the profane Huyck and the cruel Ferguson.
About fifty were wounded at least fifty we're
found wounded on the battlefield, and others,
wounded, fled, but afterwards perished in the
woods. How many we're taken prisoners is
not known; but the officer second In COM
mand was amongst the number, and his life
was spared on account Of the entreaties Of
Mrs. Bratton, whose life he had saved on the
previous evening. The conflict lasted about
one hour; and strange to say, only one Wing,
whose name was Campbell, was killed.
On the evening before the battle, whilst at
Bratton's house, Captain Huyck sent james
McRanell, Thomas Clendenin, Robert Brat
ton, Charles Curry and John Moore-all old
men-to crib, there to be guarded. during
the night When the battle began, the old
men rose upon their guard, and when John
Moore, jr., went, during the fight, to release
the old men, he found them guarding the
guard which bad been placed over them.
The wounded British and tories were sent
to the houses of the loyal families in the
neighborhood, and waited upon by DR.. Turner,
who resided in the community.
The sword of Huyck fell to the lot of Thom-
as Carroll. No doubt he received this as a
reward for having killed the vile swearer. In
his old age, Thomas Carroll became very
much dotted. One Of the strange acts of his
old age was, even when he was near ninety
five years old, to buckle on the sword of
Huyck, and by the assistance of bis sons,
John and Joseph, mount fine black horse
which he owned, and flourish his sword as if
be were great military captain in the bloom
of youth.
Immediately before the battle commenced,
Colonel Bratton, knowing his house was on
the battle.g ground, and that his family would
be exposed to the fire from the Wings as we'll
as the British, desired to 60 and inform his
wife, that she might protect herself and fami-
ly. Colonel Lacy, who was most impetuous
creature, and at the same time powerful
man, physically, swore that if he dared to do
such thing it might frustrate all the plans
of the Wings, and he would run his sword
through him if he attempted such thing.
Bratton did not 60 to inform his wife of
her danger but when the firing commenced,
Mrs. Bratton placed her little son in the
chimney as a place of safety A ball struck
the opposite jamb and bounded back. This
the little fellow secured as keepsake.
The house in which Colonel Bratton was
living is still standing. 1t is said the tim
bers still contain bullets that were shot at the
time of the battle. 1t is still owned by
descendant of Colonel William Bratton.
The battles of Ramsour's Mill and Will
liamson's were productive of great good to
the cause of the Wings They stopped, at
least for a,time, the plundering of the tories,
and tau ght the patriots that they might dare
to meet British regulars.
1t would be interesting to see full list Of
the names of those who were at the battle of
Williamson's and Huyck's defeat. This
might once have been secured. 1t is now too
late. We give below the names of the actors
on that memorable morning, that we have
been able to gather up. As there was really
no commanding officer, but each man was his
own commander, and as numbers of the indi-
viduals distinguished themselves during the
war and were promoted, We give simply the
names without any title:
John Mcclure, James Mcclure, William
Bratton, Hugh Bratton, Thomas Bratton,
Thomas Carroll, John Moffett, John Nixon,
James Moore, James Hemphill, James Nit.