The New York herald., 1876-10-11
The Light Horse Cavalry Against the
"WincheSter Rifemen."
WARM FIGHTING IN THE SWAMPS
How the Blue Coats Stopped q
Very Ugly Conflict!
LOOKING UP TIE DEAD MEN!
The Full List Of the Men Who We're Really
Killed or Actually Wounded.
ELLssros, Aiken county, s c., Oct 9, 1870

ELLsSrox, Aiken county, s c., Oct q, 1870
Your correspondent, pursuant 10 instructions has
given patient hearing TO every in Aiken county
who desired to talk about tho late conflict In this
county; has tcdiously evolved fact comment from
those who did not want talk and has visited every
battle field Of this guerilla war, from tho denle where
the nrst rencontre took place past Rouse's Bridge,
and the Double Bridge, the Cowdon Swamp, Siverton,
whore the brace OF black villains committed the first
crime; Grown Mills, the point where the railroad track
was torn up and finds himself this morning at Ellen
ton, the utermost point of tho conflict
A WAR THAT THE DARK.
have been especially careful sft tho truth out OF
the cloud OF rumors that are flying about and to
nothing as trustworthy that not supported by tho
affidavit OF respectable citizen doubt II there has
ever been serious conflict at point accessible to
the authorities concerning which so little has been
reliably published There is mystery about tho
whole matter that only the most persistent examina-
hon has cleared away The estimates the killed
and wounded have varied all tho way from ten to
300. prominent democratic journalist remarked
to quietly that he afraid many 200 negroes
had been killed. negro, who in the skirmishes
himself, did not think three negroes killed
Two United States Marshas and the District Attorney
have been engaged week taking testimony, and when
saw them last, with double ream OF aidavits could
not approximate even so simple matter the num-
Der Of the slain. They hope to be through in six or
eight days. when they will report officially. Tho
trouble about the matter IS that the fighting lasted
for three days; that the bloodiest work was done at
night that the all place in or near i'm
penotrabe swamps that they covered thirty
miles, and that matters have settled yet Add to
those dcutes the fact that both races are st very
much excited and you will how hard has becn to
get the truth What shall write Is the truth II is
backed by af1davits, by concurrent circumstances
AND 1T CANNOT GAIssAID.
When the official report is made v must conform cs-
sentally to what Is written below The story is
strange one and its suggestions valuable Just now
On the 18th Of September the house Of M Alonzo
Harley, at Sverton entered by two negroes with
burgiarious intent Mrs. Harley sick in bed. Her
son, little fellow OF tender years, her only
panion, her husband being absent The negroes
boldly entered her room and commenced to rob, at
which she protested. Tho negroes then attacked her
and beat her severely, striking her twice or three
times over the upper part Of the body with a club.
The child then attempted TO fee the house and was
caught by the negroes and severely punished be re-
ceving blow the back OF the neck which may dis
able him for life. Mrs. Harley in the meantime had
seized her husbands gun, which she drew down upon
gun was not loaded
Shortly afterward her husband arrived and collect
ing q crowd, started in pursuit OF tho villains A
negro Peter Williams, captured under suspicion
and brought back to the house. Mra Harley at once
and fully identified him as or the burglara Pend
ing her testimony the negro mado sudden burst for
the door, reached It and fed prccipitately Several
Of his captors rushed TO the doors and windows and
fred upon him. He fell ana brought back to the
house
NvERxLY, AVID WAS THOUGHT MORTALITY,
WOUNDED
He then fessed to having committed the robbery
and been prvy 70 the assault OF Mra Harley, which,
however, he claimed was committed by one Frederick
Pope colored Ho was then properly taken Of by
bis captors and his wounds dressed Kasht hero 1
shall take issco with the published Williams
did not die has boon reported, but GONZALES
cent Steps then taken BY tho friends OF Harley
and his vile to capture Pope tho accompce II the
principal, for the crime for which Williams had suf
fercd. Tho proper ahdavits were made and Charles
Grimm, colored Justice OF the Peace issued warrant
for the arrest Of Pope. In the mcantime news had
been received. very genera! and exciting pro-
vailing to this cnec' that a large number Of armed
rolored mon had assembled and were assembling for
the purpose OF avenging the murder Of Peter Williams
who then believed to be dead Williams was ex-
3 n that time (thc contrary having been indubtably
proven since and confessed all sdes that he was
Innocent OF the crime imputed TO and that he had
been killed by the whites through pure wantonncss-
There elected constabies In South Carolina
and the justices appoint constable for the serving OF
each warrant that they Feeling that there would
be trouble In making the arrest OF Pope Griln ap-
pointed Nr. Angns r. Brown, citizen Of known
ago bus Of prudent good ssnse 70 carry out his writ or
arrest
AxD nonr nnRs THE War CLOUD sHowHD rrsEEs.
Mr.. Brown quietly proceeded 10 surround himself
with a small but determined posse BY Saturday night
he had collected fourteen men, having intended to
take only ton Ho thon waited for morning, that the
search for Pope might be commenced, keeping his
together during the night. Early In the morning no
learned that Pope at Rousc's Bridge, under tho
protection of considerable number Of armed negroes
He at once Messrs weaihersby and sangs out as
scouts determine the report truc aud In the
meantime advanced with his posse toward The bridge
taking tho precauiion TO carry the negro Jus
lice with him, that the negroes might be
persuaded 20 give up snsr man a.,n without strug
Mr.. Harley, II was reinforced by 1--we men; tho
news OF the gathering al Rouse's Bridge having been
received at Siverton several hours before Constable
Browns scouts returRcd and confirmed, from actual
knowledge. that the negroes toward the bridge were
terribly excited, armed and dehant. negro tSidncy
Hank kenson) confirmed their report he having bcen al
thc bridge himself MI Brown aud his posse-a list
ofwhich is IN my possession on-moved qule1y forward:
Rouse's Bridge spans a small creek, and is fanked
the left aud left front by an mmense swamp II Is
approached by deep and narrow cut Just as the
posse emerged from this cut--or, rather as the first
men emerged-they we're met with
RAGGED AND SCATTERING fiRE
from party OF negroes, who aligned on tho very
edge OF the swamp. No one was injured, horse
only being wounded. The posse promptly returned
the Are Il Is said that three negroes were wounded
by this fire. From conversation with two or three or
The blacks engaged can get the name oil only one
wounded man-Henry Campbell who was shot IN tho
arm This believe, the only casualty OF the nrst
Rouse Bridge fight At tLe IRE OF the whites several
negroes issued from the swamp and hurried
10 rcinlorcc their friends, who numbered originally
lbout thirty The whites, fearing tho swamp was
hllcd with armed negroes, retired prccipiiately TO
= neighborng open field, and the nrst fight OF tho
campaign over. IL Is proven by tho ahdavits OF
than dozen men. including the colored Justice,
that the negroes made the first nre opening upon the
posse ucnlc Is described above. The whites
lhen instead OF returning 10 the attack determined TO