Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-13
Ai5torp ot $. Carolina,
Written for the Yorkvilc Enquirer.
THE BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN
BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
(COntinllel.)

BY REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
(Continuetl)
After Lacy's return to Sumptcr's camp, on
Clem's Branch, Col. James Williams, who,
as we have seen, was made a Brgadier Gen
cral by Governor Rutledge shortly after the
battle of Musgrovc's mill, arrived in camp,
and having shown his commission, claimed
the authority to take command Of all the
South Carolina troops in that section. On
the Sth Of September Williams had been or
dercd, or rather "requcStcd," by Abner Nash,
Governor of North Carolina, "to 60 into Cas-
well county and such other counties as he
might think proper, and raise body Of vol
untecr hor<emcn, not exceeding one hundred" "
With these and few other troops, Williams
came to Sumter's camp, on Clems Branch.
The South Carolina soldiers of Sumtcr's com
mand positively refused to submit to Will
liams as general They preferred Sumter.
The main objection that the soldiers had
against Williams was that, having at one
time been the commissary Of Sumter's COM
mand, he had acted in some way or other so as
to gain the i'll will and even hatred Of many
Of the men. What the facts in the case were,
it is impossible, at thisl late date, to learn with
sufficient accuracy to warrant us in saying
who was to blame, Williams or the men. No
doubt both were to some extent in the fault.
BE this as it may, difficulty sprung up be-
tween Sumter and Williams, and but for the
presence Of the enemy, it might have ended in
something serious.
Whilst the difficulty was pending, it was
learned that Rawdon and Tarleton, with a
large force, were making preparations for at
tacking them. 1t was concluded, by both par
tics, that they would cross the Catawba river
at Bi Biggcr's ferry (now Wright's.) Having
crossed the river council of officers was
called to settle the difficulty. Col. William
Hill, who was wounded at the battle of Hang
ing Rock, was made chairman Of this council.
Whilst the council was discussing the matter.
Rawdon and Tarlcton appeared on the oppo-
site bank of the river and commenced firing ut
them across the river 1t was evident that
the enemy would not allow them time to look
into the matter, and their existence depended
upon harmony among themselves. 1t was
facts in the case, to Governor Rutledge, then
at HillSborough, North Carolina. In the
mean time, however, Sumter was to retire
from the army until the decision of Rutlcdgc
was heard. Williams would remain in COM
mand of his North Carolina troops and Colo
nc> Hill and Lacy would take command of
the South Carolina troops.
Colonels Winn, Middleton, Thomas and
Hampton, were sent as commissioners to Gov
ernor Rutledge; and Lacy and Hill, in the
hope Of forming Il junction with General
William Davidson, led the army up the Ca
tawba, and crossed at Tucka<cge Ford. Gov
ernor Nash, of North Carolina, had instructed
Colonel Williams (then Generan to proceed
in any direction and operate against the enc
my. His instructions were very general,
leaving the whole matter to the discretion Of
Williams himself Whilst the army, then
under the command Of Hill, Lacy and Will
lamS, were on the east side Of Catawba river,
in the neighborhood of Tuckasege ford, Will
lams' scouts brought the information that a
body Of the back mountain men were already
on the cast side of the mountain, on their
way to fight Ferguson. They Immediately
crossed the Catawba, at Bcattics ford, with
the intention of going in pursuit Of Ferguson.
Here they were joined by Majors Graham
and Hambright with about seventy-fve men,
and not long attcrward by ColonclS Ham,
mond and Rocbuck, and Majors Chronicle
and Hawthorne
Williams had his scouts out watching Fer
guson. He was the more prompt in doing
this, from the fact that his home was on Little
river in what is now Laurcns county. This
territory was embraced in Fergllson'S field of
operations. a consultation was held by
Williams, Hill, Lacy, Rocbuck, Graham,
Hammond, Hambright, Brannon, Hawthorne
and Chronicle, as to what should be done 1t
was at once determined that Il messenger
should be sent to communicate with the back
mountain men, to inform them with regard to
Fcrgllson's movements and his place of ell
campmcnt, and to make arrangements for the
cooperation Of the two forces. Colonel Ed
ward Lacy, whose home was a few miles north
west of the present town of Chester, and who
owned large amount Of the lands on which
the town Of Chcstcris built, was chosen as the
messenger 1t was good choice. Lacy was
rccklc><ly brave and although Il rough man,
still Il man of good address, lie was scr
my W NY. II lui i'N WI th"l 'i!I WV N"' 10
were, at that time, sixty miles apart ; but
Lacy never stopped moment until, late at
night, he reached the camp Of tCampbrll This
was on the nj ght of the 4th ofOctobcr. Lacy
waS seized by the patroling party, and, without
ceremony, blindioldcd. lie begged to be
taken, without delay, to the commanders
quarters He was at first regarded as a spy
by all, and had he not been a true Wing, and
shown it by every word and action, he would
have paid the penalty i'll Il few moments.
That day Campbell and his mountain men
had reached Gilbert Town, and finding Fer
gu<on had dccampcd, and learning that he
was gone to Nincty-Six, which had lately
been repaired and reinforced, council Of
war had been held but Il short time before
Lacy arrived, and it waS concluded to aban-
don the chase Lacy then informed them
that Ferguson was in the ncighhorhood of
Cherokee tord--that he waS not aiming to
reach Nincty-Six but his point Of dcStlna-
ton was Charlotte, North Carolina They
were urged to annul the previous resolution
of the night, and meet the troops under will
liamS, Hill and other leaders at Il place called
the Cnwpcll<, on the sixth. This was done,
and after Lacy had fed his horse, eaten Il
supper of what the partisan camp would at
ford, and enjoyed a few hours sleep OH the
ground, he was up and away to join his COM
mand, which was now on its way to the Cow
pens
Let us leave the two armies and trace the