Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-10-19

nelgnD0r6, anu tnree cavalry coiupauieo "oio
raised to defend the country against the Brit
ish. The captains of these three companies
were John James, Henry Mouzon and John
Macauley. In this community there was, at
this time, company commanded by William
McCottry. These companies were organized,
perhaps in July. sa-- >-.
So soon as the British learned that the peo-
pie of Williamsburg were still in state of re-
bellion, Lieutenant Banastre Tarleton was
sent from Charleston, to kill in the bud, the
patriotism ofthe Scotch-Irish Of Williamsburg.
On the 9Th of August, Tarleton crossed the
Santee at Lenud's Ferry, and pushing on,
crossed Black river short distance below
Kingstree. Major James was on Lynche's
creek. He sent McCottry to Kingstree, but
Tarleton was gone before McCottry's arrival.
It seems that rumor was afoat in the coun-
try that Colonel Washington, with large
cavalry force; would soon be in the Williams
burg region. Tarleton took advantage of this
rumor and passed himselfoaas Colonel Wash
ington, and completely deceived the people:
From Kingstree he set out, in American
uniform, for Camden, to join the army at that
point. James Bradley, one ofthe first settlers
of the country, and at that time venerable
old man, was fooled by Tarleton's American
uniform. Tarleton told this patriarch that he
was Colonel Washington, and that he was
seeking an opportunity to attack the British:
Mr.. Bradley, who was man of influence, and
had perfect knowledge of every thing con-
nected with the immediate country, told, in
the simplicity of his heart and innocence of
his soul, everything he knew. Tarleton, pre-
tending to be Colonel Washington, prevailed
upon the old man to act as his guide across
the swamps of Black river. When Tarleton
had accomplished all he desired, he threw off
his disguise and ayowea himself as Tarleton.
No man can approve of such an act. 1t
was mean and inhuman. James Bradley was
put in irons and takeffto Camden. For some
diabolical purpose, he was, frequently, du-
ring his long confinement at Camden, taken
out to witness the barbarous execution of his
countrymen, and often was the threat made
that his time would be next. To the honor
of the old man he ever replied: 81 am ready
at any time to die for my country" In May,
1871, James Bradley was released; but be
bore the marks of the irons upon his legs to
his grave. -..
On his march from Kingstree to Camden,
Tarleton burnt and destroyed everything in
his way. All the houses on the plantation Of
Captain Henry Mouzon, together with their
contents, we're burnt to ashes. The house Of
James Bradley was also burnt. as well as the
houses of William and Edward Plowden.
These acts of cruelty prompted the three
companies organized in July, and McCottry's
company, to send fo2 Marion. The
largest of these foV Is was McCot-
ytry's, and it ,ooataia sety Eve aeeRs'
when organized b, ID of Charleston.
-Ih These four companies, toaather 1l1R some
twenty-five or thirty men and a.
rion when he was commissiq Pr
General, constituted what was Ia
rion's Brigade" We must not COZ Ma
rion's Brigade" with Marion's Regiment. The
latter consisted of nine companies, and ceased
to exist on the fall of Charleston.
After parting with Gates army, at some
point between Deep river and Camden Cen
eral Marion hastened to the regi zen
Camden and Charleston. With pd
energy for which he was noted do his
life, he began the work of destroying the
boats upon the rivers. The object of this de-
struction, as stated before, was to prevent
CORVALLIS from retreating to Charleston.
Gates calculated on nothing less than the COM
plete determination of all the British troops
in the region of Camden.
So soon as it was learned that Marion was
on the Santee, the Wings Aocked to him. The
four Williamsburg companies were all mount
ed, and sent, under command of Colonel Peter
Horny, into the region of country around
Georgetown. General Marion, with few
men, directed his course towards the Upper
Santee.
On the 18th of August, he heard Of Gates
defeat at Gum Swamp on the day before. The
news of this defeat was carefully concealed by
Marion from his men, lest it might make the
already sad, sadder. That night bis scouts
brought him information that large British
force, with considerable number of priso-
ners, we're in the neighborhood of Nelson's Fer.
ry. This was just what Marion desired. He
wanted to do something to revive the spirits
of his men. The fact of Gates defeat, he knew,
they would soon learn, and under no more fa-
vorable circumstances could this fact be learn
ed than when releasing those who had been
captured by the enemy. No doubt Marion
had another object in view. Most naturally
would he conclude, that the prisoners, when
released, would join his little band and render
good service to their country. In this fond
hope, as we will see, he was disappointed.
No sooner had he learned that a British
force was in striking distance, than he set
about making preparations for attacking it.
Nelson's Ferry is on the Santee, near the cor
ner of Orangeburg, Sumter and Charleston
counties. 1t is about thirty-6ve miles from
Kingstree; about the same distance from
Sumterville, and fifty or sixty miles from
Charleston.
About sundowu, on the evening of the 18th
of August the British guard, in charge Of one
hundred and fifty prisoners who had been cap
tured in the late battle near Camden, crossed