Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-09-21

standing the apparent disadvantage under
which they were placed. 1t was agreed by
Colonels Williams, s:aelby and Clarke, that
they should share the command equally.
These things being agreed upon, the next
thing was to prepare for action. On small
creek, which rises in Spartanburg county and
empties into the Enoree river, in Union coun-
ty, short distance below the Spartanburg
line, Shelby, Williams and Clarke, drew up
their men in semi.oircle Colonel Shelby
commanded the right; Colonel Williams, the
centre; and Colonel Clarke, the left. The
place chosen for the action was wood, and
served the double purpose of both concealing
and protecting the men. The men were dis.
mounted and the horses sent to the rear. The
troops were ordered to form breastwork Of
logs and brush. They we're tired and hungry,
and in good condition to make stand.
After men have been marched for day
and night on short rations, they will fight
hard. They come to the conclusion that the
place they aresin is as good as any other, and
rather than be driven from it, they will die.
Such was thecondition ofthe American forces
that met Colonel Innis at Musgrove's Mills.
They had rode all night on short supper,
and had had no breakfast. Hunger and ia
tigue aroused their patriotism. are
Captain Inman of Georgia, with sixteen
men, was sent forward to draw Colonel Innis
into the ambuscade. Inman advanced upon
the main body of the British and tories, and
commenced to fire. The British, in turn, ad-
vanced, and Inman felt back into the midst
of his concealed friends The enemy advanced
in three columns; the regulars in the center
and the militia on the wings. With trailed
arms and deployed columns, the whole force
of the enemy pursued Captain Inman until
they arrived within forty yards of the Ameri.
cans, concealed behind their temporary breast.
works. The signal to fire was given, accord
ibg to agreement, by Colonel Shelby firing.
In moment, destructive fire was poured
into the ranks of the advancing foe in front,
and on both wings. For moment the ad-
vancing columns recoiled, but the regulars
soon rallied and advanced. Another volley
was poured into their ranks. The regulars
fell back in confusion, and the firing became
brisk on both sides. So soon as the tories
saw the British regulars falling back i9e Con-
fusion, they gave way and fled. The Xmeri7
can troops now began to press on boil dly, and
the British regulars soon retreateds from the
f 6Gessas-seraas- the river. The American troops
were ordered to get their horses and pursue
the retreating foe. ,,..,----->-
On the battlefield, lay all the British off,
GERS either killed or wounded. Sixty-three
privates and one tory captain n-Hawsey lay
dead on the ground, and one hundred and
sixty prisoners had been secured.
Whilst the American forces, which had be-
come disordered in pursuing the flying foe,
was forming and waiting for their horses, q
consultation was held as to what course would
Be pursued: On the suggestion Of Colonel
Williams, it was determined to advance upon
the British and tory post at Ninety.Six. These
partisan leaders we're not long in coming to
conclusions In this instance, they thought
that there would be less danger in making an
attack Immediately upon Ninety-six, than in
passing Ferguson's quarters on their way
back to McDowelrs camp on Broad river.
They had gained glorious victory, with the
loss of only six or seven men.
The saddest thing about their loss was the
fact that Captain Inman, who suggested the
stratagem Of skirmish with the enemy,
whilst the Americans we're forming, was
killed. Much of the success which attended
the patriots on this occasion was due to the
skill with which Captain Inman managed the
skirmishing and drew Innis across the river
into the midst of the main body of the Amer
leans. At the moment that victory de-
clared for the Americans, the brave Inman
fell lifeless corpse. The whole British and
tory army was scattered to the winds. Major
Fraser the second in command, was killed,
and Colonel Innis wounded.
The Americans were flushed with victory.
They forgot their hunger and fatigue, and
were anxious to push on to Ninety-six, which
was about thirty miles distant. This was
wise conclusion, and the undertaking was
worthy of the men. In war, however, as in
every other department of human life, we'll
laid plans and wise conclusions are frustrated
in the moment when they are nearing consum-
nation. The men we're mounted and waiting
the command to march. At this moment a
courier arrived on the ground from General
Mcdowell. He bore letter from Governor
Caswell to General Mcdowell. 1t was dated
August 18th, on the battlefield where Gates
and CORVALLIS met in horrid conflict. In
few brief sentences, it communicated the sad
news that the army, under the hero Of Sara
toga, was completely routed, and advised Nc.
Dowell to get out of the reach of the enemy
as soon as possible. Mcdowell had sent the
letter, without note or comment, to Shelby,
Williams and Clarke, that they might govern
themselves as circumstances would indicate.
Shelby recognized the handwriting of Gov
ernor Caswell. All were convinced that the
letter was no trick of war. Another consul
tation was held. The attack on Ninety-Six
was abandoned, and it was determined, with
out moments delay, to make push to keep
out of the reach of Colonel Ferguson.
Tired and hungry as we're both men and
horses, they determined to make their escape
TT no. I'LL Lno,r thot Co1ona1 Ferpnsnn would