Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-03-30

pointed Colonel of the first regiment, and Rob-
ert Howe, Colonel of the second.
At this time John Murray, more commonly
known as Lord Dunmore, the last royal Gov
ernor of Virginia, was laying waste the lower
section of the State Of which he was Cover
nor. He had proclaimed martial law, and
issued proclamation in which he declared
the State free. In his army, he had mixed
multitude of British regulars, vile and aban.
doned tories and negroes, who had been stolen
or enticed from their masters, under the pre-
tence Of freeing them; but really that they
might be put into forts and made to do the
dirty work of Dunmore and his notorious
abettors. YDunmore secured the country in
search of Mrs. General Washington. he
stole Hollis printing press, and carried away
captive two of his printers. Finally, he made
his headquarters at Norfolk, and placed a
garrison Of negroes, tories, and British regu-
lars, at what was called 'The Great Bridge," !"
on Elizabeth river. Colonel Woodford was
sent against this motley band. With body
of minute men, he met them, and by the aid
of brave and skillful subaltern officers, and
brave and obedient men, the plunderers were
routed. The battle of "the Great Bridge
was fought before daylight on the 9th of De-
cember, 1775. Five days afterward, Robert
Howe, with his North Carolina regiment,
Joined Col. Woodford and took command Of
all the troops.
Dunmore, after the affair at "the Great
Bridge" abandoned his Notifications at Nor
folk, and with his white troops took refuge on
his ships. The poor, deluded negroes were
turned off and left in most deplorable con-
dition. Some wandered back to their old
homes, and many starved.
The supply of provision, on board Dun
more's ships was very limited. In fact, he
was forced to send parties on shore to procure
supplies for each day. Colonel Howe watch
ed his movements closely. These foraging
parties were cut off, and, besides, a constant
fire was poured into the ships from the upper
stories of the houses. Dunmore and his band
of outlaws were soon threatened with famine
Just when Dunmore was in the greatest dis
tress, a British frigate entered the harbor
This timely circumstance revived the droop-
ing spirits of Dunmore. The captain Of the
frigate was sent by Dunmore to Colonel
Howe, with an imperious command that ne
instantly cease firing upon the ship, and fur
nish those on board with supply of provis-
ions. The naughty Governor threatened, in
the event his demands were not granted, that
he would lombard the town. Howe boldly
returned for reply that he would neither
cease firing upon the ships, nor furnish the
men on board the vessels with supplies. Dun
more prepared to put his threat into execu-
ton. On the last day of 1775, an order was
sent to remove the women and children, and
uerore uzy yrgnr OF rne new year TWO vessels=
the Dunmore and Liverpool-commenced to
lombard Norfolk. A party, at the same
time, were sent on shore to set the town on
fire.
The population of Norfolk, at that time,
was about six thousand. During the two
years previous to the bombardment by Dun
more, it had grown up very rapidly. Most
of the houses were wooden buildings, and
many of them were filled with pitch and tur.
pentine. The wind was favorable for the in
cendiaries: Soon the flames spread in all di'
rections, and the bombardment was kept up
by the ships. The city was reduced to ashes,
and the inhabitants turned adrift in mid-win-
ter. Dunmore accomplished nothing but the
destruction of the town. This was very great,
amounting to near two million of dollars.
The suffering of the inhabitants from the loss
of their dwellings, in the dead Of winter, can
not be estimated but the loss Of life by the
bombardment was only few citizens who
were killed in the streets. No soldier was
killed. Dunmore was repulsed and his troops
prevented from landing.
In 1776, Robert Howe was made Briga.
dier General and sent south. After General
Charles Lee was ordered north, Robert Howe
succeeded him as commander of the southern
army. We have already traced the vicissi-
tudes of fortune through which he passed up to
the time of the fall of Savannah. After the
affair at Savannah, he left the south and be-
came connected with the army Of the north.
He was with General Wayne at Stony Point
on the 10th of July, 1779. General Washing.
ton planned the battle of Stony Point, but
it was executed by Gen. Anthony Wayne
Stony Point and Verplanck's Point, on
the Hudson river, had been taken only a
short time before, by Sir Henry Clinton, in
person. These two forts secured communica-
ton between the different sections Of the COL
onies. Their loss was source of grief to
General Washington. At once he began ma
king preparations to recapture them, and
General Wayne was consulted with reference
to the undertaking. Wayne's reply was {:
General, I'll storm hell if you will only plan
it." Washington knew that Wayne meant
what he said. .. -f..
In the neighborhood of Stony Point, there
resided Wing by the name Of Lamb. Cap.
tain Lamb owned negro who, in honor of
one of Romes greatmen, was named Pompey.
Soon after the British got possession Of Stony
Point, Pompey visited the garrison, carrying
strawberries, blackberries and other early
fruits to sell to the soldiers stationed at that
point His visits were daily and very accep-
table to the garrison. He completely won
the confidence of both men and officers.
Pompey, like his master, was good Wing.
He gave faithful and correct report of all
. II. e. L. l.